As we approach the Fourth of July, we celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s independence and honor those who have fought to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Whether you’re enjoying fireworks, grilling with family, or simply taking a day off, I wish you a safe and joyful Independence Day.
Here are five things happening around your state:
- The 89th Texas Legislative Session has come to a close
The 89th Texas Regular Session ended on June 2, with the Governor’s deadline to sign or veto bills falling on June 22. Over 1,200 bills passed both chambers. Of those, the Governor signed 1,155 into law and vetoed 28. Any bill not vetoed by the deadline became law automatically, even without a signature. I’m proud to report that I successfully passed 33 bills this session, in addition to several others that were amended onto other legislation and ultimately signed into law. These measures focused on school safety, rural infrastructure, tax relief, transportation improvements, digital crime enforcement, public safety, and stronger accountability in state and local government.
Although the regular session is over, Governor Abbott has called a special session beginning July 21 to revisit several vetoed bills and unresolved issues, including measures on hemp product regulation, property records, water infrastructure fees, trafficking victim protections, environmental standards, and judicial administration. I look forward to returning to the Capitol to continue working on behalf of the people of Senate District 3.
- In-state tuition ends for undocumented students
Earlier this month, a federal judge struck down a 24-year-old Texas law that allowed certain undocumented students to qualify for in-state college tuition. The law permitted non-citizen students to receive in-state tuition at public colleges and universities if they lived in Texas for at least three years before graduating from a Texas high school and lived in the state for at least one year prior to enrolling in college. Students were also required to sign an affidavit stating their intent to seek legal immigration status. Following the court’s decision and a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has directed public colleges to begin reclassifying affected students as non-residents by the fall of 2025. Several legal challenges have already been filed in response to this policy change.
- Texas’ Rainy Day Fund expected to hit constitutional cap
Texas’ “Rainy Day Fund,” officially called the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), is the state’s savings account. Created in 1988 to help Texas during economic downturns or other emergencies, it’s funded mostly from oil and gas taxes. The ESF is expected to reach nearly $27 billion at the end of fiscal 2025. This is the first time the fund has hit its cap, which is set at 10% of the general revenue deposited in the previous biennium according to the Texas Constitution. Once the cap is met, any extra oil and gas tax revenue that would normally go into the ESF instead stays in the state’s general budget. That additional money then becomes available for other priorities, such as road projects, education, or even short-term tax relief. Hitting the cap reflects the strength of Texas’ economy and gives the Legislature more tools to plan responsibly for the future.
- Paper license plates are coming to an end
Starting July 1, Texas will phase out paper temporary license plates for new vehicle purchases. This change is the result of a law passed in 2023, known as House Bill 718. Under the new system, licensed car dealers will issue metal plates at the time of sale. In special cases, such as out-of-state sales or certain exemptions, the state will use temporary metal tags in distinct colors to indicate the status of the vehicle. Private sales are unaffected, and buyers still have 30 days to register their vehicles and obtain plates through their local tax office. This change is aimed at combating fraud linked to counterfeit paper tags, which have been tied to criminal activity and lost state revenue.
- Texas wins 12th Gold Shovel Award for economic development
Texas has been awarded the 2024 Gold Shovel Award by Area Development magazine, a national recognition given to states with exceptional records of job creation and business investment. This marks the 12th time Texas has received the award, highlighting the state’s continued success in attracting major economic development projects. In the past year, Texas secured more than $10.6 billion in new capital investment across multiple industries. Texas has now received either a Gold or Silver Shovel Award for 20 consecutive years, demonstrating the long-term strength of our business climate and economic development strategies.
