Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced his legislative priorities for the upcoming 88th session of the Texas legislature and how to spend the $27 billion budget surplus.
Going into his third term in the position, Patrick announced in a press conference that he supports using the budget surplus to reduce property taxes, support law enforcement, increase electric grid stability, improve mental health facilities, and secure the border.
“We have an extraordinary opportunity, unlike what we have ever had before, to chart the future of the state of Texas and to create a vision,” Patrick opened the conference.
“I want to lay out a vision, and then I want 181 members to look at it … and these are again ideas that I think address needs as we go forward to be sure that we continue to be the greatest place on earth to live and we are in Texas,” he continued.
Patrick noted, “Much of what I’m laying out today is not specific because it’s really up to the members to write the bills in the senate and the house.”
After walking through the recent growth in the state that led to the $27 billion in surplus funds, Patrick presented ways the opportunity could be leveraged to provide a large beneficial impact to Texas residents.
“When you have this kind of money, you have to get it back to the taxpayers,” he insisted.
“It may not be the largest surplus ever, I think California had a larger one, but they weren’t very smart, and they spent all the money, and then they ended up in a big hole. We’re going to be smart,” he suggested. “You have to be wise on how to spend the money.”
“The first thing we have to do is more property tax relief,” he emphasized. “We need a robust property tax cut for everyone in this state, and we have a chance.”
Regarding the energy grid, Patrick said, “This is, to me, the most important thing this session.”
“We must have more natural gas generation … we have to level the playing field with renewables,” as it pertained to incentives for investment and production. “We cannot leave here next spring unless we have a plan for more natural gas power.”
Patrick also suggested that the surplus could be used to set up a method to increase the funding to law enforcement in small counties that “need our help.”
He also urged a 10-year minimum sentence for people who used a gun in a crime. “This wild west nonsense out there allowed in many big counties, either because they’re not prosecuted, or the judges let them out the street … we’ve got to put these people in jail.”
Patrick said about district attorneys, “we’ve got some who just won’t charge anyone with a crime, and we’ve got judges who are letting murderers out on the street to kill others.”
Patrick indicated he wanted to use the funds to strengthen security along the southern border, saying, “We are going to do everything we can to secure our border.”
The lieutenant governor also suggested ideas for increased education assistance and the construction of new mental healthcare hospitals.
The lieutenant governor is one of the most powerful political positions in the state, as he primarily sets and directs the process of the senate during the session. Therefore, his legislative priorities will likely significantly impact the direction of the upcoming session.