Abbott’s Refugee Freeze Will Not Help Texas Homelessness
By Jef Rouner In a recent announcement that Texas would not accept new refugees in 2020, Gov. Greg Abbott made Texas the first state to close its doors on those in the federal refugee resettlement program, stating in a letter to Secretary of State
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Not Just Austin: Texans Face Rising Housing Costs Statewide
By Emma Balter We’ve heard plenty about the rapidly escalating housing crisis in Austin, fueled by job growth in the local tech industry, and making headlines for battles between the
For 2020 State Elections, Keep an Eye on These Primaries
As Texans prepare for election season this year, they will be doing so in the wake of more competitive seats than is usual for the state. The 2018 elections saw
Where Does Texas Stand on Gun Locks After Recent Mass Shootings?
By Isobella Harkrider At first glance, Project Childsafe kits could be mistaken for a bike lock with a cable cord. But there’s an important distinction between the two: these kits
The 10 Most Vulnerable Democrat-Held House Districts Are Shaping Up to Be Expensive Races
Last September, Reform Austin reported on the top 10 most vulnerable Democrat-held districts in the Texas House. Now, with the final ballots set for the different House District elections and
Texas House Districts: You Need to Familiarize Yourself With These Important 2020 Election Dates
For all the lead-up to the 2020 elections and their importance for the state of Texas, civic nonprofits dedicated to getting voters to the polls know that the key is
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Reform Austin is dedicated to demanding accountability from those we elect and to increasing transparency in how the public’s business is done and how our money is spent.
The Violence Against Women Act and the “Boyfriend Loophole”
Passed in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act supports and protects survivors of domestic crimes. Since its enaction, it has dramatically shifted the response to
Texas Developers Find a New Cash Cow: Cows
By Christopher Adams A recently enacted Texas law gives agricultural property owners a break in rollback tax, providing them financial benefits by reducing mandated rollback years
All Eyes on Texas as Super Tuesday Looms
By Jef Rouner The Lone Star State is poised to return to swing state status, and with 38 Electoral College votes in play, Texas could
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TCEQ Downplaying Dangers of Cancer-Causing Gas
By Jef Rouner Ethylene oxide is a flammable, colorless gas used in a variety of industrial applications and sterilizing certain medical equipment. It is also a known carcinogen potentially putting
The 10 Most Vulnerable Republican-Held House Districts Are Shaping Up to Be Expensive Races
Last September, Reform Austin reported on the top 10 most vulnerable Republican-held districts in the Texas House. Since then, three of the incumbents — State Reps. Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston), Bill
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Constantly Addressed Policy Makers on Equality, Workers Rights and Discrimination
By Isobella Harkrider A bronze statue of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has stood at the University of Texas at Austin campus since 1999, erected by a
Is There a Place for Mass Transit in Truck-Loving Texas?
By Christopher Adams W.F. Strong, a professor in the department of communication at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley-Brownsville, told a story about a British couple he recently had
Birabil and Eastman Fundraising Leaders in Dallas and Houston Texas House Special Election Runoffs
Campaign finance reports were released by all candidates running for the March 3 primary and the January 28 special election runoffs, which includes House District 100 and House District 148.