With the 2026 midterm election just weeks away, voters in McKinney can review how their state representatives and senators voted on a slate of high‑impact bills passed during the 2025 Texas legislative session. All of the measures listed below were signed into law and reflect the Trump administration’s emphasis on parental choice, fiscal responsibility and community safety.
Education funding and school choice
House Bill 2 appropriated roughly $8.4 billion for Texas’s nearly 9,000 public schools. The package raises educator salaries and adds a $55 increase to the per‑student funding base, a direct investment in the quality of education for families across the state.
Senate Bill 2 created a $1 billion education savings account program. These accounts let families use the funds for private‑school tuition or homeschooling expenses, expanding true school‑choice options for parents who want to tailor education to their children’s needs.
Property‑tax relief
Senate Bill 23 raised the homestead exemption to $200,000 for homeowners who are 65 or older or have a disability, delivering a meaningful tax cut for seniors and disabled Texans.
Senate Bill 4 broadened the exemption for all homeowners, increasing the limit from $100,000 to $140,000. Both measures were approved by voters in the November 2025 constitutional amendment election, underscoring broad public support for tax relief.
Public‑safety and parental oversight
Senate Bill 1 addressed summer‑camp safety after the tragic July 2025 floods at Camp Mystic, which claimed 25 campers and two counselors. The bill is part of a two‑pronged safety package aimed at preventing such disasters in the future.
Senate Bill 13 strengthens parental oversight of school library materials. Parents may now request records of all items their children check out and submit a list of prohibited titles, while districts can form advisory councils to guide library policy.
School environment and technology
House Bill 1481 bans the use of personal cellphones, smartwatches and similar devices by students in public and charter schools during the school day, with limited exceptions for medical or special‑education needs. The measure aims to reduce distractions and keep classrooms focused on learning.
Redistricting
House Bill 4 from the second special session established new congressional boundaries that will be used in the 2026 midterm elections. Texas Republicans anticipate the map will help the party secure 30 of the state’s 38 congressional seats.
Local representatives up for reelection
The following incumbents, all Republicans, represent portions of McKinney and will appear on the November 3 ballot:
- Rep. Keresa Richardson (R‑McKinney)
- Rep. Matt Shaheen (R‑Plano)
- Rep. Jeff Leach (R‑Plano)
- Rep. Candy Noble (R‑Lucas)
Early voting runs from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30, according to Collin County Elections. Voters can find polling locations and additional details at Collin County Elections.
These voting records give McKinney’s electorate a clear view of each candidate’s stance on education funding, parental rights, tax relief and public safety—key issues that align with the community’s values of strong families, faith‑based stewardship and individual liberty.
Original reporting: Community Impact — McKinney — read the source article.
