In yet another "recent trend of significant but slowing growth," Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said earlier today that total state sales tax revenues for the three months ending March 2023 were up 8.7% when compared to the same period a year ago – while the March 2022 to March 2023 figures were 5.9% higher. At 56% of of all collections, Sales Tax Revenues represent the largest source of state funding for the Texas State Budget.

"Since his first day in office President Biden pulled the rug out from under our Oil & Gas Producers – which has driven energy costs to their highest levels in decades. This legislation, H.R. 1, will unleash the power of American energy, grow our economy, and put Americans back to work. It restores our energy independence by increasing production, lifting regulatory burdens, and eliminating our reliance on hostile foreign nations for energy."

"First Russia, and now Saudi Arabia – President Biden’s reliance on foreign countries for oil is a doomed energy strategy that's making our energy more expensive and our nation less secure," said Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian, following news of Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nation's plans to cut oil production by up to 1.15 million barrels a day starting in May.

Last session I authored the Election Integrity Bill (SB 1,) which enhanced or added some 18 punishments for Voter Fraud and other serious election crimes. And despite predictions, voter turnout in Texas increased during the 2022 Election. This session I've introduced SB 2 to restore the felony penalty for Illegal Voting – which after having now passed the Texas Senate moves to the House for consideration.

What percentage of Americans agree or disagree with the question, "Did former President Donald Trump Commit a Crime, or is His Prosecution a Political Attack?" Or perhaps even more telling is their response to the statement: "Prosecuting Trump in Manhattan would be an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against Trump."

While the nation's "Budget Deficit" garners attention in Washington, D.C., America’s growing "Virtue & Moral Deficit" doesn’t. And a new poll highlights a disturbing change in the values that have always defined America. After news broke Monday about the tragic school shooting in Nashville, President Biden spoke at the White House and demonstrated why so many have concerns about his age and mental faculties.

As we celebrated the demise of Joe Biden's infamous "Disinformation Governing Board" and its YouTube singing phenomenon “Nanny,” it turns out the Biden White House never disclosed a much larger censorship program it had underway. A few weeks ago, I wrote that a Congressionally created "National Endowment for Democracy" supported blacklisting & targeting conservative sites as dangerous, while listing their most liberal counterparts as trustworthy.

​​​​​​​"Your department has included extraneous Environmental-Social Governance (ESG) requirements that seek to enact progressive policies previously rejected by Congress. To claim these provisions are integral to the 'national security mission' of the CHIPS Act, and will '[result] in lower costs' defies reason," Sen. Ted Cruz and more than a dozen other Senate Republicans told President Biden's Sect. of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

Governor Abbott touted Texas' strong partnerships with businesses and discussed his vision for the state's continued economic success at a luncheon hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce. The Governor detailed how Texas will continue partnering with businesses, like manufacturing giants in Austin, to maintain the state's surging economic development momentum. 

"As Senator & Lt. Governor, it's been my mission to reduce and reform the Property Tax System for all Texans. In 2015, I led the charge to increase the Homestead Exemption from $15,000 to $25,000, in 2021 we increased it to $40,000, and this year we're increasing it to $70,000 – and for the 2+ million homeowners over 65, the exemption will be $100,000," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick after SB's 3, 4 & 5 passed the Texas Senate.

“We are concerned the Proposed Regulations would bypass the legislative process and undercut the ability of Attorneys General to enforce State Gaming Laws. ​​​​When Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act it recognized that states have public policy, safety, and economic interests related to gaming offered on Indian lands. Those state interests persist, yet the Proposed Regulations expand the scope of tribal casino gaming through unilateral executive branch action without any debate in Congress or State Legislatures.” 

“We saw a fiery train wreck on television, where nearby residents were understandably fearful that their water was poisoned and their air was polluted. The distress of East Palestinians was real then, and it’s real now. That’s why it’s important we’re holding this hearing to address two critical topics: First, what can be done to prevent derailments like this?,” said Ranking Republican Ted Cruz of the unanswered questions in the accident's aftermath.

"This agreement is a huge win in protecting the right of conservative voices and viewpoints to be heard – and I'm proud to have helped facilitate this agreement," said Gov. Greg Abbott after a multi-year distribution agreement between Newsmax Media and DIRECTV was announced to return the Newsmax Channel to the satellite television provider. "This will set the standard for future business deals," said Abbott.

​​​​​​"I've heard so many parents and teachers across Texas raise concerns about what is being taught in classrooms today. Our schools are for education, not indoctrination. The solution to this problem is empowering parents to choose the school that's right for their child, and that's what we'll pass this Legislative Session here in Austin," said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during Tuesday's "Parent Empowerment Day" held at the Capitol in Austin.

Senate Bill 5 & and the Constitutional Amendments for SB 3, SB 4, and SB 5, launched out of the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by State Senator Joan Huffman on Monday, March 20, 2023 with a unanimous bi-partisan 17-0 vote. “BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!” said State Senator Paul Bettencourt, who's been leading on the historic effort.

"It is important to note that while the Fed does not – and should not – have the authority to offer retail bank accounts, it is already looking into what establishing a digital currency would look like," said Sen. Ted Cruz earlier today, introducing legislation that would prohibit the Federal Reserve Bank from developing a direct-to-consumer central bank digital currency which could be used as a financial surveillance tool by the federal government.

​​​​​​​“Today I issued a legal opinion informing the Texas Legislature that there are no constitutional barriers to enacting school choice in Texas. It’s time to empower Texas parents and provide additional educational opportunities so every Texas child can reach their dreams,”  said Texas Att. Gen. Ken Paxton, responding to a Legislative Request that may offer Texas Parents & Students a better educational experience.

"As our allies and partners across the globe are asking for reliable American energy to escape their dependence on Russian and deal with the energy crisis... instead of increasing U.S. energy production the administration is focused on increasing energy taxes and has once again doubled down on weaponizing the tax code against U.S. energy producers," said Sen. Ted Cruz in condemning the Biden White House.

After issuing a Disaster Declaration late in January for impacted communities in Southeast Texas, Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a request from the State of Texas for a disaster declaration in communities affected by tornadoes in Southeast Texas on January 24th. Here's how to apply for the Disaster Assistance.

HSBC Holdings Plc was added to the list following recent updates to the firm’s energy policy. Listed companies are subject to the divestment provisions outlined in Texas Government Code Chapter 809, which define a financial company as a publicly traded financial services, banking or investment company.