Gus Bova
@gusbova.bsky.social
Kansas-Texas transplant. Editor-in-Chief, Texas Observer. Tips: [email protected], or DM for Signal.
Texas AG on 10/22: "Attorney General Ken Paxton Arrests 35 Illegal Aliens for Immigration Violations Through Partnership with Trump Administration"
On 11/12: "As these individuals were not arrested by the OAG..."
Well gee, I wonder how people got the wrong impression...
On 11/12: "As these individuals were not arrested by the OAG..."
Well gee, I wonder how people got the wrong impression...
November 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Texas AG on 10/22: "Attorney General Ken Paxton Arrests 35 Illegal Aliens for Immigration Violations Through Partnership with Trump Administration"
On 11/12: "As these individuals were not arrested by the OAG..."
Well gee, I wonder how people got the wrong impression...
On 11/12: "As these individuals were not arrested by the OAG..."
Well gee, I wonder how people got the wrong impression...
don't think i've ever seen Travis Co. take this long with early vote results
November 5, 2025 at 2:08 AM
don't think i've ever seen Travis Co. take this long with early vote results
3. TPPF is also going after the city's ability to apply wage and employment requirements *in its own contracts*.
A concern that critics of the bill and other bills like it raised for years but that was usually waved off by GOP proponents:
A concern that critics of the bill and other bills like it raised for years but that was usually waved off by GOP proponents:
October 30, 2025 at 2:22 PM
3. TPPF is also going after the city's ability to apply wage and employment requirements *in its own contracts*.
A concern that critics of the bill and other bills like it raised for years but that was usually waved off by GOP proponents:
A concern that critics of the bill and other bills like it raised for years but that was usually waved off by GOP proponents:
2. The "death star" bill carved out existing payday lending ordinances.
And yet... (TPPF lawsuit targets this Dallas ordinance on left; law carveout is on right)
And yet... (TPPF lawsuit targets this Dallas ordinance on left; law carveout is on right)
October 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
2. The "death star" bill carved out existing payday lending ordinances.
And yet... (TPPF lawsuit targets this Dallas ordinance on left; law carveout is on right)
And yet... (TPPF lawsuit targets this Dallas ordinance on left; law carveout is on right)
A TPPF lawsuit against the City of Dallas seeks to push the bounds of what the 2023 "death star" bill applies to, validating the fears of all those who said the bill was far too vague
1. The bill author said it would not affect nondiscrimination ordinances. Yet TPPF seeks to undo:
1. The bill author said it would not affect nondiscrimination ordinances. Yet TPPF seeks to undo:
October 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
A TPPF lawsuit against the City of Dallas seeks to push the bounds of what the 2023 "death star" bill applies to, validating the fears of all those who said the bill was far too vague
1. The bill author said it would not affect nondiscrimination ordinances. Yet TPPF seeks to undo:
1. The bill author said it would not affect nondiscrimination ordinances. Yet TPPF seeks to undo:
I feel like the alarm dial may be turned to its maximum level already.
Nevertheless, it is alarming that the Texas AG is sending out cops from w/in his office to make immigration arrests so that, among other things, he can become a U.S. senator. Plus the fascist quote to boot
Nevertheless, it is alarming that the Texas AG is sending out cops from w/in his office to make immigration arrests so that, among other things, he can become a U.S. senator. Plus the fascist quote to boot
October 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I feel like the alarm dial may be turned to its maximum level already.
Nevertheless, it is alarming that the Texas AG is sending out cops from w/in his office to make immigration arrests so that, among other things, he can become a U.S. senator. Plus the fascist quote to boot
Nevertheless, it is alarming that the Texas AG is sending out cops from w/in his office to make immigration arrests so that, among other things, he can become a U.S. senator. Plus the fascist quote to boot
Lots of opportunites right now for aspiring state reps in Austin. Local labor leader Montserrat Garibay announces for Gina Hinojosa's seat.
I interviewed her a few years back as she joined the Biden administration, here: www.texasobserver.org/texas-labor-...
I interviewed her a few years back as she joined the Biden administration, here: www.texasobserver.org/texas-labor-...
October 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Lots of opportunites right now for aspiring state reps in Austin. Local labor leader Montserrat Garibay announces for Gina Hinojosa's seat.
I interviewed her a few years back as she joined the Biden administration, here: www.texasobserver.org/texas-labor-...
I interviewed her a few years back as she joined the Biden administration, here: www.texasobserver.org/texas-labor-...
Thank goodness that *both* these logos now appear in the email signature from the APD press office.
This level of consistent branding has cleared up the years of confusion I experienced just seeing the logo that inscrutably said "Austin Police"
This level of consistent branding has cleared up the years of confusion I experienced just seeing the logo that inscrutably said "Austin Police"
October 16, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Thank goodness that *both* these logos now appear in the email signature from the APD press office.
This level of consistent branding has cleared up the years of confusion I experienced just seeing the logo that inscrutably said "Austin Police"
This level of consistent branding has cleared up the years of confusion I experienced just seeing the logo that inscrutably said "Austin Police"
If a Lloyd Doggett-Greg Casar primary plays out, the 78-year-old Doggett will likely be confronted with these words more than a few times:
"[Biden] has the opportunity to encourage a new generation of leaders..."
"[Biden] has the opportunity to encourage a new generation of leaders..."
August 11, 2025 at 5:03 PM
If a Lloyd Doggett-Greg Casar primary plays out, the 78-year-old Doggett will likely be confronted with these words more than a few times:
"[Biden] has the opportunity to encourage a new generation of leaders..."
"[Biden] has the opportunity to encourage a new generation of leaders..."
Texas appellate court tosses out lower ruling against the "Death Star" bill, dismisses cities' case: search.txcourts.gov/SearchMedia....
July 18, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Texas appellate court tosses out lower ruling against the "Death Star" bill, dismisses cities' case: search.txcourts.gov/SearchMedia....
Texas Senate Bill 4--think back two years--remains blocked. 5th circuit opinion affirms preemption of state taking over immigration enforcement:
July 4, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Texas Senate Bill 4--think back two years--remains blocked. 5th circuit opinion affirms preemption of state taking over immigration enforcement:
A 287(g) ICE-police task force is coming to this tiny chunk of Houston: www.ice.gov/identify-and...
June 16, 2025 at 6:04 PM
A 287(g) ICE-police task force is coming to this tiny chunk of Houston: www.ice.gov/identify-and...
At the Texas Capitol maybe 10 minutes now. There is a dinosaur with a Trump/Epstein sign. Not sure whether that merits National Guard intervention or not. Other than that, observing possible need for troops to deliver cold water or little handheld fans
June 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
At the Texas Capitol maybe 10 minutes now. There is a dinosaur with a Trump/Epstein sign. Not sure whether that merits National Guard intervention or not. Other than that, observing possible need for troops to deliver cold water or little handheld fans
We did another MOLLYs yearly gala on Wednesday. That wild storm hit, and we lost the overhead lights which never returned. Thanks so much to all who made it possible -- it was a good night for the Texas Observer.
(Critiques welcome of my serious on-stage interviewer expression:)
(Critiques welcome of my serious on-stage interviewer expression:)
May 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM
We did another MOLLYs yearly gala on Wednesday. That wild storm hit, and we lost the overhead lights which never returned. Thanks so much to all who made it possible -- it was a good night for the Texas Observer.
(Critiques welcome of my serious on-stage interviewer expression:)
(Critiques welcome of my serious on-stage interviewer expression:)
Re: this important and normal presidential press release, Michael Moore is literally a filmmaker
February 27, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Re: this important and normal presidential press release, Michael Moore is literally a filmmaker
Odd, then, that the State of Texas literally sued to stop the Biden administration from prioritizing public safety in ICE enforcement www.texastribune.org/2025/02/13/g...
February 15, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Odd, then, that the State of Texas literally sued to stop the Biden administration from prioritizing public safety in ICE enforcement www.texastribune.org/2025/02/13/g...
UH Report:
-- 85% of Texans support raising the age to purchase an AR-15 style assault rifle from 18 to 21.
-- 83% of Texans support raising the age to purchase any firearm from 18 to 21.
-- 70% of Texans support a ban on the sale of AR-15 style assault rifles.
-- 85% of Texans support raising the age to purchase an AR-15 style assault rifle from 18 to 21.
-- 83% of Texans support raising the age to purchase any firearm from 18 to 21.
-- 70% of Texans support a ban on the sale of AR-15 style assault rifles.
February 6, 2025 at 10:36 PM
UH Report:
-- 85% of Texans support raising the age to purchase an AR-15 style assault rifle from 18 to 21.
-- 83% of Texans support raising the age to purchase any firearm from 18 to 21.
-- 70% of Texans support a ban on the sale of AR-15 style assault rifles.
-- 85% of Texans support raising the age to purchase an AR-15 style assault rifle from 18 to 21.
-- 83% of Texans support raising the age to purchase any firearm from 18 to 21.
-- 70% of Texans support a ban on the sale of AR-15 style assault rifles.
Not filed but SB 8 will be something similar/same it seems:
February 5, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Not filed but SB 8 will be something similar/same it seems:
Lamar/Rundberg, where fuck trump energy lives yet
February 4, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Lamar/Rundberg, where fuck trump energy lives yet
For the Texas State of the State, we leave behind last session's hallowed venue of Noveon Magnetics and enter the equally sacred ground of Arnold Oil Company #txlege
January 27, 2025 at 10:01 PM
For the Texas State of the State, we leave behind last session's hallowed venue of Noveon Magnetics and enter the equally sacred ground of Arnold Oil Company #txlege
Brisk pace for Senate vouchers bill capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/H... #txlege
January 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Brisk pace for Senate vouchers bill capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/H... #txlege
indeed! and just look how on the ball we were:
December 13, 2024 at 4:53 PM
indeed! and just look how on the ball we were:
We've been publishing stories all year related to our 70th anniversary, but today marks the actual date that the @texasobserver.org published its first issue in 1954, with the top story dedicated to a retail workers' strike in Port Arthur: archives.texasobserver.org/issue/1954/1...
December 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM
We've been publishing stories all year related to our 70th anniversary, but today marks the actual date that the @texasobserver.org published its first issue in 1954, with the top story dedicated to a retail workers' strike in Port Arthur: archives.texasobserver.org/issue/1954/1...