On August 14, the Chairman of the House Administration Committee, State Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Ft. Worth), released the results of a survey of House Members' responses to a range of questions about the operation of the House in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A copy of the results was published by Harvey Kronberg's Quorum Report the same day. The questionaire included 38 questions, with 13 (!) open-ended items. We've created graphics for most of the responses, including the open-ended responses, which were coded into categories when appropriate. (Some of the questions were simply general inquiries.) Each graphic below includes the question and the number of respondents to that item. Based on the released results, 116 of the 150 House members responded at least partially to the questionnaire, though not all of the respondents answered all 38 questions.
Fair warning: some of the graphics for the open-ended questions, which we've put at the top of the post since these items weren't coded in the QR release, are a bit unweildy as a result of the length of the stem (i.e. the question), the tendency of most questions to invite mulit-part responses, and our desire to split more than we lumped in order to capture some of the nuance of the open-ended responses.
Compilations of responses to multiple close-ended questions.
Do you favor or oppose...
Bar chart with 17 bars.
Responses include the percet of between 107 - 117 Texas State House Members who favor each proposal.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 39 to 87.
Do you favor or oppose...
End of interactive chart.
Do you plan to...
Bar chart with 4 bars.
Responses include the preferences of between 107 and 111 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 33 to 91.
Do you plan to...
End of interactive chart.
Open-ended questions
Under what circumstances do you believe the Texas Capitol should be fully re-opened to the general public?
Bar chart with 11 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 105 Texas State House Members, coded to produce the results below. Note that members could provide more than one circumstance, therefore, the columns do not add to 100%.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 2 to 30.
Under what circumstances do you believe the Texas Capitol should be fully re-opened to the general public?
End of interactive chart.
What practices and protocols do you believe are necessary in order to safely conduct the legislative session in a manner that both protects the health and safety of lawmakers and staff and follows federal social distancing guidelines?
Bar chart with 17 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 98 Texas State House Members, coded to produce the results below. Note that members could provide more than one protocol, therefore, the columns do not add to 100%.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 1 to 42.
What practices and protocols do you believe are necessary in order to safely conduct the legislative session in a manner that both protects the health and safety of lawmakers and staff and follows federal social distancing guidelines?
End of interactive chart.
What safety protocols do you consider most important for holding and attending hearings?
Bar chart with 10 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 103 Texas State House Members, coded to produce the results below. Note that members could provide more than one protocol, therefore, the columns do not add to 100%.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 3 to 55.
What safety protocols do you consider most important for holding and attending hearings?
End of interactive chart.
Do you believe the House should consider amending its rules or housekeeping resolution in times of a pandemic or natural disaster, and if so, what types of amendments would you consider most important, taking into account the public access requirements ou
Bar chart with 15 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 94 Texas State House Members, coded to produce the results below. Note that members could provide more than one circumstance, therefore, the columns do not add to 100%.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 1 to 35.
Do you believe the House should consider amending its rules or housekeeping resolution in times of a pandemic or natural disaster, and if so, what types of amendments would you consider most important, taking into account the public access requirements ou
End of interactive chart.
Do you believe the Capitol cafeteria should serve food during the pandemic, and if so, how might operations be adjusted in order to ensure the health and safety of patrons?
Bar chart with 6 bars.
Responses include the preferenes of 113 Texas State House Members, coded to produce the results below. Note that members could provide more than one circumstance, therefore, the columns do not add to 100%.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 4 to 54.
Do you believe the Capitol cafeteria should serve food during the pandemic, and if so, how might operations be adjusted in order to ensure the health and safety of patrons?
End of interactive chart.
In the event one or a combination of safety measures including face masks, face shields, and temperature checks are required, how should it be handled if a lawmaker or staff member declines to participate?
Bar chart with 7 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 101 Texas State House Members, coded to produce the results below. Note that members could provide more than one circumstance, therefore, the columns do not add to 100%.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 3 to 41.
In the event one or a combination of safety measures including face masks, face shields, and temperature checks are required, how should it be handled if a lawmaker or staff member declines to participate?
End of interactive chart.
If lawmakers or staff refuse a COVID-19 test, how do you believe that should be handled?
Bar chart with 7 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 95 Texas State House Members, coded to produce the results below. Note that members could provide more than one circumstance, therefore, the columns do not add to 100%.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 2 to 43.
If lawmakers or staff refuse a COVID-19 test, how do you believe that should be handled?
End of interactive chart.
What safety protocols do you plan to implement in your own office — whether limiting the number of visitors or groups, requiring face masks/PPE, enforcing social distancing or other measures?
Bar chart with 13 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 103 Texas State House Members, coded to produce the results below. Note that members could provide more than one circumstance, therefore, the columns do not add to 100%.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 2 to 65.
What safety protocols do you plan to implement in your own office — whether limiting the number of visitors or groups, requiring face masks/PPE, enforcing social distancing or other measures?
End of interactive chart.
Closed-ended questions
To what degree should testing for COVID-19 be required for lawmakers during session?
Bar chart with 3 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 112 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 10.71 to 63.39.
To what degree should testing for COVID-19 be required for lawmakers during session?
End of interactive chart.
To what degree should testing for COVID-19 be required for staff who are working within the Capitol?
Bar chart with 3 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 112 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 8.93 to 64.29.
To what degree should testing for COVID-19 be required for staff who are working within the Capitol?
End of interactive chart.
Do you plan to welcome guests or hold meetings in your office?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 107 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 31.78 to 68.22.
Do you plan to welcome guests or hold meetings in your office?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose requiring daily temperature checks during session and any other legislative activities within the Capitol?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 111 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 15.32 to 84.68.
Do you favor or oppose requiring daily temperature checks during session and any other legislative activities within the Capitol?
End of interactive chart.
Do you plan to limit food and beverage in your office?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 109 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 33.94 to 66.06.
Do you plan to limit food and beverage in your office?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose requiring face masks while in the Capitol common areas, committee rooms and public meeting spaces?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 116 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 17.24 to 82.76.
Do you favor or oppose requiring face masks while in the Capitol common areas, committee rooms and public meeting spaces?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose requiring face shields during session and any other legislative activities within the Capitol?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 107 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 42.99 to 57.01.
Do you favor or oppose requiring face shields during session and any other legislative activities within the Capitol?
End of interactive chart.
Do you plan to limit your session staff or interns in order to decrease the number of individuals in your office and the building?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 109 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 38.53 to 61.47.
Do you plan to limit your session staff or interns in order to decrease the number of individuals in your office and the building?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose requiring face masks during the session and any other legislative activities within the Capitol?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 111 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 25.23 to 74.77.
Do you favor or oppose requiring face masks during the session and any other legislative activities within the Capitol?
End of interactive chart.
Do you plan to use Zoom or any similar platform to meet with constituents and advocacy groups?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 111 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 8.11 to 91.89.
Do you plan to use Zoom or any similar platform to meet with constituents and advocacy groups?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose temperature checks upon entry to the Capitol?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 117 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 12.82 to 87.18.
Do you favor or oppose temperature checks upon entry to the Capitol?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose suspending floor recognitions during the pandemic?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 110 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 40.91 to 59.09.
Do you favor or oppose suspending floor recognitions during the pandemic?
End of interactive chart.
Would you like to see the House offer sanitized rooms that could be scheduled by your staff for the purpose of holding meetings with the public?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 111 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 17.12 to 82.88.
Would you like to see the House offer sanitized rooms that could be scheduled by your staff for the purpose of holding meetings with the public?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose permitting visitor groups in the gallery during session if their size and number were limited?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 111 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 36.04 to 63.96.
Do you favor or oppose permitting visitor groups in the gallery during session if their size and number were limited?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose permitting visitor groups in the House Gallery during session?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 111 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 48.65 to 51.35.
Do you favor or oppose permitting visitor groups in the House Gallery during session?
End of interactive chart.
Would you favor or oppose limiting floor access to essential staff during session?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 112 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 20.54 to 79.46.
Would you favor or oppose limiting floor access to essential staff during session?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose designating certain entrances of the Capitol building to be used only by members and staff?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 115 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 13.91 to 86.09.
Do you favor or oppose designating certain entrances of the Capitol building to be used only by members and staff?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose keeping the Members' Lounge open throughout session?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 108 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 24.07 to 75.93.
Do you favor or oppose keeping the Members' Lounge open throughout session?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose limiting public access to the Capitol to individuals who have business in the building during the pandemic?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 115 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 46.09 to 53.91.
Do you favor or oppose limiting public access to the Capitol to individuals who have business in the building during the pandemic?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose limiting tours to specific areas of the Capitol during the pandemic?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 116 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 20.69 to 79.31.
Do you favor or oppose limiting tours to specific areas of the Capitol during the pandemic?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose requiring testing for COVID-19 during session and any other legislative activities within the Capitol?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 111 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 26.79 to 73.21.
Do you favor or oppose requiring testing for COVID-19 during session and any other legislative activities within the Capitol?
End of interactive chart.
Do you favor or oppose permitting outside public groups to reserve and use public spaces like committee rooms, the legislative conference center and member's extension lounge?
Bar chart with 2 bars.
Responses include the preferences of 114 Texas State House Members.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage. Data ranges from 39.47 to 60.53.
Do you favor or oppose permitting outside public groups to reserve and use public spaces like committee rooms, the legislative conference center and member's extension lounge?
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