Addressing Texas Lottery Abuse, Combatting Federal Overreach, Historic Teacher Pay Raise, Parker County GOP Reagan Day with Lt. Gov. Patrick

Reining in Abuse Of the Texas Lottery: SB 28 Passes Senate

When the Texas Lottery was created in 1992, the intention was to allow local Texans an opportunity to play and win, not to have out of state or overseas entities rig the game. The Legislature’s intent was clear: tickets were to be bought in person (by adults, not minors) at brick and mortar retailers, and at the face value of the ticket. 

Testimony this week included very serious allegations of organized criminal activity in the Texas Lottery that would have violated this legislative intent. Lax enforcement – or none at all – most likely permitted outside actors to conspire to win previous lottery jackpots. Texans must have confidence in this process and know that illegal gambling is not taking place, and I am very pleased that Governor Abbott has called for the Texas Rangers to investigate.

In the meantime, Senate Bill 28 makes clear that the Texas Lottery Commission must enforce the rules and laws that the agency has ignored, enabling bad actors to exploit the system. SB 28 would outlaw the use of third-party couriers who buy lotto tickets on behalf of customers. The bill also makes clear there should be no gaming of the process using mobile devices. 

Combating Federal Overreach: Texas Sovereignty Bill Passes Senate State Affairs Committee

I’m pleased to report action on my legislation, SB 707, which establishes a process by which the Legislature can challenge the constitutionality of federal directives that hurt our state. This is another tool that Texas can use to combat federal overreach and allows the state to take a two-pronged approach to combating unconstitutional federal directives – through the Legislature and the Office of the Attorney General. Over the last four years alone, federal directives passed by the Biden Administration imposed a historic $1.7 trillion in new costs onto Americans. Attorney General Paxton has filed over 100 lawsuits challenging this federal overreach. Under current law, however, only the Texas Attorney General has the authority to challenge the constitutionality of these federal directives through the judicial system. Senate Bill 707 seeks to provide another way for the state to challenge federal overreach by establishing a process for the Legislature to do so as well.

Historic Teacher Pay Raise Passes Senate

Senate Bill 26, a $4.3 billion package that is the largest single outlay for a teacher pay raise in the country, has passed the Texas Senate and is headed to the House. This bill supports our Texas teachers by providing across the board teacher pay raises, improving the Teacher Incentive Allotment, providing free Pre-K for teachers and creating statewide teacher liability insurance.

If passed into law as currently written, SB 26 offers more to those in urban and rural districts to address the significant pay gap between the two. Teachers with three or four years on the job would get a pay bump of $2,500 in urban districts and $5,000 for rural districts (those with less than 5,000 enrollment). Teachers with five or more years’ experience in urban districts would receive $5,500; rural district teachers would receive $10,000. SB 26 ensures that incoming teachers can expect those raises going forward.

This increase is not a one-time bonus, but rather a direct pass through salary increase from the state. This increase will not go through a local school district, ensuring that this well-deserved salary increase reaches our hard working teachers.

Texas Conservative Coalition Black Tie and Boots Gala

Wednesday evening, I attended the Black Tie and Boots Gala, put on by the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI), on which I serve as Chairman. TCCRI was founded in 1996 by state leaders determined to promote conservative public policies in Texas government. TCCRI holds fast to four LIFT core principles: limited government, individual liberty, free enterprise, and traditional values. TCCRI provides legislators with analysis of proposed legislation using the LIFT principles, which helps us access the thousands of bills filed each session through a conservative lens. This event helped raise funds for the organization and was very successful, with over 800 people in attendance. 

Speaking at the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute’s Black Tie and Boots Gala.

Parker County Reagan Day Dinner with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick

Last Thursday night, the Parker County Republican Party hosted their annual Reagan Day Dinner, held at Dove Ridge Ranch in rural Parker County. Over 230 people were in attendance. I had the privilege of attending and introducing our keynote speaker, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who laid out an inspiring and compelling vision for Texas and our future, and what’s at stake. He also shared some interesting anecdotes from his service as chairman of President Trump’s Texas campaign. Congressman Roger Williams updated everyone on what he is working on in Washington, DC. 

My bride and I at the Parker County Reagan Day Dinner.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the Parker County Reagan Day Dinner.

Our table at the Parker County Event included our pastor Eric Kuykendall and his son Pearson, Gloria and Quad Boenker, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Charlie Gilchrist.

On Friday, it was a treat to read to elementary school children here in Parker County. Thank you for the invitation!