Hey all, A few minutes ago, the Texas Legislature officially concluded its 88th regular session. We went into this session with hope, working alongside communities to demand change—like keeping people out of the criminal punishment system altogether, treating the state’s most vulnerable kids humanely, meeting people’s needs inside prison walls, and removing barriers to reentry for people leaving prison and jail. But many of our state legislators focused on bills that would increase harm to these groups, rather than help Texans succeed. At the same time, they’ve created a crop of totally new criminal offenses. And they’ve doubled down on destructive “crimmigration” policies in border communities. Bottom line: Lawmakers have failed the diverse Texans they represent. Still, the dedication of community members in fighting back has been unmatched. Formerly incarcerated people faced off against stigma and made the trek to the Capitol to share horror stories of abuse in Texas prisons and jails. High schoolers missed class to testify about the violence and neglect their peers continue to suffer in the youth system. Hundreds of people gathered for rallies, press conferences, and celebrations that recognized the inherent worth of each and every Texan. That is the Texas we’re fighting for, and we know it’s the Texas you believe in, too. So we’ll keep fighting. In spite of the difficulties, there have been some bright spots, including about 40 positive bills that are still advancing towards the Governor’s desk. As we head into the 20-day veto period, you can keep up with the bills that Governor Abbott signs in our new blog post, which we’ll update continuously. And later this year, we’ll release our comprehensive bill analysis guide, which will walk you through new laws as they take effect. |
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What comes next? The TCJE policy team, our coalitions, and our partners have worked down to the wire to defend our communities against dangerous and harmful policies. We’ll take some time to rest up after the veto period and, after that, we’ll be experimenting with new approaches, getting more creative than ever. We’re already sketching out inventive strategies to build power and create change. We cannot continue to rely on lawmakers who’ve left us behind too many times. One thing we know: Our futures are in all of our hands. By working together, we can and will keep building a new table, where the people closest to the problem can be closest to the solution. In our continued commitment to uplifting these voices, TCJE will be elevating system-impacted leadership in new ways and continuing to build a powerful movement for change. Every single Texan must be treated with dignity and respect. If you’d like to get involved, we encourage you to learn more about our system-impacted coalitions and other ways you can help: We're also monitoring the possibility that a special session may be held soon. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news about justice-related legislation. Finally, check out some highlights from this session below! |
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After the 20-day veto period, we’ll share the final list of positive policies that become law. Stay tuned, because as we head towards the next regular session in 2025, we need you with us. This fight is far from over. In solidarity,
The TCJE Team |
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