Updates on Screwworm Threat, DOGE/Government Efficiency Efforts, Ten Commandments District Guidance– Plus RPT Convention Report!

Monitoring the Screwworm Threat

As we combat the screwworm threat I would encourage everyone to avoid fear and instead learn the facts. Texas has defeated the screwworm threat before, and we will prevail again. With that said, here is what we know. 
 
On June 3rd, New World screwworm was confirmed in a calf in Zavala County, Texas. Two days later, Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster for all Texas counties.
 
On Monday, June 8th, the Governor and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins met for a briefing and update on Texas’ response to the screwworm threat. You can read the press release issued that followed that briefing. Also, on June 8th, Governor Abbott directed TDEM to activate the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to Level II to support the state’s New World screwworm response through a multi-agency effort.
 
Member agencies of the Texas Emergency Management Council deployed in this response include the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

The solution to eradicating the screwworm is to have sterile flies shipped into Texas, as well as the accelerated construction of a sterile fly facility in South Texas. The sterile flies reproduce in a manner that breaks the life cycle of the screwworms, eventually killing them off. 
 
As of Monday, June 15th, there are 12 confirmed cases of the New World screwworm across two states. One case is reported in New Mexico and 11 reported in Texas.
 
11 cases in Texas:

• Edwards County — two cases found in domestic cattle and another in a goat.
• Gillespie County — one case found in a domestic goat.
• La Salle County — two cases found in domestic cattle.
• Sutton County — one case found in a domestic sheep.
• Tom Green County — one case found in domestic cattle.
• Zavala County — three cases found in domestic cattle.

Here is an interactive map that shows counties in quarantine status.
 
Governor Abbott announced the launch of a free online course through Texas A&M AgriLife to help wildlife managers, veterinarians and animal owners better understand inspection, reporting, treatment and movement basics of the New World screwworm. The AgriLife Extension Center also offers a resource hub with fact sheets, guidance and the latest news on the New World screwworm.

Texas has taken swift action to minimize the New World screwworm, a pest harmful to Texas’ cattle industry. Dispersing sterile screwworm flies is the most efficient way to win the battle against these invaders. 

Especially if you own livestock, be alert. If you suspect the screwworm in livestock cases: Call the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242.

If you suspect the screwworm in wildlife:  Call the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 512-389-4505.

Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO) Launches Web Site, Includes Tools for Small Business

Last month, Governor Abbott launched the new AI-integrated Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office website. The Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), also known as the “Texas DOGE,” is an agency housed within the Office of the Governor established by Senate Bill 14, the bill I authored last session to cut red tape, reduce bureaucratic bloat and streamline state government regulations. The “Ask SAM” virtual assistant, named after Texas hero, Sam Houston, allows citizens and small business owners to easily navigate occupational and business licensing requirements. 

The Texas DOGE effort, through TREO, is already making an impact after initial reviews across 11 state agencies.  TREO reports that those initial reviews identified and recommended more than 435 regulations for amendment or repeal. Proposed changes would reduce the Texas Administrative Code by roughly 69,000 words and save Texas taxpayers an estimated $123 million.

The American Legislative Exchange Council, an organization dedicated to free market and limited government principles, posted an article about how Texas is leading the nation on these efforts. From the article: “States like Texas are now leading the way on their own terms, demonstrating that limited government and free markets produce better results for citizens than layers of unaccountable agency rules.” 

Read the full article here. 

Ten Commandments Decision Upheld: Make Sure Your School District Complies

Recently, the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Texas Senate Bill 10 (“SB 10”), the Texas Ten Commandments Law, is constitutional and fully enforceable. Texas school districts are therefore required to immediately comply with Texas law, including accepting and displaying qualifying donated Ten Commandments posters. The federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision is currently the highest binding federal appellate ruling governing this matter in Texas. If your school district does not have Ten Commandments posters for display, please let our office know. 

Also, schools are available to be “adopted” for donations of posters. I’ve personally adopted schools in our district, and I would encourage others to do so as well. If you would like to participate in this great program, please visit the Restore American Schools website. Now is the perfect time to donate before school starts again in August. 

For more information regarding implementation and compliance, please review the link below: https://txvalues.org/ten-commandments-texas/

Republican Party of Texas Convention Update

Last weekend, approximately 4,200 people attended the Republican Party of Texas Convention. It was great seeing so many grassroots supporters from across SD10. I also had the honor of meeting new constituents.

Let me state emphatically that I will be supporting the entire Republican ticket this fall. The left-wing, dangerous philosophy of James Talarico simply cannot be allowed to be elevated to the United States Senate. As I’m sure you’ve probably heard by now, this is a man who believes that God is non-binary, that there are six genders, that there is a Biblical argument for abortion, and, of course, there is his radical voting record and advocacy in support of forcing the destructive transgender agenda on our young children. It’s time to unite and make sure that the left doesn’t “California” our Texas.

Always great to see my Parker County friends and constituents, David and Cheryl Barton. David has been involved in the state party for decades, and he previously served as vice-chairman.

Good to catch up with Brown County Republican Chairman Robert Porter.

With my Senate Republican colleagues and new GOP Chair D’Rinda Randall. I look forward to working with D’Rinda to keep Texas solidly Republican this fall.