Welcome back, friends
Incumbent Speaker Dade Phelan faces a challenge from Republican David Cook, with the outcome likely to shape the state's legislative agenda and political landscape.
Today’s Insights:
- Texas House Leadership Battle
- State Vehicle Inspection’s Ending Soon
- Texas’ Razor Wire Border Strategy
Texas House Leadership Battle
In the coming days, Texas House Republicans and Democrats will convene separately to choose their caucus leaders, including their preferred candidate for Speaker of the House. These closed-door meetings, scheduled for early December, will play a pivotal role in shaping the leadership and priorities for the next legislative session. Incumbent Speaker Dade Phelan faces a challenge from Republican David Cook, reflecting divisions within the GOP over issues such as committee chair assignments and policy priorities. While Cook claims support from a majority of House Republicans, Phelan's path to retaining the Speakership may depend on securing bipartisan backing. The outcome of this race will not only set the tone for the House's legislative agenda but also signal the balance of power and unity within Texas politics.
State Vehicle Inspections Ending Soon
Starting January 1, 2025, Texas will no longer require annual safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles, but registration fees will increase by $7.50 to compensate. Vehicles in certain counties, including Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and El Paso areas, must still pass annual emissions tests, with San Antonio following suit in 2026. Commercial vehicles will remain subject to safety inspections regardless of location. This change, introduced through House Bill 3291, aims to streamline registration while maintaining environmental standards in high-density regions.
Texas’ Razor Wire Border Strategy
Texas has installed over 100 miles of razor wire along critical southern border crossing points as part of "Operation Lonestar," a multi-billion-dollar border enforcement effort. A federal appeals court recently upheld Texas’ right to maintain these barriers, with supporters citing a significant drop in illegal crossings in areas where wire was deployed. Critics, however, highlight the humanitarian and logistical challenges, including increased migrant injuries and the constant need for maintenance. With the recent visit of future border czar, Tom Homan, proponents are arguing that the wire serves as an effective deterrent while opponents are questioning its long-term sustainability and ethical implications.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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#43 - Wes Benedict: Bridging Policy and Community with Texans for Reasonable Solutions
Welcome to Episode #43 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Wes Benedict, Grassroots Manager at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.
Wes brings years of advocacy experience and a steady, practical approach to community engagement. The conversation explores how Texas communities can navigate political tension, build cross-partisan coalitions, and create space for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.
They dive into the organization’s focus on key statewide issues including housing, infrastructure, water, and the evolving relationship between local and state governments. Wes breaks down why these policies matter for both everyday Texans and the business community, and how reasonable, bipartisan solutions can move conversations forward.
The episode closes with insights on how individuals can get involved, what success looks like in grassroots policy work, and what Texans should be watching as the special session unfolds.
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Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends,
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at 84, remembered by former President George W. Bush as a “patriot” whose intellect and conviction shaped decades of U.S. policy. In Texas, the Education Agency announced a sweeping takeover of Fort Worth ISD, the state’s second-largest intervention, citing years of academic underperformance and plans to install new local managers. And in Washington, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a bomb threat, prompting an FBI investigation that later found no explosives, allowing operations to resume safely.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
