Lawyer Up Texas

[sonias]

http://www.texasobserver.org/cover-story/lawyer-up">Texas Observer 6/16/11
Lawyer Up

WHEN THE POLITICIANS LEAVE AUSTIN, IT’S TIME FOR THE LAWYERS to swoop in. Nothing especially new about that. For decades, Texas conservatives have tried to do essential things on the cheap, forcing the courts to periodically order the state to meet fundamental obligations like providing “equitable” public education. This time, the consequences of the state’s huge budget cuts to education, health care and essential services are so dire—and some of the culture-war legislation so extreme—that litigation is guaranteed. Texas will be back in court like a repeat offender in a shabby suit.

Lawsuits are not just expensive and time-consuming; they also represent a failure of Texas’ elected officials to address pressing social, health, education and environmental needs. The irony is that an ultraconservative Legislature—which hurried into law a “loser pays” measure attacking frivolous lawsuits—would knowingly precipitate a spate of lawsuits. Here’s a look at some of the legal messes our legislators have gotten us into this time.



Children’s
Health Care

Public Schools

Voter ID

Clean Air

Women’s Rights

Much more detail at the link above.


I would add redistricting to that list too. Texas never learns. It's behaving like a bad corporate citizen, that will only change when the courts force them too.

:eyes: