PHCC Legislative Update

Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued a letter with instructions to state agencies, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate entities related to the Legislative Appropriations Requests (LAR) they will prepare and submit for the 2026-2027 biennium. The letter included their priorities including property tax relief, funding in support of electricity infrastructure, mental health facility funding, funding for Education Savings Accounts, and securing the border. Notably absent from the letter was the signature of House Speaker Dade Phelan. He issued a separate letter with similar instructions, but did not specifically include Education Savings Accounts as a legislative priority. Tensions between Lt. Governor Patrick and Speaker Phelan continue to be high following Patrick’s active opposition to Phelan’s re-election to the House earlier this year.

 
Former Houston Mayor and longtime Texas legislator Sylvester Turner was chosen by Harris County Democratic Party leaders to replace the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on the Democratic ballot in November. The 69-year-old Turner has said he intends to serve no more than two terms.

 
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., will be a candidate on the Texas general election ballot in November. Kennedy’s campaign presented more than the minimum number of valid signatures required to petition for placement on the ballot under Texas law. Democratic leaders in Texas had been trying to keep the Independent candidate off the state ballot.

 
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his office has opened an investigation into CenterPoint Energy’s conduct during Hurricane Beryl. Specifically, the investigation is reviewing allegations of fraud, waste, and improper use of taxpayer-provided funds.

 
As part of an agreement with prosecutors related to his criminal securities fraud case, General Paxton will work at an undisclosed food bank. The case was resolved in March when the parties agreed the charges would be dismissed in exchange for Paxton’s performance of 100 hours of community service, completion of 15 hours of legal ethics classes, and payment of approximately $300,000 in restitution.

 
Retiring Republican State Representative Charles “Doc” Anderson released a statement announcing his early resignation from the House in order to allow the governor to call a special election to the fill the vacancy created by his resignation. This would also bolster his successor’s seniority in the House, which will include at least 31 new members when the legislature convenes in January. Representative Anderson was first elected in 2004.

 
Sarah Hicks, Senior Advisor and Budget Director for Governor Abbott, has departed his office following 22 years of state service between the legislative and executive branches of government. She is expected to join the governor’s former chief of staff, Gardner Pate, in the lobby.

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