“I hate the program,” said one lawmaker; another said it’s created a “permanent underclass.” So why is the much-maligned Driver Responsibility Program still around? As our August story points out, lawmakers haven’t yet figured out another funding source for the trauma centers that the DPR helps support.
Morgan Smith
Morgan Smith was a reporter at the Tribune from 2009 to 2018, covering politics, public education and inequality.
In 2013, she received a National Education Writers Association award for “Death of a District,” a series on school closures. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Wellesley College, she moved to Austin in 2008 to enter law school at the University of Texas.
A San Antonio native, her work has also appeared in Slate, where she spent a year as an editorial intern in Washington D.C.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
To pay for trauma centers, state program sinks thousands of Texas drivers into deep debt
In Texas, people with unpaid traffic tickets can lose their driver’s licenses and even go to jail because of the Driver Responsibility Program. Though lawmakers acknowledge the policy disproportionately hurts the poor, they’ve struggled to eliminate it.
Posted in
Energy
Harris County voters pass historic $2.5 billion for flood control
Harris County voters overwhelmingly approved a bond measure that would finance an array of flood control projects in the Houston area. Saturday’s vote came on the first anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, which brought one of the worst urban floods in U.S. history to the Houston region.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott rallies anti-abortion advocates at the Texas Capitol
Anti-abortion advocates rallied at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, waving flags and cheering on speeches by Gov. Greg Abbott and other politicians.
Posted inState Government
Sold Out: How the crusade against sex trafficking in Texas has left child victims behind
In January, The Texas Tribune launched a series investigating how Texas leaders have publicly battled sex trafficking for more than a decade but devoted hardly any resources to helping victims. Read our coverage here.
Posted inState Government
Women’s group urges Texas Sens. Miles, Uresti to resign after sexual misconduct reports
Annie’s List, a group that works to elect Democratic women in Texas, has called on state Sens. Borris Miles of Houston and Carlos Uresti of San Antonio, both Democrats, to resign following reports of sexual misconduct.
Posted inState Government
Texas House revises sexual harassment policy following reports of flaws
The revised Texas House sexual harassment policy includes language that strengthens protections against retaliation and provides specific steps to report inappropriate behavior. It comes about two weeks after The Texas Tribune detailed flaws in the former policy that often left victims to fend for themselves.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
How much has been raised for Harvey relief — and how’s it being spent?
Between the federal government, the Red Cross and private charities, billions of dollars will be spent to help Texans rebuild and recover after Hurricane Harvey in Texas. The Tribune is tracking how it’s spent.
Posted in
Politics
Texas leaders call for training on sexual harassment — but can’t require it for lawmakers
Legislative leaders looking to create better training to prevent sexual harassment will likely face a roadblock if they want to get lawmakers in the room.
Posted in
Politics
Democratic megadonor, Houston trial lawyer Steve Mostyn has died
Steve Mostyn, a top Democratic donor and prominent Houston trial lawyer, died Wednesday. He was 46.