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
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, R Beaumont, for a second term as speaker Jan. 10. Phelan beat state Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R Arlington, 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 a ordable 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.
UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS
Texas mayors aim to maintain local control, expand funding for mental health services
Gov. Abbott vows to prioritize property tax relief, public safety
STATE SEN. CHARLES SCHWERTNER District 5 Republican Elected: 2012
BY HANNAH NORTON
Senate Bill No. 334 This bill would allow an emergency services district to provide preventive health care services, including routine screenings, immunizations, checkups and patient counseling, in an e ort to prevent health problems and reduce the burden on 911 transports and health care systems.
“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 o cial, 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 o cials 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. TERRY WILSON
MAYORAL PRIORITIES
District 20 Republican Elected: 2016
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. 1516 Wilson’s only legislation led so far, this bill would add Texas military forces to the list of users able to capture an image using an unmanned aircraft.
Continue local and state incentives to supplement economic development
STATE REP. CAROLINE HARRIS
SOURCE: BIG CITY MAYORS COMMUNITY 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
District 52 Republican Elected: 2022
House Bill No. 1574 If enacted, this bill would require any institution of higher education that has early course registration for a group of students to o er that bene t to students who are the parent or legal guardian of a child under age 18.
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GEORGETOWN EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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