Patrick’s Friday release of priorities calls on lawmakers to study the emerging issues ahead of the 2027 legislative session.
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Get our free newsletters in your inbox three times a week.Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces a “Double Nickel” tax proposal to reduce the age on freezing property taxes from its current 65 to 55 years of age on December 9, 2025.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday instructed state senators to study a broad range of policy issues ahead of next year’s legislative session, including prediction markets, data centers, THC and more, expanding on anData centers appeared three times on Patrick’s priorities, with the lieutenant governor — who leads the state Senate — instructing various committees to assess the water demands of “energy-intensive technologies,” including data centers; to consider how to meet electricity demands of data centers but also “balance economic development benefits of this growth against the impacts on landowners, private property rights, water infrastructure, and community integrity;” and evaluate the costs of the sales tax exemption granted to data centers. Patrick also indicated a continued focus on banning hemp-based THC products, charging the Health and Human Services Committee with studying “the impact of THC on increased health care costs, mental health emergency detentions, and the risk of being diagnosed with a THC-induced psychotic disorder.” Patrick made a ban on the products one of his top priorities last legislative session, but the bill that passed the Legislature was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Prediction market gambling also landed in Patrick’s sights, as markets like Kalshi and Polymarket have expanded in the state through a federal loophole even while sports betting and casinos are otherwise outlawed in Texas. Patrick instructed the state affairs committee to “study the sudden inundation of prediction market gambling” and “make recommendations to ensure the integrity of Texas elections and Texas sports.”to reduce property taxes by further increasing the amount of a home’s value that can’t be taxed to pay for public schools, known as the homestead exemption. The plan also involves lowering the age at which Texans qualify for additional relief on their school tax bills. Patrick’s proposal contrasts with the approach House leadership has generally favored to reduce property taxes, via compressing school district tax rates and lowering appraisal caps. Gov. Greg Abbott has laid out a separate property tax cut plan, the centerpiece of which is abolishing homeowner school property taxes, setting up a potential legislative fight over the issue next year. Patrick also listed election security and efficiency on his list of priorities, directing the State Affairs Committee to “guarantee poll watcher access,” study “different methods counties employ regarding the marking and counting of ballots” and evaluate countywide polling sites during primary elections. Thousands of Dallas County votersLike Burrows’ list, Patrick’s priorities include cracking down on immigrant truck drivers, with the Transportation committee charged with ensuring English-proficiency of drivers and bolstering safety standards of driving schools through “unannounced or undercover audits.”Since 1986, the SA Current has served as the free, independent voice of San Antonio, and we want to keep it that way. Becoming an SA Current Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.Patrick also included reproductive issues on his list, instructing senators to “examine the unethical and foreign interests exploiting the surrogacy and fertility industries in Texas” and to study the “continued threat posed by abortion pills unlawfully shipped to Texas.” The Legislature last year In another alignment with the House, Patrick directed the Heath and Human Services committee to study “the drivers of rising health care costs.” Thousands of Texans areThe Committee on Religious Liberty, formed this month by Patrick, was charged with recommending “any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation” of measures the Legislature passed last session requiring the public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments andAfter more than a decade as the state’s farmer-in-chief, the ag commish saw his GOP primary opponent announce a rare toppling of a statewide incumbent, thanks to the governor’s kingmaking.Over the weekend, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick declared ‘preventing Sharia law’ one of his top priorities, while Gov. Greg Abbott demanded a Muslim advocacy group’s nonprofit status be revoked.News Photos25 San Antonio restaurants with casual patios perfect for nice weather
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