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Government

Governor Abbott Appoints Four To Board Of Pilot Commissioners For Galveston County Ports

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jason Keeling and reappointed Arden “Trey” Hill, III to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Galveston County Ports for terms set to expire on February 1, 2028. Additionally, the Governor has appointed Elizabeth Cross and reappointed Terrilyn Tarlton-Shannon for terms set to expire on February 1, 2027. The Board has exclusive jurisdiction over the piloting of vessels on navigable streams wholly or partially located in the board’s jurisdiction.Jason Keeling, an entrepreneur and real estate broker, is a committee member of the Galveston...


Government

Governor Abbott Reappoints Three To Specialty Courts Advisory Council

Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Jarvis Anderson, Elizabeth Rainey, and Angela Tucker to the Specialty Courts Advisory Council for terms set to expire on February 1, 2029. The Council evaluates applications for grant funding for specialty courts from the Governor’s Office and makes funding recommendations to the criminal justice division regarding best practices.Jarvis Anderson, the chief adult probation officer of Bexar County, expressed his dedication to the council, stating, "I am honored to continue serving on the Specialty Courts Advisory Council and contributing...


Government

Luttrell, Correa Introduce Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act

WASHINGTON – Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) and Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA) have introduced the Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act, a bipartisan legislation aimed at enhancing border security operations through the integration of new and advanced technologies.In a statement, Congressman Luttrell emphasized the importance of staying ahead of evolving threats, stating, "As cartels and foreign adversary operations become more sophisticated amidst the ongoing border crisis, the United States must deploy the latest and most advanced technologies available to our...


Government

Governor Abbott Celebrates Groundbreaking Of Advanced Manufacturing Training Center In Brownsville

Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated the groundbreaking of Texas A&M University’s South Texas Workforce Development Project advanced manufacturing training facility near the Port of Brownsville and lauded the state’s efforts to bring high-quality training programs to hardworking Texans.“This new state-of-the-art facility here at the Port of Brownsville will train Texans to lead the workforce of tomorrow,” said Governor Abbott. “Students here will be prepared for in-demand jobs and receive hands-on instruction on real-world projects that are often encountered by workers...


Government

Texas Economy Again Expands Faster Than Nation

Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated Texas’ continuing economic expansion as new data recently released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows the Texas economy again growing faster than the nation as a whole. In the fourth quarter of 2023, real gross domestic product (GDP) for Texas grew at an annual rate of 5.0%, well ahead of the U.S. for the sixth quarter in a row."Texas is again outpacing the nation in economic expansion and job growth thanks to the best business climate and the strongest workforce in America," said Governor Abbott."Across every region of this...


Government

Governor Abbott Reappoints Jay Riskind to Texas Public Finance Authority

Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Jay Riskind to the Texas Public Finance Authority for a term set to expire on February 1, 2029. Riskind, hailing from Austin, is the president of The Riskind Group and the managing partner and co-chair of Fractal Holdings.Riskind's involvement extends beyond his professional roles. He serves as the chair of The Riskind Foundation and is a board member of The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University (GW). He also has a history of contributing to various committees and foundations, including his past...


Government

'Texas offers hardworking Texans the freedom to aspire': Abbott praises continuous economic growth

Recently released data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis indicates that the Texas economy is currently the fastest-growing in the U.S. This development, announced on April 2, was met with a positive response from Gov. Greg Abbott, as per a press release issued by the Office of the Texas Governor.


Government

'Texas stands with survivors of sexual assault': Abbott proclaims April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

On April 1, Governor Greg Abbott acknowledged the commencement of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in Texas. The Office of the Texas Governor released a statement affirming the state's commitment to supporting survivors of sexual assault.


Government

Governor Abbott Appoints Three To Texas County And District Retirement System Board Of Trustees

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Ronald “Ronnie” Keister and reappointed Susan Fletcher and Mary Louise Nicholson to the Texas County and District Retirement System Board of Trustees for terms set to expire on December 31, 2029. The Board exists to provide Texas County and district employees with retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.Ronald “Ronnie” Keister, the Lubbock County tax assessor/collector, has been serving in this role since 2009. Keister, a member and former president of the Tax Assessor Collector Association of Texas, is also actively involved in...


Government

Governor Abbott Appoints Wright, Koerner To Texas Veterans Commission

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Charles “Chuck” Wright and reappointed Laura Koerner to the Texas Veterans Commission for terms set to expire on December 31, 2029. The Commission serves as the state-appointed advocate for Texas veterans as they attempt to secure the benefits rightfully earned in exchange for their service in our nation's armed forces.Charles “Chuck” Wright of Frisco is a financial planner and founder of Lone Star Wealth Strategies. According to the announcement, Wright is a board member of United Service Organizations of Dallas/Fort Worth and the One...


Government

Governor Abbott Renews Wildfire Disaster Declaration In March 2024

Governor Abbott has renewed the wildfire disaster declaration in Texas, as confirmed in a proclamation dated March 28, 2024. The Governor reiterated the ongoing threat posed by wildfires in various counties and authorized necessary actions to address the situation.In the proclamation, Governor Abbott stated, "WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on February 27, 2024..." He further emphasized that the Texas Division of Emergency Management has verified the continuation of wildfire conditions in the affected counties.The...


Government

Texas Surges Soldiers, Resources To Boost Border Security In El Paso

Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are intensifying efforts to enhance border security in El Paso. The collaborative work aims to curb illegal activities like drug and human smuggling across the Texas border.Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the DPS reported over 506,500 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 41,200 criminal arrests, with over 36,700 felony charges. In a significant move against the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement seized over 471 million lethal doses of fentanyl during...


Government

Crenshaw, Houlahan Introduce Enhancing Intelligence Collection on Foreign Drug Traffickers Act of 2024

Representatives Chrissy Houlahan and Dan Crenshaw have introduced the Enhancing Intelligence Collection on Foreign Drug Traffickers Act of 2024, aimed at combating drug trafficking networks on an international scale. Congressman Dan Crenshaw emphasized the importance of refocusing intelligence collection on cartels, stating, “Drug traffickers like the Sinaloa cartel and CJNG are a national security threat, and yet we are purposefully tying our own hands in the fight against them and their affiliates.”Rep. Chrissy Houlahan highlighted the significance of expanding Section...


Government

Crenshaw Pushes Back Against EPA’s Overreach with its RMP Rule

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dan Crenshaw has taken a stand against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) latest Risk Management Program Rule, which imposes burdensome reporting requirements on facilities working with hazardous substances.In response to the EPA's rule, Congressman Crenshaw expressed his concerns, stating, "Yet again, EPA is creating a costly “solution” for a problem that doesn’t exist."Supporting Crenshaw's initiative, Ryan Jackson, Vice President of Federal Affairs at the American Chemistry Council, praised the Congressman's efforts,...


Government

Crenshaw and Swalwell Introduce Legislation to Advance Personalized Medicine

U.S. Representatives Dan Crenshaw and Eric Swalwell have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at advancing personalized medicine by addressing drug-gene interactions. The Right Drug Dose Now Act emphasizes the use of evidence-based pharmacogenomic testing to tailor treatments to individual genetic makeup. According to Congressman Crenshaw, the bill will lead to better health outcomes for patients, save on healthcare costs, and improve lives.Congressman Swalwell, co-Chair of the Personalized Medicine Caucus, highlighted the importance of genetic testing in medical...


Government

McCaul, Impeachment Managers, Speaker Johnson Demand Schumer Schedule Public Trial of Mayorkas

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — a House impeachment manager in the trial of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas — joined the other impeachment managers and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling on the Senate to expeditiously schedule an impeachment trial. In the letter, the members also announced the House would transmit the two articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10th, 2024.In the letter, Rep. McCaul, Speaker...


Government

Houston Public Library System Announces Leadership Change

The City of Houston announced a significant leadership change within the Houston Public Library System (HPL) as Cynthia Wilson was appointed as the interim Executive Director. Mayor John Whitmire expressed his gratitude towards Wilson for taking on the role and outlined her responsibilities, stating, "I have asked her to immediately go to work on improving communications, management, employee morale, and operations throughout HPL."Cynthia Wilson, a former educator and executive leader in workplace performance management, brings a wealth of experience to her new position....


Government

Governor Abbott Posthumously Presents Texas Legislative Medal Of Honor To Two Service Members

Governor Greg Abbott posthumously presented the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Sergeant Major Jerry Lynn Bell and U.S. Army Master Sergeant Mike Peña during a ceremony at the Texas Capitol. The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration conferred to a service member of the Texas military forces.“Today, we honor two men who raised their hand and answered the call for our country,” said Governor Abbott. “Each of these men continued a tradition of heroism that extends back to the very dawn of this great nation. These brave service...


Government

Governor Abbott Announces New Eastman Investment In Longview

Governor Greg Abbott revealed today that Eastman will be establishing a new manufacturing facility at its current location in Longview, Texas. The expansion is expected to bring over 200 job opportunities and about $1.2 billion in capital investment. The initiative has been supported by a Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of $2,040,000.In a statement, Governor Abbott expressed his confidence in Texas as a thriving business environment, stating, "Texas is where businesses flourish and people prosper." He credited the state's skilled workforce, favorable business climate,...


Government

Governor Abbott Launches Texas Space Commission

Governor Greg Abbott has officially launched the Texas Space Commission and unveiled the inaugural members of the Texas Space Commission Board of Directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC) Executive Committee. The announcement took place at NASA's Johnson Space Center, where Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of Texas in the space industry.Governor Abbott stated, “Texas is the launchpad for Mars, innovating the technology that will colonize humanity’s first new planet. As we look into the future of space, one thing is clear:...