As Texas lawmakers meet in Austin, here’s what to expect on abortion, guns and betting

Get your fits pressed and your footwear polished — it is legislative time.

Driving the information: Lawmakers from all factors of Texas descend on Austin to make legal guidelines that form our every day lives.

What we’re watching: Property tax cuts and college security are main items of the agenda.

Between the strains: The large funds surplus unveiled by state Comptroller Glenn Hegar yesterday — $32.7 billion — will form just about all policymaking on the Capitol.

• Hegar estimates lawmakers can have $188.2 billion to spend within the coming two years — a 26.3% improve over 2021.
• Playing pursuits have tried to persuade Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and different resistant lawmakers that betting can be a boon to the state’s backside line. Now, with the excess, that argument could have much less traction.

The large image: Anticipate push-and-pull between Abbott, who needs to defray property cuts; Patrick, who goals to make additional electrical energy grid upgrades; and Home Speaker Dade Phelan, who has signaled the excess needs to be used for highway and different improve enhancements.

Patrick has additionally thrown chilly water on any abortion ban carve-outs.

• In September, a number of key Texas Republicans signaled openness to giving victims of rape or incest entry to abortion.
• However Republicans handily gained statewide workplaces in November — and maintained overwhelming majorities within the Legislature, suggesting assist from voters for his or her anti-abortion stance.

What they’re saying: Relating to abortion carveouts, Patrick informed Spectrum Information’ “Capital Tonight” in December, “I’m not saying no, however we would must see an actual groundswell of Republicans within the Home and Senate to say sure.”

• In legislative converse, that is very in all probability no.

Within the wake of Uvalde, do not count on gun restrictions, however do count on lots of of thousands and thousands of {dollars} to be devoted to psychological well being companies and new safety measures in faculties.

The underside line: No piece of laws is sort of lifeless until the ultimate gavel — and it is not legislation till it is signed by the governor.