The new law is a reminder that journalistic impact can take years, sometimes decades, to bear fruit. And also a reminder to support your daily newspaper!

On the floor of the House, State Rep. Diego Bernal of San Antonio detailed the decade-long fight for the bill, arguing it would help ensure clean, sanitary and safe housing for farmworkers. "This is pure humane treatment." www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc8H...

Texas Policy Research Action, a conservative legislative research organization, urged lawmakers to reject the bill, writing that while "the intent is commendable," the legislation substantially expands "government power" and "imposes new mandates." www.texaspolicyresearch.com/bills/89th-l...

The new legislation requires the state to spend over $1 million over the next two years to hire staff and create a more robust inspection program for migrant housing facilities and requires the TDHCA to conduct outreach to migratory farmworkers, educating them on their rights under the law.

The Austin American-Statesman investigation found state regulators hadn't levied fines despite failing inspections and that Texas spent far less than other states. While Michigan spent $1.1 million in 2015, Texas spent less than $2,500 on housing inspections.

The bill's analysis cites the Austin American-Statesman's 2016 investigation into farmworker housing, which found migrant agricultural workers "subjected to inhumane living conditions" like shipping containers and homes flooded with sewage.

Similar versions of the bill, SB 243, died in past sessions. This time, Sen. Pete Flores of Pleasanton, the first Hispanic Republican in the TX Senate, passed the bill 31-0 in the Senate and by a wide majority in the House. Gov. Abbott let the bill take effect w/o his signature.

If you look at item 7b in these meeting minutes, you'll find the textbooks and the chapters: meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/Cu...

Here are the lines in the "Teaching" textbook that came under scrutiny in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD:

Experts believe the far-right school board's move will resonate in other conservative-controlled districts as the fight over textbooks moves from State Board of Education to local school boards.