Capitol Insights

The 2025 Texas Legislative Session is approaching quickly, and I've spent the last several months in conversation with key legislative leaders about their priorities. What's become abundantly clear is that this session will be unlike any we've seen in recent years—with significant implications for organizations operating in Texas.

Why This Session Matters More Than Most

Having worked the Capitol halls for over three decades, I can tell you this isn't hyperbole. The convergence of economic pressures, energy transitions, and post-pandemic realities has created a perfect storm of legislative activity. Organizations that fail to prepare now will find themselves playing catch-up when bills start moving at breakneck pace.

When a client recently asked me if they could wait until January to begin their legislative strategy, I had to be blunt: "By then, many of the decisions that will affect your industry will already be baked into committee priorities."

Economic Development: The Battle for Texas's Competitive Edge

Texas continues to lead the nation in job creation and business relocation—a point of pride that legislators from both parties are determined to maintain. But how we maintain this edge is sparking intense debate.

During recent conversations with members of the House Economic Development Committee, I've heard consistent concerns about the structure of business incentive programs. The Chapter 313 replacement debate will likely dominate early committee hearings, with significant differences between House and Senate approaches.

Watch particularly for:

Targeted incentive programs focused on semiconductor manufacturing, critical infrastructure, and advanced technology sectors
Workforce development initiatives aimed at addressing the skills gap that CEOs consistently cite as their biggest Texas challenge
Infrastructure investment packages designed to support high-growth regions struggling with transportation and utility capacity

An executive from a Fortune 500 company recently told me, "We're making 50-year facility decisions based on what Texas does in this session." That's the level of impact we're discussing.

Energy Policy: Balancing Reliability with Transition

As the nation's energy leader, Texas faces perhaps the most complex policy challenges in the energy sector. The traumatic failures during Winter Storm Uri remain fresh in legislators' minds, while the rapid growth of renewable energy alongside traditional production creates both opportunities and tensions.

In my conversations with the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT leadership, several priorities have emerged:

Grid reliability improvements including weatherization requirements, reserve capacity mandates, and critical infrastructure designations
Renewable integration frameworks that balance the continued growth of wind and solar with grid stability concerns
Regulatory structures for emerging technologies like battery storage, hydrogen, and small modular nuclear reactors

One Senator confided, "We're trying to solve for reliability, affordability, and transition all at once—and the stakeholders for each priority have competing interests."

Healthcare Access: Addressing Critical Gaps

Healthcare policy continues to be a critical concern, with rural healthcare access reaching crisis levels in some regions of the state. After spending time with both provider organizations and rural community leaders, I can report several key issues rising to the top of the agenda:

Rural healthcare accessibility through new funding models, telehealth expansion, and provider incentive programs
Telehealth permanence provisions that solidify the regulatory changes implemented during the pandemic
Insurance market reforms aimed at addressing coverage gaps and network adequacy in underserved areas

The Advocacy Roadmap: How to Prepare Now

After guiding hundreds of organizations through legislative sessions, I've developed a clear framework for effective advocacy. The organizations that succeed aren't always the largest or best-funded—they're the ones that prepare methodically and execute strategically.

1. Identify Your Key Stakeholders

Start by mapping the legislative ecosystem around your issues. This includes not just committee chairs and members, but the often-overlooked senior staff who shape legislation behind the scenes. Develop a comprehensive stakeholder map that includes:

Committee leadership and members with jurisdiction over your issues
Key agency officials who will implement resulting regulations
Staff directors and policy analysts who draft legislation
Other organizations and coalitions with aligned interests

2. Build Strategic Coalitions

The most effective advocacy rarely happens in isolation. In my experience, strategic coalition-building amplifies your voice and provides critical mass on key issues. When developing coalitions:

Seek unexpected allies who bring different constituencies to the table
Establish clear coalition governance and messaging discipline early
Develop shared resources and intelligence-gathering systems
Create a rapid response structure for when opportunities or threats emerge

A healthcare coalition I worked with last session succeeded primarily because they brought together providers, patient advocates, and business interests—giving legislators cover from multiple constituencies to support difficult reforms.

3. Develop Compelling, Evidence-Based Messaging

Legislators and their staff are inundated with position papers and talking points. What breaks through is messaging that clearly articulates not just what you want, but how your position benefits constituents and the state's broader interests.

The most effective approaches:

Ground arguments in Texas-specific data and examples
Articulate constituent impacts across different regions of the state
Provide clear, concise one-pagers that staff can quickly digest and reference
Develop compelling narratives that make technical issues accessible

4. Engage Early and Consistently

The cardinal mistake I see organizations make is waiting until session begins to establish relationships. By then, it's often too late to shape the fundamental understanding of issues. Begin now by:

Scheduling interim meetings with key legislators and staff
Providing subject matter expertise for interim committee hearings
Inviting officials to tour facilities or participate in industry events
Building a presence that extends beyond formal lobbying activities

The Path Forward

The window for effective pre-session positioning is closing quickly. Organizations that invest in relationship-building and strategic planning now will find themselves with access and credibility when critical decisions are being made.

In my 30+ years working in the Texas Capitol, I've observed that success rarely comes to those who simply react to legislative developments. It comes to those who help shape the understanding of issues before bills are even drafted.

The 2025 Texas Legislative Session will present extraordinary challenges and opportunities. The groundwork you lay in the coming months will determine whether your organization can effectively navigate what promises to be a consequential session. The time to begin is now.