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The Texas legislative session begins Jan. 14 and the city of Port Arthur has shared its legislative priorities for the 2025 session.

While local city governments are not part of the Texas legislature, they have a pivotal role in how laws are written and passed within the legislature. 

Their legislative priorities are put in place to support agenda items that will help Port Arthur and reject items that may harm the city. The priorities are written in a vague manner to not limit themselves on what they are allowed to lobby for as the Texas legislature moves very quickly while in session. 

The priorities are as follows:

SUPPORT OF STATE APPROPRIATIONS

•   Funds for water infrastructure
•   Funds for highway construction from Port Arthur to Sabine Pass
•   Funds for local parks grants program
•   Funds to support institutions of higher education, including Lamar State College-Port Arthur
•   Funds for mental health services for the homeless

LOCAL GOVERNANCE

•   Support legislation that would benefit the City and the continued ability of local elected

    officials to pass ordinances that meet the unique needs of the community

•   Oppose legislation to eliminate a City’s authority to designate any part of its extraterritorial

    jurisdiction as an industrial district

• Oppose legislation that results in the City’s loss of revenue or negatively impacts that

   authority to generate revenues.

•   Oppose legislation that would erode Texas Home-Rule municipal authority

Texas Home-Rule municipal authority refers to the ability cities in Texas have to govern themselves. General Law cities follow state rules and can only do what the state allows them to do. Home Rule cities have more freedom and can do anything unless the Texas Constitution or state laws specifically say they can’t.

The Texas legislative session ends June 2.