In 2023, the maximum a person can pay out of pocket for healthcare costs is $9,100–$18,200 for a family. And according to the U.S. Census, the Median Household Income in Texas is $67,321, which means it’s not likely that most families – especially those impacted by chronic disease – can afford to pay that much out of pocket. So, how do people afford their medications?
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott laid out his priorities for this year's 2023 Legislative Session in Austin during a 30-minute Thursday evening "State of the State" address, naming seven priorities for Legislators to fast track prior to the middle of March. Unlike other bills, these items designated by Abbott can be voted on ahead of the normal mid-March deadline. Here are Governor Abbott's remarks – and his "7 Priorities."
In addition to creating and supporting thousands of domestic jobs, this legislation would help to fortify our nation’s energy security, reduce emissions at home and abroad, and strengthen America’s strategic and economic relationship with our allies.
Inflation remains at the top of concerns for Americans and small business owners across the country – we are all being forced to decide things such as whether we can afford groceries, housing, or gas. The year-over-year inflation rate of 6.4% is a reminder of the economic headwinds and challenges facing Main Street and hardworking families daily. This can't be allowed to become the "new normal" or status quo.
Attorney General Ken Paxton had an Op-Ed published in Newsweek Magazine the other day that details the work that both he and other Attorney Generals are doing to defend our Southern Border and push back against Joe Biden’s attempts to destroy American sovereignty. It began with an eye-catching, "Lawlessness and chaos reign at the U.S.-Mexico border instead of our commander-in-chief. "
As part of a full-day tour of South Texas' Border Region to examine aspects of Homeland Security and Border Operations near the City of Laredo, House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Congressman Henry Cuellar will be holding a press availability following their "listening session" with area leaders about the increasing challenges and opportunities facing the region's Border Communities.
“The EPA’s overreaching rules and unrealistic timeline are yet another example of the Biden White House’s attempt to shut down the Oil & Gas Industry in Texas,” said Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick, as the Railroad Commission joined with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to fight against another proposed EPA Rule as prices at the pump and inflation sit at levels not seen in over 40 years.
Senator Ted Cruz raised concerns about new powers being given to the Federal Trade Commission in light of the abrupt and recent resignation announced by Commissioner Christine Wilson. Cruz says legislation regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMS, should be viewed with “extreme caution” given both the possibility the bill would raise drug prices, and the Commission's lacking a single minority commissioner.
“It’s never too early to start planning for a child’s college education,” said Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, reminding Texas families that they can lock in today’s cost of undergraduate resident tuition and the required school fees at Texas' public colleges and universities by enrolling in the tax-advantaged "Texas Tuition Promise Fund" before the close of the current general enrollment period ending on Feb. 28th.
A recent epidemic of airline near misses deserves attention and serves to illustrate the seriousness of the so-called Diversity, Equity & Inclusion movement – and its potential repercussions. Our government is – quite literally – playing with our lives as it prefers DEI over ensuring that the best qualified employees are hired based on racially and gender-blind competitive tests and experience. Something has gone terribly wrong.
“They don’t know whose it is, and they don’t know what it is. They can’t even tell you what it looks like,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. “The most important questions we have to answer now are, ‘What are these things’? Who sent them? And, what are they doing here?',” said Rubio as Senators emerged from a briefing provided by the Biden White House's intelligence officials.
"Tradition's been for bill numbers 1 through 20 to indicate the Lt. Governor’s & Senate’s priorities. In 2017 I increased the low bill numbers to 30 – Senators like to get a low bill number because it shows their bill is a priority, but we'll pass over 600 bills this session,” said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick earlier today, releasing his much-anticipated “Top 30 Priorities” list for the 2023 Legislative Session that’s already underway.
President Biden's failure to protect our U.S. Mainland from a Chinese spy balloon (and more) is another alarming example of how his foreign policy weaknesses and inability to deter aggression is endangering our National Security. It's imperative we regain American strength and end Chinese spying – whether in our airspace or on our children's phones. I joined Fox News's Neil Cavuto to discuss this, and you can watch it here.
"Social media companies rely on algorithms to not only moderate content, but to also personalize users' recommendations. Recommendation systems are separate and distinct from algorithms, and are increasingly ubiquitous in selecting content for individual consumption – promoting some content and downranking or filtering disfavored content and accounts,'" said Sen. Ted Cruz, launching an investigation into Google, Twitter, Meta & TikTok's reported use of “blacklists.”
“These arrests demonstrate the enormity of the opioid, oxycodone and hydrocodone crisis our country finds itself in,” said Texas Attorney General Paxton, after a joint investigation by Paxton’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA,) the FBI, U.S. Postal Service's Inspector General Office, and U.S. Postal Inspections arrested nine individuals in Houston for unlawful distribution of 1.5 million opioid pills and other controlled substances.
It pains me to admit it, but the current fashion of lying to oneself (and your fellow woke-cult Democrats) about the nature of one’s opponents is – self-destructive. As Grandpa Biden descends further with each passing day into his vortex of bizarre verbal re-constructions, incoherent shouting and occasional improvised concessions that neutralize Democrat's talking points, he's about to have to face reality. And soon.
“Fentanyl's killing Americans at record levels, and poses a deadly risk to every single American. With President Biden failing to address this national security crisis to ensure criminals who traffic this deadly drug are met with severe penalties, we must stop this scourge on our communities,” said South Texas Cong. Tony Gonzales, as he and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) re-introduced their "Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act."
“It is time for the state to put real investment in our water infrastructure and ensure Texas has sufficient water supply as we continue to grow,” said Sen. Charles Perry as he filed Senate Bill 837 and Senate Joint Resolution 43 to create a "Water for Texas Fund" at the Texas Water Development Board, saying it would boost water infrastructure projects and dramatically increase supplies across the state in the future.
