Weary farmers receive grueling lesson in Texas democracy

A Day in a Democracy

It’s the sort of day where you can tell that the state Capitol is bustling with civic activity well before you pass through the security checkpoints. Even by 10 o’clock this sunny March morning, the main parking garage is full. Charter buses, which carried Texans to their capital city from destinations hundreds of miles away, are parked all along the streets.  On almost every one of the 140 days that the Texas Legislature meets for its biennial …

Weary farmers receive grueling lesson in Texas democracy

By the time the committee hearing began, Tony and Karen Coleman, two farmers from Johnson County, had been awake nearly 24 hours.

Texans get a grueling lesson in democracy after driving to the Capitol to testify on a bill

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. By the time the committee hearing began, Tony and Karen Coleman, two farmers from Johnson County, had been awake nearly 24 hours.The couple had started their day on the farm around 1:30 a.m., fed their cattle, and hit the road by 3 a.m. They arrived at the Capitol by sunrise, waiting outside until someone unlocked the door…