Texas Withdraws Plan to Cut Number of Appellate Courts in Half

A controversial plan backed by Texas Republican lawmakers to cut the number of state appellate courts in half has been withdrawn by the bill’s (S. B. 11) author, who cited legislative time constraints.

“Since the 87th Legislature concludes its business at the end of May, time does not allow for Senate Bill 11 to move further in the legislative process,” Senate Jurisprudence Committee Chairwoman Joan Huffman (R) wrote in a letter Thursday sent to all 31 Senate offices.

Huffman, an attorney, said previously that Texas could no longer justify having 14 appellate districts, saying the current regimen hasn’t ...