A year can feel so arbitrary as a single unit of time. It's either filled with rapid change or can feel … as painfully slow as molasses. For babies, the first 12 months make for enormous changes, from starting out, lying down helplessly to walking upright. Our past pandemic year seems to have warped time even more. It can seem as if it is both crawling slowly while change rushes through at light speed. The past year has brought enormous change, especially when it comes to acknowledging and addressing systemic injustice against Black Americans. But when it comes to legislation, 12 months can bring forth almost no change, no progress and no growth. After Houston-raised George Floyd was killed a year ago by a Minneapolis police officer, vows to reform police procedures were made by lawmakers in Congress and here in the Texas Legislature. Not only because of Floyd's death but the deaths at the hands of police that came before involving people of color. It’s been a year and the Texas Legislature is just about done and those reforms have lost some traction. It’s one story we’re exploring on today’s show. For a look at the stakes, you can do no better than listening to the audio commentary from Peniel Joseph below. It’s one of the stories we’ve selected in this week’s newsletter. I hope you enjoy them, and thanks for spending some of your own precious time with us today.

- Joy Díaz
@KUTjoydiaz

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

Abbott Punts Decisions On $16 Billion In Federal Pandemic Relief To Fall Special Session

The governor has stalled divvying up the money, trying to get waivers from the Biden administration to spend outside the rules.

Commentary: One Year After George Floyd’s Death, We Face An Existential Crisis

Does America face the challenge of creating a multiracial democracy, or stick with the status quo that led to a racial and political reckoning?

Should Electric Car Owners Pay Fees To Use State Roads?

A bipartisan bill in the Texas Legislature would cost electric car owners as much as $240 a year. Advocates say EV drivers should pay their fair share for road maintenance.

‘History With The Bark Off’: The LBJ Presidential Library Celebrates 50 Years

Lyndon Johnson’s larger-than-life legacy is reflected in the building – and the millions of artifacts, papers and recordings it preserves.

As Lawmakers Move To Settle Billions In Blackout Debt, Some Fear A Ratepayer Ripoff (KUT Austin)
Second Amendment Bills Take Heat In The House During Final Week of Texas Legislature (KERA)
Texas Bills Targeting Transgender Health Care For Children Stall This Session (Houston Public Media)
With Jury Trials Set To Begin In Bexar County, A Backlog Has Officials Asking for Patience (Texas Public Radio)

Hello! My name is Katya Bandouil and I’m a legislative fellow for The Texas Newsroom. I've been reporting on the 87th Texas Legislature remotely since January. I've covered everything from the winter storm to reopening Texas during the pandemic. Recently I've reported on the debate about outlawing homeless encampments in Texas. I’m also a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, studying journalism, international relations and French. I’m also the social media editor and a writer at my school newspaper, The Daily Texan. Before this role I interned at Austin Monthly and Austin Woman. If you'd like to get in touch, email me at [email protected] or follow me on Twitter below. Thanks for reading!

- Katya Bandouil
@katyabandouil

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