Over recent weeks, the Texas House of Representatives has passed several significant bills focused on economic enhancement, public service improvement, and government accountability. Representative Leo Wilson supported these measures.
The state budget, encapsulated in SB 1 and HB 500, totals $337.4 billion from both federal and state sources. It includes $153.6 billion in General Revenue. A notable allocation is $51 billion for property tax relief, constituting 15% of the entire budget. The budget also designates $7.7 billion for K-12 education funding, $1 billion for school choice (SB 2), $450 million for teacher health insurance, and $400 million for school safety upgrades (HB 124). Border security receives a $6.5 billion allocation.
Health and human services see wage increases for care attendants, expanded mental health services, maternal safety support, and strengthened community-based foster care. Infrastructure funding includes $30 billion for roads, $2.5 billion for water infrastructure, $750 million for nuclear energy advancement (HB 14), and $400 million for flood mitigation (HB 500). Over $1 billion is set aside for disaster preparedness.
The budget maintains fiscal discipline by staying below spending limits and addressing pension liabilities to save taxpayers an estimated $11.2 billion long-term.
Rep. Wilson co-sponsored SB 14 (HB 10), which establishes the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office to modernize regulations with plain language rules accessible via a searchable database while enhancing legislative and judicial oversight.
HB 12 aims to modernize the Sunset review process by improving public participation, introducing midcycle reviews to identify excessive regulations, and establishing third-party efficiency audits.
For small businesses, HB 9 & HJR 1 raise the personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $250,000 to provide substantial tax relief and reduce compliance burdens.
HJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment banning taxes on securities transactions to protect investments like pensions from higher trading costs.
HB 22 eliminates taxes on intangible personal property such as stocks and patents to encourage business development in Texas.
Rep. Wilson opposed HB 13 due to concerns about transparency in emergency communication improvements following challenges during the Panhandle wildfires of 2024 but acknowledged its intent.
In favor of HB 143 on electrical safety at oil and gas sites, Rep. Wilson supported coordination between relevant commissions to address dangerous conditions.
Lastly, Rep. Wilson co-authored HB 748 or Trey’s Law to void NDAs that prevent reporting sexual abuse acts inspired by Trey Carlock's story.
"These wins for Texas reflect our focus on practical, people-centered solutions," said Rep. Leo Wilson. "We’re keeping government accountable, protecting individual rights, and setting up our communities and economy for long-term success."
