By Conservative State Representative Angelia Orr
When President Trump said we need to “drain the swamp,” he wasn’t just talking about Washington, D.C. He was talking about a mindset—about making government work for the people, not the other way around. In Texas, we take that message seriously. That’s why this session, we’re focused on getting back to the basics: smaller government, stronger families, and real accountability to the taxpayers.
One of the things that sets Texas apart from Washington DC is our budget process. Did you know that the only legislation we are required to pass in a legislative session is a BALANCED budget?
Just last week, we did just that! Along with the rest of the appropriation’s committee leadership, I helped lay out Texas’s budget for the next biennium. With debate lasting into the early hours of Friday morning, we passed a balanced, fiscally conservative budget that puts the needs of taxpayers first.
I am proud to say that this budget stays well under all state spending limits and grows less than the rate of population growth and inflation.
Even more, we prioritized historic property tax relief of $51 billion ($11.2 billion dollars more than last session), $6.5 billion for border security, $7.7 billion in targeted K-12 education funding, $63 billion to fully fund public school enrollment, $30 billion for road projects, and $2.5 billion for water infrastructure improvements, and strategic wage increases for personal healthcare attendants. All in all, I believe a budget was passed that we all can be proud of.
But passing a budget is only the beginning. What matters most is ensuring every dollar is used wisely. That’s where our work on government efficiency comes in—and it’s why I’m proud to support legislation that brings transparency, common sense, and accountability back into government.
I am a co-author of House Bill 10, aimed at reforming how state agencies adopt and implement rules and regulations. By passing this bill we are ensuring that no agency can push through new regulations without real oversight. Texans deserve a say in how rules are written, and this bill puts the power back where it belongs: with the people and their elected representatives. It’s a safeguard against bloated bureaucracy, and a win for open, accountable government.
Next, I am proud to have voted for HB 12, a bill that strengthens our oversight of how state agencies operate—by improving performance reviews and audits that actually lead to change. This bill is about asking the right questions: Is this agency doing what it promised? Are Texans getting results? And if not, what needs to happen? HB 12 gives us the tools to answer those questions and act on them.
Lastly, we passed HB 675 out of the House to protect your right to know what your government is doing by preventing excessive fees for open records. Government transparency isn’t optional—it’s foundational to our republic. If you have to pay an arm and a leg to get a public document, it’s not really public. HB 675 guarantees that access stays fair and affordable for every Texan.
As your voice in Austin, I believe in a government that’s lean, efficient, and accountable. That’s why I am supporting all efforts that give the power back to the people and cut down on bloated government. You deserve a government that reflects your values. I’ll keep fighting to make sure every agency, every program, and every dollar works for you—not for the system.
Thank you for reading my weekly column! Make sure you stay connected and informed about the legislative process by calling our Capitol office at (512) 463-0600 or by following my social media page at www.facebook.com/AngeliaOrrForTX.
–Your Conservative State Representative Angelia Orr
