By Matt Johnson
Photo courtesy of Texas Observer/Nick Swartsell
Do you remember when local heritage tree ordinances were under attack? Remember the horrible bathroom bill? How about the bill that eliminated certain tax incentives for wind energy? Or the racist SB 4 - the “show me your papers” bill?
Early voting begins on Monday. It’s time to do your homework on down ballot races.
Personally, I love and hate the interim - the year and a half in between sessions of the Texas Legislature. I love it because it’s a long break from a grueling legislative session and I need some mental health time. But I hate it too because it allows me to almost forget about MOST of the bad bills that passed. Of course, that’s comes from a very privileged position. Some legislation affects other people directly and irrevocably.
Well, I’m not going to forget what happened in our name at the Texas Legislature last year, and I sure as heck will not go into the polls uninformed about the candidates that might represent me in the next Legislature that begins a short 2 ½ months from now.
I know a lot of attention is on Congressional races right now, and for good reason. But take some time to learn about the candidates that will represent you at the Texas Legislature come January. A lot is at stake both in Washington and in Austin.