Jim Malewitz
Texas Tribune
Austin, TX, United States
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Past articles by Jim:
Amid opioid crisis, Texas subsidized drug company it's now investigating
In 2016, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $9.75 million grant to McKesson Corporation. Now, Texas is among the states investigating the giant drug distributor's role in a growing opioid crisis. → Read More
What will Joe Straus do with his $10 million in unspent campaign funds?
State ethics laws grant elected officials wide latitude on how they use their political contributions while in office — meaning there's a lot outgoing House Speaker Joe Straus could do with his $10 million campaign war chest. → Read More
How the Texas redistricting lawsuit outlived a voter who sued
The six-year battle over the state’s redistricting plan illustrates how a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling four years ago has shifted the burden in challenges of such laws. → Read More
To fund bid against Ted Cruz, former mayor puts up building as prize in "essay and rib contest"
Months after spending a turbulent 37-day stint as Corpus Christi mayor and then resigning, Dan McQueen is trying to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz – and hoping an "essay and rib" contest will both fund his bid and unload some property. → Read More
Hegar: Harvey response will strain Texas budget, shouldn't slow economy
Hurricane Harvey will probably not wallop Texas’ economy in the long run, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. But the state’s response to the storm could ultimately mean a multibillion-dollar hit to the state budget. → Read More
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton under probe for legal defense gift
A district attorney has been probing whether Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton broke any laws by accepting a $100,000 gift from a CEO whose company was being investigated for alleged fraud, according to news reports. → Read More
East Texas county sues drug companies, alleges role in opioid crisis
Upshur County is suing a slew of prescription painkiller manufacturers and distributers in federal court, accusing them of fueling a nationwide opioid addiction epidemic. Other Texas governments may follow suit. → Read More
Texas to change voting in nursing homes — for one election, by accident
Election administrators hope to avoid confusion as Texans living in nursing homes test a new system of voting during the state’s constitutional election — a one-time change prompted by a new law set to vanish in December. → Read More
Railroad commissioner to chair: "This isn't a dictatorship" (video)
In a livestreamed Tuesday meeting, Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton and the board's chair, Christi Craddick, sparred over questions about the fate of the agency's executive director. → Read More
Amid opioid investigation, Texas and other states demand drug company documents
As communities nationwide grapple with opioid addiction, Texas and a coalition of 40 other states has served subpoenas to eight companies that manufacture or distribute prescription painkillers, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday. → Read More
Principals aren’t registering high schoolers to vote. Texas is turning to superintendents.
Thirty-four years ago, the Texas Legislature enacted a novel law requiring high school principals to register eligible students to vote. But many aren’t complying, and voter participation remains chronically low. → Read More
Supreme Court puts redrawing of Texas political maps on hold
In separate orders issued Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked two lower court rulings that invalidated parts of the state's congressional and House maps where lawmakers were found to have discriminated against voters of color, putting on hold efforts to redraw those maps. → Read More
Audit: Ag agency hikes on fees to Texas farmers and ranchers raised millions more than needed
In 2016, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller irked farmers, ranchers and lawmakers by dramatically raising fees for a wide range of services his agency offers. A new state audit says the higher fees generated millions more dollars than necessary in 2016. → Read More
Crosby plant explosion highlights state efforts to block access to chemical information
After explosions in a Crosby, Texas chemical plant, the public had no option but to trust government and company assurances that billowing smoke presented little danger. → Read More
Trump's Justice Department wants Texas to keep invalidated voter ID law
Continuing a dramatic reversal on voting rights under President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Justice is asking a federal appeals court to allow Texas to enforce a photo voter identification law that a lower court found discriminatory. → Read More
Explosions strike chemical plant after floods in Crosby, Texas
Officials downplayed the environmental and public health risks from the plant. → Read More
Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton: There is no fuel shortage
Long lines formed at Texas gas stations Thursday as some prices started to spike — but officials say Hurricane Harvey hasn't led to a shortage of fuel. → Read More
Harvey-flooded chemical plant in Crosby reportedly explodes
A flooded-out chemical plant in Crosby that was expected to explode has reportedly done just that, its owner said early Thursday. → Read More
Harvey's winds and rain disrupt Texas agriculture
Hurricane Harvey did more than transform cityscape by turning highways into rivers; It also upended life for farmers and ranchers across dozens of counties that Gov. Greg Abbott declared disaster zones. → Read More
Why not evacuate Harvey? Houston leaders defend their calls to stay put
As Harvey's waters strand thousands of folks in their homes and send some onto rooftops — a chorus of onlookers have asked: Why didn’t more local officials order mandatory evacuations? → Read More