Governor Greg Abbott today announced three Skills Development Fund (SDF) grant awards totaling more than $3.8 million to Dallas College by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to help train students for specialized jobs. Through these grants, Dallas College will provide customized training to over 1,900 new and current workers at local businesses in high-demand occupations, including construction, manufacturing, engineering, and more.

Governor Greg Abbott today ceremonially signed Senate Bill 8 and Senate Bill 36 to boost Texas’ coordinated border security efforts with the federal government and establish the Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety at the Sheriff’s Association of Texas 147th Annual Training. The Governor participated in a fireside chat with U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan to discuss the successful collaboration between Texas and the federal government to secure the border.

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Congressman Brian Babin (R-TX-36) released the following statements after their Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the President’s desk. This bill would codify President Trump’s Executive Order renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Houston, Texas, to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge.

Governor Greg Abbott today received a briefing and held a press conference at Donald Lewis Hisle Elementary School on Texas' continued response to severe flooding impacting Central Texas. Prior to the briefing and press conference, the Governor toured damage at Sandy Creek Bridge and meet with local first responders to thank them for their service. As other parts of the state are expecting severe weather throughout this week, the Governor encouraged Texans to monitor the weather, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials.

Today, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the senators who will serve on the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. The first hearing will take place at the Capitol in Austin on July 23. The second hearing will take place the following week in Kerrville on July 31, to give residents an opportunity to have their voices heard.

Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) joined President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in Kerrville, Texas, to support flood relief efforts. Together, President Trump, the First Lady, Congressman Gonzales, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, and members of the Texas Congressional Delegation received a briefing on emergency response measures underway in Texas.

A review of damage assessments in Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties shows they exceed federal criteria for disaster assistance and may be eligible for federal programs, which provide financial assistance to assist with qualifying disaster-related expenses. Texans can apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Additional counties may be added as additional damage assessments are completed in impacted communities.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker House Dustin Burrows issued the following statements today highlighting the close collaboration between the House and Senate on legislation to address concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice over Texas congressional districts. In advance of the upcoming special session beginning on July 21, Lt. Gov. Patrick and Speaker Burrows have pledged that House and Senate committees are aligned in their focus to ensure redistricting plans remain in compliance with the U.S. Constitution.

As your Texas Agriculture Commissioner, I’ve witnessed the strength of our agricultural community through countless challenges, but the recent floods in Central Texas have dealt a devastating blow. Farms and ranches have been submerged, fences destroyed, and livelihoods upended. Our farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness owners need our help to recover, and I’m calling on you to support the State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) Fund, a trusted program dedicated to aiding those hit hardest by this disaster.

Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Benjamin Hanil Song, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the July 4th attack on a U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas during which an Alvarado Police Officer was shot and wounded.

On Monday, July 14, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) will launch the “Texas Business Minute” – a daily 55-second, non-partisan news segment available to all Texas media outlets. Available in both audio and video formats, this ready-to-air clip will be delivered free of charge to local Radio and TV outlets across the state. The Association’s purpose is to champion the best business climate in the world, unleashing the power of free enterprise to enhance lives for generations.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows created the Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding, which will meet jointly. The first hearing will take place at the Capitol on July 23. The second hearing will take place the following week in Kerrville to give residents an opportunity to have their voices heard. The date of that hearing will be announced soon. The Lt. Governor and the Speaker will each appoint 9 members to their chambers’ select committee.

Governor Greg Abbott today ordered Texas flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff to honor those who lost their lives due to the devastating floods that impacted Texas over the July 4th holiday weekend. Flags should be returned to full staff at sunrise on Monday, July 14, 2025. The Governor urges everyone to continue to pray for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of these communities, and for the first responders.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced today that the agency will begin accepting applications for more than $3.8 billion in available funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Texas Match Assistance Program (TMAP). Administered by the Comptroller’s Broadband Development Office (BDO), the BEAD and TMAP Programs combine federal and state dollars to support broadband infrastructure projects in eligible areas.

As your Agriculture Commissioner, my heart aches for the families shattered by the Independence Day floods in Kerrville and across our Hill Country. The loss of life, especially our precious children at Camp Mystic, is a wound that cuts deep. These floods, with the Guadalupe River rising 29 feet in mere hours, have left our communities reeling, with over 100 lives lost and many still missing.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is now accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of recent severe storms and flooding that impacted Texas. Under President Donald J. Trump's Major Disaster Declaration, workers and self-employed individuals in Kerr County who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from severe weather may be eligible for DUA benefits.

Leftists and the media are ramping up their attacks on the "One Big Beautiful" tax cut bill with claims – as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said last week – that "People will literally die" from the GOP "work requirements." The liberal Center for American Progress claims deaths will number in the "tens of thousands of Americans each year." And, they add: "These estimates aren't hysterical." We're having deja vu all over again.

"In times like these, the last thing Texans should have to worry about is taxes. As State & Federal relief efforts move forward, we encourage Merchants & Property Owners to apply for the extensions and property tax savings they may be eligible for during recovery," said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock earlier today, announcing that businesses in state-declared disaster areas may be granted an extension to file certain tax reports.

The Salvation Army Austin is calling on the Austin Community to help young students living in their two-family emergency shelters. On Saturday, July 12th, The Salvation Army will host a "Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive" in partnership with a local Walmart Store. As customers enter the store, volunteers will provide a list of needed school supplies — including notebooks, backpacks, pens, pencils, and more.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that President Donald J. Trump approved federal disaster assistance as part of a Major Disaster Declaration, following deadly and destructive flooding that impacted Texas this past week. Qualifying Texans in Kerr County are eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance program. Additional counties may be added at a later date.