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Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson) profile picture

Stephen Simpson

@Steve55Simpson

"Sir, this is a *digital* newspaper." | Covering mental health and related policy for the @TexasTribune | A University of Central Arkansas alumnus.

 Austin, TX
texastribune.org/about/staff/stephen-simpson/
Joined April 2009
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Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)Photo by Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson)
Mental health treatment in Texas wasn’t supposed to be this threadbare and challenging. But for many Texans, the mental health system is anything but accessible. In collaboration with the Carter Center read the stories of how Texans are finding treatment texastribune.org/2023/12/22/…
How Texas’ mental health vision fell apart

How Texas’ mental health vision fell apart

A lack of private providers, a swamped community mental health system, and low insurance reimbursement have cut off many in Texas from basic mental health services.

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Stephen Simpson retweeted
Gabby Birenbaum (@birenbomb) profile picture
Gabby Birenbaum@birenbombNov 4
After 30+ years of utter dominance, many Texas Republicans entered Tuesday’s election having known November only as a formality. They ended the night in the political wilderness trying to make sense of what went so wrong. On Day 1 of TX GOP new reality: texastribune.org/2026/11/04/…
Texas Republicans point fingers after Democratic midterm sweep

Texas Republicans point fingers after Democratic midterm sweep

Many Texas Republicans entered Tuesday’s election having known November as a formality. They ended the night in the political wilderness trying to make sense of what went so wrong.

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“I’m not going to legalize marijuana in Texas. And if people want to vote me out of office for that, so be it,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said at a news conference last year. On Election Day, Texans did just that. But what is next for the hemp industry? texastribune.org/2026/11/05/…
THC helps spur a Texas blue wave, but retailers’ fight continues

THC helps spur a Texas blue wave, but retailers’ fight continues

THC-friendly lawmakers and hemp advocates hope for a legal framework that finally protects their industry from another ban by either state agencies or the federal government.

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Stephen Simpson retweeted
Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) profile picture
Texas Tribune
@TexasTribuneNov 5
When Gina Hinojosa was asked about what she would do as governor of Texas, her answers reflected her belief that she would be the lone Democrat fighting daily against a wall of Republican officials. But Tuesday’s win will grant Hinojosa far more latitude to operate than she may have ever imagined. texastribune.org/2026/11/04/…
With Democrats in control, how will Gina Hinojosa govern?

With Democrats in control, how will Gina Hinojosa govern?

Hinojosa was careful while campaigning not to overpromise what she could deliver, assuming she’d be fighting against GOP majorities. Now she and her Democratic allies will control the government.

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Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) profile picture
Texas Tribune
@TexasTribuneNov 4
Texas’ governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and every other statewide candidate fell, upending the state’s political power structure in one night. bit.ly/4iyf1pU
Democrats seize power in Texas, ending decades of GOP dominance

Democrats seize power in Texas, ending decades of GOP dominance

Texas’ governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and every other statewide candidate fell, upending the state’s political power structure in one night.

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Stephen Simpson retweeted
Gabby Birenbaum (@birenbomb) profile picture
Gabby Birenbaum@birenbombNov 4
AP calls #TX23 for Katy Padilla Stout This makes it very likely that Texas Republicans, after redrawing the congressional map to yield five new seats, will end up with fewer US House seats in 2027 than they did in 2025.
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One thing to watch for is whether Hinojosa changes leadership at some state agencies if the THC rules are revisited. Lawsuits are still playing out in court when it comes to the ban on smokeable hemp. Based on social media comments, many Texans viewed it as a bridge too far.
Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson) profile pictureStephen Simpson@Steve55SimpsonNov 4
A little talked about story this election cycle is how many Texans where angered by the THC ban pushed by Dan Patrick it will be interesting to see what happens in the future. texastribune.org/2026/08/10/…
Delta-8 among products banned as Texas THC suit continues

Delta-8 among products banned as Texas THC suit continues

Hemp businesses and consumers asked to block state regulations on THC, but their lawsuit remains pending.

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Stephen Simpson retweeted
Gabby Birenbaum (@birenbomb) profile picture
Gabby Birenbaum@birenbombNov 4
Talarico taking the stage now to “Baila Esta Cumbia” by Selena #TXSEN “We just took back Texas. We just proved that all the money in the world is no match for the people of Texas.”
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Alejandro Serrano (@serrano_alej) profile picture
Alejandro Serrano@serrano_alejNov 4
Hinojosa becomes the first Latina governor of Texas. She will be the third woman to hold the office in the state's history. The last was Democrat Ann Richards.
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More than 306,000 voters in Harris County on election day. New results coming in.
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Early election day numbers show Talarico leading Paxton 67 to 29 and Hinonjosa 64 to 34. An overwhelming Democratic turnout in Harris County home to one of the largest cities in the country.
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Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) profile picture
Texas Tribune
@TexasTribuneNov 4
BREAKING: Democrat James Talarico wins the election for U.S. Senate, according to @AP results. bit.ly/4ySuR4V
James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton in Texas’ U.S. Senate race

James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton in Texas’ U.S. Senate race

The Austin state lawmaker ran on a message that America’s true fault line is between not the left and the right, but the wealthy and everyone else. He had not yet been born when Texas last elected a...

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Stephen Simpson retweeted
Gabby Birenbaum (@birenbomb) profile picture
Gabby Birenbaum@birenbombNov 4
Talarico’s victory is a political earthquake unseen in Texas this century. The U.S. Senate drought for Texas Democrats extended back to 1988 — when Rick Perry was still a Democrat, the Cowboys were coached by Tom Landry and Talarico was not yet born. texastribune.org/2026/11/03/…
James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton in Texas’ U.S. Senate race

James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton in Texas’ U.S. Senate race

The Austin state lawmaker ran on a message that America’s true fault line is between not the left and the right, but the wealthy and everyone else. He had not yet been born when Texas last elected a...

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Stephen Simpson retweeted
Megan Menchaca (@meganmmenchaca) profile picture
Megan Menchaca@meganmmenchacaNov 4
BREAKING: Incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott confirms that he called Democrat Gina Hinojosa to concede in the Texas governor's race, @TexasTribune reports. texastribune.org/2026/11/03/…
Image from Megan Menchaca (@meganmmenchaca)
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More news out of Harris County
Dr. Letitia Plummer for Harris County Judge (@letitiaplummer) profile pictureDr. Letitia Plummer for Harris County Judge@letitiaplummerNov 4
Harris County, WE DID IT! Tonight belongs to every person who believed in this campaign, knocked on doors, made calls and showed up at the polls. I'm beyond grateful. This victory isn't just mine. It's OURS. Now, the real work begins. Harris County, let's get to work!
Smiling woman in a collage with text: 'Thank You Harris County'.

ALT Smiling woman in a collage with text: 'Thank You Harris County'.

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Stephen Simpson retweeted
Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) profile picture
Patrick Svitek
@PatrickSvitekNov 4
Greg Abbott concedes: "Mathematically we're not going to be able to win this election" He says he spoke with Gina Hinojosa, offering his help in the transition #TXGOV
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Huge news coming out of Texas
Alejandro Serrano (@serrano_alej) profile pictureAlejandro Serrano@serrano_alejNov 4
JUST IN: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott concedes to Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa. “Mathematically we are not going to be able to win this election,” he says.
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A little talked about story this election cycle is how many Texans where angered by the THC ban pushed by Dan Patrick it will be interesting to see what happens in the future. texastribune.org/2026/08/10/…
Delta-8 among products banned as Texas THC suit continues

Delta-8 among products banned as Texas THC suit continues

Hemp businesses and consumers asked to block state regulations on THC, but their lawsuit remains pending.

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Particularly for Texans in the rural areas, THC was seen as a lifeline for farmers, veterans, and the old. texastribune.org/2025/08/01/…
Some rural Texans see THC as a lifeline for their health and economy - The Texas Tribune

Some rural Texans see THC as a lifeline for their health and economy - The Texas Tribune

As lawmakers continue to debate banning hemp-derived THC, some rural Texans say it helps ease addiction, health concerns and economic woes that hit their communities the hardest.

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Stephen Simpson retweeted
Gabby Birenbaum (@birenbomb) profile picture
Gabby Birenbaum@birenbombNov 4
Eric Flores has conceded in #TX34 That’s two redrawn seats now, which Republicans redrew to explicitly flip, where they’ve conceded
Image from Gabby Birenbaum (@birenbomb)
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Stephen Simpson retweeted
T.L. Langford (@tlangford) profile picture
T.L. Langford@tlangfordNov 4
Folks are getting a little quieter at the Abbott watch party as many seem stunned by Hinojosa's nightlong lead over the incumbent governor. Nearly everyone watching their phone as a band plays 1980s hits.
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