Texas legislators are working hard to process bills that could have a significant impact as they approach the end of their legislative session on Memorial Day. The session, which takes place every other year for a maximum of 140 days, has reached its halfway point and could produce numerous laws that could change the way Texans live. Here are five key issues up for debate and where they currently stand.
Property Tax
Last week, the Senate approved a plan to cut property taxes by increasing the tax exemption to a referendum. The bills would raise the school tax exemption from $40,000 to $70,000, and homeowners 65 and older, as well as people with disabilities, would see additional exemptions increase from $10,000 to $30,000. However, the House of Representatives has a different plan that includes tighter appraisal caps for all types of property, not just homes. The two parties are far apart, so reaching an understanding between the House of Representatives and the Senate could be difficult. State Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-University Park, believes that the proposal and appraisal caps slow growth, which lowers property taxes. However, both parties promised significant reductions in property taxes, suggesting that Gov. Greg Abbott may call a special session on the issue if lawmakers run out of time.
Power Grid
Senate leaders want to bolster the state’s power grid, which failed during the 2021 winter storm, using state-funded, fossil-fuel-burning generating plants as a backup. Republican Sen. Charles Schwertner of Georgetown’s proposal is to use taxpayer money to finance the construction of natural gas-fired generating plants capable of producing 10,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 7.5 million homes. However, energy experts warn that the plan would undo two decades of free-market principles that have allowed low electricity prices, and it would discourage generation with natural gas plants, causing critics to censure it. This complicated topic could also require a special session.
School Choices
The creation of a program like school vouchers is central to a campaign by Republican lawmakers to give parents more control over their children’s education. The plan sponsored in the Senate would create up to $8,000 education savings accounts that families could use to pay for private school tuition, books, and supplies. Despite the sticking points, voucher-like proposals have a good chance of passing in the Senate, even if they don’t fare so easily in the House of Representatives. If approved by both houses, the bill will be signed by the governor, who has pushed for a school options plan.
Legalized Gambling
Texas currently has very limited legalized gambling options, but there is a movement to expand them. The bill most likely to advance is sports betting, which would allow betting on mobile phones. However, proposals to put a citizen vote on the legalization of sports and casino-type betting have little chance in the Texas Legislature. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says those bills don’t have enough Republican support in the Senate for him to allow a vote.
Culture War
Texas Republicans have been entrusted by their most conservative followers to approve proposals that fuel the culture war that the nation is experiencing and that have to do with public safety and elections. One new law expects to increase penalties for electoral fraud, and others limit efforts by some counties to reduce the use of cash bail. Proposals about which sports can participate in transgender athletes have a good chance of passing, as do proposals to restrict drag shows. With a presidential election year approaching, May is sure to be packed with divisive debates.
