Governor Greg Abbott today received a briefing and held a press conference at Donald Lewis Hisle Elementary School on Texas' continued response to severe flooding impacting Central Texas. Prior to the briefing and press conference, the Governor toured damage at Sandy Creek Bridge and meet with local first responders to thank them for their service. As other parts of the state are expecting severe weather throughout this week, the Governor encouraged Texans to monitor the weather, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials.
Today, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the senators who will serve on the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. The first hearing will take place at the Capitol in Austin on July 23. The second hearing will take place the following week in Kerrville on July 31, to give residents an opportunity to have their voices heard.
Throughout the week, I’ve joined Texans — and all Americans — in mourning the loss of more than 120 lives taken in the devastating floods that swept through Kerr County last weekend. July 4th should have been a day of celebration and joy; instead, it became a day of tragedy — one that will never be forgotten. I am continuing to pray for our communities across Central Texas, for all those who lost loved ones, and for the safe return of the 170 individuals who remain missing.
Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) joined President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in Kerrville, Texas, to support flood relief efforts. Together, President Trump, the First Lady, Congressman Gonzales, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, and members of the Texas Congressional Delegation received a briefing on emergency response measures underway in Texas.
After decades of stagnant student achievement, despite a substantial 140% increase in federal education funding since 1980, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1), signed into law on July 4, 2025, represents a bold new chapter in American education. According to the 2022 NAEP, only 13% of eighth graders are proficient in reading and just 26% in math. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Education’s budget ballooned to $79.8 billion. This bill takes a scalpel to that number, slashing $14.7 billion from underperforming K-12 programs like Head Start and Title IV.
A review of damage assessments in Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties shows they exceed federal criteria for disaster assistance and may be eligible for federal programs, which provide financial assistance to assist with qualifying disaster-related expenses. Texans can apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Additional counties may be added as additional damage assessments are completed in impacted communities.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker House Dustin Burrows issued the following statements today highlighting the close collaboration between the House and Senate on legislation to address concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice over Texas congressional districts. In advance of the upcoming special session beginning on July 21, Lt. Gov. Patrick and Speaker Burrows have pledged that House and Senate committees are aligned in their focus to ensure redistricting plans remain in compliance with the U.S. Constitution.
In just 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River surged an unimaginable 26 feet, sweeping through the Texas Hill Country and leaving heartbreak in its wake. We are devastated by the lives lost and the families forever changed by this tragedy. Our hearts are especially heavy for the many Texans still waiting for answers or mourning the loss of loved ones. This tragedy hits close to home for me, as I know it does for so many of you.
As your Texas Agriculture Commissioner, I’ve witnessed the strength of our agricultural community through countless challenges, but the recent floods in Central Texas have dealt a devastating blow. Farms and ranches have been submerged, fences destroyed, and livelihoods upended. Our farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness owners need our help to recover, and I’m calling on you to support the State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) Fund, a trusted program dedicated to aiding those hit hardest by this disaster.
Thank God that attempted assassin Thomas Crooks was unable to kill President Donald Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania (PA). It was a turn of the President’s head to view an immigration chart that saved his life. Of course, believers know that it was Divine intervention, as God saved Trump so he could save America. After being shot in the ear, Trump rose to his feet, yelling, “Fight, Fight, Fight.” It was this act of bravery that sealed his presidential victory.
Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Benjamin Hanil Song, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the July 4th attack on a U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas during which an Alvarado Police Officer was shot and wounded.
On Monday, July 14, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) will launch the “Texas Business Minute” – a daily 55-second, non-partisan news segment available to all Texas media outlets. Available in both audio and video formats, this ready-to-air clip will be delivered free of charge to local Radio and TV outlets across the state. The Association’s purpose is to champion the best business climate in the world, unleashing the power of free enterprise to enhance lives for generations.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows created the Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding, which will meet jointly. The first hearing will take place at the Capitol on July 23. The second hearing will take place the following week in Kerrville to give residents an opportunity to have their voices heard. The date of that hearing will be announced soon. The Lt. Governor and the Speaker will each appoint 9 members to their chambers’ select committee.
Across the political left, from orthodox Democrats to Antifa in the streets, the opposition to President Donald Trump has lost its collective mind. The House minority leader and now self-styled tough guy, New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, poses with a baseball bat to show how dangerous he is in opposing Trump's budget bill. Jeffries harangued Congress for eight hours; New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker went on for 25 -- both to no effect.
Governor Greg Abbott today ordered Texas flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff to honor those who lost their lives due to the devastating floods that impacted Texas over the July 4th holiday weekend. Flags should be returned to full staff at sunrise on Monday, July 14, 2025. The Governor urges everyone to continue to pray for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of these communities, and for the first responders.
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced today that the agency will begin accepting applications for more than $3.8 billion in available funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Texas Match Assistance Program (TMAP). Administered by the Comptroller’s Broadband Development Office (BDO), the BEAD and TMAP Programs combine federal and state dollars to support broadband infrastructure projects in eligible areas.
As your Agriculture Commissioner, my heart aches for the families shattered by the Independence Day floods in Kerrville and across our Hill Country. The loss of life, especially our precious children at Camp Mystic, is a wound that cuts deep. These floods, with the Guadalupe River rising 29 feet in mere hours, have left our communities reeling, with over 100 lives lost and many still missing.
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) allocated $244,100,000 for the Homeowner Assistance Program to help repair and reconstruct owner occupied single-family homes. The GLO also allocated $43,100,000 for the Homeowner Reimbursement Program to provide eligible applicants with reimbursement for out-of-pocket home repairs between $3,000 and $75,000 for stick-built homes and $3,000 and $50,000 for Manufactured Housing Units.
