Governor Greg Abbott announced earlier today that Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) Grants totaling over $8.5 million were awarded to 35 organizations in Central Texas as part of the Texas Veterans Commission’s "Grants Across Texas" presentations. Administered by Texas Veterans Commission, the funding will provide services to more than 4,440 area veterans and their families across the 30 Counties listed herein.

Since the Federal Government has shut down – meaning funding has lapsed for many federal government operations – I understand there are questions about what is impacted during this time. I’m here to answer them. Below is a list of Federal Agencies and how their services will be impacted by the shutdown. Please keep in mind the agencies responsible for administering them may see reduced workforces impacting operations.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today unveiled a new interactive data dashboard designed to put the latest economic and demographic information directly into the hands of Texans. The announcement came during a regional event hosted by the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, where Hancock kicked off the Good for Texas Tour: TexStats Dashboard Edition. The new TexStats Regional Data Dashboard consolidates a wide range of state, county and regional data into a single, user-friendly site.

Governor Greg Abbott today officially launched the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), housed within the Office of the Governor, and opened the TREO website and Regulation Evaluation Portal. On the website, Texans can find the "Regulation Evaluation" Portal to submit feedback and make recommendations on potential government overregulation that TREO needs to investigate. 

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of State Senator Brandon Creighton, who resigned his position today to become Chancellor of Texas Tech University, Brett Ligon – the longest serving District Attorney in Montgomery County history – kicked off his campaign today for Senate Dist. 4. “Texas Tech is getting one of the brightest stars as their new Chancellor, and I'm proud to call Brandon my friend," Ligon said.

Texas state sales tax revenue totaled $3.97 billion in September, an increase of 3.2% when compared to September 2024," said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock earlier today. Accounting for 58% of all state tax collections, Sales Tax is the largest source of state funding for the Texas State Budget. “Remittances from the sectors influenced mainly by business spending were mixed last month,” said Hancock.

"Today we are putting violent repeat offenders on notice. We are coming for you, we are going to target you, arrest you, and put you behind bars where you belong. This is a Texas-sized effort by the Texas Department of Public Safety & Local Law Enforcement Officials at every level to crack down on dangerous repeat offenders," said Gov. Abbott, announcing a new collaboration with the Houston Police Department & Federal Law Enforcement.

“To stop the New World screwworm quickly, we can’t just depend on sterile fly production. With the latest case popping up only 70 miles from our Texas border, we’re running out of time. It’s time to think outside the box. That’s why I’m excited to see the FDA give conditional approval to Zoetis’s Dectomax-CA1, the very first drug to both prevent and treat screwworm infestations in cattle."

Texas employers are facing labor shortages, driven by the state’s robust economic growth. To help bridge this gap, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is proud to host the 4th annual GRACE Conference - Growth through Reentry to Advance Careers & Employment (GRACE). This is an event focused on helping employers grow their workforce by supporting reentry initiatives and providing meaningful employment opportunities to justice-involved individuals.

At 12:00 AM on the morning of October 1st, 2025, a government shutdown took effect after funding authorization expired for the federal government. 12 days ago, House Republicans passed the bipartisan legislation necessary to ensure that the federal government remains open, operational, and fully-funded. Currently, this common-sense solution for America remains stuck in a deadlocked Senate as Senate Democrats request liberal policies are inserted into the bill.

Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) hosted a New World Screwworm (NWS) Working Group consisting of federal and state lawmakers, various agricultural, livestock, wild game associations, scientists, veterinarian experts, and Texas farmers and ranchers. The NWS Working Group shared ideas and collaboration between multiple sectors and all levels of government on the containment of the NWS.

The Trump Administration announced its commitment to revitalizing American coal production through the U.S. Department of Energy’s $625 million investment to expand and modernize America’s coal sector. Following the news, Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian said the following: "President Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright continue to roll out sound policies – like the revitalization of American coal production – which will re-establish American energy dominance.”

Senator Cornyn condemned the tragic shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas last week, and slammed Democrats for once again choosing division as the government barrels toward a shutdown because they refuse to negotiate in good faith with President Trump and Congressional Republicans. “The radical base of the Democrat party seems to be at war with the men and women who actually enforce our laws."

Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he has named Joe Esparza as Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), and also appointed Brent Connett as TWC’s new Commissioner Representing the Public, the agency said earlier today. Esparza served TWC as the Commissioner Representing Employers over the past two years, and previously served as Texas' Deputy Secretary of State.

In 2024, plastics manufacturers in Texas generated $61.5 billion in goods, making the state the #1 Plastics Producer in the U.S. – and the Lone Star State continues to set the 2025 standard for leading the nation in production value and jobs. Texas not only leads in total plastics manufacturing jobs and total payroll, but also ranks second in average wages and second for total number of facilities.

"Let’s be clear: Republicans voted to keep government open, Democrats voted for a shutdown. The blame rests squarely on their shoulders. Their rabble-rousing is not in the name of good governance – it's about them choosing political theater over the American people, because they hate President Trump more than they care about you,” said Texas Cong. Brian Babin, as a midnight government shutdown seems eminent.

Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the strength of Texas’ robust economy as new data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows the Texas economy growing at a faster rate than the nation as a whole. The state’s real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded in the second quarter of 2025 at an annual rate of 6.8.%, well ahead of the U.S. rate of 3.8%.  Data from BEA also shows personal incomes in Texas increased in the 2nd quarter at an annual rate of 6.4%, ahead of the national average of 5.5%.   

On Fox News’ The Story with Martha MacCallum, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed the indictment of former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey by a federal grand jury. ‘Clearly Director Comey went off the rails because of his antipathy – his hatred, really – for Donald Trump and made a number of decisions, including leaking confidential, maybe classified information.’

Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a major nationwide legal victory to protect the integrity of states’ Medicaid programs for both hospitals and the millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid. This victory struck down a rule from the Biden Administration’s U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (“CMS”) that sought to expand federal control of States’ Medicaid funding mechanisms.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced that Texas has once again earned the highest possible credit rating (AAA/Aaa) from the major municipal credit rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings, Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and KBRA. The agencies cite Texas’ diversified economy, steady population growth, strong fiscal reserves and disciplined financial practices in reaffirming the state’s credit standing. All assign a stable outlook for the state going forward.