“While direct travel spending in Texas is recovering faster than national averages, we continue supporting Texas businesses as they grow and expand. All eligible tourism-related businesses in Texas are strongly encouraged to apply for this grant program," said Gov. Abbott of the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program that will provide one-time grants of up to $20,000 for recovery of Texas businesses impacted by the pandemic.

As Republicans on the House's Homeland Security Committee worked to expose the atrocities of President Biden’s border crisis last year, I served as Ranking Member on the Counter-Terrorism Subcommittee and led the effort to expose the shocking number of known and suspected terrorists entering our country under his watch. And, I plan to keep holding this White House accountable for the crisis.

"This is the strongest, best equipped group of senators in Texas history. They are proven leaders with the expertise and experience needed to keep Texas moving in the right direction. That includes the most outstanding freshman class we have ever had," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, following today's announcement of his Texas Senate Committee appointments for the already-underway 2023 Legislative Session.

"In one of my first acts as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I sent a letter to (Joe Biden's) Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding more information on President Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan — an unmitigated disaster of epic proportions. American citizens and our Afghan allies deserve answers, and I'm going to ensure they get them," said McCaul.

"We acknowledge the Commissioners’ comments to maintain competition and innovation in the solutions, but concerns remain regarding shifting risk away from generators and toward consumers as the Performance Credit Mechanism (PCM) model is crafted and continues to evolve," said Todd Staples, President of the TXOGA Texas Oil & Gas Association,

“We live in a state of infinite possibilities, and in the Legislative Session ahead we will continue working together to keep Texas the land of opportunity," said Gov. Greg Abbott, as the Texas Workforce Commission announced figures for December again surpassed the all-time record for total jobs for the 14th consecutive month. Employers added 29,500 nonfarm jobs in December, and total jobs in Texas hit a record 13,705,500 at year end.

In December 2022, Texas added 29,500 positions, reaching a total of 13,705,500 nonfarm jobs in Texas and marking a 14th consecutive record employment high in Texas. "Texas remains the best place to do business thanks to the success and resilience of Texas' employers. From lowering taxes to supporting programs that meet the needs of businesses, TWC is here to help," said Texas Workforce Commissioner Aaron Demerson.

Data released by the Texas Workforce Commission indicates that upstream oil and gas employment in Texas continues to grow, with the sector adding 1,300 jobs in December. In 2022, upstream oil and gas saw significant increases in hiring with the job count growing by 36,100 jobs for the year.

“As HHS Chief of Staff in 2020, I helped coordinate Title 42 to protect Americans at the border. If Biden's going to force America to exist under a COVID Public Health Emergency that he can no longer justify – along with vaccine mandates – and at the same time open the entire southern border to human traffickers, cartels, and millions of unscreened illegal aliens, then Texas should use every tool available to fight back," said State Rep. Brian Harrison.

With President Biden in office and Democrats in control of Congress, federal spending increased an astounding $10 trillion – resulting in disasters like rampant inflation and increased cost of goods or services, to a decrease in real wages and interest rate hikes that're projected to increase through the rest of 2023. ​​​​​​​Republicans in the new House majority are ready to curb the wasteful spending and turn things around.

"This is an appalling public safety issue that we have to get under control – criminals are willing to kill over these converters. Houston Police Chief Finner and his officers are on the front lines trying to stomp out these crime rings," said State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, responding to the 5,300% jump in Catalytic Converter thefts in Texas since 2019. The precious metals inside them are more valuable than gold.

“Texans everywhere are feeling the impact of inflation, and because SNAP eligibility is linked to vehicle value, hungry Texans are losing benefits at a time they need them most. These vehicle limits were set over 20 years ago — they're outdated and out of touch with reality,” said State Rep. Ryan Guillen as he and State Sen. César Blanco filed bills in the Senate & House to better reflect today’s car market values.

“Legal action is necessary to curtail this Administration’s continued intrusion into the rights of Texans – and our ability to control our own natural resources,” said Attorney General Paxton, filing a lawsuit against the Biden White House for ignoring Congress’s direction and guidelines set down under the previous administration to protect isolated wetlands, small private streams, and off-channel reservoirs from federal government intrusions.

In the Texas Senate Chamber, Senators took turns drawing lots: in this case, 31 sequentially-numbered sheets of paper drawn out of a bowl. Drawing an odd number won a Senator a 4-year term, and drawing an even number a 2-year term – and the prospect of standing for re-election in 2024. ​​​​It's a fairly high-stakes proposition that members, nevertheless, greet with genial good humor. The following Senators drew 2-year terms.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced the average unemployment insurance (UI) tax rate for all employers will be 1.16% for calendar year (CY) 2023. Last year, the average tax rate was 1.35%.

"This makes it crystal-clear that the author's legislative intent was to have a School Accountability System that works," said Texas State Senator Paul Bettencourt of the long-awaited verdict restoring the A-F Accountability System in Texas public schools, which Bettencourt helped pass legislation to create. "This Supreme Court ruling is a much needed step to return to the intent of the Legislature."

"This appointment is significant – it's the first time Midland & Odessa have been represented on the committee tasked with securing our Nation’s energy supply, and it's the first time a West Texan has served on the committee in nearly half a century. This committee will be part of the solution for nearly every major issue currently facing our Nation," said Pfluger.

"I look forward to using this position to help secure our border, to combat the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, and hold the Biden Administration accountable for its foreign policy blunders — especially the withdrawal from Afghanistan," said Cong. Michael McCaul, as he became the first Texan in history to chair the important House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Attorney General Paxton has joined a cert-stage amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear CFPB v. CFSAA (Case No. 22-448), which has important constitutional implications – and the potential to check the unaccountable and out-of-control Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

“From out-of-control inflation, to broken supply chains, I have first-hand experience dealing with the current problems facing America’s job creators. As the Republican majority works on solutions to these pressing issues, it is essential we have a small business owner at the helm of this committee to be the voice for Main Street America," said Cong. Williams upon being selected by his peers to Chair the House Small Business Committee.