Governor Greg Abbott today joined the Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund as they presented $25,000 checks to families impacted by the catastrophic Hill Country floods. The funds come from last month’s “Strait to the Heart” benefit concert, hosted by George Strait and Estancia Estates Founder Tom Cusick. These checks will help families who suffered severe storm damage or lost their homes during the devastating flooding.

Since the devastating floods swept through Central and West Texas on July 4th, my office and I have been working closely with local leaders and officials to ensure that residents in Texas's 11th Congressional District have access to the resources and assistance they need.  If you were impacted by the floods, there are just under 30 days left to apply for FEMA assistance. I strongly encourage anyone who has not yet applied to do so before the deadline on Thursday, September 4th. Homeowners, renters, and students are all eligible to apply.

Senate Bill 15 provides county clerks with more tools to identify bad actors to prevent real property fraud or theft from occurring. The bill protects Texas property owners by enhancing the criminal penalties and strengthening restitution requirements in instances where deed or title theft occurs.

State Representative Carrie Isaac (R-District 73) has filed House Bill 250 during the 89th Texas Legislature’s First Special Session to address the urgent need for meaningful property tax reform. HB 250 promotes truth in taxation, reins in unchecked appraisal growth, and strengthens voter oversight of local spending, all while preserving essential services provided by local taxing districts.

The major force for peace in the world today is not the United Nations, it is President Donald Trump. In his four ½ years as President, he has accomplished more to end wars and save lives than the organization that is supposedly “the world’s best hope for peace.” In his first term, President Trump negotiated the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic relations between Israel and four Arab nations: Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates. He also negotiated an “economic normalization deal” between Serbia and Kosovo, two hostile nations.

“In 2017, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and I were ahead of our time in addressing the issue of women’s privacy, passing legislation out of the Senate to keep men out of women’s restrooms and boys out of girls’ locker rooms and showers in schools. Unfortunately, under previous speakers, the bill never cleared the House.

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced the Facilitating Useful Loss Limitations to Help Our Unique Service Economy (FULL HOUSE) Act. This bipartisan bill restores professional gamblers ability to deduct 100% of their gambling losses, ensuring they are not unfairly taxed on phantom income.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock is reminding shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday, which runs Friday, Aug. 8, through midnight Sunday, Aug. 10. During the three-day event, Texans can purchase a wide range of items tax-free, including most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100.

Governor Abbott touted that Texas is the No. 1 state for jobs created by veteran-owned businesses—more than doubling the amount of those jobs since 2022. The Governor also highlighted Senate Bill 2308, which he signed into law to provide matching funds for research of ibogaine – an emerging treatment for neurological and mental health conditions. Governor Abbott emphasized that ibogaine shows promise in treating opioid addiction and other behavioral health conditions, especially those affecting veterans.

President Donald Trump's executive orders banning Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI)-related racial and gender preferencing have ostensibly doomed the DEI industry. But DEI was already on its last legs. Half of all Americans no longer approve of racial, ethnic, or gender preferences. DEI had enjoyed a surge following the death of George Floyd and the subsequent 120 days of nonstop rioting, arson, assaults, killings, and attacks on law enforcement during the summer of 2020.

“The House Democrats have fled the state, denying the House a quorum. The Texas Senate has maintained a quorum and continues to work. The Texas Senate will continue passing critical taxpayer protections until House Democrats return from their ‘vacation’ and get back to work for the people of Texas. Senate Bill 9 will further ensure that out-of-control local governments cannot keep driving up Texans’ tax bills,” said Lt. Gov. Patrick.

The push to eliminate hemp in Texas is not about consumer safety or medical efficacy – it is about economic consolidation. And there is no legitimate policy reason to ban hemp-derived cannabinoids simply because a Texas Compassionate Use Program exists. Texans choose hemp products over marijuana namely because they can get lower dosages, with less intoxicating effects, at a lower cost, with privacy and ease of access.

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced the Fiscal Accountability for Interest on Reserves (FAIR) Act to eliminate the Federal Reserve’s authority to pay interest on bank reserves. Since 2008, the Federal Reserve’s policy of paying interest on bank reserves has resulted in more than $580 billion in payouts to banks. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio-08).

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Bryan Daniel was recently appointed to serve as President of the NYSE Texas. He will conclude his service to TWC on August 10, 2025. Bryan Daniel was originally appointed by Governor Greg Abbott on July 29, 2019, to represent the interests of the public on TWC’s three-member Commission. During his six years with TWC, Chairman Daniel championed the growth of Texas’ workforce and spearheaded strategies to support the state’s business climate.

This bill addresses that issue by allocating $50 billion to expand and upgrade rural hospitals, develop mobile clinics, and boost telemedicine infrastructure. It also tackles one of the main obstacles to rural healthcare: the absence of reliable, high-speed internet. Without broadband, telemedicine cannot function. This legislation aims to bridge that digital divide so that patients in remote areas can access care without losing time, money, or compromising their well-being.

This is what has happened in the Sydney Sweeney storm. An ad for American Eagle blue jeans and especially the reaction to it catapulted the 27-year-old actress to national fame and controversy. Move over Taylor Swift! In case you weren't paying attention, the ad shows Sweeney reclining while zipping up a pair of jeans and flashing a little cleavage. What sparked the woke left's attention and outrage was the ad copy which invoked a double meaning: "It's not just good genes. Sydney Sweeney has great jeans." Critics claim the ad promotes eugenics.

Governor Greg Abbott today filed an emergency petition in the Supreme Court of Texas seeking to remove from office Texas State Representative Gene Wu, the ringleader of the derelict Democrats who fled the state to break quorum. The lawsuit also spotlights how Wu and other Texas House Democrats appear to have solicited and received certain benefits in exchange for skipping a vote, further supporting their removal from office and allegations of bribery.  

After years of reckless taxing and spending, we’ve returned to real economic leadership under President Trump. Our GDP is climbing as the American economy grew by three percent in the second quarter. Inflation is under control, consumer confidence is up, and wages are rising. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, American families are keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.