Gavel to Gavel: Legislative Priorities Begin to Take Shape

Howdy!

We finally got word of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s emergency legislative priorities as the week began. While some items were widely expected, others came as a surprise. The Texas Senate once again passed Abbott’s priority legislation on Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), sending it to the Texas House, which has yet to assign committees to its members.

Another of Abbott’s priorities, bail reform, was filed, referred, and quickly scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee next week. House lawmakers are also expected to receive their committee assignments in the coming days.

You’ll find all this and more in this week’s newsletter—let’s dive in!

For Liberty, For Texas

Jeramy D. Kitchen
President, Texas Policy Research

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Featured

Abbott Names Legislative Priorities at 2025 State of the State Address

Governor Greg Abbott’s 2025 State of the State Address outlined his top legislative priorities, focusing on border security, school choice, property tax relief, investments in infrastructure, and public safety. He reaffirmed Texas’ commitment to securing the border, renewed his push for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), and called for further property tax cuts. Abbott also emphasized crime prevention and maintaining Texas’ business-friendly policies. With a GOP-controlled legislature, his agenda has a strong chance of advancing, though intra-party divisions on items like school choice could pose challenges.

Floor Reports

We sent out our first Floor Report this week—did you receive it? Before the Senate took up Senate Bill 2, the Education Savings Account (ESA) legislation, we published and emailed a comprehensive floor report. It included a full bill analysis, context, and a vote recommendation through the lens of our five liberty principles.

As the legislative session picks up and more bills make their way onto the calendars of each chamber, our floor reports will become more frequent. If you want to stay informed, keep an eye on your inbox or bookmark this link.

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Other Recent Content

Texas’ Film Subsidy Push: Corporate Welfare or Smart Investment?

• Texas lawmakers are debating whether increased film subsidies represent corporate welfare or a smart economic investment. Supporters argue that boosting incentives will attract major film and television productions, creating jobs and stimulating local economies. They point to other states, like Georgia, that have seen significant economic benefits from generous film tax credits. Governor Abbott and some lawmakers support expanding the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) to make Texas more competitive in attracting Hollywood projects.

• Critics warn that film subsidies amount to government handouts with little long-term return. They argue that taxpayer-funded incentives primarily benefit large studios rather than local economies and that previous subsidies have not resulted in a sustainable Texas film industry. Fiscal conservatives contend that instead of corporate welfare, Texas should focus on maintaining its low-tax, business-friendly environment to attract investment organically. As the 2025 legislative session approaches, the debate over film subsidies will likely center on whether they genuinely boost the economy or waste taxpayer dollars.

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Abbott Submits Budget Recommendations to State Lawmakers

• Governor Greg Abbott’s budget recommendations for 2025 focus on border security, tax relief, and education reform. He renews his push for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), aiming to expand school choice. Abbott also prioritizes property tax cuts, advocating for surplus funds to further reduce homeowners’ tax burdens. On border security, he calls for increased state funding to address illegal immigration amid ongoing federal inaction.

• Infrastructure and fiscal restraint remain key themes in Abbott’s proposal. He supports strengthening the energy grid and water infrastructure to sustain Texas’ growth. Emphasizing fiscal conservatism, he urges lawmakers to limit government spending while keeping Texas business-friendly. With a large surplus, legislative debates over school choice and spending priorities are expected in the upcoming session.

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Legislative Spotlight: Bail Reform

• Governor Greg Abbott is advocating for significant bail reform in Texas to enhance public safety. In his 2025 State of the State Address, he emphasized the need for a constitutional amendment to prevent judges from releasing violent offenders on bail, citing concerns that current policies allow dangerous individuals to reoffend upon release. Abbott’s proposal aims to restrict judicial discretion in granting bail to those accused of severe crimes, reflecting his administration’s commitment to prioritizing community safety.

• The push for bail reform has encountered political challenges in previous legislative sessions. Efforts in the 86th Legislative Session (2019), such as Senate Bill 628 and House Bill 1323, sought to prohibit the release of certain violent offenders on personal recognizance bonds but failed to advance due to political opposition and procedural hurdles. The current political landscape suggests that Abbott’s renewed call for reform will face significant debate, with considerations of public safety being weighed against concerns over judicial discretion and defendants’ rights.

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In Case You Missed It

Texans Demand Change: A Clear Path Toward Regulatory Reform

• Texans are calling for regulatory reform to curb government overreach and promote economic growth. Many businesses and individuals feel burdened by excessive regulations that stifle innovation and job creation. The push for reform includes streamlining licensing requirements, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and ensuring that regulations are necessary and limited in scope. Advocates argue that deregulation fosters a more competitive economy, allowing small businesses to thrive without unnecessary government interference.

• Conservative lawmakers are expected to prioritize regulatory reform in the 2025 session. Efforts may focus on removing outdated regulations, limiting the power of unelected bureaucrats, and increasing legislative oversight of rulemaking. Critics warn that rolling back regulations could weaken consumer protections, but proponents argue that a pro-business environment leads to job growth and economic expansion. As the debate unfolds, the challenge will be balancing economic freedom with responsible governance.

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Upcoming Committee Hearing Schedules

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Pre-Filed Legislation Summaries

• We have read through all of the pre-filed legislation for the upcoming 89th Legislative Session. While lawmakers will continue filing new bills—and we’ll continue analyzing them—we’ve already compiled summaries of each piece of legislation to give you a head start. These summaries are just the beginning as we gear up for our next round of in-depth policy analysis and prepare our first floor reports once the session is underway.

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Upcoming Events

Texas Policy Research is proud to partner with organizations and groups across Texas to share insights and expertise. Here’s where you can find us next:

• Irving Republican Women Meeting
  • When: Monday, February 10th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
  • Where: Valley Centre, 9901 E. Valley Ranch Parkway, Irving, TX 75063
  • Topic(s): Engaging the Texas Legislature & 89th Legislative Session Update

• RED Texas Forum
  • When: Thursday, May 15th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
  • Where: La Prada Church of Christ, 2724 La Prada Dr., Mesquite, TX 75150
  • Topic(s): Texas Legislative Process & 89th Legislative Session Update

Want a Speaker at Your Event?

Bring Texas Policy Research to your next event! Our team is available to speak on a variety of topics, including the Texas legislative process, engaging with lawmakers, and policy updates. Submit your request today here.

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Legislative Countdowns

Bill Filing Deadline: 36 Days
89th Legislative Session Ends: 116 Days

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