AUSTIN (KXAN) — The latest polling data from The University of Texas at Austin's Texas Politics Project released Tuesday, providing insights into the public's perception of its politicians' performance.
Texas Politics Project conducted the poll between Aug. 22 and Sept. 1 and surveyed 1,200 adult Texans. Of respondents, 81% said they had interest in politics and public affairs, and 69% said they vote in most elections.
The share of respondents who felt the country is "headed in the right direction" continues to decrease since the start of 2025. In August, 59% said it was heading in the wrong direction. In February, that share was at 43%.
A majority of respondents (59%) also said they felt Texas was headed in the wrong direction. This also has been steadily increasing since the start of 2025. Some of the respondents (44%) also said the state's economy is worse than it was a year ago, which is the biggest share reported since fall of 2022.
Respondents said the three most important problems facing the country were political corruption/leadership (21%), inflation/rising prices (16%), and the economy (11%). For Texas, immigration edged out the economy for the third spot.
Job performance ratings for the President, Congress, and other state and local politicians didn't change much from June's polling results. President Trump's approval and disapproval both dropped by a single point, while his favorability dropped by two points. When asked how they felt Trump
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's disapproval rate increased from 45% in June to 50% in the August poll.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's approval didn't change (30%) by his disapproval went to 44% from 42%. The state legislature also saw changes — 29% approval (up from 26%) and 49% disapproval (up from 45%).
Lege priorities
The timing of the polling puts it around the start of the Texas Legislature's second special session. Questions about the state's flood response, redistricting and other of Abbott's goals were included.
Unsurprisingly, 94% of respondents said flood-related legislation important; lawmakers passed several such bills during the session.
Flood response was followed by reducing property taxes and reducing tax payer-funded lobbying, neither of which were accomplished by lawmakers. Redrawing districts, respondents' fourth highest ranked goal, was achieved.
"Requiring people to use restrooms that match their birth gender in government and public school buildings," as the poll asked it, was partially achieved. It ranked fifth in respondents' priorities.
Further restrictions on THC remained unpopular with respondents. Most said they wanted such laws to remain as they were or become less restrictive.
