Abbott Names Legislative Priorities at 2025 State of the State Address

Estimated Time to Read: 7 minutes

Sunday evening, Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivered his 2025 State of the State Address, attempting to reinforce Texas’ position as a leader in economic growth, job creation, and innovation. While celebrating Texas’ achievements, Abbott laid out his emergency legislative priorities for the 89th Texas Legislature—proposals that demand immediate legislative action.

These priorities focus on economic freedom, public safety, education reform, and critical infrastructure. Below is a breakdown of the key emergency items Abbott urged lawmakers to pass.

The Full List of Legislative Priorities

Below is the list of legislative priorities as announced by Abbott in his 2025 State of the State Address:

Item #Subject
1Property Tax Relief
2Water Infrastructure Investment
3Teacher Pay Raise
4Expand Career Training
5School Choice
6Bail Reform
7Create a Texas Cyber Command

Notable Priorities

Property Tax Relief: Ending Local Tax Hikes

Abbott emphasized that while Texas passed what he considers record-breaking property tax cuts, local taxing authorities continue to exploit loopholes to increase homeowners’ tax burdens. He specifically proposed the following reforms to address the issue:

  • At least $10 billion in new property tax relief from the budget surplus
  • Banning local loopholes that allow tax hikes without voter approval
  • Two-thirds voter approval is required for any local tax increase
  • Expanded business tax exemptions to help small businesses

Governor Abbott admitted that past property tax relief efforts fell short for many Texans, as local governments leveraged loopholes to raise tax rates despite legislative action. As a result, rising property tax burdens continue to add to Texas’ affordability challenges. Notably, Abbott emphasized tax rate compression as his preferred solution, rather than increasing the homestead exemption—a key point of contention between the Texas House and Senate in previous sessions. As Lt. Gov. Patrick revealed his legislative priorities last week, he once again prioritized increasing the homestead exemption as a solution for property tax relief.


Texas-Size Investment in Water Infrastructure

Texas faces a growing water crisis, with aging infrastructure, leaky pipelines, and water shortages affecting residents and farmers. Abbott called for the largest water investment in Texas history, ensuring a 50-year sustainable water plan. In doing so, he specifically proposed:

  • Make a one-time largest investment in water in Texas history, as well as dedicated $1 billion per year for 10 years to upgrade infrastructure
  • New water supply development, including desalination and water transfers
  • Funding for rural water systems to sustain Texas’ agriculture and local communities

The newly proposed state budget for the upcoming fiscal biennium, unveiled last week, allocates $2.5 billion for water infrastructure. However, it remains unclear whether this meets the “one-time largest investment” Governor Abbott referenced in his address.


School Choice: Expanding Education Freedom

Abbott doubled down on school choice, advocating for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to give parents more control over their children’s education. He specifically stated that lawmakers should consider:

  • Universal Educational Savings Account (ESA) program with a $1 billion fund for parents
  • More open-enrollment charter schools and expanded virtual learning
  • Increased per-student public school funding while giving parents alternatives

A recent analysis found that school choice programs could save Texas taxpayers billions, while polling indicates overwhelming public support for expanding education options. With Senate committees already assigned, the Texas Senate is set to advance its version of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in the coming week. However, the final outcome remains uncertain, as similar school choice efforts have historically stalled in the Texas House, where the legislation faces its greatest challenge.


Other Critical Policy Areas Abbott Addressed

Beyond his emergency legislative priorities, Governor Abbott touched on several other pressing issues that will likely shape the 89th Texas Legislative Session. These include public safety, election integrity, infrastructure development, and higher education reforms.

Strengthening Border Security & Combatting Cartels

Abbott reaffirmed Texas’ commitment to securing the southern border, calling for continued funding for Operation Lone Star and urging stronger measures against criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua—a Venezuelan gang that has been linked to violent crime and human trafficking in Texas.

Key proposals include:

  • Increased cooperation with federal agencies under a new administration
  • Expanded National Guard deployment along the border
  • Strengthening penalties for human traffickers and cartel members
  • Expanding Texas’ border wall and river barriers

Abbott also declared an illegal immigration crackdown, ordering Texas law enforcement to arrest and deport illegal immigrants in collaboration with the federal government.

Cracking Down on Squatters & Defending Property Rights

A growing concern in Texas has been the rise of squatters, individuals unlawfully occupying homes and properties. Abbott called for stronger laws to immediately remove and prosecute squatters, emphasizing that private property rights are a fundamental Texas value.

His plan includes:

  • Fast-tracked eviction processes for unlawful occupiers
  • Criminal penalties for repeat squatters
  • Property protection measures for homeowners & landlords

Abbott’s push for property rights protection aligns with his broader economic freedom agenda, ensuring Texans can own, develop, and protect their property without government overreach

Higher Education Reforms: Eliminating DEO & Strengthening Accountability

Abbott doubled down on his commitment to removing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from Texas public universities, calling for a permanent ban on taxpayer-funded DEI programs in higher education.

His higher education reform proposals include:

  • Prohibiting university faculty from influencing hiring decisions
  • Expanding the DEI ban beyond state agencies to all publicly funded institutions
  • Ensuring merit-based admissions and faculty hiring

Abbott argued that Texas universities should prioritize excellence and merit over ideology, ensuring that students receive a quality, politically neutral education.

Election Integrity: Preventing Voter Fraud & Foreign Influence

Abbott also reiterated his commitment to election security, calling for reforms to:

  • Restore the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election violations
  • Strengthen safeguards against non-citizen voting
  • Prohibit foreign nationals from holding local or state government positions

By reinforcing election integrity measures, Abbott aims to ensure Texans can trust their elections, an issue that has remained a top priority for conservative lawmakers.

Expanding Texas’ Energy Leadership with a Nuclear Power Renaissance

While Texas already leads the nation in energy production, Abbott proposed expanding nuclear power as a key component of the state’s energy security strategy.

His plan includes:

  • Investments in next-generation nuclear reactors
  • Public-private partnerships to expand nuclear energy production
  • Streamlining regulations to accelerate nuclear plant development

With Texas already ranking No. 1 in electric power generation, Abbott sees nuclear energy as a way to secure the state’s energy future and reduce reliance on unreliable renewable sources.

Investing in Firefighting Resources to Combat Wildfires

Abbott also addressed the growing wildfire threat in Texas, particularly after the historic Panhandle wildfires devastated communities. He called for:

  • More funding for air-tanker firefighting planes
  • Support for local fire departments
  • Stronger land management policies to prevent wildfires

Texas has experienced record-breaking wildfires in recent years, and Abbott’s proposals aim to enhance the state’s ability to prevent and respond to fire emergencies.

Looking Ahead: More Reforms on the Horizon

While not labeled emergency items, these policy proposals indicate where Texas lawmakers are headed this session. Issues like border security, property rights, election integrity, energy expansion, and disaster preparedness will likely dominate legislative debates alongside Abbott’s top priorities.

Conclusion

Governor Greg Abbott’s 2025 State of the State Address outlined a range of policy initiatives aimed at addressing economic concerns, education reform, public safety, and infrastructure improvements. By declaring eight emergency items, Abbott signaled his expectation that the Texas Legislature would prioritize immediate action on these issues during the 89th Legislative Session.

Beyond these emergency items, Abbott also addressed border security, higher education reforms, election integrity, energy production, and disaster response—indicating broader legislative priorities that may be addressed this session.

As the 89th Legislative Session moves forward, state lawmakers will consider these proposals and determine how they align with Texas’ long-term policy goals. The final outcomes will shape Texas’ tax structure, education system, public safety policies, and economic development strategies in the years ahead.

Source: CBS19 Youtube

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