A Public Opinion Cheat Sheet for the (First) Special Session of the 89th Texas Legislature
Legislators face the usual obstacles to holding the public's attention during the just-commenced special session – a loud news environment likely, as usual to crowd out state legislative happenings, and what has historically been a consistently low level of pubic attention to the legislature, even during times of crisis. But whether or not most Texans are attentive to what some of us find the best game in town (and they're not), public opinion shapes the incentives, priorities, and strategies of the participants in the process (even if not necessarily in ways civic idealists might hope).
Whatever your assumptions about how the process works, we have gathered relevant public opinion data from University of Texas/Texas Politics Project polling. We've included all of the items Goveronr Greg Abbott included in his proclamation, though we don't have data for all of the items. But below find graphics for results that provide useful context for the debates about to unfold (or be avoided).
Use the links below to jump to any of the specific agenda items:
FLOOD WARNING SYSTEMS
"Legislation to improve early warning systems and other preparedness infrastructure in flood-prone areas throughout Texas."
FLOOD EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
"Legislation to strengthen emergency communications and other response infrastructure in flood-prone areas throughout Texas."
While we have not conducted polling since the July 4 flooding, in the wake of Winter Storm Uri the March 2021 UT/TxPP Poll asked about support for "Creating a statewide disaster alert system to alert Texans about impending weather-related disasters and power outages."
RELIEF FUNDING FOR HILL COUNTRY FLOODS
"Legislation to provide relief funding for response to and recovery from the storms which began in early July 2025, including local match funding for jurisdictions eligible for FEMA public assistance."
NATURAL DISASTER PREPARATION & RECOVERY
"Legislation to evaluate and streamline rules and regulations to speed preparedness for and recovery from natural disasters."
ELIMINATE STAAR TEST
"Legislation to eliminate the STAAR test and replace it with effective tools to assess student progress and ensure school district accountability."
CUT PROPERTY TAXES
"Legislation reducing the property tax burden on Texans and legislation imposing spending limits on entities authorized to impose property taxes."
PROTECT CHILDREN FROM THC
"Legislation making it a crime to provide hemp-derived products to children under 21 years of age."
REGULATE HEMP-DERIVED PRODUCTS
"Legislation to comprehensively regulate hemp-derived products, including limiting potency, restricting synthetically modified compounds, and establishing enforcement mechanisms, all without banning a lawful agricultural commodity."
PROTECT UNBORN CHILDREN
"Legislation further protecting unborn children and their mothers from the harm of abortion."
BAN TAXPAYER-FUNDED LOBBYING
"Legislation prohibiting taxpayer-funded lobbying, including the use of tax dollars to hire lobbyists and payment of tax dollars to associations that lobby the Legislature."
PROTECT HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
"Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 1278 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, that protects victims of human trafficking from criminal liability for non-violent acts closely tied to their own victimization."
POLICE PERSONNEL RECORDS
"Legislation that protects law enforcement officers from public disclosure of unsubstantiated complaints in personnel files."
PROTECT WOMEN’S SPACES
"Legislation protecting women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces."
ATTORNEY GENERAL ELECTION POWERS
"Legislation proposing a constitutional amendment allowing the Attorney General to prosecute state election crimes."
REDISTRICTING
"Legislation that provides a revised congressional redistricting plan in light of constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice."
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TITLE THEFT & DEED FRAUD
"Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 648 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, that provides strengthened protections against title theft and deed fraud."
WATER PROJECT INCENTIVES
"Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 1253 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, that authorizes political subdivisions to reduce impact fees for builders who include water conservation and efficiency measures."
STATE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
"Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 2878 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, relating to the operation and administration of the Judicial Department of state government."
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