TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Following 140 days, the 89th Legislative Session has concluded. This session witnessed the approval of multiple pieces of legislation, including
school vouchers
, a proposal prohibiting the purchase of property by individuals from certain nations
designated as hostile
, and a suggested legislation
banning THC products
.
Overall, from our perspective as Republicans, this session went well,” stated David Stein, chair of the Smith County Republican Party. “We achieved victories in the energy sector. In terms of border control, we also saw successes; the most significant being the election of President Trump. Additionally, we secured gains in protecting elections and combating federal overreach with initiatives like ‘Texas Not For Sale.’
They resisted with all their might,” stated John Watt, chairman of the Nacogdoches County Democratic Party, speaking about Democratic officeholders during the session. “They prevented many items from being passed by the Republicans, though quite a few did manage to make it through.
Watt argues that Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) ought to reject a proposed legislation aiming to prohibit THC-based products, as it could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R-TX) also features in this discussion.
supports the ban
.
“It also fails to consider the compassionate requirements for individuals, particularly those receiving hospice care who require this support to manage their pain,” Watt stated.
Stein also aims to witness the overturning of the THC ban.
I believe there are therapeutic applications for this, which was the reason the topic of marijuana came up originally,” Stein stated. “The substance has some medical benefits, though perhaps things went a bit overboard. We’ll just have to wait and see how the governor handles it.
In upcoming meetings, Stein expressed his desire for the House Speaker to be selected during the Republican caucus. State Representative David Cook (R-Mansfield) was elected by the group.
majority of Republicans
Before the session began, State Representative Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) took control of the proceedings by securing the gavel. Stein believes Burrows was a “competent and efficient presiding officer.”
“I believe he deserves to be speaker once more,” Stein stated.
I wanted them to be capable of taking real actions on bills and enacting legislation at least a month ahead of schedule rather than waiting till March 1,” Stein said additionally. “Let’s accomplish something significant before March 1, not limited to just the governor’s emergency matters.
I want to see increased backing for public schools and local county hospitals,” Watt stated when discussing his priorities for upcoming legislative sessions. “Additionally, many Texans aren’t aware that clean water will become an incredibly crucial issue moving forward. In my view, we should focus more on enhancing our water infrastructure to ensure better quality drinking water not just for residents but also for industrial use and agriculture.
A number of regulations come into force on September 1st. The implementation of school voucher programs will begin with the commencement of the 2026-27 academic year.
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