Abbott Hints at Potential Special Session on Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban

Abbott Hints at Potential Special Session on Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban

By | Texas Scorecard | June 16, 2025

Gov. Greg Abbott is leaving the door open for a special session of the Texas Legislature, signaling that unfinished Republican priorities—particularly a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying—could soon bring lawmakers back to Austin.

During a speech at the Harris County GOP’s annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner on Friday night, Abbott acknowledged that lawmakers had failed to deliver a ban on the practice, telling attendees, “All I can say is we may not be done yet.”

His remarks come as grassroots pressure intensifies. Over the weekend, the State Republican Executive Committee passed a resolution urging Abbott to call a special session to address several issues that failed to cross the finish line during the regular session—including taxpayer-funded lobbying and stronger property tax relief.

The push to end taxpayer-funded lobbying has been a long-standing legislative priority for the Republican Party of Texas. Despite strong support among GOP voters, the effort has repeatedly stalled in the Texas House—often due to opposition from local government officials and the lobbyists they hire with public funds.

According to estimates, taxpayers are expected to pay $94.5 million in 2025 to fund lobbyists hired by cities, counties, and special districts to influence state legislation. Critics argue the practice allows local governments to use taxpayer money to advocate against the interests of the very people who pay the bills.

This session, the Texas Senate once again passed a bill that would have prohibited cities and counties from using taxpayer dollars to lobby the Legislature. However, that bill was amended to exempt certain taxpayer-funded lobbying organizations—most notably the Texas Association of School Boards and the Texas Municipal League.

Even in its weakened form, the bill never received a committee hearing in the Texas House. State Rep. Ken King (R–Canadian), who chairs the powerful House State Affairs Committee, refused to set the bill for consideration, effectively killing it before it could reach the floor.

This is not a new pattern. In past sessions, similar bills have met the same fate in the House, where local government interests hold considerable sway.

Although Abbott has publicly criticized taxpayer-funded lobbying since at least 2013, he has never officially listed it among his emergency items or special session agenda priorities. That may soon change.

The governor has shown a willingness to repeatedly bring lawmakers back to Austin to complete his agenda when he feels it’s necessary. In 2023, he called four special sessions. In 2021, there were three.

If Abbott does decide to call a special session, he alone will set the agenda, and lawmakers will have up to 30 days to consider only the issues he designates.

Brandon serves as the Senior Editor for Texas Scorecard. After managing successful campaigns for top conservative legislators and serving as a Chief of Staff in the Texas Capitol, Brandon moved outside the dome in order to shine a spotlight on conservative victories and establishment corruption in Austin. @bwaltens