The Lege’s ‘Big Government Intrusion’ into University Academics
Expanding on last session's anti-DEI campus crackdown, Republicans are now going after gender and ethnic studies programs and faculty independence.
Joelle DiPaolo
Joelle DiPaolo is the Observer’s legislative intern covering the 2025 session. She is currently a senior journalism major at the University of Texas at Austin, where she spent three years as an editor and reporter at the Daily Texan. She previously interned for the Austin Chronicle and Texas Monthly.
Articles by Joelle DiPaolo
Ending 30 Years of Resistance, Trump and Abbott Break the ‘People’s House’
The Legislature’s lower chamber has finally blessed school vouchers—and denied ordinary Texans the chance to weigh in.
Slowly and Painfully, House Passes $337 Billion Budget
The chamber deliberated until 3 a.m.
Texas House Weighs How to Get Harsh on Hemp
Advocates and industry warn against bills that would ban or otherwise restrict many currently legal THC products.
‘It’s About Censorship, Erasure, and Control’: the GOP’s Push for Parental Rights
It’s part of a new right-wing project to control public schools.
Amid Texas Measles Outbreak, Conservatives Double Down on Anti-Vax Crusade
Spread of the virus is due to low immunization rates in certain communities. Meanwhile, some legislators are cheering for more “medical freedom.”
What a Drag: Nate Schatzline
The Fort Worth state rep spends another session waging a “spiritual battle” in the Texas House, with bad bills and incessant posting.
Speaker Burrows Remodels Texas House with All-Republican Chairs
The new leader of the lower chamber finally announced committee assignments, formalizing a new order in the lower chamber.
Trans Texans Are Under Attack (Again), but Advocates Aren’t Giving In
With another legislative session that could pile on even more anti-trans policies, LBGTQ+ groups grapple with how to protect their communities.
Abbott’s Familiar Priorities Include Property Taxes, Vouchers, Cracking Down on Bail
In his biennial address, the governor declared seven emergency items.