Austin Legislative Internship Program News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

February 26, 2021 Guest Submission My experience graduating from the University of Michigan in 2010 made me realize the importance of representation. The lack of diversity at my university pushed me to go into education. I wanted to be a familiar face to other students of color. I wanted students who were walking in similar shoes to know that they could come from a low-income family and graduate from a prestigious university too. Little did I know the push representation would have on my career change in less than a decade. My journey in politics began a few years before coming to the Univ...

January 25, 2021 Guest Submission As an eternal optimist, I believe people from different backgrounds and beliefs not only can work together, but this is how true progress happens and a better world is built. It became harder for me to keep this mindset during the past year seeing the division in the country grow deeper surrounding criticism of the BLM, politicization of COVID-19 protocols, the Presidential election, the insurrection on the United States Capitol, and, in the last few days, the need for a heavy National Guard presence at the Texas Capitol. Fear and imposter syndrome had beg...

Earlier this week, the Texas Legislature kicked off its 87 For the first time in the history of this program, however, only some of these students welcomed Opening Day from the Texas Capitol. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these legislative placements will range from 100% virtual, to hybrid experiences, to 100% in person. Some students will intern in the Capitol daily, while others will remain in Houston, completing internship tasks from Houston. Those working in the Capitol will do so while adhering to previously unheard-of rules adopted this week by the Texas House and Senate; these rules ...

January 18, 2021 Guest Submission As an individual focused on drug policy and the justice-system in a highly conservative state, I thought rhetoric would not surprise me, but I was wrong. I have surrounded myself with social workers, harm reductionists, and like-minded advocates for almost five years. It was not until January 6 th, 2021 that the reality of how drastically different my comfortable bubble is compared to the ideological positions held by some Texans at this point in time. With nearly a month invested into this internship, amid an increasing overdose crisis, a national moveme...