Robert Marbut Jr. helped develop the Haven for Hope homeless shelter in San Antonio, which Gov. Greg Abbott praised as “probably the best template” for addressing homelessness. But aspects of Marbut’s approach have been criticized as harsh and patronizing.
Davis Rich
Davis Rich was a 2019 reporting fellow. A graduate of Northwestern University, he was co-editor-in-chief of Inside NU, SB Nation’s Northwestern website. Davis interned at the Half Moon Bay Review and the Medill Justice Project, where he worked on a story about juveniles sentenced to life in prison without parole, published by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He also won a regional Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Posted in
Public Education
Fort Worth teacher who asked Trump to deport students said her tweets were protected by the First Amendment. Texas officials agreed.
Commissioner of Education Mike Morath wrote that Georgia Clark did not waive her First Amendment rights when she signed her contract with Fort Worth ISD.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Prison health care costs are higher than ever in Texas. Many point to an aging prison population.
Although there are fewer people in prison than there were a decade ago, costs have surged along with the share of inmates who are older — and sicker.
Posted in
Homeless in Texas
Texas cleared homeless camps Wednesday. On Thursday, residents were already back.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced a five-acre plot of land for homeless camping in Austin after he took action to clear people living under state overpasses.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas executes Justen Hall for murder of woman in El Paso
Hall told a trial judge he needed “to be put down” in 2016. Lawyers questioned his mental health and asked an El Paso court to delay the execution until Hall’s competency can be evaluated.
Posted in
2019 Texas Constitutional Amendment Election
Texas’ constitutional amendment election is Tuesday. Here’s what voters will decide.
Voters have 10 proposed constitutional amendments on their ballots. And in three special elections, some Texans will elect new state lawmakers.
Posted in
Homeless in Texas
As Texas gets ready to clear some Austin highway encampments, Gov. Abbott and Mayor Adler at odds over homeless residents
The governor’s decision to force homeless people from under state overpasses drew the ire of city leaders and homelessness experts, who criticized Abbott’s “fear-based approach.”
Posted in
Homeless in Texas
Texas getting ready to move homeless residents camping beneath Austin highways
The Texas Department of Transportation began posting notices Tuesday letting homeless Austin residents know they must leave encampments under state overpasses by early next week.
Posted inState Government
Early voting in Texas’ constitutional amendment election starts Monday. Here’s what voters will decide.
Voters have 10 proposed constitutional amendments on their ballots. And in three special elections, some Texans will elect new state lawmakers.
Posted in
Homeless in Texas
Greg Abbott says TxDOT could remove homeless camps from Austin’s highway underpasses
The governor has vowed to use state resources to clear Austin’s homeless residents from public spaces since city officials began changing local ordinances dictating where people can and can’t camp.