Gov. Greg Abbott called for property tax relief and increasing teacher pay on Sunday while again pressuring Texas lawmakers to approve a measure that would give families public school money for private education. Why it matters: The State of the State speech — given by the governor every legislative session — is seen as a chance for Abbott to set the tone for the session and lay out what he sees as the top issues for the Legislature.
• It’s also an opportunity for Abbott to plot a conservative agenda ahead of his reelection campaign in 2026.
What they’re saying: Speaking from Austin-based Arnold Oil Company, Abbott pointed to Texas as a model for business and economic success.
• “Texas is the blueprint for the future of America,” he told the crowd of lawmakers, Texas Supreme Court justices and business leaders.
Catch up quick: Abbott last year spent millions to oust 11 Republican lawmakers who voted against school vouchers. The program would give some families state money to pay for private schooling and homeschooling, but critics say it would cut into public school funding and enrollment.
• Abbott he says he has 79 “hardcore school choice proponents” in the House, which would give him the votes he needs to approve the legislation.
• “Government-mandated schools cannot meet the unique needs of every student,” Abbott said Sunday. “We will continue to fully fund public schools and raise teacher pay, while also giving parents the choice they deserve.”
The big picture: Abbott used his remarks to narrow in on seven emergency items, including property tax relief, schools, crime, water infrastructure and cybersecurity.
Property tax relief: Create $10 billion in new property tax relief by preventing local governments from raising property taxes without a two-thirds approval by voters.
Water investment: Invest in the state’s water supplies and repair pipes “to save billions of gallons of water each year.”
Career training: Expand programs that allow high school students to go from graduation directly to a job.
Crime: Eliminate parole for people convicted of child trafficking, capital murder and other violent crimes.
• Abbott also narrowed in on undocumented immigrants, saying those who are arrested “should be considered a flight risk, denied bail and turned over to ICE.”
Texas Cyber Command: Create a partnership with UT-San Antonio to protect against threats from China, Iran, Russia and other foreign entities.
Between the lines: Abbott’s priorities, which are designated as emergency items, allow lawmakers to fast-track bills during the 140-day session.
The other side: The Texas Democratic Party delivered a pre-recorded rebuttal following the governor’s speech, featuring “working, everyday Texans” rather than lawmakers.
• Dallas OB-GYN Austin Dennard, who sued Texas over the state’s abortion ban, spoke in the video about traveling outside the state to receive an abortion when she learned her fetus would not survive.
• “Because of the abortion laws in our state, medical providers are afraid to provide basic reproductive health care,” she said.
What to watch: While his emergency items set the stage for the Legislature to move Texas further to the right, the governor’s priorities also suggest the outline of what a potential 2028 presidential campaign might look like.