"I'm honestly still stunned that I work here": Meet the staffers who keep Texas lawmakers in check under the dome
(Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune, Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune)
VIDEO
Having trouble viewing? Watch this video on texastribune.org .
Patsy Spaw, the secretary of the Texas Senate, has been around longer than most of the senators. Others are experiencing their first legislative session in the building.
Some spend their days out of sight, ensuring the video feeds run smoothly. Others are a fixture on the live feed, reading legislation aloud so often that they end up getting recognized on the street.
They are all part of a cast of thousands who come to work in the Texas Capitol. Lawmakers know that without those supporting players, they wouldn't be able to get through the thousands of bills filed during each session.
Meet a few of the behind-the-scenes workers in the latest episode of our mini-documentary series, "Under the Dome."
Subscribe to our YouTube page and never miss an episode.
2025 Texas Tribune
Woman escorted out of courtroom following emotional response during Adrian Gonzales trial ▶ 0:58
Woman escorted out of courtroom following emotional response during Adrian Gonzales trial
Man ‘stunned’ by fire damage to neighbors’ North Side home ▶ 0:50
Man ‘stunned’ by fire damage to neighbors’ North Side home
$10 million in relief activated for small businesses affected by Hill Country flooding ▶ 1:13
$10 million in relief activated for small businesses affected by Hill Country flooding
Financial expert shares how to set a ‘financial reset’ budget plan for year ahead ▶ 1:16
Financial expert shares how to set a ‘financial reset’ budget plan for year ahead
Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, singer Coco Jones to be featured guests at MLK March and Celebration ▶ 0:36
Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, singer Coco Jones to be featured guests at MLK March and Celebration
Former Robb teacher remembers hearing children's voices calling for officers' help ▶ 0:48
Former Robb teacher remembers hearing children's voices calling for officers' help
Criminals cloning license plates ▶ 1:02
Criminals cloning license plates
DRONE VIDEO- Tour the drained San Antonio River ▶ 1:18
DRONE VIDEO- Tour the drained San Antonio River
Former Robb Elementary teacher who survived shooting testifies in ex-Uvalde CISD officer’s trial ▶ 1:16
Former Robb Elementary teacher who survived shooting testifies in ex-Uvalde CISD officer’s trial
Look at the River Walk as it's being drained ▶ 0:57
Look at the River Walk as it's being drained
More construction begins downtown as city, Centro San Antonio work to ease impact ▶ 1:21
More construction begins downtown as city, Centro San Antonio work to ease impact
People in Northeast Side neighborhood fearful about repeated nighttime gunfire ▶ 0:59
People in Northeast Side neighborhood fearful about repeated nighttime gunfire
Video shows former Bexar County day care employee accused of injuring child ▶ 0:57
Video shows former Bexar County day care employee accused of injuring child
Culinary students cook up innovative food at food entrepreneurship boot camp ▶ 0:45
Culinary students cook up innovative food at food entrepreneurship boot camp
Residents concerned over Guajolote Ranch plans, say it could increase Scenic Loop traffic sixfold ▶ 0:47
Residents concerned over Guajolote Ranch plans, say it could increase Scenic Loop traffic sixfold
Former Robb Elementary staff member describes moments during mass shooting ▶ 2:13
Former Robb Elementary staff member describes moments during mass shooting
Windy & warm Thursday, turning colder this weekend ▶ 1:14
Windy & warm Thursday, turning colder this weekend
Proposed Visa, Mastercard settlement could change checkout experience for shoppers ▶ 1:34
Proposed Visa, Mastercard settlement could change checkout experience for shoppers
Newborn safely surrendered in Lubbock as San Antonio faces Safe Haven Baby Box delays ▶ 0:40
Newborn safely surrendered in Lubbock as San Antonio faces Safe Haven Baby Box delays
Family of Robb Elementary School shooting victim expresses disappointment in Uvalde County DA ▶ 1:28
Family of Robb Elementary School shooting victim expresses disappointment in Uvalde County DA
SA prepares to move rainbows from crosswalks to sidewalks in Pride district ▶ 0:46
SA prepares to move rainbows from crosswalks to sidewalks in Pride district
San Antonio protesters demand justice after ICE officer fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis ▶ 1:11
San Antonio protesters demand justice after ICE officer fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis
Warrant issued for man suspected of beating another man unconscious during Freeman Coliseum concert ▶ 1:11
Warrant issued for man suspected of beating another man unconscious during Freeman Coliseum concert
Lawsuit filed against H-E-B, others after 4 women killed in 18-wheeler crash in Texas Panhandle ▶ 0:58
Lawsuit filed against H-E-B, others after 4 women killed in 18-wheeler crash in Texas Panhandle
Maverick County judge orders competency test for man accused in fatal Eagle Pass casino shooting ▶ 0:41
Maverick County judge orders competency test for man accused in fatal Eagle Pass casino shooting
Previous photo Next photo