Senator Sarah Eckhardt
@saraheckhardttx.bsky.social
State Senator for the Austin, Texas area. Former Travis County Judge, and County Commissioner before that. Proud public servant. Proud Democrat. #txlege https://www.saraheckhardt.com/take-action
A lot is changing in our country. But one thing’s still true: we don’t have kings in America. Our future depends on the fierce decency of the many. This weekend reminded us—no matter where you are, you’re not alone. Let’s keep showing up and standing strong together.
Huge thanks to everyone who came to our town hall on Saturday with @saraheckhardttx.bsky.social! We dug into what matters: protecting libraries, funding public schools, keeping housing affordable, and defending democracy. More town halls on the city budget coming soon––stay tuned!
Next week, Tesla plans to launch robotaxis in Austin— before Texas’ new AV safety law takes effect. We’re urging a delay until those safety standards are in place. Public trust comes from safety and transparency. We look forward to working with Tesla to achieve both. #txlege
We have entered a season of protest and you should exercise your right to dissent. You should also keep yourself safe so you can keep exercising that right. #txlege Visit saraheckhardt.com/take-action to access more resources for before, during, & after you've made your voice heard.
This session’s efforts to derail the voter-approved plan to expand Austin’s transit system were stopped in their tracks. But some myths that surfaced in the debate are still worth dispelling. Check out my latest video on Project Connect. #txlege youtu.be/1kwI80GuoCA?...
If state leaders are so fed up with what's going on in cities, maybe they should run for City Council—rather than overriding the will of voters who are asking their local leaders for solutions. #txlege Read more about their efforts from Joshua Fechter: www.texastribune.org/2025/05/05/t...
Join me tomorrow, May 15 at 7pm on Instagram Live to talk about all things Lege! #txlege What questions do you want answered? Drop them down below and I’ll get to as many as I can during the Sitdown!
Every Session, Gov. Abbott withholds his signature on the majority of bills until legislators have gone home for another 2 years. This enables him to have no check on his unfettered power of the pen, depriving Texans of certainty around popular policies their reps fight for during Session. #txlege
I sat down with Jack Fink at CBS to talk about how this Session’s bail reform bills undermine due process and equal protection. Stay tuned for more. #txlege www.cbsnews.com/texas/video/...
Putting private school coupons ahead of basic funding of our neighborhood schools is a predictable betrayal of priorities for Abbott. This is not the end of this fight, and the punch is coming in the form of 5.4M tiny fists who won't forget this. #txlege
'School choice becomes the law of the land,' says a triumphant Gov. Abbott in signing SB 2
Voucher opponents staged a protest before the governor's event, promising to make it an issue in the 2026 elections.
statesman.com
Trump's order to defund millions of dollars for public media will silence communities, including our own here in Austin and across Texas. It has never been more important to support your local NPR station and all free press. #txlege
Trump signs order ending funding for NPR. Here's what that means for KUT and KUTX.
President Trump has long accused NPR and PBS stations of having a left-wing bias. If the order withstands potential legal challenges, public media stations in Austin could lose millions of dollars in ...
kut.org
My vote for SB31 is about letting doctors do their jobs and save lives. Republican leaders must still be held accountable for depriving Texans of their choice in whether, when, and with whom to have children. That work continues now. #txlege
SB 22 claims it will boost Texas film production—but really, it’s a narrow fund designed to support content that casts Texas in a “positive light,” avoids anything “inappropriate,” and promotes “religious content and family values.” That’s not artistry. That’s propaganda. #txlege
Why I Voted No on SB 22
YouTube video by Sarah Eckhardt
youtu.be
Today, the movement to defund our neighborhood public schools moved ahead. I spoke against SB 2 on the Senate Floor today and will keep fighting for Texas to fulfill its constitutional duty to fully fund our schools. #txlege
Attacks on the LGBTQ+ community aren't new this Session, but we must remain vigilant against Republican attempts to control & intrude on our private spaces & personal choices. This isn’t effective government. It’s unnecessary, overreaching legislation rooted in fear. #txlege
🟩 LEGE ALERT: SB365, my bill to expand Academic Fresh Start, just passed the Texas House! Now it's on the way to the Governor--the fourth bill overall this Session. 😎 #txlege
I joined 200+ folks in Pflugerville this weekend for a CD-10 town hall—but Congressman McCaul was only there in cardboard cutout form. Thankfully, other leaders stepped up to help answer questions and rally the people—who deserve answers, not a Rep who doesn't show up. #txlege
Today, I join the Catholic community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis—a transformational leader who diversified the ranks of Church leadership & spoke out for justice. May he rest in peace. #txlege
🎥Dirt. We’ve got a lot of it in Texas and with a housing deficit of over 300K units, a little bit of “lazy dirt” is all that’s standing in the way to fix it. #txlege Full video: youtu.be/0WueOruS1ww?...
Tariffs from the party of “economic freedom” are already starting to hit some of Austin’s small businesses, forcing them to either raise their prices or shut down for good. #txlege
Despite tariff pause, Austin businesses warn of fallout as global trade war takes shape
As the scope of an impending tariff war begins to take shape, local business owners in Austin fear the potential consequences for their businesses.
statesman.com
A reminder that those among the ruling class often claim a “religious right,” not to serve everyday Texans- but to advance their own political agendas. Texans deserve a statewide leader that works for all of us, not one that dictates religious practices in public schools. #txlege
“Not only will our products become more expensive, there will likely be less people able to afford them.” Trump is treating our economy like a toy—it’s bad for business, whether you’re selling toys or groceries. Time for Texas leaders to stand up, not cosign the agenda. #txlege
Austin's Toy Joy feeling the heat after Trump tariffs: 'This is an existential threat'
Since Trump's worldwide tariff tour was announced, local businesses in the Austin area are struggling to adjust, including Toy Joy.
statesman.com
📰 EXTRA, EXTRA: "The middle path is to remind people that we actually do have power--and it’s greater and better when it’s collective." Pick up your local @austinchronicle.bsky.social to check out my interview with Maggie Quinlan! #txlege
Sitting Down With Your Senator
Sarah Eckhardt goes deep on democracy, womanhood, and our era
austinchronicle.com
Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda threatens the success of our universities & the students who power them. It sends a message to those seeking opportunity & belonging in Texas: you’re not welcome. That’s not the Texas we believe in, and it doesn’t help our shared prosperity. #txlege
UT Austin students had visas 'unexpectedly' revoked by Trump administration
The U.S. Secretary of State has said more than 300 student visas have been revoked. That may include two recent graduates of UT Austin, who were staying in the country to work.
kut.org
“My parents, my children, and I all graduated from public schools. I want my grandchildren to do the same, because public education is the greatest mechanism for generational wealth that democracy has ever created.” @saraheckhardttx.bsky.social
