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

Two School Voucher Bills Emerge, While Lucio Denies SupportMar 05, 2013
Eddie Lucio Jr. sounded genuinely concerned about a school voucher bill up for discussion this morning. And he would have sounded even more genuine if he hadn't told a newspaper—just last week—he was interested in filing a bill to create state-funded private school scholarships. Full Story
Dan Patrick’s Latest Civil Rights Cause: “Catholics and Christians”Mar 05, 2013
This morning, Patrick blew the whistle on yet another crisis he deems roughly equal to the fight against racial injustice a half-century ago: parochial school students who can't play baseball against public school students in the University Interscholastic League. Full Story
Lucio Floats School Voucher Proposal—Just Don’t Call it “Vouchers”Feb 28, 2013
Wednesday, from the Rio Grande Guardian, came word that a voucher "pilot program" could be introduced by—wait for it—Democratic state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. He just doesn't want to call it "vouchers." Full Story
Whitmire, West Ding Patrick on Charter Bill: “We’re Fixing to Create More Government”Feb 28, 2013
It was a telling diversion in an otherwise agreeable budget meeting to watch a pair of Democratic senators try to make Patrick, the usually tight-fisted tea party favorite, defend the extra cost of his school reform plans. 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

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