About the Legislative Study Group

The Legislative Study Group is dedicated to advancing mainstream public policy ideals and ensuring that all LSG caucus members have the necessary information to make informed decisions, leading to the best public policy for all Texans. Since the 73rd Legislative Session, LSG staff has provided accurate and detailed bill evaluations for all of its members. In addition, LSG floor reports have proved to be an invaluable tool for dissecting legislation and preparing for floor debates.

By arming members with accurate information LSG has proved to be a vital part of many legislative battles including protecting key teacher's rights to benefits, protecting and strengthening our public schools by helping to defeat the sending of tax dollars to private schools, and leading the effort to stop the crippling cuts to the CHIP program.

LSG serves as a primary conduit for the flow of information to legislators on the House floor, during the legislative session. Full time, expert staff focused on key policy areas provide detailed analysis of bills which fall into one of five areas of interest: education, environment, budget, health and human services, and worker and consumer issues. Each area of interest has a specific LSG staff member assigned to track and analyze legislation.

LSG Members of the 81^st Legislative Session:
Rep. Alma Allen	Rep. Eddie Lucio, III
Rep. Roberto Alonzo - Board Member	Rep. Diana Maldonado
Rep. Rafael Anchia - Secretary	Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway
Rep. Valinda Bolton - Vice Chair	Rep. Marisa Marquez - Board Member
Rep. Lon Burnam - Vice Chair	Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez
Rep. Ellen Cohen	Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer
Rep. Garnet Coleman - Chair	Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon
Rep. Yvonne Davis	Rep. David McQuade Leibowitz
Rep. Dawnna Dukes	Rep. Jim McReynolds
Rep. Jim Dunnam	Rep. Tommy Merritt
Sen. Rodney Ellis - Associate Member	Rep. Robert Miklos
Rep. Kirk England	Rep. Joseph Moody
Rep. David Farabee - Board Member	Rep. Elliott Naishtat - Treasurer
Rep. Joe Farias	Rep. Dora Olivo - Legal Counsel
Rep. Jessica Farrar	Rep. Solomon Ortiz, Jr.
Rep. Pete Gallego - Board Member	Rep. Eddie Rodriguez - Board Member
Rep. Ana Hernandez	Rep. Mark Strama
Rep. Abel Herrero - Board Member	Rep. Kristi Thibaut
Rep. Scott Hochberg - Board Member	Rep. Senfronia Thompson
Rep. Terri Hodge - Board Member	Rep. Chris Turner
Rep. Mark Homer	Rep. Allen Vaught
Rep. Chuck Hopson	Rep. Marc Veasey
Rep. Donna Howard	Rep. Hubert Vo
Rep. Carol Kent	Rep. Armando Walle
Rep. Tracy King	Sen. Kirk Watson - Associate Member

LSG Staff:
Joe Madden Executive Director joe@texaslsg.org		Dawnetta Smith Policy Analyst dawnetta@texaslsg.org

William Pate Policy and Research Director will@texaslsg.org		Virg Parks Policy Analyst virg@texaslsg.org

Fran Rosebush Policy Analyst fran@texaslsg.org		Patrick Yarborough Policy Analyst patrick@texaslsg.org

Monica Webb Policy Analyst monica@texaslsg.org		J. Holland Jones Policy Analyst holland@texaslsg.org

Katharine Ligon Policy Analyst katharine@texaslsg.org		Amy Thompson Policy Analyst amy@texaslsg.org