Howdy!
We want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This will be our final newsletter of the year as we gear up for the 89th Legislative Session, kicking off on January 14, 2025.
With lawmakers actively pre-filing legislation ahead of the session, we’ve been hard at work reviewing and spotlighting key bills in our recent articles.
You’ll find all this and more in this week’s newsletter—let’s dive in!
For Liberty, For Texas
Jeramy D. Kitchen
President, Texas Policy Research
Featured
Texas Moves to Restrict Abortion Pills With New Legislation
Texas has introduced new legislation aimed at restricting the use of abortion pills, tightening regulations around their distribution and usage. Lawmakers argue that the move is necessary to ensure the safety of women and align with Texas’ broader pro-life stance. The legislation reflects the state’s ongoing effort to limit access to abortion following previous legal changes.
Other Recent Content
Who Should Protect Children Online: Parents or the Government?
- Who should be responsible for keeping kids safe online—parents or the government? Parents are in the best position to make decisions for their kids because they understand their family’s unique needs and values. By staying involved and using tools to monitor online activity, parents can keep their kids safe without relying on one-size-fits-all government rules.
- While it might sound like a good idea for the government to step in and regulate online content, this can lead to unintended consequences, like overreaching censorship that affects everyone. Instead, it’s better to give parents the resources and support they need to protect their kids’ online experiences while keeping personal freedoms intact.
Texas Temporarily Halts Harris County Guaranteed Income Program
- A Texas court has temporarily paused Harris County’s guaranteed income program, which would have provided monthly payments to selected low-income residents. The halt comes as legal challenges raise concerns about whether the program is a proper use of taxpayer funds. The decision marks a significant moment as the court considers the program’s legality and impact.
- Supporters of the program argue it helps struggling families, but critics worry about its long-term effects and fairness, as well as the legal and policy questions surrounding guaranteed income generally. Accountability is important, especially when taxpayer dollars are involved. As the case unfolds, its outcome could set a precedent for similar programs in Texas and beyond.
Texas Lawmakers Urge FAA to Approve
Increased SpaceX Launch Cadence at Starbase
- A group of Texas lawmakers is urging the FAA to approve more frequent launches at SpaceX’s Starbase facility. They argue that increasing the launch cadence will boost innovation, create jobs, and solidify Texas as a leader in space exploration. The support highlights the growing importance of private space initiatives to the state’s economy and future.
- Texas lawmakers emphasize that delays in approvals could hold back technological advancements and economic growth in the region. This collaboration between policymakers and industry shows Texas’ commitment to staying at the forefront of space innovation.
Pre-Filed Legislation Summaries
- We have read through all of the pre-filed legislation for the upcoming 89th Legislative Session. While lawmakers will continue filing new bills—and we’ll continue analyzing them—we’ve already compiled summaries of each piece of legislation to give you a head start. These summaries are just the beginning as we gear up for our next round of in-depth policy analysis and prepare our first floor reports once the session is underway.
Recent Events
- We were thrilled to join the Texas Young Republican Winter Policy Summit on December 14th, where we explored the upcoming 89th Legislative Session, highlighted key legislation already filed, discussed major policy themes, and shared insights on what to watch as the session unfolds. A big thank you to the Texas Young Republican Federation for the invitation and the opportunity to engage with such a dynamic group!
Legislative Countdowns
89th Legislative Session Begins: 24 Days
Bill Filing Deadline: 83 Days
89th Legislative Session Ends: 163 Days
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