AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Legislature wrapped up its 2025 session with the passage of a series of transformative bills, marking significant shifts in the state’s approach to education funding, taxation, and social policy. Governor Greg Abbott signed into law measures that include a historic $10 billion property tax relief package, an $8.5 billion investment in public education, and controversial legislation touching on school vouchers, religious displays in classrooms, abortion exceptions, gender definitions, and immigration enforcement.
Education Overhaul: Funding Boost and School Vouchers
At the forefront of the session’s achievements is House Bill 2, which allocates $8.5 billion to public education. This includes $4 billion dedicated to teacher and staff pay raises, aiming to address educator shortages and improve educational outcomes across the state. The funding also supports enhancements in career and technical education, particularly in rural areas, to better prepare students for the workforce.
Complementing this investment is Senate Bill 2, introducing a $1 billion school voucher program. Starting in 2026, families can receive up to $10,000 per student annually to cover private school tuition and related expenses, with increased amounts for students with disabilities. While proponents argue this expands educational choice, critics express concern over potential funding diversions from public schools and the impact on students who remain in the public education system.
Property Tax Relief for Homeowners
In response to rising property taxes, the legislature approved a $10 billion relief package aimed at increasing homestead exemptions and reducing school district tax rates. This initiative seeks to alleviate the financial burden on homeowners and is part of a broader $338 billion two-year state budget, bolstered by a $24 billion surplus.
Religious Displays in Schools Spark Legal Debate
Senate Bill 10 mandates the display of a 16-by-20-inch English version of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, effective September 1. Supporters, including Governor Abbott, argue that the commandments are foundational to the nation’s legal system. However, the law has prompted legal challenges from families and faith leaders who contend it violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
Addressing concerns over the state’s near-total abortion ban, Senate Bill 31, known as the “Life of the Mother Act,” clarifies that abortions are permissible when a pregnancy endangers the mother’s life or poses a serious risk of substantial impairment to a major bodily function. The bill aims to provide clearer guidelines for physicians, though some medical professionals and advocates argue that the language remains ambiguous and may not sufficiently protect patients or healthcare providers.
House Bill 229 establishes legal definitions of “man” and “woman” based on biological sex, requiring state documents to reflect an individual’s sex assigned at birth. Critics, including LGBTQ+ advocates, argue that the law discriminates against transgender and intersex individuals by disregarding gender identity and could lead to challenges in accessing appropriate services and legal recognition.
Senate Bill 8 mandates that sheriffs in counties with populations over 100,000 enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce federal immigration laws. The law, effective January 1, 2026, aims to strengthen local-federal cooperation but has raised concerns about potential racial profiling and the erosion of trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
Several measures passed during the session will require voter ratification in the upcoming November elections. Additionally, Governor Abbott has called a special session starting July 21 to address vetoed bills, including the controversial Senate Bill 3, which seeks to ban THC products.
The 2025 legislative session reflects Texas’s ongoing efforts to reshape its policies on education, taxation, and social issues, setting the stage for continued debates and legal challenges in the months ahead.
