Houston Matters

Why Are There So Many Open Judicial Seats in Federal Courts?

Posted on · There are currently 12 judicial vacancies on the federal bench in Texas — ten in district courts and two on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. That’s more vacancies than any other state. We discuss what’s behind the backlog and the impact of judicial vacancies on federal courts with Houston attorney David Furlow, a member […]

Houston Matters

Revisiting Debate Over Texas Voter ID Law

Posted on · Judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments last week (May 24, 2016) over a challenge to the state's voter ID law. Plaintiffs allege the requirement violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by making it more difficult — specifically for African Americans and Latinos — to cast […]

Full Show

Voting Rights Act 50th Anniversary and the Printing Museum: Thursday’s Show (Aug. 6, 2015)

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 […]

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 […]

Houston Matters

What’s Next in the Battle Over the Texas Abortion Law?

Posted on · Abortion rights supporters and opponents in Texas are awaiting a ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in an ongoing legal battle over an abortion law Texas legislators passed last year. The law, as written, requires (among other provisions) that all clinics providing abortions in Texas meet the same standards as hospital-style surgical centers. […]