Forrest Wilder

Forrest Wilder, a native of Wimberley, Texas, joined the Observer as a staff writer in 2005. Forrest specializes in environmental reporting and runs the “Forrest for the Trees” blog. Forrest has appeared on Democracy Now!, The Rachel Maddow Show and numerous NPR stations. His work has been mentioned by The New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Time magazine and many other state and national publications. Other than filing voluminous open records requests, Forrest enjoys fishing, kayaking, gardening and beer-league softball. He holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin.

The ResponseAug 08, 2011
Texas Observer reporter Forrest Wilder provides video stills from The Response, Texas Governor Rick Perry’s, Aug. 6th prayer rally held in Houston. Read more [...] Full Story

What Must Happen for Texas to Turn BlueMay 23, 2013
Polling indicates that Democrats have no lock on the Latino vote, and that control of Texas may hinge on which Latino voters show up at the polls. Full Story
Harold Simmons Wins Another Favor from the LegeMay 21, 2013
Every session, Harold Simmons' radioactive waste dump company comes to the Legislature with a new favor to ask. Every session Rep. Lon Burnam, a Fort Worth Democrat with a peace activist pedigree, puts up a spirited protest. And every session, Simmons—one of the state's most generous GOP donors—pretty much gets what he wants. Full Story
Instead of Tax Breaks for Yacht Owners, How About Closing Corporate Loopholes?May 14, 2013
If we need more money—and there’s no doubt we do—let’s undo the massive tax breaks, tax abatements, corporate loopholes and big-business giveaways before we start raising the sales tax. Full Story
A Last-Ditch Effort to Rein in Payday LoansMay 08, 2013
In a last-ditch effort to salvage payday loan reform, Rep. Mike Villarreal called on a recalcitrant Texas House committee to send legislation to the House. Full Story
Water, MUD and Beer: Recipe for an Explosive Hill Country Development FightMay 03, 2013
In hindsight, perhaps Greg LaMantia, a scion of a South Texas family who made its fortune as a regional Budweiser distributor, shouldn't have named his 5,000-acre spread near Wimberley "Needmore Ranch." Full Story

What Must Happen for Texas to Turn BlueMay 23, 2013
Polling indicates that Democrats have no lock on the Latino vote, and that control of Texas may hinge on which Latino voters show up at the polls. Full Story
Water, MUD and Beer: Recipe for an Explosive Hill Country Development FightMay 03, 2013
In hindsight, perhaps Greg LaMantia, a scion of a South Texas family who made its fortune as a regional Budweiser distributor, shouldn't have named his 5,000-acre spread near Wimberley "Needmore Ranch." Full Story
Give Us Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses—We Have Private Prisons to FillMay 01, 2013
Since 2005, immigration has been criminalized as never before. Full Story
Payday Loan Industry Divides and Conquers at CapitolApr 16, 2013
Consumer advocates and Democrats are divided over a Senate bill that would impose light regulations on payday and auto-title lenders. Full Story
Erica Grieder Praises the “Texas Miracle” in Big, Hot, Cheap, And RightApr 11, 2013
The question of whether Texas—which continues to grow in political and economic stature—is a model for emulation or mockery remains. Full Story

Forrest Wilder

The ResponseAug 08, 2011

What Must Happen for Texas to Turn BlueMay 23, 2013

Harold Simmons Wins Another Favor from the LegeMay 21, 2013

Instead of Tax Breaks for Yacht Owners, How About Closing Corporate Loopholes?May 14, 2013

A Last-Ditch Effort to Rein in Payday LoansMay 08, 2013

Water, MUD and Beer: Recipe for an Explosive Hill Country Development FightMay 03, 2013

What Must Happen for Texas to Turn BlueMay 23, 2013

Water, MUD and Beer: Recipe for an Explosive Hill Country Development FightMay 03, 2013

Give Us Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses—We Have Private Prisons to FillMay 01, 2013

Payday Loan Industry Divides and Conquers at CapitolApr 16, 2013

Erica Grieder Praises the “Texas Miracle” in Big, Hot, Cheap, And RightApr 11, 2013