The year 2025 marked a turning point in Texas politics, not because it lacked controversy, but because it combined an unusual degree of leadership alignment with some of the most consequential policy fights the state has seen in years. From education reform and redistricting to disaster response, social legislation, and electoral surprises, the stories that defined the year reflected both long-simmering debates and unexpected developments.
At the center of it all was a rare convergence between Texas’ top Republican leaders. That alignment helped move stalled priorities across the finish line, even as deep divisions—within parties and between branches of government—continued to surface. What emerged was a year defined less by gridlock than by resolution, for better or worse, across a wide range of issues.
A Surprising Truce at the Top
One of the most unexpected developments of 2025 was the working relationship between House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. For years, tensions between the House and Senate had stalled legislation and fueled public clashes. Coming into the 89th Legislative Session, few expected that to change—especially after Burrows secured the speakership through a coalition that included a majority of House Democrats.
Yet the anticipated breakdown never came. Burrows made an early calculation that avoiding open conflict with Patrick was essential to maintaining stability in the House. By committing to Senate priorities—most notably school choice—and moving a higher volume of Republican-backed legislation than in recent sessions, Burrows reduced friction with the upper chamber.
This approach allowed Burrows to focus inward, managing dissent within his own caucus and maintaining the fragile coalition that put him in power. While dissatisfaction among House Democrats has grown as a result, Burrows appears to have secured his position among Republicans. In a chamber where speakerships are often precarious, that alone marked a significant achievement.
School Choice Becomes Law
For Gov. Greg Abbott, 2025 delivered a long-sought victory. After years of failed attempts, Texas finally enacted a statewide school choice program through the passage of Senate Bill 2.
“It is time that we put our children on a pathway to having the number one ranked education system in the United States of America,” Abbott said at the bill’s signing, attended by nearly 1,400 people.
The law establishes an education savings account (ESA) program funded by a $1 billion general revenue appropriation. Eligible families can receive funding equal to 85 percent of the statewide average per-student funding, with additional support for students with disabilities. Homeschooled students are eligible for capped accounts of $2,000.
The program is expected to serve approximately 100,000 students during the 2026–2027 biennium, with typical ESA amounts hovering around $10,000. Abbott’s success followed years of political groundwork, including active involvement in Republican primaries and, near the end of the session, a high-profile intervention by President Donald Trump to encourage House Republicans to support the bill.
With final rules now released by the Texas Comptroller, attention has shifted from passage to implementation. Supporters and critics alike will be watching closely to see how the program affects public schools, private education access, and educational outcomes statewide.
The Unresolved Hemp and THC Debate
Another issue that unexpectedly dominated the session was the future of hemp-derived THC products. While not initially a marquee topic, Lt. Gov. Patrick elevated the issue by making a ban on THC a Senate priority.
Senate Bill 3 sought to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and possession of hemp-derived THC products while preserving the legality of CBD and CBG. The bill passed and reached Abbott’s desk, but the governor vetoed it late at night, calling for lawmakers to revisit the issue during special sessions. No compromise legislation ultimately emerged.
The episode exposed a rare public rift between Abbott and Patrick. “I’m not going to legalize marijuana in Texas, and if people want to vote me out of office for that, so be it,” Patrick said. “Not going to do it.”
In the absence of new legislation, regulatory action stepped in. Abbott directed the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Department of State Health Services to review existing rules, resulting in a 21-year age minimum for purchasing hemp-derived products. Still unresolved are broader questions about enforcement, retail locations, and proximity to schools—issues likely to resurface in the 90th Legislative Session.
Tragedy and Reform After Central Texas Flooding
The deadliest moment of the year came on July 4, when catastrophic flooding in Central Texas killed more than 130 people, including many young girls attending Camp Mystic.
“The tragedy at Camp Mystic and the flooding disasters this summer have left a devastating impact on Texas families, communities, and our entire state,” Speaker Burrows said when announcing a special investigative committee.
Lawmakers responded with months of hearings and proposals focused on emergency preparedness, warning systems, and disaster response. The most prominent outcome was House Bill 1, known as the “Heaven’s 27” bill, which mandates state-approved emergency plans for camps, staff training on flood response, and the installation of warning systems.
At the bill’s signing, Abbott reflected on meetings with grieving families. “These parents came right here to the Governor’s Mansion and met with Cecilia and me the day before the second special session. Their hearts were broken, their spirits crushed. They shared the beauty of their daughters' souls,” he said.
While wrongful death lawsuits against Camp Mystic continue, lawmakers hope the reforms will prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Redistricting and the Courts
Mid-decade redistricting brought Texas back into the national spotlight. Under pressure from the White House, Republican lawmakers redrew congressional maps to create five additional GOP-leaning seats. The move sparked intense opposition, including quorum breaks, heated hearings, and accusations of voter suppression.
Democrats argued the redraw undermined minority representation, while Republicans countered that it corrected imbalances seen in other states. After a federal district court struck down the maps, Texas appealed directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, which reinstated them just before the filing deadline.
Whether Republicans can actually win all five seats remains uncertain, particularly in South Texas, where electoral trends have been fluid.
Social Policy Flashpoints
Two of the most contentious debates of the session unfolded within hours of each other. The Texas Woman and Child Protection Act created civil liability for providers of chemical abortion pills, allowing penalties of up to $100,000 under specific conditions. The law aimed to address what supporters viewed as the last remaining avenue for abortion access in the state.
Shortly thereafter, lawmakers passed the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, requiring publicly funded private spaces—such as bathrooms and shelters—to be separated by biological sex. The bill revived debates that had lingered since 2017 and sparked intense discussion over gender identity and enforcement.
Both bills became law on December 4.
Bail Reform Achieved
Voters also approved a long-debated constitutional amendment allowing judges to deny bail to repeat violent offenders. Championed for years by Sen. Joan Huffman, the amendment overcame prior legislative hurdles and received broad public support.
Judges retain an obligation to consider the least restrictive conditions but may deny bail if prosecutors present clear and convincing evidence of danger or flight risk.
Political Surprises and Departures
The year also delivered unexpected political shifts. In a special election to replace Sen. Kelly Hancock, Republicans split the vote, allowing Democrat Taylor Rehmet to advance to a runoff against Republican Leigh Wambsganss.
Meanwhile, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced she would not seek re-election. Once seen as a rising national figure, Hidalgo’s tenure ended amid health struggles, internal party conflict, and mounting controversies.
A Community Shaken
Outside the Capitol, the arrest of former Celina ISD teacher Caleb Elliott on multiple state and federal charges related to child sexual abuse sent shockwaves through North Texas. With dozens of alleged victims and ongoing litigation, the case raised serious questions about school oversight and investigative failures, leaving lasting scars on families and communities.
Looking Ahead
Taken together, 2025 was a year of consequence in Texas. It showed what can happen when political alignment replaces stalemate—but also how deeply rooted conflicts continue to shape policy outcomes. As the state looks toward the 90th Legislative Session and the 2026 elections, the decisions made this year will reverberate far beyond the Capitol dome.
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