Watch: How language advocates brought Houston voices to the Capitol

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

This story is part of a series about Texans seeking to have their voices heard during the legislative session. The Texas Tribune has been following the staff of Woori Juntos, a Houston community group, as they try to convince lawmakers that their community is worth helping by knocking down language barriers that stand between non-English-speaking Texans and their government.

Over the past few months, Woori Juntos has hosted training sessions to prepare community members for the possibility of a committee hearing for their language access bills. The bills are being carried by Rep. Penny Morales Shaw, D-Houston, who is sponsoring House Bill 5166, and Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, who filed Senate Bill 2080.

[After months of struggle, Korean language access advocates find their voice at a legislative hearing]

For weeks, the Woori Juntos staff had no indication that a hearing would come. Then, they got word — in a week, their cause would be heard in a public hearing of the House Committee on Human Services.

On April 25, Woori Juntos staff, community members and partner organizations all converged at the Capitol to share their personal experiences with legislators in the final big push to advance the bill they have advocated for.

We can’t wait to welcome you Sept. 21-23 to the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, our multiday celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the day’s news — all taking place just steps away from the Texas Capitol. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today.