Speaker Dade Phelan is asking the Texas House of Representatives to consider school vouchers and tax breaks

Less than three weeks before his primary runoff election, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan directed lawmakers to study private school voucher programs in other states and figure out how to further reduce property taxes.

Phelan's list of priorities lays the potential foundation for the next legislative session with issues such as housing affordability, access to prenatal care, workforce development and border security. The 89th legislative session is scheduled to convene on January 14th.

After a tense year in the capital, the second-term speaker faces a contentious May 28 runoff against Republican challenger David Covey, an oil and gas consultant backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Phelan, a Republican from Southeast Texas, has faced intense criticism from many members of his own party over his handling of Paxton's impeachment, the House's rejection of school vouchers and his decision to let Democrats run House committees.

Patrick, who leads the Texas Senate, released his own interim priorities last month.

The details

Phelan asked the House Public Education Committee to study how other states use education savings accounts, commonly known as private school vouchers, and “make recommendations for a Texas program.” The controversial programs provide families with public money so they can send their children to private schools.

In November, 21 rural Republicans voted with House Democrats to block a voucher proposal, saying it would deprive public schools of critical funding and do nothing to benefit rural communities. Gov. Greg Abbott, who promoted vouchers as a “parental empowerment” program, led the charge to unseat more than a dozen House Republicans.

Abbott recently said that voucher advocates are “on the cusp of success” after several anti-voucher Republicans were unseated or sent to close primaries.

Building on $18 billion in property tax cuts, Phelan called on the House Ways & Means Committee to further reduce property tax rates for school districts, tighten the cap on annual increases in a home's taxable value, and maintain a tax exemption of $100,000 to consider for homesteads.

Patrick asked senators to estimate the cost of completely eliminating some or all types of property taxes. The lieutenant governor previously appeared opposed to eliminating property taxes, arguing the concept had “no support from the Legislature or the people.”

Also notable

Phelan also directed lawmakers to review real estate prices and zoning requirements “to fulfill the dream of homeownership for more Texas families.” Patrick encouraged senators to address similar issues, as well as homelessness and affordable housing programs.

Both leaders called on members to review the involvement of state agencies in Texas' border security initiative, Operation Lone Star. ensure “adequate resources” are available to combat crimes at the border; and investigate the safety and welfare of troops stationed at the border.

Lawmakers approved billions of dollars in additional funding for border operations last year.

The House should also examine local workforce education programs, road congestion and bridge safety, as well as the increasing number of uncertified teachers in public schools, Phelan wrote.

“To sustain our exceptional economic momentum, the House will continue to explore innovative strategies and solutions to keep Texas competitive on the global stage while ensuring our workforce is prepared to meet the demands of our growing, diverse economy,” Phelan said in a Press release. “House committees will also work to mitigate the challenges of a booming population and respond to natural disasters so that the state of Texas is as resilient as its people.”