July 13, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
Gov. Greg Abbott has officially released the agenda for the upcoming special legislative session, identifying 18 items for lawmakers to tackle when they return to Austin on Monday, July 21.
The announcement [[link removed]] ends weeks of speculation about what issues would be included on the call and contains a mix of responses to both recent events and long-standing conservative priorities.
“We delivered on historic legislation in the 89th Regular Legislative Session that will benefit Texans for generations to come,” said Abbott. “There is more work to be done, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country. We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future.”
Included in the call are several flood-related items aimed at improving early warning systems, emergency communications, and local relief funding. The agenda also includes a sweeping review of rules related to disaster preparation and recovery.
Abbott is also calling for legislation to eliminate the STAAR test, cut property taxes, and overhaul regulations on THC products—an issue that has divided state leadership since Abbott vetoed a proposed ban last month. Instead of an outright ban, the governor is asking for new restrictions on potency and synthetic compounds without “banning a lawful agricultural commodity.”
Several conservative priorities also made the list, including a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, a constitutional amendment granting the Attorney General the power to prosecute election crimes, and protections for women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces. Legislation to further protect unborn children by strengthening the state’s ban on abortion-inducing drugs also made the cut.
Other agenda items include measures to protect victims of human trafficking from criminal liability, protections for law enforcement personnel files, and action on title theft and deed fraud. Abbott also called for legislation addressing judicial department operations and incentives for water conservation in building projects.
As expected, redistricting is officially on the agenda, following pressure from President Donald Trump’s team to secure additional Republican seats in Congress. The item calls for revisions to Texas’ congressional maps “in light of constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice.”
With Abbott’s proclamation now released, the process of drafting and filing bills can officially begin.
While Republicans control both chambers, there are still questions about potential roadblocks. Among them, whether House Democrats will participate in the session or stage a quorum break, as they did in 2021 to stall election integrity legislation.
The special session is set to begin at noon on July 21.
Featured President Trump Visits Texas Hill Country: Pledges Federal Support After Deadly Floods [[link removed]]
By McKael Kirwin
Following the devastating Fourth of July weekend flooding, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump addressed the affected Hill Country communities in Kerrville on Friday.
They were joined by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Texas Department of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, and U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn.
“The First Lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of the entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and really deadly flood,” said President Trump.
Read More [[link removed]]
Real Texans Shawn Thierry [[link removed]]
On this edition of REAL TEXANS, Shawn Thierry—a former Democrat member of the Texas House—shares why she left the party and the importance of protecting children
New interviews with REAL TEXANS [[link removed]] every Sunday!
State Trump Endorses Texas Lawmakers Who Backed School Choice, Despite Party Pushback [[link removed]]
A flurry of endorsements for incumbents has come from President Donald Trump’s PAC. Texas to Redraw Racially Gerrymandered Congressional Districts During Special Session [[link removed]]
Four “coalition” districts identified by the DOJ as unconstitutional are targeted for redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Baylor University To Return ‘LGBTQIA+ Inclusion’ Grant Following Backlash [[link removed]]
Baylor’s “Statement on Human Sexuality” defines acceptable sexual expression as limited to “purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman.”
Read more in State news... [[link removed]]
Local Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Pushes for Taxpayer-Funded International Trips [[link removed]]
Hidalgo’s third attempt at reforming travel policy sought to define “extraordinary circumstances” to include trade missions. Dallas District Judge Sanctioned Twice [[link removed]]
Judge Amber Givens was found to have violated constitutional rights and exhibited disrespect toward defendants, counsel, and fellow judges. Why Baytown Voters May Reject the City’s Planned Bond Propositions [[link removed]]
Baytown resident Byron Schirmbeck says it’s not for the reasons city officials think.
Read more in Local news... [[link removed]]
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