"After Jesus Rises, the Legislative Knives Come Out"—The Dangerous Ambitions of Sen. Creighton's Senate Bill 37

Friends, 

A very important message from Dr. Maria Unda. Truth be told, the knives have been out! A tremendous amount of advocacy work has gone into this. I urge everyone who can to join us this week at the Texas Capitol. Numbers and testimonies do matter. Do this for Texas and the nation lest this horrible bill get copied in and for other states. Do this for the future of our fragile democracy and the freedoms we have enjoyed that are so crucial to truth, justice, and the enduring promise of a free and educated society. Thanks to the Texas AAUP, here is a complimentary legislative toolkit.

If you can't make it, click here to email members of the House Higher Education Committee that will be making a crucial decision on the fate of this legislation that comes from the Senate. 

Click here to e-mail the committee members

-Angela Valenzuela

Dear all,

Resurrection of Christ, Noël Coypel, 1700,
using a hovering depiction of Jesus

As Dr. Valenzuela often reminds us, "After Jesus rises, the legislative knives come out." The Texas Legislative Session ends in June—unless a special session is called—and we’re entering a critical moment for public higher education.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Higher Education and is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, May 6 at 8AM. We encourage you to prepare a 2-minute testimony if you're able to attend or if not, you may submit a written statement.

What is SB37?
SB37 is a sweeping omnibus bill that:

• is DOGE for higher education 
• Grants political appointees control over curriculum and academic content;
• Severely limits discussion of race, ethnicity, sex, politics, religion, and social beliefs;
• Threatens faculty governance and academic freedom across all public universities.

Learn More:
Full SB37 Bill Text and Analysis
Texas Tribune Article – SB37’s impact on history and race education
AAUP Texas – “SB37 2.0: The Sequel Is Even More Authoritarian”
Every Texan – Jaimie Puente’s Testimony Against SB37

Please share this email widely (to personal non-university emails) with students, educators, and community members. The stakes are high, and we need all voices to ensure that higher education remains a space for critical inquiry, truth-telling, and justice.

In solidarity,

María del Carmen Unda, Ph.D.

Convener, Black & Brown Dialogues on Policy