Supporters say diversity initiatives close educational and income gaps born from a history of prejudice. Republican officials say they prioritize identity over merit.
Carol Alvarado
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Gov. Greg Abbott defends trip to East Asia during Hurricane Beryl
Abbott’s critics say he could have postponed the trip until the storm had passed, or at least cut it short once he saw the scale of the disaster.
Posted in
Politics
Wanna bet? Texas Legislature to reconsider legalizing casinos and sports betting
Given the stiff headwinds to getting any expansion in gambling passed, sports betting and casino advocates may be competing against each other, rather than working in tandem.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Senate outlasts 15-hour filibuster by Sen. Carol Alvarado to pass GOP voting-restrictions bill
The Houston Democrat was on her feet speaking, not allowed to sit or lean against her desk, and unable to take bathroom breaks or drink water, since Wednesday evening. But ultimately the bill she opposed passed Thursday on an 18-11 vote.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Texas Democrats see a winning formula in Kamala Harris. Will she bring suburban women and Black voters to the polls?
State Democrats see her as someone who can excite key voting groups but who won’t alienate more moderate voters.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Joe Biden wins endorsements from Beto O’Rourke, other former rivals in late Texas surge
The former vice president received big-name endorsements — including backing from former presidential candidates Beto O’Rourke, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar — as he campaigned in Dallas and Houston on the eve of Super Tuesday.
Posted in
Health care
Texas has the most people without health insurance in the nation — again
For the second year in a row, the number of Texans without health insurance increased, and fewer people enrolled in Medicaid.
Posted inState Government
Texas Democrats settle in for crowded U.S. Senate primary to decide who challenges Cornyn
Since state Sen. Royce West and Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards joined the race, it’s clear the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate isn’t going to be a quick and easy one.
Posted in
Health care
Texas Senate advances bill requiring pre-abortion counseling
Supporters say the measure would prevent women from regretting an abortion after they have the procedure. But abortion rights advocates fear the bill lacks key protections, like a requirement for the counselor to be a licensed medical professional.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas environmental chief: There’s still a fire risk at Deer Park facility
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Executive Director Toby Baker told a special panel of state senators on Thursday that first responders are still actively managing an incident at a Houston-area petrochemical facility that began last month.