Texas is gearing up for a busy legislative session and facing various challenges across different sectors. The 89th Legislature's regular session, which began on January 14, is expected to run until June 2, 2025, with Republicans controlling both the Texas House and Senate[1].

Key issues on the agenda include debating school vouchers, improving the state's water supply, and reining in property taxes. The new speaker of the Texas House, elected with a coalition of Republican and Democratic votes, will have a significant impact on the direction of this year's lawmaking[1].

On the economic front, the Texas economy has shown modest growth, with moderate gains in services revenue and a resumption of retail sales increases. However, job growth has slowed, and home sales and energy activity remain flat[2].

Environmental concerns are also at the forefront, particularly with the ongoing drought in the Rio Grande Valley. The National Weather Service predicts that January to March 2025 will be warmer and drier than normal, with a high risk of drought expansion and increased wildfire concerns[3].

In education, Governor Abbott is pushing to stop funding diversity programs in K-12 schools, following a DEI ban at the state's public universities in 2023[1].

Looking Ahead:
- The Texas Legislature will continue to debate key issues such as school vouchers and property taxes.
- The state's water supply challenges are expected to remain a priority, with State Sen. Charles Perry aiming to address the issue.
- The economic outlook for Texas will be closely watched, with businesses hoping for a more robust impact from the declining federal funds rate.
- Environmental concerns, particularly drought and wildfires, will continue to be a focus in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI