AUSTIN, Texas — In January, the Texas 89th legislative session will begin.
On Wednesday, House Speaker Dade Phelan issued his interim charges, telling members of the House what he wants them to work on in the meantime.
Multiple housing issues are on his list, including the potential for more property tax relief and legislation on housing affordability.
The speaker also wants lawmakers to look into how education savings accounts work in other states. ESAs, also known as school vouchers, would allow families to use state money to send their children to private schools. It was a priority for Gov. Greg Abbott last year, but ultimately, an education savings account bill did not make it to his desk.
Some other items on the interim charges list include preventing wildfires, identifying the state's most congested roads and reviewing the state's operations on the border.
“The House has delivered a record number of achievements that strengthen our state’s leadership in economic growth and prosperity, while further establishing Texas as the nation’s trailblazer for conservative policies,” said Speaker Phelan. “These interim charges set the foundation for House committees to gather insight from stakeholders and interested Texans, identify legislative solutions for our most pressing issues and make recommendations to the full House chamber for consideration next session.”
Over the next few months, lawmakers on different House committees will study these issues and make policy recommendations.
On the other side of the Capitol, state senators are already working on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's interim charges, which he issued last month.