Politics

Texas Remains Reluctant to Legalize Recreational Marijuana Use

byTara Phipps

Texas has had a puzzling past with marijuana. While the state refuses to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana, it has made small strides in recent years to legalize CBD, hemp and medical marijuana. As the laws become more confusing, some cities — like Austin — have chosen to decriminalize misdemeanor amounts of marijuana.

Of the 50 bills pertaining to marijuana introduced during Texas’ 87th legislation — only HB 1535 made it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. This bill expands the number of people eligible for medical marijuana as well as the concentration amount they can have. Bills dealing with penalty reduction or recreational legalization died.

Texas Lawmakers Want to Make Single Eyewitness Testimony No Longer Grounds for Death Penalty

byMadi Donham

A state representative wants to make it impossible to hand down a death sentence in Texas based on the testimony of a single witness without corroborating evidence. Supporters of the change say it’s dangerous to sentence someone to death row based on eyewitness testimony alone. Prosecutors, meanwhile, say they doubt  it’s actually a problem and that the proposal could be a slippery slope that leads to micromanaging their work. 

Austin Braces for 2021 Legislative Outcomes

byAngelo Gaunichaux

As the 87th Texas Legislature approaches mid-session, Governor Greg Abbott’s battle with Austin City Council over police funding is reaching a boiling point as a number of bills take aim at local governments’ control over police funding.  Last August, Austin City Council members unanimously passed the city’s 2021 budget, cutting one-third of the Austin Police […]

The Future of Free Range Kids in Texas 

byMadi Donham

A state senator wants to rewrite the Texas Family Code to give parents more leeway in how they supervise their children. Supporters of the proposed change say narrowing the definition of neglect will reduce the workload for Child Protective Services and liberate families — especially poor families. Child advocates disagree.

Resurgence of Armenian Struggle Painful for UT Student

byCaroline Betik

While Armenia’s modern struggle against the encroachment of others is grabbing headlines today across the globe, it can be said what is happening in Armenia is old news. As the first nation to establish Christianity as its national religion 18 centuries ago in 301 A.D., Armenians have accepted their biblical call to, “glory in their […]

Love Across the Aisle

byBy Jessica Treviño

Amidst a time of an ever-widening political divide in this country, two people from opposing political parties somehow managed to come together by a force much stronger than hate: love. I met John a year ago in October 2019 on a dating app. He is tall, handsome, but most importantly, incredibly sweet and compassionate. John […]

Local Businesses Serve Up Lesson in Achieving Voter Turnout

bySarah Kate Scribner

In last November’s election, the voters of Travis County stepped right up for a passion plate of political participation this election. And local businesses would like to think they helped to serve it with a side of incentive. “The idea of getting involved in this year’s election was first proposed by a staff member back […]

The Uphill Climb for Stricter Gun Laws in Texas

byMadi Donham

A Republican state representative from Odessa — which witnessed the third mass-shooting tragedy nationwide in a single month last year — filed the first gun-safety-related bill of the upcoming 87th Legislature. 

Austin Representative Previews 87th Texas Legislature

byMadi Donham

Lawmakers will wrestle with the budget, health care and once-in-a-decade political redistricting — all in the middle of a global pandemic — when the 87th Texas Legislative session convenes in January. Reporting Texas spoke with Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat representing House District 49 — the heart of Travis County — about the upcoming legislative session.

Biden Win Sparks Protest and Celebration in Austin 

byMadi Donham

About 300 supporters of President Donald Trump gathered on the south side of the Texas Capitol early Saturday afternoon to protest the presidential election of Joe Biden. Protesters, many dressed in red and waving Trump flags, chanted “Biden is a fraud” and “count the votes.” Others held signs that read “Stop The Steal.” Some gathered […]

A Week With Some of Austin’s Most Vehement, Revolutionary Protesters 

byRamón Rodríguez

The Mike Ramos Brigade, or MRB, formed the night Mike Ramos, an unarmed 42-year-old Black and Mexican-American man, was shot and killed by Austin police in April. The brigade’s demands started with justice for Ramos. They quickly started calling for justice for all victims of police brutality and the abolition of the criminal justice system, capitalism and the destruction of what they call the ruling class.

Republicans Dominate Elections in Central Texas

byHarrison Young, Ram Rodríguez, Madi Donham, Madi Gee, Benton Graham, Jillian Price and Mizelle Mayo

Some experts labeled Texas as a toss-up in the presidential election, with most polls showing a 2-4 point lead for Donald Trump. Trump outperformed those expectations, winning by closer to 6 percentage points. Other races included a U.S. Senate race won easily by GOP incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and several Central Texas congressional races where Republicans won easily.