Randall H Erben in the Media

Austin American-Statesman June 18, 2024

Texas Ethics Commission requires social media influencers to disclose paid political posts

Professor Randall Erben's explanatory comments given during a Texas Ethics Commission meeting are repeated in an article on the unanimous decision to require influencers to disclose paid posts and videos as political advertisements.

Texas Observer June 12, 2024

Ex-Legislator Faces Investigation for Possible Violation of Lobbying Law He Co-Sponsored

A statement made by Randall Erben at a Texas Ethics Commission meeting was used in a story on a former state representative's alleged violations of a Texas revolving-door law that restricts lawmakers from leaving office to become lobbyists.

Texas Tribune June 10, 2024

To fight poverty, some Texas cities gave aid with no strings attached. Conservatives are pushing back.

Professor Randall Erben explains how tax-funded financial aid programs must demonstrate that the funding is used to meet specific goals for the good of the public and not for the benefit of private parties.

Houston Landing April 17, 2024

Other cities and counties have tried guaranteed income programs. Ken Paxton didn’t sue them.

Adjunct Professor Randall Erben discusses how Article III, Section 52 of the Texas Constitution, which says public money cannot be used for private purposes, is factoring into Ken Paxton's lawsuit against Harris County's guaranteed income pilot program.

The Daily Texan April 1, 2024

Gov. Abbott announces plan to ensure stronger SB 17 compliance

Professor Randall Erben tells The Daily Texan that, as long as Republican lawmakers continue to hold both legislative houses, he expects the state to continue to increase SB-17's restrictions on public universities.

KXAN March 29, 2024

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launches investigation into Boeing parts supplier, requests DEI documents

Professor Randall Erben explains that companies must comply with requests for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) documents.

Houston Chronicle February 13, 2024

Why are Drake, 50 Cent and Chris Brown registered to vote at the same Katy house?

Adjunct Professor Randall Erben examines a prank in which five popular recording artists were fraudulently registered to vote in Katy, Texas, making note of criminal penalties and protections that would prevent any of them from casting actual votes.

KXAN November 23, 2023

Austin City Council likely to take up activist calls for ‘transgender sanctuary city’ designation

Professor Randall Erben discusses how Austin's efforts to adopt protections for the transgender community could be affected by state leaders' recent efforts to override local laws.

Houston Landing October 13, 2023

Lee, Garcia ask city to block Whitmire from using campaign investments to fund mayoral run

Professor Randall Erben commented on the use of stock sales in campaign finance in a new story about a Houston mayoral candidate's plan to apply stock proceeds to his campaign.

Austin Business Journal September 12, 2023

What businesses need to know after court ruling against law derided as ‘Death Star Bill’

Professor Randall Erben provides guidance for business owners after the controversial Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, which would nullify a wide range of local employment laws, was deemed "unconstitutional" by a district judge.

Texas Tribune June 6, 2023

Texas bill to increase transparency in public records law left in limbo despite passing Legislature

Adjunct Professor Randall Erben discusses Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's failure to sign off on a bill that the Texas Legislature passed to close a loophole allowing the government to withhold particular law enforcement records.

The Wall Street Journal May 28, 2023

Texas House Votes to Impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton

Adjunct Professor Randall Erben explains the rarity of impeachments and how the vague language in the Texas Constitution leaves lawmakers with ambiguous directions for the proceedings of Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment.