Tag: 5th Circuit Court of Appeals

Houston Matters

Court Strikes Down Texas Voter ID Law

Posted on · The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Wednesday (July 20, 2016) ruled the state’s voter ID law is discriminatory, and violates the Voting Rights Act. If that sounds familiar to you, it’s because this is not the first time a federal court has found flaws with the Texas law — it’s actually the fourth […]

Houston Matters

Is the Texas Voter ID Law Ultimately Headed to the Supreme Court?

Posted on · As the Texas Voter ID law heads back to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, new voting-related allegations have surfaced. A Harris County constable primary candidate who fell just short of a runoff alleges his opponent’s campaign illegally cast votes for senior citizens. Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit has been filed accusing Texas officials of violating the “motor voter” law […]

Houston Matters

How the Fifth Circuit Became the Nation’s Most Right-Leaning Appellate Court

Posted on · Until a new justice is named and confirmed to replace the late Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court, any rulings resulting in a 4-4 tie among the current justices will lead to the lower court ruling being upheld, without a precedent set. When it comes to cases involving the state of Texas, that lower […]

Good, Bad and Ugly

Voter ID Law Struck Down, Paxton Indictment, and Blue Bell Making Comeback: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Houston News

Posted on · From the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals striking down the Texas voter ID law, to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s indictment for securities fraud, to Blue Bell Creameries starting up production in Alabama post-recall: we discuss The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of this week’s news. This week’s panel of non-experts is comprised […]

Houston Matters

As Court Strikes Down Texas’ Voter ID Law, Looking Back at 50 Years of the Voting Rights Act

Posted on · Wednesday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Texas’ voter ID law, ruling the 2011 measure violates the Voting Rights Act. The decision sends the case back to a lower court, which will decide whether lawmakers intended to discriminate when they approved the measure. The ruling came down just a day shy of the […]

Houston Matters

Abortion Clinics Could Close After Court Rules Texas Restrictions Are Constitutional

Posted on · The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans Tuesday upheld nearly all of the provisions in a controversial law which could leave fewer than ten health clinics in Texas that provide abortions. The three judge panel upheld House Bill 2‘s requirements for such facilities to meet the standards of hospital-style surgical […]

Full Show

The 5th Circuit Rules on Clinics Providing Abortions: Wednesday’s show (June 10, 2015)

Posted on · The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans Tuesday upheld nearly all of the provisions in a controversial law which could leave fewer than ten health clinics in Texas that provide abortions. The three judge panel upheld House Bill 2‘s requirements for such facilities to meet the standards of hospital-style surgical […]

Houston Matters

How Might Courts Rule Regarding the State’s Voter ID Law?

Posted on · Last week, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Veasey v. Perry, a challenge to the Texas voter ID law. In a federal district court ruling, Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ruled there was “compelling evidence” that Senate Bill 14, enacted in 2013, was passed with the intent to discriminate against minority […]

Houston Matters

5th Circuit Court Takes Up State’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Posted on · The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments Friday in cases involving same-sex marriage bans in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Last February, U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia ruled the Lone Star state’s same sex marriage ban unconstitutional, saying it deprives citizens equal protection under the law. But he also elected to delay the effect of his […]