As the 89th Texas Legislative Session approaches, lawmakers have already filed over a thousand bills for 2025 Legislature, highlighting the key issues they plan to address in January. With Republicans holding a strong majority, the session promises to tackle high-profile topics such as property taxes, abortion, and workers’ wages.
Property tax reforms take center stage
Reducing property taxes remains a top priority for Republicans. Last year, Texas passed a $12.7 billion tax relief package, which led to significant cuts in property taxes. This year, lawmakers like Rep. Cody Vasut, R-Angleton, are pushing for more drastic measures, including eliminating property taxes altogether.
However, this could cost the state billions, prompting some lawmakers to propose using the state’s projected $20 billion surplus to ease the burden on property owners.
Abortion legislation remains divisive
Abortion laws continue to spark intense debate. Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, has filed two bills aimed at expanding abortion access, including one that would allow doctors to perform abortions based on their “best medical judgment” and in cases of rape or incest. On the other hand, Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, introduced a bill granting the Attorney General more power to prosecute abortion-related offenses.
Visit our website: https://www.mundoejecutivo-texas.com/
Criminal justice reforms
In the realm of criminal justice, Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, filed a bill aimed at revising the state’s junk science law to make it easier for defendants to challenge convictions based on new evidence. Additionally, Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, proposed abolishing the death penalty in Texas, a measure that has faced significant opposition in the past.
Wages and workers’ rights legislature
Democratic lawmakers are also focusing on workers’ rights, with several proposing bills to raise wages. Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, filed a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, while Rep. Terry Meza, D-Irving, focused on increasing wages for school bus drivers. Other bills aim to tackle wage theft and improve conditions for workers in Texas.
With a large budget surplus and a wide range of proposals on the table, the upcoming Legislature promises to be contentious.
