Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) introduced the Curbing Offenses on Policing Services (COPS) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The COPS Act increases penalties for individuals who assault first responders and law enforcement officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

A majority of voters believe economic conditions have worsened under Joe Biden, with 52% of "Likely U.S. Voters" saying they believe the economy has gotten worse since he became president, while 31% say the economy has gotten better and 14% believe the U.S. economy is about the same. See the August 29th-31st survey questions here.

“Revenues for Fiscal Year 2023 were ahead of our projections released in January,” said Comptroller Glenn Hegar, announcing that August 2023 State Sales Tax Revenues increased 5.7% over August 2022. Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending August 2023 were up 5.0% from the year earlier. At 57% of all collections, Sales Taxes are the largest source of state funding.

The parents of these brave young Americans gave powerful testimonies on the heartache they've endured after losing their sons and daughters. Despite consistent efforts from the families – and my committee – the Biden White House has held no one accountable for this tragedy, and continues to stonewall Congress by withholding key documents requested by my committee.

“Texas stands with Law Enforcement & Firefighters bravely and selflessly responding to the wildfire tragedy on Maui, and I encourage 1st Responders there to reach out through the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network and speak with a fellow first responder who can help share the burden,” said Governor Greg Abbott, announcing that Texas is offering free virtual peer-to-peer counseling services in response.

The Texas Tuition Promise Fund offers parents & loved ones the chance to prepay for a child's future tuition, and some fees at Texas public colleges and universities at today's prices, excluding medical and dental schools. To celebrate the plan's birthday, the $25 application fee to enroll in the plan will be waived for September and October 2023. (Enrollment must be postmarked by Oct. 31, 2023.)

“Judge John Kazen was recommended though our bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee. Based on that assessment, my own review, and Judge Kazen’s experience in private practice and on the bench, I recommended him to the White House for nomination to this federal seat in Laredo," said Sen. Cruz. "I'm confident he'll continue his father’s tremendous legacy once he is confirmed," said Sen. Cornyn.

“In Corpus Christi and in the Panhandle, farmers and ranchers told us the same story — under Joe Biden we’ve seen the highest inflation in 40 years, which is making feed, fertilizer, diesel and equipment more and more expensive," said Sen. Ted Cruz, as he and the Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture & Nutrition Committee, John Boozman, met with Texas agricultural leaders about the upcoming Farm Bill.

Reentering the workforce can be a challenge for individuals who have been incarcerated. Time away from the labor market and a criminal record can be barriers to employment – yet many employers are facing labor shortages exacerbated by the tremendous economic growth Texas is experiencing. As a result, the Texas Workforce Commission is hosting its "Growth through Reentry to Advance Careers & Employment" (GRACE) Conference.

"To keep Texas a national leader in supporting our men & women in the military – and remove barriers to employment – we will provide servicemembers and their families with the license portability they have earned and so richly deserve," said Gov. Greg Abbott earlier today, directing Texas state agencies to expand out-of-state occupational licensing reciprocity for U.S. military servicemembers and their spouses in Texas.

If you follow discussions about tax policy that academics and politicians engage in, sooner or later you’ll come across the concept of a “tax expenditure.” The term seems internally contradictory. How could something be both a tax and an expenditure?

In the August issue of Fiscal Notes, the Texas Comptroller’s Office looks at two important drivers of the entertainment industry that are leaving their mark on the Texas Economy: Film & Video Gaming. In 2022, more than 210 film, commercial and TV production companies had an economic impact of nearly $2 billion in Texas – while more than 190 video game companies contributed $5.5 billion.

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) sent a letter urging leadership of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations and Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science to provide robust funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston to help address the strategic threats facing our nation from adversaries like China and Russia.

“The State of Texas is sending personnel & resources to Florida as Hurricane Idalia makes landfall,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. "Texas is swiftly deploying assets to assist our fellow Americans in Florida... Our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis — and Texas is answering the call to support the people of Florida through this hurricane,” Abbott said.

Persistent triple-digit temperatures and minimal rainfall this summer have resulted in extremely dry vegetation across Texas, increasing the likelihood of dangerous wildfires. As a result, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is urging Texans to help protect the lands and natural resources we love during the upcoming Dove Hunting Season. Being mindful of activities that create heat or sparks that may cause a wildfire is crucial.

Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, met with South Texas agricultural leaders to discuss priorities for the next Farm Bill. 

Governor Greg Abbott announced 11 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling more than $2.7 million to 11 schools in Northeast Texas to support (CTE) training programs. Presented by the (TWC), these grants will help schools purchase and install equipment to initially train more than 1,340 students for high-demand occupations in healthcare, automotive services, welding, engineering, construction management, culinary arts, public relations, and more.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Texas Workforce Commission show that direct employment in Texas’ oil and natural gas industry rose 8.1% year-over-year (y/y) from 445,222 jobs in Q1 2022 to 482,557 jobs in Q1 2023. Industry wages also rose significantly, rising 22.0% y/y from approximately $16 billion in Q1 2022 to $19.5 billion in Q1 2023.

Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas; and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.

From day one, Joe Biden & his White House have launched a whole-of-government assault on American oil & gas producers – the lifeblood of our economy and cornerstone of our nation's National Security. This unilateral attack has spiked prices at the pump, increased our reliance on foreign oil, is undermining our economic recovery and energy independence – and is even threatening our military readiness.