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

For Tea Party, CSCOPE Stands for WinningMay 20, 2013
At the Capitol this morning, Sen. Dan Patrick made a surprise announcement: "The era of CSCOPE lesson plans has come to an end." Full Story
House Passes Charter School Expansion BillMay 16, 2013
Each of the last two sessions, House members shot down the Senate's proposals for raising Texas' cap on charter schools—but a vote this afternoon put an end to the curse, as the House approved Senate Bill 2. Full Story
House Backs Krause Amendment Letting Student Groups DiscriminateMay 15, 2013
The House approved an amendment allowing college student groups to discriminate in their membership. Full Story
A Bill Dies at Midnight: Overdose Preventions Go Down Without a VoteMay 10, 2013
Joy Strickland, who heads Mothers Against Teen Violence, sat watching video from the House floor Thursday night, praying as the bill she championed slowly died. Full Story
House Votes to Return $667 Million to Businesses in Tax ShakeupMay 07, 2013
House members tried to make sure businesses got some money back from the state this session, passing a proposal to cut $667 million from the franchise tax. Full Story

Is Sid Miller In Trouble?Jul 27, 2012
It’s been a banner year for Sid Miller. After more than a decade in the Texas House, the state representative from Stephenville became a [...] Full Story
Red River JusticeJul 11, 2012
The law caught up with Rhonda Lesher on a quiet Monday afternoon in April 2008. She was doing the books at Unique Touch, the [...] Full Story
Live Texas GOP Convention CoverageJun 08, 2012
Update at 5:10 p.m. Ted Cruz Brings a “Dogfight” to David Dewhurst Poor David Dewhurst. Try as he might, the lite-guv underwhelmed the tea [...] Full Story
Parent PAC Seeks Vengeance At the PollsMay 29, 2012
This could be a defining year for Texas Parent PAC. When Carolyn Boyle formed the group in late 2005, she and her rough bunch [...] Full Story
District 33: Texas’ Wildest Congressional RaceMay 21, 2012
It’s a little after 10 a.m. Friday, and it’s already heating up in the Cowboys Dancehall parking lot in Arlington. State Rep. Marc Veasey [...] Full Story