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Texas Legislature

Texas Tells Students to Report Threats. It Should Give Us a Seat at the Safety Table.

State law requires parents, educators, police, and administrators to be a part of district safety committees, but not the kids who are expected to recognize and report danger.

by Arjun Sharda

Keep Reading

One of the Top Texas House Races Could Come Down to a Single Issue: Water

by Justin Doud

Come and Take Them, Dan Patrick

by Kalyn Gensic

University of Houston Is Gutting Its Gender and Sexuality Classes. That Won’t Stop Texas’ Crusade Against Higher Ed.

by Andrew Joseph Pegoda

A post from @LibsofTikTOk on Twitter that says, "This is Michael Gonzales, a teacher in @EISDofSA. Here he is showing off his massive progress pride flag hanging in his classroom to indoctrinate kids with gender ideology. Parents, beware!" Aug 23, 2023

A Queer Teacher in Edgewood Picked a Fight He Couldn’t Win

Learn4Life of San Antonio suspended Michael Gonzales after he tweeted a picture of himself in his classroom beside a pride flag.

by Gabriel Arana

Wearing a white suit jacket over a dark sweater, Angela Paxton sits in a chair in the Texas senate with a pensive expression. Aug 23, 2023

The Rise of Ma and Pa Paxton?

If history repeats itself, the attorney general's wife could prosper even if he goes down in an impeachment trial.

by Lise Olsen

Drag queen Brigitte Bandit performs on an ouitdoor stage in a sleeveless Texas flag halter top over large prosthetic breasts, a bright yellow blonde wig, and red and black tiger-stripe side-tie cowboy pants. Aug 22, 2023

‘We’re Going to Need to Save Each Other’: ‘Drag Ban’ Will Be Fought in the Streets & the Courts

SB 12 has already sent a chill of fear and uncertainty through the LGBTQ+ community.

by Kit O'Connell

An alligator gar in a tank approaches the camera with its pointy, toothy mouth and beady eye gazing at the viewer. Aug 11, 2023

Strangest State: Ken Paxton and Other Odd Creatures

Impeachments, record-breaking alligator gars, and other rarities from far-flung Texas.

by Texas Observer Staff

An older man in a Texas flag cap is reading a newspaper, confronted by a dictatorial looking person labeled "Legislature." Man: Wait, you're gutting local control ... Lege: You can't be trusted with local government ... Man: And public education? Lege: Or public education ... Man: Yeah welll ... You just wait 'til th'next election— Lege: ... And certainly not elections. Aug 04, 2023

Loon Star State: Gutting

The people can't be trusted.

by Ben Sargent

U.S. Representative Greg Casar (D-TX), a Latino man, is seen beyond water bottles on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. He's wearing formal pants, a shirt and tie, with his sleeves rolled up. Aug 03, 2023

Fighting for Breaks on Multiple Fronts

Workers and activists implore Governor Greg Abbott to consider the dire need for protections in the record-breaking heat.

by Michelle Pitcher

The Texas Capitol building seen from overhead, lit up at night. Jul 31, 2023

The ‘Death Star’ Bill Is About Kneecapping Democracy in Texas

House Bill 2127 is the culmination of a years-long fight about centralizing power, not protecting small businesses.

by Gus Bova

A masked Black woman laying in a hospital bed receives an ultrasound from a Black medical technician or doctor, who is pointing at the computer screen showing the infant. Jul 27, 2023

Save the Mothers

Maternal mortality rates are too high in Texas and the U.S. in general. We could fix that.

by Dinah Waranch

Jul 26, 2023

Will Greg Abbott Keep Losing on School Vouchers?

"If Abbott calls a special session to get a voucher program, we've been told by a lot of House members that the opposition to a voucher program will increase. "

by Josephine Lee

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