Rep. Hefner: Property taxes, security, and local reforms top priorities for next session

In a recent interview on The Arena with Greg Sindelar, State Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, offered a candid look at his East Texas roots, legislative record, and priorities as Texas heads toward its 90th legislative session.

Hefner, who represents a deeply conservative district in Northeast Texas, traced his path to public office back to his upbringing in Camp County, where he worked in his family’s peach orchards and roofing businesses. His political involvement began in the mid-2000s, sparked by national elections and grassroots activism, eventually leading him from precinct chair to county commissioner and, ultimately, the Texas House.

That background, he said, continues to shape how he approaches policy.

“This is the best part of the state,” Hefner said of his district. “It’s a great place to have a family, and I try to represent those values down here.”

As lawmakers prepare for the next session, Hefner said property taxes remain the dominant concern among his constituents. While state leaders have signaled that tax relief will be a top priority, Hefner emphasized that the issue is largely driven at the local level.

“The most important government is the one closest to the people,” he said, pointing to counties, cities and school districts as key drivers of property tax decisions. He encouraged Texans to engage more directly with local officials and hold them accountable.

Beyond tax policy, Hefner has emerged as a leading voice on national security issues at the state level, particularly through his work on the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. He highlighted a series of bills passed last session aimed at countering foreign influence in Texas.

Among them is legislation barring entities tied to countries such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from purchasing land in Texas — a measure Hefner described as one of the strongest in the nation. The broader legislative package also restricts lobbying on behalf of foreign adversaries, limits state investments connected to hostile nations, and seeks to protect sensitive data, including DNA information, from exploitation.

“It’s not just farmland,” Hefner said. “It’s water rights, commercial property, land near critical infrastructure — all of that matters when you’re talking about security.”

He added that lawmakers will continue reviewing the law to identify any gaps or loopholes as implementation moves forward.

Hefner also pointed to a growing list of emerging threats the state is examining, including cybersecurity risks, supply chain vulnerabilities and the use of drones. With increased coordination between Texas and federal officials, he said there are new opportunities to address those challenges more aggressively.

Public safety remains another central focus. Hefner cited legislation designed to protect law enforcement officers from what he described as politically motivated prosecutions, calling it one of the more meaningful outcomes of his time in office.

Still, he argued that much of the job happens outside the Capitol during the interim between sessions. His office, he said, prioritizes helping constituents navigate state agencies and resolve everyday issues — work that rarely makes headlines but has a direct impact on people’s lives.

“That’s the real job,” Hefner said. “We want to be a service-minded office.”

Among the policies he believes could have long-term effects, Hefner pointed to a measure allowing public schools to use chaplains as a resource for student counseling, particularly in areas where traditional counselors may be limited.

“It may not have gotten a lot of attention, but I think over time it could be one of the most beneficial things we’ve done,” he said.

Looking ahead, Hefner signaled that issues like border security, foreign influence, and cultural debates around education and governance will continue to intersect with bread-and-butter concerns like affordability.

“We want people to be Texans. We want people to be Americans,” he said, framing many of the state’s challenges as connected to broader questions about identity, security and civic engagement.

As the next legislative session approaches, Hefner said he hopes to build on past efforts while continuing to focus on what he sees as the fundamentals: lower taxes, safer communities and responsive government.

“We’re in the arena,” he said. “And we’re fighting for the people we represent.”