O’Rourke called the writings he produced while part of the group “really hateful, really bad stuff” and said he was “mortified to read it now.”
Alex Samuels
Alex Samuels was a reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2017 to 2021. She helped with national campaign coverage, wrote stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covered the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She was also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex began at the Tribune as a fellow in 2016. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. She originally is from Massachusetts and is the best pingpong player at the Tribune.
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Texas Legislature 2019
A fight over paid sick leave is turning into a fight over LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinances
A now-erased provision in Senate Bill 15 explicitly said a potential new state law would not supersede local nondiscrimination ordinances. Without that language, many LGBTQ advocates fear Texans could be exposed to some discriminatory employment practices.
Posted in
Politics
A “big announcement” from Beto O’Rourke is on the horizon
During a screening of a documentary that chronicles O’Rourke’s failed U.S. Senate bid, the former Democratic congressman’s camp sent an email to supporters alerting them to an impending 2020 decision.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas lawmaker whose bill allowed medical cannabis oil wants to expand its use in 2019
State Rep. Stephanie Klick’s bill would give Texans with multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and spasticity access to medical cannabis oil.
Posted in
Politics
Santa Fe official testifies in somber committee hearing on school safety bills
The proposals that earned the support of lawmakers of all political stripes included ones that strengthen security and beef up mental health initiatives in schools.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Broad Texas school safety bill proposes threat assessment teams, expanded emergency training
It’s unclear how much it would cost to implement all of Sen. Larry Taylor’s proposals. Senate Bill 11 appears to take an unspecified amount from the rainy day fund to help cover the costs.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Will Texas decriminalize marijuana this year? There is growing support.
The repercussions Texans face for possessing small amounts of pot — something several states no longer consider criminal — can all depend on where in the state they live. Some lawmakers want an across-the-board relaxation of criminal charges. But stigma fuels lingering opposition.
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Politics
Texas Senate panel advances bill banning cities from adopting sick leave ordinances
The bill would also nullify mandates some local city councils in major Texas cities have already tried to put in place. The measure is now eligible to be taken up by the full Senate.
Posted in
This Is Your Texas
Join our Facebook group to watch a discussion about school segregation
To watch the conversation online, you must be a member of This Is Your Texas, our Facebook group dedicated to civil discussion of politics and policy news. Join today to RSVP.
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Politics
Beto O’Rourke is days away from a 2020 decision. Here are six questions that loom over him.
O’Rourke, an El Paso Democrat, said he’ll decide before the end of the month whether he’ll join a growing list of Democrats hoping to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020.
