Gina Hinojosa represents Central Austin in the Texas House. She is a civil rights and labor attorney by training and previously served as President of the Austin ISD School Board, where she helped raise teacher pay and prevent school closures.

She currently serves on:

• House Public Education Committee

• House Business & Industry Committee

• House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity & Enrichment

• Chair, Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee

Key Policies & Legislative Accomplishments

1. Public Education (Her Core Focus)

• Led passage of HB 3 (2019) — A historic school finance reform directing more state money into public schools. Texas House ...

• Increased teacher pay and stabilized inner‑city schools during her AISD board tenure. Texas House ...

• Strengthened special education oversight and added “OnRamps” college‑credit accountability to high school ratings.

• Opposed school vouchers, helping defeat Gov. Abbott’s voucher plan in the 88th Legislature.

2. Corporate Accountability & Economic Policy

• Created Public Benefit Corporations in Texas (HB 3488) — Allows businesses to pursue public good alongside profit; hundreds have since formed.

• Advocates for prevailing wage protections and used procedural strategy to block bills weakening labor standards.

3. Voting Rights & Democracy

• Organized the 2021 House Democratic Quorum Break to stop SB 7 (anti‑voter bill).• Preserved Sunday morning voting traditions important to Black churches.

• Known for procedural mastery, frequently defeating bills that would reduce local control or voter access.

4. Health Care & Social Justice

• Sponsored SB 1350, securing over $1 billion in federal funds for indigent healthcare in Travis County.

• Supports reducing barriers to employment for people with criminal records (e.g., SB 734).

• Advocates for expanded mental‑health resources and equitable access to care.

5. Environment & Climate

• Created the Texas Climate Plan and Texas Youth Climate Corps, focusing on clean‑energy transition and youth engagement.

• Passed legislation identifying clean‑energy job opportunities for Texans.

6. Local Control & Community Protection

• Blocked bills that would strip Austin’s authority over noise ordinances and affordable housing purchases.

• Known for defending municipal autonomy against state preemption.

Sarah Eckhardt represents Travis County (Austin area) in the Texas Senate. She has served since 2020, after previously being:

• Travis County Judge (2015–2020)

• Travis County Commissioner (2006–2013)

• Assistant Travis County Attorney (1998–2005)

Her background includes major work in emergency response, health care, economic development, criminal justice, water policy, transportation, and budgeting.

Major Policy Areas & Accomplishments

1. Public Health & Mental Health

• Sponsored SB 2468 — Investigates statewide mental‑health bed availability, highlighting the urgent need for expanded psychiatric capacity.

• Led COVID‑19 emergency response in Central Texas as county judge, issuing early region‑wide orders that helped curtail spread.

• Supports expanded behavioral‑health funding and crisis‑response systems.

2. Criminal Justice & Equity

• Established the Travis County Public Defender’s Office — A major structural reform improving access to counsel for low‑income residents.

• Instituted jail and arrest diversion programs to reduce unnecessary incarceration while maintaining public safety.

• Co‑sponsored the Texas CROWN Act (HB 567) — Prohibits discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles in employment, education, and housing.

• Sponsored SB 2194 — Promotes racial equity in hiring and promotion at public higher‑education institutions.