In a move to advance a hefty legislative agenda, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called for a second special legislative session, pinpointing 19 items that state lawmakers will tackle starting today at the Capitol. Among these items, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor, are measures for flood relief funding, cutting property taxes, and overhauling student assessments.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized House Democrats for leaving the state earlier this year, a move that prevented the chamber from reaching a quorum and stalled legislative progress. “Delinquent House Democrats ran away from their responsibility to pass crucial legislation to benefit the lives of Texans,” Abbott said. The governor emphasized the urgency of his 19-item agenda for the newly convened special session, noting that recent Fourth of July flooding has prompted proposals to strengthen flood warning systems and provide recovery funding.
Of the full slate of topics, several stand out as especially contentious. The special session will revisit the divisive issue of abortion, with proposed legislation aimed to further protecting unborn children and their mothers from the harm of abortion. Additionally, the session aims to eliminate the STAAR test, a standardized testing method criticized by many, and will explore alternative tools to monitor student and school district performance.
Abbott's agenda extends to the regulation of hemp-derived products, including the setting of potency limits and criminalizing the provision of such products to minors under 21 years of age, said the Governor. Property tax reduction is on the table as well, which aligns with Abbott's continued vow to lessen the financial burden on Texans. Other notable agenda items include reinforcing police privacy in personnel matters and asserting the Attorney General's power in election-related investigations.
Governor Abbott has convened a second special legislative session with 19 agenda items, following earlier setbacks in the regular session. Lawmakers are set to debate proposals ranging from property tax relief to changes in student assessments, with discussions taking place against a politically divided backdrop at the Capitol.
