Texas Legislature
Pete Gallego and Texas Democrats Once Again Snatch Defeat from Jaws of Victory
The Christian Right’s Politics of Cruelty
The policies pushed by politicians like Donald Trump and Dan Patrick are anything but Christ-like.
It’s an especially bitter irony. You might expect that the rise to power of politicians who either are outspokenly Christian or have overwhelming support from...Read More
Under Trump, Islamophobic Pastor John Hagee’s Star Rises Again
Despite closing in on 80 years old, San Antonio megachurch pastor John Hagee may be a man in renaissance.
On a Sunday morning in late June, John Hagee took the stage in his palatial north San Antonio megachurch, his white hair slicked back and his imposing jowls ob...Read More
Texas Counties Are Struggling to Find Money to Replace Antiquated Voting Machines
An aging fleet of voting machines presents one of the biggest immediate challenges facing Texas elections, but state leaders have shown no interest in chipping in.
In the lobby of a North Austin hotel, Almina Cook is eating an ice cream sandwich as she and two of her deputies listen to a salesman pitch them on a soon-to-hi...Read More
Professor Trill
Rapper Bun B on Port Arthur, resilience and the meaning of trill.
The Bayou City loves Bernard “Bun B” Freeman so much that he’s been given the title “Houston’s unofficial mayor.” But the Grammy-nominated renaissan...Read More
In Violation of Texas Law, Most High Schools Aren’t Giving Students the Chance to Register to Vote
Abysmal compliance with a decades-old state law is leaving at least 180,000 high school seniors off the current voter rolls, according to a new report.
About two-thirds of Texas high schools are not following a state law that mandates giving all eligible students the opportunity to register to vote, according t...Read More
On Gun Safety, Democrats are Steeled
Texas Democrats are becoming more sure-footed in their call for gun reform legislation.
For years, the Gun Owners Caucus had a regular presence at Texas Democratic Party conventions. The group’s message: “Texas Democrats do not want your guns; ...Read More
A Republican Made the Runoff for Uresti’s Senate Seat. What’s that Mean?
Amid Democratic Party infighting, the Texas GOP made a last-ditch effort to get their guy into a runoff — putting a precious Democratic state Senate seat in jeopardy.
When longtime San Antonio Democratic state Senator Carlos Uresti was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 12 years in prison last month, he was forced to vacate ...Read More
A Time for Radical Thinking
We need more bold ideas that challenge Trump and restore democracy.
Give Donald Trump this: he’s brought a certain clarity to our present condition. With democratic norms shattered, institutions weakened and the illusion of a ...Read More
Documentary Follows a Family’s Fight to Change Texas Law that Turned Brain-Dead Pregnant Woman into an ‘Incubator’
62 Days is meant to bring attention to laws that “punish women and put them in extraordinary circumstances where their choices and autonomy are dismissed,” the filmmaker said.
For 62 days, Marlise Muñoz’s family was forced to watch as her body deteriorated. The 33-year-old paramedic had suffered a pulmonary embolism two days before...Read More