March 05, 2024

TXCPA Advocacy – A Successful 2023 and a Look Ahead

By Kenneth Besserman, J.D.

The Texas Legislature ended the 88th regular session on May 29, 2023. Governor Greg Abbott then called four special sessions during the summer and fall, keeping legislators in Austin for much longer than they wanted. The session ended with two very important developments. The first was the House impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, and the second was the passage of the two-year state budget and using much of the $33 billion surplus, but no agreement could be reached during the regular session about the much talked about and promised property tax relief. 

During the second called special session in July 2023, the Legislature finally came to an agreement on property tax relief – an increase in the homestead exemption to $100,000 and over $5 billion put directly into public schools. Following the property tax special session, the Senate convened – only for the third time in its history – to hold a Senate trial on the impeachment of the Attorney General.

After more than two weeks, the Senate voted to not remove the Attorney General from office. In the fall, the Legislature was called back for two special sessions to debate the issue of school vouchers – educational savings accounts – the effort to give some state tax money to families to allow them to attend private schools. After much heated debate and political pressure, the school voucher efforts failed.

In the regular session, amidst the debate over the state budget, various social issues and property tax relief, TXCPA was able to pass two significant pieces of legislation to help with the CPA pipeline. The first, Senate Bill 159, now allows CPA candidates to begin to take the CPA Exam after completing 120 hours of education rather than the old requirement of having to complete 150 hours to take the Exam.

Second, working with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, House Bill 2217 will allow more accounting students to have access to accounting scholarship funds. By allowing testing to begin earlier and more financial resources available to students, these efforts will help to increase the CPA pipeline in Texas.

The TXCPA PAC is Vital for Our Legislative Efforts

These legislative efforts are only possible with the help of the TXCPA PAC. The PAC helps to nurture and cultivate legislative relationships, so TXCPA is in the best position to advocate for issues important to CPAs and the accounting profession. Efforts to diminish the CPA license continue and are slowly gaining an audience in the Legislature.

The PAC is even more important as we move into 2024 and 2025. The large number of legislative retirements, the extreme legislative acrimony that resulted from the Attorney General’s impeachment and the fight over school vouchers will make passing meaningful legislation more difficult in 2025.

Here’s how the TXCPA PAC is protecting your profession:

Access and visibility – The TXCPA PAC provides increased access to policy makers and elected officials. 

Mitigate potential threats – Members can actively counteract threats and ensure the profession’s interests are protected.

Advance our priorities and protect the CPA license – Together, we can have a collective impact on the legislative process and help shape policies that align with the profession’s interests and values.

Contribute to the TXCPA PAC to help us achieve our legislative goals for the accounting profession. Go to the website at https://bit.ly/txcpapac.

About the Author: Kenneth Besserman, J.D., is TXCPA’s Director of Government Affairs and Special Counsel. Contact him at kbesserman@tx.cpa.

  • Meet TXCPA’s 2025-2026 Chair Billy Kelley

    Billy Kelley, CPA and managing partner at Dutton, Harris & Co, is the 2025-2026 Chair of TXCPA. With a background in public accounting, industry and entrepreneurship, he is passionate about leadership, mentorship and strengthening the CPA pipeline.
    View Article
  • CPE: What to Know About Profits Interest

    Profits interest is a form of partnership ownership that offers recipients a share of future profits without a capital contribution. While offering strategic advantages, profits-interest contracts involve complex tax and accounting considerations and remain subject to potential regulatory changes.
    View Article
    CPE Creditable
  • What’s Happening Around Texas - July-August 2025

    Members in Austin held a happy hour to wrap up tax season and Houston members volunteered at the Botanic Gardens. Permian Basin members teamed up with UTPB students for a city cleanup. Southeast Texas gathered for a Spring Meeting and Victoria enjoyed a festive Member Appreciation Event.
    View Article
  • 2025-2026 TXCPA Chapter Officers

    Introducing TXCPA’s 2025-2026 chapter leaders – a dynamic group of professionals ready to elevate the accounting profession. With passion, purpose and a bold vision, they’ll guide our chapters forward and help shape the future of TXCPA across the state.
    View Article
  • Optimizing Auditor Precision: Addressing Biases in Large Language Model Technologies

    Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming accounting and auditing by improving efficiency, uncovering financial trends and analyzing unstructured data, but using them also introduces risks, especially biases from training data and algorithms. Professionals are encouraged to stay educated on AI trends to use LLMs effectively.
    View Article
  • Meet the Chair

    In his first message as TXCPA Chair, Billy Kelley discusses his passion for TXCPA and goals for the year. He also reflects on the recent Annual Meeting in Galveston and encourages member engagement.
    View Article
  • TXCPA’s Successes and Key Issues from the 89th Texas Legislative Session

    TXCPA had a highly successful 89th Legislative Session, securing two major wins. Senate Bill 262 creates an additional pathway to CPA licensure and Senate Bill 522 modernizes CPA practice mobility. These achievements strengthen the CPA pipeline and protect the public.
    View Article
  • How ESG Can Create Value for Your Business

    The SEC has introduced climate-related disclosure rules to improve transparency for investors, sparking both support and criticism. This article highlights how businesses can view Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) not just as a compliance issue but as a value-creating strategy.
    View Article
  • Increasing Your Marketing Prowess: How CPAs Can Market with Confidence

    This article discusses common misconceptions that CPAs have about marketing and how even the most successful innovators have marketed their ideas effectively. It offers practical tips for CPAs to market themselves authentically by focusing on excellent client service, continuously improving their skills and committing to execution.
    View Article
  • Take Note

    In this edition of Take Note: Accounting Opportunities Month; TXCPA Leadership Nominations; Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN); CGMA® Designation for Management Accountants; TXCPA’s 2025 CPE Programs; Accounting Excellence Awards Presented
    View Article
  • Classifieds

    The classified ad section features listings for practice sales, firm buyers and specialized services. Whether you're expanding, selling or exploring niche opportunities, these ads connect you to valuable prospects and resources.
    View Article

CHAIR
Mohan Kuruvilla, Ph.D., CPA

PRESIDENT/CEO
Jodi Ann Ray, CAE, CCE, IOM

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Melinda Bentley, CAE

EDITORIAL BOARD CHAIR
Jennifer Johnson, CPA

MANAGER, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Peggy Foley
pfoley@tx.cpa

MANAGING EDITOR
DeLynn Deakins
ddeakins@tx.cpa

COLUMN EDITOR
Don Carpenter, MSAcc/CPA

DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Wayne Hardin, CDMP, PCM®

CLASSIFIEDS
DeLynn Deakins

Texas Society of CPAs
14131 Midway Rd., Suite 850
Addison, TX 75001
972-687-8550
ddeakins@tx.cpa

 

Editorial Board
Derrick Bonyuet-Lee, CPA-Austin;
Aaron Borden, CPA-Dallas;
Don Carpenter, CPA-Central Texas;
Rhonda Fronk, CPA-Houston;
Aaron Harris, CPA-Dallas;
Baria Jaroudi, CPA-Houston;
Elle Kathryn Johnson, CPA-Houston;
Jennifer Johnson, CPA-Dallas;
Lucas LaChance, CPA-Dallas, CIA;
Nicholas Larson, CPA-Fort Worth;
Anne-Marie Lelkes, CPA-Corpus Christi;
Bryan Morgan, Jr, CPA-Austin;
Stephanie Morgan, CPA-East Texas;
Kamala Raghavan, CPA-Houston;
Amber Louise Rourke, CPA-Brazos Valley;
Shilpa Boggram Sathyamurthy, CPA-Houston, CA
Nikki Lee Shoemaker, CPA-East Texas, CGMA;
Natasha Winn, CPA-Houston.

CONTRIBUTORS
Melinda Bentley; Kenneth Besserman; Kristie Estrada; Holly McCauley; Craig Nauta; Kari Owen; John Ross; Lani Shepherd; April Twaddle; Patty Wyatt