May 25, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
I am writing this email from the Texas Capitol where (believe it or not) the House is actually working over the long holiday weekend.
There is good reason for it too. On Tuesday night, at midnight, is the deadline for Senate bills to pass out of the House.
That means all legislation that does not pass by that deadline will be dead.
As the legislature addresses—or ignores—priority legislation in its final days, we will continue to cover the latest at Texas Scorecard.
The final day of the session is Monday, June 2.
To see all the important deadlines, click here.
Featured
The Texas House on Tuesday approved a package of property tax relief bills negotiated with the Senate, including a major increase to the state’s homestead exemption—but not without some pushback from lawmakers who say the relief doesn’t go far enough.
Senate Bill 4, which raises the homestead exemption for Texas homeowners from $100,000 to $140,000, passed unanimously. The legislation was carried in the House by State Rep. Morgan Meyer (R–Dallas), who chairs the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.
During debate, freshman State Rep. Mike Olcott (R–Aledo) offered an amendment to increase the homestead exemption even further—from $140,000 to $160,000—arguing that the state’s massive $24 billion surplus warranted a larger return to taxpayers.
Real Texans
On this edition of REAL TEXANS, Michael Quinn Sullivan talks with Lt. Col. Larry Brock Jr. about his experiences as a J6 political prisoner and how he felt when he was pardoned by President Donald Trump.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Woman Sues Texas Lottery After $83.5 Million Jackpot Withheld
The anonymous woman, who won the $83.5 million jackpot in February, said she has not yet received the massive payout.
House Passes Immigration Enforcement Bill Mandating Local ICE Cooperation
Lawmakers approved legislation requiring counties with jails to enter into immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government.
Attorney General Paxton Announces Investigation Into US Masters Swimming
The investigation comes after Hugo “Ana” Caldas, a male who identifies as a female, took first place in five events at a women’s swim meet in San Antonio.
Local
Harris County Commissioners Reject Paying Judge Hidalgo’s Trip to France
Judge Hidalgo initially attempted to conceal the destination of her trip before commissioners forced her to disclose it.
School Board Censures Trustee Busted in Prostitution Sting
Calvert ISD trustees also discussed replacing James Green.
Houston ISD Investigated by Both AG and DA Over Electioneering Allegations
What began as the largest bond proposal in Texas history is now mired in controversy.
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