Last week, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dade Phelan unveiled a slate of priorities that he hopes will be addressed this session by the chamber over which he presides. With Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick releasing the Texas Senate’s priorities earlier in February, and Governor Greg Abbott discussing his “emergency items” during a state of the state address, all of Texas’ “Big Three” elected officials have now signaled the policy items they wish to see elevated in priority this session.

Governor Abbott’s seven emergency items include the following:

• Property tax relief
• Ending all COVID restrictions
• School choice through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
• School safety
• Bail reform
• Border security
• Addressing the fentanyl crisis

Lieutenant Governor Patrick released a total of 30 priorities for the Texas Senate. The full list can be found here, but below are some that directly relate to the business community:

• Property tax relief
• Adding new natural gas plants
• Texas electric grid enhancement
• Creating a new higher education endowment fund
• Creating new scholarships for Registered Nurses
• Mental health care expansion
• Creation of a new business specialty court
• Addressing future water needs

Speaker Phelan was last of the three to release his priority items, which include the following:

• Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, to regulate how companies collect personal data from individuals
• Extending Medicaid coverage for new mothers from six months to a full year
• Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, offering tools for parents to keep children safe while online
• Exempting items such as certain feminine hygiene products, diapers, and baby wipes from the state sales tax

The Fort Worth Chamber’s agenda for the 88^th Legislature can be found here.

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State and Local

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UPCOMING DATES

• March 7: Fort Worth City Council Work Session, 1 p.m.
• March 10: Government Affairs Committee Meeting
• March 15: Leaders in Government, featuring Governor Greg Abbott [More info]
• March 22-23: Tarrant County Days [More info]