News

As you know, the Governor called a legislative special session which began on July 21st. I previously shared a list of the Governor’s items he placed on the agenda, also known as the “call.” If you would like to review this list, please click HERE. In the meantime, here’s an update on action in the Texas Senate. 

Senate Passes Ban on Taxpayer Funded Lobbying

This week, I voted for SB 12, which bans the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for lobbyists. For many years, your tax dollars have gone to fund associations that have lobbied directly against conservative priorities, and this practice must stop.

Tens of millions of dollars have been spent by political subdivisions to pursue policies that are often not in the best interests of taxpayers. This creates an uneven playing field, where smaller communities are left at a disadvantage, unable to compete with larger, well-funded communities that employ professional contract lobbyists.

There is a great deal of misinformation being promulgated primarily by independent, contract lobbyists who generally contract with larger political subdivisions. SB 12 will NOT prohibit local government employees or elected officials from advocating before the legislature in their official capacity, nor will it prohibit a local government from participating in state associations as long as that association does not hire or contract with a registered lobbyist. Under SB 12, an elected officer or employee of a political subdivision may still: 

• Provide information to a legislator or appear before a legislative committee;
• Influence or attempt to influence the outcome of legislation in their official capacity; and
• Receive reimbursement for direct travel expenses incurred by the officer or employee for engaging in lobby activities.

This is common-sense legislation that prioritizes the interests of taxpayers. As a reminder, this measure is one of the top eight official legislative priorities of the Republican Party of Texas. In the 2020 Republican Primary, voters were asked their opinion on the following ballot measure: “Texas should ban the practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying, which allows your tax dollars to be spent on lobbyists who work against the taxpayer.” Over 94% voted YES.

THC Ban, SB 5, Passes Texas Senate

I served in law enforcement for many years, including 15 years as a police officer with the Fort Worth Police Department. As a result, I tend to view many public policy decisions through the lens of what is best for public safety. I support SB 5 because we must stop the onslaught of dangerous addictive products sold in everything from gas stations to specialty shops located very near – sometimes next door – to schools. It’s no surprise that every law enforcement association in the state of Texas is strongly supporting this ban.  

Study after study proves the harmful effects of these unregulated products, including stunting brain development in our young people. There are also strong implications of organized criminal activity, including money laundering, in this industry that has exploded across our state. In just the last three years, over 8,000 storefronts have opened …. compare that with only about 1,200 McDonald’s in all of Texas! SB 5 is NOT a ban on appropriate, doctor-supervised medical uses for marijuana and THC products.

Improving Election Integrity

SB 11 will allow the Attorney General’s office more power to prosecute crimes related to elections, including voter fraud. This is needed because history has shown if there is potential election fraud, local officials may be able to block local prosecution due to political pressure. Additionally, there are occasions when these cases may involve violations across more than one county, requiring a statewide approach to prosecution. 

Congressional Redistricting

On July 9th, Governor Abbott added congressional redistricting to the special session call. Subsequently, I was named by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to Chair the Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting.

On Monday, July 21st, I presented a resolution to the Texas Senate to address the unique nature of redistricting and to ensure a fair and transparent process. The procedures in this resolution are exactly the same as we adopted in 2021 (SR 4) and then again in the 2023 redistricting (SR 2). I shared with my colleagues my belief that it is in our best interest to carry out the same procedures and process this session. My goal for this resolution is to equip us for success in adopting lawful maps through a fair and transparent process. The resolution was adopted.

This resolution allows the Committee to hold regional hearings in the Capitol and provide a process for the public to participate in those hearings via video conference. The Committee held four regional hearings, and they allowed us to have conversations with people from all parts of the state about their local communities to assist us in the critical task of redistricting. 

We have re-established the public-input portal on the Committee website that has been used in prior sessions so that any interested party can submit written comments on redistricting. All portal submissions are shared with senators and publicly posted on our website. The portal will remain active throughout the redistricting process, and can be found by clicking HERE. 
 

Recent Attack on Johnson County Officer Results in Arrests 

On July 4th, an unarmed Alvarado police officer was shot when a group of 11 people attacked an ICE facility in Johnson County in what has been described as a “coordinated ambush.” While 10 people were arrested not long after the attack, the 11th suspect remained at large. I’m happy to report that the last suspect was apprehended on Tuesday, July 15th, through joint efforts of the FBI, DPS, and SWAT teams. We commend our brave law enforcement officers who were doing their job and implementing policies as outlined by President Trump. We are grateful that all suspects have been arrested, and that the officer who was shot will survive. I spoke to the Alvarado Chief of Police who shared that had the bullet landed just a couple of inches away, the officer would have died.
 

The last suspect in the July 4th attack was arrested on Tuesday, July 15th.

Mark Your Calendar: August 8-10 Is Sales Tax Free Weekend
It’s hard to believe that the start of school is just around the corner for kids across SD 10 and our state. A reminder that next weekend, August 8-10, is the annual Sales Tax Holiday Weekend. No sales tax will be charged on purchases of most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (backpacks must be under $100). For more information, and to see a full list of qualifying items, please click HERE.

There are some important updates to cover in this week’s newsletter, especially concerning the topics for a recently announced special session, beginning July 21st, called by Governor Greg Abbott. First, though, a few thoughts about the floods which have devastated our state.

Remembering the Central Texas Flood Victims

The heart of Texas has been broken over the past week, as both the death toll and number of missing rose day after day. On Sunday, Terry and I posted our thoughts on Facebook regarding the Day of Prayer for Texas that Governor Abbott declared. I wanted to reiterate what we said earlier this week: Terry and I are grief stricken at everything we have seen and heard, and our hearts are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who have perished. We pray for God to be near to all of those who are hurting, as well as our first responders at the local, state and federal level who are still searching for victims. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18

How You Can Help

I have been asked by several people how we can assist the victims and families of Central Texas. Here are some ways you can help:

Donate: https://onestarfoundation.org/central-texas-flood-recovery-fund
Volunteer: https://tcr.communityos.org/

As a member of the Texas State Guard, I have deployed across the years to different disaster scenes. What I can say is that there are often substantial resources deployed in the initial phase of a disaster, but once the emergency services have finished their work, the needs of the local community continue for weeks and months afterwards. So yes, we should continue to support our fellow Texans now but also in the weeks and months ahead.

Special Session Announced

On June 23rd, Governor Abbott announced that a special session would be called, meaning that lawmakers will return to Austin for an additional session. Over the past 10 years, Texas has had eight special sessions, including four after the 2023 regular session.

During the regular session, any legislator can file a bill. However, during a special session, the topics legislators may consider are limited to those which are on the Governor’s “call.” Yesterday, the Governor announced a proclamation of items to be considered, and those are as follows:

FLOOD WARNING SYSTEMS: Legislation to improve early warning systems and other preparedness infrastructure in flood-prone areas throughout Texas.

FLOOD EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS: Legislation to strengthen emergency communications and other response infrastructure in flood-prone areas throughout Texas.

RELIEF FUNDING FOR HILL COUNTRY FLOODS: Legislation to provide relief funding for response to and recovery from the storms which began in early July 2025, including local match funding for jurisdictions eligible for FEMA public assistance.

NATURAL DISASTER PREPARATION & RECOVERY: Legislation to evaluate and streamline rules and regulations to speed preparedness for and recovery from natural disasters.

ELIMINATE STAAR TEST: Legislation to eliminate the STAAR test and replace it with effective tools to assess student progress and ensure school district accountability.

CUT PROPERTY TAXES: Legislation reducing the property tax burden on Texans and legislation imposing spending limits on entities authorized to impose property taxes.

PROTECT CHILDREN FROM THC: Legislation making it a crime to provide hemp-derived products to children under 21 years of age.

REGULATE HEMP-DERIVED PRODUCTS : Legislation to comprehensively regulate hemp-derived products, including limiting potency, restricting synthetically modified compounds, and establishing enforcement mechanisms, all without banning a lawful agricultural commodity.

PROTECT UNBORN CHILDREN: Legislation further protecting unborn children and their mothers from the harm of abortion.

BAN TAXPAYER-FUNDED LOBBYING: Legislation prohibiting taxpayer-funded lobbying, including the use of tax dollars to hire lobbyists and payment of tax dollars to associations that lobby the Legislature.

PROTECT HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS: Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 1278 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, that protects victims of human trafficking from criminal liability for non-violent acts closely tied to their own victimization.

POLICE PERSONNEL RECORDS: Legislation that protects law enforcement officers from public disclosure of unsubstantiated complaints in personnel files.

PROTECT WOMEN’S SPACES: Legislation protecting women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ELECTION POWERS: Legislation proposing a constitutional amendment allowing the Attorney General to prosecute state election crimes.

REDISTRICTING: Legislation that provides a revised congressional redistricting plan in light of constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice.

TITLE THEFT & DEED FRAUD: Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 648 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, that provides strengthened protections against title theft and deed fraud.

WATER PROJECT INCENTIVES: Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 1253 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, that authorizes political subdivisions to reduce impact fees for builders who include water conservation and efficiency measures.

STATE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT: Legislation, similar to Senate Bill No. 2878 from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, relating to the operation and administration of the Judicial Department of state government.

If you would like to view the proclamation directly, click HERE.

As the special session approaches, I will provide additional information.

We continue our regular updates covering the important legislative achievements of the most recent session which ended June 2nd. Today, we review various bills to protect our faith, family, and our children.

Ten Commandments

I am especially proud to have passed Senate Bill 10, returning the Ten Commandments to our classrooms where they were displayed for over 200 years. I began working on this legislation in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which overturned outdated legal precedent and opened the door for renewed discussion about the Ten Commandments in our classrooms. Now, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the Ten Commandments must be posted in every public school classroom. By placing the Ten Commandments in our classrooms, we can provide moral clarity for our students and make them aware of a foundational document in American history and law.

School Prayer

Senate Bill 11 is an important bill to protect religious liberty in Texas. The bill allows public schools to provide time for students and educators to pray or read religious texts during school hours. I am encouraged that this important liberty is now codified for parents and their students.

Protecting the Unborn, Promoting Life

This legislative session, the Texas Legislature made important advancements to support mothers in choosing life for their unborn babies, providing resources for young families, and eliminating the use of taxpayer funds for abortion-related travel. This includes passing key legislation, such as Senate Bill 33, which specifies that cities cannot send taxpayer funds to organizations that provide transportation for out-of-state abortions.

The Legislature also passed Senate Bill 31, which reaffirms that doctors may intervene if a pregnant woman faces a life-threatening physical condition and provides education for physicians to help them navigate the most difficult medical cases and save as many lives as possible.

Additional pro-life legislation passed this session includes Senate Bill 1233, which requires hospitals to provide parents with information about specialized care for their babies, and Senate Bill 1207, which mandates that high schools include education about adoption in their health classes. Lastly, Senate Bill 1388 was passed to ensure that state funds from the Thriving Texas Families program are allocated to pro-life organizations.

Parental Bill of Rights, Removing DEI Programs

Senate Bill 12 establishes a Parental Bill of Rights to give parents more control over their child’s public school education by removing DEI programs, banning any instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, guaranteeing parents full access to their child’s education records, and creating a clear appeals process for parental grievances.

Banning AI Child Pornography

Senate Bill 20 stops Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated child pornography by making it a state jail felony to possess or share obscene visual material that appears to show a child under 18, even if it’s a cartoon, animation, or AI-generated image. This issue has infiltrated our schools, and I am proud that the Texas Legislature has taken decisive action to protect our vulnerable Texans.

Stopping Explicit Materials in Libraries

Senate Bill 13 guards our children against inappropriate books in public schools and gives parents more say in the content of books available to their kids. The bill mandates that books in school libraries adhere to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) content standards for children, requires school districts to establish a Local School Library Advisory Council if requested by parents to make recommendations on content available in school libraries, and authorizes parents to review records of the materials their child checks out.

Increasing School Safety Funding

Senate Bill 260 is a historic school safety funding bill that ensures the safety and security of our children. The bill increases state spending on school safety by an additional $430 million for the next biennium, doubling both the per-student and per-campus school safety allotments.

Supreme Court Decision Upholds Texas Law

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) sustained a 2023 Texas law that requires age verification, via government-issued identification, in order to gain access to pornographic websites. The law was passed to protect children under 18 from being exposed to sexually explicit material. The law was contested by groups such as the Free Speech Coalition and others who claimed it violated their First Amendment right to free speech. This is a significant win for Texas and our nation, as other states may consider similar legislation in light of the Supreme Court’s decision.

Also last week, SCOTUS ruled in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, that states can direct Medicaid tax dollars away from abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood and instead into comprehensive health care entities to benefit low income citizens. Previously, Texas passed laws that ensure that tax dollars are not used to fund Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. It is encouraging that SCOTUS is affirming our approach.

Happy 4^th of July!

As we approach the 4th of July this Friday, I want to publicly thank God for the tremendous blessings He has bestowed upon our nation. Many of you know that next year’s 4th of July will be a momentous occasion as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The year ahead will provide an incredible opportunity to reflect even more deeply and closely on the historical and religious foundations that inspired our Founding Fathers.

Again, I hope you have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend.

Let me first begin by expressing gratitude to President Donald Trump, his national security team, and the brave members of our military who executed the weekend bombing mission against Iran’s nuclear facilities with excellence and precision. As the most dangerous and hostile nation in the Middle East, Iran must never, ever be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and I am thankful that President Trump took decisive action. Now that the pilots and personnel involved in the mission are home safely, we must pray for the 40,000 troops stationed in the Middle East as well as pray for lasting peace in the region.

New Laws Passed to Secure Our Borders, Texas Land, Citizens’ Safety, and Elections

We accomplished so many good and even historic things during the recently adjourned legislative session. Over the coming weeks, I will be highlighting some key bills in my newsletters. This week provides an update on important legislation aimed to improve border security, stop foreign adversaries from owning Texas land, reforming our bail system to stop violent criminals from being released, and further securing the integrity of our elections.
 
Border Security:

The return of President Trump to the White House has brought many benefits to the nation, but none may be so apparent as the dramatic decrease in illegal crossings at the southern border. From March of last year to now, illegal border crossings have decreased by 95%. While this news should be celebrated, we cannot solely rely on the federal government to enforce law and order.

This session, we passed SB 8, which requires all Texas counties with a county or private jail to enter into an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws under delegated federal authority. This bill also provides population-based grant funds to counties to assist with participation in this program.
 

Foreign Ownership of Land:

We took significant steps to end the purchase of Texas land by hostile foreign nations, their citizens and their entities. The passage of SB 17 prohibits the purchase of any agricultural land, commercial or industrial property, water rights or residential property by foreign adversaries.
 

 
Homeland Security:

The Legislature took significant steps to ensure that Texas can effectively respond to threats and disasters without relying solely on the federal government. SB 36 creates the Homeland Security Division within the Department of Public Safety to lead multi-agency efforts to enhance law enforcement and maintain the safety and well-being of Texas citizens. The Homeland Security Division will oversee the state’s border security operations and be responsible for developing a comprehensive homeland security plan, which includes planning for the physical protection of critical infrastructure in worst-case scenarios.
 

Bail Reform:

With horrific headlines in the news of violent offenders being released with minimal bail requirements, the Legislature passed SB 9 to ensure that prosecutors can appeal inadequate bail decisions made in cases involving the most heinous crimes and repeat felony offenders. This bill also provides that only elected judges, not appointed magistrates, may reduce the amount or conditions of bail. With voter approval, SJR 5 would amend the constitution to require a judge to deny bail to a person charged with the most violent crimes such as rape, murder or human trafficking when the state proves the defendant is a threat to public safety or is at risk of not showing up for trial. Additionally, SB 40 prohibits local governments from using taxpayer funds to support nonprofit organizations that pay bail for criminal defendants.

Only Citizens are Allowed to Vote:

SJR 37 – The Texas Legislature passed a measure to make abundantly clear that people who are not citizens of the United States are not allowed to vote in any election in this state. This measure will go before Texas voters for approval in November.

Todd Starnes Interview on June 18th

On Wednesday I had the opportunity to join Todd Starnes on his podcast and speak about my bill to once again display the Ten Commandments in our public schools. Starnes is a best-selling conservative author and journalist, who formerly worked at Fox News Channel. If you’d like to listen to the podcast, click HERE.
 

Annual Firearms Certification

Last week I was honored to speak to Parker and Palo Pinto County high school students who participate in the Weatherford Police Department’s Junior Police Academy as they spent a day at the pistol range. These students have an interest in a career in law enforcement, and the Junior Police Academy gives them hands-on experience towards that goal. I was also able to complete my annual retired police firearms qualification while there with the students.

The 2025 Legislative Session ended on Monday, June 2nd, and we are hearing that we may be called back for a special session in July. 

We accomplished a great deal, and that is due in part to a very strong relationship between Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows. With both chambers working on shared common goals, we were able to accomplish almost all of our major objectives. Were some things left undone? Of course. I’ve never served in a legislative session where I got everything I wanted. But I am very proud of some of our key, substantive wins:
 
Property Tax Relief: We allocated more funds for property tax relief than ever before, with nearly 1 of every 4 dollars from our state budget earmarked towards property tax relief. With a $200,000 homestead exemption for those over 65, an average senior will pay no property taxes on the school district portion of their tax bill. (See more details in the next section).  
 
DOGE/Major Government Reform: Inspired by President Trump’s efforts at the national level, Texas passed SB 14, our own DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) package. Though Texas is an economic and job creation powerhouse (the 8th largest economy in the world), we have issues to address in the regulatory environment. SB 14 seeks to provide a major overhaul of regulations to better serve taxpayers. I was privileged to carry this priority bill in the Senate at Lt. Governor Patrick’s request.
 
Ensuring Water for the Future: We simply can’t overlook the need to better prepare our state for future growth, and that means providing for our long-term water supply. With SB 7 and HJR 7, we earmarked $2.5 billion to jump start a new water fund, and in November voters will have the chance to vote on providing a long-term funding source of $1 billion per year for the next 20 years. In terms of critical significance and importance, I view this undertaking as similar to building the U.S. Interstate Highway system.
 
Improving the Electric Grid: We made significant progress in passing SB 6, which I authored to upgrade grid reliability and security. Our efforts have received national attention, as Texas is leading the way in preparing for the enormous demands created by the explosion of AI and data centers.
 
Stopping Lottery Corruption: It was shocking to learn that organized crime had infiltrated the Texas Lottery. As a result, we shut down the Texas Lottery Commission, transferred oversight to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and implemented new safeguards to ensure transparency and integrity in the operation of the lottery. 
 
Throughout the summer, I will be providing more specific details on legislation we passed covering various subject matters. Today, I begin by providing more detail on SB 4, the major property tax relief package.
  

More Property Tax Relief Passed by Legislature, Ready for Voter Approval

 
When I wrote to you in February, I stated: “With Texas enjoying another budget surplus, I believe we must return those funds to the taxpayers.” I’m pleased to report that with the passage of SB 4, we have passed out priority property tax relief legislation. 

• Raises the residential homestead exemption to $140,000.
• Raises the residential homestead exemption to $200,000 for those over 65 or disabled.
• Provides a $125,00 exemption from the business personal property tax.

Voters must approve this measure in a statewide constitutional election, just as prior increases to the homestead exemption have gone before the voters. In 2023, voters approved an increase in the property tax exemption with 83% support. Amending the constitution makes it much harder for these exemptions to ever be rolled back in the future.
 
You may recall that in 2015, we increased the residence homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000. In 2017, the Legislature passed and voters approved increasing the exemption up to $40,000 per homestead. In November 2023, voters approved House and Senate action to raise the homestead exemption to $100,000. 
 
At least two million Texan households are expected to see reduced property tax bills if the proposed exemption is approved in November. As Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated, “The average senior homeowner will no longer pay any school property taxes for the rest of their life as long as they live in their home. Homeowners under 65 years old will now see almost 50% of their school taxes cut.”

 
The Governor’s Veto Power: June 22 Deadline

This session over 9,000 bills were filed by members of the House and Senate, and of those about 1,600 were passed. Once the Governor receives a bill, he can sign the bill, veto the bill, or allow the bill to pass without his signature. Gov. Abbott has 10 days to act from receiving the bill or 20 days after the last day of session, if it was within the last 10 days of session. A bill becomes a law the 91st day after final adjournment unless otherwise specified. Constitutional amendments go to the voters for their approval in the following November election. The deadline for Gov. Abbott to veto a bill is June 22. If a bill has not been signed or vetoed by that date, it will automatically become law.

Senate Memorial In Honor of Our Son Josh

On the last day of the session, my family and I were deeply moved by my colleagues in the Texas Senate who presented a memorial resolution honoring our son Josh, who passed away on April 5th. Terry, my daughter-in-law Sarah, Josh and Sarah’s daughter Katie and several more of our family members were present for this occasion.
 
While holding my granddaughter Katie, I was able to share our family’s gratitude during remarks on the Senate floor.  If you would like to watch this memorial recognition, click HERE.

My granddaughter Katie was so well behaved as her Dad was remembered by the Texas Senate. Terry and I were so grateful for this special memorial resolution delivered on the last day of the session.

Monday, June 2nd, is the last day of the 89^th Legislative Session. In these final hours, both staff and members are increasingly weary from the lack of sleep due to early mornings and late nights. There are tense negotiations on the final remaining bills where the Senate and House haven’t reconciled differences in different versions of bills. Frustration began to rise over the past week as some members see their bills die as the legislative clock runs out.  In fact, three House members were taken to the hospital last week due to high blood pressure and other issues.

I’ve watched this process for many years, first in the House and now in the Senate, and have learned that patience and grace goes a long way. As my son Josh often stated, joy is a choice, and that is the calling for both me and our team in these final hours.

The good news for Texas is that numerous priority bills such as property tax relief, protecting our citizens from violent criminals, cracking down on efforts to sexualize innocent children, and improving the electric grid have already been sent to the governor. There are literally hundreds of bills passed each session, and over the summer I will inform you on many additional bills that will be signed by the governor. Also, the state budget received final approval yesterday, and in future newsletters I will be sharing more detail on the biennial budget for the 2026-2027 period. In the meantime, let me begin by sharing just some of the bills we have passed: 

SB 6:  Major Electricity Grid Reliability Legislation (see more on this below). 

SB 13: Stopping Pornographic Books from School Libraries. This legislation provides more control for parents in determining what books their children are allowed to see.
 
SB 17: Texas is Not for Sale to Hostile Enemy Nations. With this new law, those in foreign adversarial nations such as Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia who pose national security threats can no longer buy land in Texas. 
 
SB 2420: App Store Accountability Act. This legislation provides parents with tools to ensure that Big-Tech will now face guardrails in how they market and sell downloadable apps to minors. App providers must obtain verifiable parental consent, display accurate and enforceable age ratings, and implement secure and anonymous age verification in a centralized format.
 
SB 379: Banning Use of Food Stamps (SNAP) to Purchase Junk Food. This bill prohibits items such as candy, sodas, and sweet drinks from being purchased using taxpayer dollars. This is an important step to stop subsidizing the purchase of junk food which then leads to higher health care costs that taxpayers once again end up paying for.

SB 10: Restoring the Ten Commandments to Public Classrooms. (see more on this in the next section).
 
SB 11: Allowing for Prayer in Public Schools. SB 11 allows public schools to offer students and staff a daily period for prayer or religious text reading. 
 
SB 12: The Texas Parents Bill of Rights. With SB 12, we reassert the fundamental rights of parents in determining the environment for their children’s education. We prohibit DEI policies and ban LGBTQ clubs in K-12 public schools. Our schools must be safe havens for education, not a breeding ground for liberal indoctrination.

SB 14: Implementing DOGE Regulatory Reform in Texas. (see more on this in the next section).

SB 33: Stopping Taxpayers from Funding Abortion Travel. Some cities like Austin and San Antonio were using taxpayer dollars to fund lodging and travel expenses for residents who terminate their pregnancies outside of Texas. This will no longer be permitted.
 
HB 2715: Holding Local Officials Accountable. This legislation ensures that those who abuse their office are held accountable, providing more uniform and transparent removal processes. This bill earned bipartisan support, with over two-thirds of legislators from both chambers voting yes.
 
HB 229: Defining Man and Woman in Texas Government Code, The Women’s Bill of Rights. This bill establishes a legal definition of biological sex in Texas government code. It specifies that governmental entities collecting vital statistics, such as birth records or driver’s licenses, must classify individuals strictly as either “male” or “female” based on biological reproductive capacity. This bill affirms what we all know: there are only two biological sexes. 
 
SJR 37: Affirming That Only Citizens Can Vote. This November, Texas voters will have the opportunity to make an ironclad statement that only citizens can vote in Texas elections. Texas SJR 37 is a constitutional amendment that would prohibit non-citizens from voting in Texas. It clarifies that only United States citizens are eligible to vote.
 

On to the Governor: SB 6, Major Electric Grid Reliability Legislation Has Passed

In one of the most sweeping electricity legislative packages passed in over a decade, SB 6, a bill I authored to prepare Texas for the future, was sent to Governor Abbott this weekend. To illustrate the challenge, consider this data point: the ERCOT power peak in 2024 was around 86 Gigawatts (GW). However, ERCOT estimates load growth to total between 145 and 218 GWs by 2031. The vast majority of this massive increase is projected to be from data centers.
 
SB 6 is the product of nearly a year of working with stakeholder groups and negotiations with large customers, including data centers, traditional industries, ERCOT, and Public Utility Commission. SB 6 maintains a pro-business environment that is very attractive to data centers and other businesses. We want these companies to come to Texas, and our competitive electric market is a major selling point. At the same time, SB 6 supports a reliable, affordable grid to serve all customers, large and small.
 
Here are four key features of the bill:
 
New grid-planning tools. Reasonable up-front financial commitments and disclosure requirements from large load customers will give a more realistic picture of future growth. This is better for load forecasting and will prevent costly over or under grid buildout.
 
New reliability tools. SB 6 gives utilities and ERCOT additional tools to manage the loads of large customers during emergencies, including turning them down or off during load shed. Never again can we have neighborhoods go dark and without power while large load customers are fully powered.
 
Updated Grid Cost Allocation. Under SB 6, the PUC must update how grid costs are allocated to make sure large load customers do not shift grid costs to residential and smaller businesses. PUC rules around transmission cost allocation have not been updated in over 20 years and do not reflect current dynamics or cost-causation.
 
New Authority to Review Co-Location. “Co-location” is when a large customer and a generator site together. Usually, the large business customer is the sole power customer. These relationships will grow exponentially with many data centers. Generally, SB 6 supports large loads co-locating with new generation. This important strategy reduces the need for new transmission, and encourages new generation. The bill requires ERCOT and the PUC to approve proposals where a large load customer would co-locate with existing grid generation. This review will make sure that existing generation is still available to the market when needed, and protect against reliability risks and retail price escalation. This only applies to generators in operation today, not generation built in the future. 
 
In summary, SB 6 is a much-needed bill that helps us prepare for the coming growth, keep Texas “open for business,” and ensure that Texans can have confidence in the reliability of the electric grid. 

Texas Values Interview on the Ten Commandments

Last Thursday, I appeared with Jonathan Saenz, President of Texas Values, to discuss our successful effort to pass SB 10, the Ten Commandments bill. There’s no other single document in US history that’s had a more profound impact on our culture and on our laws than the Ten Commandments. I shared that we used the same language from the monument that is currently on the Texas Capitol grounds and that has already worked its way up to the Supreme Court and has already been approved. I discuss what is likely to happen next, with legal challenges already announced by the ACLU against the law. If you would like to listen to the full interview, visit THIS LINK.
 

Outlining Regulatory Reforms and Government Efficiency Under DOGE: My Interview with WallBuilders

I recently had the opportunity to participate with my friends David Barton, Tim Barton and Rick Green of WallBuilders and provide a detailed overview of SB 14, the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) initiative I authored in the Texas Senate. This bill has passed the Texas House and has already been signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. SB 14 seeks to implement regulatory reforms through a new Regulatory Efficiency Office. 

Even though Texas is a pro-jobs, pro-economic development, pro-business state, a recent study found that we have the fifth most regulations of any state in America. In this interview I discuss how we seek to reverse that trend, cut red tape, and insist that government agencies utilize cost-benefit analysis before any rules are implemented.  

I hope you will take a listen and give me your thoughts. You can access the interview HERE.

First, I would like to open this week by wishing all of our mothers a very happy Mother’s Day. I have been blessed in life to have a wonderful Mom who was taken from this world much too early due to illness, but she left a great impact on me. In so many ways, my stepmother Barbara filled the void left after my Mom’s passing. Proverbs 31 could be speaking of my bride Terry in this verse: “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”  This describes Terry perfectly! If you are a Mom, we can’t thank you enough for the critically important role you play in the life of your family. Enjoy your day!

State of Texas Considers Fort Worth ISD Action

I would like to begin by addressing a matter which constituents in Tarrant and other northern counties of Senate District 10 may have read about, and that is the possible takeover of the Fort Worth ISD (FWISD) by the state. These kinds of actions are not taken lightly. In fact, state action in these situations is actually prescribed in great detail in state law, and compels action to ensure that students in an underperforming district receive the education to which they are entitled. Here are some disturbing data points related to the district:

• FWISD has 77 campuses rated D or F, based on the 2023 A-F state accountability ratings; this represents 42% of the 183 campuses.
• FWISD rated a D overall.
• Eight of these campuses have not met minimum academic standards since at least 2018.
• The Leadership Academy at Forest Oak 6th Grade campus has received an unacceptable academic rating for five consecutive years, triggering mandatory commissioner action. 
• In terms of grade level proficiency, data from the most recent available year indicate that only 32% of 3rd grade students are reading on grade level and only 31% of students are doing math on grade level.

It’s not surprising, then, that Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has said that Fort Worth ISD is the “worst performing urban school district in the state of Texas.” I met with Commissioner Morath on Monday to discuss this situation. He has not made a decision on final action, but will continue to gather information. A state takeover would not be unprecedented. After the Houston ISD continued to show poor performance, in 2023 the Texas Education Agency placed the district under a board of managers. HISD has seen significant improvement since then. 

Regardless, this is an unacceptable situation, and something must change. I was raised in Fort Worth and am a product of FWISD, having graduated from Eastern Hills High School. Every child in the district deserves to have the opportunity to a quality education, and right now too many kids are being denied that chance. We must do better.

Sen. Phil King, a Weatherford Republican who represents about half of Fort Worth ISD, said the Texas Education Agency “has an obligation to take a very, very hard look at taking over the school district.” The district has gone too long without meaningful improvement in its academic performance, he said, and state education officials need to do something substantial to turn the district around.

Progress on Property Tax Relief

We have recently made important progress on resolving the differences between the Senate and House on how to provide another round of major property tax relief to both homeowners and businesses. No one disputes the need to provide desperately needed relief. The issue, once again this session, is how to best structure a package to do so. On Monday, the Senate Local Government and the House Ways & Means Committees took up and passed bills from the opposite chambers that would raise the amount of money homeowners can deduct from their local school property tax bills and the amount that owners can write off for business personal property taxes. The House Ways & Means Committee Chair has stated that SB 4, which the Senate passed earlier this session, will pass out of his committee as is. SB 4 increases the homestead exemption for all homeowners up to $140,000; senior and disabled homeowners can receive a $200,000 homestead exemption.  

On the Senate side, the Local Government Committee voted out legislation from the House related to how we provide business property tax relief. After numerous discussions, we have agreed to raise the business personal property exemption to $125,000. I expect there will be significant action in the coming week, bringing us closer to final passage on legislation that can be sent to the Governor for him to sign.

All 40 Top Senate Priorities Have Passed the Senate

In my most recent newsletter I updated you on the progress of priority legislation, and I can now report that the Senate has passed all 40 of our key priority bills. Some progress has been made by the Texas House in advancing some of this legislation, but much work remains to be done. With the clock ticking towards the last day of the session on Monday, June 2, time is of the essence.  I’m proud of the Senate for advancing a robust conservative agenda, including bills such as:

SB 4:  Provides major property tax relief
SB 6:  A bill I authored to improve the reliability of our Texas Electric Grid
SB 8:  Requires local law enforcement to assist the federal government in their deportation efforts
SB 10:  A bill I authored to place the Ten Commandments in our schools
SB 14:  The DOGE bill I authored to increase government efficiency and reform. This bill has already been signed by Gov. Abbott
SB 20:  Putting an end to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Child Pornography
SB 26:  Increasing Teacher Pay
SB 40:  To protect our citizens, implementing much needed bail reform

Before I provide a legislative update, let me first open with a personal note. I want to express my heartfelt thanks and gratefulness for the many kind expressions of condolences so many of you extended to me, Terry, and our entire family in the wake of our son Josh’s passing.

We miss him terribly. And it has been a hard period, but we have been comforted by so many of you who have expressed fond memories of what Josh meant to you. Our son was a devoted disciple of Christ who placed his trust in his Lord and Savior.  We are promised and believe that when we see Josh again he will be completely healed and we will spend eternity with him. 

Again, thank you sincerely. We will always remember your kindness.

First Bill Signed By Governor Abbott Is Our DOGE Government Efficiency Bill

I’m excited to share that the first bill from the current legislative session signed into law by Governor Abbott is SB 14, our bill to increase government efficiency and reform. It was a privilege to author this DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) legislation in the Texas Senate, with a goal to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely and that outdated regulations are repealed. Representative Giovanni Capriglione was the House sponsor.

NFIB Texas, which represents thousands of Texas small businesses, said, “Governor Abbott’s signing of SB 14 marks a historic step for Texas small businesses, creating the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office and building on the Small Business Freedom Council’s recommendations to reduce regulations, taxes, and workforce barriers. This legislation sets the stage for what could be the most impactful session for small businesses in Texas history.”
 

I joined Gov. Greg Abbott at the signing of SB 14, the Texas DOGE bill. Also attending the signing ceremony were Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione.

With Only 34 Days Left in Session, Major Legislation Has Passed the Senate

As of today, there are only 34 days left in the session as we approach sine die (end of session) on June 2nd. The Texas Senate has passed over 600 bills over to the Texas House, and we will continue to focus on passing well-crafted legislation rooted in conservative principles that benefits Texans. Here are some of the top bills that have passed the Senate:

Senate Bill 1 – Senate’s Budget for Texas 
Senate Bill 2 – Providing School Choice 
Senate Bill 3 – Banning THC in Texas 
Senate Bill 4 – Increasing the Homestead Exemption to $140,000 ($150,000 for Seniors) 
Senate Bill 5 – Combatting Alzheimer’s – Establishing DPRIT (Dementia Prevention & Research Institute of Texas) 
Senate Bill 6 – Increasing Texas’ Electric Grid Reliability 
Senate Bill 7 – Increasing Investments in Texas’ Water Supply 
Senate Bill 8 – Requiring Local Law Enforcement to Assist the Federal Government’s Deportation Efforts 
Senate Bill 9 – Reforming Bail – Keeping Violent Criminals Off Our Streets 
Senate Bill 10 – Placing the Ten Commandments in School 
Senate Bill 11 – Protecting the Freedom to Pray in School 
Senate Bill 12 – Establishing a Parental Bill of Rights in Public Education 
Senate Bill 13 – Guarding Against Inappropriate Books in Public Schools 
Senate Bill 14 – Texas DOGE – Improving Government Efficiency 
Senate Bill 15 – Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing 
Senate Bill 16 – Stopping Non-Citizens from Voting 
Senate Bill 17 – Stopping Foreign Adversaries’ Land Grabs 
Senate Bill 18 – Stopping Drag Time Story Hour 
Senate Bill 19 – Stopping Taxpayer Dollars for Lobbyists 
Senate Bill 20 – Stopping AI Child Pornography 
Senate Bill 21 – Establishing the Texas Bitcoin Reserve 
Senate Bill 22 – Generating Significant Returns for the Texas Economy 
Senate Bill 23 – Increasing the Homestead Exemption to $200,000 for Seniors 
Senate Bill 24 – Educating Texas Students on the Horrors of Communism 
Senate Bill 25 – Making Texas Healthy Again 
Senate Bill 26 – Increasing Teacher Pay 
Senate Bill 27 – Establishing a Teacher Bill of Rights 
Senate Bill 28 – Banning Lottery Couriers 
Senate Bill 29 – Texas: Open for Business 
Senate Bill 30 – Curbing Nuclear Verdicts 
Senate Bill 32 – Business Tax Relief 
Senate Bill 33 – Stopping Taxpayer-Funded Abortion Travel 
Senate Bill 34 – Wildfire Response 
Senate Bill 35 – Competing for Quality Roads 
Senate Bill 36 – Establishing a Homeland Security Division within DPS 
Senate Bill 37 – Reforming Faculty Senates 
Senate Bill 38 – Stopping Squatters 
Senate Bill 39 – Protecting Texas Trucking 
Senate Bill 40 – Bail Reform

A Historic Session for Education: School Choice, School Funding, Teacher Pay Raises, and Bill of Rights

This is shaping up to be a monumental session for education in Texas, with major legislation to provide school choice through education savings accounts, unprecedented levels of funding for public education, providing for teacher pay raises, and improving the classroom environment for our educators through a Teacher Bill of Rights.

School Choice, Empowering Parents: Providing parents with new opportunities to choose the best education for their child, Senate Bill 2 dedicates $1 billion for the education savings account program. The Texas House passed this bill with minor changes, the Senate concurred, and now this historic legislation is on its way to the Governor’s desk. It is my belief that SB 2 will expand educational options for families, allowing their children to better reach their God-given abilities in school and create a better future for themselves. Well over 30 states currently have school choice, and in the 2026-2027 school year Texas will finally join in providing these opportunities for our citizens. When the Legislature returns in January 2027, we will take a close look at how the launch has been implemented and make any adjustments needed.

Increased Public School Funding: For the 5.4 million public school students, Texas demonstrates robust investments in funding public education. Just ten years ago, we funded public schools with approximately $40 billion; we are now at over $80 billion. Over half of our state budget now goes to funding schools. Normally, about $2 billion in new dollars are allocated for public schools; right now, we are currently at between $6 and $8 billion in new funding.  

Teacher Pay Raises: The Senate has passed the largest teacher pay raise in Texas history. We strive to retain teachers with a tangible demonstration that we value their contribution. First, we establish guaranteed yearly pay increases for teachers with at least three years of experience, with additional increases for those with five or more years. We have endeavored to address the discrepancies between those who teach in urban versus rural areas. Teachers in smaller districts (5,000 students or less) receive larger raises: $5,000 for 3-4 years of experience and $10,000 for 5+ years. Teachers in larger districts receive $2,500 for 3-4 years and $5,500 for more than 5+ years. The bill expands the Teacher Incentive Allotment, allowing for higher bonuses for teachers based on performance, and provides free Pre-K for their children.

Teachers Bill of Rights: With SB 27, we empower educators to enforce discipline. Teachers who love their profession should never leave because classroom discipline has broken down or they fear for their safety.

Honoring Patty Williams in the Texas Legislature

On Monday, April 14, we honored Patty Williams, wife of Congressman Roger Williams who passed away on January 18. This was an opportunity to remember the life of an outstanding person who made so many contributions to her community and state. If you would like to read the resolution unanimously passed by both the Texas Senate and Texas House, visit this link.

Congressman Roger Williams along with his daughters, granddaughters, and friends came to the State Capitol on April 14 as we honored the life of Patty Williams.

“Lemonade Day”:  Supporting Young Entrepreneurs (Including my Grandkids!)

Saturday was a day to be a proud grandpa and support a great initiative as well. “Lemonade Day” was founded to give young people direct, hands-on experience in the free enterprise system, encouraging them to take risks by starting, own and operate their very own business…a lemonade stand. These hotbeds of entrepreneurship launched all over the state on Saturday, and there were over 20 lemonade stands in Parker County alone. I stopped by PlainsCapital Bank to support one in Weatherford where it just so happens that some of my grandsons built the stands for this particular operation. The kids participating share in the profits they make but are also encouraged to give back to their community.

Returning the Ten Commandments Back to our Classrooms: SB 10

It’s time to return the Ten Commandments back to our classrooms where they were displayed for over 200 years, and I’m pleased the Texas Senate has passed my legislation to do so. Few documents in the history of Western civilization and in American history have had a larger impact on our moral and legal code, and our culture, than the Ten Commandments. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled – in a now discredited decision – that the Ten Commandments could no longer be displayed in public schools. However, in the 2022 landmark decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, the Supreme Court overturned the precedent that it relied upon in its 1980 decision and that had been used in attempts to eradicate all references to religion from the public square. Now, with the passage of SB 10, the Ten Commandments may once again be posted in Texas public school classrooms. SB 10 will provide moral clarity and help students understand the foundation for much of American history and law. Right now, the Ten Commandments are displayed inside the U.S. Supreme Court and a monument to the Ten Commandments stands prominently on the Texas Capitol grounds.

I appreciate the work of Texas Values, who strongly backed our efforts to pass SB 10.

Protecting the Freedom to Pray in Schools: SB 11

SB 11 allows public schools to provide time for students and educators to pray or read the Bible or other religious texts during school. The provision requires consent of students and educators to participate, and students and educators can revoke their consent at any time. Additionally, prayer time is not permitted to interfere with instructional time. I am encouraged that the Texas Senate is taking this kind of action to restore religious liberty.

Banning Drag Queen Story Hour: SB 18

It’s really outrageous that we must pass laws to protect our kids from the continued, intentional assault on their innocence. But we must, and this week we did. Very simply, any library that facilitates drag queen story hours would receive no state funding. These politically, ideologically driven programs have no place in our public libraries but have taken place in several cities. Last session we passed legislation to ban sexually oriented performances in front of minors, including drag performances. However, the American Civil Liberties Union has challenged that law so it has not yet gone into effect.  

Removing Inappropriate Content From School Libraries: SB 13

In testimony on SB 13 in the Education K-16 Committee, one witness pointed out that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has a list of over 10,000 books prohibited in Texas prisons, yet hundreds of those books sit on the shelves in some school libraries! We continue to see materials in some school libraries that are simply not age appropriate. In response, we passed SB 13, which gives parents more say in the content of these books available to their kids. The bill mirrors existing FCC guidelines which state that inappropriate content should not be on TV or radio between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. – the hours in which children may reasonably be in the audience. It follows, then, that our young kids should not be exposed to this content in school libraries where they could view this material. SB 13 provides new transparency and structure to ensure that parents have access to the materials their child checks out from the school library. The bill creates school library advisory councils comprised of parents, educators, and local community leaders to provide input on the book acquisition process; books could only be purchased after an elected school board has approved them.

We also passed SB 412, which would repeal “obscenity exemptions” and thereby provide more protection from sexually explicit books turning up in schools. By closing current loopholes, the bill makes clear that the only defense exemptions are for judicial or law enforcement officers performing their official duties.  

Banning Dangerous THC: Law Enforcement, Parents and Texas Senate Unite to pass SB 3

With strong backing from law enforcement and parents whose kids have experienced devastating impacts such as psychosis and paranoia from THC abuse, the Texas Senate passed the toughest THC ban in the nation. 

You have no doubt seen the proliferation of shops that have sprung up in strip centers, gas stations and other outlets across the state selling gummies, vapes, drinks and other products laced with dangerous synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol — or THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. In fact, there are now well over 8,000 of these retailers. To put this in perspective, there are only 1,220 McDonalds restaurants in the entire state of Texas. 

Closing loopholes currently being cynically exploited by retailers often targeting our youth, SB 3 would ban the presence of any amount of THC in a consumable product sold in Texas. Of particular concern is the fact that so many of these outlets are in close proximity to schools, even though it is illegal to sell these products to minors. One North Texas police chief stated, “Most people think that if you walk into a store and you’re able to buy something from a retail establishment, it must be legal and it must be safe. With these THC consumables, neither is true. Intentional mislabeling on many products have led to accidental overdoses and increased addiction.” Many of these products have three to four times the THC content which might be found in marijuana purchased from a drug dealer. Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn stated that the percentage of inmates dealing with mental illness has grown from 25% to 70%, largely due to the dramatic increase in availability of Delta 8 & 9.

To be clear, this ban would not affect doctor-prescribed and regulated substances that are used by veterans to treat chronic pain and PTSD under Texas’ Compassionate Use Program. Under this program, patients dealing with medical issues such as autism, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and seizure disorders find relief. The difference is, these products are prescribed by medical professionals, not sold at a gas station.

Texas Parental Bill of Rights: SB 12

Over the last several years, parents have been forced to step forward and reassert that they are the ultimate authority on the upbringing, education, and medical treatments concerning their children. SB 12 will provide parents with a powerful new weapon in that fight.  Here are some of the provisions of the bill: 

• Strengthens the ban on Critical Race Theory, addressing some loopholes that some districts have exploited.
• Eliminates DEI mandates in hiring, training, and school policies.
• Bans any sexual orientation or gender identity instruction.
• Guarantees parents full access to their child’s education records—curriculum, test scores, library materials, and any changes to their mental or physical well-being.
• Requires parental consent for medical, psychiatric, or psychological treatment.
• Protects a family’s right to guide their child’s moral and religious upbringing, including decisions about sex education.

Preparing Texas for Growing, Massive Power Demands: SB 6

The Senate passed my bill, SB 6, to ensure the reliability of the electric grid. Given the complexity of this subject, I will provide a more detailed explanation of this legislation in the coming weeks. First, though, I’d like to outline the challenge.

Over the past few years, we have seen tremendous growth in electricity demand that comes from data centers, AI computing, manufacturing facilities and several other types of industries that consume large amounts of electricity. We are seeing trends in a single customer requesting connection to the grid that uses more power than the entire city it would be located in. We are blessed to be a state that has been experiencing growth for many years and we want this development to continue. However, these facilities require an extraordinary amount of electricity that needs to be managed properly as to not create reliability risks or pricing issues for every day Texans.

To put this in perspective, the peak electricity demand for 2024 was roughly 86 GW (gigawatts) of power. Our grid operators release a report annually that forecasts our electric demand. Last spring we were told the demand could reach 150 GW by 2030 – a dramatic and unprecedented increase no state has ever seen. We are expecting that number to rise even more in the report that will be released within the next month. On top of that, our grid operators also published a report that estimates Texas’ available generation supply could fall short of peak demand by the summer of 2027. 

To protect the jobs and economic growth we have come to expect, we have no choice but to act, or the grid will be at risk. SB 6 will improve our grid reliability so we can take on these large loads and protect consumers.

Protecting Texas Land from Adversarial Foreign Ownership: SB 17

Another important bill passed this week is SB 17, which seeks to protect our land from being owned by countries hostile to the United States. The bill prohibits foreign governmental entities, companies, and individuals from purchasing private property in Texas if they are from countries identified in the latest Annual Threat Assessment reports by the Director of National Intelligence. As of today, those countries are Russia, North Korea, Iran and China. SB 17 also makes clear that the prohibitions do not apply to United States citizens and lawful permanent residents, including dual citizens; furthermore, the bill is not intended to undermine anyone who might be truly fleeing the tyranny of oppressive governments to seek freedom in Texas.

Recognizing World Down Syndrome Day

Terry and I have two grandchildren with Down Syndrome, Sunshine and Joy, who have blessed us tremendously. Friday, March 21st was World Down Syndrome Day, and on Wednesday I presented a resolution to bring awareness to this issue. We were joined by representatives from many organizations from all over the state, including The Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas and the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas. The theme for 2025 is “Improve Our Support Systems” which calls on governments across the world to ensure that people with disabilities have an adequate support system so that they are included in the community. 

To raise awareness for the day many people wear a pair of mismatched, brightly colored socks, and I was happy to do my part.

As the Senate recognized World Down Syndrome Day, we welcomed Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas Executive Director Kim Smiley (right) and Program Assistant Lauren Fairchild. Lauren works full time at the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas to raise awareness of the potential of all people with Down Syndrome.

Honoring Dr. Gene Getz

Dr. Gene Getz served as Chaplain of the Day for the Texas Senate on Wednesday, and Sen. Brent Hagenbuch and I teamed up to sponsor a resolution honoring him. We were honored that his wife Elaine joined him for the occasion.

Gene Getz is one of the most respected pastors and spiritual leaders of our time, and I have had the privilege of getting to know him over the past decade. In 1972, Dr. Getz began his involvement in church planting and launched the Fellowship Bible Church movement, which has led to the establishment of hundreds of congregations throughout the nation. After retirement, Dr. Getz completed work on his interactive Life Essentials Study Bible, which has been a huge blessing to me as I study scripture. Its unique format includes 1500 “principles to live by,” each with a QR code providing access to 250 total hours of commentary from Dr. Getz. As part of his visit, Dr. Getz delivered each member of the senate one of these bibles, personally inscribed with their name. He is the author of more than 60 books, including The Measure of a Man: Twenty Attributes of a Godly Man, a classic in Christian literature. Dr. Getz graduated from Moody Bible Institute, and he later taught there and at Dallas Theological Seminary; he holds a master’s degree from Wheaton College Graduate School and a Ph.D. from New York University. He is 93 years old and resides in Plano with his wife Elaine.

First Economic Development Committee Meeting Hears My Legislation to Establish Texas Trade Office in Israel

Last Monday, I held the first meeting of the new Senate Economic Development Committee, which I chair. One of our first bills heard was SCR 24, legislation I authored to create a new trade office in Israel, which will provide numerous benefits. Israel is a leader in technology innovation, cybersecurity, energy, agriculture and water conservation, which are all areas that align closely with Texas’ economic strengths. Texas ranks among the top U.S. states for exports to Israel, contributing billions of dollars annually to the economies of both regions through trade in the technology, medical equipment and defense industries. The Middle East is a virtually untapped regional market for Texas companies, and Israel is the only diplomatic country in the Middle East with open trade opportunities for Texas. Israel’s advanced innovation in some of Texas’ largest industries is an underutilized resource. Texas and Israel maintain a robust trade relationship, but there is not a physical presence Texas can rely on to improve the bond.
 
I crafted a resolution which supports a Texas Trade and Investment office in Jerusalem, Israel, as the center of trade and investment activities for Israel and countries that are a part of the Abraham Accords or have signed peace treaties with Israel. A budget rider has been submitted to the Senate Finance Committee to cover the costs of starting this office. The State of Texas Israel Trade and Investment Office would be modeled after the two standing international offices (in Mexico and Taiwan), and would serve as the attraction tool for companies in the region. 

SB 20:  Stopping AI Generated Child Pornography 

Last week the Senate passed Senate Bill 20, a bill aimed at strengthening the laws against possession, promotion, and distribution of sexually explicit material that involves children, including those created by computer or artificial intelligence (AI). We must continue to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our youngest Texans, and punish those who commit these despicable acts to the fullest extent of the law. 

Making Texas and America Healthy Again

The Senate unanimously passed SB 25, a landmark piece of legislation to combat the growing health crisis in our state due to poor food choices, lack of nutritional education and knowledge, and a sedentary lifestyle. This bill aims to improve health and nutrition standards in Texas schools by mandating that students in full-day PreK through grade eight engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily. It requires students in grades six to eight to participate in this activity for at least six semesters, and prohibits schools from penalizing students with restrictions on physical activities due to academic performance or behavior. Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for high school students to complete a half-credit course in nutrition, based on guidelines from the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee, which will also be established by this bill. The Senate also passed SB 314, which will prohibit dangerous chemicals such as cancer-causing dyes from being served in school lunches. 

SB 140: Cracking Down on Unsolicited Text Messages

In our continued quest to cut down on “spam” contacts from telemarketers, we have shored up current law to include specific language regarding unsolicited text messages. Currently, the law does not define “telephone call” and does not include “text messaging,” which created a loophole for telemarketers to hide behind when sending out text solicitations. This law will provide a fix for this issue.
 

Border Wall Update

According to the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) as of February 20 about 56.9 miles of the border wall program had been completed. Active construction is simultaneously underway at 12 locations in six border counties.  The TFC has closed on 105 easements representing approximately 70.3 miles of Texas Border Wall, with another 31 miles of easements in various stages. Based on current appropriations, the TFC can build up to 85 miles of the wall between Texas and Mexico. Due to border security efforts here in Texas and of course with President Trump’s leadership, we’re trending towards the lowest monthly border crossings in 25 years. During the Biden years, Texas did far more than any other state to secure the border and combat drug and human trafficking. How refreshing to finally have a partner in the White House who works with us – not against us – in that effort. 

Most of SD 10 Faces Elevated Fire Risk  

As you can see in this graphic from National Weather Service in Fort Worth, our region faces a critical fire weather threat. Let’s make sure we do everything possible to avoid fires that can create destruction of homes and businesses as well as threaten agriculture, livestock and even human life. Please honor all burn bans in effect in your local county.  

The Week Ahead

This week we will be past sixty days in the session. This means that we will now be able to consider bills on the floor of the Senate that aren’t emergency items declared by the governor, so we expect many priority bills to pass this week. Always remember, we are a bicameral legislature, which means that the Texas House must also pass the measures we discussed in this newsletter and in previous updates.  If you would like to watch the Senate proceedings, you can visit this LINK to watch both committee hearings as well as when the full Senate is in session. 

Last week I chaired the first meeting of the new Senate Economic Development Committee.

It was great to see Pastor Rafael Cruz in the Senate K-16 Education Committee hearing last week.

I had the chance to meet with Johnson County constituents Craig Hundley, Becca Reese, and Phil Williams.



Nurse Practitioners from SD 10 were in the Capitol this past Monday. Thanks for stopping by our office!