Lawmakers have been chugging along this legislative session, and we’re already past the final day to file new bills, which means things are ramping up. We caught up with Blaise Gainey, KUT’s Texas Capitol reporter, for an update on big items like hemp, Project Connect, and school choice. Here’s the latest:
🚂 A Bill Targeting Project Connect Probably Won’t Stop the Initiative From Moving Forward.
Former Austin City Council member Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, filed a bill that could halt major municipal projects like Project Connect if plans deviate too much from what voters originally chose. The project, which includes adding a light rail system to Austin, was approved by voters in 2020.
“Somebody could say this is a good thing because voters want what they voted for on paper, right?” Gainey said.
So far, the bill hasn’t moved much. Gainey foresees the bill eventually being looked at by lawmakers, but if it has any kind of effect on Project Connect, that would likely be determined in court.
🌿 A Hemp Ban Could Hurt Austin Businesses.
A bill banning all types of THC in Texas passed the Senate earlier this month and is now before the House. The ban would lead to things like gummies and other THC products having to come off shelves, leading to millions of dollars lost in taxes, Gainey said.
State officials estimate that one-quarter of all Texas consumable hemp is sold in Austin.
“This is a big money maker for businesses, so it’ll be interesting to see whether or not they actually go all the way out and ban it,” Gainey said. “Would we see literal stores just starting to shut down and close because they’re not turning a profit just selling the CBD?”
🐱 A Bill Targeting Furries May Just Be a Push for School Choice.
Texas House Bill 4814 would prohibit students from presenting as “anything other than a human being,” and stop them from exhibiting any “non-human behavior.” Gov. Greg Abbott has backed the bill, called the F.U.R.R.I.E.S. Act, which could be a tactic to make school choice appeal to public school families.
“The governor brought this up in order to then sort of say, ‘If this is happening in your public school, don’t worry. Our school choice is on the way and it could help you get out of that situation,’” Gainey said.
