Early voting ends Friday in the runoff elections, and Election Day is Tuesday, May 28. There is no weekend voting during this runoff period. You’ll find links for Early Voting and Election Day locations for counties in SD 10 that have local runoffs at the bottom of this email. I have made endorsements in two key races:
In Congressional District 12, I am strongly endorsing Craig Goldman, a businessman and former staff member for Senator Phil Gramm. For over a decade, we’ve worked together to advance conservative principles. I know Craig to be a strong pro-life advocate, committed to border security, and a passionate defender of Israel. Terry and I have traveled to Israel with Craig when Lockheed delivered the first F-35. Most recently, in light of the brutal attacks by Hamas, we collaborated on a joint House/Senate resolution making clear that Texas stands with Israel, a resolution now considered the national model for states. Terry and I have known Craig Goldman for many years, and we are proud to endorse our longtime friend. (As an aside, please ignore the lies on those red signs being posted illegally in right of way areas. Craig has always voted to ban gender modification surgeries on minors.)
In Senate District 30, Brent Hagenbuch has earned my endorsement. Brent is a Naval Academy graduate who served over a decade on active duty. He’s a Texas entrepreneur who created a successful business from the ground up and now runs a national trucking business with hundreds of employees. He’s at a season in life where he can step away from his business and serve Texas. I like that he started at the grass roots level as a precinct chair, then served as GOP County Chair before being asked to run for Texas Senate. He’ll be a strong conservative partner with me in Austin.
Please join Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, Sen. Drew Springer and me in supporting Craig Goldman for Congress and Brent Hagenbuch for Texas Senate.
I have ten grandchildren in public schools in Texas Senate District 10. All are doing very well. Two have Down Syndrome and I couldn’t be more grateful for the love and support they receive from the staff and other students.
In 2023, the Texas Legislature demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to support our 5.4 million public school students. However, leading up to the March primary election we heard repeated claims about state government’s funding of education that are simply not true.
Education is our state’s largest funding priority. In fact, state spending on public education increased by roughly 22% from the last budget to our current budget. For the current biennium, Texas is spending $41.6 billion on public education, which represents 28% of General Revenue spending. When you include state spending on higher education, that percentage jumps to 46%. This only represents state General Revenue spending on education and does not consider other sources of revenue.
The data is indisputable. According to the most recent Texas Education Agency annual report (linked here), per student annual funding is up 42% since 2011. During the 2021-2022 school year the average per student allocation was $14,928. This equates to $373,200 for a class of 25 students.
You may have read (repeatedly) that school districts this year have been hard hit by inflation. Of this there is no doubt. However, inflation has also impacted every family and every business in Texas. I wish the Texas Legislature could end inflation, but it’s not caused by our state. Our Texas economy is among the strongest in the nation. Inflation rests squarely on the inexplicable polices of the Biden Administration – policies such as hyper deficit spending, a war against abundant fossil fuels and a treacherous open border allowing millions to flood in annually.
One of the best ways to help our schools is to financially support our teachers. Just last fall, the Texas Senate proposed and voted on legislation that allocated over $7 billion in additional funding for public education. That included approximately $4 billion for teacher raises. However, the legislation died in the House simply due to an overreaction to the issue of private school choice—an option available to families in 32 other states.
Opponents to private school choice forfeited $7 billion for education simply because $500 million, less than 8%, would have gone to a school choice program. The remaining $6.5 billion would have increased funding for the basic funding allotment, provided bonuses to teachers, funded additional school security, increased the Teacher Incentive Allotment, and increased appropriations for special needs children.
Regardless of the misleading campaigns, you can rest assured that the Texas Legislature will continue its commitment to finance public education. The success of our state depends upon a first class education system. As we move past rhetoric and into the facts, I believe Texas should and will provide additional funding for schools and additional choices for parents and students. Education should never be one size fits all and it must be among Texas’ top funding priorities.
Governor Abbott and UT President Take Strong Stand Against Anti-Israel Demonstrators
I have been a strong and vocal advocate in support of Israel, and in underscoring how important it is for Texas to always stand with our most important ally in the Middle East.
On Wednesday at the University of Texas in Austin, over 200 students walked out of class in protest against Israel. As turmoil and chaos ensued, police offers in riot gear quickly intervened, leading to at least 55 arrests, 28 students, 1 faculty, and 26 protestors who were not students. (I’ll call those the outside agitators).
UT President Jay Hartzell said, “The protestors tried to deliver on their stated intent to occupy campus. People not affiliated with UT joined them, and many ignored University officials’ continual pleas for restraint and to immediately disperse. The University did what we said we would do in the face of prohibited actions.”
Governor Abbott swiftly deployed more than 100 troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Governor stated, “Students joining in hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled.” I applaud the Governor’s swift and decisive actions in dealing with these protestors, some of whom even threw feces at law enforcement officers.
Hosting Legislators from Around the U.S. at the Texas Border
I recently led a security tour of the border for senior lawmakers from Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. With the influx of fentanyl and other illegal drugs, human trafficking and weapons flowing over the border, every state is now a border state. These colleagues witnessed firsthand the border crisis and the disastrous effect of the Biden Administration’s policies.
For the week of April 3-9 alone, more than 12,000 apprehensions of illegals were made at the Texas border. More than 175 pounds of cocaine was seized, along with almost 700 pounds of marijuana, over 750 pounds of methamphetamine, and other illicit drug and weapon seizures.
On a helicopter tour of the border region, I had the opportunity to inspect the latest enforcement efforts by our state.
Honoring our Jewish Friends During Passover
Passover began on Monday and runs through April 30th. Our Jewish friends have been celebrating Passover for more than 3,300 years – the longest national celebration in history. As the Passover holiday is observed commemorating the release of the Jews from Egypt, we are saddened that more than 100 people are still being held hostage by the Hamas, a murderous terrorist organization. That means 100 families will have a missing chair at their Passover feast table. We remain prayerful that these hostages may be returned to their families, and that peace will reign in this region.
Municipal Elections are Underway
Don’t forget to get out and vote to make your voice heard in your local elections for mayor and city council. Turnout for city elections is often less than 10% of registered voters. These are important elections directly affecting the operation of your city and town. Election Day is Saturday, May 4th, with early voting underway this week.
Texas Jumps Seven Spots in ALEC Economic Competitiveness Study
Last week, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) published its 17th edition of “Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index.” I’m pleased to report that Texas has risen to sixth place for economic outlook in this study, up from 13th place in 2023. The rise is due in large part to our record-breaking property tax cuts passed by the Texas Legislature last fall. The great work in “Rich States, Poor States” is clear evidence that Texas’ pursuit of the ALEC principles of free markets and limited government is working. This is our great state’s highest ranking ever in this study.
It was a great day at the ballpark for the Texas Rangers Opening Day with Governor Abbott. I’m shown here with my son Josh and my daughter-in-law Sarah.
Created by the Texas Legislature in 2019 as part of House Bill 3, the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) provides independent school districts (ISDs) and charter schools with the exciting opportunity to award qualifying teachers with significant salary increases.
The TIA is a program administered through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that is designed to recognize and reward effective teaching and incentivize outstanding teachers to stay in the classroom. This link (www.tiatexas.org) contains a wealth of information for school districts and charters interested in participating in this voluntary program.
There are several factors that determine the allotment, but it can range from an additional $3,000 to $32,000 annually that high-performing teachers can earn for their districts. Additionally, the program is designed to give districts discretion in the metrics used and how they design the program so that it can fit the specific needs of their district.
Enjoying steady growth since its inception, as of 2023 the TIA now has 13,774 qualifying teachers in 346 school districts being awarded a total of over $145 million through this program as of 2023. Over the next year, growth is projected to be at $260 million in additional funding for qualifying teachers in participating districts and charters.
Taking a closer look at school districts in Senate District 10, where I represent parts of 65 school districts and charters, 35% of traditional ISDs and 70% of charters are participating in the TIA program.
This initiative has been successful at directing funds to high-performing teachers, and I hope more school districts will consider taking advantage of this great opportunity.
If you are interested in seeing if your district is participating in this program, see the link HERE.
This was a critical investment that the legislature has made and will continue to make in order to appropriately reward our teachers. Just like in your own personal business, you want to compensate those employees who are effective and doing a great job. The TIA represents a free market approach applied to government.
Did you know if the Texas public school system was a private corporation, it would be third largest in the nation? Applying this type of common sense incentive program to our public education system helps with recruitment, retention and most importantly thanking our public servants for one of the most important professions: educating our future leaders.
Polls are open Tuesday, March 5th, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.. As long as you’re in line before 7 p.m, you’ll get to vote.
**Republican Party of Texas Propositions:**
In addition to voting for candidates, you will also have the opportunity to voice your opinion on various propositions put forth by the Republican Party of Texas. These propositions cover important issues, and you can review them in detail by visiting the following link: Republican Party of Texas Propositions. These propositions are advisory in nature and do not create law.
**Encourage Your Network:**
Please share this information with your friends and family, urging them to join you in making their voices heard at the polls. Your vote has never been more important.
Thank you for your commitment to civic engagement. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at [email protected].
As we approach the upcoming primary election, I want to ensure that you are well-informed and ready to exercise your fundamental right to vote. Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our community, state, and nation.**Early Voting Information:**
Early voting for the primary election is an excellent opportunity to cast your ballot at your convenience. Early voting begins on Tuesday, February 20th and runs through Friday, March 1st. You can find early voting locations in our area by visiting the following links:
If you prefer to vote on Election Day, it is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th. Please make sure to check your assigned polling location, and you can find the information you need at the following links:
In addition to voting for candidates, you will also have the opportunity to voice your opinion on various propositions put forth by the Republican Party of Texas. These propositions cover important issues, and you can review them in detail by visiting the following link: Republican Party of Texas Propositions. These propositions are advisory in nature and do not create law.
**Encourage Your Network:**
Please share this information with your friends and family, urging them to join you in making their voices heard at the polls. If possible, please do not wait until the last day to vote. There are just too many things that can happen to keep you away. Your vote has never been more important.
Thank you for your commitment to civic engagement. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at [email protected].
We were very concerned. This week’s cold weather event was one of the most severe of the last 15 years. Arguably the second most severe. We all remember days of outages and resulting tragedies caused by Winter Storm Uri in 2021. That can never be allowed to happen again.
Post Uri, the Texas Legislature mandated a long and complex list of market and operational changes. We’ve also reorganized both the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT which operates Texas’ electric grid. Many of these legislative mandates are in effect while others are still in the implementation process.
Although there is more work to be done, I am encouraged by the performance of our grid during this recent weather event. This week was a big test. Here are some of my key takeaways.
Takeaway #1 – Record Demand, Ample Reserve and No Emergency Conditions
This past week we broke winter power demand records but never entered emergency condition status. Emergency conditions are triggered when electricity reserves drop below 2,500 megawatts (MW). During this cold wave we maintained at least 5,000 MW in reserve and had other contingencies available if needed.
Takeaway #2 –Thermal Fleet Had Very Good Performance; Weatherization Working
Much of Winter Storm Uri’s outages were caused by frozen equipment across the power grid. In 2021, the legislature implemented comprehensive weatherization standards and mandated inspections to ensure compliance. Although these were expensive and complex, we know the effort is having a positive impact. Thermal forced outages caused by the weather amounted to no more than 3,000 MW. That is less than half of the forced outage totals for the thermal electric generation fleet (natural gas, nuclear and coal) during the 2022 winter storm.
Takeaway #3 – Critical Load Maps, Firm Fuel, Gas Storage and Increased Communications
In 2021, the legislature created the Texas Electricity Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee. This entity was charged with mapping the electricity supply chain in Texas and identifying the critical infrastructure sources to ensure power is not lost. Additionally, we formalized in statute the Texas Energy Reliability Council (TERC) to enhance coordination and communication in the energy and electric industries.
In discussions with the industry, we learned that these changes were paramount for grid preparedness and reliability during last summer’s and this winter’s extreme weather events. The collaboration from the electric and energy industry allows providers to troubleshoot quickly before a severe problem occurs or to expedite a timely resolution.
The legislature also implemented incentives for generators to have firm fuel (a commitment to deliver fuel under any conditions)and onsite fuel storage. This is important because during gas curtailments, you want to have on site fuel storage as a backup. This has been working very well and thermal plants are staying operational.
Takeaway #4 – A Pleasant Addition to the Grid: Batteries
During Winter Storm Uri in 2021, battery storage was well before its prime. Since then, battery storage has become increasingly interconnected to the grid, and much more is projected to be available. Batteries performed in this winter storm exactly how we had hoped. They discharged power on the grid during peak demand and recharged during non-peak hours. I am excited to see what the future holds for battery storage.
Takeaway #5 – Wind and Solar Remain Variable and Unpredictable
Although it is a large segment of our electricity supply in Texas, solar and wind generation continues to be unreliable. We have made significant efforts to encourage more dispatchable generation, but it takes time to build power plants. Also, the federal government’s large subsidies for wind and solar projects discourages construction of the reliable, dispatchable natural gas fired plants of which we are in need.
Takeaway #6 – ERCOT’s Power Demand Forecast Overly Conservative
Part of ERCOT’s job is to forecast power demand so that adequate power is available hour by hour, day by day. It will take some time to explore why this happened, but ERCOT’s forecasts were much higher than real time demand during this winter event. We always want to err on the side of caution and be over prepared rather than under prepared, but we need to explore how to improve our winter forecasting. It has the potential for unintended consequences like unnecessarily driving up costs for consumers.
Takeaway #7 – Dispatchable (Ready-to Go) Generation is Necessary for Texas’ Future
During the November 2023 election, voters approved Prop 7 to help incentivize more dispatchable and reliable generation. The Texas Energy Fund will provide loans and grants for new dispatchable generation and help existing dispatchable generators make necessary improvements. This investment for our future is just one way that the legislature has encouraged a path forward to bring the right type of power generation to Texas.
I hope this information is helpful and encouraging. This cold wave was a good test of the changes implemented across our electric grid over the last three years. The role of the PUC and ERCOT in implementing legislative mandates, and the cooperation and work of the electricity industry, deserve much recognition.
As always, I am available for any questions you may have or your feedback.
Special Thanks: If you know any linemen for the transmission and distribution utilities, tell them thank you! These men and women are first responders during a storm, and I know they worked many long hours, in very frigid conditions, to quickly resolve any local outages.
With the winter weather conditions upon us, I would like to share some important information and resources that may be helpful for you, your family and friends. Please know that our state leaders are working nonstop to ensure necessary readiness so that all Texans stay safe and that we are well equipped for any impact that we may see from this multi-day weather event. I hope you stay safe and warm. If you have any specific problems our office can assist with, please don’t hesitate to email our office at [email protected].
Electricity Grid Conditions Our office has been in constant communication with ERCOT about the electricity grid conditions as the cold weather system moves in. Below are grid projections provided Saturday afternoon. Please note these are subject to change.
Sunday – ERCOT anticipates all grid conditions to remain normal as the cold front arrives. (Normal means there is ample supply to meet demand)
Monday – ERCOT is projecting demand to reach around 80,000 megawatts (MW). For reference, during Winter Storm Elliott in December of 2022, the peak was at 75,000 megawatts.
Tuesday – ERCOT is projecting Tuesday morning to be the tightest grid conditions during this cold event, anticipating a peak demand of 85,000 MW. (This type of demand level is similar to a summer number)
Wednesday – ERCOT is projecting grid conditions to return to normal.
Many variables can adjust these forecasts. A generation facility may trip offline or simply the wind dying down can make a big impact. We have put a lot of measures in place after Winter Storm Uri to ensure maximum preparedness and collaboration. All grid operators, companies generating electricity, and the companies that deliver the gas or electricity to your home are all communicating and are ready to work through the peak demand for power over these next few days. We have a lot of new tools in place to manage the grid through tight conditions. We saw them work well during the summer and expect the same during the winter. Inevitably, we will see localized power outages due to various reasons, like damage from a tree falling. It is always good during these tight grid conditions to be cognizant of your usage and try to conserve electricity when you can.
There is a public dashboard that I would encourage you to utilize to monitor electricity grid conditions. This dashboard includes data on current supply/demand and what type of generation is currently providing power, just to name a few. The dashboard can be viewed HERE.
A map of outages can be found HERE. As a reminder, If your power goes out, contact your local energy provider to report the outage.
Roads We encourage everyone to stay off the roads if you can. If you do have to go somewhere, be cautious and check the current road conditions HERE. This will have the most up to date information on any road closures or damage in your area.
Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) Cold Weather Resources TDEM has increased the readiness level of our Texas State Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response) and has mobilized state emergency response resources. Their website also includes a multitude of good resources for individuals and families. These resources can be found HERE.
Again, I hope you and your family are safe during this extreme cold weather. Please don’t hesitate to respond to this email or email the office at [email protected] if we can be a resource.
This is a time to reflect on the year, be grateful for what we have, spend time with family and friends, and thank the Lord for our numerous blessings.
Wishing You a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
This time last year, I was yet to take the oath of office to serve as your new state senator. In the weeks that followed, in January of this year, I placed my hand on the Bible and was sworn in. Let me just say what an honor it is to serve you.
As Monday approaches, I am thankful to our Father in Heaven for his gift of Christmas, when he sent his son to earth to be the savior of the world.
Terry and I, and the entire extended King family, hope and pray that you have a wonderful, blessed and Merry Christmas.
Highlights from Johnson County Republican Women’s Meeting
It was great to be back in Johnson County among many friends and supporters. On Tuesday I had the opportunity to speak to the Johnson County Republican Women and provide a recap of the regular legislative session and the subsequent four special sessions. I always appreciate the warm welcome and the chance to see friends like former Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford.
During my remarks, I touched upon some key accomplishments including historic border security funding, major property tax relief, banning gender modification surgeries in children, and other key measures to protect our kids. I outlined bills we passed to increase the reliability of the electric grid and ensure we have the energy needed going forward. Our increase in school funding and the $1 billion water infrastructure fund were also covered.
With Leanne Ivey and Verlie Edwards of Congressman Roger Williams’ office
With Former Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford
With Whitney Clotfelter, Johnson County Republican Women President
With TFRW District Director for SD 10, Anita Moore
Bob McKinley Reaches 1,000 Wins
Congratulations to Bob McKinley, Weatherford College’s longtime athletic director and women’s basketball coach, for reaching the 1,000 wins plateau.
McKinley is one of only five coaches in the history of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to reach 1,000 victories in men’s or women’s basketball. He is also the winningest active NJCAA Division I basketball coach in the nation. McKinley is a member of the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and is a 12-time Coach of the Year awardee from the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference.
Congratulations to 3 Football State Champs in Senate District 10!
Football is a time honored tradition in Texas, and I’m excited to announce that this year SD 10 had three high schools that won their Texas State Championship! I’m very proud to highlight these communities and their schools.
The Aledo Bearcats defeated Smithson Valley to win the 5A Division 1 Title. Congratulations on this great accomplishment. By the way, Aledo High School has now won 12 state championships, which is a Texas record!
In the Western portion of our district, the Albany Lions in Shackelford County beat the Mart Panthers to win the title for 2A Division 2. Congratulations Lions!
Finally, the Gordon Longhorns of Palo Pinto County won the 1A Division 1 title, beating the Westbrook Wildcats. What a great accomplishment!
My office has prepared Senate Resolutions honoring all three of these teams. We look forward to this proper recognition for their accomplishments.
The Christmas season is rapidly approaching, with Christmas Day only 20 days away. I hope you’ve started your shopping for friends and family! In the meantime, here’s an update from the last few weeks.
Special Session #4: The Texas Senate Passes All Items on the Agenda
We have been busy in the 4th Special Session, which is scheduled to conclude tomorrow. I’m pleased to announce we have passed every item on Governor Abbott’s agenda. Here is a summary of those five bills:
SB 1: School Choice for Parents and Families
Every child deserves a chance to thrive in an environment that is best for them. This bill introduces the Educational Savings Account (ESA) program, giving families the power to explore alternative educational avenues that would ensure success for their child.
STATUS: SB 1 has been passed by the Senate, and is awaiting House approval.
This bill increases the basic allotment, gives across the board teacher raises, and adds $317 million to the teacher incentive—making it the biggest public education investment in Texas history.
STATUS: SB 2 has been passed by the Senate, and is awaiting House approval.
SB 3 & 4: New Border Security Measures
SB 3 provides $1.5 billion to build a border wall, as well as other border security enforcement measures, since the Biden Administration refuses to do so. SB 4 will make it harder for those in Texas illegally to stay in the state.
STATUS: SB 3 and SB 4 have been passed by both chambers and are now on the Governor’s desk for signature.
SB 5: Increased School Safety Funding
SB 5 will provide additional funds of $800 million to help school districts implement the requirements of HB 3, passed during the regular session, as it relates to the hiring of armed security officers on school campuses.
STATUS: SB 5 has been passed by the Senate, and is awaiting House approval.
Additional Important Legislative Action: SB 6
Six lawsuits were filed in Travis County contesting the results of the November Constitutional election. Due to timing issues of lawsuits under the law, it’s possible that the amendments approved by the voters would not go into effect on January 1, 2024 as planned. SB 6 seeks to adjust those deadlines so that the amendments will be timely implemented. This measure was passed by the Senate on Thursday, and awaits action by the Texas House.
Meeting Concerning State Funding for Important Palo Pinto Water Project
Yesterday in Austin I met with the mayor of Mineral Wells, Regan Johnson, along with other city officials and leadership from the Palo Pinto Water District. Our delegation met with Texas Water Development Board Commissioner Brooke Paup and her team concerning the construction of the Turkey Peak Reservoir and other local improvement projects. The Turkey Peak Reservoir will be located on Palo Pinto Creek immediately downstream from Lake Palo Pinto, approximately two miles northwest of the City of Santo, and upstream from the bridge over Palo Pinto Creek on FM 4. When this project is complete, the combined existing Palo Pinto lake and reservoir capacity will be about 50,000 acre-feet, or 15.9 billion gallons. This will increase storage by 83 percent and increase reliable supplies by 6,000 acre-feet per year.
State funding was the primary point of discussion, and we received updates on the status of the applications local leaders are turning in for funding. The drought has taken a particularly hard toll on Mineral Wells, and these are the kinds of projects needed to address current critical water shortages as well as to ensure water need for future growth. To learn more about this important project, visit https://www.turkeypeakreservoir.com/.
It was a pleasure to meet with leaders from Palo Pinto County and the Texas Water Development Board to discuss the Turkey Peak Reservoir, an important project to ensure critical water supplies for the area.
Governor Abbott’s Endorsement
I am honored to receive the endorsement of Governor Greg Abbott. During my service in the House and Senate, we’ve partnered on border security, property tax reduction and so many other issues critical to Senate District 10. As a former police officer, I especially appreciate his unwavering support for law enforcement. Governor, thank you for your endorsement and let’s keep working together on behalf of all Texans.
Meeting of Conservative Legislators From Around the Country
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) States & Nation Policy Summit in Arizona. In preparation for the next regular legislative session in 2025, almost 1,000 conservative legislators, policy experts, and stakeholders convened to discuss how to best implement public policy to benefit our constituents.
Topics discussed were empowering parents through universal education freedom; ensuring that state pension investments aren’t influenced by those seeking to promote a liberal agenda through political motivated investing; and reducing the influence of the Chinese government. Some of the featured speakers included Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, and legendary economist Dr. Art Laffer, who is still going strong at age 83 and always provides insightful commentary.
I’ve had the honor to serve as National Chair of ALEC, an organization dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism. I remain active as a member of the ALEC National Board.
