Reform Austin

Reform Austin (RA) aims to keep Texans informed about the political landscape and their elected officials. We deliver in-depth investigative journalism through a network of local reporters, helping readers understand the inner workings of our state Capitol via our daily news platform, RA News. RA News prioritizes transparency in how public funds are used and the policies that impact daily life in Texas. Our focus is on independent journalism that seeks to create a better Texas, emphasizing long-form, investigative, and enterprise reporting. We recognize that effective storytelling can take many forms. By adopting a multi-platform, digital-first approach, we engage a wide range of audiences. RA also produces weekly newscasts and interacts with Texans through our PinkDome TV channel.

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House Bill Threatens Texas DREAM Act, Advocates Warn

1 month ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios

The Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) is opposing House Bill 232, a proposal that advocates say would dismantle the Texas DREAM Act and block access to in-state tuition for undocumented students who have lived in Texas for years. Heard on April 29 in the House Committee on Higher Education, HB 232 removes key provisions that allowed undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition if they graduated from a Texas high school and maintained residence in the state.
Advocates Warn Texas Bill Would Funnel More Children Into Adult Prisons

2 months ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios

A bill that just passed the Texas Senate is drawing fierce criticism from youth justice advocates, who warn it would worsen conditions for incarcerated children and increase the number of minors sent to adult prisons. Senate Bill 1727 (SB 1727), the Senate companion to House Bill 3360, would give the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) expanded authority to transfer youth to the adult prison system and lengthen sentences for juveniles.
South Texas Comic Con Returns This Weekend: Here’s Everything You Need to Know - Reform Austin

2 months ago | reformaustin.org

Get ready, McAllen! The South Texas Comic Con is back and bigger than ever, taking over the McAllen Convention Center this weekend from Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27. Whether you're a die-hard cosplayer, pop culture enthusiast, or just looking for a fun weekend activity, this is one event you won’t want to miss.
Texas Legislation Proposes Permanent Secrecy For Officer Misconduct Files

2 months ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios

The Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) is sounding the alarm over House Bill 2486, calling it a “dangerous expansion of police secrecy” that threatens public access to records of officer misconduct, according to a press release. HB 2486 is currently under consideration by the Texas House Calendars Committee after passing unanimously out of the House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Texas Voting Bills Could Criminalize Registration, Restrict Ballot Access

2 months ago | reformaustin.org | Jovanka Palacios

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player…As the Texas House prepares for a public hearing on House Bill 5337 today, voting rights advocates are sounding alarms over what they describe as one of the most aggressive voter restriction efforts in the country. The bill mirrors and builds upon its Senate companion, Senate Bill 16, which has already passed the upper chamber in a quick vote with little debate.
House Bill Sparks Debate Over Juvenile Justice Reforms In Texas

2 months 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

2 months 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

Mar 25, 2025 | 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

Mar 24, 2025 | 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

Mar 20, 2025 | 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.