Past Contributions

• Family separation crisis takes center stage at Texas Democratic convention

  By Patrick Svitek and Alex Samuels June 22, 2018

  The family separations crisis quickly emerged as the top issue at the state Democratic biennial convention, fueling anger and enthusiasm as the minority party charges into a general election season determined to push back against Trump and his GOP allies in Texas. Full Story 

• Here’s a list of organizations that are mobilizing to help the influx of immigrants crossing the Texas-Mexico border

  By Alex Samuels Updated: June 25, 2019

  Government agencies are grappling to respond to the number of immigrants coming into the country. Many tax-funded shelters housing immigrants are overcrowded, and there are reports some have substandard living conditions. We’ve compiled a list of organizations that are mobilizing to help. Full Story 

• Advocates say arming Texas school employees won’t cost that much. But many districts don’t want to do it.

  By Alex Samuels June 14, 2018

  Experts say it costs about $500 to train a school employee under Texas' school marshal program. But school leaders say their worries go beyond the cost. Full Story 

• Four things to watch at Texas Republican and Democratic party conventions

  By Alex Samuels and Cassandra Pollock June 11, 2018

  Thousands will gather at the state GOP convention in San Antonio this week. Texas Democrats will meet in Fort Worth for their biennial meeting the following weekend. School shootings and the #MeToo movement are among the issues that could loom large at one or both events. Full Story 

• After crowdfunding law, Texans raise nearly $250,000 toward testing rape kits

  By Alex Samuels June 8, 2018

  The money collected will go to a “dedicated testing evidence account” controlled by the state comptroller. The Governor's Criminal Justice Division will then distribute the funds to qualifying crime labs and agencies on an application basis. Full Story 

• Voting rights groups say a citizens commission could fix gerrymandering. It’s unlikely to happen.

  By Alex Samuels June 7, 2018

  As the U.S. Supreme Court ponders a Texas redistricting case, a coalition of voting and civil rights groups is pushing to establish an independent commission in which citizens, rather than lawmakers, would draw the state’s political maps. Full Story 

• In Texas, lawmakers have to live in their districts. But good luck proving it if they don't.

  By Alex Samuels June 4, 2018

  The state law that defines residency requirements is hard to enforce. Full Story 

• Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller posts — and then deletes — a fake photo of Whoopi Goldberg

  By Alex Samuels May 30, 2018

  The doctored photo purported to show Goldberg wearing a shirt that showed President Donald Trump shooting himself. Full Story 

• The Green Party needed nearly 50,000 signatures to make it onto the November ballot in Texas. It got about 500.

  By Alex Samuels May 30, 2018

  The Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians were the only three parties that secured statewide ballot access this year. Full Story 

• We visualized how underrepresented Texas women are in government. This year, it could change — but not by much.

  By Alex Samuels and Darla Cameron May 25, 2018

  This year's surge in women candidates could result in a record high percentage of female representation in Texas’ congressional delegation and the state legislature. But regardless of the outcome in November, Texas women will still fall short of equal representation in their government. Full Story