After the Democrats’ historic victory in Texas, the former minority in the state legislature is wasting no time and is already preparing to take power next year in a Republican stronghold. Bills on education, immigration, health care, social media and taxes are going onto the agenda. Although the new legislative session does not begin until January, the main policy directions of the new leadership of the Lone Star State are already coming into view.
The Nov. 3 election brought a generational shift in the balance of power in Texas. Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott and, on Jan. 19, 2027, will become the state’s first Democratic governor since the first half of the 1990s. Her party also regained control of the state House of Representatives after more than two decades in the opposition. In the race for lieutenant governor, Vikki Goodwin defeated longtime Republican politician Dan Patrick, and James Talarico won a seat in the U.S. Senate. Republicans, however, kept their majority in the state Senate, which means that passing new legislation will still require agreement between members of both parties.
One of the first issues taken up by Democrats is the future of the state program that funds private school education. State Rep. John Bucy of Austin has filed HB 164, and state Sen. Jose Menendez has introduced a similar proposal, SB 106. Both would eliminate the education savings accounts program, which allows eligible families to use public funds toward private school tuition — so-called school vouchers.
Changes are also expected in Texas immigration policy. HB 123, prepared by Trey Martinez Fischer, and SB 99, authored by Menendez, would repeal the provisions requiring sheriffs to enter into agreements with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The bills filed also include health care measures. Bucy introduced HB 101 and HB 102, and state Sen. Judith Zaffirini introduced SB 31. Their aim is to expand access to Medicaid under the options provided by the federal Affordable Care Act (so-called Obamacare).
Among the more prominent proposals is HB 172, authored by state Rep. María “Lulu” Flores, under which public schools would be required to provide access to menstrual products.
Republicans — though undoubtedly still stunned by the election results — are not sitting idle either. Republican state Rep. Jared Patterson has filed HB 212, which would restrict access to social media platforms for some minors. Joanne Shofner, for her part, has proposed HB 271, which would ban kiosks that enable transactions in virtual currencies (cryptocurrencies).
Other proposals include bills to raise the state minimum wage, establish a temporary program for hiring foreign workers and create an independent commission to draw electoral district boundaries.
Editor: JŁ
