Texans are facing tremendous challenges, and after the new year, state lawmakers will finally have their chance to draft legislation that responds — or doesn't — to the biggest issues of the day. How do those in the know see the state of things heading into the 88th legislative session?
Join us in Austin for discussions dedicated to exploring state lawmakers’ top priorities and what’s ahead for Texans. This event is free and open to the public. It will be live streamed for virtual attendees at texastribune.org/events and videos will be available to watch on demand afterward on the Tribune's site.
We’ll look back at the 2022 midterm elections and ahead to 2024, and we’ll talk about how political ambitions are impacting the 2023 legislative session.
Moderator:
Jim Henson, director, Texas Politics ProjectÂ
James Barragán, politics reporter, The Texas Tribune
Taylor Goldenstein, Austin bureau reporter, Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News
Niki Griswold, state politics reporter, Austin American-StatesmanÂ
Brad Johnson, senior reporter, The Texan
Presented by: Raise Your Hand Texas, Texas Hospital Association, Texas State Technical College, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Association of Community Colleges
Lawmakers heading into their first legislative session talk about what they hope to accomplish.
Moderator:
Sewell Chan, editor in chief, The Texas Tribune
State Rep.-elect Salman Bhojani, D-Euless
State Rep.-elect Charles Cunningham, R-Humble
State Sen.-elect Morgan LaMantia, D-Brownsville
Presented by: Gulf States Toyota, Office of Public Insurance Council, Texas Association of Community Colleges, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Texas State Technical College
Last session, the Texas Legislature dedicated nearly $2 billion toward Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star initiative. What will the Legislature do this time?
Moderator:
James Barragán, politics reporter, The Texas TribuneÂ
State Rep. Oscar Longoria, D-Mission
Terrell County Judge Dale Carruthers
State Rep. Eddie Morales, D-Eagle Pass
Mayor Javier Villalobos, R-McAllen
Presented by: Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Texas Cattle Feeders Association
Some Republicans say this is the year when the state could pass school choice legislation. How will education policy unfold this session?
Moderator:
Brian Lopez, public education reporter, The Texas TribuneÂ
State Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston
State Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston
Presented by: Raise Your Hand Texas, TEXAS 2036, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Texas State Technical College, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas,
Texas Association of Community Colleges
Texas remains the state with the highest rate of uninsured residents. Where are the opportunities for health policy developments this session?
Moderator:
Eleanor Klibanoff, women’s health reporter, The Texas Tribune
State Rep. Steve Allison, R-San Antonio
State Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth
State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin
Presented by: Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Texas Hospital Association, TEXAS 2036,
Office of Public Insurance Council
Republicans say that property tax reduction is a priority. How will that debate and the one over local governments’ role take shape?
Moderator:
Joshua Fechter, urban affairs reporter, The Texas Tribune
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin
Presented by: TEXAS 2036, Texas Cattle Feeders Association
Email us at events@texastribune.org
