TEXAS — Gov. Greg Abbott addressed the state of Texas on Sunday night in his State of the State address.
Abbott began by highlighting Texas’ economy, saying, “Texas is the most powerful economy in America. Ranked as the best state for doing business for 20 years, Texas is No. 1 for the most new jobs, No. 1 for economic development, and No. 1 as the best state to start a new business.”
His address outlined seven emergency items to be tackled by the legislature during the 89th legislative session. The items include:
Texas Cyber Command creation
Abbott announced plans for a new state agency to manage cybersecurity.
The Texas Cyber Command partners with the University of Texas at San Antonio, leveraging their cybersecurity experts to safeguard state assets.
Increasing teacher pay
The governor outlined three pillars to reach his goal of becoming No. 1 in educating students.
- Prioritizing parental empowerment, the initial focus is on schools adapting to parental needs and assisting in school selection aligned with children’s requirements.
- The state should allocate funding and provide training to teachers, as well as increase salaries to raise the average teacher pay to a record level.
- The governor stated that Texas schools must emphasize advanced instruction and a curriculum free from “woke agendas,” as he seeks to abolish DEI programs in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Property tax relief
Abbott is requesting a minimum of $10 billion for property tax relief. The governor added that to prevent municipalities from using loopholes to raise taxes, certain stipulations must be implemented.
“No taxing entity should be able to raise your property taxes without a two-thirds approval by voters.”
Water infrastructure investment
Abbott emphasized the depletion of some water supplies and the prevalence of leaky and broken water lines in many communities. He also acknowledged that Rio Grande Valley and West Texas farmers lack sufficient water for their crops.
“Last session, we invested $1 billion in water projects and infrastructure. This session, we will Texas-size that investment.”
Expanding career training opportunities
Abbott wants lawmakers to fund improved high school career programs to build a stronger state workforce.
The governor took the time to highlight Raya Rabold, who became a welder after attending Texas State Technical College. Her welding work was featured on the TV show “Yellowstone.”
Abbott said, “Vital to education is expanding career training. Many of the most in-demand jobs are careers like welders, plumbers and electricians.”
School choice
Abbott supports a plan to provide $1 billion in education savings accounts for all Texas students, helping cover private school expenses.
Abbott prioritized education savings accounts for private school tuition in his 2023 agenda and 2024 Republican primary campaign, aiming for universal school vouchers in Texas.
Bail reform
Abbott urged limitations on judicial authority to release violent repeat offenders on parole.
Abbott proposed in his address eliminating parole for violent child traffickers, denying bail to those suspected of capital murder or other violent crimes and to undocumented immigrants arrested for any offense.
Texas Democrats' response
In response to Gov. Abbott’s State of the State address, Texas Democrats asserted his lack of understanding regarding the needs of everyday citizens.
“The governor doesn’t have a clue what the state of your state is,” said Gilberto Hinojosa, chair of the Texas Democratic Party.
The response focused on reproductive rights, health care access, energy, Texas’s education system, and our relationship with Mexico.
The testimonials featured a Dallas OB-GYN, a Houston union member and a San Antonio educator.