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Friends, The second special session has now concluded. While we were able to achieve important progress on flood relief, many of the bills that passed over the last month leave our state in a more challenging position than when we began. As your representative, I remain steadfast in my commitment to addressing the issues that truly matter to our communities: ensuring access to quality healthcare, strengthening our public schools, expanding affordable housing, and supporting reliable, good-paying jobs for all. I am deeply grateful for the engagement and thoughtful conversations I’ve had with neighbors across Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock throughout this tumultuous session. Your input, perspective, and advocacy are invaluable, and they help guide the work my team and I do every day. During the interim, I encourage you to continue reaching out and sharing your ideas. Together, we can identify solutions and build a stronger, more equitable future for our state. All the best, John Bucy III State Representative Texas House District 136 |
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I entered these special sessions with the sincere hope that our focus would remain on addressing true emergencies. Special sessions are intended to meet urgent crises, such as the devastating floods in Central Texas that claimed 137 lives. My colleagues and I returned to Austin ready to approve flood relief and allocate critical emergency funds to communities still struggling to recover.
Unfortunately, that work was overshadowed when Governor Abbott chose to use flood victims as political leverage, conditioning disaster relief on the approval of Donald Trump’s racially discriminatory redistricting maps.
While I am deeply disappointed that the chamber allowed these gerrymandered maps to pass, I was proud to cast a "no" vote on H.B. 4. I remain confident in our legal team as we move forward into the next phase of this fight. Alongside the House Democratic Caucus, I have also been working with governors across the country to build a united front against Trump’s attacks on democracy in Texas.
The fight isn’t over. This special session, Republicans focused less on solving problems and more on punishing members for exercising their constitutional right to break quorum, pushing steep personal fines, stripping committee leadership, and even threatening staff pay and office budgets. Still, I remain steadfast in standing up for Texans, protecting our democracy, and making sure urgent crises like the recent floods get the relief and attention they deserve. |
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As storms and natural disasters grow more severe, I entered this session prepared to prioritize emergency management and disaster relief. The Legislature advanced several major initiatives, including:
The Legislature also took steps to improve camp safety through S.B. 1, which drew lessons from the Camp Mystic tragedy. The bill prohibits residential cabins in floodplains, expands required emergency planning scenarios, sets procedures for notifying staff and parents in emergencies, and mandates rooftop emergency access ladders in non-residential cabins located in flood-prone areas. While these measures were largely informed by the tragedy of the July 4th floods, their impact extends far beyond a single event. Together, they will strengthen the capacity of Texas Department of Emergency Management and Health and Human Services Commission to respond to natural disasters statewide. |
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While special sessions are intended to only focus on emergencies, the Governor’s agenda covered a broad array of topics. Below we’ve highlighted some of the most consequential legislation and a full list of bills passed. I voted against this bill because it not only restricts access to abortion but also creates a slush fund for nonprofits that can recruit plaintiffs to sue on their behalf, undermining the integrity of our legal system and wasting taxpayer dollars. The legislation authorizes a minimum award of $100,000 against anyone who “manufactures, distributes, mails, transports, delivers, prescribes or provides” abortion drugs in Texas. If the plaintiff is a pregnant woman who obtained the drugs, or a father, sibling, or grandparent of the fetus, they receive the full award. All other plaintiffs receive $10,000, with the remainder directed to a charitable organization of their choosing. This effectively weaponizes our courts by offering large financial rewards in cases where no actual damages exist.
Bathroom Policing (S.B. 8)
Standardized Testing in Public Schools (H.B. 8) Rather than reducing testing, this bill turns one STAAR exam into three. Students in grades 3-8 would now take three exams at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. While parents and teachers would have access to results, the bill fails to resolve accountability issues, since the TEA Commissioner has not yet made determinations on key measures. Rushed through during a special session, it risks exacerbating key problems that will need to be fixed later, adding extra work for teachers who must navigate new systems with shifting guidance. The Texas State Teachers Association and Texas AFT strongly opposed the bill, noting that it increases student stress and undermines effective teaching.
For more details, here’s the complete list of legislation that passed this special session: Courts & Criminal Justice
Elections and House Rules
Harris County Local Bills
Ivermectin
Land Management
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Labor Day Fish Fry I enjoyed connecting with fellow union members at the AFL-CIO fish fry and discussing how our office can work alongside them to organize for the upcoming session. Their continued fight for strong wages, fair working conditions, and reliable health coverage remains essential, and I look forward to building on this partnership to support working families across Texas. |
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Austin Pride Parade It was fantastic to walk in the annual Austin Pride Parade and join so many Texans in honoring love, equality, and community. At a time when too many of my colleagues choose to overlook or even vilify the LGBTQ community, I am proud to stand up for the rights of all Texans, regardless of their gender or who they love. |
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Travis County Democratic Pride Brunch Protecting the rights of Texans begins at the grassroots, where we work together to root out hate and fear in our communities. Moments like these remind me how powerful it is when we come together to celebrate progress and commit to building a more inclusive future for all. |
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Cedar Park Chamber Gala My team had such a blast celebrating at the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce Ball en Blanc. It was a such a blast connecting with local small business leaders, our education staff, and parents, all of whom play such an important role in building a strong and thriving community. |
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Transit Forward Family Fun Day I was grateful for the opportunity to join Transit Forward and discuss the transformative impact public transit is having on business development, economic growth, and safety in Central Texas. Public transit is key to bringing Texas into the 21st century, and I will continue working to expand access so that transportation is never a barrier to success. |
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Cedar Park Capitol Day My staff had a great time at Cedar Park Chamber Leadership Day, discussing tax policy, education, and emergency response measures that will shape the future of Central Texas. They also appreciated the opportunity to speak with members of the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce and city staff about the priorities and challenges facing our community. |
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Women’s Health and LGBTQ Caucus Rally Following this special session’s attacks on reproductive rights and access to abortion, I was proud to stand as a member of the Women’s Health Caucus at their rotunda rally. Together, we will continue to fight for access to care for people across Texas and ensure that every individual has the right to make decisions about their own body. |
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Artist of the Month |
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My team is available to assist you! Our office hopes that you do not hesitate to reach out when you have questions regarding state agencies, legislation, or other challenges you’re facing. Also, please check out these upcoming community events and opportunities!
Round Rock Arts Fest Annual celebration of creativity in all of its forms, with live performances, food and drink, vendors of all kinds, visual artists, interactive art and music experiences, and more! Learn more here.
Cedar Park Fall Round Up Grab your cowboy hats and boots, and mosey on over to Lakeline Park. This Western-themed extravaganza has exciting activities: armadillo races, hayrides, a petting zoo, roping stations, and leather crafts. Enjoy tasty food and beer and wine as well. Learn more here.
Special Needs Family Jamboree Individuals with disabilities and their families are invited to come join the Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department and Casey’s Circle at the Play for All Park for this free family event! Learn more here.
Artist of the Month Our office is looking to support local artists by spotlighting their work in the capitol. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please email us at [email protected]. My team is looking for celebratory and memorial resolutions to honor individuals and organizations across HD 136. Please reach out if you or a neighbor has a success, retirement, anniversary, or otherwise. Request a resolution or honorary Texas Flag by emailing [email protected]. |
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KVUE |
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Our mailing address is: John Bucy Campaign P.O. Box 536, Austin, TX 78767 |
