TEXAS SIT-REP IMPROVING HIGHER EDUCATION
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Article contributed by COL Terry Wilson US Army, Retired R-TX20 State Representative for Williamson County
here has been a lot of discussion in the last year about what did and did not get done in the 88th Texas Legislature. While these issues are clearly important, I want to take a moment to go over some of the changes to Texas law that you may not have heard about that will have an impact on you and your family. These changes may not get a great deal of attention from the media or activist groups, but they are the ones about which I get the most questions from constituents on a day-to-day basis. People want to know that their kids will receive an education that opens doors for their future, that the economy of the state will continue to grow and provide them with new opportunities, and that their family will be safe from harm. Here is what we got done on those issues in 2023. PROPERTY TAX RELIEF & SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT $12.8 billion in new property tax relief, for a total of $18 billion overall. Homestead Exemptions were increased from $40,000 to $100,000. Economic development incentives were created that encourage investment in Texas to deliver compression on school property taxes over time. Small businesses will have new protections from the types of sudden large increases in property tax bills that have closed hundreds of Texas businesses. Franchise Tax exemption doubled from $1.1 million to $2.2 million, exempting over 67,000 small businesses from burdensome franchise taxes.
SUPPORTING PUBLIC EDUCATION Overall state funds to public education of $50.4 billion. Schools will now receive $15,000 per campus and $10 per student for improving school safety. School safety standards will require at least one highly trained and qualified armed security guard to be on patrol at each campus during regular school hours. Teachers will have more access to high-quality instructional materials that support on-grade-level instruction. Retired teachers will receive a long-needed cost of living adjustment, as well as a 13th check to help adjust for the impact of inflation on our fixed-income seniors. Schools may now have a volunteer chaplain on staff to help support students.
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Community College and Junior College funding has moved to a new dynamic formula based on performance metrics and workforce development that will provide more support for vocational training and building our future workforce. “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) offices have been banned at public universities, preventing taxpayer funds from going towards enforcing leftist policies not supported by Texans. The tenure process has been reformed, allowing a dismissal process for professors who commit serious breaches of professional conduct. The Texas University Fund was established to help fund competitive research at Texas universities; will bring industrial investment and economic development.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE Approval process for property development and building review has been streamlined, requiring local governments to utilize third-party reviewers if they fail to complete projects in a timely manner. $1.05 billion for the Texas Broadband Fund to help provide rural areas with vital information infrastructure, allowing commercial and industrial investment and bringing new jobs. The “New Water Supply for Texas Fund” and the “Texas Water Fund” will help provide financial assistance to addressing pressing water challenges across Texas. Insurance providers will no longer be allowed “environmental, social, and corporate governance” (ESG) ratemaking. This will ensure insurers charge similar rates for similar hazards and help prevent external pressures from influencing insurers’ business decisions.
HEALTHCARE $11.6 billion for mental health and behavioral services. $447.2 million in funds for women’s health, an increase of $160.1 million. Prescription drugs from Canada can now be imported wholesale through the Texas Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program. Healthcare providers are now required to itemize all services and supplies when billing patients. An incentive grant program was established for universities that run programs to recruit, train, and produce behavioral health and psychiatric specialists, with a priority on those who serve rural or undeserved areas. The Thriving Texas Families Act will ensure proper and better coordinated access to pregnancy and childhood services. The Texas Advance Directives Act has been updated to better protect the rights of patients and healthcare providers.
