Laura Marie Thompson
By Laura Marie Thompson:
Religious Exemption Bill Could Leave LGBTQ Texans Scrambling for Health Care
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.
Infighting, red-meat politics and parliamentary revenge characterized this year’s Texas Legislature. Amid the fray, legislators failed to reauthorize basic state agencies such as the Texas Medical Board, which is why Texans now face the gloomy fate of another 30-day session … Read More
‘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.
A new Texas law meant to shield child welfare providers who deny services based on religious beliefs could strap the state with more legal problems than the providers ever faced, critics say. Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3859 into … Read More
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.
Vivian Farinazzo For Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers, no two days are exactly the same. Jennifer, a CPS worker in Houston, juggles more than a dozen cases at a time and is responsible for virtually every decision made for each … Read More
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