Here’s a quick recap of what happened over the last week:
House Rejects Motion to Remove Speaker
A very misguided and poorly strategized motion to remove Speaker Dustin Burrows was soundly defeated by a vote of 141-2 on Wednesday on the House floor. The effort was led by Rep. Brian Harrison – Republican from Waxahachie — who has been leading the vocal but shrinking opposition to Burrows – a fellow Republican from Lubbock – since his election as Speaker of the House on the first day of the session in January. Harrison led the charge to elect Rep. David Cook of Mansfield, who had been nominated by a slim majority of the House Republican Caucus to lead the House.
Harrison filed House Resolution 823 on Tuesday evening that detailed his reasons and intentions to make the motion to remove Burrows due to his “commitment to voter fraud by cutting a deal with the Democrats to become Speaker”. The resolution went on to say that Burrows is empowering Democrats by appointing them to key leadership positions in the House and thus allowing them to derail top Republican initiatives.
After a brief discussion on the House floor, the resolution was defeated by the above-mentioned margin, 141-2. The other member supporting Harrison was freshman Republican David Lowe of Fort Worth. Harrison could not even garner the support of other more conservative members of the House that joined him in opposing Burrows’ election as Speaker in January. Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R, Arlington), also a vocal opponent of Burrows, issued a statement after the vote saying Harrison’s effort “was not a path to improving our chamber…Rep. Harrison stood for himself.”
The vote further empowers and solidifies Burrows leadership over the lower chamber and will certainly extinguish any other efforts to oust him this session.
DOGE Bill Passes House
The House this week approved Senate Bill 14, known as the “Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act.” The bill establishes a new Texas regulatory office under the governor’s authority. The office would review and identify state regulations that are perceived as duplicative, overly burdensome, or outdated. Backed by Republicans in both chambers, the bill is expected to be the first of the 89th legislative session to reach Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. If signed, the office would be funded at $25 million over five years and be tasked with increasing transparency, reducing regulatory costs, and simplifying language for public understanding. The proposal aligns with Republican efforts to promote business-friendly reforms, mirroring initiatives like Virginia’s regulatory office and Elon Musk’s DOGE.
The bill includes a significant shift in legal interpretation: courts would no longer be required to defer to state agencies’ interpretations of laws, even when statutes are ambiguous. This move follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 overturning of the Chevron doctrine. Some Republicans, like Rep. Brian Harrison, argue the bill is counter-intuitive to Republican norms by increasing government power and oversight. Democrats have raised concerns about undermining agency expertise and judicial impartiality, particularly in areas impacting workers, tenants, and the environment. Amendments to add bipartisan appointments and sunset provisions were rejected, reinforcing the executive-driven nature of the proposed office.
The advisory panel for the office would include business leaders, researchers, and public stakeholders, and the legislation outlines efforts to make regulatory processes more transparent through an online portal. This platform would give constituents greater access to agency rules, while the office would work with agencies to streamline requirements and eliminate inefficiencies. Some argue that simplifying Texas’s 274,000 existing regulations will benefit small businesses and accelerate economic growth. Meanwhile, critics caution that the bill may jeopardize protections by downplaying expert judgment and weakening public accountability in regulatory oversight. Ultimately, SB 14 reflects a broader Republican-led push this session to make Texas more attractive to businesses, alongside bills like HB 15 and SB 30, which aim to limit shareholder lawsuits.
House Debates State Budget
After 13 hours of debate, the Texas House approved their version of $337 billion two-year spending plan at 3AM this morning. The House and Senate plans align in major areas of spending including leaving roughly $40 billion in unspent funds from the budget surplus currently benefiting lawmakers.
Nearly 400 amendments to the budget were prefiled prior to floor debate, but over 300 of those were either withdrawn or placed on a “wish list”, which is a graveyard for amendments that lack support from the full membership. In the end, only 25 amendments were approved by the full House.
Highlights of the House spending plan include $75 billion to fund public schools, which includes a $395 per student increase received by each school district and $1 billion for a forthcoming public school voucher program allowing families to access public funds to use towards private school tuition. The budget also allots $51 billion to send to local governments to offset mandated property tax cuts, and $6.5 billion to border security to continue funding of Operation Lone Star, the state’s border enforcement initiative started in 2021.
Paxton to Challenge Cornyn
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced this week – in what had been rumored for the past several months — that he was challenging Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary next year, setting up what is likely to be the most contentious and expensive intraparty contest of 2026.
Cornyn announced in March that he would seek reelection to a 5th term in the US Senate in a video that attempted to highlight his close working relationship with President Trump. Cornyn has taken heat from the more conservative wing of the party for his support for military aid to Ukraine, his public skepticism about Trump’s electability ahead of the 2024 election, and his role leading Senate negotiations on a bill restricting firearm access after the 2022 shooting at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary School.
Paxton says it is time for a change, citing Cornyn’s lack of production in his 22 years in the Senate and stressing that Cornyn has been a consistent critic of President Trump and his policies.
This race has already gotten nasty and will get nastier. While Paxton questions Cornyn’s conservative credentials, Cornyn counters calling Paxton a “fraud and con man”, a reference to Paxton’s ongoing legal trouble dating back to 2015 when Paxton was indicted on securities fraud charges. Paxton was also impeached by the Texas House on abuse of office allegations in 2023. The 2015 case was ultimately dismissed, and Paxton was acquitted on all counts by the Texas Senate.
With Paxton having the confidence of the more conservative voters in the party, he enters the race as the favorite, even though Cornyn is the incumbent. Many recent polls have shown Paxton with a comfortable lead over Cornyn among Republican primary voters.
The race marks the latest chapter in a power struggle between the Texas GOP’s hardline, socially conservative wing — which views Paxton as a standard-bearer — and the Cornyn-aligned, business-minded more traditional voters.
Statewide Officeholder Shuffle?
With Paxton now running for the US Senate, he will not be able to seek reelection to the office of Attorney General. Early rumors have state Senator Bryan Hughes (R, Mineola) strongly considering a run for AG. Hughes currently chairs the powerful Senate State Affairs Committee and is a key part of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s leadership team in the Senate. Others considering the race are state Rep. Mitch Little (R, Denton) who was part of Paxton’s impeachment defense team and state Senator Joan Huffman (R, Houston), who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. Former state House member and former Republican Party of Texas chair Matt Rinaldi is also said to be considering a run. Former US Attorney John Bash announced yesterday he is entering the Republican primary race for AG. Bash served as a federal prosecutor for the Western District of Texas during President Trump’s first term and then served as special assistant to President Trump in 2020.
Another statewide office that will be open next year is State Comptroller. Current Comptroller Glenn Hegar will leave that office this summer to take the job as Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Republican Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines of Dallas are already declared candidates. Huffines has the endorsement of US Senator Ted Cruz. Others considering the race – all Republicans — are state Senator Paul Bettencourt of Houston, who is also the county’s former tax assessor-collector; along with Senate colleagues Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham; and Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills.
The other major statewide offices will likely see the incumbent seek reelection. Gov. Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller have all announced their intentions to seek a 4th term in their current offices. Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has not announced her intentions for 2026.
House Committee Hears Hemp Bills
On Monday, the Texas House State Affairs Committee reviewed two highly anticipated bills targeting the THC and hemp product industry in Texas. Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) proposes a sweeping ban on all THC products, with the exception of those covered under the state’s medical program. In contrast, House Bill 28 (HB 28) would ban synthetic THC and consumables like gummies and vapes, while allowing regulated THC-infused beverages. The House bill also includes age restrictions, purchase limits, and advertising regulations aimed at protecting minors and curbing public health risks. HB 28 author and State Affairs Committee Chairman Ken King (R, Canadian) emphasized the need for oversight to address what he described as a currently unregulated industry.
The hearing drew great interest from supporters and opponents alike. The large turnout filled the hearing room, overflow areas, and even the Capitol hallways. Many opponents of the proposed ban were business owners, consumers, and legal experts who argued that overly broad restrictions would harm legitimate businesses, drive sales into the black market, and limit access to products that help manage serious health conditions. Critics of HB 28 highlighted inconsistencies in the bill—such as permitting THC-infused beverages while banning other forms like oils and gummies. Several witnesses shared personal stories of using these products to treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease and insomnia, while still acknowledging the real risks posed by unregulated synthetic THC products linked to mental health crises.
Supporters of a complete ban, including law enforcement and concerned parents, cited safety concerns, particularly the risk of children accessing THC-laced products. Like the bill’s critics, the Texas Police Chiefs Association expressed concern over the House bill’s beverage carveout, warning it could create loopholes and necessitate future legislative fixes. Meanwhile, business owners cautioned that eliminating an $8 billion market without offering viable alternatives would devastate small businesses and push consumers toward more dangerous, unregulated sources.
The debate has highlighted a divide between the House and Senate, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pushing for a strict, large-scale ban, while the House appears more open to a regulatory framework. Although the Senate has already passed SB 3, HB 28 remains under committee discussion. Final legislation will likely require further negotiation. Patrick has reiterated his commitment to a full ban by threatening a special session if a strong ban is not passed, ensuring the fight over the future of THC regulation in Texas is far from over.
Life of Mother Act Heard in Committees
In a rare moment of bipartisan collaboration, Texas lawmakers, medical professionals, and advocates on both sides of the abortion debate are rallying behind two new bills, Senate Bill 31 and House Bill 44, designed to clarify the state’s abortion laws. Named the “Life of the Mother Act,” the legislation does not expand legal access to abortion but aims to remove the fear and confusion doctors face when treating pregnant patients in life-threatening situations. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Texas has enforced one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, permitting exceptions only to save the mother’s life. However, ambiguity in the law, coupled with the threat of imprisonment and significant fines, has caused many doctors to delay or deny critical care, sometimes with tragic consequences.
SB 31 and HB 44 aim to eliminate this uncertainty by clearly defining what qualifies as a medical emergency and affirming that physicians can perform abortions when necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm. Notably, the bills replace vague language like “life-threatening” with the standard of “reasonable medical judgment” to determine when intervention is justified. They also explicitly state that discussions of abortion-related emergency care among medical professionals are not grounds for prosecution. Additionally, the legislation proposes continuing education requirements for both healthcare providers and attorneys to ensure they are trained to interpret and apply Texas abortion law confidently and correctly.
Supporters of the legislation include state leaders such as Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, along with influential groups like the Texas Medical Association and Texas Alliance for Life. Even organizations that helped craft Texas’ abortion bans have endorsed the bills, emphasizing that they do not change the law but instead improve its implementation. However, critics argue the bills fall short of addressing the deeper harms caused by the state’s near-total abortion ban.
Despite its limitations, the “Life of the Mother Act” is being applauded as a necessary step toward reducing preventable suffering and restoring some trust in Texas’ healthcare system. As the bills move forward with bipartisan support, they reflect a shared goal while participating in across the aisle legislation. After Monday, SB 31 was left pending action from the Senate State Affairs committee and HB 44 was left pending action from the House Public Health committee.
Proposed Settlement in Paxton Whistleblower Case
A Travis County district court judge on Friday awarded $6.6 million to four former senior aides to Attorney General Ken Paxton who said they were improperly fired after reporting Paxton to the FBI for allegations of abuse of office. State District Judge Catherine Mauzy stated in her judgment that the plaintiffs had proven by a “preponderance of the evidence” that Paxton’s office had violated the Texas Whistleblower Act.
The case was sparked when eight former aides, including the four plaintiffs, reported Paxton to federal authorities in September 2020 over his relations with Nate Paul, a campaign donor and Austin real estate investor. The whistleblowers accused Paxton of abusing his office to do favors for Paul, including hiring an outside lawyer to investigate claims made by Paul and providing him confidential law enforcement documents.
Paxton said he would no longer contest the facts of the case — despite the fact that the allegations by the whistleblowers were similar to the ones his lawyers had vigorously disputed during last summer’s impeachment trial where Paxton was acquitted. Tom Nesbitt, the attorney for two of the whistleblowers, said in a statement that Paxton “admitted” to breaking the law to avoid being questioned under oath.
In a post made to X last Friday, Paxton declared his intent to appeal the ruling since the Department of Justice has declared they will no longer pursue the investigation into Paxton.
Political Notes
Gov. Abbott has finally called the special election to replace the late US Rep. Sylvester in Congressional District 18 in Houston. The special election will take place on Tuesday, November 4th. Abbott blamed the delay in calling the election on Harris County’s history of problems in recent elections, including running out of ballots in 2022. In the announcement, Abbott said the extra time is needed to allow Harris County to adequately prepare for the special election.
Turner died unexpectedly on March 5th from health complications. This is the second time in the last 9 months the seat has needed to have a special election. Longtime Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee died in July of 2024 following a battle with cancer.
Congressman Wesley Hunt, Republican from the Houston area, has begun running ads that simply praise the 2nd term Congressman and his work supporting the Trump agenda in Washington. The ad buy is reportedly over $1 million and is currently running in the Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Lubbock markets. This is fueling speculation that Hunt is also considering a challenge to Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary.
One last note on the US Senate race. US Senator Ted Cruz told reporters in Washington this week that he will not be endorsing Cornyn or Paxton in next year’s primary contest, calling them both friends.
And finally, President Trump yesterday announced his endorsement of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick for reelection in 2026, saying “Dan Patrick has my complete and total endorsement – he will never let you down.”
What’s Next??
The Senate has recessed until 11AM on Monday.
The House is adjourned until 2PM on Monday.
A listing of all committee hearings for next week can be found here: https://www.legis.state.tx.us
On Monday, there will be 47 days left in the session.