Rev. Jody Harrison testifies in opposition to SB11, which would require school districts to adopt policies about facilitating prayer in public schools, March 4

Dear {name},

This week, the committee process in the legislature ramped up significantly. Over the next few weeks, committees in both chambers will be hearing bills, first in each bill’s chamber of origin and then in the other chamber for bills that pass their chamber of origin. A few senate bills already have been “sent over,” most notably SB 2, the Senate’s voucher bill.

You probably learned about the legislative process in high school—but if you need a civics booster shot, we’ve got you covered: Texas Impact’s Faith in Democracy YouTube series includes an episode on the legislative calendar that will help you keep track of where we are in the process. 

Speaking of booster shots, the House Public Health Committee took testimony this week about the ongoing Texas measles outbreak from Texas Health Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford. We provided video clips from Dr. Shuford’s testimony on LegeTV, and we also created a video with Dr. Shuford’s slides embedded, so you can watch the testimony together with the handouts.

We’ve included Dr. Shuford’s video in our new series “Decoding the Dome,” where we provide deep dives into legislative clips that might benefit from a little context. In addition to measles, this week’s decoders cover clergy testimony related to SB10 and SB11, which relate to posting the Ten Commandments and requiring prayer in public schools; PUC testimony on the Texas Energy Fund; and a conversation between the House Appropriations Committee and the Texas Water Development Board regarding DEI and agency hiring practices.

Also this week, Texas Impact joins with our friends and colleagues throughout state government and across Texas in mourning the death of Congressman Sylvester Turner, who died Tuesday night in Washington, D.C. Turner previously served as Mayor of Houston, and before that as a Texas House member. 

Texas Impact was privileged to work alongside Sylvester Turner on legislation to support families; strengthen the state budget; and secure health care for millions of Texas children. He combined humor, policy expertise, deep love for the most vulnerable Texans, and unflinching commitment to justice—all qualities on display in one of our favorite legislative moments, when he and then-Rep. Chris Paddie discussed the state revenue system with the help of what Turner described as a “manipulative device.”

We’re looking forward to seeing a lot of Texas Impact members over the next couple of weeks, at legislative hearings and at Family Matters: Faith Days at the Capitol, coming up March 16-18. There’s still time to register, so don’t miss this opportunity to get up-to-the-minute information on the issues and tell your legislators about your priorities.

Texas Impact members are making a difference at the Capitol this session! Thanks for your work and witness.

Love,

Bee Moorhead

Texas Impact Executive Director

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