MAY 10 UPDATE ISSUE Both the Senate and House have passed their versions of the appropriations bill (SB 1). A conference committee is now deciding how to reconcile the differences in the bills, which will determine how much money will be spent for the next two fiscal years. This stage of the budget process will […]
Senate Should Pass a Year of Medicaid Coverage for Mothers (HB 133)
ISSUE Texas leads the nation in maternal mortality–women dying after childbirth. HB 133, currently in the Senate Health and Human Service Committee, would extend Medicaid for 12 months after pregnancy. HB 133 would save women’s lives. The staff of the chair of the Senate HHS Committee is saying that HB 133 is not needed because […]
Pro-Voter Bills to Support!
HEARING IS THURSDAY, APRIL 29 ISSUE Among the bills that will be heard before the House Elections Committee on April 29, 2021, we like the following pro-voter bills and think they deserve our support. (It’s a House hearing where several Senate bills will also be included.) HB 32 would allow a parent or legal guardian […]
Keep Local Control of Charter School Expansions (SB 28)
COMMITTEE HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 ISSUE Senate Bill 28, which will be heard in House Public Education Committee on Wednesday, April 28, would remove the power of local governments and the State Board of Education (SBOE) to limit the expansion of charter schools. It would allow all charter school operators to site campuses wherever […]
Save Power and Money for Texans! (SB 243, HB 4556)
HOUSE AND SENATE HEARINGS ON APRIL 20 ISSUE The Texas Legislature needs to scale up goals for energy efficiency. These two bills (Senate Bill 243 and its companion House Bill 4556) would raise energy efficiency standards, invest in energy efficiency programs, and help weatherize homes and businesses. This would reduce the ever-growing demand on the […]
More Attacks on Transgender Youth and Those Who Care for Them (SBs 1311/1646, HBs 1399/1424)
ISSUE Quick Take: There will be hearings this week (week of April 12) on several bills that would limit healthcare access for transgender children. Senate, Monday, April 12, 9 AM Senate State Affairs Committee hearing on SBs 1311 and 1646. SB 1311 would ban healthcare providers from providing gender-affirming care to transgender children. SB 1646 […]
Stop Attacks on Transgender Children! (SB 29) (2)
ISSUE SB 29 passed out of committee last week and now heads to the full senate. Time to contact your state senator and urge them to oppose SB 29. SB 29 bans transgender children from participating in student athletics teams that match their gender identities, excluding them from the friendship, education, teamwork, and health benefits […]
Don’t Force Companies to Invest in Fossil Fuels. Stop HB 2189!
ACT BY THURSDAY, APRIL 1 ISSUE House Bill 2189 (and its Senate companion bill SB 13) would require the State of Texas and its entities (including state pension funds and the state’s huge K-12 school endowment) to cut ties with companies that refuse to invest in fossil fuels. Scientific data shows that we must decrease […]
Defeat HB 6, a Voter Suppression and Criminalization Act (and SB 7, too!)
ISSUE We saw proof in 2020–Texans want to vote and they did! Now, the Texas Legislature is taking up comprehensive election bills that will deter voters and restrict election officials: House Bill 6 Senate Bill 7 in the Senate. 3/30 Update on SB 7: On Friday (3/26), despite many hours of public testimony–the vast majority […]
Keep Control of Schools Local (SB 28 and 1365)
ISSUE Senate Bill 28 would remove the power of local governments and the State Board of Education to limit the expansion of charter schools. It would allow charter schools to site their campuses wherever and whenever they want, without local government oversight or review by the State Board of Education. Senate Bill 1365 gives wide […]
Stop Attacks on Transgender Children! (SB 29)
ACT BY FRIDAY, MARCH 26 ISSUE The Texas Senate State Affairs Committee is holding a hearing this Friday (March 26) on Senate Bill 29, “Bathroom Bill 3.0,” AKA the “Show Me Your Genitals” bill. SB 29 bans transgender children from participating in student athletics teams that match their gender identities, excluding them from the friendship, […]
Should Companies Be Forced to Invest in Fossil Fuels? Stop SB 13!
ISSUE Quick Take: If passed, the SB 13 would require the State of Texas and its entities (including state pension funds and the state’s huge K-12 school endowment) to cut ties with companies that refuse to invest in fossil fuels. Scientific data tells us we must decrease reliance on fossil fuels to avoid climate catastrophe. […]
Join Us Every Tuesday for a CTA Phone Bank
TUESDAYS AT 1 PM If you or anyone you know is a bit hesitant to call a state legislator, consider joining us weekly to make calls together. We’ll walk through current CTAs and answer any questions you have to help you get calls made, emails written, and testimony submitted. Since our ability to gather at […]