Governor Abbott's State of the State Address

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Governor Abbott’s State of the State Address

Under normal circumstances, the House and the Senate will meet in a joint session to hear the Governor’s State of the State Address.  This year Governor Abbott delivered his address at the Visionary Fiber Technologies in Lockhart, Texas.  This was the first time since the 1980s that the a Governor did not deliver the speech from the Texas Capitol. 

 During Governor Abbott’s State of the State address, he declared five emergency items. 

 The emergency items are:

  • Expanding broadband access;
  • Passing laws that prevent cities from defunding the police;
  • Fixing the "flawed bail system;" 
  • Election integrity so Texans can have "trust and confidence in the outcome of elections;" and
  • Coronavirus-related civil liberty protections for "individuals, businesses and health care providers that operated safely during the pandemic."

 By declaring these items as an emergency will allow the Legislature to take action on them within the first 60 days of the legislative session.  Abbott also noted other areas he believes should be priorities this legislative session, including continued investment in education and mental health support.

The full transcript of the governor’s address can be viewed here.

 

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan Releases Committee Assignments

 Last Thursday, Speaker Dade Phelan released his committee assignments.  The announcement came much earlier than anyone inside the Capitol arena expected. 

 Here is a breakdown of demographics.

 

  • The House has 82 Republicans and 67 Democrats; House District 68 is vacant;
  • 21 Republicans and 13 Democrats were selected as chairs, showing an approach toward bipartisanship in the House;
  • 5 committee chairs and 14 vice-chairs are women, while 14 chairs and 21 vice-chairs are Black, Hispanic or Asian American; and
  • 11 committee chairs are from rural areas and 24 committee chairs are from urban areas.

 View the full list of assignments by committee and by member.

 Cheri Brimberry Huddleston

Legislative Consultant