Texas' $51 billion property tax cut could save homeowners $500 a year-if voters approve it in November. But redistricting debate may drown it out.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a second special session Friday after gaveling out the first 30-day session, hamstrung by fleeing Democrats who left the state.

In the battle over Texas' redistricting plan to pick up Republican House seats, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have made competing claims. The post Assessing Redistricting Claims from Texas,

California is stepping into a national redistricting battle after President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw maps to maintain their U.S. House majority.

The U.S. and Texas state flags flutter on the day of a special session of the Texas House after Democratic lawmakers left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, in Austin, Texas, U.S., August 14, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores

The state Legislature has been locked in a standoff over a push to notch more seats for Republicans in next year's midterms.

For now, all of Sutter County, along with most of Yuba County's population, falls within Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa's district. The rest of Yuba County lies within Rep. Kevin Kiley's district. In November, each Republican decidedly won his seat in Congress, both of which are among the five seats reportedly under scrutiny for redistricting.