Paxton, Lawyers for Texas Foster Kids Clash Over Merits, Costs of Federal Judge’s Proposed Remedies

AUSTIN — Texas shouldn't have to obey a federal judge's recent edict on foster care because she misapplied the law and is about to "irreparably harm" the system with about 100 misguided directives, state Attorney General Ken Paxton has argued.But lawyers for 10,700 children in long-term foster care, responding to Paxton in a brief filed with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Monday, said kids are harmed every day because of "deliberate indifference" by the state.Even though Texas leaders know that their underfunded, chaotic system poses "serious risks" to children, they refuse to correct structural flaws such as not having enough Child Protective Services caseworkers and child care licensing investigators and inspectors, plaintiffs' lawyers wrote.  Continue reading...