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Your Guide to State Lawmaking
Want to track a bill? Research how a law came to be? Find out who your state representative is? The Texas Legislative Reference Library gives you free access to all of this and more. It is your window into how state government works.
Why This Resource Matters
Track Legislation: Follow bills from filing to becoming law
Research History: Access bill files dating back to 1907
Understand Process: Learn how the Texas Legislature works
Free for Everyone: No subscription or special access needed
Authoritative Source: Official legislative records and documents
Episode 1: Reclaiming Civic Culture
The Beacon Project launches its first podcast with Eric Liu, CEO of Citizen University. This conversation explores why citizenship matters now, what civic culture really means, and how communities can rebuild connection in times of division.
Bipartisan Leadership
"The way we foster good public policy is through bipartisanship. Americans share a common ground that is deeper than the partisan disputes that divide us, and people on both sides of the aisle have good intentions."
— Bipartisan Policy Center Mission Statement
County Office Resource
"Our mission at CountyOffice.org is to simplify access to public records and empower individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions."
— CountyOffice.org Mission Statement
Democracy Policy Network
Join Up
The forces arrayed against democracy have more money, but we have more people. If you are a statehouse leader, staffer, policy expert, or ordinary citizen interested in raising up state policy that deepens democracy, we hope you can join the Democracy Policy Network.
Settlement with US DOJ Reached
We offer a unique space where you can:
Share and Discover: Post and explore articles, events, and initiatives that uplift local causes, fundraisers, and civic actions.
Support American Locales: Shine a spotlight on hardworking local businesses and community organizations that embody the spirit of American entrepreneurship and solidarity.
Stay Informed: Access all content without registration or email tracking, keeping your experience straightforward and free from unnecessary distractions.
A Blueprint for Government That Actually Works for People
Government policies often sound great in meetings but fail when real families try to use them. A healthcare policy might work perfectly on paper but be impossible to navigate if you're a single parent working two jobs. This research shows leaders how to design policies by starting with people's actual experiences, testing ideas small before rolling them out, and improving based on feedback from real users. When policies work for everyday people, democracy gets stronger.
Houston State of the City 2025
The State of the City address is a critical civic moment that outlines Houston’s direction, fosters transparency, and encourages collaboration across sectors. It's an opportunity for residents and organizations to hear directly from their mayor and align around the city’s goals. Events like this promote civic accountability and foster engagement in public life.