Welcome to the inaugural edition of Advocacy Updates. As the legislature kicks off the 2025 session we will provide insights into the work our team is doing in the Capitol, City Hall, and elsewhere.
Wrapping up a successful 2024, which saw major wins like a new police contract and an Austin Energy generation plan that prioritizes reliability, we will keep you informed on our work by making our updates more frequent and providing more in-depth information on key policy issues of interest.
Session Preview
The 89th Legislative session begins on January 14. As of January 5, 2025, lawmakers have already filed 2,327 bills and resolutions and have until March 14to file all their ideas, and until June 2 at midnight (the last day of session) to pass them.
Party Lines:
The House welcomes 31 new members to create a 88 to 62 republican majority. The Senate welcomes 3 new members to create a 20 to 11 republican majority.
Speaker's Race:
As is often the case, the run-up to the start of session is primarily about the Speaker’s race. The current Speaker, Dade Phelan, has withdrawn his name from the race after leading the chamber for two sessions. There are two candidates jockeying for the leadership position, Rep. Dustin Burrows (Lubbock) and Rep. David Cook (Mansfield). Learn more at KXAN.
Legislative Priorities
These items are designed to focus our efforts during the legislative session while providing a framework for making quick decisions on which policies to support, oppose, or remain neutral on.
1. Continue support for JETI/ Chapter 403.
2. Continue support for Chapters 380, 381 incentives.
3. Reauthorize the R&D Tax Credit.
4. Generation and transmission capacity, prioritizing dispatchable power and affordability.
5. Outcomes-based funding and policy to improve postsecondary success and workforce readiness.
April 2, 2024, is Opportunity Austin Day at the Capitol.
This is a chance for partners to join us at the Capitol for meetings with our legislative leaders and advocate in person for our legislative priorities. The day will begin with an 11:00 AM lunch and guest speaker in the Capitol Extension and followed by meetings with legislative offices in the afternoon with a reception in the early evening.
More details are coming soon but if you are interested in participating, please email our VP of Policy and Advocacy, Matt Creel.
Local Outlook
On January 6th, 2025, the Austin City Council swore in its new members. Last November, five of the 10 seats were up for election. Of those five, three featured incumbents with two of them winning (Vanessa Fuentes in District 2, Chito Vela in District 4). The council will feature three new members: Krista Lane (unseating incumbent Mackenzie Kelly in District 6), Mike Siegel (winner of a runoff in District 7), and Mark Duchen (District 10).
The 2024 City Council took significant steps on some important issues, most notably in public safety, passing a five-year police contract. Opportunity Austin will continue to work with the Council to serve as a resource on critical issues like public safety, affordability, and reliable energy to continue to forward momentum we achieved in 2024.
Opportunity Austin is committed to tackling the most pressing issues hindering businesses, allowing you to dedicate your energy to expansion.
Our focus lies in creating an environment that not only attracts businesses but also enriches the lives of the community. We actively invest in the quality of life, making the Austin region a compelling destination for both individuals and businesses.
Opportunity Austin’s mission is to boost economic diversification to proactively strengthen the economy, deepen the talent pool through development and attraction, and help to keep the Austin region attractive to entrepreneurs, business leaders, and site selectors.
