(C) Texas Tribune
This story was originally published by Texas Tribune and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .



The Blast - April 18, 2025 [1]

['The Texas Tribune']

Date: 2025-04

28 days for the House to pass legislation that originated in the House 45 days until sine die

The Senate would fund public schools in other ways. The chamber has passed teacher pay raises in the form of Senate Bill 26 , school safety boosts with Senate Bill 260 and special education funding in Senate Bill 568 . The House kicked SB 260 back to the Senate yesterday, but SB 26 awaits a hearing and SB 568 hasn’t been assigned a committee yet.

Top senators have expressed opposition to increasing the basic allotment. HB 2 would raise the basic allotment from $6,160 to $6,555 and tie it to property values.

One place where the House and Senate have not been aligned is on House Bill 2 , the school finance portion of the House’s “two-step” plan. The Senate doesn’t have an omnibus funding bill like the first step of the two-step.

“The House and Senate are rowing in the same direction on this and so many other issues,” Burrows added .

Patrick kicked off the revelry today when he announced that he is recommending that the Senate concur on SB 2 , approving the House’s version of the bill that passed yesterday.

Senate Bill 2 has been blessed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott , and could be going to the governor for a signature very shortly.

The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one .

2026 AND THE “UP OR OUT” CANDIDATES

For any state senator thinking about running for another office, a major factor in their decision will be whether their Senate seat is on the ballot next year.

As a quick reference, here is the universe of senators who have announced or are considering a bid for higher office, whether publicly or according to chatter under the dome. We’ve divided them by when they’re next up for reelection. Those with an asterisk have publicly acknowledged that they are considering a run, and a second asterisk means they’ve already announced.

2026:

Republicans Brandon Creighton , R-Conroe Kelly Hancock , R-North Richland Hills Bryan Hughes , R-Mineola Lois Kolkhorst , R-Brenham Mayes Middleton , R-Galveston**

Democrats Roland Gutierrez , D-San Antonio



2028:

Republicans Paul Bettencourt , R-Houston Joan Huffman , R-Houston* Tan Parker , R-Flower Mound*

Democrats Nathan Johnson , D-Dallas



In that same vein, comptroller candidate and sitting Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick isn’t on the ballot again till 2030. Attorney General Ken Paxton had to make the calculation in challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, and U.S. Reps. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, and Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, would have to as well, should they get serious about a campaign.

For any senator up in 2026, they have to consider whether running for higher office is worth the risk of giving up their cushy, seldom vulnerable seat in the state’s upper chamber.

Up or out, as they say.

Middleton has already taken the plunge into the attorney general race, applying pressure to others, especially those — like Hughes — who need to carve out a lane if they still want to be an elected official come January 2027. A bid by newly announced “consider”-er Huffman would further box out Hughes.

Those eyeing a comptroller bid are falling behind now that U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has endorsed former state Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas.

It all adds up as pressure to announce a decision in the coming weeks.

There’s also the fundraising questions to consider. The Texas moratorium on political contributions is in place till June 23, and applies to statewide officeholders besides judicial officers and members of the Legislature, as well as PACs benefiting or opposing either category and legislative caucuses.

That’s why it’s notable that Middleton, an oil and gas businessman, has said he plans to stake at least $10 million of his own money on the race. And yesterday, Middleton announced a list of endorsers, including some top conservative donors.

[END]
---
[1] Url: https://thetexastribune.beehiiv.com/p/the-blast-april-18-2025-d4bf2abb36084f89

Published and (C) by Texas Tribune
Content appears here under this condition or license: Used with Permission: https://www.texastribune.org/republishing-guidelines/.

via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/texastribune/