On the Record

image

Governor Abbott Meets With First Responders, Delivers Update On State Wildfire Response

Governor Greg Abbott today surveyed damages from the Ross Fire that impacted Palo Pinto and Jack counties, served meals to first responders, and provided an update on the state’s ongoing wildfire response. The Governor highlighted the resources the State of Texas has provided to affected communities as state and local emergency personnel work to contain the fire, which has threatened homes, damaged property, impacted infrastructure, and prompted local evacuations across North Texas.

09.04.2026
image

Business Roundtable on Impact of Controversial Tax

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines recently hosted a roundtable discussion with online marketplace sellers, restaurant owners, and physicians to hear firsthand how the state's controversial definition of its data processing services tax is impacting their businesses. The session is part of Huffines’ ongoing Taxpayer First Project, an initiative to ensure fairness, transparency, and respect in how the state administers its tax laws.

09.04.2026
image

TXOGA President Todd Staples Supports Landowner Protections Included in PUC Decision 

Following the Public Utility Commission of Texas’ unanimous adoption of two proposals for decision related to the Permian Basin Reliability Plan, Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA), issued in a statement: “Energy security should be non-negotiable for all Texans ..." Commissioners adopted the two proposals for decision with additional landowner protections as indicated by Chairman Gleeson

09.04.2026
image

Sen. Cruz Joins Michael Dell, Brad Gerstner, and Frank Bisignano in Austin to Highlight Texas Leadership on Trump Accounts

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) participated in a press conference and executive roundtable with Michael Dell, founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, Brad Gerstner, founder, chairman and CEO of Altimeter Capital, Frank Bisignano, CEO of the IRS, and dozens of Texas business leaders. The discussion focused on how employers can make a generational impact on American families’ financial futures by contributing to Trump Accounts for their employees’ children.

09.03.2026
image

Governor Abbott Reminds Insurers Of Price Optimization Ban Under Texas Law

Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) reminded insurers that the practice of “price optimization” violates Texas law for all TDI-regulated insurance products. Price optimization occurs when an insurance company varies premiums based on factors unrelated to a policyholder’s risk of loss or the company’s expenses, including whether a customer is likely to shop for a new policy or accept a higher price.

09.03.2026
image

Michigan Democrats Block Voter ID Measure From Ballot

We reported last week that in California, Attorney General Rob Bonta has replaced the language in the state's voter guide to politically-biased language that have doomed several measures in the past. But that's nothing compared to the tactics in Michigan, where two Democratic members of the state's canvassing board voted to disenfranchise 709,841 state residents who signed a petition improving election integrity.

09.03.2026
image

Texas Comptroller Huffines Reports State Sales Tax Revenue Totaled $4.6 Billion in August

Comptroller Don Huffines said state sales tax revenue totaled $4.62 billion in August, 7.1% more than in August 2025. Growth in receipts was positive from all the large sectors primarily influenced by business spending last month, with collections from the construction and mining sectors being particularly robust. Remittances from the manufacturing sector came in 5.2% above the amount in August 2025, and collections from the wholesale trade sector were 1.7% above totals from the same month last year following a nearly 10% jump in July.

09.03.2026
image

Secretary Rollins Announces Ranchers First Initiatives to Rebuild the Great American Beef Herd

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Ranchers First Initiative, a sweeping package of actions to continue rebuilding the Great American Beef Herd and put America’s ranchers back at the center of our nation’s food supply. Building on USDA’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry, the Trump Administration is delivering again. "President Trump will make certain the men and women who raise our cattle can hand their operations to the next generation, and that American families can put safe, high-quality, American-raised beef on the table.” 

09.01.2026
ad-image
image

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces Emergency Shutdown of 110 Driving Schools Over English Proficiency Rule

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced the emergency shutdown of 110 driving schools across the U.S. due to a rule requiring English proficiency for obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL). The Department of Transportation (DOT) made this decision after the schools had issued licenses to over 5,000 individuals who had failed English language proficiency (ELP) tests. DOT is initiating a nationwide audit of third-party commercial driver's license (CDL) skills testers and the states' oversight of these testers.

09.01.2026
image

RRC Announces New Oil & Gas Director

The RRC is pleased to announce that David Lindley has been named the new director of the Commission’s Oil and Gas Division. With 10 district offices across the state, the division’s core responsibilities include meeting permitting and reporting requirements; conducting field inspections, testing programs and monitoring industry activities in the field; and administering programs to remediate abandoned wells and sites, funded by fees and taxes paid by industry.

09.01.2026
image

Why Are Blue States Opposing a Tracking System for Mail-in Ballots?

President Trump issued an executive order last May directing the Postal Service to enhance ballot security by requiring states to provide lists of mail voters and use federally reviewed ballot envelopes with unique barcodes for tracking. A group of blue states immediately sued claiming the order violates the Voting Rights Act by intruding on their power to administer elections. This week, the Supreme Court voted 6 to 3 to allow the Postal Service to implement the order. Two days later the Postal Service rules were blocked again

08.31.2026
image

Babin: President Trump Honors America’s Artemis II Heroes

I was honored to stand alongside President Trump and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman as the Artemis II astronauts were awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. Under President Trump’s leadership, America has entered a new Golden Age of exploration, innovation, and discovery, and the historic success of Artemis II is proof that our nation is once again leading the way in space.

08.31.2026
ad-image
image

RRC Commissioner Christian: Oil Theft Bust Is a Victory for Texas Oil and Gas

Operation Black Market Basin led to charges including felony oil theft, money laundering and organized crime. In mid-August, authorities seized about 2,600 barrels of petroleum products valued at more than $220,000, 60 vehicles valued at more than $2.8 million, $786,215 in cash, 34 luxury watches and jewelry items and eight bank accounts containing more than $8 million. The investigation involved petroleum allegedly acquired and sold across multiple states, including Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

08.31.2026
image

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham Unveils “The Texas Engine” to Power America’s Future

Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is announcing a new GLO initiative: The Texas Engine: Fueled, Fed, and Fortified – a vision for putting Texas’s land and natural resources to work to strengthen our state today and to secure America’s future. This plan will highlight how the GLO is delivering on dependable energy, unlocking new revenue streams, strengthening domestic manufacturing, securing food production, and protecting Texas’s land, water, and critical resources.

08.31.2026
image

Governor Abbott Rings Closing Bell At Grand Opening Of NYSE Texas HQ

Yesterday Governor Greg Abbott rang the Closing Bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in celebration of the grand opening of the headquarters of NYSE Texas. During his remarks, the Governor honored the contributions of Texas business legends who helped shape our state into the booming economy it is today. Texas boasts the eighth-largest economy in the world, leads the nation in job creation, and consistently ranks among the best states for business.

08.28.2026
image

State Rep. Hunter: Mid-August to Late September Is Most active Part of Hurricane Season

According to the National Hurricane Center, the peak of Hurricane Season runs from mid-August to late October, and it is during this time that most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Basin. From mid-August to late September, we will be entering the most active part of the season. On June 1, 2026, we officially entered the Hurricane Season, and it is important to be prepared during the season because it can help keep both you and your family safe.

08.28.2026
image

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines Highlights Urgent Need for Property Tax Reform at Ad Valorem Taxation Seminar

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines delivered remarks today at the Annual Legal Seminar on Ad Valorem Taxation, emphasizing the growing burden of property taxes on Texas families and outlining his office’s efforts to modernize tax administration, increase transparency and strengthen taxpayer protections. For many families, he said, property taxes are now one of the single biggest barriers standing between them and their first home.

08.28.2026
image

GINGRICH: President Trump Is Clearly Grinding Down the Entire Left, Including Its Propaganda Media

With the nominations of Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina and of Mike Mazzei for governor of Oklahoma, President Donald Trump’s strength in the GOP is unchallengeable. Both these nominations would have been won by the other candidates if President Trump had endorsed them. In South Carolina, the alternative was U.S. House Rep. Ralph Norman, a solid, pro-Trump conservative. If President Trump had endorsed Rep. Norman, he would have won.

08.28.2026
image

Governor Abbott Announces $138 Billion Texas Transportation Investment

Governor Greg Abbott today announced a new 10-year transportation plan with a total projected investment of $138 billion. The plan by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will improve safety, reduce congestion and strengthen the supply chain. Many of the projects in the 2027 UTP are roadway segments identified on Texas’ 100 Most Congested Roadways list.

08.27.2026
image

Sen. Cruz to Participate in Texas Executive Press Conference and Roundtable with Michael Dell, Brad Gerstner, and Frank Bisignano to Discuss Trump Accounts

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) will participate in a press conference and executive roundtable with Michael Dell, founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, Brad Gerstner, founder, chairman and CEO of Altimeter Capital, Frank Bisignano, CEO of the IRS, and dozens of executives representing a wide range of Texas industries. The discussion will focus on the opportunity corporate America has to make a generational impact on American families’ financial futures by contributing to Trump Accounts for their employees' children.

08.27.2026
ad-image
ad-image
image
09.15.2026

TEXAS INSIDER ON YOUTUBE

ad-image
image
09.15.2026
image
09.14.2026
ad-image