Project ECHO: 2023 Texas Legislative Summary

The Texas legislative session of 2023 saw significant tension and disagreement, particularly regarding telehealth. Tracy Spinner and Nora Belcher provided a summary, highlighting the challenges faced. Despite a record budget surplus, there was discord between the chambers and leadership offices, particularly within the Republican party. The governor and the House focused on cutting local property taxes related to school maintenance, while the Senate preferred increasing homestead exemptions. This discord led to intense personal conflicts, visible even on social media platforms like Twitter. The legislative session was marked by two impeachment proceedings and a series of special sessions. The Senate exercised tight control, making significant trades to move bills from the House. Governor Abbott vetoed several Senate bills, particularly those not aligning with his property tax relief agenda, showcasing an unusual level of assertiveness. Despite these challenges, there was a desire to have a productive session for digital health amidst the turmoil.