In the months leading up to their committee hearing, Woori Juntos community members trained on how to share their personal stories with legislators — in their own language.
José Menéndez
Posted in
LGBTQ+ Texans
Transgender Texans of all ages could lose access to transition-related care under Senate bill
The Senate advanced a bill that could create such high financial risks for doctors and health insurers that they’d stop providing or covering gender-affirming care — even for adults.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2023
Amid Slaton scandal, Texas Legislature moves to crack down on lawmakers who give alcohol to minors
The House passed a bill with a late amendment to make it a state jail felony for a “public officer” to give alcohol to a minor under any circumstances. Slaton voted for the amendment.
Posted in
Foster Care in Texas
Texans who take custody of their relatives’ kids struggle to make ends meet — and to get more aid from the state
Relative caregivers, like grandparents who want to keep kids out of foster care, usually get half as much state assistance as strangers who take in children.
Posted in
LGBTQ+ Texans
Transgender Texans and doctors say Republican lawmakers misconstrue what science says about puberty blockers and hormone therapy
In 2021, a bill that would block transgender kids’ access to transition-related care passed the Senate but died in the Texas House. This year, a majority of House members back such a ban.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
Texas Senate committee advances bills restricting certain drag shows
Proposed legislation from Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, would criminalize explicit performances where children are present and strip libraries of state funding for hosting any event featuring performers in drag. Critics say the bill is discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Posted inState Government
Joe Biden sells himself as the Democrat to beat Trump — and turn Texas blue — during San Antonio campaign stop
“You’ll be seeing a lot of me before now and November, God willing,” the former vice president said at a rally in the hometown of fellow Democratic candidate Julián Castro.
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
Texas Legislature 2019
Once again, bills to study the impacts of climate change in Texas have stalled
Democratic state lawmakers filed multiple bills this year to require the state to prepare for a warming planet. None of them have been scheduled for public hearings.
Posted in
Health care
Texas Senate moves to block local governments from partnering with abortion providers
Supporters say Senate Bill 22 would terminate “sweetheart rent deals,” but abortion rights advocates say the legislation is the latest attempt in the legislature’s years-long battle to reduce funding for abortion providers.