DALLAS — Emboldened by another sweep of statewide offices and firm control of the Legislature, Texas Republicans are poised to implement right-of-center policies designed to keep the Lone Star State a bastion of Trump-era conservatism.
Gov. Greg Abbott, who on Tuesday easily defeated Democrat Beto O’Rourke for a third term, has already offered a slew of conservative proposals, including laws to strengthen the influence parents have in public education, policies that allow students to choose public school alternatives, more laws to stifle the teaching of "critical race theory" and substantial property tax reductions that could include a taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Abbott’s agenda comes as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the president of the Senate who also won reelection Tuesday, has pledged to ban gender modification surgeries and is expected to push other policies aimed at the transgender community. Republicans could also add prohibitions on travel outside the state to have abortions.
