AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
QUOTE OF NOTE
Texas House re-elects Speaker Dade Phelan on rst day of legislative session
NUMBER TO KNOW This is how much lawmakers can spend as they create the state’s budget for 2024-25. This is an unprecedented amount of money and is largely due to high sales tax revenue, energy prices and economic growth. $188.2 billion FOUR YEARS, BUT FOR THE NEXT 40 YEARS.” GOV. GREG ABBOTT “WE ALL KNOW THAT INCREASED DEMAND IS GOING TO BE PLACED ON THE GRID AS TEXAS CONTINUES TO GROW. ... WE WILL BUILD A GRID THAT POWERS OUR STATE NOT FOR THE NEXT UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS
BY HANNAH NORTON
Tinderholt to “stand against the practice of nominating Democrat chairs.” Members of the minority party are rou- tinely appointed to lead some House committees, but a small group of Repub- lican lawmakers—including Tinderholt, Slaton and Schatzline—want to end the practice. Phelan appointed Democrats to lead 13 of the 34 House committees in 2021 and has vowed to do the same in 2023, according to The Texas Tribune . Every House Democrat voted for Phelan. As speaker, Phelan has
the authority to assign House members to com- mittees, appoint committee leaders and more. He also presides over the chamber throughout the session and is required to sign all passed legislation. Speaking before his colleagues, Phelan outlined his priorities for the ses- sion. He called for a “fam- ily-focused House” that prioritizes what matters most to everyday Texans. Phelan emphasized a need for lasting property tax relief, which Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders have highlighted as a top concern.
Members of the Texas House of Representatives re-elected state Rep. Dade Phelan, RBeaumont, for a second term as speaker Jan. 10. Phelan beat state Rep. Tony Tinderholt, RArlington, to secure the chamber’s top leadership position. Phelan garnered 143 votes, while Tinder- holt received three—one from himself, alongside Republican state Reps. Bryan Slaton of Royse City and Nate Schatzline of Tarrant County. In a statement, Schat- zline said he voted for
Dade Phelan
He also urged lawmakers to help more Texans gain access to quality and aordable health care. This includes ensuring new mothers have health cov- erage for 12 months after childbirth, Phelan said. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Jan. 9 that lawmakers will have an unprecedented $188.2 billion—which includes a $32.7 billion surplus—as they create the state’s budget for 2024-25.
STATE SEN. DONNA CAMPBELL
Texas mayors aim to maintain local control, expand funding for mental health services
Gov. Abbott vows to prioritize property tax relief, public safety
District 25 Republican Elected: 2012
Senate Bill No. 165 This piece of legislation would require a school district to obtain the written consent of a child’s parent before providing some instruction that contains violence—other than that included as a part of depiction of a historical event—illegal substance use, nudity or sexual content.
BY HANNAH NORTON
“Each community of ours has unique needs,” Nirenberg said. “As mayors with the responsibility of managing services and operations that largely impact the daily lives of our residents, we believe that we are best positioned to determine local policies that improve [the] lives and meet the needs of our respective communities.” The bipartisan coalition is made up of 18 mayors who represent approxi- mately one-third of Texas’ population. Three of the 10 largest cities in the nation—Houston, San Antonio and Dallas—are in Texas. The group announced Jan. 13 its priorities for the 2023 legislative session. These include public safety and mental health. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the large amount of money available for Texas’ biennial budget gives lawmakers “an opportunity to be transformative in making invest- ments in mental health.” Turner said lawmakers must invest in mental health during the current session, “or it is very unlikely to happen anytime soon.”
BY HANNAH NORTON
Preserving local control is a key concern for the mayors of Texas’ most populous cities, said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who serves as chair of the Texas’ Big City Mayors coalition.
To kick o his third term as Texas’ top ocial, Gov. Greg Abbott spoke about his priorities for the 88th legislative session, including property tax cuts, infrastructure, public safety and the border. Abbott was inaugurated out- side the Texas Capitol on Jan. 17 alongside Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who is also entering his third term. Both ocials were rst elected in 2014. Abbott’s and Patrick’s speeches highlighted recent successes in Texas, including economic development, job growth and the $32.7 billion budget surplus. “Make no mistake, that surplus does not belong to the govern- ment,” Abbott said. “It belongs to the taxpayers. And we will use that budget surplus to provide the largest property tax cut in the history of the state of Texas.” The 88th Texas Legislature convened Jan. 10 and runs for 140 days through May 29.
STATE REP. JOHN BUCY III District 136 Democrat Elected: 2018
MAYORAL PRIORITIES
Texas’ Big City Mayors coalition, which represent 18 major cities, laid out its priorities Jan. 13. Preserve cities’ local control Provide property tax relief
House Bill No. 212 As part of a series of bills Bucy has led pertaining to the Texas Election Code, this piece of legislation would give Texans with an unexpired driver’s license the ability to complete a voter registration application online.
Continue local and state incentives to supplement economic development
SOURCE: BIG CITY MAYORSCOMMUNITY IMPACT connectivity and participate in the Texas Broadband grant programs Adequately fund public schools from early childhood to higher education Support common sense rearm regulations and gun violence mitigation Expand state funding and access to mental health services Improve access to broadband
STATE REP. ELLEN TROXCLAIR District 19 Republican Elected: 2022
House Bill No. 553 This bill would prohibit any government entity from providing a “universal basic income,” or equal cash grants issued to residents on a regular basis.
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