Like the Texians before them, today’s Texans overwhelmingly believe in free markets, private property, individual liberty and lesser government. The 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution not only protects the free speech rights of each and every American, it also protects us against government compelled speech. In other words, the government can’t force you to engage in political speech or facilitate political speech with which you don’t agree.

For four days a year, a special American Flag flew from a tall loblolly pine in my family's front yard. Every Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and every Veterans Day, Dad would tie the flag to the rope, one of us would give the rope a pull, and the huge wall of Red, White & Blue would rise and billow as it rose – the only sound being a pulley moving up the 35 feet of pine, creaking with each tug.

"As the investigation continues, its our duty to evaluate all possible means of making our schools safer to prevent future tragedies and ensure communities across Texas have the mental health resources needed," said Governor Abbott. Details on the Texas "Crime Victims’ Compensation Program" that can help Victims & Families cover the financial costs of Counseling, Medical Treatment, Funerals, and more are included here.

In one of his first acts as president, Joe Biden ordered the formation of the "Family Reunification Task Force" to reunite minors with their families if they are separated while illegally trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico Border. Now, given the grave and growing surge of illegal immigrants on the southern border, Sen. Ted Cruz is demanding answers to some concerning questions about the program from Homeland Security Sect. Alejandro Mayorkas.

“By taking advantage of these Sales Tax Holidays, Texans can make upgrades that help lower their utility bills — while saving money on State & Local Sales Taxes,” said Texas' Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Created by the Texas Legislature, the holidays take place this Saturday through Monday, and the Comptroller estimates Texans will save around $14 million in taxes on the following products.

As the nation sinks inexplicably into self-created crisis after self-created crisis, the debate rages on as to whether President Biden is incompetent, mean-spirited, or just an ideologue who feels the country's mess is his success. But one area of agreement is, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has nullified Federal Immigration Law. He either cannot, or will not, follow Federal Law.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking the entire State of Texas to keep the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in Uvalde in your prayers – and announced that the A.G.'s Crime Victims’ Compensation Program can help victims and their families with the financial costs of counseling, medical treatment, funerals, and the loss of income not paid by other sources.

"We’re all completely sickened and heartbroken – none of us can imagine the anguish the parents in Uvalde are going through. Heidi & I are lifting up in prayer the entire Uvalde Community, and mourn the lives taken by this act of evil. We’re all completely sickened, heartbroken, and are all praying for each of them,” said Sen. Ted Cruz of the shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Last Thursday Gov. Greg Abbott announced an ongoing and coordinated response to the wildfires burning across West & Central Texas, including the Mesquite Heat Fire in Taylor County. On Tuesday, Governor Abbott gave an update on the ongoing response after up to 200 people had been evacuated as a result of the Mesquite Heat Fire.

It’s beginning to look like the Biden spending spree – intended to cement his legacy as the second coming of FDR – is actually the biggest economic mistake in at least a generation. And contrary to what you might think, it isn’t over. When over a trillion dollars of new infrastructure spending actually hits the market, it’s only going to get worse.

I'm so pleased the 1st Annual Edition of the "State of Black America" has now been published by my organization CURE – the Center for Urban Renewal & Education – in conjunction with the Claremont Institute. The left's for too long dominated the debates concerning Black Americans, and even the incorporation of racial and ethnic labels in American government and law has in itself been a victory for the left.

"Texas communities are bearing the burden of the Biden White House's open border policies, and the State of Texas will not allow the inaction of the federal government to impede the safety and security Texans deserve. We will not waiver in our efforts, and we'll continue to deploy all resources necessary," said Gov. Greg Abbott after touring the state's border security assets with the Texas National Guard and the Texas Dept. of Public Safety.

"Its essential that public institutions of higher learning have clear and concise guidelines for campus construction projects, and I have complete confidence these appointees will make insightful recommendations for review," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, announcing Senators Brandon Creighton & Drew Springer, as well as Danny Signorelli of The Woodlands to the commission.

"This is just a way to accomplish their real goal: a mass influx of illegal aliens into the United States," said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton earlier today. “Federal law requires that asylum and parole claims to be carefully scrutinized by an Immigration Judge – not a bureaucrat rubber-stamping patently false claims," said Paxton while filing a motion to stop the Biden White House from, he said, unlawfully altering the nation's Asylum & Parole Procedures at the border.

Each year the Law Enforcement Community from across the nation comes together in Washington, D.C. to honor the fallen officers whose names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial. Its a solemn week of paying homage to the courageous Police Officers who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. Unfortunately, ​​​​​​​105 Law Enforcement Officers have already been killed on the job so far this year. 

Should the businesses that lobbied for the $1.9 trillion additional spending in COVID-19 relief that set off inflation, have any responsibility for the damage they’ve done? The total amount of spending during COVID-19 ended up close to $7.5 trillion. . . over 180 CEOs signed a letter to Congress in February of last year, right after Biden took office, demanding more money from the American Rescue Plan, which Congress ended up passing.

GasBuddy is predicting that gas prices this coming Memorial Day Weekend will not only be higher than any other Memorial Day on record, but will be a full $1 per gallon more expensive than the previous Memorial Day record set in 2014, $3.99 per gallon. And, more and more analysts are predicting continued record prices at the pump, climbing above $6 a gallon by the end of the summer.

"In the midst of a worldwide chip shortage, Texas Instrument's historic long-term investment here in Sherman will expand Texas' global economic influence and benefit Americans across the country, It will strengthen our nation's semi-conductor supply chain," said Gov. Greg Abbott at yesterday's groundbreaking ceremony – and the facility comes with a huge future growth potential.