Legislative Newsletter: Kicking off the 89th Texas Legislative Session

Published: Tue, 01/14/25

Updated: Tue, 01/14/25

Today is the first day of the 89th Texas Legislature!

On this first day of the 2025 legislative session, The Arc of Texas is excited to share our inaugural legislative newsletter with you. This biweekly email will serve as your source for all things relating to disability policy being considered by the Texas Legislature.

Our Focus

The Arc of Texas remains committed to advocating for Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), understanding that every decision made by the legislature impacts the disability community. We will do so by partnering with lawmakers and advocates to advance our four policy pillars (listed below) and related priorities to promote, protect, and advocate for the human rights and self-determination of Texans with IDD:

Quality of Life
Inclusive Education
Competitive Integrated Employment
Civil Rights and Justice

Overview of the Texas Legislature

The Texas Legislature, consisting of the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate, meets in Austin at the Texas State Capitol today through June 2, 2025, to create a budget to fund state government and consider policy items and topics of interest to Texans.

The Texas Legislature is made up of 150 members elected to the Texas House of Representatives and 31 members elected to the Texas Senate. Because the Texas Legislature meets only every other year, all legislation must be considered and passed by both the Texas House and Texas Senate during the next 140 days. Legislation passed by both chambers must then go to the Governor of Texas for final consideration and approval.

Who Represents Me in the Texas Legislature?

The legislative session is your opportunity to make your voice heard by state lawmakers! You can find who you represents you in the Texas House and Senate and contact them to share your perspective at any time. Please note that some officeholders have changed as a result of elections held in November 2024.

Get Involved

Stay tuned to our emails and follow us on social media @TheArcOfTexas to hear about time-sensitive advocacy opportunities and disability rights news and resources. By continuing this critical work together – sharing the stories and experiences of self-advocates and families – we can continue to make progress for disability rights!

A white background with red text says, "Join The Arc of Texas for a statewide advocacy event on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14! Have a Heart for The Arc" It includes an illustration of two hands in the shape of a heart around the words, "The Arc" and yellow and orange hearts.

Save the date for our statewide advocacy day, Have a Heart for The Arc! On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, join us in urging Texas policymakers to “Have a Heart” for The Arc of Texas, Texans with IDD, and direct support professionals who provide crucial supports, enabling them to live in their communities of choice rather than in institutions. Stay tuned for more details and a Valentine’s Day card created by our team that you can hand-deliver or email to your elected officials!

Meet the Team

Our Public Policy & Advocacy team is eager to help you advocate! Learn about Sabrina, Michael, and Kate on our staff webpage.

Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy

Michael Clarke, Deputy Director of Public Policy & Advocacy

Kate Stoops, Public Policy & Advocacy Assistant

Help us make progress for and with Texans with IDD by donating to The Arc of Texas today. Thank you.

DONATE NOW

Stay tuned to our social media channels @TheArcOfTexas for updates.

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