Past Contributions

• Texas LGBTQ Caucus marks major victory, killing bill they feared would hurt gay people

  By Emma Platoff May 9, 2019

  The LGBTQ Caucus, formed this year, notched a major victory Thursday evening, defeating a controversial measure as the Texas House raced toward a midnight deadline. Full Story 

• Pro-LGBTQ bills look dead in the Texas House, but advocates say they’ve still made progress this year

  By Emma Platoff May 7, 2019

  "Having a hearing is sometimes a victory," said state Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, whose conversion therapy ban was debated for the first time this year. Full Story 

• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joins fight targeting Texas State Bar

  By Emma Platoff May 1, 2019

  The lawsuit has the potential to upend the structure of the entity responsible for regulating Texas' legal profession. Critics suggest that Paxton's involvement may be politically motivated. Full Story 

• Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina charged with orchestrating an illegal voting scheme

  By Emma Platoff April 25, 2019

  Molina has dismissed the investigation as politically motivated. Full Story 

• Conservative group Empower Texans sues lawmaker to gain state House media credentials

  By Emma Platoff April 17, 2019

  The group, which was granted credentials in the Senate but denied them in the House, argues that the lower chamber's administration chairman engaged in "unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination." Full Story 

• Can Texas’ top three Republicans muster enough support to pass a sales tax swap?

  By Aliyya Swaby, Emma Platoff and Cassandra Pollock April 17, 2019

  Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have already signaled opposition to the proposal from Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen. Full Story 

• Texas Senate gives local governments more breathing room for property tax revenue growth

  By Shannon Najmabadi and Emma Platoff Updated: April 15, 2019

  After a key Republican holdout agreed to bring a priority bill to the floor, the upper chamber increased an election trigger on revenue increases from 2.5% to 3.5%. But now both chambers must reconcile how they want to tackle rising school district taxes. Full Story 

• Dan Patrick threatens to use "nuclear option" to skirt Senate tradition and bring property tax bill to the floor

  By Emma Platoff April 12, 2019

  "I respect our Senate rules, but I do not intend to let a procedural motion stop the Senate from passing this important bill," the lieutenant governor said. Full Story 

• Texas Senate approves two bills to override paid sick leave, local control over employment practices

  By Emma Platoff April 11, 2019

  LGBTQ advocates and business groups have warned that the measures could imperil municipal rules that outlaw discrimination. Full Story 

• Property tax reform proposals stall — for now — as top Texas lawmakers scramble for votes

  By Cassandra Pollock, Emma Platoff, Aliyya Swaby and Shannon Najmabadi Updated: April 11, 2019

  House leadership plans to hold a floor vote on Monday. Meanwhile, the Senate is looking for one more vote to bring the priority measure to the floor. Full Story