In the Texas Senate Chamber, Senators took turns drawing lots: in this case, 31 sequentially-numbered sheets of paper drawn out of a bowl. Drawing an odd number won a Senator a 4-year term, and drawing an even number a 2-year term – and the prospect of standing for re-election in 2024. ​​​​It's a fairly high-stakes proposition that members, nevertheless, greet with genial good humor. The following Senators drew 2-year terms.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced the average unemployment insurance (UI) tax rate for all employers will be 1.16% for calendar year (CY) 2023. Last year, the average tax rate was 1.35%.

The left’s increasingly outlandish tendencies are starting to resemble those of the Taliban. The comparison is rarely made, however, because the similarities are subtle – and are done slowly, like heating up a frog slowly in boiling water so it doesn’t realize what’s happening. There are no executions, no hands are chopped off. Instead the left slowly removes the rights of conservatives, while the left is free to do what it wishes in the name of “doing good.”

"This makes it crystal-clear that the author's legislative intent was to have a School Accountability System that works," said Texas State Senator Paul Bettencourt of the long-awaited verdict restoring the A-F Accountability System in Texas public schools, which Bettencourt helped pass legislation to create. "This Supreme Court ruling is a much needed step to return to the intent of the Legislature."

"This appointment is significant – it's the first time Midland & Odessa have been represented on the committee tasked with securing our Nation’s energy supply, and it's the first time a West Texan has served on the committee in nearly half a century. This committee will be part of the solution for nearly every major issue currently facing our Nation," said Pfluger.

"I look forward to using this position to help secure our border, to combat the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, and hold the Biden Administration accountable for its foreign policy blunders — especially the withdrawal from Afghanistan," said Cong. Michael McCaul, as he became the first Texan in history to chair the important House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Attorney General Paxton has joined a cert-stage amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear CFPB v. CFSAA (Case No. 22-448), which has important constitutional implications – and the potential to check the unaccountable and out-of-control Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Joe Biden stole classified documents, and now we're finding out his Dept. of Justice has been hiding Joe’s theft of classified property. But, has the Biden White House lost its support from the media in the past week? All three broadcast networks reported – rather angrily – about Biden's obstruction after he campaigned on “transparency.”

“From out-of-control inflation, to broken supply chains, I have first-hand experience dealing with the current problems facing America’s job creators. As the Republican majority works on solutions to these pressing issues, it is essential we have a small business owner at the helm of this committee to be the voice for Main Street America," said Cong. Williams upon being selected by his peers to Chair the House Small Business Committee.

As more people and businesses move to Texas every day and drive energy demand growth across the state – and as progress continues to be made in grid reliability following the bipartisan reforms passed by the 87th Legislature – Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to the Texas Public Utility Commission supporting the adoption of a new reliability standard and design for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market.

Newly sworn in State Rep. Carrie Isaac is wasting no time to fulfill a promise she made during her House District 73 campaign.​​​​​​​ "I've heard story after story of hard-working Texans being forced to give up their family home, to take on boarders, and to go without basic necessities like medication, food or utilities in order to pay their property taxes. My #1 priority is to do something, anything, to help Texans stay in their homes,” said Isaac.

“The oil and natural gas industry makes safety in the workplace a high priority,” said Todd Staples, Chairman of the Board of the Agency and President of TXOGA. “Neal’s character and integrity make him a great fit to lead the Agency forward," said Staples. As President of the Agency, Carlton will oversee the TXOGA Workers’ Compensation Safety Group. 

With the advantage of a week of hindsight, the resolution of the House Republican's Speaker fight was always pretty clear. Yes, Kevin McCarthy had to – and was always going to – compromise to be elected Speaker. And yes, the "Chaos Caucus" Rebels were also always going to accept a compromise at the end of the standoff. In the end, the new rules were passed, and in retrospect... we're going to be off to strong start.

The 88th Texas Legislative Session began earlier this week on Tuesday, January 10th. The Texas House of Representatives Swearing-In Ceremony was held on the House Floor at noon on January 10th, and if you are unable to join us I'd like to invite you to come to Austin during the 88th Session and visit our Capitol Office. We want you to be a part of your Texas Legislature and the decisions that are made.

“During our time in uniform we learned that service is about placing our country above self,” said Congressmen Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Jason Crow (D-CO) after being elected as  Co-Chairs of the "For Country Caucus" that was founded in 2019 to help military veteran Members of Congress work together to find consensus-driven policy solutions that support U.S. Military Servicemembers and Veterans.

Expected to create 130 new jobs and approximately $140 million in capital investment, a Texas Enterprise Fund grant has been extended to help CertainTeed LLC to construct a new roofing manufacturing and distribution facility in Bryan, Texas. "Exceptional global companies like CertainTeed are investing in Texas because we offer unmatched business operating advantages," said Governor Abbott.

Because the Texas Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund has risen above its statutory minimum required balance, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced earlier today that the average unemployment insurance (UI) tax rate for all employers will be 1.16% for calendar year 2023, down from last year's average tax rate of 1.35%.

House Republicans came together to support Kevin McCarthy for speaker of the House. I'm proud to have stood by Leader McCarthy – who has a robust plan to get the House of Representatives working for the American people again. Now we can get to work cutting wasteful spending, holding the Biden White House accountable, and securing the border.