“Private #schools might find themselves under no obligation to accept any of our kids; they could be rejected because of their religious affiliation, their disabilities, on the grounds that they’re not bright enough, because the school administrators don’t like their looks—any reason not specifically excluded by law.”
The Texas Observer
Molly Ivins on School Vouchers (1997)
Another bad idea whose time has come in the Texas Legislature is upon us. It's time to revive my old proposal that Texas be made into a nation...
 #vouchers #education #TXlege #history #politics #USpol #news #GregAbbott
Out of over 900 anti-LGBTQ+ hate incidents in 2024, tracked by the nonprofit GLAAD, almost half of them targeted #transgender, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming individuals. Experts worry this situation is already worsening under Trump:
The Texas Observer
Counting Hate: At Least 61 Anti-LGBTQ+ Incidents in Texas Last Year
The LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLAAD, which tracks incidents, warned that threats against the queer community are likely to worsen under the Trum...
 #transphobia #trans #politics #LGBTQIA+ #Trump #GregAbbott #Texas #homophobia #news #USpol
Hotline calls to organizations like the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization aimed at preventing suicide in LGBTQ+ youth, increased by 700% after the election of President #Trump. Anti-trans laws led to a 72% increase in suicide attempts in trans and nonbinary youth.
The Texas Observer
Trans Texans Are Under Attack (Again), but Advocates Aren’t Giving In
With another legislative session that could pile on even more anti-trans policies, LBGTQ+ groups grapple with how to protect their communities.
 #politics #USpol #LGBTQIA+ #transphobia #trans #news #TXlege #GregAbbott
Step 1: Defund public #schools. Step 2: Demonize struggling teachers. Step 3: Privatize with the help of special interest groups.
The Texas Observer
The 'Texas Three-Step': Defund, Demonize, and Privatize Public Schools
Vouchers become subsidies for families who had already decided to pay for private school, at the expense of public schools that must serve all stud...
 #vouchers #education #politics #USpol #Texas #news #GregAbbott #Republicans
As #Republicans made bigoted rhetoric a key part of their campaign strategy, there were at least three assaults, six bomb threats and 30 protests against LGBTQ+ events last year according to the nonprofit GLAAD.
The Texas Observer
Counting Hate: At Least 61 Anti-LGBTQ+ Incidents in Texas Last Year
The LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLAAD, which tracks incidents, warned that threats against the queer community are likely to worsen under the Trum...
 #LGBTQIA+ #politics #USpol #news #Texas #TXlege #transphobia #homophobia #HumanRights
Death penalty update: Steven Nelson is scheduled to be executed by the state of Texas today, over his role as lookout in a church robbery that turned fatal.
The Texas Observer
‘How Innocent Do They Have to Be?’: Texas’ First Scheduled Execution of 2025 Raises Thorny Questions
Steven Nelson says he was a lookout for a robbery that ended in a pastor’s death. He’s set to be killed by the state February 5.
 #DeathPenalty #CriminalJustice #politics #USpol #Texas #news #HumanRights #prison #law
Don't Miss Out! Next week, join the Texas Observer in conversation with author Jessica Pishko on February 5th. FREE event at Alienated Majesty Books. We'll discuss Pishko's timely and vital book about extremist sheriffs and the influence they hold in the United States. RSVP:
Eventbrite
How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy
The Texas Observer and author Jessica Pishko in conversation about Pishko's new book: The Highest Law in the Land.
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From Dylan Baddour at @npub1mwzt...0vqm: In the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the City Council of Arlington on Tuesday approved plans by French energy giant TotalEnergies to drill 10 new gas wells near a daycare center, residential neighborhoods and elementary #schools.
The Texas Observer
‘Drill Baby Drill’: Arlington Approves New Site for Fracking Near Daycare and Schools
Arlington has opened new land for fracking for the first time in 12 years, allowing TotalEnergies to drill 10 new gas wells near a daycare center.
 #environment #ClimateChange #pollution #news #politics #USpol #OilAndGas #energy #Texas #health
Featured story: Over 72 hours, Austin police reported more than 70 overdose calls. Records from Travis County, which includes most of #Austin, and neighboring Williamson County indicate that as many as 12 may have died. The culprit: a bad batch of crack cocaine.
The Texas Observer
How Texas’ War on Drug Users Fueled an Austin Overdose Disaster
A mass casualty event last spring lays bare the state’s backward approach to the ongoing crisis spurred by fentanyl and other super-potent substa...
 #WarOnDrugs #Austin #politics #USpol #news #drugs #CriminalJustice #police #Texas #TXlege
“Instead of changing the name of the Gulf of #Mexico, President Trump should be taking action to protect this incredible resource. But #Trump has done just the opposite. His executive orders aim to make it easier to fast-track polluting fossil fuel projects that exacerbate the climate crisis and put Gulf Coast communities at risk.”
The Texas Observer
Name Games: Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ Move Flouts History, International Cooperation
The president could just as logically rename the body of water the “Chinese Sea,” one historian argues.
 #GulfCoast #politics #USpol #history #border #water #ocean #pollution #news #DonaldTrump #Texas