On the Record

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Pax­ton Says School Choice is Legal in Texas, Legislature Can Act

​​​​​​​“Today I issued a legal opinion informing the Texas Legislature that there are no constitutional barriers to enacting school choice in Texas. It’s time to empower Texas parents and provide additional educational opportunities so every Texas child can reach their dreams,”  said Texas Att. Gen. Ken Paxton, responding to a Legislative Request that may offer Texas Parents & Students a better educational experience.

03.21.2023
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Sens. Cruz, Barrasso & Others Press Treasury Sect. Yellen, Condemn Weaponization of Tax Code Against American Energy Producers

"As our allies and partners across the globe are asking for reliable American energy to escape their dependence on Russian and deal with the energy crisis... instead of increasing U.S. energy production the administration is focused on increasing energy taxes and has once again doubled down on weaponizing the tax code against U.S. energy producers," said Sen. Ted Cruz in condemning the Biden White House.

03.21.2023
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Gov. Abbott Announces SBA Assistance After January's Southeast Texas Tornadoes

After issuing a Disaster Declaration late in January for impacted communities in Southeast Texas, Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a request from the State of Texas for a disaster declaration in communities affected by tornadoes in Southeast Texas on January 24th. Here's how to apply for the Disaster Assistance.

03.21.2023
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Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar Announces Update to List of Financial Companies that Boycott Energy Companies

HSBC Holdings Plc was added to the list following recent updates to the firm’s energy policy. Listed companies are subject to the divestment provisions outlined in Texas Government Code Chapter 809, which define a financial company as a publicly traded financial services, banking or investment company. 

03.20.2023
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Pfluger: Unveiling Signature Legislation on Energy

House Republicans are delivering on our promises to restore American energy dominance by introducing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, a comprehensive energy package to boost oil & gas production in the Permian Basin and cut costs for all Americans.

03.20.2023
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Operation Lone Star Repels Rush Of Illegal Immigrants At El Paso Border

Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 357,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 26,000 criminal arrests, with more than 23,000 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 367 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.

03.20.2023
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Speaker Announces Final Round Of Priority Bills For #Txlege

Last week, Speaker Dade Phelan announced additional priority bills for the 88th Legislative Session. There is more to come for these bills this session, which is why it’s important to review our Capitol Report and better understand what Conservatives are fighting for. From Border Security to investing in infrastructure, this legislation is paving the way for a new, better Texas.

03.17.2023
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Texas Senate Unanimously Passes Bill That Allows Fentanyl Distributors to be Charged with Murder

The Texas Senate passed a "Combating Fentanyl" bill Wednesday that would open the door for state prosecutors to charge fentanyl distributors with murder.

03.17.2023
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Sen. Cruz, Rep. Jordan Send a Bicameral Letter to the FTC Raising Questions About the Agency’s Conduct

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following an alarming report about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) harassment of Twitter, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sent a bicameral letter to the FTC raising questions about the agency’s conduct.

03.17.2023
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$15 Billion of Sen. Bettencourt’s Property Tax Relief Bills Advance Out of Senate Finance Committee

After hours of testimony, Senate Bills 3 & 4 – worth $15 billion in Property Tax Relief – were each passed out of the Senate Finance Committee chaired by Sen. Joan Huffman on a 17-0 bipartisan vote. SB 5 by Sen. Tan Parker, the $1.5 billion Business Tax Relief Bill, is scheduled for consideration Monday. “This is a little bit of history today,” said Texas Taxpayers & Research Association president Dale Craymer.

03.16.2023
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Gov. Abbott Announces Support for High-Tech 'Texas CHIPS Act'

“Texas is the birthplace of the integrated circuit, and we've since risen as the #1 State in America for semiconductor manufacturing,” said Gov. Greg Abbott earlier today, announcing his support for the Texas CHIPS Act legislation proposed by Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman & House Appropriations Chair Dr. Greg Bonnen to leverage Texas’ investments and maintain a national semiconductor manufacturing leader position.

03.16.2023
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CONG. WILLIAMS: Let's Protect America’s Small Businesses, Not Attack Them

President Biden recently released his proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, and sadly but not surprisingly he doubles down on out-of-control spending and increased taxes for hard-working Americans. At a time when families & small businesses are battling runaway inflation, increased interest rates and a growing labor shortage, thankfully these massive tax increases will never see the light of day in the Republican-led House.

03.16.2023
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Cong. Gonzales Calls on Sect. of State Blinken to Account for Cartel's Violence Against Americans at Southern Border

“Mexican criminal cartel syndicates act without fear of repercussion or accountability – they've never been as powerful as they are today and the United States must act now to change this disturbing reality,” said South Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales following an uptick in Americans being killed or kidnapped by gangs & cartels. Joe Biden's open borders are placing Americans directly in harm’s way – and Gonzales is demanding change.

03.16.2023
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Lt. Gov. Patrick: Texas Senate Passes Sen. Hughes's Restoring Illegal Voting to a Felony Bill

“People who wish to subvert our elections must know that committing Voter Fraud comes with a steep penalty; a misdemeanor is simply too weak. Senate Bill 2 deters these bad actors, and will give Texans peace of mind that election security is dramatically improved," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick earlier today after the Texas Senate passed SB 2, which was introduced by Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Tyler.)

03.15.2023
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Texas Legislators File Bills to Help Improve Campus Safety & Security

“We should do more than just talk about the safety of Texas school children. If school districts are going to have Police Departments, then the officers working there should be our best,” said Exec. Director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT,) Charley Wilkison, of the many Texas universities & School Districts that are considering starting police departments to protect children while attending school.

03.15.2023
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Sen. Bettencourt Explains Unprecedented $16.5 Billion Property Tax Relief Bills Today

“The Senate Property Tax Plan has eye-popping, off the chart numbers for 5.72 million Texas Homesteads – saving them nearly $800 per year. And with SB 3's Homestead Exemption increase to $70,000, we just tripled the over-65 and disabled Homestead Exemption to $30,000, too!” said State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, who was complimented by Lt. Gov. Patrick for putting Senate Bills 3, 4 & 5 together with Senators Tan Parker, Joan Huffman and others.

03.15.2023
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Creighton Files Priority Legislation to Empower Parents, Support Teachers and Improve Curriculum

“Educating the next generation of Texans is the most fundamental responsibility we have, and I authored Senate Bill 8 to place parents, not government, squarely in the center of the decisions for their children. Giving parents the power to determine the best school for their child will encourage competition and innovation, ensuring that each Texas student has the opportunity to succeed.”

03.14.2023
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President Biden Releases Woke and Broke Budget

Driving the news this week was the release of President Biden's FY2024 budget. The presidential budget demonstrates the priorities that the administration deems most important to the country. In fact, President Biden himself has often quipped: “Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.”

03.14.2023
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Pax­ton Push­es Back Against New EPA Reg­u­la­tion Designed to Force the Biden Administration’s Envi­ron­men­tal Agen­da on States

The new rule drastically shortens the timeline for states to develop and submit their plans. This attempt to rush states could leave them exposed if the EPA decides to disapprove of the plans. The EPA’s disapproval would enable the federal government to seize further regulatory power and impose a burdensome and unnecessary federal plan on states.

03.14.2023
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Lt. Gov. Patrick: 'This Session We're Going to Do Both' to Attract Teachers – Using the State's Surplus to Create a COLA

“Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman filed SB 10 to help our Texas Senior Retired Educator, and create a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for retired educators as of December 2021. Since the end of last session, as I traveled the state and retired educators thanked the Legislature for those checks – but also asked for a COLA, I told them, whatever you think is best, we'll do this session," said Patrick.

03.13.2023
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03.21.2023

TEXAS INSIDER ON YOUTUBE

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03.21.2023
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03.20.2023
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