“Writing the budget for Texas – which has the 8th largest economy in the world – is no small feat. Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman has done skillful work on this budget, and I thank her for her continued leadership in ensuring our state’s financial future is secure. Our state’s fiscal foundation has never been more solid," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick earlier today, after the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 1, the Senate’s Budget for Texas which was spear-headed by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston.)

"Texas is on the cusp of game-changing legislation – and no one knows better than a parent about the power and importance of School Choice for children. We must prioritize our students," said Governor Abbott earlier today, boosting the growing level of support for school choice in the Lone Star State during an event at the Texas Capitol with former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows in Austin.

"Texas farmers & ranchers are facing a crisis as Mexico refuses to comply with its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty that's depriving our communities of the water they desperately need. I met with farmers and ranchers from the Rio Grande Valley – along with USDA Sect. Brooke Rollins & Rep. Monica De La Cruz – to discuss the urgent need for action, and am proud to lead the effort in the Senate to secure a $280 million Emergency Block Grant to provide immediate relief to South Texas," said Sen. Cruz.

“By combining innovative tools with strong instructional practices, we’re better preparing our students for success in school – and beyond,” said Dr. Mustafa Altindag, Central Texas Superintendent for Harmony Public Schools after learning of the Texas Education Agency’s "Interactive Online Learning" Award for Innovative Digital Instruction in middle & high school classrooms. The grant will help implement effective interactive learning models in U.S. History, Texas History, and English Language Arts.

 U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Courts introduced the Protect LNG Act, which would ensure that a court cannot vacate a previously authorized LNG permit, clarify the venue for LNG lawsuits before federal courts, and mandate that courts grant expedited decisions in these cases, and was joined by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in introducing the bill.

Last week, I was re-appointed to again serve on the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth took steps to deliver on their promise to restore lethality and mission readiness to the U.S. Air Force, I introduced legislation to codify President Trump's recent actions to restore law and order into law, and former President Biden was exposed for covering up reports on LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) Exports. Here's the details.

The "Gift Accountability, Registration & Disclosures (GARD) Act" is the 11th piece of legislation introduced by Cong. Donalds this session, and is co-led in a bi-partisan effort by Cong. Jared Golden (D-ME). Designed as corrective action to address the Biden White House's lack of transparency and abuse of the nation's Foreign Gift Disclosure Guidelines, it has received support from the Concerned Veterans of America, the Foundation for Govt. Accountability, Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in D.C. and others.

“It's common sense – and good state policy – to prohibit our foreign adversaries from purchasing Texas land. I am optimistic that with the leadership of our new speaker, Dustin Burrows, SB 17 will finally pass the House and become law – and I thank Sen. Kolkhorst for her continued leadership on this essential state and national security issue,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, after a bipartisan vote on Senate Bill 17 by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst passed the legislation to the Texas House of Representatives for consideration.

"At the beginning of the session in January, I laid out the most conservative and bold agenda in Texas Senate history. At the halfway point of the 89th Regular Legislative Session, the Senate is hard at work passing important legislation. Just one week after the bill filing deadline, the Senate had already passed 21 of the top 40 Priority Bills – including my priorities, the senators’ priorities, and the most important. bills the voters asked me to pass," noted the leader of the Texas Senate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Last week we shared some charts on the utter failure and folly of federal intervention in education for K-12. An even bigger failure has been the $1.5 trillion Student Loan boondoggle. As even more federal dollars have flowed into higher education in grants and (largely forgivable) loans, what is clear is that almost none of these treasure chests of wealth are being used to make college more affordable. Is it time to impose an Excise Tax on university tax-free endowments above $1 billion?

The approval of this Fire Management Assistance Grant makes Texas eligible for 75% reimbursement from the federal government for costs associated with fighting the Pauline Road Fire. Fire Management Assistance Grants are available to states and local jurisdictions for the mitigation, management, and control of fires on publicly or privately owned forests or grasslands, which threaten such destruction and would constitute a major disaster.

"America is facing a critical pilot shortage, and we must act before it's too late," said Cong. Byron Donalds,  announcing the introduction of legislation to address the critical pilot shortage facing our nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 14,500 pilots will be needed every year through 2030, and the shortage is estimated to be 17,000 commercial aviation pilots by 2030. Arising from a combination of factors, Donalds' effort would help establish a qualified pipeline of individuals to become pilots. 

"As more people and more companies move to Texas, our Electrical Grid must become even stronger and more reliable to ensure that the Texas Miracle continues uninterrupted," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick earlier today, following the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 6 by Sen. Phil King that would increase Texas’ Electric Grid Reliability. “Texas is open for business like never before, and prioritizing SB 6 will ensure the grid's reliability while managing our state’s growth over the coming years."

President Trump has invoked the "Alien Enemies Act" of 1798 to remove members of Foreign Terrorist Organizations and protect American citizens. However, a radical District Court Judge has issued an unlawful decision imposing a nationwide freeze on the White House’s efforts to protect Americans from brutal criminals. Attorney General Paxton and a coalition of State Attorneys Generals, led by South Carolina, has filed a response urging the Circuit Courts to overturn this blatant example of judicial overreach. 

“Farmers and ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley have worked for generations to feed communities across Texas, the U.S., and beyond. A lack of water has already ended sugarcane production in the Valley and is putting the future of citrus, cotton, and other crops at risk. Through this grant, USDA is expediting much-needed economic relief while we continue working with state leadership to push for long-term solutions that protect Texas producers,” says South Texas Cong. Monica De La Cruz.

Sen. Adam Hinojosa, a newly-elected Republican who represents Texas' Rio Grande Valley based District 27, announced the successful passage of his first legislative measure, Senate Concurrent Resolution 13 (SCR 13), out of the Texas Senate. Elected in 2024, Hinojosa is the first Republican to represent Dist. 27 since Reconstruction, and his SCR 13 seeks to ensure Mexico fulfills its US-Mexico Water Treaty obligations, which has a potential economic impact exceeding $993 million for the region.

Gov. Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Health & Human Services Commission is awarding $239 million in Construction Grants to expand and improve access to inpatient mental health care in rural Texas. The grants – which will support up to 332 beds in hospitals across four communities – will help treat and stabilize patients with acute psychiatric illnesses without the need to travel to a major city. The executed grant contracts are in various phases of design and document development.  

The home is named after the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-African American flying group in the United States Armed Forces. Serving in World War II and completing over 15,000 missions across North Africa & Europe, these brave men received over 150 Distinguished Flying Cross Awards, 60 Purple Hearts, and the Congressional Gold Medal. The home will serve 120 Veterans, spouses, and Gold Star Parents – including Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability who can live in the home for free.

“We have to stay ahead of the curve at all times, and that sentiment was understood by every person in the room today," said Texas Border Cong. Tony Gonzales, gathering Local, State & Federal Law Enforcement Officials together in San Antonio today to focus on coordinated efforts to counter gang activity and deter human or drug trafficking across our borders. “We've got to get back to... In the United States we have laws, and if you break those laws, guess what – you need to be deported.”

Comptroller Glenn Hegar today is celebrating 19 local governments that have achieved the highest levels of transparency in the agency's Transparency Stars program, which is marking its 10th year. The program has recognized more than 225 local governmental entities by awarding nearly 500 Transparency Star awards in the six categories. Nineteen local governments have earned five or six Transparency Stars and achieved Trailblazer status.