Bayliss Wagner
@baylisswagner.bsky.social
Based in Austin, I report on Texas politics for the San Antonio Express-News
Send tips: bwagner.46 on Signal
Send tips: bwagner.46 on Signal
Two title and insurance specialists who serve clients without legal status said Texas’ new ID mandates will push many of their customers to drive unregistered and uninsured. One called the change “catastrophic.”
The story:
www.expressnews.com/politics/art...
The story:
www.expressnews.com/politics/art...
Texas tightens car registration rules after backlash over immigrants
Supporters say the move disincentivizes unauthorized immigration. Critics warn the policy will push more people to drive uninsured and unregistered.
www.expressnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Two title and insurance specialists who serve clients without legal status said Texas’ new ID mandates will push many of their customers to drive unregistered and uninsured. One called the change “catastrophic.”
The story:
www.expressnews.com/politics/art...
The story:
www.expressnews.com/politics/art...
NEW: The order from Justice Samuel Alito temporarily protects a map that delivers five additional winnable U.S. House seats to the GOP while the justices consider a more permanent ruling. houstonchronicle.com/news/politic...
U.S. Supreme Court temporarily restores Texas GOP’s congressional map
The decision temporarily protects a map that delivers five additional winnable U.S. House seats to the GOP while the justices consider a more permanent ruling.
houstonchronicle.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:34 AM
NEW: The order from Justice Samuel Alito temporarily protects a map that delivers five additional winnable U.S. House seats to the GOP while the justices consider a more permanent ruling. houstonchronicle.com/news/politic...
For those wondering, the ruling was split 2-1, with another Trump appointee dissenting. You can read it here: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:47 PM
For those wondering, the ruling was split 2-1, with another Trump appointee dissenting. You can read it here: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The ruling slams the Trump DOJ letter saying 4 non-majority-White, Dem districts were unconstitutionally drawn based on racial makeup.
The judge's conclusion: by citing the DOJ letter, "The Governor explicitly directed the Legislature to redistrict based on race." #txlege
The judge's conclusion: by citing the DOJ letter, "The Governor explicitly directed the Legislature to redistrict based on race." #txlege
November 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The ruling slams the Trump DOJ letter saying 4 non-majority-White, Dem districts were unconstitutionally drawn based on racial makeup.
The judge's conclusion: by citing the DOJ letter, "The Governor explicitly directed the Legislature to redistrict based on race." #txlege
The judge's conclusion: by citing the DOJ letter, "The Governor explicitly directed the Legislature to redistrict based on race." #txlege
The decision is a shocking blow to the Texas GOP ahead of an expected difficult midterms cycle for the Republican majority: www.statesman.com/news/politic...
Texas' redrawn Congressional map blocked by court in shocking blow to GOP
The decision was a blow to Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump, who hoped the redistricting would help the party pick up seats in next year’s midterms.
www.statesman.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:23 PM
The decision is a shocking blow to the Texas GOP ahead of an expected difficult midterms cycle for the Republican majority: www.statesman.com/news/politic...
Have thoughts, tips, comments? My DMs are open, and you can reach me on Signal at bwagner.46.
November 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Have thoughts, tips, comments? My DMs are open, and you can reach me on Signal at bwagner.46.
For Austin American-Statesman readers: www.statesman.com/politics/art...
'Antivirus for libraries': How a Texas startup is capitalizing on book bans
The company Bookmarked, whose cofounder advocated for SB 13, describes itself as a neutral player in the censorship debate. Critics disagree.
www.statesman.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
For Austin American-Statesman readers: www.statesman.com/politics/art...
To read more, including the marketing emails and internal discussions about Bookmarked that I obtained through PIRs, check out the full story. For San Antonio @expressnews.com readers (gift link): www.expressnews.com/politics/art... 8/
'Antivirus for libraries': How a Texas startup is capitalizing on book bans
The company Bookmarked, whose cofounder advocated for SB 13, describes itself as a neutral player in the censorship debate. Critics disagree.
www.expressnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
To read more, including the marketing emails and internal discussions about Bookmarked that I obtained through PIRs, check out the full story. For San Antonio @expressnews.com readers (gift link): www.expressnews.com/politics/art... 8/
An interesting finding: the company's co-founder Steve Wandler testified in favor of SB 13 in 2023.
He now says the law is "too vague." But, he said,“if you see it coming & it's going to happen anyways, it's like, ‘How do you work together to try to solve that problem?’" 7/
He now says the law is "too vague." But, he said,“if you see it coming & it's going to happen anyways, it's like, ‘How do you work together to try to solve that problem?’" 7/
'Antivirus for libraries': How a Texas startup is capitalizing on book bans
The company Bookmarked, whose cofounder advocated for SB 13, describes itself as a neutral player in the censorship debate. Critics disagree.
www.expressnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
An interesting finding: the company's co-founder Steve Wandler testified in favor of SB 13 in 2023.
He now says the law is "too vague." But, he said,“if you see it coming & it's going to happen anyways, it's like, ‘How do you work together to try to solve that problem?’" 7/
He now says the law is "too vague." But, he said,“if you see it coming & it's going to happen anyways, it's like, ‘How do you work together to try to solve that problem?’" 7/
Additionally, for parents, the tool offers a portal to restrict what their children read.
But records I found show that almost no one uses it. In Llano ISD, only 7 of 2000 parents (0.03%) set any blocks on titles. 6/
But records I found show that almost no one uses it. In Llano ISD, only 7 of 2000 parents (0.03%) set any blocks on titles. 6/
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Additionally, for parents, the tool offers a portal to restrict what their children read.
But records I found show that almost no one uses it. In Llano ISD, only 7 of 2000 parents (0.03%) set any blocks on titles. 6/
But records I found show that almost no one uses it. In Llano ISD, only 7 of 2000 parents (0.03%) set any blocks on titles. 6/
Others, like Abilene ISD, say the product simply didn’t work.
“They made promises they couldn’t keep,” one district administrator wrote. Another district's librarian called it a “HUGE failure.” 5/
“They made promises they couldn’t keep,” one district administrator wrote. Another district's librarian called it a “HUGE failure.” 5/
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Others, like Abilene ISD, say the product simply didn’t work.
“They made promises they couldn’t keep,” one district administrator wrote. Another district's librarian called it a “HUGE failure.” 5/
“They made promises they couldn’t keep,” one district administrator wrote. Another district's librarian called it a “HUGE failure.” 5/
In some cases, the impact has been immediate:
New Braunfels ISD used Bookmarked to help identify 450+ library books that could violate SB 13, from The Handmaid’s Tale to Madame Bovary to Game of Thrones.
The district shut its library for two weeks to start reviewing them. 4/
New Braunfels ISD used Bookmarked to help identify 450+ library books that could violate SB 13, from The Handmaid’s Tale to Madame Bovary to Game of Thrones.
The district shut its library for two weeks to start reviewing them. 4/
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
In some cases, the impact has been immediate:
New Braunfels ISD used Bookmarked to help identify 450+ library books that could violate SB 13, from The Handmaid’s Tale to Madame Bovary to Game of Thrones.
The district shut its library for two weeks to start reviewing them. 4/
New Braunfels ISD used Bookmarked to help identify 450+ library books that could violate SB 13, from The Handmaid’s Tale to Madame Bovary to Game of Thrones.
The district shut its library for two weeks to start reviewing them. 4/
Since #txlege's SB 13 took effect in Sept., Bookmarked has aggressively marketed its product to schools, with some success.
Killeen ISD pays nearly $40,000 for its 40,000 students to use the software. Llano ISD pays $3,400. New Braunfels ISD just signed a contract for $8,900. 3/
Killeen ISD pays nearly $40,000 for its 40,000 students to use the software. Llano ISD pays $3,400. New Braunfels ISD just signed a contract for $8,900. 3/
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Since #txlege's SB 13 took effect in Sept., Bookmarked has aggressively marketed its product to schools, with some success.
Killeen ISD pays nearly $40,000 for its 40,000 students to use the software. Llano ISD pays $3,400. New Braunfels ISD just signed a contract for $8,900. 3/
Killeen ISD pays nearly $40,000 for its 40,000 students to use the software. Llano ISD pays $3,400. New Braunfels ISD just signed a contract for $8,900. 3/
The company, Bookmarked, pitches itself as an “antivirus for libraries.”
It promises to scan thousands of titles and alert schools — and even parents — to books that could cause “board liability” or “media attention.” 2/ www.expressnews.com/politics/art...
It promises to scan thousands of titles and alert schools — and even parents — to books that could cause “board liability” or “media attention.” 2/ www.expressnews.com/politics/art...
'Antivirus for libraries': How a Texas startup is capitalizing on book bans
The company Bookmarked, whose cofounder advocated for SB 13, describes itself as a neutral player in the censorship debate. Critics disagree.
www.expressnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The company, Bookmarked, pitches itself as an “antivirus for libraries.”
It promises to scan thousands of titles and alert schools — and even parents — to books that could cause “board liability” or “media attention.” 2/ www.expressnews.com/politics/art...
It promises to scan thousands of titles and alert schools — and even parents — to books that could cause “board liability” or “media attention.” 2/ www.expressnews.com/politics/art...