Patrick Michels

Patrick Michels is a reporter for the Texas Observer and a former legislative intern. He has been a staff writer and web editor at the Dallas Observer, and a former editor of the Texas Independent. He has a bachelor's in journalism from Northwestern University, a master's in photojournalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and is a competitive eating enthusiast.

Photos from Dallas’ Rally Against Domestic ViolenceMar 25, 2013
Saturday, thousands of men joined Mayor Mike Rawlings outside Dallas City Hall for a rally to end the city's culture of domestic violence, joined by major figures in the city's business, sports and faith communities. Full Story
Photos from the Save Texas Schools RallyFeb 25, 2013
Photos from the Save Texas Schools Rally at the State Capitol, a demonstration for more funding and less testing in Texas' public schools. Full Story

Debate on School Testing Bill Heats Up Over College ReadinessMar 26, 2013
After a lengthy debate, lawmakers may have settled the most divisive question facing them in today's school testing bill debate: whether high school students should, by default, be placed on a pathways to college preparation. Full Story
Photos from Dallas’ Rally Against Domestic ViolenceMar 25, 2013
Saturday, thousands of men joined Mayor Mike Rawlings outside Dallas City Hall for a rally to end the city's culture of domestic violence, joined by major figures in the city's business, sports and faith communities. Full Story
Senators Like State-Funded Gun Class for Teachers—But Not its Price TagMar 19, 2013
Since Sandy Hook, a handful of Texas school districts have added policies letting some teachers carry guns—Patrick's bill is meant to make that decision safer, so heat-packing teachers know what they're getting into. Full Story
Librotraficantes Fight Attempt to Whitewash History in Texas UniversitiesMar 14, 2013
After hauling banned books into Arizona, Houston writer Tony Diaz brought his "Librotraficante" campaign to the Texas Capitol Thursday, to fight a proposal to count only "comprehensive survey" courses toward college degree requirements. Full Story
Dan Patrick Files His “Business Tax Credit” School Voucher BillMar 08, 2013
Patrick's bill, SB1410, would create what he calls the Texas Equal Opportunity Scholarship Program. It's the largest voucher program in any bill filed this session, offering private school vouchers for at-risk and low-income students, with a priority for kids in low-rated schools. Full Story

Photos from the Save Texas Schools RallyFeb 25, 2013
Photos from the Save Texas Schools Rally at the State Capitol, a demonstration for more funding and less testing in Texas' public schools. Full Story
Testing the Limits: A Texas Mother’s Radical Revolt Against Standardized TestsFeb 21, 2013
Edy Chamness and the Facebook group she started last year, occupy the radical fringe in a broad revolt against Texas' testing regimen. Full Story
Tyrant’s Foe: John Kuhn, Standing Tall For Test ReformFeb 07, 2013
“I think there’s a large percentage of teachers who kind of have this quiet angst about how they’re being treated,” he says. “I think I’m fairly typical. It’s just that I’m maybe not smart enough to keep my mouth shut.” Full Story
If It Were Up To Us…Jan 06, 2013
We detail a dozen items that deal with the biggest problems in the state. Some of them are liberal fantasies (ahem, income tax) but others are sound public policy ideas that Texans of all ideologies support because they would improve the lives of millions of people. Full Story
Too Heavy to BearDec 30, 2012
At 24, Ray Wauson was thrilled to land a job as an armored-car guard. But he was entering an unregulated world in which the people guarding the cargo are often defenseless against the cargo itself. Full Story