By Rita Cook
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
AUSTIN – Some Texans looking on at the 2025 legislative session might be scratching their heads at the pile of bills Texas Gov. Greg Abbott chose to sign or veto by his deadline of June 22.
Abbott signed over 300 bills into law.
Yet, the onlooker might be wondering why bills like the requirement for the Ten Commandments to be displayed at schools as well as time allotted for staff and students to pray or read their bibles during school hours would pass while a clear religious directive at what that same bible teaches about helping those in need was overlooked.
Breaking that idea down, Abbott greenlighted the heavy-handed law to require the Ten Commandments and prayer time, but he decided to slash a lone item from the Texas budget not to fund the Summer EBT program to provide food assistance to children who depend on access to school meals.
In fact, the Summer EBT program was the only item Abbott slashed for the state’s $338 billion budget using his line-item veto to remove the $60 million feeding program.
The religion-based bills will come under legal scrutiny and already have since some Texas families and even church leaders are concerned of violations regarding separation of church and state.
A number of organizations have said they will file lawsuits regarding the separation of church and state issue including The American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
One lawsuit already filed with the federal government stated “The government should govern; the Church should minister. Anything else is a threat to the soul of both our democracy and our faith.”
THC supporters were able to rally behind somewhat of a victory when Abbott vetoed SB3, the THC banning bill. However, adamant lawmakers and Lt. Govt. Dan Patrick will keep this issue going, likely due to pressure from lobbyists.
The topic will be back during the upcoming special session to begin July 21. The idea will be to consider regulating THC products much like alcohol to keep children safe. The challenge is safety for children, while at the same time respecting the thousands of Texas veterans and adults who are mature enough and aware of the pros and cons of THC use.
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu said “House Democrats fought hard alongside business owners, veterans, and everyday Texans to stop SB 3’s unconstitutional overreach” stating he is glad Abbott listened.
Wu said on the other hand “We’re deeply disappointed that in the same stroke, Abbott vetoed food for hungry Texas kids and a bipartisan bill ensuring Texans don’t sit in jail longer than their potential sentence.”
Another surprise was the governor’s veto of HB413, relating to criminal justice reform. This bill was passed in the House 126-10 and the Senate 30-1 with bipartisan support. It has been co-authored by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
Abott also signed bills that included supporting rural health care around the state, simplifying what abortion exceptions will be in the state, and banning NDAs for sexual abuse victims.
Most of the laws signed by Abbott will go into effect September 1.
Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime and politics. A correspondent for Texas Metro News, she has published 11 books and has also produced low-budget films.
