Commentary on the 88th (2023) Session of the Texas State Legislature by Black Legislative Caucus Chair Rep. Ron Reynolds on the Texas Standard/NPR

Friends,

Happy Super Bowl weekend!

Treat yourself to this conversation on the Texas Standard at NPR.org with the Chair of the Texas Black Legislative Caucus (BLC) Rep. Ron Reynolds. Among the items the BLC is taking up this legislative session are the following:

Criminal justice reform in the wake of the murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, including ending qualified immunity for police officers; commonsense gun reform legislation; economic development, including funding historically Black Colleges and Universities; environmental justice, health care, citing a systemic lack of access to healthcare for Black women and men; voting rights; opposing vouchers; and supporting property tax relief.

Another big item is fighting anti-DEI bills (mentioned in my previous post), noting that Texas is a "majority-minority" and just how off base those bills are. Rep. Reynolds says that the BLC will hold a Tuesday morning Press Conference together with Gary Bledsoe and the NAACP at the Texas State Capitol. Details forthcoming.

He urges constituents to register their views with legislators who represent them, on the one hand, and for legislators to work for their constituents. He also suggested calling the governor and Lt. Governor to register your concerns as voters and constituents. 

Here is Governor Abbott's phone no.: 512-463-2000

Here is Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's nos.:

• The Texas Lieutenant Governor Message Line: (512) 463-5342
• The Texas Lieutenant Governor Office Line: (512) 463-0001

We still are a democracy and we all still have a voice, so let's use them.

A final comment is that, as is customary, the Black and Mexican American  Legislative Caucuses in the House are working closely together on these items such that we should all be and feel encouraged.

-Angela Valenzuela