On Dec. 9, Lt. Gov. “A lot of this is just really kind of up in the air and I think folks are … getting antsy on just having some answers and some clarity on what all this ends up looking like come January,” Pollock said. Both acknowledged the challenges of navigating a session with a significantly decreased budget, but Hinojosa said it’s nothing the state hasn’t worked through before. The representatives also talked about how the legislative session will be affected by the pandemic, elections and the presumptive new speaker. The conversation, moderated by Tribune political reporter Cassi Pollock, also included Rep.-elect Eddie Morales Jr., D-Eagle Pass, and Rep.-elect Jacey Jetton, R-Sugar Land. State Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso and State Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio have both already pre-filed bills that will likely come up when the session gets underway. The National Rifle Association has called the pre-filings for legislation in the Texas Congress next year a “record amount of gun control.” There are also a slew of bills aiming to increase gun rights in the state. On Tuesday, Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R-Fredericksburg) said that he is committed to authoring legislation in the 2021 legislative session that will … Monday marked the first day bills could be prefiled. By Robert Montoya | November 24, 2020. Key Texas House leader says Capitol occupancy may be limited in upcoming legislative session, GOP lawmakers heading into the legislative session take aim at voter fraud, despite no evidence of widespread problem. Access Mobile Version of TLO. While they supported safety precautions like wearing masks in their offices — members can make their own office guidelines — both said they didn’t want rapid testing to prohibit constituents from accessing members. Health care will likely be top of mind for Texas lawmakers as they return to the Capitol for the 2021 legislative session during the worst public health crisis in a century. “With coronavirus, COVID-19, the agenda could be very narrow this session,” said state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, during a panel discussion previewing the Phelan administration and the 2021 legislative session. While Dutton said the caucus has long advocated for increased police training and oversight, widespread outrage following the death of George Floyd in police custody has heightened visibility of Black Americans’ treatment by law enforcement. Full Story, by Patrick Svitek The conversation, moderated by Tribune CEO Evan Smith, highlighted the inner workings of the Texas Capitol, from how a bill becomes a law to the differences between the Legislature’s upper and lower chamber. About half of them are aimed at increasing voter access, which lawmakers said became a more urgent issue during the pandemic. Nov. 30, 2020, The seasons change in the political world, too. Republican control of the Texas Legislature allows the party to continue to direct important issues during the upcoming session. With the recent election cycle (mostly) behind us, Texas’ 87th legislative session is set to convene at noon on Jan. 12. As more people are relying on the internet for education and telehealth during the pandemic, Hinojosa said lawmakers also hope to create a plan to increase access to broadband services. After the 2020 Census, redistricting will occur, with congressional districts redrawn for the 2022 through 2030 elections. Lawmakers in January will tackle issues including the next state budget and redistricting. “This is where we go to debate, jump up and down, scream at each other, come out with a kind of forced agreement – and if you can't get together, it doesn't function right.”. The Democrats only needed nine seats to take control of the House. Tribune events are supported through contributions from our investors and members. Plus, what the Legislature will look like in a pandemic, and what Tribune reporters are watching most this legislative session. When lawmakers gather in Austin on January 12th for the 87th session of the Texas Legislature, they'll be staring two colossal issues square in the face; an on-going pandemic still killing off their constituents, and a once-thriving economy chewed up by the very same contagion, robbing state coffers of at least $4.5 billion Canales said some of the members will need to energize their base for the next election and that’s why there will be at least one special session with “a lot of red meat to it.”, “The reality is that’s historically been the tool used,” Canales said. Media support is provided by Spectrum News. Two Texas lawmakers said despite an expected shortfall of almost $5 billion for the current two-year budget, they hope to increase funding for health care and broadband services in the next budget, without increasing taxes. “We want to aim to provide uniformity, some type of consistent system, that people in Texas can look to and say, ‘This is what is expected of our law enforcement officers all across the state.”’. Nov. 27, 2020, More than 60 election-related bills have been filed in the House and Senate in the three weeks since the election. The redistricting process — redrawing congressional and state legislative districts — could take longer than usual this year, two state lawmakers said. In 1931, the legislature made possession of any amount of marijuana a felony offense, punishable by up to life in prison. From the mobile device browser, enter www.txlegis.com.NOTE: Some applications or features within an … Nov. 17, 2020 And while those results are not yet known, we do now know the results of the races for the Texas state legislature. Texas Legislature; Bill seeking to modify Texas ‘castle doctrine’ causes stir ahead of 2021 legislative session click2houston.com - Aaron Barker. The following report was contributed to in part by Wade Long, one of TMHA's long standing lobbyists. The conversation, moderated by Tribune CEO Evan Smith, included Tribune political reporters Cassi Pollock, Alex Samuels, Patrick Svitek and Alexa Ura. March 24, 2021— Yesterday marked the halfway point of the eighty-seventh Texas Legislature, one of the wildest and most contentious we’ve … Show us with your support. Analysis: Texas elections are over. Four Tribune reporters share what they are most watching for at the 2021 legislative session. “The more things change, the more things stay the same,” said Rep.-elect Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, adding that supporting law enforcement is also one of her top concerns. Full Story, by Ross Ramsey Members of the public who wish to testify may first have to test negative for COVID-19. by Alana Rocha, Justin Dehn and Todd Wiseman The Phelan Administration at The Texas Tribune's symposium previewing the 2021 legislative session, The House Agenda at The Texas Tribune's symposium previewing the 2021 legislative session, The Senate Agenda at The Texas Tribune's symposium previewing the 2021 legislative session, Writing the Budget at The Texas Tribune's symposium previewing the 2021 legislative session, Drawing the Maps at The Texas Tribune's symposium previewing the 2021 legislative session, What the Black Caucus Wants at The Texas Tribune's symposium previewing the 2021 legislative session, What the Women's Bloc Wants at The Texas Tribune's symposium previewing the 2021 legislative session, Meet the New Members at The Texas Tribune's symposium previewing the 2021 legislative session, Reporters' Roundtable at The Texas Tribune's symposium previewing the 2021 legislative session, weeklong virtual symposium Dec. 7-11 previewing the state’s upcoming legislative session, who will retire as speaker at the end of his term, nothing the state hasn’t worked through before. Some are good, some are bad, and others are downright ugly. In fact, that might be the hardest option available. By. It's not. “It's a social mechanism,” Ramsey said during a panel discussion explaining the Legislature and previewing the 2021 session. Facebook. “Women are the glue of most households and women have to make tough choices,” Johnson said. Ura said their level of input will depend on how early Texas receives census information, and that overall, she’d be surprised if the process was complete by the end of the session. The Texas version is a bit quieter, but it's underway. Will Texas Lawmakers Legalize Casino Gambling in 2021? And then there are other major issues, in my opinion, like health and human services that we have to find some long-term solution on.”. “We’ll start the session with those unknowns still there.”. 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