JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL TWO-HOUR TEN Talk/Townhall

Join us for a comprehensive townhall on Texas voter registration and list maintenance procedures on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. We're bringing together experts at the state and county election level to explore how Texas manages its voter rolls. Get an inside look at how counties process registrations, handle voter record transfers, and maintain accurate voter lists. The townhall will feature a dedicated Q&A session where you can get answers to your technical and procedural questions.

We can all agree that it should be easy for eligible voters to get registered to vote, but there must also be a trustworthy vetting process to be sure every registered voter is truly eligible, and ineligible voters are promptly removed from the voter roll. We must demand accuracy and transparency in our voter rolls to enhance public confidence. Through education and awareness TEN hopes to encourage civic engagement and participation.

Whether you're new to election administration or an experienced volunteer, this session will deepen your understanding of Texas's voter registration system and list maintenance requirements.

Register now to attend this very informative TEN Townhall!

#TexasElectionNetwork #TexasStrongElections #TENTalk

89^th LEGISLATIVE SESSION NEWS

Governor Abbott delivered his State of the State Address on Sunday, February 2^nd. Here is a Link to the text of the speech.

Our State Constitution restricts the House and Senate from passing any legislation during the first 60 days of a regular session unless:

• the Governor declares the matter an emergency, or
• if 4/5 of either chamber votes to suspend the rule.  

Texas Lieutenant Governor Announces

Expanded Legislative Priorities for 2024 Session

On January 29, 2024, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced an expansion of his priority legislation for the 89th Regular Legislative Session, increasing the number of priority bills from 30 to 40.

"Traditionally, bill numbers 1 through 20 have indicated the Lt. Governor's priorities

for the Senate," Patrick stated during the announcement at the Texas State Capitol. "In 2017, I increased the number of priority bills to 30. This year, I am increasing the number of priority bills to 40."

The Lieutenant Governor explained that lower bill numbers carry significant weight in the Texas Senate, as they signify executive priority status and typically have a higher likelihood of passage. According to the Texas Legislative Council, the Senate typically processes approximately 2,000 bills per session.

Patrick emphasized that the expanded priority list does not diminish the importance of other legislation. "Just because a bill is not included in the top 40 does not mean it is not a priority for me or the Senate," he noted. "There will be hundreds of bills that pass the Senate, all of which are important to Texas."

The announcement highlighted several key budget priorities, including:

• Enhanced border security funding
• Additional hiring for the Department of Public Safety
• Improved statewide disaster response capabilities
• New equipment and personnel investments

“Many other priorities are included in our state budget, such as border security funding, hiring more state troopers for the Department of Public Safety, and enhancing statewide disaster response with new equipment and more personnel.

“Over the last four years, the Texas Senate held the line, fighting back against President Biden’s disastrous agenda. Now, with President Trump back in office, Texas has a friend in the White House. The Texas Senate will continue to lead as the preeminent legislative body in America by passing our bold, conservative agenda, helping President Trump deliver on his promise of making America great again.”

The Texas 89th Regular Legislative Session is scheduled to conclude in May 2024. For more information about specific priority bills, citizens can visit the Texas Legislature Online website at capitol.texas.gov.

LISTING OF SENATE BILLS:

Senate Bill 1 – Senate’s Budget for Texas

Senate Bill 2 – Providing School Choice

Senate Bill 3 – Banning THC in Texas

Senate Bill 4 – Increasing the Homestead Exemption to $140,000 ($150,000 for seniors)

Senate Bill 5 – Combatting Alzheimer’s – Establishing DPRIT (Dementia Prevention & Research Institute of Texas)

Senate Bill 6 – Increasing Texas’ Electric Grid Reliability

Senate Bill 7 – Increasing Investments in Texas’ Water Supply

Senate Bill 8 – Requiring Local Law Enforcement to Assist the Federal Government’s Deportation Efforts

Senate Bill 9 – Reforming Bail – Keeping Violent Criminals Off Our Streets

Senate Bill 10 – Placing the Ten Commandments in School

Senate Bill 11 – Protecting the Freedom to Pray in School

Senate Bill 12 – Establishing a Parental Bill of Rights in Public Education

Senate Bill 13 – Guarding Against Inappropriate Books in Public Schools

Senate Bill 14 – Texas DOGE – Improving Government Efficiency

Senate Bill 15 – Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing

Senate Bill 16 – Stopping Non-Citizens from Voting

Senate Bill 17 – Stopping Foreign Adversaries’ Land Grabs

Senate Bill 18 – Stopping Drag Time Story Hour

Senate Bill 19 – Stopping Taxpayer Dollars for Lobbyists

Senate Bill 20 – Stopping AI Child Pornography

Senate Bill 21 – Establishing the Texas Bitcoin Reserve

Senate Bill 22 – Establishing Texas as America’s Film Capital

Senate Bill 23 – Removing the Cap on the Rainy Day Fund to Secure Texas’ Long-term Financial Future

Senate Bill 24 – Educating Texas Students on the Horrors of Communism

Senate Bill 25 – Making Texas Healthy Again

Senate Priority Bills 26 through 40 … "coming soon"

Don't Miss the Next TEN Talk of Friday, February 28th!

YOU'RE INVITED:

2nd TEN Talk of February 2025 - Legislative Updates & Election Preparation

Please join us for an informative TEN Talk on Friday, February 28th, 2025, at 9:00 AM via Zoom. While we traditionally meet on the first and third Fridays, we have adjusted our schedule this month due to scheduling conflicts, but do not want to fail to bring you this important session.

This comprehensive hour-long meeting will cover three essential topics:

• A critical update on the 89th Legislative Session and its implications
• A comprehensive overview for prospective candidates on the fundamentals of running for office
• A detailed review of updated training sessions for the upcoming Spring Elections

This session promises to deliver valuable insights and essential information to prepare you for the upcoming electoral cycle. We encourage all participants to attend this specially scheduled event, as the content will be particularly relevant for those involved in our upcoming initiatives.

To participate, please connect register for this session and plan to join us

via Zoom at the designated time.

We look forward to your engagement in this informative session.

IMPORTANT DATES: 89th Texas Legislative Session

Be sure to save these dates as we follow the 89th Legislative Session.

TEN remains committed to equipping you with comprehensive training and resources to strengthen your voice as an advocate for election integrity. Through our structured programs and educational materials, we ensure you are fully prepared to participate effectively in the upcoming spring elections.

We invite you to maintain your connection with TEN as your trusted source for objective information and practical training. Our resources are specifically designed to support meaningful grassroots engagement at both legislative and electoral levels, making complex processes accessible and actionable.

Your informed participation is vital to Texas's electoral process. As you continue your civic engagement and election integrity journey, TEN stands ready to provide the support, guidance, and resources you need to make a meaningful impact in our state.

Melissa Conway

Texas Election Network

Managing Director

832-648-0770