Governor Greg Abbott’s Big Play: Flood Relief, Redistricting, and More in Texas Special Session
Texas Governor Greg Abbott just dropped a hefty agenda for the special legislative session kicking off this month in Austin, and it’s got a little something for everyone—especially if you follow Texas politics closely. From flood warning upgrades to controversial redistricting moves, Abbott is aiming to steer the state in a direction packed with big promises, some conservative priorities, and a few hot-button issues bound to spark debate.
What’s the Deal with the Special Session?
Abbott called lawmakers back to the capital after vetoing a bill that would have banned hemp-derived THC products statewide. Instead of going all-in on a ban, Abbott argued that such a move might not hold up in court. So, instead, he’s pushing for new regulations to handle these hemp-based products in a more controlled way.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The special session’s agenda goes well beyond hemp rules.
Early Warning Systems and Flood Recovery Take Center Stage
Texas has been hit hard recently with severe flooding, especially in the Hill Country region. The governor emphasized that improving early warning systems and emergency communications is a top priority. He’s asking lawmakers to beef up the state's ability to prepare for and respond to these natural disasters more effectively.
Abbott also wants the legislature to streamline the rules and regulations around disaster recovery — basically cutting through red tape to get relief and rebuilding efforts moving faster after floods and storms.
And speaking of relief, he’s pushing for additional funding to help Texans who are still dealing with flood damage. It’s a direct nod to the reality many communities face and a call for lawmakers to step up support.
Bye-Bye STAAR Exam?
One surprise on the agenda is Abbott’s call to eliminate the STAAR exam, Texas’ standardized test that’s been a lightning rod for criticism. The effort to scrap STAAR fell apart last session in the final hours, but Abbott isn’t giving up. This move could shake up Texas education and has definitely caught the attention of teachers, parents, and education advocates statewide.
Property Taxes Still on the Table
Even though lawmakers passed a significant $3 billion property tax relief plan back in May, Abbott isn’t done pushing for more cuts. Lower property taxes are a consistent theme in Texas politics, and the governor is making it clear he wants lawmakers to keep working toward easing the tax burden on homeowners.
Conservative Priorities: Lobbying, Privacy, and Protecting the Unborn
The governor’s agenda also rolls out a series of conservative-focused bills. These include:
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Banning taxpayer-funded lobbying — aimed at preventing public funds from being used to influence lawmakers.
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Protecting women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces — language here is broad and the specifics aren’t nailed down yet, but it clearly targets policies about bathrooms, locker rooms, and similar spaces.
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Further protections for unborn children and their mothers — again, the details are vague, but this signals more anti-abortion measures or related laws could be on the horizon.
Redrawing Texas Congressional Maps: The Political Chess Game
One of the most contentious items on Abbott’s agenda is redistricting. The governor wants lawmakers to redraw Texas’ congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This is no small task — it’s a huge political battleground, with serious implications for the balance of power both in Texas and nationally.
Why does this matter? Well, Republicans currently hold 25 of Texas’ 38 U.S. House seats. The GOP is trying to protect that slim majority from a potential Democratic surge in the upcoming midterms.
Abbott’s push aligns with former President Donald Trump’s political team’s desires to tweak the maps and potentially pick up more Republican seats. Naturally, Democrats are gearing up to fight this tooth and nail.
Legal Heat from the Justice Department
In fact, the stakes are already high. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division recently sent a letter to Abbott, accusing Texas of drawing some Democratic districts based heavily on race, which is illegal under federal voting rights laws.
The DOJ specifically points to four districts:
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Two Democratic districts in Houston (one held by U.S. Rep. Al Green and another currently vacant after the passing of Sheila Jackson Lee and Sylvester Turner).
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A majority Hispanic district represented by U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia.
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U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey’s district in Fort Worth.
The allegation? That these districts were packed or cracked along racial lines to influence election outcomes, a practice often called “racial gerrymandering.”
The Special Election Drama
The Houston district left open by Sylvester Turner’s death in March is adding fuel to the political fire. Abbott called for a special election to fill that seat in November, arguing it gave Harris County enough time to prepare. But Democrats say he’s just trying to delay to help Republicans maintain their slim House majority.
What’s Next? Legal Battles and Political Drama
This redistricting push almost guarantees more legal challenges. Texas is already defending its current maps in court, where civil rights groups argue that Hispanic voters’ influence has been deliberately weakened—a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
So, Texas could be staring down a major courtroom showdown, with judges deciding if the maps are fair or if they violate voters’ rights.
The Governor’s Take: Building on Past Wins, Looking Ahead
Abbott framed this special session as building on the success of the 89th regular legislative session, which he called “historic” and said would benefit Texans “for generations.” His focus, he said, is on preparing the state better for natural disasters and ensuring Texas keeps moving forward.
Quick Recap: What Lawmakers Will Tackle
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Hemp-derived THC regulation: New rules, not a ban.
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Flood and disaster preparedness: Better early warning, streamlined recovery.
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Elimination of STAAR exam: A controversial education shake-up.
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More property tax relief: Even after a $3B plan passed.
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Conservative bills: No taxpayer-funded lobbying, women’s privacy, protecting unborn children.
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Redistricting: Redrawing congressional maps to potentially favor Republicans.
Why It Matters
Texas is America’s second-largest state, and what happens here often sets the tone for national politics. Abbott’s agenda reflects the GOP’s priorities as they brace for a tough election cycle. Meanwhile, Texans still recovering from devastating floods and grappling with education challenges will be watching closely to see what lawmakers actually deliver.
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