Staff Report
She was a force to be reckoned with in the Texas Legislature, and when she retired, she left some big boots to fill.
Long-time Hays County State Rep. Libby Linebarger died early this morning, Dec. 1, after health complications.
Linebarger, right, with Buda resident Connie Freeman at the Texas Legislature.
Linebarger served in the 71st, 72nd and 73rd Legislatures from 1989 to 1995. Throughout her time in the Legislature, she served the counties of Blanco, Hays, Llano, Travis, Caldwell, Gonzales and Hays. She was co-chair of the Review of the Central Education Agency, chair of the Committee on Public Education and was a part of many other committees including those on Transportation, Human Services and a special Edwards Aquifer committee.
While serving as chair of the Public Education Committee, she helped push through a plan to force property-rich school districts to share some of their wealth with poorer school districts across the state. She was good friends with former Gov. Ann Richards, who also supported this education measure and many more.
Governor Ann Richards had the crowd roaring with laughter at the roast of Libby Linebarger at the Manchaca Firehall.
Linebarger and husband Dale and family lived in Manchaca, and the children attended Hays CISD schools.
The Linebargers were supporters of the Hays Education Foundation and the event honoring the Top 10% of all graduating seniors is named after the Linebargers.
Libby Linebarger and family in the 1980s.
In addition to their local contributions, they were active throughout the state in the Democratic Party and on the national scene.
Statewide, Linebarger was honored for her contributions. In 1992, the Texas Professional Home Child Care Association (TPHCCA) Board began giving an annual award to the individual or company who made contributions to help improve child care. Because of Linebarger’s contributions in introducing and supporting child care issues in the Legislature, the award became known as the Libby Linebarger Award.
Libby and Dale Linebarger were supporters and donors of many organizations and individuals including the MOLLY National Journalism Prize, The Texas Tribune, Save Austin Now and several fellow politicians. In 2019, she and Dale donated $1 million to support restoration and adaptive repurposing of the historic Tudor Cottage in Austin’s Pease Park.
Funeral services are pending.
