On the Record

image

Teaching Biology & Sex as Determined by Your X and Y Chromosomes

Can you be fired for teaching basic biology? That seems to be the case with Professor Johnson Varkey, who was fired for “teaching standard principles about human biology and reproduction.” The professor has taught Human Anatomy & Physiology to more than 1,500 students since 2003 – and has always received positive student feedback.

08.10.2023
image

Sen. Cruz Continues Effort to Upgrade, Expand & Highlight Texas' International Bridges

“As the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I’m focused on building the Texas & American Economies – and supporting policies that help the Lone Star State grow. That’s why I’m leading a bi-partisan effort to build and expand International Bridges on the Texas-Mexico Border, and to facilitate greater trade by leading efforts to turn Ports-to-Plains into Interstate 27," said Cruz earlier today while touring the Inland Port.

08.10.2023
image

Comptroller Hegar Distributes $1.2 Billion in Monthly Sales Tax Revenue to Local Governments

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts $1.2 billion in local sales tax allocations for August, a 2.8% increase over the same period in August 2022.

08.10.2023
image

Governor Abbott Announces Eaton Facility Expansion In Nacogdoches

Eaton Corporation will expand their manufacturing facility for voltage regulators, Cooper Power Systems LLC, in Nacogdoches. Cooper Power Systems is a subsidiary of Eaton Corporation PLC (Eaton), a global technology leader in electrical components, systems, and services for power quality, distribution, and control. The project is expected to create over 200 new jobs and more than $100 million in capital investment.

08.09.2023
image

TWC Youth Robotics Grants Inspire High School Students to Pursue STEM Occupations

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded more than $2.3 million in grants for Youth Robotics programs, allowing more than 10,000 Texas high school students to participate in various events that lead to the world championship. This year, four applicants received awards: FIRST in Texas, Urban STEM, Collegiate Edu-nation, and BEST of Texas Robotics.  

08.09.2023
image

Gov. Abbott Signs Bill to Protect Fair Competition & Female Participation in Women’s Sports

“By signing the Save Women’s Sports Act, Governor Abbott sends a powerful message to Texans – and to all Americans that we must protect the female category of sport if we want women and girls to have the equal athletic opportunities that are required by law,” said former NCAA athlete and Independent Women's Voice spokeswomen Riley Gaines, as she and others celebrated Gov. Abbott's signing the bill into law that protects women's sports in Texas.

08.08.2023
image

CONG. WILLIAMS: Holding President Biden, His Administration, and Out-of-Control Federal Government Accountable

In just the first 7 months of this year, our country's faced the failure of three large U.S. Banks, threats to our financial systems from the Chinese Communists, economic mismanagement by the Biden White House, and more. Nonetheless, House Republicans passed bills to address border security, lowering energy costs, protecting women & girls, and countless others. We have five months left in the year, and many more issues to address. 

08.08.2023
image

Cruz, Braun, Risch Introduce Legislation to Make Americans' Health Care More Portable, Accessible

"It’s time to remove the middleman, and allow Americans to make decisions about how and when they get care for themselves," said Sen. Ted Cruz, as he and Senators Mike Braun & James Risch introduced the "Personalized Care Act" to make Americans' health care more portable, accessible, and tailored to meet their unique needs by dramatically expanding Heath Savings Accounts – a pre-tax savings tool millions of Americans already use to cover the costs of their health care.

08.08.2023
ad-image
image

Texas Goes Big on Broadband…Maybe

Many outside of Texas enjoy mocking Texans with “I know, I know, everything’s bigger in Texas,” but the reality is that Texas is really pretty darn big. The US Census reports that as of 2021 Texas has more than 30 million people, living in more than 12 million households spread out across more than 261,000 square miles. As of the census, 87% have broadband at home.

08.08.2023
image

Cruz Demands Answers From DOJ About Relationship in Hunter Biden Investigation

Sen. Ted Cruz, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on The Constitution Ranking Member, sent a letter to the Dept. of Justice demanding details about Asst. U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf, and about Wolf’s relationship with Biden loyalist Alexander Mackler. Emails recovered from Hunter Biden’s laptop reveal affectionate correspondence between the Bidens and Mackler that raise serious questions about the department's objectivity in the Hunter Biden probe.

08.04.2023
image

Operation Lone Star Stops Criminals at President Biden’s Open Border

Since being launched by Gov. Greg Abbott, Operation Lone Star has apprehended some 402,000 Illegal Immigrants and made more than 32,400 Criminal Arrests – with over 29,600 Felony Charges reported. And in the fight against fentanyl, Texas Law Enforcement has seized over 422 million lethal doses during this border mission. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard are working to secure the border.

08.04.2023
image

HEGAR: State Sales Tax Revenue, Economic Activity Continued to Increase in July

Comptroller Glenn Hegar today said State Sales Tax Revenue totaled $3.99 billion in July, 2.7% more than in July 2022. Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in July 2023 was up 4.5% compared to the same period a year ago. Sales taxes represent the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 56% of all tax collections, and are often seen as a measuring stick of the state's economic activity.

08.04.2023
ad-image
image

Fellow Democrat, RFK Jr., Calls for Investigation Into Joe Biden

Allegations that Joe Biden & Hunter Biden accepted millions of dollars in bribes from foreign nations or corporations are worth “a real investigation,” Democrat presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a significant campaign shift. “These revelations about a notoriously corrupt company that paid out, apparently, $10 million to Hunter and his dad – if that’s true, then it's really troubling. We need a real investigation of what happened.”

08.01.2023
image

Sen. Cruz Adds 6 Measures Critical to Texas & America in National Defense Act

​​​​​​​“I'm proud to support this year’s the National Defense Authorization Act, which will equip our service members with the resources they need to defend our nation here at home & abroad. I was honored to push across the finish line six provisions, including a measure to require the Biden Admin to expedite permitting for four Cross-Border Bridge Projects in South Texas. Expanding bridge capacity will attract much-needed economic development," said Sen. Ted Cruz.

07.28.2023
image

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Raises $100K Since Announcing for State House Dist. 80 Run 

Since launching his campaign for Texas House District 80 less than two weeks ago, now-former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin has raised over $100,000 to help fund his campaign. As the first candidate in the race to raise over $100,000 the former mayor’s impressive fundraising capabilities demonstrate an ability to win, and may define him as the frontrunner in one of the most competitive 2024 primary & general elections in Texas.

07.28.2023
image

Land Comm. Buckingham Recognizes Weekend's Effort to Raise Funds in Support Texas Veteran's Homes

The non-profit veteran's group "Expedition Orange" will hold its Annual Horseback Benefit Ride in Texas this weekend, noted Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chair & Land Comm. Dawn Buckingham earlier today, highlighting the importance of supporting Veterans who were exposed to "Agent Orange" while serving in the Vietnam War. Concluding in Amarillo, 100% of all donations made to Expedition Orange in July will support Vietnam Vets living in each of Texas' 9 State Veterans Homes.

07.28.2023
image

Democrats Block Sen. Cruz Amendment to Re-Instate Service Members Wronged for Declining COVID-19 Vaccine

Senate Democrats have blocked Sen. Ted Cruz's Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which would have provided remedies to servicemembers who were separated from the military based solely on their COVID-19 vaccine status. It would have allowed these individuals to return to military service and adjust their discharge status from “general” to “honorable” to restore lost GI Bill & VA Benefits.

07.27.2023
image

WILLIAMS: I Will Always Protect Our God-Given Rights & Put America 1st

Since day one, my platform has been to stand with Israel. I am proud to announce that House Republicans passed my cosponsored legislation H. Con. Res. 57 by a vote of 412-9. This bill rejects all forms of antisemitism and ensures that the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel, one of our closest friends and allies. In Case You Missed It, watch here!

07.27.2023
image

Bernie Sanders's $17 Minimum Wage Bill Would Kill 337,000 Texas Jobs

On Tuesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) introduced legislation to increase the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour and eliminate the tip credit. The Employment Policies Institute is warning lawmakers and the public that the proposal would cost 337,088 Texas jobs, and 1.7 million jobs nationwide, according to a new EPI report.

07.27.2023
image

HEGAR: Texas' Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 11th-13th

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11-13. State law exempts sales tax on qualified items — such as clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks — priced below $100, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend.

07.27.2023
ad-image
ad-image
image
03.28.2024

TEXAS INSIDER ON YOUTUBE

ad-image
image
03.28.2024
image
03.26.2024
ad-image