Legislative Services

Taking Stock of Legislature’s Progress

Any forecast of how counties will fare when the dust settles on the 89th Legislature would be woefully incomplete without a review of major legislation that does not affect counties. Counties don’t control school districts. They don’t regulate THC-infused soda. They don’t set water policy, sell lottery tickets or maintain the electric grid.

But those issues matter greatly to Speaker Dustin Burrows, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott. As the leaders of the House and Senate, and with Gov. Abbott the only one empowered to call the Legislature into special session, their announced priorities command attention. What they say often goes. County officials, cowboys, astronauts, plumbers, professors and all others have priorities that are inextricably linked to the health of those top-line priorities. If those don’t advance, the fate of others may be fairly looked upon as shaky.

We need not look far back to prove the point. After the 88th Legislature failed to pass Abbott’s public education voucher plan, he vetoed 76 bills.

“But every governor vetoes bills,” you say. Sure, and often there is evidence to suggest the veto was payback for a legislator’s failure to bend the knee. But some of last session’s veto proclamations laid it bare.

“This bill can be reconsidered at a future special session only after education freedom is passed,” Abbott wrote in his veto proclamation for House Bill 1466. There are other examples. From HB 2629's: “While House Bill No. 2629 is important, it is simply not as important as education freedom. At this time, the legislature must concentrate on delivering education freedom to Texans. This bill can be reconsidered at a future special session only after education freedom is passed.”

So, for everyone with a stake in everything that stands in line behind leadership’s priorities, we offer news of an important development.

On Wednesday, House Bill 3 by Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Salado), this session’s public education voucher legislation, passed the House on an 85-63 vote. And building on last week’s House passage of Senate Bill 1 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), both chambers have now appointed conferees to hammer out differences between their budgets. Whether you agree or disagree with the contents of the proposals, their movement offers hope for county priorities amid the thousands of bills that do not hold such exalted status.

We’ll end on those upbeat notes and not point to the more than 300 bills approved by House committees but not yet set for action before the full House by the Calendars Committee. A lot will happen in the 43 days remaining in this session. Whether it will be marked by conflict and inaction or cooperation and furious activity is anyone’s guess. With politicians at the wheel, expect a bumpy ride. Buckle up.

TAC at the Capitol

TAC Board President and Yoakum County Commissioner Tim Addison was in Austin this week to share insight on county operations for a lunch and learn event at TAC headquarters. He took the opportunity to visit with lawmakers from his area.

Legislative Directory Available

TAC’s Legislative Directory for the 89th Legislature is still available for order. The directory includes contact information for legislative leaders, committees, county official associations and TAC’s Legislative Services team.

Order free your copies here.

Grant Opportunities

This newsletter will highlight new grant opportunities on the last Friday of each month. Look for updates in the April 25 edition of County Issues, or visit TAC’s continuously updated Grant Opportunities webpage.

TAC also maintains a listserv community to foster discussion between county officials on available grants. To join the listserv or share a grant success story, please contact Zelma Smith.

Week in Review is a collaborative column from TAC Legislative Services.