An increasing chorus of Democrats fear that Joe Biden's current standing with the American Electorate has the potential to reshape the Democrat vs. Republican alignment for years to come. And a wide array of polls have recently shown that both Latino & Black "Working-Class Voters" are now shifting toward the Republican Party in rejection of Democrat's “woke” ideology on Crime, Immigration and LGBTQ rights. One year from Election Day, what exactly is driving their move to the GOP?
"I keep hearing from many in education – teachers' associations, the media, those who oppose parental choice (for school children) – that Texas greatly underfunds education, or that school choice would take money away from public education. Neither is true. Texas spends about 50% of our entire budget on public & higher education. That's one out of every two dollars. Some who voted against school choice attended private schools, or send their kids or grandkids to them."
Congressional District 23, which I represent, spans more than 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico Border – stretching from San Antonio to El Paso. Crime and violence are unfortunate common denominators that I hear about time and time again, and whether in urban areas, rural towns, or along the border, there's a sense that crime is on the rise and that Law Enforcement is stretched too thin. That's why I’ve been laser-focused on working with Local, State & Federal Officials to "Back the Blue" in San Antonio.
Consider a hypothetical proposal for the Federal Government to spend $100 billion in a year. It could be to help secure the border, or it could be anything. That sounds large — and it is large. So, what would that $100 billion cost the "Average" U.S. Family? In the United States there are approximately 131 million households – and, you might not think that you're "average," either. But there’s a lesson here: If you want to make a good case, tell people what the spending will cost an "average" family.
I’ll put this out there right off: the American Dream is not dead! What is dead, however, is most people’s idea of what that phrase means. The Wall Street Journals just wrote, “The American Dream — the proposition that anyone who works hard can get ahead regardless of their background — has slipped out of reach in the minds of many Americans.” So, we need an intervention... someone who embodies that dream to virtually smack us across the face with a dead fish to wake us up, because the Dream is not guaranteed.
As Gov. Greg Abbott's been noting the importance of West Texas' Permian Basin – and more generally, Texas as a whole – to the nation's economy, there's been a flurry of exciting developments for the state's economy, for Texas jobs, and the Oil & Gas Industry. One project is expected to employ over 1,000 people while under construction, before bringing additional high-paying jobs to help create more energy production because of new industry capabilities.
During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing last week, I questioned Homeland Security Sect. Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray about the global threats the U.S. homeland has opened itself up to thanks to Joe Biden's open borders disaster – and demanded answers about detainees on "The Terrorist Watchlists." Both openly admitted there are known or suspected terrorists who've crossed the southern border – and have not been detained. This is an unacceptable threat to the safety of each and every American.
Governor Greg Abbott celebrated new graduates joining the most elite law enforcement agency in the nation at the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Recruit Class B-2023 Graduation Ceremony in Austin. During his keynote address, the Governor congratulated the 94 graduate troopers on completing a rigorous 30-week training program and thanked them for answering the call to serve and protect their fellow Texans.
“Texas has been forced to develop new solutions after the federal government abdicated enforcement – and even weaponized immigration law to intensify surges at the border to historic levels of unvetted foreign aliens,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton, fulfilling his obligation to give written notice of Texas' new law to the "commanding authority" after Border Patrol Agents were given the power to enforce State Felony Offenses at Port of Entry or Border Patrol Traffic Checkpoints.
The Biden-Mayorkas strategy isn’t working. Customs & Border Protection continues to encounter alien criminals who've been previously convicted of crimes like sexual assault, theft, and murder. Just a few days ago Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens said his agents have been arresting an average of 47 aliens with “serious criminal histories” per day this year. Local Law Enforcement is seeing the same, too. And the costs of every one of these crimes and arrests, falls on taxpayers.
As the 1st Family again sought to keep the president's Monday birthday muted and out-of-sight this year, the moment nevertheless highlights his greatest liability – his advanced age and voters ever growing concern that his declining physical & mental health isn't up to the responsibilities of being president. As he addressed the Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon this morning, Biden confused pop stars Britney Spears & Taylor Swift, saying it was Britney who was currently on a South America "Eras" tour.
“I'm proud to be with President Trump today to thank the 1,000s of Texas National Guard soldiers & DPS Troopers who are stationed along the border for Operation Lone Star to respond to President Biden’s border crisis," said Gov. Greg Abbott, as he and the 45th President thanked and served meals to over 240 Texas National Guard soldiers, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers, and other service members stationed on the border in Edinburg over Thanksgiving.
October marked the highest number of migrant encounters for any October on record. These record numbers prove what Texans already know: The crisis at our border is unsustainable and pose a serious threat to our homeland. I will not be silent when it is clear the Biden administration's failed open-border policies — and Secretary Mayorkas' dereliction of duty — have created the worst border crisis I've ever seen.
Commissioner Christian sent a letter in early November encouraging the SBOE board to adopt curriculum that would include the benefits of Texas oil and natural gas production. The Texas State Board of Education voted on its Proclamation 2024 which determines the types of textbooks and materials students will use in the 2024-2025 school year. Following the SBOE’s actions, Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian applauded the outcome.
Ballots have been tallied from election day and voters have made it clear— state parks matter to the people of Texas. Proposition 14, which creates the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, passed with overwhelming support from Texas voters. The fund is made from a portion of state budget surplus and creates a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing state parks.
Proportionality in war is a synonym for lethal stalemate – if not defeat. When two sides go at it with roughly equal forces, weapons, and strategies, the result is often a horrific deadlock – like the four years of toxic trench warfare on the Western Front of World War I that resulted in 12 million fatalities. The purpose of war is to defeat the enemy as quickly as possible – with the least number of causalities, thereby achieving political ends.
“When I was a senator, it was hard building support to increase the Homestead Exemption. I had allies as a Senator, but not enough to move the needle. When I became Lt. Governor in 2015 – and Sen. Bettencourt took my spot – our army in the Texas Senate quickly grew. We've made good progress since then, but never before did we have the budget surplus funds we did this year," said Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. “What's next? I'm never getting off the bus for lower property taxes.”
"I have long said that educating our children is the most important thing we do," said Texas Land Commissioner & Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) Corp. Board Member Dawn Buckingham earlier today, highlighting that with over $55 billion, the PSF is essential to supporting public education in the Lone Star State. It is the largest fund of its kind in the nation, and the corporation's board has just named Bob Borden as its new Chief Executive Officer.
