State Representative Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant) sat down with Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO Greg Sindelar to discuss his legislative priorities as Texas approaches its 90th Legislative Session. Hefner, who chairs the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, identified property tax relief, national security protections, and school-level reforms as the primary focuses for his office and constituents in Northeast Texas.
The Big Picture
For the everyday Texan, Hefner frames the upcoming session as a balance between pocketbook issues and long-term security. While state leadership has prioritized multi-billion dollar tax relief packages, Hefner emphasizes that the ultimate accountability for property taxes lies with local government entities—cities, counties, and school districts. Simultaneously, the state is increasingly stepping into roles traditionally held by the federal government, specifically regarding cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries.
What Hefner Is Saying
“The most important government is those that are closest to the people—your county, your city, your school,” Representative Cole Hefner stated during the interview. Regarding national security, Hefner emphasized the importance of the land-ownership ban passed in the previous session: “It’s not just farmland. It’s all property—water rights, commercial land… land that’s close to critical infrastructure or sensitive structures”. He further noted that they would be “monitoring that bill going forward to see… if we missed anything… some loopholes here and there”.
By The Numbers
- 140 Days: The length of the biennial Texas legislative session where the primary policy discussions and news cycles occur.
- 18 Months: The time lawmakers spend “at home” between sessions, which Hefner describes as the period for “blocking and tackling” constituent services.
- 4: The number of specific countries—China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia—targeted as foreign adversaries in recent Texas land-ownership legislation.
- 12: The approximate number of bills in a legislative package passed last session aimed at protecting Texas from foreign influence, ranging from land bans to lobbying restrictions.
- $0: The cost to school districts to implement the chaplain volunteer program, which Hefner believes will be one of the most beneficial long-term policies for student counseling.
The Dispatch Note
As the 90th Session nears, Hefner’s focus suggests a push for even tighter restrictions on foreign entities and a deeper dive into “emerging threats” like drone technology and supply chain vulnerabilities. For Texas taxpayers, his message remains clear: the state will continue to provide the framework for tax relief, but local engagement and accountability will be the deciding factors in the size of the final bill.
Watch the full episode here: Protecting Texas Land & Critical Infrastructure with Rep. Cole Hefner