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Gov. Abbott Calls for Special Legislative Session

A 30-day session hopes to close some outstanding state business.

Gov. Greg Abbott called for a special 30-day legislative session for state lawmakers. The governor and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have been pushing the idea of a special session for weeks. 

The primary item on the special session agenda, according to Abbott --- passing the sunset bill to reauthorize several state agencies. Without reauthorization these agencies will cease functioning in September.

Once the sunset bill is through the state Senate, lawmakers will debate 19 other special items. The top items are to be reorganizing school financing in Texas through a proposed commission. Abbott also said he wants to see legislation that increases teacher pay by $1,000.

An item addressing school choice will also be part of the special session.

Abbott also spoke of overhauling state property taxes.  The governor proposed setting tight restrictions on municipalities designed to keep them from overreaching and micromanaging projects.  He also proposed limiting the growth of state and local government bodies according to population and inflation growth.

The special session is set to begin on July 18.

Scott Morgan has been an award-winning journalist since 2001. His work has appeared in several newspapers and magazines as well as online. He has also been an editor, freelancer, speaker, writing teacher, author, and podcaster.