Morgan Smith

Morgan Smith was a reporter at the Tribune from 2009 to 2018, covering politics, public education and inequality. In 2013, she received a National Education Writers Association award for “Death of a District,” a series on school closures. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Wellesley College, she moved to Austin in 2008 to enter law school at the University of Texas. A San Antonio native, her work has also appeared in Slate, where she spent a year as an editorial intern in Washington D.C.

Past Contributions

Updated: Perry Goes After "Prolific Earmarker" Rick Santorum

By Morgan Smith Dec. 29, 2011

On the heels of a CNN/Time poll showing Rick Santorum climbing into third place in Iowa, Gov. Rick Perry took a swipe at him during the first stop of his bus tour today. Full Story

Credit: Morgan Smith
Perry Trips on Anti-Sodomy Supreme Court Case

By Morgan Smith Dec. 29, 2011

In front of an energetic crowd in Cedar Rapids, Gov. Rick Perry was taken off guard by a question on a famous Supreme Court case striking down anti-sodomy laws. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
In Iowa, Perry Takes Aim at Obama on Immigration

By Morgan Smith Dec. 28, 2011

Save for a few veiled swipes at his Republican rivals, Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday reserved most of his ire for President Obama, and threw in a new criticism — that the president had failed to give troops returning from Iraq a parade. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Perry Shifts His Stance on Abortion

By Morgan Smith Dec. 27, 2011

At an Iowa town hall meeting tonight, Gov. Rick Perry said his views on abortion had undergone a "transformation" — and that he no longer supported it in cases of rape or incest. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
"America's Toughest Sheriff" Back Campaigning With Perry in Iowa

By Morgan Smith Dec. 27, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry kicked off the second leg of his Iowa tour today with a familiar companion: Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Full Story

Credit: Morgan Smith
UT President Ends Tough Year With Another Battle

By Reeve Hamilton and Morgan Smith Dec. 16, 2011

It's been a year marked by high profile wars waged by UT President Bill Powers — to some, the university’s Dumbledore; to others, a bee in the bonnet of higher education reformers. The latest drama is unfolding in the law school he used to run. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Keeping the School Finance Cases Straight

By Morgan Smith Dec. 15, 2011

By the end of the year, there will likely be four school finance lawsuits filed against the state. Here's a primer. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Dean's Ouster Raises Questions About Foundation Money

By Reeve Hamilton and Morgan Smith Dec. 13, 2011

Who knew about the $500,000 payment Larry Sager received from the University of Texas School of Law’s foundation — and when — are among the many questions swirling after his surprise ouster as dean last week. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Measuring the Impact of Historic Education Cuts

By Morgan Smith Dec. 12, 2011

One question has dominated education conversations in Texas since even before the 2011 legislative session and budget slashing began: How will public schools be affected? The answers are many and varied. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
UT President Asks Law School Dean to Resign Immediately

By Reeve Hamilton and Morgan Smith Dec. 8, 2011

After months of bubbling discontent among professors over the law school’s faculty compensation practices, University of Texas School of Law Dean Larry Sager was forced to resign his position Thursday. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Bob Daemmrich / Todd Wiseman