The Texas Legislature made significant decisions in 2025, impacting homeowners, education, and public safety. Key highlights include substantial property tax relief, increased funding for public schools, and new initiatives to address environmental concerns.
Property Tax Relief and School Funding Boost
In a move to assist homeowners, the Texas Legislature approved a constitutional amendment that raised the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000. Additionally, residents aged 65 and older received an extra $60,000 exemption. This decision, reported by The Dallas Morning News, aims to alleviate financial pressure on homeowners across the state.
Furthermore, lawmakers passed a major public school funding bill, allocating $8.5 billion for teacher and support staff raises, as well as operational funding. A statewide school voucher plan was also approved, featuring an initial funding of $1 billion. This plan allows eligible families to use public funds for private school education, marking a significant shift in the state’s education policy.
Environmental Initiatives and Public Safety Measures
In response to devastating floods that resulted in at least 135 fatalities in the Hill Country, legislators approved funding aimed at strengthening flood warning systems. This includes expanding river and rainfall gauges and speeding up updates to flood-risk mapping. The funding is part of a broader effort to enhance public safety following the natural disaster.
Additionally, the Texas Lottery Commission was abolished. Oversight of lottery operations has now shifted to the Department of Licensing and Regulation. The new regulations include a ban on online ticket sales and courier services, signaling a significant change in the state’s approach to lottery management.
As the New Year approaches, the Texas A&M Forest Service issued warnings regarding elevated wildfire risks due to unusually dry and warm weather conditions. With about 90% of wildfires caused by human activity, officials are urging the public to take precautions, including ensuring vehicles are properly maintained to avoid creating sparks that could ignite fires. Currently, 103 counties in Texas are under a burn ban, and residents can check the list of affected areas online.
Legal Developments and Industry Impacts
A federal judge temporarily blocked a new state law that mandated app stores to verify the ages of users. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman issued an injunction against the law, citing potential violations of free speech rights under the First Amendment. Attorney General Ken Paxton announced intentions to appeal the ruling, highlighting ongoing tensions between state regulations and technological privacy concerns.
In another notable legal development, the divorce files of Ken Paxton and his wife, Angela Paxton, were unsealed, revealing claims of infidelity and a breakdown in their marriage. The couple agreed to make the documents public after media companies advocated for transparency. Angela Paxton, a Republican state senator, filed for divorce, citing the marriage as “unsupportable.”
Furthermore, the construction industry in South Texas faces challenges as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested more than 9,100 individuals in the region. Builders report that these arrests are contributing to slowdowns in new home construction, impacting job availability and economic growth. According to the Federal Reserve of Dallas, there was a 5% drop in construction jobs during the third quarter of 2025.
Conservation Efforts for Endangered Whooping Cranes
Amid these legislative changes, conservation groups have made strides in protecting the endangered whooping crane. They purchased over 3,000 acres of prairie land along the Gulf of Mexico for habitat preservation. This $8 million investment, including the acquisition of the 2,200-acre Costa Grande Ranch, aims to provide winter grounds for the last wild flock of whooping cranes.
According to Julie Shackelford, Texas state director of The Conservation Fund, protecting these coastal landscapes is crucial as they rapidly disappear. Conservation efforts have successfully increased the number of whooping cranes from fewer than 25 a century ago to nearly 600 today, but ensuring their survival requires ongoing commitment to habitat preservation.
These developments reflect a transformative year for Texas, as legislative changes and environmental initiatives seek to address pressing issues facing the state and its residents.