"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.

“The whole determination here is how the Bidens handle this,” Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy told Fox Business’s Larry Kudlow. "The thing that holds up whether to do an impeachment or not is: Provide us the documents we’re asking for. But if they fight not to provide the American public with what they deserve to know, we'll move forward with an impeachment inquiry when we come back into session," which happens on Tuesday, Sept. 5th.

150 Texas public schools have been awarded the "Purple Star Campus Designation" for the 2023-2024 school year. Established by Governor Abbott in 2019, the Purple Star Campus Designation program recognizes Texas public schools for their exceptional commitment to supporting and meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.

Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation, convened a meeting of the Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC) in McAllen this morning. BTAC is composed of public and private sector stakeholders from throughout the Texas-Mexico border region who work collaboratively to address cross-border infrastructure challenges and facilitate safe, secure and efficient international commerce

Harmony School of Innovation science and STEM teacher Mr. Larry McKenzie has something in his fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms that most of us had in college -- a worn-out copy of The Merriam-Webster Dictionary. While in the age of Chromebooks, it is important to prepare students with technological knowledge, McKenzie believes that using an actual dictionary is also a life skill to teach and a great way for students to learn.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced nine Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling more than $2.8 million to five Southeast Texas schools to support career and technical education (CTE) training programs. Presented by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the grants will help the schools purchase and install equipment to initially train more than 890 students for high-demand occupations.

Last week we wrapped up our August 2023 Town Hall Tour with the final stop at Grayson College. Let me first say that it was an absolute pleasure to speak with the folks who I represent along the way. I know for a fact that folks across the country are saying the same thing you are: Congress must demand accountability from the Biden family, and Joe Biden's White House.

“Americans are demanding a secure border. I am a NO on any 'Continuing Resolution' that only kicks the can down the road. Lock Congress in a room until we pass a conservative budget void of excess financial waste,” said South Texas Cong. Tony Gonzales, who stepped to the front of the line this week voicing his opposition. Texas' 23rd District includes a whopping 42% of the entire U.S.-Mexico Border.

U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today sent letters to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan and the head of the European Union’s San Francisco office, demanding answers regarding the degree of coordination between the FTC and the EU to enforce the EU’s Digital Services Act (“DSA”) and Digital Markets Act (“DMA”) on U.S. soil.

"The Texas House & Senate worked together, I was able to sign Property Tax Cuts of $18 billion into law – and this is a game changer, not just for homeowners but for businesses across our great state,” said Gov. Greg Abbott, as he received the "2023 Economic Trailblazer Award" from the Texas Association of Business (TAB) for his ongoing efforts on behalf of Texas' citizens.