Will School Choice Dominate Governor Abbott’s State Of State Address?

Governor Greg Abbott has announced that his 2025 State of the State address will take place on Sunday, February 2, at 5:00 PM CT. The address, which will outline his legislative priorities for the 89th Texas Legislature, will be broadcast live across the state by Nexstar Media Group, with a livestream also available online via participating stations, according to an official statement from this office.

In his announcement, Gov. Abbott highlighted Texas’ national and global leader role, emphasizing the state’s economic strength and commitment to individual liberty.

“Texas is the blueprint for America’s future,” Abbott said. “This 89th Legislative Session brings new opportunities for the Texas Legislature and statewide leaders to strengthen our national and global position as the beacon of economic opportunity, prosperity, and individual liberty.”

He also cited Texas’ status as the eighth-largest economy in the world as evidence of its progress, while also outlining the broader vision of “building a stronger Texas for generations.”

Governor Abbott’s upcoming State of the State address comes at a crucial moment for the 89th Legislature, where key policy issues such as property tax reductions, infrastructure improvements, and school choice are expected to dominate the conversation.

In his 2023 address, Abbott laid out several priorities for the 88th legislative session, including bolstering school safety, securing the U.S.-Mexico border, and addressing the fentanyl crisis. However, his primary focus quickly shifted to school choice—also known as school vouchers—leading him to spend much of the session pushing for this contentious legislation. Despite his efforts, the bill ultimately failed in the House due to strong opposition from Democrats and rural Republicans.

This year, Abbott is confident that the political landscape has shifted in his favor. After spending the past year campaigning against rural Republicans who opposed his school choice legislation, he has ousted enough lawmakers to secure the votes needed for its passage.

The Texas Senate has already introduced an education savings account proposal, and all eyes are now on whether the House will mirror this approach as the session unfolds.

Live Coverage

The address will be carried by 15 Nexstar television stations serving 14 Texas media markets, making it accessible to viewers throughout the state. The stations include: