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With the 2024 General Election now behind us, the political landscape of the 89th Texas Legislature is clearer than ever. State lawmakers will begin prefiling legislation as early as next Tuesday, November 12th, in preparation for the upcoming legislative session. Rest assured, we’ll be diving into those bills the moment they’re filed, preparing vote recommendations for lawmakers using our five liberty principles.
The best part? By reading this, you’re already subscribed to receive those floor reports as soon as they’re published, keeping you ahead of the curve on legislation being considered.
Plus, the policy debates and political narratives that will shape this session’s decisions are already underway.
Catch all this and more in this week’s newsletter!
For Liberty, For Texas
Jeramy D. Kitchen
President, Texas Policy Research
Featured
Meet the New Faces of the 89th Texas Legislature
As the dust settles from the 2024 General Election, the results reveal a slight shift in the political landscape of the Texas Legislature. When the 89th Legislative Session opens in January 2025, it will include 3 new State Senators and 32 new State Representatives. But who are these newcomers? What are their backgrounds, and what experience do they bring to the table? We’ve compiled an overview of each to provide context for the fresh faces joining the Texas Legislature in 2025.
Other Recent Content
New Research Shows Texas Has the Highest Electricity Costs in the Nation
- Recent research by The Energy Alliance indicates that Texas’s wholesale electricity prices averaged $117 per megawatt-hour from 2021 to 2023, marking a 208% increase from previous years. This surge has led to higher costs for both consumers and businesses.
- The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 expanded renewable energy subsidies, tripling the annual budget for these incentives. While this policy accelerated the shift to renewable sources like wind and solar, it also contributed to increased electricity costs and raised concerns about grid reliability due to the intermittent nature of these energy sources.
The Growing Movement to Eliminate Property Taxes: Will Texas Join the Tax Revolt?
- States like North Dakota are considering eliminating property taxes, aiming to reduce financial burdens on homeowners and enhance economic competitiveness. This movement reflects growing dissatisfaction with property taxes, which are often seen as regressive and burdensome.
- Despite incremental property tax relief efforts, Texas continues to face challenges with rising property values and tax burdens. The state is now contemplating more substantial reforms, including the potential elimination of property taxes, to address these issues and maintain its appeal to businesses and residents.
A Taxing Comparison: How Texas Stacks Up Against Other States
- Texas distinguishes itself by not imposing a personal income tax, making it attractive to individuals and businesses seeking to minimize tax burdens. This policy fosters economic growth and draws entities from higher-tax states, contributing to a competitive business environment
- To compensate for the lack of income tax, Texas relies heavily on property and sales taxes. The state has some of the highest property tax rates in the nation, which can place a significant financial burden on homeowners and renters. Additionally, the combined state and local sales tax rate can exceed 8%, disproportionately affecting lower-income individuals who spend a larger portion of their income on taxable goods and services
Privacy Under Siege: Insights From the FTC on Social Media Surveillance in Texas
- An FTC report shows that social media and streaming platforms gather extensive personal data, including age, location, interests, and online activity, often from data brokers. Many companies lack transparency on data collection and third-party sharing, posing significant privacy risks.
- The FTC highlights how platforms use tracking technologies, like embedded pixels, to monitor user behavior without consent. Algorithms intended to boost engagement can expose minors to harmful content, raising concerns over user protection.
Legislative Countdowns
Prefiling Legislation Begins: 3 Days
89th Legislative Session Begins: 66 Days
Bill Filing Deadline: 125 Days
89th Legislative Session Ends: 205 Days
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