At Capitol, Abbott Declares 89th Legislative Session a Turning Point for Texas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling the 89th legislative session the most consequential of his tenure, a moment he says will redefine the future of education, justice, and financial policy in the state.

“This is without a doubt the best session I’ve ever had, but more importantly, it’s the most transformative for Texas in the long run,” Abbott said during a media appearance at his Capitol office.

One of his biggest policy victories was the approval of a “school choice” plan, allowing families to use state funding for private schools, a policy that previously faced strong resistance from both rural Republicans and nearly all Democratic lawmakers. After turning to voters and reshaping the state House’s GOP majority, Abbott secured overwhelming support for the measure, growing its number of backers from 29 to 86, as first reported by The Dallas Morning News.

Other significant accomplishments from the legislative session include a revamped bail policy and $51 billion in property tax relief for homeowners. The governor stressed, however, that while the state controls funding mechanisms, local jurisdictions determine the ultimate levy. “Local governments continue to raise taxes faster than we can ease them at the state level,” Abbott said, adding that voter approval for most local increases and closing a “disaster exemption” that previously allowed up to 8% hikes without voter consent are key to delivering genuine financial relief.
Looking toward the future, Abbott is still evaluating whether to prohibit the production and sale of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) derived from hemp, reflecting ongoing policy tensions in the state. As he prepares for reelection in 2026, with a $70 million campaign fund and weak opposition, Abbott stands poised to become the longest-serving governor in Texas history. “There’s only one way I know how to do this, and that’s to keep running hard and delivering for the people of Texas,” he said.