Governor Greg Abbott today announced that he requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Southeast Texas communities impacted by severe weather and tornadoes in December. If approved, the SBA declaration will make federal assistance available through disaster loans for Montgomery and Brazoria counties and their contiguous counties.

The completion of the 1.5-mile border wall paneling comes shortly after the GLO acquired this ranch along the Rio Grande in Starr County. Less than 24 hours after closing on the property, Commissioner Buckingham signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC), authorizing them to begin border wall construction. TFC is also in the process of installing security cameras to monitor the property, lighting, and a motorized gate to allow law enforcement vehicles to patrol the entire property.

"With this surplus, my first focus is to continue to cut property taxes and increase teacher salaries, along with making smart one-time investments to ensure our budget is sustainable moving forward and that our state is prepared for the future. Comptroller Hegar’s estimate today is further proof of the Texas economy’s resilience – despite President Biden’s economic malfeasance – and it's proof our conservative policies work," said Patrick.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas-22) introduced the Justice for Jocelyn Act. The bill enhances the detention and tracking of illegal aliens entering the United States. It was written in response to the brutal murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray by two illegal aliens in Houston, Texas last year. 

Governor Greg Abbott announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request for a disaster declaration for Webb County following prolonged boil water notices caused by a water connection issue in Laredo in October. Texas counties included in the declaration are Webb County and its contiguous counties: Dimmit, Duvall, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Maverick, McMullen, and Zapata.

"Americans are ready for a thriving economy, a secure border, energy independence and dominance, safer streets, stronger communities, and to reclaim our leadership on a global stage. I look forward to working with President-elect Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and my colleagues in Congress to fight for the betterment of America. We are incredibly blessed to live in the greatest nation on earth, and I am determined to keep it that way," said Texan August Pfluger.

The protocols allow the U.S. government to return foreign individuals who illegally entered the U.S. through the southern border to Mexico to await immigration proceedings. This legislation would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to reimplement the Migrant Protection Protocols in accordance with the 2019 Homeland Security memorandum titled “Policy Guidance for Implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols.”

 The Texas oil and natural gas industry shattered records for state and local tax revenue and performance across every sector in 2024, according to the Texas Oil & Gas Association’s (TXOGA) newly released annual Energy & Economic Impact Report (EEIR). Highlights from the report include a history-making $27.3 billion in state and local taxes and state royalties paid by the oil and natural gas industry–a feat driven by record-breaking performance in production, pipelines, storage, processing, refining and exports.

“Texans know all too well the devastation wildfires can cause, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis," said Governor Greg Abbott, announcing he has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Texas A&M Forest Service to deploy firefighters, emergency management and medical personnel, fire engines, and equipment to assist California's wildfire response following a request from the California Office of Emergency Services.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sent a letter to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s interim director Captain Felix Bigby demanding answers after Walter Reed failed to renew its contract with the Holy Name College Friary. Sen. Cruz expressed his concern due to the abrupt manner of the termination, and over lapse in pastoral care because of the termination that service members and veterans experienced during Holy Week.

Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) joined Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) in introducing H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This legislation would provide nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry license holders and for residents of Constitutional Carry states. H.R. 38 is supported by major pro-Second Amendment organizations, including the (NRA-ILA), (USCCA), and the (NSSF).

The grant agreement provides for an initial three-year term with an optional renewal. Program services must meet the fentanyl education requirements of House Bill 3908, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, also known as Tucker’s Law, and be aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for school health programs so that they may be offered in Texas public schools. 

TWC is working to increase the number of qualified child care workers and has now awarded more $1.8 million to support the development of new Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Programs. In addition to the six grants in 2022, TWC awarded three grants for a total of $793,401 to create two new early childhood apprenticeship programs and expand one existing program.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress. The amendment would limit U.S. Senators to two six-year terms and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to three two-year terms after its enactment. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.-5) introduced the amendment in the House of Representatives.

Governor Greg Abbott today provided an update on Texas’ ongoing response to severe winter weather impacting large portions of the state following a briefing with state officials at the State Operations Center in Austin. Texans across the state should prepare for below freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow through the next few days.

TXOGA Annual Energy & Economic Impact Report Shows: Texas Oil and Natural Gas Industry Paid Record $27.3 Billion in State and Local Taxes and State Royalties in Fiscal Year 2024, Shattering Previous High by Almost $1 Billion -- Texas Independent School Districts Receive $2.92 Billion, Counties Received $1.03 Billion in Property Taxes from Oil and Natural Gas Production, Pipelines and Gas Utilities

First Lady Cecilia Abbott today announced that the Governor's Response Against Child Exploitation (GRACE) initiative will host the fifth annual Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking from January 6 through January 12, 2025. The statewide interfaith week of prayer coincides with Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the state of Texas and serves as a call to action to the faith-based community to unite in prayer.

This has been a year of rousing success for the Texas General Land Office (GLO). I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished in 2024, and I wanted to take a moment to provide you this year in review. The GLO has had an accomplished year of supporting public education, stewarding state land, coordinating the restoration of the Alamo, honoring our veterans, securing the border, protecting Texas's coast, and facilitating disaster recovery and mitigation.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar last week said state sales tax revenue totaled $4.1 billion in December, 1 percent more than in December 2023. The majority of December sales tax revenue is based on sales made in November and remitted to the agency in December. Sales tax is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 58 percent of all tax collections.

For more than a month the Railroad Commission of Texas has taken important steps to help ensure adequate natural gas supply for winter weather, including this week’s wintry conditions. Starting in the first week of December, RRC’s Critical Infrastructure Division (CID) began weatherization inspections of critical natural gas facilities in the state’s electricity supply chain.