Jovanka Palacios

Houston

Content Developer, Writer and Editor at Reform Austin

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Articles

House Bill Sparks Debate Over Juvenile Justice Reforms In Texas

2 weeks ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Gun Policies

In a contentious legislative hearing, House Bill 3360 (HB 3360) was met with strong opposition from the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) and other advocacy groups. The bill, which proposes significant changes to the juvenile justice system in Texas, was discussed in the Texas House Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice on Monday. In a press release, the TCRP labeled HB 3360 as a “reckless bill” that would increase youth incarceration and expand the transfer of children to adult prisons.
Voucher Advocates Alarmed By Soaring Costs Of Texas Program

4 weeks ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Gun Policies

Texas lawmakers remain locked in a battle over school vouchers, a policy that has repeatedly failed to gain traction in the Legislature despite strong backing from Governor Greg Abbott. In the 2023 legislative session, Abbott made school vouchers a cornerstone of his agenda, calling multiple special sessions to push through a program that would provide state funds for families to send their children to private schools.
Fighting Lies In An Age Of Misinformation At SXSW

1 month ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Gun Policies

At SXSW, a riveting panel discussion unfolded on the pervasive spread of disinformation and the challenges of combating it in an era where lies travel faster than truth. The conversation, led by experts in the field, shed light on how disinformation campaigns operate, their devastating impact on individuals and democracy, and what can be done to push back.
Texas Lawmakers Debate Bail Reform Bills Amid Civil Rights Concerns

1 month ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Gun Policies

Last week, the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence conducted a hearing that included three significant bills: HJR 15, HJR 16, and HB 75. These bills, which align with SJR 1, SJR 5, and SB 9, have drawn attention for their potential impact on civil liberties, particularly concerning immigrant and Latino communities. HJR 15 aims to expand pretrial detention by allowing judges to deny bail if they believe a defendant may miss a court date.
Elizabeth Warren At SXSW: Fighting Trump, Musk, And Big Tech

1 month ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Gun Policies

At the 2025 South by Southwest Conference, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sat down with veteran journalist Kara Swisher for a live episode of On with Kara Swisher. The conversation, held at the Vox Media Podcast Stage, covered Warren’s take on the first weeks of Donald Trump’s second presidency, the rollback of consumer protections, and the growing influence of billionaires in American politics.
“Uvalde Mom” Premieres At SXSW, Exposing Systemic Failures And Gun Violence

1 month ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Sam Stockbridge

The documentary Uvalde Mom made its premiere at South by Southwest (SXSW), offering a deeply personal and urgent examination of the aftermath of the Uvalde school shooting. Directed by Anayansi Prado, the film follows Angeli Rose Gomez, the mother who ran into Robb Elementary School during the mass shooting on May 24, 2022, rescuing her two children while law enforcement remained outside.
SXSW Shines With Unforgettable Premiere Parties At Cinema Center

1 month ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Gun Policies

At South by Southwest (SXSW), Roxstar Entertainment’s Cinema Center and Collider Studio, sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films, and Collider, hosted a series of unforgettable premiere parties and afterparties, bringing together some of the biggest names in film and music. On March 10, Matthew and Camila McConaughey took center stage at the premiere party for The Rivals of Amziah King.
Hundreds Of Educators Use Spring Break To Advocate For Public Schools In Texas

1 month ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Gun Policies

This week, 175 educators from across Texas traveled to the state capital, using their spring break to push lawmakers for increased school funding and improved classroom conditions. Teachers, paraprofessionals, and education advocates from Houston, the Rio Grande Valley, Central Texas, and Dallas gathered at the Capitol to support Texas AFT’s Educator’s Bill of Rights and to oppose private school voucher proposals.
Are Latino Leaders In The RGV Failing Their Communities On Immigration And Public Safety?

1 month ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Gun Policies

State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) faces scrutiny for supporting three controversial measures—SJR 1, SJR 5, and SB 9. Critics argue these bills could expand immigrant detention, increase racial profiling, and heighten criminalization in Latino communities. According to sources within the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), concerns are growing over how these policies may impact the region.
Governor Tim Walz Tells Democrats Not To Roll Over And Play Dead

1 month ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios |Gun Policies

At SXSW 2025, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota participated in a live taping of Today, Explained, where he offered candid insights into the current state of American politics, including his advice for Democrats on how to confront Republicans in Congress effectively. Reflecting on the 2024 election, Walz offered a postmortem on his party’s performance, acknowledging that Democrats had been too cautious, failed to take enough risks, and didn’t engage enough with undecided voters.