The Republicans who are primary challenging Greg Abbott (so far)
The Democrats aren’t the only ones Gov. Greg Abbott has to worry about in 2022. Not all Republicans are happy with his leadership and some have already announced primary challenges. While Abbott’s popularity within the GOP means that a fellow Republican is unlikely to...
Digital ad targets Beth Van Duyne for helping inspire Capitol attack
The campaign arm of the 38-member Congressional Hispanic Caucus, BOLD PAC, announced this week the release of a political ad against Rep. Beth Van Duyne of Irving. The 30-second digital ad titled “Spreading Lies,” goes after Van Duyne for her vote against...
Op-Ed: The voter fraud myth behind Republican ‘election integrity’ bills
Over the course of the 87th Texas Legislative Session, Democrats have been working overtime to protect our voter rights. Texas Republicans have introduced many “election integrity” bills, but these bills merely limit early voting and increase penalties for election...
Op-Ed: Why Biden’s refugee reversal is good for Texas
Ever since the pandemic hit, I’ve been worried about the low-income families I coach and mentor at a municipal social services organization in Houston. For many years, I’ve helped them access educational resources, healthcare and jobs. Now, many have fallen deeper...
Texas lawmakers request funding for Ike Dike in Biden infrastructure plan
Several Houston-area Congress members are urging congressional leaders in charge of infrastructure to fund the Texas Coastal Spine — better known as the “Ike Dike.” In a letter penned this week, Houston area lawmakers urged Committee on Transportation and...
Houston activists, grassroots groups call on Dutton Jr. to resign
Houston area political action groups, activists, and unions gathered outside the office of Democratic state Rep. Harold Dutton Jr. on Tuesday to call for his resignation. “It’s better if he goes now than in the next election,” said Alexis Melvin, president of...
The picture book that prompted a school censorship bill in the Texas House
In the wee hours this morning, Texas Republicans voted for preliminary approval of House Bill 3979. The legislation, recorded as “relating to the social studies curriculum in public school,” is part of a larger effort by Texas Republicans to stomp out any trace of...
Making Sense of Sid Miller
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has been the consummate Texas Republican official, as both a hyper conservative state leader, and an online troll who cozied up to Donald Trump. Miller is up for reelection in 2022, but it seems plausible he may be on the verge of...
Op-Ed: Stop using STAAR to punish children, teachers and schools
Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. Schools bought lunch for teachers. Students wrote thank you cards. But the gift that teachers really want is time to teach our students — time away from endless practice STAAR tests and test prep. Instead of STAAR prep, our...
How Texas Republicans are using the pandemic to fortify their power
We’ve all seen the images. Crowds of impassioned protesters and activists streaming into the Texas State Capitol to fight, scream, and implore lawmakers to not just hear them out, but acknowledge their humanity. Many of us have personally been in those throngs of...
Themes and Schemes: what this session’s voter suppression bills have in common
I used to love themes. I was an English major! While my friends studied employable skills like finance or engineering, I sat around drinking coffee, wearing scarves, and waxing poetic on what the green light in Gatsby represents. I’m your annoying friend who wants to...
Are genetically engineered mosquitoes coming to Texas?
Right now, the release of millions of genetically-engineered mosquitoes in the Florida Keys is sparking controversy. The trial, which seeks to curb the population of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is the first of its kind in the United States. Reports have suggested that...
Musings: Good Trouble
Before we begin, I would be remiss if I didn’t say that the views below are mine alone, and do not reflect the views of Texas Signal. Now that we got that out of the way… The late and great progressive Paul Wellstone once said “If we don’t fight hard enough for...
Anti-trans sports bill revived in house committee
Senate Bill 29, which many had assumed died a few days ago, was revived in the Public Education Committee where it passed 8-5, and now heads to the state house. SB 29, a legislative priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would essentially ban transgender students from...
Texas House advances Briscoe Cain’s sweeping election conspiracy bill
After hours of debate Thursday evening that stretched into the next morning, lawmakers in the Texas House advanced Senate Bill 7 on Friday. Lawmakers voted 81-64 to advance a house version of the bill by authored Briscoe Cain. If signed into law, the sweeping...