Editor’s note: The Texas Signal issued this news release Friday morning.
HOUSTON – The Texas Signal, a progressive media company, applied Tuesday for a press pass from the Texas Senate on Tuesday to cover the busy remainder of the 86th legislative session.
The move comes as the Senate recently granted a media credential to Empower Texans, a partisan organization that gave $75,000 to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. In 2018, the group spent $4 million to help elect conservatives.
“Covering the state’s legislative business is an integral part of our mission, which is to bring fact-based news and analysis to progressive Texans,” said Kevin Nix, CEO of The Texas Signal. “Since a far right political advocacy organization has received a formal media credential, we’re encouraged the Senate has loosened its vetting process and set new precedent.”
Under formal Senate rules, traditional news media organizations are credentialed. The Texas Signal, LLC has not donated a dime to or lobbied any elected official.
The mission of the Houston-based company is to build a news-driven ecosystem statewide to help get the progressive message out – to give Democrats a media signal. For decades, that signal has been weak.
“There’s never been a better time to be a Texas Democrat,” said Nix. “The Lone Star State is now a swing state, and many are beginning to build the infrastructure, including media capacity, to support progressive candidates in 2020 ahead of what will be the biggest political fight Texas has seen in a generation.”
