On the second Tuesday of odd numbered years, the Texas Legislature begins its biennial session. For a maximum of 140 days, lawmakers will decide the fate of Houstonians and Texans alike. But what does that mean for you and what are some of the bills that will be up for discussion? This year marks a new chapter in terms of leadership with a new Governor and Lt. Governor at the helm. How will that affect laws coming out of Austin?
On this edition of Houston Matters, we want to know what our lawmakers have planned for the 84th legislative session and how decisions on education, transportation, water and healthcare will affect you. We chat with Ben Philpott, Senior Reporter covering State Politics and Policy for KUT in Austin and Brandon Rottinghaus, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Houston.
Also this hour: We touch on the successes of some local Houston film-makers at last night's Golden Globes and revisit our conversation with Houston filmmaker Darius Monroe. His documentary, Evolution of a Criminal, chronicles his search for atonement for a bank robbery he committed as a teenager. The film airs tonight at 9 on the PBS series Independent Lens on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
And finally, it's Monday so we check in with CultureMap Houston's MK Bower to discuss the controversial call at the end of the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff loss Sunday to the Green Bay Packers.
