/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Megan_Munce_TT.jpg)
Megan Munce was a spring 2021 reporting fellow. A graduate of Northwestern University, she previously worked as a business development intern at New Enterprise Associates and as The Daily Northwestern’s campus editor, overseeing coverage of student protests and the COVID-19 pandemic on Northwestern’s campus. Megan is also a member of the Asian American Journalists Association and was part of Northwestern’s mock trial team.
After Texas workers were praised during the pandemic, many thought lawmakers would increase protections or benefits. But advocacy groups say they spent a lot of time playing defense on bills that could hurt workers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9a3c382efcfb27f778abe9d3287983c7/ShelbyKnowles%20-%20Construction%20ST%20TT%2035.jpg)
The bills are in response to widespread protests and calls to “defund the police” last year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b2c3dae2dc49b1f0d7e66770e6cfd486/APD%20File%20March%2022%20EL%20TT%2003.jpg)
GOP bills that sought to restrict or punish transition-related health care, like puberty blockers, missed key deadlines. But LGBTQ advocates say the mere specter that such measures could become law does mental health damage to transgender people. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac31cac631c8dd567edea69302283e8b/House%20Floor%20May%2023%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
Days after the House failed to pass a ban against gender confirmation medical care, the Senate pushed its own attempt forward. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43198ed30ebe1f1b3a537fd1cb3509c1/Against%20Anti-Trans%20EL%20TT%2008.jpg)
House Bill 1399 would have banned gender-confirmation surgery, hormone therapy and puberty suppression treatments for Texas' transgender children. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/05390cc390a0dbcf7514d6e60af3b5d7/Against%20Anti-Trans%20EL%20TT%2015.jpg)
The bill previously lacked the votes to advance out of House committee. After House Democrats spiked one of his bills, Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, revived it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/71cc037d6470e8cf18196b05a4668334/Dutton%20House%2087%20Session%202021%20MG%20TT.jpg)
The bill would prevent transgender Texas children from joining school sports teams that match their gender identity. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/17d65e01202b57fb75133219df92aa7e/Protect%20Trans%20Kids%20Rally%20SF%20TT%2059.jpg)
The measure likely faces an uphill climb in the Senate, where two years ago Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick opposed similar legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d1c8ec5fe260431a46030a8435ef8560/Marijuana%20Plastic%20Bag%20IS%20TT.jpg)
The president on Tuesday also said he'll nominate former Texas congressional candidate Gina Ortiz Jones to serve as under secretary of the Air Force. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/24165ab8b566b02c3def8ba98cce92cc/Harris%20County%20Sheriff%20Ed%20Gonzalez%20TT.jpg)
The upper chamber Wednesday passed Senate Bill 1646, which is among several other bills that advocacy groups say erode the rights of transgender Texans. But it’s unclear what the legislation’s chances are in the House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3437717ff61d02b729265da13b7494be/Protect%20Trans%20Kids%20Rally%20SF%20TT%2099.jpg)