Houston Daily

Sara McGee, a candidate for Texas House District 132, has expressed concerns about frivolous lawsuits being used to divert taxpayer money to private law firms. This statement was made on the social media platform X, highlighting her support for tort reform in Texas.

"Texans are going to be REALLY mad when they realize that all of these incredibly frivolous lawsuits are just a way for Ken Paxton to funnel state taxpayer dollars into the pockets of his private law firm buddies," said McGee, Representative Candidate.

Texas lawmakers revisited tort reform during the 2024–2025 legislative session with Senate Bill 30. According to The Texas Tribune, this bill aimed to tighten rules regarding medical expense proof and cap noneconomic damages. Business and insurance coalitions supported the measure as a means to control "nuclear verdicts," while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and several state officials opposed it for limiting plaintiffs' rights. Although the bill advanced in May 2025, it ultimately failed before adjournment, illustrating ongoing divisions over liability policy.

Civil case activity and taxpayer-funded legal expenditures have increased across Texas. The Texas Office of Court Administration's FY 2024 Annual Statistical Report indicated that new civil case filings rose at all court levels, with municipal filings up by 17 percent year-over-year. Additionally, The Texas Tribune reported that Attorney General Ken Paxton's office spent $97 million on outside counsel for the Meta antitrust case, with hourly rates exceeding $3,700.

Texas stands out among large states for its reliance on private lawyers for state litigation. Since 2015, according to reports by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, Texas has approved 13 contingent-fee contracts compared to none in California and New York. In contrast, the New York City Comptroller noted $1.04 billion in FY 2024 tort claims, demonstrating differing legal-cost strategies across major jurisdictions.

McGee is a Democratic candidate campaigning on issues such as education funding, cannabis and sports-betting legalization, and tax reform. Her campaign website describes her as a "Texan for transparency" focused on property-tax relief and accountability while promoting voter engagement through grassroots outreach.

Texas House District 132 includes western Harris County suburbs like Katy and Cypress. Ballotpedia notes that the district—redrawn after the 2020 Census—was won by Republican Mike Schofield in the November 2024 election with 58.8 percent of the vote. It remains one of Houston’s fastest-growing suburban districts, reflecting shifting demographics and ongoing partisan competition.