Nearly 40 positive justice bills passed into law during Texas's 2021 legislative session! We're proud of the hard-fought wins that will make a real difference for impacted Texans.
But we know that much more must be done to fulfill the community’s priorities: wellbeing for Texas families, accountable leadership, racial equity, and opportunities for redemption. As we ramp up to Texas’ 2023 session, TCJE will push for reforms at the local level, and we will continue our work to lift the voices of people demanding change.
In the meantime, read our blog post on positive justice bills that passed through the legislature in Texas's 2021 regular session, and check out our 2021 bill analysis guide.
During the Governor’s veto period, TCJC tracked the status of over 40 youth and adult justice bills in a blog post to keep you updated.
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TCJE is excited to share an in-depth analysis of nearly 40 new justice-related laws going into effect.
Read MoreBackground: As Texas leaders projected a significant budget shortfall ahead of the state's 2021 legislative session, the Texas Center for Justice and Equity created a guide for legislators to invest in communities instead of pouring more taxpayer dollars into the harmful, bloated, ineffective justice system. Through months of rigorous research, the TCJE policy team crafted seven “Smart and Safe Solutions” that would safely shrink the justice system while saving the state money. The "Spend Your Values, Cut Your Losses" portfolio represented a top-down realignment in how taxpayer money is spent. And after the 87th legislative session ended in May, we shared the gains and frustrations of a divisive session in an e-newsletter from Executive Director Leah Pinney.