Religious Exemption Bill Could Leave LGBTQ Texans Scrambling for Health Care
About a quarter of Texas counties have two or fewer primary care doctors and pharmacists. What happens if they refuse service?
Laura Marie Thompson
Articles by Laura Marie Thompson
Five New Laws that Will Likely Get Texas Sued (Or Already Have)
The Texas Legislature passed at least 5 arguably unconstitutional bills this year, and the special session hasn’t even started.
‘Recipe for Discrimination’: Legal Battle Brews Over New ‘Religious Refusal’ Child Welfare Law
The controversial measure passed into law last month violates the separation of church and state, legal experts say.
CPS Caseworker: Lawmakers Are ‘Shifting the Blame’ by Privatizing Child Welfare System
“We saw what happened whenever prisons were privatized,” the caseworker told the Observer.
House Votes to Expand Religious Freedom at the Expense of Foster Children, Critics Say
“Denying [kids] access to things they need or forcing your culture on them at the expense of theirs is not in the best interest of the children,” one foster parent said.
Texas House Goes Robin Hood on Business Incentive Fund, Gives Money to Child Welfare, Medicaid
The move prompted an impassioned speech on government transparency by one member and a brief golf viewing break for the rest.
‘An Incredibly Conservative Budget’: A Guide to the Texas House Proposal
Though they’re having trouble finding money for child welfare, Medicaid and schools, lawmakers found $653 million to fund a state border security plan.
Faith-Based Child Welfare Providers Threaten to Stop Services if ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Doesn’t Pass
‘We're so busy fighting over social issues that we don't actually address abuse happening to children,’ one opponent of the bill said.
Law Will Allow Texas to Refuse Same-Sex Couples, Non-Christians as Foster Parents
The proposal would also protect contractors who send children to parochial schools and deny abortion access to young women in their care.
Despite Warnings, the Texas Legislature Plans to Privatize Much of the Child Welfare System
Pressure from the governor to get CPS reforms passed quickly has hushed most criticism of the $279 million privatization plan.