The Texas Legislature made significant decisions in 2025 that will affect residents across the state. These changes include adjustments to property taxes, increased funding for public schools, and modifications to the state’s approach to app store regulations.
Property Tax Relief and Education Funding
In a move welcomed by homeowners, the Legislature approved a constitutional amendment in November, raising the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000. Residents aged 65 and older will benefit from an additional $60,000 exemption. This measure is expected to provide substantial relief for many families struggling with rising property costs.
The Legislature also passed a major public school funding bill, injecting $8.5 billion into salaries for teachers and support staff, alongside additional operational funding. Additionally, lawmakers established a statewide school voucher program with an initial allocation of $1 billion, allowing eligible families to utilize public funds for private school education.
Regulatory Changes and Environmental Concerns
In a significant regulatory shift, the Texas Lottery Commission was abolished, with oversight being transferred to the Department of Licensing and Regulation. This change includes a ban on online ticket sales and courier services, marking a substantial change in how lottery services are offered in the state.
In response to devastating floods that claimed at least 135 lives in the Hill Country, particularly along the Guadalupe River, lawmakers allocated funds to enhance flood warning systems. This initiative aims to expand river and rainfall gauges while accelerating updates to flood-risk mapping, addressing the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness.
Meanwhile, the Texas A&M Forest Service has raised alarms regarding elevated wildfire risks due to unusually warm and dry conditions as the New Year approaches. Luke Kanclerz from the forest service noted that areas with above-normal grass production, particularly near cities like Abilene and Amarillo, are now dormant and pose a heightened fire danger. With about 90% of wildfires in Texas caused by human activity, authorities are urging residents to take precautions, especially since 103 counties are currently under burn bans.
Legal Developments and Conservation Efforts
In a legal setback for state lawmakers, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman temporarily blocked a new law requiring app stores to verify user ages. The law aimed to restrict app access for those under 18 and mandated parental consent for downloads. Judge Pitman argued that the law likely infringes on free speech rights, comparing it to a hypothetical requirement for bookstores to verify the ages of all customers. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced plans to appeal this ruling.
In the realm of conservation, over 3,000 acres of prairie land along the Gulf of Mexico has been purchased by conservation groups to serve as a habitat for the endangered whooping crane. This $8 million acquisition includes two tracts in Calhoun County, providing crucial wintering grounds for the last wild flock of whooping cranes, which has grown from fewer than two dozen a century ago to nearly 600 today.
As the population of whooping cranes continues to expand, experts emphasize the necessity of securing adequate habitats to support their recovery, highlighting the importance of these recent conservation efforts.
The developments in Texas underscore a year of significant legislative activity that will impact various facets of life in the state, from education and taxation to environmental sustainability and public safety.
