“The Texas Senate is in Austin working diligently, and will pass these bills over and over again in every Special Session until the Texas House returns from their vacation to address the priorities of Texas. The creation of the Texas Border Force will further bolster our historic efforts to keep Texas safe,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick earlier today, after the Senate passed three critical bills bolstering Texas' authority to enforce the border.
"One thing we all agree on is providing resources that make our communities safer, as well as supporting law enforcement in the State of Texas," said Gov. Greg Abbott, as he signed eight critical pieces of public safety legislation into law that were passed during the 88th Regular Legislative Session. The bills enhance criminal penalties for growing classes of crimes, and will hold rogue District Attorneys accountable.
The proposed rule, "Energy Conservation Standards for Distribution Transformers," would in effect require critical electric grid companies to produce transformers using a different type of steel, further exacerbating supply chain shortages as manufacturers take significant time to revamp their production lines while vetting foreign suppliers instead of relying on American suppliers.
First Lady Cecilia Abbott today announced that she will serve as Honorary Chair of the 33rd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. The Governor’s Volunteer Awards, administered by the OneStar Foundation, honor the exemplary service of individuals, groups and organizations in Texas that have made a significant and measurable contribution to their communities through service and volunteering.
“Texas is the home of innovators, and I’m proud to see UT Tyler Health Science Center leading the way on the cutting edge of innovative healthcare, and the new medical school training our next generation of leaders in the healthcare industry," said U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, as he toured the University of Texas Tyler's Health Science Center and the Public Health Lab of East Texas while participating in a UT Tyler Leadership Roundtable.
"‘Made in Texas’ is already a powerful global brand, and with significant, continuing investments in education & training, workforce development, infrastructure and innovation, we're building an even brighter Texas of tomorrow," said Gov. Greg Abbott earlier today, celebrating Texas again leading the nation with the most Fortune 500 headquarters, growing to 55 on the just-released 2023 Fortune 500 List.
The last thing Americans want is the heavy hand of the federal government burdening their families and businesses – yet the Biden White House has failed to take note. These bills push back on the Biden Administration’s efforts to dictate what types of stoves Americans cook on. That’s right, Joe Biden and Democrats want to limit your ability to purchase and use gas stoves, and its worrisome.
It is time to end the anti-law enforcement rhetoric, and instead, provide the nation's courageous Police Officers, Sheriff Department Forces, and Border Security Agents in Texas and across our country with the resources they need to safely do their jobs. Rather than sending messages of discouragement, we should regularly show our deep appreciation for the work of these courageous Public Servants.
"In Texas, we don't do things half-heartedly. We go big, and we make sure we accomplish our vision," said Gov. Greg Abbott, touting the many achievements from the 88th Regular Session during a speech to the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) on Friday, while highlighting his plans to complete the unfinished business of a robust school choice program in subsequent Special Sessions this summer.
The alarms are going off, but President Joe Biden is asleep. It’s past time he wake up and stand up for America. For instance, I was proud to introduce H.R. 3618, the "Safer Schools Act," to allow public school districts to apply for grants directly from the Dept. of Justice to help with assessments for their campus security vulnerabilities and for corrective physical improvements.
President Biden’s unconstitutional student loan bailout program was nothing but a scheme to buy votes for the 2022 election. The President’s plan will force Americans who either didn’t go to college or already paid off their loans to foot the bill for roughly $400 billion of student loan debt. As a result, last week both the U.S. House & Senate used the Congressional Review Act to override his bailout scheme.
“House Republicans initially asked for a return to the funding levels we had in December 2022 – just six short months ago. Instead, the White House refused and Congress is locking in excessive spending levels that continues to fuel inflation. Spending should return to pre-pandemic levels, and what's so remarkable about this debate is, there's no discussion of returning to pre-pandemic spending levels. I cannot support that.”
“I work for the people of Texas’ 36th District – home to more Petrochemical Plants & Oil Refineries than any other Congressional District in the nation. This White House has waged an all-out war against us, our jobs, and the security of our nation. These are the facts... this bill combats President Biden and his environmental activists by accelerating energy project permitting," said Cong. Brian Babin.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said today that State Sales Tax Revenue – which at 56% of all the state's tax collections is the largest source of state funding for the State Budget – was 4.1% more during May of this year than in May 2022. “The rate of sales tax growth continues to moderate – and this was the lowest annual rate of increase observed in the 26 months since the end of the pandemic,” Hegar said.
“John Scott has the background and experience to step in as a short-term Interim Attorney General during the time the Attorney General has been suspended,” said Gov. Abbott. Mr. Scott served as Texas' Deputy A.G. for Civil Litigation for then-Attorney General Greg Abbott, where he aided Abbott’s efforts to hold the Obama White House accountable by suing Mr. Obama more than any other Attorney General.
“Mexico’s arguments in this lawsuit don’t hold water, which is why the suit was thrown out in the District Court last year. What the government of Mexico is trying to do, is impose its own interpretation of American law on American businesses – and it demonstrates a disregard for our Constitution and our 2nd Amendment," said Sen. Ted Cruz, along with 35 members of the House who joined in support.
“Mr. Miles’ experience with large school districts and implementing ground-breaking initiatives – including with Charter Schools – makes him a perfect fit for the task at hand in Texas’ largest school system. I’m confident that under his leadership – along with the new Board of Managers – the focus will be on improving the educational outcomes of our HISD school children,” said State Sen. Paul Bettencourt of Houston.
"The Texas Legislature failed the people of Texas by not passing numerous conservative priorities – including Property Tax Relief & Border Security," said Texas State Rep. Brian Harrison, as he responded to Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session agenda by filing a number of bold bills on property taxes and border security. These include his "Texas Title 42 Act" to secure the Texas-Mexico Border, and bills to cut property taxes.
"I could not in good conscious come home and defend a 'yes' vote," said Texas Cong. Lance Gooden after voting "no" on the National Debt Ceiling increase bill, which he said "did nothing to cap the debt limit, deferred it to a future 2025 Lame Suck Session of Congress, and at best results in a cut of only $15 billion. It would have been a vote for bigger government, higher taxes, and lower accountability."
“Since the Texas House chose to continue allowing Texans to be forced to take a COVID vaccine or be fired during the Regular Session, I will continue to file the 'Texas COVID Vaccine Freedom Act' every session, even if the Governor does not add it to the call. Texas employers – such as CVS and virtually all healthcare entities – still require COVID-19 vaccines for employment, and Texans have no protection from being fired if not vaccinated.