July 27, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
The Texas Legislature gaveled in last week for the start of a 30-day special session, called by Gov. Greg Abbott to tackle a wide-ranging agenda from flood recovery to mid-decade redistricting.
Abbott’s 18-item call includes several unfinished conservative priorities from the regular session, but the most politically charged is redrawing the state’s congressional map. Though redistricting is typically done once every decade, Republicans are eyeing changes they say reflect population shifts and court rulings.
Democrats, meanwhile, have already slammed the effort as a partisan power grab.
At a press conference Monday morning, the Texas House Democrat Caucus said “all options” are on the table to oppose the plan, including breaking quorum to prevent the Legislature from conducting business, as it did in 2003 and again in 2021.
Meanwhile, the Legislature entered the special session with billions of dollars potentially up for grabs.
Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock released an updated revenue estimate on Monday, showing that $3.1 billion in general-purpose revenue remains available through August 2027. Hancock also pointed to a record balance in the Economic Stabilization Fund, or Rainy Day Fund, which is projected to reach $28.5 billion by the end of fiscal 2027.
In addition, Congress recently allocated $13 billion to reimburse states for border security expenses as part of the “Big Beautiful Bill” signed by President Trump earlier this month. Texas is expected to receive the bulk of this funding. Once factored in, lawmakers could have upwards of $16 billion in total available resources during the session.
How lawmakers will use it remains to be seen. Abbott’s agenda includes proposals for flood mitigation, additional property tax relief, and other initiatives that would require funding.
As attention shifts to the committee process, the question remains whether Democrats will remain in the chamber or make good on their threat to walk out once again.
Featured
With the Texas Legislature currently meeting for a 30-day special session, some lawmakers are calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to use a new influx of federal dollars to provide immediate property tax relief to Texans.
State Rep. Helen Kerwin (R–Glen Rose) filed House Resolution 23 on Tuesday, urging the governor to dedicate any funds Texas receives from President Donald Trump’s recent reconciliation bill—estimated at over $13 billion—toward reducing the state’s property tax burden.
Real Texans
In this week's edition of REAL TEXANS, you'll meet Tom Pauken II, a Texan who lives and works in Beijing as a journalist and commentator. He talks about how he wound up in China, his love for the Chinese people, and what the citizens of both countries misunderstand about each other
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Texas National Guard Mobilizing To Assist ICE
Soldiers will reportedly operate illegal alien detention centers and provide security for some ICE operations.
Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban Advances in Texas Senate
Taxpayer-funded lobbyists opposed legislative priorities such as property tax reform, school choice, and election integrity.
Jared Patterson Accused of Recruiting Primary Challengers to Fellow Republicans
The attempted recruitment raises eyebrows, given Patterson’s role in the caucus’ 2024 decision to formally censure four conservative lawmakers.
Local
Lawsuit Reveals Disturbing Details in Millsap ISD’s Special Needs Student Abuse Scandal
A grand jury indicted the school district’s former superintendent for failing to report child abuse by two special education teachers.
Montgomery County Secures First Murder Conviction Under Texas Fentanyl Law
The 2023 law allows anyone who supplies fentanyl resulting in death to be charged with murder.
Harris County Taxpayers Foot $1.1 Million Bill for Illegal Alien Legal Defense
Thus far in fiscal year 2025, Harris County has spent $1,141,056 on legal services for illegal aliens.
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