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Texas Legislature 2023

Conservative Christians want more religion in public life. Texas lawmakers are listening.

Opponents of church-state separation have been emboldened by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and the growing acceptance of Christian nationalism on the right.

David Barton, left, of WallBuilders talks with a delegate as he poses for photos at a Texas Eagle Forum reception at the Texas Republican Convention in Fort Worth on June 7, 2012.

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A new legal and political landscape

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls attention to a man holding a sign labeled "Jesus is king", and praising him for putting his faith first, while he delivers his Inaugural address after taking the Oath of Office at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 17, 2023.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick delivers his Inaugural address after taking the Oath of Office at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 17, 2023.

Founding fathers: A wall of separation

Anti-abortion advocates gathered in front of the Texas State Capitol to protest in favor of proposed anti-abortion legislature, Jan. 23, 2021. Texas State Senator Donna Campbell mingled with anti-abortion advocates at a 'Texas Rally for Life' event at the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin, TX on Jan. 23, 2021.
State Rep. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville, speaks to state rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, on the House floor on Monday August 9, 2021.
State Rep. Phil King R-Weatherford, on the House floor on May 25, 2019.

A “massive shift” in the law?

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, l, and Governor Rick Perry, r, defend public acknowledgments of religion showing support for the Texas Religious Viewpoints Anti-Discrimination act. The case involves the Kountze ISD and cheerleaders' display of a religious message in a football banner.

Rulings embraced by school choice advocates

State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, speaks on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Austin on April 06, 2023.

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Politics Public education State government Dan Patrick Matt Krause Texas Legislature