The governor’s State of the State address is key because it’s where he’ll declare his “emergency items” for the ongoing 2025 Texas legislative session. In the session’s first 60 days, lawmakers are only allowed to pass legislation related to these items.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Friday directing state agencies to be “color-blind” and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The order instructs Texas agencies — such as the Department of Public Safety and Texas Education Agency — to ensure all “rules,