The Texas labor market maintained its momentum in March to reach a 36th consecutive month of positive annual growth and once again set new record-high levels for jobs, Texans employed, and the civilian labor force. Texas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm job count increased to 14,115,700 after 19,100 jobs were added over the month in March, reflecting growth in 45 of the last 47 months. Texas also led the nation with the largest absolute over-the-year increase in total nonfarm employment, which grew by 270,700 jobs from March 2023 to March 2024.

“Just over two years ago here at the Governor's Mansion, I was proud to celebrate Samsung’s new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor, Texas. Now we're building on that initial investment to make Texas the premier semiconductor hub in America. The future is full of microchips, and we’re proud that some of the world’s most advanced chips will be Made in Texas,” said Gov. Abbott, celebrating the company's massive new expansion of the cutting-edge facilities in Central Texas.

"Last year I helped secure funding for the VA to begin the Planning & Design Process for a new facility in San Antonio. Secretary McDonough also visited Audie Murphy VA Medical Center with me in June, and it was important to get him in front of our community and see firsthand our needs,” said Cong. Gonzales, after asking VA Secretary Denis McDonough for an update on the agency’s plan to construct a new VA hospital in San Antonio during a House Appropriations Committee hearing.

"I appreciate that TCEQ has a difficult job. You have a formula, and you follow it. However, as Lt. Governor, I must look at the bigger picture of what's best for our communities. The survival and strength of our Rural Communities is vital to the future of our state. And, I believe in free markets in Texas – however, in certain situations, when dealing with businesses that can potentially hurt our communities, we also have to weigh what's in the public’s best interest," says Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Long committed to the importance of property rights, Texas argued to the U.S. Supreme Court that the landowners should be permitted to seek relief so long as they do so under Texas law. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously agreed with Texas. The Court also specifically rejected the plaintiffs’ mistaken interpretation of existing caselaw that they claimed would allow them to sue directly under federal law.

"We urge you to reconsider – and immediately disavow – the policies included in a Final Informational Bulletin and a 'Proposed Rule' issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would devastate the Medicaid Safety Net for Elderly & Disabled Adults, pregnant women, and millions of children in our states and across the country,” said Gov. Greg Abbott, joining governors from seven other states to urge President Biden to reverse his concerning policies to strip millions of Americans from access to crucial healthcare.

Sen. Ted Cruz, the Ranking Member on the Senate 's Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, commended Samsung for securing funding to expand their semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Taylor & Austin, Texas – which is expected to create over 20,000 jobs. As part of his efforts to onshore the semiconductor industry, Cruz has been spearheading a bipartisan effort to streamline Federal Environmental Reviews for plant's construction across Texas, and the nation.

As Texas enters what is typically a severe weather season time of the year, Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding Texans they can purchase certain items "Tax Free" during the state’s upcoming Sales Tax Holiday for emergency preparation supplies – which runs from Saturday, April 27th through Monday, April 29th. The Comptroller’s office estimates shoppers will save some $2.1 million in State & Local Sales Taxes, and here's a list of items that are & aren't on the list.

Governor Greg Abbott today issued a "Disaster Declaration" for the following seven East Texas Counties impacted by Severe Storms & Flooding that began last week – and continues to affect homes, businesses, and the agriculture industry throughout the region. To assist with the damage assessment process, Texans are urged to self-report damage to homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT,) which can be accessed at damage.tdem.texas.gov.

“Iran has encircled Israel, has been attacking our Israeli allies from almost every front for months, and now has escalated launching attacks directly from Iran. These attacks are enabled & financed by deliberate policy choices made by Joe Biden and his officials, who've allowed roughly $100 billion to flow to Iran since 2021," said Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, after Iran attacked Israel over the weekend by launching munitions from within Iranian territory.

Simply put, the administration was unprepared for the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and it cost the lives of 13 U.S. service members and injured countless others, while demonstrating American weakness on the world stage. I’m proud that my investigation has yielded hard evidence that will hold the Biden administration accountable to make sure that this never happens again.

Tren De Aragua – a gang originating in the Venezuelan Prison System – has caused widespread chaos throughout Central & South America, is growing its influence across the United States, and Joe Biden's crisis at our nation's own Southern Border has led to encounters with migrants with ties directly to Tren De Aragua. Cong. Gonzales questioned FBI Director Wray on the agency’s plan to combat the violent gang – and about a significant increase in oil theft in West Texas.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s speech to a joint session of Congress yesterday. PM Kishida highlighted the strategic significance of the U.S.-Japan alliance. This year marks the 60th anniversary of a defense training partnership between the two countries that brings Japanese Self-Defense Forces to Fort Bliss, Texas, to train on missile defense systems.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, sent a letter to TRS Board Chairman Jarvis Hollingsworth urging the TRS Board to lower insurance premiums for Medicare-eligible participants in TRS-Care Medicare Advantage and implement a one-time re-enrollment opportunity due to those premium decreases for retired educators who may have left the program.

The grant opportunity invites eligible Texas governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and business entities to apply to implement a statewide program that will distribute the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone where it is needed most. This important initiative allocates up to $25 million for naloxone distribution, training and targeted interventions. 

“The 57 interim charges I released today reflect issues that Texans have asked us to study. Our 31 senators submitted hundreds of ideas, with many senators sharing similar proposals. My staff and I worked diligently for weeks to review each request, and this is the first set of interim charges I am releasing in preparation for the 89th Legislature. We may release a second shorter list of additional charges before next session. The Senate’s work to study the list of charges will begin in the coming weeks and months."

In the three months following the savage Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7th, there was a 360% increase in antisemitic attacks in the U.S. compared to the year prior. But with Antisemitism on the rise in the U.S. for years,  "This reprehensible behavior has no place on American soil, and my colleagues and I refuse to tolerate it any longer – We will not stand idly by and watch our Jewish friends face relentless attacks on account of their faith." said Texas Cong. Randy Weber.

Enacted by Senate Bill 22 during the 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, the program provides for qualified counties (on behalf of sheriffs and constables) and prosecutor offices to apply for grants up to 30 days after the start of their fiscal year. But to jump-start the program in its 2024 inaugural year, the Comptroller’s office allowed all eligible counties to apply for grants from Jan. 1-31, regardless of their fiscal year start date. 

Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discussed the recent Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and expressed his strong view that efforts to rebuild this project shouldn’t be slowed by bureaucratic dithering or lengthy environmental reviews. Sen. Cruz also highlighted Chairwoman Homendy’s leadership overseeing investigations on several high-profile transportation incidents at the NTSB and discussed how Mr. Fuchs’s extensive knowledge of the rail network has served Americans well during his time with the STB.

Addressing a crowd of business and energy leaders, the Governor touted the critical role the two new peaker power stations will play in the Texas grid, adding a total of 380 megawatts of power and bringing over 300 good-paying jobs to Texans in the San Marcos area. The first of the two power plants is currently under construction and is expected to be operational in 2025. Governor Abbott also emphasized the need for more power sources across the state due to the record-breaking growth of the Texas economy.