Cedar Park - Leander Edition | March 2023

AT THE CAPITOL

News from the 88th legislative session

QUOTE OF NOTE

School choice, property taxes top issues

ABBOTT'S EMERGENCY ITEMS

“WE MUST CONTINUE THE STATE’S UNRELENTING EFFORTS TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE, GROW THE ENERGY SECTOR, IMPROVE JOB TRAINING AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND ENSURE HEALTH CARE ACCESS.” GOV. GREG ABBOTT DURING THE FEB. 16 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS amount Gov. Greg Abbott wants lawmakers to spend on lowering property taxes for Texans in the 2024-25 biennial state budget. $15 Billion NUMBER TO KNOW The

BY HANNAH NORTON

COVID-19 restrictions by preventing local governments from creating mask mandates or requiring people to be vaccinated against the virus. Governments would also not be allowed to close schools or businesses due to the coronavirus. On school choice, Abbott said he wants to give Texas parents more power to choose where their children go to school through a state-funded Education Savings Account. “To be clear, under this school choice program, all public schools will be fully funded for every student,” Abbott said. Abbott’s other top issues include making schools safer; ending the “revolving door” bail policies and creating stronger restrictions; increasing border security; and tackling the fentanyl crisis by pushing for state funding for Narcan, a medication used to reverse the e—ects of an opioid overdose.

During his Feb. 16 State of the State address, Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled seven emergency action items lawmakers could immediately work on prior to the 60th day of the session, or March 10, that they are usually limited to.

Gov. Greg Abbott outlined seven emergency action items, which lawmakers can vote on immediately, during his biennial State of the State address Feb. 16. Lawmakers typically cannot vote on or pass legislation until the 60th day of the session—March 10. But when the governor designates an emergency legislative item, lawmakers can vote on related bills earlier, according to the Legislative Reference Library of Texas. “This session, we will ensure Texas remains the leader of this nation as an un‚inching force in this world,” Abbott said. “Together, we will build a Texas for the next generation—the Texas of tomorrow.” One of Abbott’s top issues is ensuring lasting property tax relief by spending $15 billion in state funds, proposed in the preliminary budget bills ˆled in the House and Senate. Abbott also seeks to end all

Cut property taxes

End COVID-19 restrictions permanently

Expand school choice

Make schools safer

Tighten bail requirements

Increase border security

UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS

Address the fentanyl crisis

SOURCE: GOV. GREG ABBOTT‰COMMUNITY IMPACT

STATE SEN. CHARLES SCHWERTNER District 5 Republican Elected: 2012

Gov. details plans for tax relief, school safety

TOP PRIORITIES

On Feb. 13, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named his top priorities for the 2023 Legislature. These include:

Senate Bill 334 This bill would allow an emergency services district to provide preventive health care services, including routine screenings, immunizations and checkups, in an eort to reduce the burden on 911 transports and health care systems.

Making voter fraud a felony oense Providing property tax relief Strengthening the power grid Expanding school choice Increasing pay for existing and retired teachers SOURCE: LT. GOV. DAN PATRICK‰COMMUNITY IMPACT

Improving school safety Creating a minimum sentence for illegal gun possession Expanding alternatives to abortion Tackling the state’s future water needs Banning local coronavirus restrictions

BY HANNAH NORTON

New details released Feb. 21 reveal Gov. Greg Abbott’s plans to spend $15 billion for property tax relief and nearly $750 million for school safety. In the largest use of funds, Abbott asked lawmakers to dedicate $15 billion to lowering property tax rates. He also proposed senior citizens be automatically enrolled in a $10,000 homestead exemption, pay reduced state fees and have their county property taxes frozen. A homestead exemption is a reduction to a portion of a home’s value for tax purposes. Abbott proposed spending nearly $750 million in state funds to improve school safety. He asked lawmakers to use at least $600 million to “make necessary school safety improvements,” including technology upgrades, “hardening” equipment and more mental health resources on campuses. Other proposed funding could support a telemedicine program that connects students with mental health resources.

STATE REP. TERRY WILSON

District 20 Republican Elected: 2016

First led bills reveal top state priorities

House Bill 1516 This bill would add Texas military forces to the list of users able to capture an image using an uninhabited aircraft.

BY HANNAH NORTON

The budget, which determines how the state funds various programs for 2024-25, is the only bill lawmakers are required to pass during the legislative session. “I believe Texans support our priorities, because they largely re‚ect the policies supported by the conservative majority of Texans. Most will pass with bipartisan support,” Patrick said. As of Feb. 20, Texas state senators had ˆled nearly 1,300 prospective bills. Patrick expects lawmakers will pass over 600 bills before the session ends May 29.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released his top 30 priorities for the 2023 legislative session Feb. 13. His top goals include cutting property taxes, improving Texas’ power grid, and expanding access to health care as well as school choice. Senate Bills 1-30 are typically governor. Similarly, House Bills 1-20 are reserved for House Speaker Dade Phelan’s priority bills. SB 1, the 1,033-page state reserved for legislation that is important to the lieutenant budget, is the only one of Patrick’s 30 priority bills to be ˆled so far.

STATE REP. CAROLINE HARRIS

District 52 Republican Elected: 2022

Sign up for our newsletter at communityimpact.com for daily updates throughout the session. SUBSCRIBE TODAY course registration to oer that bene–t to students who are the parent or legal guardian of a minor. House Bill No. 1574 If enacted, this bill would require any institution of higher education that has early

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