Laura Marie Thompson
By Laura Marie Thompson:
CPS Caseworker: Lawmakers Are ‘Shifting the Blame’ by Privatizing Child Welfare System
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.
Patricia Murphy, a single foster mother in Austin who is certified to care for the children with the highest needs in the state, says her guiding principle is to “meet kids where they are.” She’s cared for a girl who … Read More
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.
The move prompted an impassioned speech on government transparency by one member and a brief golf viewing break for the rest. Read More
‘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.
Though they’re having trouble finding money for child welfare, Medicaid and schools, lawmakers found $653 million to fund a state border security plan. Read More
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.
‘We're so busy fighting over social issues that we don't actually address abuse happening to children,’ one opponent of the bill said. Read More
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.
The proposal would also protect contractors who send children to parochial schools and deny abortion access to young women in their care. Read More
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.
Pressure from the governor to get CPS reforms passed quickly has hushed most criticism of the $279 million privatization plan. Read More
Texas Republican’s Attempt to Hijack CPS Reform with ‘Racist’ Amendment Backfires
A GOP member of the Texas House went rogue with an anti-immigrant amendment, and it wasn’t pretty.
A GOP member of the Texas House went rogue with an anti-immigrant amendment, and it wasn’t pretty. Read More
What Texas Lawmakers Can Learn from the Last Child Welfare Crisis
Texas’ child welfare system is caught in a cycle of crisis. Will lawmakers learn from their past mistakes?
Texas’ child welfare system is caught in a cycle of crisis. Will lawmakers learn from their past mistakes? Read More
Texas’ 10 Worst Social Media Moments of 2016
It was a year of fake news, nonsensical tweets and non-apologies galore.
If 2016 taught us anything, it’s that one late-night Twitter outburst can leave the entire country reeling for days to come. But President-elect Donald Trump wasn’t alone in his ill-advised posting. Here are 10 times prominent Texans made us hang … Read More