Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced earlier today that Texas' State Sales Tax Revenue saw an increase during December 2023 when compared to 2022 – indicating an increase in the state's economic growth of 3.2% . Sales taxes represent the largest source of state funding for the Texas State Budget, and account for 57% of all tax collections.

This legislation to bar the DOD from maintaining JROTC programs at any private school operated or controlled by entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party. Another measure ensures corrupt officials responsible for Vladimir Putin’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline are held accountable. He also secured passage of a bill that will call attention to how the dictatorship in Venezuela seizes American hostages, including Texans.

Last year, my casework team helped return nearly $800,000 from the IRS and other government agencies back to hard-working Texans. In total, we completed 1,552 cases — assisting constituents with IRS issues, passport renewals, Veterans Affairs claims, Social Security checks, and so much more. I'm proud to have a top-notch team that's passionate about helping our fellow Texans, and we look forward to meeting your needs during 2024!

​​​​​​​"Texas serves as a beacon of opportunity, proving that when given the freedom to aspire and the foundation to succeed, businesses flourish and people prosper. As we look to 2024, we'll continue to work together and safeguard the promise of an even bigger, brighter Texas for generations to come.” said Gov. Greg Abbott, as the previously released October data for total nonfarm jobs was revised upward to 14,068,100, meaning Texas has now experienced 33 months of uninterrupted job growth through November.

On December 18, Governor Abbott signed Historic Border Security Measures in Brownsville in front of the Texas border wall. Governor Abbott signed a transformative package of border security legislation passed during Special Session #3 and Special Session #4 of the 88th Texas Legislature.  Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps created by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border.

“I am so proud to serve as your first female Land Commissioner and of the tremendous successes your General Land Office has made in education, historical preservation, veteran support, coastal conservation, and strategic land management. This past year marked the beginning of a new era, and our team has wasted no time getting to work for Texans."

The RRC's Year in Review highlights our commitment to protecting Texans and the environment by surpassing high standards set by the Legislature and by meeting or exceeding critical performance measures in orphaned well plugging and pipeline safety inspections.

"There's no time to delay further on this issue, and failure to act may lead to a point of no return. We know what policies are needed to end this chaos, and we need to act now," said South Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales, calling on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to take Emergency Action on the border crisis. "I'm calling on all lawmakers to take emergency action for our border.”

"Voting is a privilege, and right reserved for American citizens to participate democratically in deciding the leadership of our country. Under Joe Biden’s watch, the integrity of our electoral process has been compromised," said Senators Ted Cruz and Katie Britt, members on the Senate Rules & Administration Committee, joining together with their colleagues to introduce the "Citizen Ballot Protection Act" to ensure that states have the authority to verify that only American citizens are voting in Federal Elections.

Texas’ labor market achieved a new record high as the state’s seasonally adjusted job count reached 14,094,900, an increase of 26,800 positions over the month of November. Lone Star State employment set new record high levels in each of the last 26 months and added 407,100 positions since November 2022, ranking No. 1 in the nation in over the year increase of seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is partnering with the City of Port Isabel, the City of South Padre Island, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and the Port Isabel Navigation District to provide residents there with a free event to dispose of inoperable vessels. The "Vessel Turn-In Program" (VTIP) will take place January 18th-20th, 2024, from 9 am to 5 pm.

This bill also applies to foreign missions in the U.S. conducted by China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. This legislation requires a monthly report of the notification logs from the State Department to the President, Senate Homeland Security Committee, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee. . .

“Last week, I sent a letter with bipartisan support alongside members of the For Country Caucus urging the Biden administration to secure their release as soon as possible. I am grateful Eyvin, Jerrel, Joseph, and the other American hostages who were detained have made it home safely.”

In a majority opinion sloppy in specifics and wrongheaded in the main, the Colorado Supreme Court has taken a Reconstruction-Era Prohibition on Confederate Rebels holding office and used it to deny Colorado Voters a choice of their preferred presidential candidate. As they themselves write: “We travel in uncharted territory.” One would think such an admission would preface an appeal to caution, but apparently we can no longer take for granted that the courts will always serve as a neutral arbiter.

“Four years ago, the United States had the fewest illegal border crossings in decades. It was policies put in place by the Trump Administration that led to such a low number. Today, I sign three laws to better protect Texas — and America — from President Biden’s neglect," said Gov. Greg Abbott, signing into law Border Security Legislation passed by the Texas Legislature. The laws bolster Texas’ unprecedented border security efforts against Human Smuggling, the flow of Illegal Crossings, and funds the ongoing construction of a Border Wall.

Unfortunately, the White House has refused to cooperate in good faith, forcing House Republicans to formalize an official impeachment inquiry. We've followed the facts and money for a year now, working to reveal whether or not President Biden knew about, was involved with, or benefited from his family’s corrupt influence peddling schemes. It’s crucial to know whether the president, or any members of his family, were influenced by improper foreign business dealings. Congress will use our Article I inquiry authorities to get answers.

"While mass migrant caravans pull Customs & Border Protection personnel off the front lines, multiple Border Patrol checkpoints have been shut down – allowing criminals to flow in without resistance. Trade's slowly coming to a standstill, Law Enforcement Officers are exhausted, demoralized, and working overtime," said South Texas Cong. Tony Gonzales, following the Biden Administration's decision to suspend operations at the International Bridges in Eagle Pass & El Paso, Texas, at 8 AM Monday morning.

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA), in partnership with South Texas College, Texas State Technical College, Texas Southmost College, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will use these funds to provide education and training programs in high demand occupations, including healthcare and specialized trades, for 420 students.

“Today, we gather to honor those who served our country to ensure the freedoms we enjoy each & every day,” said Gov. Greg Abbott, as he and Texas' 1st Lady Cecilia Abbott honored the service and sacrifice of Texas Veterans at the Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin earlier today. Held as part of the annual National Wreaths Across America Day, this is the fifth year Gthe governor has participated in the ceremony.

“The Biden administration has announced CBP will issue yet another closure of two Texas-Mexico rail bridges, which will stop critical goods like farmers' grain and other consumer goods from flowing between our countries. President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas's failed immigration policies must not stand in the way of commerce."