On the Record

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Governor Abbott Announces Sika Expansion In Sealy

Governor Greg Abbott announced an expansion by Sika Corporation in Sealy as a qualified project under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program. Sika will expand its manufacturing operations of PVC single-ply commercial roofing membranes in Austin County. The project represents more than $90 million in capital investment and will create 60 jobs.

02.27.2026
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Cornyn Leads Effort to Stop Illegal Aliens from Possessing Firearms, Ammunition

“No one who enters the U.S. illegally should get to enjoy our God-given Constitutional Rights – including the right to keep and bear arms,” said Sen. Cornyn, as he, Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) and others introduced the "Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act" which would close a loophole in current law to prohibit illegal aliens from possessing firearms or ammunition provided to them by a government entity.

02.27.2026
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Luttrell, Colleagues Welcome President Trump at the Capitol for his State of the Union Address

The first year of the second Trump Administration has been about getting this country back on track – restoring law and order at our border, a strong military, and a resilient economy.  I was proud to hear the President lay it out clearly. America is stronger when we stand firm, secure our homeland, back the men and women who wear the uniform, and unleash the full strength of our economy.

02.27.2026
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Texas Land Commissioner Buckingham Encourages Texans to Attend April 18th Texas Coastal Roundup in Galveston

The Texas Coastal Roundup will take place at Galveston's East Beach – also known as R.A. Apffel Park – and is a free, family-friendly event that will allow interaction with ocean critters, showcase interactive GLO & Local Organizations exhibits and demonstrations, and give away tons of free educational swag. There will also be a kid zone, door prize drawings, face painters, and food trucks. Free and paid parking is available onsite. 

02.27.2026
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Governor Abbott Announces MP Materials Rare Earth Magnet Manufacturing Expansion In Northlake

Governor Greg Abbott today announced MP Materials Corp. will expand its presence in Texas and establish a rare earth magnet manufacturing campus in Northlake that will create more than 1,500 new jobs and represents more than $1.25 billion in capital investment. A Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of $12,880,500 has been extended to MP Materials for the development of the campus’ corporate operations.

02.26.2026
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Texas Education Freedom Accounts Reach Midway Milestone as Application Window Hits Three-Week Mark

The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program has reached the midway point of its six-week family application window, with more than 130,000 student applications already submitted and more than 2,000 schools signed up to participate. Those numbers continue to rise daily. The family application period opened Feb. 4 and will close March 17, leaving three weeks remaining for families to apply.

02.26.2026
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Governor Abbott Statement On President Trump’s 2026 State Of The Union Address

“Here in the great state of Texas, we unapologetically uphold the values that make Texas, Texas. We are conducting the most robust border security operation of any state in U.S. history, we are banning foreign adversaries from buying Texas land, we are empowering Texas families to control their child's academic success, and we are fostering economic prosperity for the men and women who power Texas. 

02.26.2026
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Cornyn, Lee, GOP Senators Fight Against Counting Late Ballots in Future Elections

Congress – exercising its Constitutional Authority to set the times, places, and manner of Federal Elections – designated one Federal Election Day, argue Sen. Cornyn and his fellow Senators, underscoring that states are not free to hold “rolling elections” by counting late-arriving ballots days or weeks after Election Day. States that do so clearly violate the certainty, finality, and trust Congress intended by having Nationwide Elections take place on one set date.

02.24.2026
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10-Year-Old Develops AI-Powered Glasses to Help Impaired Children, is Awarded Sponsorship from  Global Brain-Computer Interface Company 

While many students use artificial intelligence to create cartoon portraits or edit a paper, Lucas Tudor is using it to change lives. The 10-year-old 5th-grader at Harmony Science Academy-Leander recently earned 1st Place at his Campus Science Fair and a 1st-place ribbon at the Greater Austin Regional Science & Engineering Fair (GARSEF.) He's developing AI-powered computer vision glasses, A Eyes, designed to help children with visual impairments navigate daily activities and improve their quality of life.

02.24.2026
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Gov. Abbott Directs DPS to Increase Public Safety Operations Amid Cartel Violence

Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) to enhance Public Safety & Homeland Security Operations across Texas in response to escalating Mexican Cartel violence that poses a growing threat to American civilians. Gov. Abbott urged Texans currently in Mexico, as well as those with family members or friends traveling there, to closely follow warnings from the U.S. State Dept. amid ongoing security operations, road blockages, and criminal activity across Mexico. 

02.23.2026
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CONG. BABIN: Supreme Court Undercuts Presidential Trade Authority

Presidents are meant to lead on trade and protect our economy, not unelected judges. The Supreme Court of the United States recently blocked a key tariff tool used by President Donald Trump, undercutting executive authority at a critical moment for American workers and businesses. This ruling is deeply disappointing. Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, sided with the Court’s left wing.

02.23.2026
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TWC Launches New Initiative to Support Child Care Businesses

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is launching the Child Care Business Support initiative to strengthen the vital role that child care businesses play in our communities. Through this initiative, child care providers will gain access to expert guidance and training that will help them overcome challenges and more effectively support children and families across the state.

02.23.2026
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Gov. Abbott Announces Federal Assistance for Panhandle's '8 Ball Fire'

"Texas continues to work around the clock to provide all necessary resources to those affected by the 8 Ball Fire in the Panhandle, and I thank the Trump White House & FEMA for swiftly approving the funding," said Gov. Abbott, adding, "And, thank you to our heroic emergency personnel for their efforts to protect their fellow Texans." As of this morning, the 8 Ball Fire had burned an estimated 13,000 acres and forced evacuation of some 400 homes while over 1,100 were threatened.

02.20.2026
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Cornyn, 57 Legislators Work to Protect Women & Babies from Mifepristone, Dangerous Chemical Abortion Drugs

Senator John Cornyn, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) – chairman of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee – and 57 other Republicans have joined together to back Louisiana A.G. Liz Murrill’s lawsuit against the FDA to protect women and their unborn children nationwide from dangerous chemical abortion drugs, including mifepristone. The effort is endorsed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life, and the National Right to Life organization.

02.20.2026
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Gov. Abbott Announces NRG Energy Expansion In Houston

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that an NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) electric power generation plant to be constructed at the existing NRG Greens Bayou facility in Harris County has been designated as a qualified project under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program. The new 455-megawatt natural gas facility represents $617 million in capital investment.

02.19.2026
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Cornyn Announces National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez as State of the Union Guest

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration, today announced National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) President Paul Perez as his guest for President Donald J. Trump’s State of the Union address to Congress next week. The State of the Union address will take place on Feb. 24.

02.19.2026
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Breathless In Seattle

If there were an award for the most counterproductive tax increase in modern history, it might be Washington state's estate tax. Enacted last year, the rate is 35%, which as even the liberal Seattle Times admits "is by far the highest in the U.S." That comes on top of a 40% federal estate tax.  Why would anyone with more than $50 million in wealth die in Seattle when they can move to Utah or Florida or Texas or several other dozen states and pay absolutely nothing?  

02.19.2026
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Governor Abbott, TWC Announce Over $163,000 Job Training Grant For Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area

Governor Greg Abbott announced a Skills Development Fund (SDF) grant award totaling over $163,000 to Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Through this grant, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area will provide customized training for 66 new and current workers at Tekscend Photomask Round Rock Inc. for high-demand occupations in machinery manufacturing.

02.19.2026
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Gov. Abbott Celebrates Record-Breaking School Choice Demand

​​​​​​​“Through this program, families will receive funds to send their children to a school that is the best fit for them," said Gov. Greg Abbott, celebrating Texas' record-breaking demand for school choice with over 100,000 Texas families submitting applications to the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) Program. This marks the nation's largest launch of allowing eligible students to direct funding toward their choice of educational providers.

02.18.2026
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The Decline of the Washington Post

Publisher Will Lewis resigned after owner Jeff Bezos announced a restructuring of the once-influential newspaper that closed the entire sports section. One third of the staff was fired, including at least 300 newsroom journalists. This has been part of a pattern in the industry for several years, especially as younger people now get their "news" from the internet or read and watch only those outlets that reinforce what they already believe. As a result, advertisers have also fled.

02.18.2026
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03.03.2026

TEXAS INSIDER ON YOUTUBE

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03.02.2026
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03.02.2026
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