Legislative Newsletter: 89th Session Leadership, Budget and Advocacy

Published: Fri, 01/31/25

Updated: Fri, 01/31/25

The 89th Texas Legislative Session is officially underway, bringing key developments in leadership, budget proposals, and policy debates that will impact Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Today’s newsletter covers major updates, including new House rules, budget priorities, and opportunities to advocate.

Texas Legislature Leadership: New House Speaker, Rule Changes, and Senate Committees

On Jan. 14, members of the Texas House of Representatives elected Representative Dustin Burrows of Lubbock as Speaker of the House. First elected in 2014, Speaker Burrows previously chaired the influential House Calendars Committee (2021 and 2023) and the House Ways and Means Committee (2019).

On Jan. 23, the Texas House adopted its procedural rules for the current legislative session. Notably, these rules prohibit the appointment of Democrats as chairs of House committees, breaking a 50-year tradition of bipartisan committee leadership. Speaker Burrows is expected to release committee assignments in the coming weeks.

In the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced committee appointments.

State Budget Proposals Released

On Jan. 24, the Texas House and Senate filed their respective first drafts of the state budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal biennium. The Senate’s version (Senate Bill 1) proposes $332.9 billion in spending over the next two years, while the House’s version (House Bill 1) allocates $335.7 billion. Both budgets will undergo hearings in the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committee in the coming months.

Proposed Wage Increases for Direct Service Professionals

Both initial budget proposals include a proposed increase to the base wage for direct support professionals (DSPs) serving people with disabilities, raising it from $10.60 to $12.00 per hour starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. While this increase is a step in the right direction, it remains well below the wages DSPs need and is insufficient to address the ongoing direct care workforce crisis affecting Texans with IDD.

Raising DSP wages is one of the priorities we identified in The Arc of Texas’ public policy priorities for the 89th legislative session. To fully address the workforce crisis, we are advocating for a minimum wage of at least $17.00 per hour for DSPs, which would be at parity with State Supported Living Centers. These changes would help stabilize the workforce and ensure Texans with IDD continue to receive critical care.

A purple, orange and yellow banner with white text says "ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITY"

Advocacy Opportunity: Hearing on Health and Human Services Commission’s Budget Proposal (Feb. 4)

On Feb. 4, the Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on the Health and Human Services Commission’s budget proposal in Senate Bill 1, which includes DSP wages. Check out the hearing notice to learn how you can provide public testimony.

Advocacy Opportunity: Share Our Valentine's Card with Legislators on Have a Heart for The Arc Day (Feb. 14)

Have a Heart for The Arc Day is a fun way to show your disability rights pride and educate your state legislators about issues impacting Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This Valentine's Day, we’re focusing on strengthening the direct care workforce. Participate by simply sharing our Valentine's card with your state legislators – email or hand-deliver! Learn more about this statewide advocacy day and get your event shirt so you can wear your disability rights pride!

Fighting for Public Education

Our Testimony Opposing Senate Bill 2

On Jan. 28, The Arc of Texas’ Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, testified before the Senate Education K-16 Committee to oppose Senate Bill 2, which seeks to create an Educational Savings Account (ESA) program that would divert public school funds to private schools, raising serious concerns for students with disabilities and their families. Read our testimony. The Arc of Texas opposes this bill because:

Private schools are not bound by the same federal and state protections for students with disabilities as public schools, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and many requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Redirecting public funds to private institutions threatens funding for special education programs across Texas.

Despite bipartisan opposition from disability rights advocates and public school supporters, state leaders have signaled strong support for an ESA program. The Senate budget proposal even sets aside $1 billion for its implementation—despite Texas underfunding special education by $2.1 billion annually.

Learn more about the impact an ESA program would have on students with disabilities.

Advocate Spotlight: Sixth-Grader Felicita Piñón Delivers Powerful Testimony Opposing SB 2

On Jan. 28, Felicita Piñón, a sixth grade public school student with Cerebral Palsy, delivered a heartfelt testimony opposing SB 2. Felicita shared her personal experience of being denied admittance to multiple private schools due to her disability. With great courage, she urged the committee to oppose SB 2 and called for full funding of public education, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that "all students can have the chance to learn and grow."

Private Schools Didn't Choose Me - Powerful Testimony from Felicita

Related: Watch Dr. Lizdelia Piñón's testimony — mother to Felicita and three other children with disabilities. Kudos to this amazing mother-daughter advocacy duo!

Stay up to date on advocacy opportunities and disability rights news: follow @TheArcOfTexas on social media and keep an eye on our emails. Together, by sharing self-advocates’ and families’ experiences, we can continue making progress!

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

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