With the arrival of August, it’s back-to-school time for many families across East Texas! Recently, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts announced the 27th Annual Texas Sales Tax Holiday, which will take place from August 7th to the 9th this year.
This widely celebrated holiday exempts sales tax on purchases of qualified items, such as clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks, priced below $100. Meaning hardworking Texans get to keep more of their money in their pockets. As the start of the new school year draws near, please consider taking advantage of this savings opportunity to stock up for the new school year. For a full list of qualified items and FAQs, please visit: www.comptroller.texas.gov
With that, we’ll dive back into our examination of House interim charges. . .
House Interim Charge: Public Education
The House Committee on Public Education has jurisdiction over Texas’ public school system, including school finance, accountability, educator certification, and policies affecting more than five million students. The Committee also oversees the Texas Education Agency, the State Board of Education, and other entities responsible for public education.
Over the interim, the Committee will monitor implementation of several landmark education bills passed during the 89th Legislature. These include House Bill 2, which made historic investments in public education and teacher compensation, and House Bill 8 from the Second Called Session, which reforms the state’s accountability and assessment system. Additional legislation to be reviewed includes addressing school discipline, student cell phone use, and school safety. Lawmakers will evaluate how these reforms are being implemented and whether they are delivering the intended results.
The Committee will also study the overall state of public education by examining student achievement, school finance, educator recruitment and retention, special education, and middle school outcomes. Members will review ways to improve school operations, strengthen the teacher pipeline, and ensure students across Texas continue to have access to a safe, high-quality education.
House Interim Charge: Higher Education
The House Committee on Higher Education has jurisdiction over Texas’ colleges and universities, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and other institutions responsible for preparing students for successful careers while supporting research and innovation. The Committee works to ensure higher education remains affordable, competitive, and responsive to the needs of Texas’ growing economy.
This interim, the Committee will monitor implementation of several major bills enacted during the 89th Legislature affecting college admissions, coordination among public institutions, and student access to higher education. Members will also examine enrollment trends, workforce demands, and ways to improve college affordability while ensuring state investments deliver strong results for students and taxpayers.
Additionally, the Committee will review strategies to strengthen research competitiveness, protect higher education from foreign adversarial influence, increase credential completion, and better align degree programs with Texas’ workforce needs. These efforts will help ensure Texas colleges and universities continue preparing students for high-demand careers while supporting long-term economic growth.
The mobile office is on the road again in August, and our District Director looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: August 5 at the San Augustine County Courthouse from 9:30-11:30 am, August 15 at the Polk County Commissioner’s Court Room in Livingston from 9:30-11:30 am, or at the Tyler County Courthouse in Woodville from 1:30-3:30 pm; August 19 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9:30-11:30 am, or at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30 pm.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762, and my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will post regular updates on what’s happening at your State Capitol and share information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.
