Harris County had more exonerations last year than any state in the country, a study has found. That’s because the county does something most places don’t: It tests evidence in drug cases even after defendants plead guilty.
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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Politics
House proposal aims to limit increases in Texas property tax bills
House Ways and Means Chairman Dennis Bonnen filed the Texas House’s property tax reform bill, a measure he said will help Texans keep local governments accountable in setting property tax rates.
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Health care
Lawmaker wants to give Texas psychologists power to write prescriptions
A bill from state Rep. Dustin Burrows would let some Texas psychologists write prescriptions. Supporters say the move would ease a shortage of psychiatrists, currently the only mental health doctors allowed prescription privileges.
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Politics
At Planned Parenthood fundraiser, Bush daughter emphasizes group’s importance under Trump
Barbara Pierce Bush, the daughter of former President George W. Bush, insisted that the work Planned Parenthood is doing is especially important after a changing of the guard in Washington.
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Congress
As Trump talks unity, Texas delegation offers a divided response
Among members of Congress, Texans’ reactions to President Donald Trump’s first joint address to Congress fell along partisan lines.
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Politics
Texas congressional Democrats fear “dreamers” will lose benefits
Texas Democrats in Congress are bracing for the possibility of the Trump administration ending benefits for people who were brought into the U.S. illegally as children.
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Criminal Justice
How the Texas “bathroom bill” compares to North Carolina’s revised law
The Texas proposal shares elements of both the original North Carolina law as well as the revised version approved last week by the Tar Heel State’s lawmakers.
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Politics
Texas Attorney General first in country to file brief backing Trump travel ban
Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an amicus brief Wednesday expressing his support of President Donald Trump’s travel ban, effectively becoming the first state attorney general to back the controversial executive order.
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Politics
For Dawnna Dukes, a lukewarm welcome from Travis County delegation
Dukes’ presence in the House is a sensitive topic for her colleagues in the Travis County delegation because of the 12-term Democrat’s legal issues.
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Politics
Dan Patrick calls on Texas Rangers to locate Tom Brady’s missing Super Bowl jersey
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asked the Texas Rangers and Houston Police Department to team up in finding New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s football jersey, which was stolen Sunday night.