Governor Abbott announces immediate Special Session agenda
May 29, 2023 | Austin, TX
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the first of multiple special sessions of the Texas Legislature and issued a proclamation identifying agenda items for the Special Session that begins at 9 pm on Mon., May 29.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement upon adjourning the 88th Legislature Regular Session Sine Die:
“Today, the Texas Senate adjourned the 88th Legislature Regular Session Sine Die. This was a session with significant victories for Texans but, unfortunately, far too many of the people’s conservative priorities, sponsored by the Senate, were killed in the Texas House.
“Unfortunately, nine of the Texas Senate’s top 30 priority bills never received hearings in the House, and only 20 of the Senate’s top 30 priority bills became law. Thousands of other important bills were killed in the House, to the detriment of all Texans. The following list is a small sample of the good bills that were killed in the Texas House:
The largest property tax cut in Texas history, which died due to House leadership’s California-style plan that was opposed by realtors, business groups, and many in the media
Affirming parental rights in education with the largest school choice plan in America
Creating a state crime for illegal border crossings
Pushing back on the ESG scam
Banning Critical Race Theory in higher education
Creating a mandatory 10-year prison sentence for criminals committing gun crime
Prohibiting hostile foreign governments from owning land in Texas
Ending countywide polling places
Reforming our broken bail system and ending bail for violent crime
Allowing prayer in public schools
Allowing the Ten Commandments in our classrooms
Banning drag queen story hour in Texas public libraries
Expanding virtual education in Texas
Mandating that votes be counted in a timely fashion
Stopping telehealth from selling dangerous drugs online
“Ultimately, I am very proud of the work of the Texas Senate this legislative session. We fought for Texans at every turn, only to see many of our efforts killed in the Texas House. The Texas Senate did its job, it is time for the House to do the same.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick sent this letter to Gov. Abbott.
Governor Abbott announces first special session
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the first of multiple special sessions of the Texas Legislature and issued a proclamation identifying agenda items for the Special Session that begins at 9:00 pm on Monday, May 29.
Governor Abbott issued the following statement:
“Many critical items remain that must be passed. Several special sessions will be required. To ensure that each priority receives the time and attention it deserves to pass into law, only a few will be added each session.
“Special session #1 will focus only on cutting property taxes and cracking down on illegal human smuggling.
“We must cut property taxes. During the regular session, we added $17.6 billion to cut property taxes. However, the legislature could not agree on how to allocate funds to accomplish this goal. Texans want and need a path towards eliminating property taxes. The best way to do that is to direct property tax reduction dollars to cut school property tax rates.”
“Special Session #1 agenda items include:
PROPERTY TAXES: Legislation to cut property-tax rates solely by reducing the school district maximum compressed tax rate in order to provide lasting property-tax relief for Texas taxpayers.
BORDER SECURITY: Legislation solely for the purpose of increasing or enhancing the penalties for certain criminal conduct involving the smuggling of persons or the operation of a stash house.”
Sen. Brandon Creighton (Dist. 4)
(512) 463-0104 (Austin Office)
(281) 292-4128 (District Office)
Send an email
Senator Paul Bettencourt (Dist. 7)
(512) 463-0107 (Austin Office)
(713) 464-0282 (District Office)
Send an email
Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (Dist. 18)
(512) 463-0118 (Austin Office)
(979) 251-7888 (District Office)
Send an email
Rep. Cecil Bell (Dist. 3)
(512) 463-0650 (Austin office)
(281) 259-3700 (District office)
Send an email
Rep. Steve Toth (Dist. 15)
(512) 463-0797 (Austin office)
(346) 220-0300 (District office)
Send an email
Rep. Will Metcalf (Dist. 16)
(512) 463-0726 (Austin office)
(936) 539-0068 (District office)
Send an email
Rep. Ernest Bailes (Dist. 18)
(512) 463-0570 (Austin office)
(936) 628-6687 (District office)
Send an email