Ten Commandments Legal Update, TX Education Freedom Accounts, Legislative Interim Charges, & More

I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather we’ve had after the winter storm. Here’s an update on recent issues and events.

Ten Commandments Legal Update 

On January 20th, a hearing was held at the 5th Circuit Federal Appeals Court in response to lawsuits filed both in Texas and Louisiana challenging the legality of Ten Commandments posters being displayed in schools. Texas Values filed an amicus brief on both my and State Representative Candy Noble’s behalf as authors of the law. The general consensus is that the hearing went well.  All 17 justices participated (en banc). It will be appealed to the United States Supreme Court regardless of who prevails at the 5th Circuit.  

Texas Education Freedom Accounts

One of our accomplishments during the recent legislative session was to create Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), with $1 billion in funding. This account allows families to use state funds for private school tuition, tutoring, and homeschooling expenses beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Applications for these funds are now being accepted. Families can receive about $10,000 for private school tuition per student per year, up to $30,000 per student per year for students with disabilities, and $2,000 per student per year for homeschool students.  Please click here for a link to resources created by the Comptroller’s office regarding this program. The deadline to apply for the 2026-2027 school year is MARCH 17th.

Texas Legislature Interim Charges

Even though the legislature won’t be back in session until January, our work continues out of session. Interim charges are specific topics, studies, and investigations assigned to legislative committees by the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House to be researched during the “interim period,” the 18 months between regular legislative sessions. These directives help identify priority issues, monitor state agencies, and shape the agenda for the next session.

Just last week, Lt. Governor Patrick announced his first round of interim charges for the 2027 legislative session. They include preventing Sharia law in Texas, further property  tax cuts, securing infrastructure and supply chain integrity, protecting taxpayer funds/preventing fraud and abuse, and promoting America and Texas first in our schools. Our office, along with the rest of the Senate, will provide our recommendations for additional interim charges to the lieutenant governor by the end of the month. The full list of charges will then be released in March.

Texas Judicial Council and Texas Indigent Defense Commission Appointments

I am honored to be appointed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to serve on the Texas Judicial Council and the governing board of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.  The Texas Judicial Council is charged with studying methods to simplify judicial procedures, expedite court business and improve the overall administration of justice. The Council evaluates the work of Texas courts and submits recommendations to the Legislature, the Governor and the Supreme Court. As a Council member, I will receive and consider input from judges, public officials, members of the bar and citizens across the state.

The Texas Indigent Defense Commission safeguards liberty by ensuring that Texas and its 254 counties provide the right to counsel guaranteed by the United States and Texas Constitutions. The Commission’s work focuses on three primary areas: funding, oversight and continuous improvement of indigent defense services statewide.

I am grateful for the trust placed in me through these appointments and look forward to serving Texas in these new roles while working to strengthen the administration of justice across our state.

National March for Life

On January 23rd, the National March for Life was held in Washington, DC. The March for Life is the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world, and is a celebration of each and every life.

The next day, the Texas Rally for Life, hosted annually by the Texas Alliance for Life, was held in Austin where Governor Abbott spoke in support of the sanctity of life. “We are united by the truth that our Creator endowed us with the right to life itself,” said Governor Abbott. “There is no freedom more precious than life itself. All of you have been life savers, and thousands of newborn babies are the result of your heroic efforts. Thank you for being a part of the movement that has made Texas the beacon for life in the United States of America.”

Since the Texas Heartbeat Law went into effect in 2023, over 200,000 babies have been saved from abortion in our state. I’m proud that Texas stands firm for the rights of the unborn.

Wedding Anniversary

On January 26th, Terry and I celebrated our 47th anniversary. There is no “formula” for a great marriage. And there have been some difficult times—not in our marriage but just in life. However, if I had to pick one thing that got us through everything, it’s that we have prayed together every day. God just seems to work everything out when we pray.