Legislative Recap WE 2/5/21

 

 

 
 

 

Governor Greg Abbott started our week with his virtual State of the State address, outlining five emergency items for legislators to prioritize this session: expanding broadband access, preventing cities from “defunding” police departments, changing Texas’ bail system, ensuring elections integrity, and protecting businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits. This address was followed a few days later by his 2022-23 budget which included and built on his priorities in the State of the State, recommending that the Legislature increase the availability of teleservices, continue the progress made on school finance and property tax reform, and continue to attract jobs and capital investments to the state.

Thursday, House Speaker Dade Phelan released House Committee Assignments for the 87th Legislative Session. Some noteworthy changes were made to the leadership of certain powerful committees: Rep. Greg Bonnen (R) will replace Rep. Gio Capriglione (R) at the helm of House Appropriations; Rep. Briscoe Cain (R) now chairs the House Elections Committee, replacing Rep. Klick (R) who now chairs the Committee on Public Health; Rep. Harold Dutton (D) takes Rep. Dan Huberty’s (R) place as Chair of the Public Education Committee; the House Redistricting Committee, previously overseen by Rep. Phil King (R), will now be led by Rep. Todd Hunter (R); Rep. Four Price (R) has been relocated from his lead position on the Calendars Committee and replaced by Rep. Dustin Burrows (R); and Rep. Chris Paddie (R) now oversees the State Affairs Committee—previously chaired by the Speaker himself. No Committee meetings have been scheduled as of yet.
 
Also in the House, Governor Abbott has set February 23 as the special runoff election in House District 68. Republicans Craig Carter and David Spiller will face off to see who will replace former Representative (now-Senator) Drew Springer. Early voting will begin on February 16th.
 
In the Senate, remember that Senate Finance Committee meetings will kick off on Monday.
 
In better-than-usual federal economic news, the Congressional Budget Office has projected continued economic recovery and strengthening over the next five years even without another significant infusion of emergency aid, which the U.S. Congress appears on-track to pass.
 
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced Friday that we can expect 401,750 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine for Week Nine of vaccine distribution. Those doses will be shipped to 358 providers in 135 counties across the state, including 85 hub providers. Additionally, AstraZeneca (UK) and Novavax (US) announced positive results from Phase III trials of their COVID-19 vaccines, and Johnson & Johnson (US) announced Thursday that it would be seeking an Emergency Use Authorization for its investigational single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

 

Texas Headlines

 

Abbott proposes a budget of his own
 

There are far more Texans eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine than doses available. Here’s what you need to know about getting one.
 

Attendance is down, but expenses are up. Texas schools don’t know what that means for their bottom lines
 

Texas House Democrats urge state to waive STAAR, commit to full funding this year
 

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations decreasing after record highs in January
 

TxDOT updates progress on Permian Promise road construction
 

Oil and gas cleanups are on Biden’s agenda. Will Texas embrace it?
 

Former head of Arizona Chamber of Commerce to become President and CEO of TAB
 

Texas making major changes following KXAN racial profiling investigation
 

Speaker Dade Phelan shakes up Texas House leadership with new chairs on key committees
 

 

 

 

 

Countdown to Sine Die

 

 

 

 
 

What to Expect Next Week

 

View this document for scheduled legislative meetings. 

 

 

Priority Bill Tracking Report

 

Please click HERE to review bills tracked through February 5, 2021.

 

 

Relevant State & Federal COVID-19 Updates from the Week

 

Please click HERE to read the COVID-19 Updates from the week. 

 

 
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