The winter storm that left millions of Texans without power in subfreezing temperatures and disrupted water services across the state now has state lawmakers scrambling to account for the next steps in the middle of the legislative session.
What can the Texas Legislature do this session to better prepare the state for extreme weather and what impact will the storm have on the state's energy industry? State Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, and state Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, will weigh in on this and more during a live conversation with Tribune CEO Evan Smith.
Texas has its own electric grid, detached from those that power other parts of the country. For over a decade, lawmakers and regulators have repeatedly ignored, dismissed or watered down efforts to address weaknesses in the state’s sprawling electric grid, even after they were warned that more winterizing of the state’s power infrastructure was necessary. Now, they’re tasked with deciding whether they should spend tens of millions of dollars to prepare for extreme weather during an already tough time for the state budget.
Join The Texas Tribune at noon Central on Wednesday, March 10 for an interview with state Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth and state Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio. They’ll look back at the state’s failure to prepare for the winter storm, the fragile electric grid the state depends on and what the Texas Legislature might do this session to address extreme weather. This conversation will also be available to watch here after the fact.
Goldman, R-Fort Worth, has represented House District 97 since 2013. He serves as chair of the House Energy Resources Committee and sits on the Licensing and Administrative Procedures and Redistricting committees. Throughout his career, Goldman has worked on campaigns helping to elect Republicans at the local, state and national levels.
Menéndez, D-San Antonio, has represented Senate District 26 since 2015. He serves as vice chair of the Senate Local Government Committee and sits on the Senate Administration, Business and Commerce, Education and Redistricting special committees. Previously, he spent 14 years in the Texas House, representing District 124. Menéndez has served on the San Antonio City Council.
Smith is the CEO and co-founder of The Texas Tribune. He is the host of "Point of Order," the Tribune's weekly podcast about the Texas Legislature, and “Overheard with Evan Smith,” airing on PBS stations nationally.
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism.
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Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams. Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams.
