Greg Abbott

House of Cards

Don't Mess with Texas' A.G.

A BounceBack for Mannatech? Um, OK?

Strong Arm of the Law

Dallas Sues Texas AG Abbott Over An Observer Open Records Request

Mayor Tom, City Council to Take on "Renegade Towing Companies"

Just Because, Texas Watchdog Sifts Though AG's Open Records Opinions

Just to see what's open and what ain't these days, Texas Watchdog's Jennifer Peebles sifted through a stack of November 12 rulings handed down by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's office concerning open records requests. Today, she posts the results.About half of the opinions concern requests gen ... More >>

Dallas ISD to Learn Some Interesting Legal Lessons Come January's End

DISD school board trustee Carla Ranger End of January's shaping up to be busy, busy, busy for the Dallas Independent School District. Says school board trustee Carla Ranger on her blog this a.m., Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has set a January 19 deadline for the DISD, the Texas Education Ag ... More >>

So, No One Else Is Worked Up About DISD Board's Vote to Extend Term Limits? OK, Then.

Yesterday was the deadline for "interested parties" to send to the Office of the Attorney General of Texas briefs concerning the Dallas Independent School District board of trustee's vote to extend their term limits from three to four years. Carla Ranger, of course, is the only trustee against the e ... More >>

Texas AG Tells Cali Women to Take Their Fuel Magnets and Blow 'Em Out Their Gas Tank

Three years ago, we ran a piece in the paper version of Unfair Park about a scam called BioPerformance Fuel -- otherwise known as mothballs you were supposed to drop into your gas tank to rev up mileage per gallon. The Texas Attorney General didn't take kindly to that. Which didn't stop two Californ ... More >>

Texas Attorney General, Dallas County Constables Round Up Deadbeat Parents

The Texas Attorney General's Office sends word this morning that 22 Dallas parents who've been court-ordered to pony up child support were arrested by Dallas County constables -- and it was the very definition of a "rude awakening," as the round-up kicked off at 5:30 in the a.m. Says Attorney Genera ... More >>

Running on Fumes

You've got to have balls to sell BioPerformance's hot product--mothballs

Oh-Five Alive

You've got to have balls to sell BioPerformance's hot product--mothballs

Not so public

Don't read over a fibbie's shoulder

Our Pal

We'll never tell, despite the Supreme Court

Tax Dollars at Work

Hey, armed robbers need bullets, too!

Fatal Phone Tree

Just try calling the Dallas County jail for info

DISD Trustee Carla Ranger Writes of Texas AG's Opinion: "Voting Rights Have Been Sacrificed on the Alter of Political Power."

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott"Bummer." That's how Dallas Independent School District board trustee Edwin Flores initially responded yesterday when Unfair Park asked for comment concerning the Texas Attorney General's opinion yesterday that the board "was not authorized to change the length of i ... More >>

Fight Over Child Support and DNA Testing in Dallas County Court Leads to a Whistleblower Suit Against Attorney General's Office

Mark GrahamJudge David HanschenCourthouse News this morning highlights the story of Ginger Weatherspoon, a former assistant attorney general in Greg Abbott's office who claims she was fired after refusing to lie under oath about 254th District Judge David Hanschen. Weatherspoon, who worked from July ... More >>

City Misses Samuell Trust Reports Deadlines; Texas AG Threatens Dallas With Legal Action

Once a popular hangout at the Samuell Farm, the Pavillion is a rotting, open-door shell of its former self.​Long story short: Since March 2008, the Texas Attorney General's Office has been investigating precisely how well the city of Dallas is taking care of the park properties and money left to t ... More >>

"This is Not About Gay and Lesbian Marriage."

​As you're no doubt aware, on Thursday, Judge Tena Callahan of Dallas County's 302nd Family District Court ruled that two men married in Massachusetts in 2006 could indeed get divorced in Dallas. To which Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott responded, Whoawhoawhoa: "The laws and constitution of the ... More >>

My Pet Goat Carcass, or: Yet Again, the State Goes After Local Grocer's Baaaaad Meat

​Seems the State of Texas isn't terribly impressed with the way Halal Import Food Market handles its meat -- and hasn't been since, oh, 2001, when the Arlington grocer-warehouse first opened its doors. Which is why Attorney General Greg Abbott's latest lawsuit against the East Pioneer Parkway-base ... More >>

Yet Again, AG Abbott Defends the Constitutionality of the Texas Pledge

​Remember when David and Shannon Croft sued the state because they didn't want their kids, then enrolled in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district, to recite the Texas Pledge of Allegiance? Yup. Totally forgot about that one. That was two long years ago -- back when the Crofts also sued the ... More >>

Buzz Gives '09 a One-Fingered Wave Goodbye

​Remember when David and Shannon Croft sued the state because they didn't want their kids, then enrolled in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district, to recite the Texas Pledge of Allegiance? Yup. Totally forgot about that one. That was two long years ago -- back when the Crofts also sued the ... More >>

In the War of Attrition Waged by the Texas Attorney General Against Robert O'Donnell, There Were Unintended Consequences

​Remember when David and Shannon Croft sued the state because they didn't want their kids, then enrolled in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district, to recite the Texas Pledge of Allegiance? Yup. Totally forgot about that one. That was two long years ago -- back when the Crofts also sued the ... More >>

Governor Rick Perry 's Lame Statement About Child Support Tells Us All We Need To Know About Republican Ally Greg Abbott

Danny Fulgencio​In the current paper version of Unfair Park, we detail the lengthy battle between Robert O'Donnell and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who extinguished O'Donnell's child support collection business after several courtroom victories. Despite the efforts of Abbott and his off ... More >>

Tomorrow, Texas AG to Make Case That Gay Divorce is Gateway to Gay Marriage

Attorney Pete Schulte and the petitioner still known as J.B. on The Daily Show in January​Mark it down: 2 p.m. tomorrow, George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building. That's when the Fifth Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments for case No. 05-09-01170-CV -- otherwise known as In the Matter of the Marri ... More >>

Craig Watkins Just Can't Seem to Please Anybody.

Attorney Pete Schulte and the petitioner still known as J.B. on The Daily Show in January​Mark it down: 2 p.m. tomorrow, George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building. That's when the Fifth Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments for case No. 05-09-01170-CV -- otherwise known as In the Matter of the Marri ... More >>

A Few Do's and Don'ts Learned During the 2010 Republican Party of Texas Convention

Photos by Patrick Michels​Happy Sunday, Friends! While you were out having a nice, relaxing weekend full of neighbors and sun and beers and loveliness, I was at the 2010 Texas Republican Party Convention having a blast talking about 'Murka and stuff. It was a fun- and camo-filled two days, but I'v ... More >>

The Texas Attorney General, Not Keen on Putting the "Open" in Open Records Requests

Patrick MichelsTexas Attorney Greg Abbott with two of his fans at the Texas GOP convention downtown over the weekend​Yesterday's mail included a couple of letters from the Texas Attorney General, which I will share, regarding two unrelated matters. The first was an opinion dealing with my letter t ... More >>

Now Objecting to the Sale of Your Texas Rangers: Attorney General Greg Abbott, Comptroller

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott​Once again, the Texas Rangers Baseball Partners Information Site provides us with a wealth of morning must-reads -- chief among them, the 12-page objection filed yesterday in Fort Worth bankruptcy court by the Texas Attorney General's Office and the Texas Comptro ... More >>

AG's Office Says DA Watkins Must Hand Over Appointment Schedule to GOP Chair Neerman

Sam MertenCraig Watkins​Two months ago to the day, we told you about Dallas County Republican Party chair Jonathan Neerman's public information request for the calendar of Democratic Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins dating back to his first day in office -- January 1, 2007. Seeme ... More >>

In Battle Between Feds and States Over Arizona's Immigration Law, Guess Which Side Rick Perry and Greg Abbott Are On?

Danny FulgencioGovernor Rick Perry​Arizona's new immigration law has been a polarizing political issue to say the least, with President Obama challenging its constitutionality through the Department of Justice by launching a July 6 lawsuit against Arizona and Governor Janice Brewer. So it was ... More >>

Texas Attorney General Goes After Okie Payday Lending Firm Pretending to Be Dallas County

​Why, lookie there -- former Dallas Cowboys head coach Barry Switzer's the face of Federal Cash Advance. Makes sense: The payday lender's Oklahoma-based. But, see, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott doesn't take to kindly to the way it runs its bidness down here. Says the AG in a lawsuit filed tod ... More >>

DA Craig Watkins Not About to "Told Ya So" Over AG's Ruling About Hiring Outside Counsel

​As you may be aware, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has issued a ruling intended to put to rest any argument over who has the authority to hire special outside counsel to represent Dallas County in civil matters -- the Dallas County District Attorney or the county commissioners court. Two fol ... More >>

Turns Out DPD Has Audio of Supposed Dispute Between (Ahem) Arthur and Archie -- and Attorney General Says They Must Release It

Photo by Sam MertenMayor Dwaine Caraway​Along with a handful of other media outlets that filed open records requests about the incident at Mayor Dwaine Caraway's home near Cedar Crest Golf Course known as the "Arthur and Archie" ordeal, we asked for notes, audio, video and any other possible d ... More >>

Now That Mayor Dwaine Has Sued Greg Abbott Over Police Report's Release, What's Next?

The gentleman on the right also sometimes goes by "Arthur."​On Friday, the Texas Attorney General's Office told the city of Dallas to give up those police records pertaining to Mayor Dwaine Caraway's pals Arthur and Archie. At which point Caraway's attorney -- Michael Payma of Payma, Kuhnel, & ... More >>

Toxic Avenger: In the War Between the Feds and Texas, EPA Chief Al Armendariz has Science on His Side. Is That Enough?

The gentleman on the right also sometimes goes by "Arthur."​On Friday, the Texas Attorney General's Office told the city of Dallas to give up those police records pertaining to Mayor Dwaine Caraway's pals Arthur and Archie. At which point Caraway's attorney -- Michael Payma of Payma, Kuhnel, & ... More >>

Liberty Institute's Still Working Hard to Keep Gay Dallas Couple From Getting a Divorce

Attorney Pete Schulte and the petitioner still known as J.B. on The Daily Show last year​Surely you recall the case of J.B. and H.B., two Dallas men who went to Massachusetts to marry in 2006, only to separate two years later and then try to get a divorce. In October 2009, Judge Tena Callahan gav ... More >>

Dickey's So Angry About Redistricting Map She Wants Texas Attorney General, DOJ to Intervene

Photo by Mark GrahamMaurine Dickey​No doubt you recall Dallas County Commissioner Maurine Dickey's blow-up over that redistricting map sprung on her during commissioners court a couple of weeks back. Long story short: She'd agreed to one map, only to have John Wiley Price give her, at the last sec ... More >>

When's Perry Gonna Decide? Dunno.

Office of the GovernorRick Perry, Stephen Broden, Sarah Palin and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott at the Majestic last fall​Gov. Rick Perry will be in Denton this week, according to his office, at which time he certainly will not address if and when he's going to announce whether he's running f ... More >>

If Nothing Else, MALDEF's Very Happy With the Federal Court's New State Redistricting Map

Via the Texas Legislative Council​About a month ago we noted that the Department of Justice was very unhappy with how state legislators redrew Texas's congressional districts -- something to do with how the new map "actually reduced minority electoral power" in Dallas-Fort Worth, for starters. Hen ... More >>

Paul Clement's To-Do List Just Got Longer As He Tries to Toss Texas's Redistricting Maps

Via.​On Wednesday we got our first look at the new-look Texas maps drawn by the court, which is attempting to rectify the U.S. Department of Justice's concerns that the state Legislature is attempting to keep Hispanics from voting for Hispanic candidates, especially in Dallas-Fort Worth. To which ... More >>

As Promised, Texas AG, Paul Clement Have Asked Supreme Court to Stay Court's New Maps

​Yesterday we gave you the heads-up: Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has brought in former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement to try to throw out what they claim are the federal court's "unlawful redistricting maps." And, right on cue, they've filed their emergency stays with the U.S. Supreme ... More >>

State Maps Stayed, Texas AG Abbott Now Wants Supremes to Delay Candidate Filing Period

Carol Kent's hoping to run for House Disrict 107, if there is a House Distict 107.​As we were leaving the office Friday, word came down that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (and former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement) got what they wanted from the U.S. Supreme Court: a ruling that, for now, ... More >>

Texas's New Sonogram Law Is Going Into Effect Immediately. As In: Right Now.

Zazzle​Just four days after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Rick Perry's favorite law -- the one requiring women to get a sonogram, listen to a fetal heartbeat and hear a verbal description from a doctor of the sonogram image before they can get an abortion -- is street legal, th ... More >>

Supreme Court Tosses District Judges' Redistricting Maps, Says Texas Needs a Do-Over

​Back in November U.S. District Judges Orlando Garcia and Xavier Rodriguez down in San Antonio drew up new congressional and state House and Senate maps, since they so hated the ones submitted by the Texas Legislature. The judges claimed the state willfully ignored the state's growing Hispanic pop ... More >>

Feds Think Texas's Voter ID Law May Be Racist, So the State Sues to Implement It Right Away

Greg Abbott to feds: Oh hell no.​Given Texas's dicey history with electoral rights, the Obama Administration has expressed concern in recent months about the state's new Voter ID law, which requires voters to bring government-issued identification to the polls. So the state, naturally, is suin ... More >>

Center For Reproductive Rights Wants All Fifth Circuit Judges To Hear Sonogram Law Case

Rick Perry, signing the sonogram legislation​The saga of Texas's brand-new, Rick-Perry approved sonogram law continues. First, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a preliminary injunction issued by Judge Sam Sparks and allowed the law to go into effect. (That law, just to refresh, ... More >>

The Super Bowl Prostitution Hoax Returns

Indianapolis mobilizes for an epic battle with an urban legend.