If no action happens on the bills, they’ll automatically become law and go into effect in September.
AUSTIN, Texas — Its the last day in the Texas legislature for lawmakers to work on bills to reach Governor Abbott’s office.
The house and senate also approved the state budget on Saturday for the next two years, worth more than $300 billion.
Texas lawmakers made two big changes for public education that are now in Governor Abbott’s hands.
One change is for an $8.5 billion boost for public schools, the second one is to extend the state’s ban on DEI initiatives.
Senate Bill 12 would ban teaching gender identity and sexual orientation curriculum, while also banning DEI hiring and training in over 1,200 Texas schools.
Other big bills on the governor’s desk includes Senate Bill 2972 and Senate Bill 3.
Senate Bill 2972 would limit where protests are held at public universities and the use of microphones and other sound equipment.
Senate Bill 3 is the ban on THC products. Multiple groups have been urging the governor to veto this bill.
In finances, the proposed $338 billion budget for Texas would be in place for the next two years.
$1 billion will go to the school voucher program that is set to launch in 2026.
This is on top of the $8.5 billion for public education.
$10 billion of the budget would go toward the state’s energy, internet, and water infrastructure, while another $51 billion would go to maintaining and providing new property tax cuts.
Governor Abbott has until June 22 to approve or veto bills passed in the House and Senate.
A decision for the budget has to be made by June 18.
If no action happens on the bills, they’ll automatically become law and go into effect in September.