Sen. Charles Schwertner


CPS efficiencies
Gov. Greg Abbott signed Schwerner’s bill that allows Child Protective Services to contract with nonprofits or governments for those entities to provide caseworkers for visits.

R-Georgetown
Elected: 2012
[email protected]




Sen. Kirk Watson


More CPS funding
Watson supported SB 1, the 2018-19 state budget that includes an additional $500 million for Child Protective Services, one of his high priorities.

D-Austin
Elected: 2006
[email protected]




Rep. Dawnna Dukes


Higher penalties for sex trafficking
On Sept. 1, Dukes’ bill that increases criminal penalties for those convicted of sex trafficking goes into effect. She was absent for more than 50 percent of House of Representatives votes.

D-Austin
Elected: 1994
[email protected]




Rep. Paul Workman


Prohibiting certain construction fees
Abbott signed Workman’s bill that prohibits localities from adopting or enforcing linkage fees on new construction to offset the cost of rent for affordable housing.

R-Austin
Elected: 2010
[email protected]




Rep. Donna Howard


New state botanical garden
Howard’s bill to designate the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center owned by The University of Texas as the state botanical garden and arboretum becomes effective Sept. 1.

D-Austin
Elected: 2006
[email protected]




Rep. Gina Hinojosa


Open data on hotel tax funds
On Sept. 1, Hinojosa’s bill requiring municipalities to provide data on hotel occupancy tax funds annually becomes effective.

D-Austin
Elected: 2016
[email protected]




Rep. Celia Israel


Updating public education’s mission
Israel’s bill to include career and technical education in the mission of public education was signed by the governor and is now effective.

D-Austin
Elected: 2013
[email protected]




Rep. Tony Dale


Further penalizing inappropriate student-teacher relationships
Dale supported a bill signed by Abbott that adds penalties to the offense of inappropriate student-teacher relationships.

R-Cedar Park
Elected: 2012
[email protected]




3 steps to follow when state special-called session begins July 18


1. Abbott said the special session will be limited until the Senate passes a sunset bill to extend the life of state agencies, including the Texas Medical Board, which licenses doctors. He said the Senate should be able to pass this bill in three or four days.

2. After the sunset bill's passage, Abbott enabled legislators to address 19 additional bills. One proposal addresses property tax growth, which Abbott said can be fixed via reform bill SB 2, which some considered to also be the solution to school finance reform.

3. Abbott also called to limit the local government powers by prohibiting tree regulations, capping new construction fees during projects and preventing slow permitting processes. Additionally, he asked legislators to consider enacting local spending caps.