The latest demographics news from The Texas Tribune.
Their dream of passing a bill to improve access to state services for Texans who don’t speak English or Spanish was dashed. Woori Juntos activists fought until the end seeking at least a study of their ideas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ba817236cefc91e4168f950a00cde3bb/0522%20Woori%20Juntos%20Final%20EL%2005.JPG)
Now that Texas has a near-total ban on abortion, lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are trying to make sure colleges are serving students who are pregnant or have children. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3608ceec58a3662819693ddbefee8c5b/0525%20College%20Parents%20LS%20TT%2010.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott over the weekend signed into law a bill prohibiting race-based hair discrimination in Texas workplaces, schools and housing policies. It goes into effect in September. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d19ccc4dd3227247107c0e842695f2e9/0413%20Crown%20Act%20Presser%20LS%20TT%2037.jpg)
Originally pitched as an effort to restrict children from seeing certain drag shows, the House and Senate agreed on a version of the bill that could still ensnare LGBTQ performers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/31994172ad917bb6f18e9b8877d8d44f/Capitol%20Stock%20KC%20TT%2012.jpg)
The bill now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for approval. If it becomes law, Texas will become the second state in the country to ban DEI offices at public universities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26a384c22ee5e1243879d8d0b78094de/Stephen%20F%20Austin%20MF%20TT%2003.jpg)
The House and Senate bills had differed on whether someone should be punished for voting by mistake. Now the two chambers must reach an agreement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8a6b55e1487849cf084aa82f3ff55195/Laredo%20Election%20Day%20JR%20TT%2002.jpg)
The multistate program, ERIC, is considered by election administration experts across the country to be the best tool for preventing double voting across state lines. It has been the target of conspiracy theories. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bc389142aa7879436f99b808da4634c5/Tarrant%20County%20Election%20Day%20ST%20TT%2025.jpg)
The bill no longer targets drag performers, but LGBTQ advocates say the legislation’s vague language could still be used to criminalize such shows. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/853050a77289d359c3267da943a9c5b9/Dallas%20Pride%20Block%20Party%20ST%2005.jpg)
Texas took four of the 10 top spots among the nation’s fastest-growing cities, with the Austin metro area overall seeing some of the most significant growth. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5c3e0038c077bb89a8e5c80784d788fe/Austin%20Closures%20MG%20TT%2010.jpg)
Currently, more than 80% of Texas voters can vote anywhere in their home county, a model that originated in Lubbock County. If lawmakers approve new legislation, that would change. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/573d13c412543228bdef7f62ec3fa403/1108%20Lubbock%20Election%20Day%20MR%20TT%2020.jpg)
Attorney General Ken Paxton previously announced an investigation into “potentially illegal” activity. Parents are scrambling to find transition-related care for their kids as the Legislature appears poised to ban it altogether. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6ec469a5c4176bd700261cba5874f31f/0327%20Trans%20Rights%20Rally%20EL%20TT%2004.jpg)
The House approved a bill Monday that would ban doctors from providing transition-related care to children. It now heads back to the Senate, which can accept the changes or ask for a committee to iron out the chambers’ differences. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/abd6c3b6e52f7bb937ff6dba1f2e6cda/0512%20SB%2014%20Morning%20Presser%20EL%2003.jpg)
There are more than 60 open federal civil rights investigations into Texas schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/82c88c24d1db3d3840b68674fc668921/Roosevelt%20ISD%20MR%20TT%2004.jpg)
Senate Bill 14 spurred protests that led to altercations with state police earlier this week. Bill supporters and opponents again showed up at the Capitol for an expected vote Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/866adf49fec644f7ad69e7743784b61e/0505%20Friday%20SB%2014%20Floor%20BD%20TT%2008.jpg)
In the months leading up to their committee hearing, Woori Juntos community members trained on how to share their personal stories with legislators — in their own language. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fdeff53d0f72b84ee281855526c5818a/0425%20Woori%20Juntos%20Testimony%20TT%2005.jpg)
Texas state police detained and handcuffed people protesting legislation that would prohibit transgender kids from getting puberty blockers and hormone therapy. The House separately delayed a vote on Senate Bill 14 until later this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ad6e6f602d330c9f9f061cb40c9689a6/0502%20SB14%20Gender%20Hearing%20LS%2024.jpg)
As Texas House members could soon vote to ban transition-related care for minors, many lives are in limbo, and trans kids like 16-year-old Randell are grappling with difficult decisions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/64b70195e0dd71bebfd2a520f625d72b/0427%20Trans%20Youth%20Healthcare%20AS%20TT%2012.jpg)
Initially, Senate Bill 147 would have prevented legal Texas residents from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from buying land. Pushback from immigrant groups persuaded senators to soften the proposal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b1075b147690000d7dba73011835bee3/SB%20147%20Rally%20TT.jpg)
In a key step on their quest to make state services more easily available to non-English speakers, advocates from Houston’s Woori Juntos community group testified before a panel of lawmakers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3b7465d9ea24c4f3d5d553ac31f2b05a/0424%20Woori%20Juntos%20Bus%20AM%20023.jpg)
The 150 districts didn’t change, but the vote ensured the House met its constitutional requirement to approve new maps in the first regular session following formal publication of the 2020 census results. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3fe311e26f376c23afa284594cc65752/House%20Floor%20Oct%2012%20MGO%20TT%2008.jpg)