On the Record

image

Governor Abbott Directs TWPD, TAHC To Establish Texas New World Screwworm Response Team

Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to establish a joint Texas New World Screwworm Response Team following the recent northward spread of the New World screwworm (NWS).  The mission for the Response Team is clear: to lead Texas’ prevention and response efforts and ensure that Texas remains informed, prepared, and aligned to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite.

06.27.2025
image

Rep. Tony Gonzales' Bill to Utilize Shelter Dogs to Support CBP Mental Health Outcomes Clears Committee

The PEARL Act supports Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) efforts to address mental health challenges at the agency by providing support canines for CBP personnel. Since 2007, over 150 Border Patrol Agents and CBP employees have died by suicide. In January 2023, CBP launched the Support Canine Program, which aims to mitigate the spike in mental health crises among CBP personnel.

06.27.2025
image

Government Operations Subcommittee Hearing

On Tuesday, my subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing with key stakeholders from the United States Postal Service. The USPS is a vital institution that supports both everyday life and our economy, especially in rural communities. As we look ahead, we must ensure the Postal Service is reliable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the people. These conversations are essential to shaping reforms that will help USPS succeed for generations to come.

06.27.2025
image

Attor­ney Gen­er­al Ken Pax­ton and Mul­ti­state Coali­tion Reach $7.4 Bil­lion Set­tle­ment With Pur­due Phar­ma for Its Role in the Opi­oid Crisis

Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that all 55 attorneys general, representing all eligible states and U.S. territories, agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. The Sackler family has also informed the attorneys general of its plan to proceed with the settlement, which would resolve litigation against Purdue and the Sacklers for their role in creating and worsening the national opioid crisis.

06.27.2025
image

MOORE: New York, We Have a Problem!

We rarely quote from New York Times editorials, but this seething critique on the sad state of affairs of America's largest metropolis – New York City, the City that Never Sleeps, the Big Apple – in the wake of Tuesday's Democrat primary victory for Socialist-Democrat Zohran Mamdani is a must read. Mr. Mamdani is running on an agenda uniquely unsuited to the city’s challenges – and is now the front-runner.

06.26.2025
image

Gov. Abbott Announces Texas Semiconductor Innovation Grant to MGC Pure Chemicals America, Inc.

“Texas invests in critical supply chain resilience to make sure the semiconductor chips that drive innovation and fuel our economy are made in Texas,” said Gov. Greg Abbott earlier today, announcing that a $5.3 million Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund Grant has been extended to MGC Pure Chemicals America, Inc. for expansion of their production facility in Killeen.

06.26.2025
image

Rep. Tony Gonzales's Veterans Healthcare & VA Benefits Program Initiatives are Funded, and passed

“I proudly served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy, and I'll always stand up for our servicemembers, veterans, and military families,” said South Texas Cong. Tony Gonzales after the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction & Veterans Affairs funding bill in the U.S. House of Representatives – and included several key provisions Gonzales drafted to benefit Texas military installations in South and West Texas, including El Paso and San Antonio.

06.26.2025
image

Commissioner Wayne Christian Launches “DOGE” Task Force to Improve Efficiency and Service at the Railroad Commission of Texas

Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian announced the launch of the Delivering Oil and Gas Efficiently (DOGE) Task Force today, a new internal initiative focused on improving processes, enhancing communication, and strengthening the Railroad Commission of Texas as a responsive, pro-business agency. The DOGE initiative is not about cutting personnel – it’s about cutting delays, confusion and outdated systems.

06.26.2025
ad-image
image

Texas Named Best Business Climate In Nation For Third Year In A Row

Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated Texas being recognized as the Best Business Climate in the nation for the third year in a row by Business Facilities magazine in their 2025 Annual Rankings Report. According to Business Facilities magazine, the flagship ranking includes consideration of economic development activity and achievements over the previous year, including capital investment and job creation announcements and implementation.

06.25.2025
image

New York Democrats Opt For Socialism… For Now

More evidence of the miserable state of affairs on the Left. As we feared, the Democrats in America’s largest city chose Zohram Mamdani, the 33 year-old socialist. He was able to avoid serious scrutiny of his crazed ideas to cripple the police, business and educational standards - in part because he had the luxury of running against the disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Good riddance to him.

06.25.2025
image

Rep. Tony Gonzales Advances Bill to Support Rural Communities, Agriculture

Congressman Gonzales joined USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins in South Texas to launch an $8.5 million sterile New World screwworm (NWS) fly dispersal facility in South Texas and announced a five-pronged plan to enhance the USDA’s ability to detect, control, and eliminate this pest. Through Congressman Gonzales’ seat on the House Appropriations Committee, he doubled the initial funding for screwworm eradication efforts in the agriculture budget from $5.5 million to $10 million.

06.25.2025
image

Texas Oil and Gas Upstream Jobs Climb by 2,200 in May

New data from the Texas Workforce Commission indicate that upstream oil and gas employment climbed by 2,200 in May compared to April – and by 7,300 jobs (3.6%) through the first five months of the 2025. At 208,200 upstream jobs, compared to the same month in the prior year, May 2025 employment rose by 5,000, or 2.5%.

06.25.2025
ad-image
image

CONG. McCAUL: Sergeant Major Billy D. Waug's Hero Legacy Lives on with Bastrop Post Office Dedication

As a member of "The Greatest Generation," Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh epitomized the American values of courage, patriotism & self-sacrifice. Throughout his life, he served as an Army paratrooper and special forces soldier, a CIA officer, and for a while as a U.S. postal worker. Working with Sergeant Waugh's family and the U.S. Postal Service, hosting a ceremony to dedicate the Bastrop Post Office was an honor.

06.24.2025
image

Texas Legislature Makes Historic Investments in RRC’s Mission

The Texas Legislature took major action this legislative session with historic funding for the Railroad Commission of Texas, appropriating more than $593 million for the agency over the next two fiscal years. This appropriation includes $100 million for oil and gas well plugging to be used by the RRC’s renowned State Managed Plugging Program (SMP) to address critical plugging projects. This is the largest one-time infusion of funds from the Legislature to support the SMP, which has plugged more than 46,000 wells since its inception in 1984.

06.24.2025
image

Governor Abbott Announces Special Session Date, Initial Agenda

Governor Greg Abbott today announced the final list of 1,155 bills signed into law and 28 bills vetoed from the 89th Regular Legislative Session. “Working with the Texas Legislature, we delivered results that will benefit Texans for generations to come,” said Governor Abbott. “Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, and the Texas House and Senate worked hard to send critical legislation to my desk. This session has seen monumental success, but there is more we can do.”

06.23.2025
image

Babin: Law and Order: The Foundation of a Free Nation

These riots didn’t erupt in a vacuum. They are the direct result of a culture of lawlessness that Democrats have allowed and even encouraged. Cities under the Left’s control have turned into chaos zones, where criminals are emboldened, flags are burned, and the police are told to stand down. These ideas are dangerous. And they’re spreading because too many elected officials refuse to stand up for common sense and the rule of law.

06.23.2025
image

Pfluger: The One Big Beautiful Bill is Good for Texas-11

The U.S. House passed one of the most consequential and historic pieces of legislation. The One Big Beautiful Bill unleashes American energy, extends the 2017 Trump Tax cuts for hardworking families, provides relief for seniors, eliminates taxes on tips and overtime, and much more. Congress must continue on an aggressive timeline to get the One Big Beautiful Bill to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.

06.23.2025
image

Texas Sets New Record High Job Count for Sixth Month in a Row

The Texas labor market set new record highs in both total jobs and the size of the civilian labor force in May. Texas added 28,100 positions over the month to reach a total of 14,340,800 nonfarm jobs. The state added 213,300 jobs over the year, which left the annual nonfarm growth rate unchanged at 1.5 percent and outpaced the national growth rate by 0.4 percentage points. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 270,900 people.

06.23.2025
image

Texas Wins 12th Gold Shovel Award For Outstanding Job Creation, Business Investment

Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Texas being recognized with the state's 12th Gold Shovel Award by Area Development magazine for outstanding achievement in job creation and capital investment in 2024. Texas has now been recognized with a Gold or Silver Shovel in each of the 20 years of the award program.  Area Development recognized Texas with a Gold Shovel Award for more than $10.6 billion in high-value expansion and location projects in 2024.

06.20.2025
image

Commissioner Sid Miller Praises Ag Sect. Rollins’ Bold Plan to Combat New World Screwworm Threat

“This is a significant threat, and it’s critical we stay ahead of it. Texas has historically been at the forefront of American agriculture and we're prepared to assist Sect. Rollins and the USDA in protecting our Livestock, Economy, and Food Supply,” said Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, joining U.S. Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins at the Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas to unveil an $8.5 million initiative against the New World Screwworm.

06.20.2025
ad-image
ad-image
image
06.26.2025

TEXAS INSIDER ON YOUTUBE

ad-image
image
06.25.2025
image
06.24.2025
ad-image