Howdy!
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Gavel to Gavel, your weekly guide to the Texas Legislature. The 89th Legislative Session is officially underway—guard your wallets! It’s been a whirlwind of a week, and things are just getting started. The Texas House of Representatives is under the leadership of a new Speaker, the Senate has adopted the rules that will guide their work for the session with the House poised to consider their draft rules of procedure next week, and lawmakers are filing a flurry of new legislation.
In the coming weeks, we’ll see legislative leaders unveiling more of their priorities and the highly anticipated assignment of lawmakers to committees.
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
Featured

89th Legislative Session Preview
Ahead of the 89th Legislative Session, TPR President Jeramy Kitchen discussed many of the major policy issues facing lawmakers with Vance Ginn, Ph.D., a TPR Board member and President of Ginn Economic Consulting. In a wide-ranging discussion, they covered issues like school choice, infrastructure, the regulation of artificial intelligence, and the prohibition of social media use by minors.

89th Session “Cheat-Sheets”
Need quick access to lawmaker contact info? We’ve got you covered! Check out our two printable “cheat sheets,” packed with all the details you need to stay connected with your Texas Capitol lawmakers.
Stay informed and engaged—download them now!
Other Recent Content
Dustin Burrows Elected Texas House Speaker: Key Vote Breakdown and Insights
- On January 14, 2025, State Representative Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) was elected Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the 89th Legislative Session. The election required two rounds of voting, with Burrows securing the position after receiving support from both Republicans and Democrats.
- In the decisive second round, Burrows garnered 85 votes, comprising 36 Republicans and 49 Democrats, while his main opponent, State Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield), received 55 votes.
The Texas Legislature’s Broken Promises: Rising Property Taxes Despite “Relief”
- The Texas Comptroller recently updated property tax levy data that proves, despite tax relief efforts by state lawmakers, the property tax burden still increased for Texas taxpayers.
- The persistent rise in property taxes despite relief efforts points to systemic flaws in Texas’ approach to taxation. Comprehensive reforms are necessary to ensure meaningful and lasting relief for taxpayers.
Texas’ Regulatory Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities for Reform
- Texas has long been praised for its business-friendly climate, but a recent report from the Mercatus Center highlights how overregulation in certain sectors still hinders economic growth and the impact of these burdens on innovation and entrepreneurship.
- This legislative session, Texas has the potential to lead the nation in deregulation efforts. By reducing unnecessary red tape, the state can strengthen its economy and ensure a more dynamic business environment.
Texas House Bill 760: Empowering Texans by Redefining “The People’s Money”
- House Bill 760 aims to redefine how taxpayer dollars are handled in Texas by increasing transparency and accountability in public spending. The bill represents a significant step toward empowering citizens to better understand and influence how their money is managed.
- By targeting inefficiencies and loopholes in public finance, HB 760 seeks to prevent the misuse of funds and foster accountability in government spending. This legislation is framed as a necessary step to restore trust between the public and their representatives, ensuring that fiscal policies align with taxpayer priorities.
Texas Comptroller Gives Biennial Revenue Estimate
- The Texas Comptroller’s Biennial Revenue Estimate provides an optimistic forecast of the state’s financial health, driven by strong economic growth and steady tax collections. The estimate lays the groundwork for lawmakers to shape the state’s budget and prioritize spending for the upcoming legislative session.
- While the revenue estimate reveals a budget surplus, the BRE highlights the challenges of balancing competing priorities, such as tax relief, infrastructure investments, and prudent savings. Lawmakers will need thoughtful fiscal stewardship to ensure sustainable growth and long-term benefits for Texans.
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.
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:
- Cass County Patriots Meeting
- When: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Where: Luigi’s Restaurant, 10 N. East St., Atlanta, TX 75551
- Topic(s): Texas Legislative Process & 89th Legislative Session Update
- 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
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.
Legislative Countdowns
Bill Filing Deadline: 57 Days
89th Legislative Session Ends: 137 Days
Texas Policy Research relies on the support of generous donors across Texas.
If you found this information helpful, please consider supporting our efforts! Thank you!