AUSTIN, TEXAS — While Republicans are ready to pour a multi-billion dollar budget surplus down the drain, Texas House Democrats know there are better ways to spend taxpayer funds – to tackle the affordability crisis and rebuild crucial infrastructure. Amendments filed by Democrats keep Texans safe, invest in childcare and education, protect Texans from Trump’s tariffs, and bring down the sky-high cost of healthcare and suffocating cost of living.
As the filed amendments prove, Democrats are on the side of taxpayers and real Texans, not extreme agendas and political bailouts:
Keeping Texas Safe and Supporting Survivors:
Rep. Howard, to support survivors and prevent assault, proposes $650,000 for Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault for a study on the prevalence of sexual assault. Rep. Jessica Gonzalez proposes keeping Texas children safe by compiling a database of instances of child abuse committed by religious leaders. (E890040, E890305)
Rep. Christina Morales filed a measure to investigate the public safety impact of Department of Public Safety high-speed vehicle pursuits and another to ban dangerous buoys . (E890333, E890325)
Rep. Morales Shaw wants to keep Texas safe and study forever chemicals in our food, beverages, and water. (E890209)
Investing in Texas Kids and Schools
Rep. Bryant would meet Gov. Abbott’s promise to lower Texas’ out-of-control border spending by moving funds from his border theatre slush fund to local child care programs (E890119).
Rep.** Vincent Perez **proposes a measure for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to conduct a study on teacher housing affordability in high-need areas. The study must examine different methods to address housing affordability (E890134).
Rep. Bernal wants to provide teacher pay raises by allocating any surplus funds collected in excess to be transferred to the Foundation School Program (E890349).
Rep. Allen would require TEA to produce a report twice per year on how funding, programs, and student outcomes are impacted by any reductions in federal funding for public education (E890361).
Rep. **Yvonne Davis **would require a report on recipients of TPWD grants to serve inner city neighborhoods or rural areas. The report would include the type of grant, amount allocated, individuals served, and the location covered by the grant (E890078).
**Making Healthcare Affordable & Accessible: **
Rep. Bucy is focused on giving Texans the healthcare coverage they deserve, with an amendment to finally expand Medicaid to 1.2 million Texans. (E890100).
Rep. **Christina Morales proposes a **study on food deserts and the potential disproportionate impact on communities of color. (E890398)
Rep. Thompson would require the HHSC to conduct a study to evaluate the cost effectiveness and feasibility of the Diabetes Prevention Program. (E890215)
Rep. **Morales Shaw's **amendment requires HHSC to employ a language access coordinator to assess gaps in language access for all HHSC programs and the 211 program. (E890216)
Rep. Bryant to protect women’s health from harmful Republican-backed legislation by striking section 6.24’s limitation on abortion funding. (E890113)
Protecting the Texas Economy From Trump:
To protect Texan business, farmers, and producers from Trump’s tariffs – Rep. Goodwin’s amendment establishes the Texas Tariff Impact Relief Fund and Grant Program. (E890290)
Rep. Martinez Fischer is keeping an eye on the impact of Trump’s destructive economic actions, creating a report on the impact of tariffs and Elon Musk’s dangerous cuts to federal programs (E890282, E890287).
Boosting Family Budgets and Affordability
Rep. Bryant would reduce the border security fund by 1 billion to fund the TDHCA emergency rental assistance program, which supports Texas’s most vulnerable families during disaster. (E890125)
Rep. Turner proposes to conduct a study on property insurance claims denied or not renewed, including where, how many, why, and any demographic information on families denied coverage. (E890129)
Rep. Wu aims to support Texas’s retirees by creating a 13th Check for state retirees in the next two years. (E890145)
Rep. **Yvonne Davis **amends Rider 5 to allow local governments $1 billion to assist low-income people dependent on electric medical devices in installing backup home generators and creates a Consumer Energy Backup Program. (E890054 and E890055)
"While Republicans propose amendments that play to culture wars, slash funding for our neighborhood schools, and undermine public health and safety, Democrats are ready to pass a budget that will meet the needs of Texans,” said **House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu. **“The budget amendments proposed by Democrats reflect our commitment to create a Texas that works for Texans — not the wealthy elite, not out-of-state corporations, and not special interests.”