Hajoon “HJ” Yun
Dr. Parrish
ISM II
31 Oct 25
ISM Assessment #9: Interview with the Office of State Senator Brent Hagenbuch
In my third interview, I was able to sit down with a member of State Senator Brent Hagebuch’s office. Marcial Jones, who serves as the policy analyst for the Senator, was able to lend his time for a conversation regarding polarization, state bills, and current events.
To start, Mr. Jones and I were able to discuss the procedures and daily schedule for someone working at the State Capitol. As a freshman member of the Texas Senate, Senator Hagenbuch is relatively new to the rules and procedures that regulate the business on the Senate floor. However, I was still able to discuss with Mr. Jones what a day in his life looked like. First, he clocks into the office around 8AM and begins working on answering emails and holding meetings. Then, since the state legislature is off session, the offices revolve around reviewing what worked and what didn’t work during the previous session, along with constituent services.
By reviewing what bills were passed, vetoed, and rejected on the Senate floor during the 89th session, Senator Hagenbuch and his staff can set plans and priorities for the next legislative session. During the course of our conversation, I asked Mr. Jones about certain pieces of legislation that were passed during the latest session. The first bill we reviewed together was Senate Bill 10, an act that mandated that each classroom in a public school post a copy of the Ten Commandments. Mr. Jones told me that the rationale behind voting in favor of the bill was more historical rather than religious. Although the United States was founded as a secular nation, the Ten Commandments, according to Senator Hagenbuch, warranted enough historical significance to be posted in classrooms. Additionally, the bill does not mandate students recite the Ten Commandments, which also serves to reinforce the idea that the bill does not support a religion for public school students.
The subsequent bills that Mr. Jones and I discussed were Senate Bills 11, 12, and 13 - all bills that relate to parental rights, library books, DEI, and public education reforms. These three bills have significantly changed the public education landscape in the state of Texas as it has granted more parental rights and control over public education. The rationale for these bills were similar to SB 10: giving Texans the freedom to have more control over school districts and the direction of public education.
As the interview began to wind down, I turned the conversation into a more personal one. I asked Mr. Jones if he had any advice for someone who wants to get into politics. He responded by telling me that it is crucial to be engaged and ask challenging questions to those who hold elected office. Additionally, he commented that he was very impressed with my questions and suggested that one day, I could intern for Senator Hagenbuch’s office in Austin.
In conclusion, the interview with State Senator Brent Hagenbuch’s office was one that changed my perspective on elected officials. While there are many who seem to be portrayed as dishonest and corrupt, the State Senator’s office felt refreshing in the sense that they seemed to listen, and care, about what their constituents had to say: something all elected officials, and their team, should prioritize every single day.