State
BY HANNAH NORTON
Zooming in
Texas’ 140-day legislative session began Jan. 14 in Austin.
The speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor, who oversees the Senate, can each des- ignate priority bills for the 2025 session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Nov. 12 he would set 40 priorities, including: • Senate Bill 1, Texas’ 2025-26 budget • SB 2, the Senate’s school voucher plan • SB 3, which would ban sales of all forms of consumable Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in Texas House lawmakers will select a speaker with a majority vote Jan. 14. Speaker Dade Phelan, R Beaumont, announced Dec. 6 he would not seek a third term leading the chamber, although he will remain a state representative.
HANNAH NORTON COMMUNITY IMPACT
Here’s what to expect as the Texas Legislature reconvenes in 2025
Also of note
include creating a dedicated funding source to prevent future water shortages—and increase funding for public schools. “My big concern is that we are not putting the money into public education that we need to,” Howard said. Lawmakers may also revive a private school voucher plan, Gov. Greg Abbott said Nov. 6, after several pro-voucher Republicans were elected to the Texas House. The proposal would give families public funds to pay for private education. As of Dec. 18, lawmakers had led about 2,300 bills they hoped to turn into law in 2025. The deadline to le most legislation is March 14.
On Jan. 14, Texas lawmakers returned to Austin for the 89th legislative session. The only bill they are constitutionally required to pass each session is the biennial state budget. Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, said lawmakers need to “be smart” when writing the next budget. “Part of that is stewarding taxpayer money,” Harris Davila said during a Dec. 12 panel hosted by the Austin Chamber. “When it comes in for us to spend on roads and infrastructure, are we being responsible with it?” Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said she believes the Legislature needs to prioritize the state’s water infrastructure—which could
Lawmakers will have about $20 billion in unspent money going into the legislative session, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “The Legislature will have a lot of tools in the toolbox next session to deal with issues, whether it’s road infrastructure, water infrastructure, electrical grid infrastructure, public education, higher education,” Hegar said Dec. 12. Texas lawmakers will have an estimated $194.6 billion available for spending as they write the 2026-27 state budget, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Jan. 13.
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