![]() Meanwhile, Abbott has said he is considering a measure that would put the state in charge of policing a large area of Austin, including the Texas Capitol and the University of Texas at Austin - a move that came during a political fight against the capital city over its decision to trim its police budget.Īfter some Republicans argued that Abbott overstepped his authority over responding to the pandemic, proposals at the Legislature were filed to curb the emergency powers of a governor during a declared disaster. The Texas Legislative Black Caucus has already unveiled the George Floyd Act, a sweeping reform proposal that would, among other things, ban chokeholds across the state and address qualified immunity, which shields government officials from litigation. State leaders have already said the Legislature will remain committed to continuing to fund those massive investments, regardless of the tough economic forecast.īeyond that, debates over police funding and reforms following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed in Minneapolis police custody, are expected to play a central role during the legislative session. In 2019, the Legislature overhauled the state’s school finance system, infusing $6.5 billion more into public schools and roughly $5.1 billion to lower Texans’ property tax bills. Lawmakers will also have to respond to the ongoing pandemic and address other policy issues that have been focal points throughout the pandemic, such as public education funding and health care. On top of that, the Legislature will also need to redraw the state’s political maps, which is often a polarizing and draining process for lawmakers. Tackling the state’s current two-year budget - and writing the next one - will be one of the largest items on the Legislature’s plate, though lawmakers received better-than-expected news Monday when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar unveiled the biennial revenue estimate. Some disability rights advocates, meanwhile, have raised concerns about the uncertain rules on testifying in committee hearings remotely and have expressed hesitancy about going to the Capitol in person. ![]() Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, asked the attorney general to weigh in on whether the Legislature has the power to close the Capitol and whether members could debate or vote on legislation from outside the chamber. ![]() Since the Capitol closed in mid-March, both Democrats and Republicans from each chamber have raised questions about the accessibility of the legislative process. The Senate, meanwhile, has been more tight-lipped on what precautions will be in place during the legislative session. Dade Phelan has asked a group of lawmakers to make recommendations and solicit input from members on what changes should be made to the chamber’s rules. In a last-minute change, the Department of Public Safety announced Monday that anyone who wants to enter the Capitol will be required to take a coronavirus test.īeyond opening day, State Rep. But it remains to be seen how much space - or political appetite - there will be for more polarizing proposals, especially among Republicans coming off a successful November election. Meanwhile, three clear top priorities have emerged for the agenda: the budget, redistricting and the pandemic. Greg Abbott promised Monday that DPS will “continue to remain on top of” safety at the building. ![]() The Texas Department of Public Safety is deploying additional resources and personnel to the state Capitol, and Gov. ![]() Capitol last week, leaving five people dead and leading to dozens of arrests, some Texas lawmakers are on edge about the potential for unrest in Austin. Watch the House and Senate streams here.Īnd after a pro-Donald Trump mob rushed into the U.S. Both chambers are expected to convene at 12 p.m. Lawmakers have been waiting for months to see how it will be conducted safely as the coronavirus pandemic rages. The 2021 session of the Texas Legislature will commence Tuesday under pervasive uncertainty. ![]()
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