How grassroots groups are mobilizing Texans on top issues
Five community organizers tell us how they rally people around issues like school funding, abortion and the environment. Full Story
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Alex Samuels
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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.
Past Contributions
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Hey Texas, tell us about grassroots groups that you’re involved in
Help The Texas Tribune — and your fellow Texans — learn more about the groups organizing around Texas policy issues. Full Story
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House tentatively backs measure allowing lottery winners to remain anonymous
The lower chamber tentatively approved a measure that would let lottery winners of $1 million or more remain anonymous. Full Story
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![A Texas Lottery display in Austin on April 3, 2017.]()
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Uber and Lyft call "sex" amendment disappointing, unnecessary
Representatives for Uber and Lyft say an amendment to a statewide ride-hailing bill that defines "sex" as "the physical condition of being male or female" is disappointing and unnecessary. Full Story
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House Democrats disavow ride-hailing bill after addition of “sex” amendment
A group of House members removed their names as co-authors of a bill that would regulate ride-hailing companies because of an amendment that defines “sex” as the “physical condition of being male or female.” Full Story
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![State Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, reacts to comments from Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, during debate on House Bill 100 on April 19, 2017. The bill seeks state-level regulation of transportation network companies.]()
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Gender identity debate seeps into Texas House vote on ride-hailing regulations
After a lengthy debate among lawmakers over the best way to regulate services like Uber and Lyft, the Texas House backed a proposal that would override local regulations concerning ride-hailing companies. Full Story
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![State Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, looks over his notes shortly before vote on HB 100 on April 19, 2017. The bill passed second reading on a 110-37 vote and will impose regulations on transportation network companies statewide if finally passed.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves bill curbing regulation of short-term home rentals
Under Senate Bill 451 by state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, Texas cities would be prevented from banning short-term rentals and their ability to write ordinances restricting the practice would be narrowed. Full Story
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![State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, chairman of the Business & Commerce Committee, at a hearing on March 9, 2017.]()
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Texas bill requiring burial of fetal remains passes out of House committee
Texas hospitals and abortion clinics would have to bury or cremate fetal remains under a measure that passed out of a House committee on Tuesday. Full Story
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![House State Affairs Committee Chairman Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, at a hearing on the disposal of fetal remains on March 8, 2017.]()
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Cosmetology licensing under scrutiny in Texas House
Three bills aimed at reducing what it takes to get licensed for certain cosmetology jobs were considered in a House committee hearing Monday evening. Full Story
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![Bri Liu, a client at Wink Threading Salon in Austin.]()
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Texplainer: How do you navigate the Senate intent calendar?
At this point in the session, there are a lot of bills on the Senate’s “intent calendar.” How can you tell which bills will be considered on a given day? Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Tim Park for The Texas Tribune