That’s a Wrap!
I am proud of the work done by the Texas Senate during the past four legislative sessions. We have continued to move boldly to protect life, support the Second Amendment, invest more money in border security than any lieutenant governor in history, continue to increase teacher pay, provide a 13th check for retired teachers for the second time, protect the rights of students and parents in education, ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory, and expand access to healthcare.
As the Biden, Pelosi, Schumer axis sets its sights on Texas, I renew my commitment to the people of Texas to fight to the end. I look forward to the 2022 elections, traveling the state, and sharing everything great about Texas with my fellow citizens.
2021 was truly one for the record books. Here are some of the key moments and highlights from this year.
2021
Both the Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chair and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) CEO said they were prepared the day before the storm hit in full force, but obviously, they were not. They hoped for the best instead of planning for the worst.
Texas voters simply do not want the local officials they have elected to represent them, spending their tax dollars on hired-gun lobbyists who often have no connection to their community and may be working against their interests.
Despite the unprecedented time challenges of the session including the pandemic and the winter storm, 25 conservative legislative priorities have already passed the Texas Senate by this time!
Traveled to San Antonio to unveil the new Plaza exhibit, which replicates a significant moment for the 1836 Alamo fort — featuring the cannon station where an “18-pounder” was fired at the start of the 13-day siege. A big day for Texas and America!
The Heartbeat Bill is signed into law, making it illegal for an abortion to be performed after a child’s heartbeat is detected in the womb. This bill will save thousands of lives… a historic day in Texas!
After Democrats abandoned their duties and walked out of the Texas House, I asked Gov. Abbott to call a June Special Session to pass SB 29 to save girls sports, SB 10 to end taxpayer funded lobbying, SB 12 to stop social media censorship, and other key legislation. The Texas House killed these conservative bills that a majority of Texans in both parties support.
Democrats are bragging again that they are going to turn Texas blue and I am not about to let that happen.
Joined Gov. Abbott for the signing of HB 1927 – Constitutional Carry, and other Second Amendment bills!
In an attempt to stop SB 1 – the Election Integrity Bill, House Democrats fly off to D.C., breaking House quorum.
I set the record straight on SB 1, the Election Integrity Bill, with the author, Sen. Bryan Hughes, during a press conference at the Texas Capitol.
Gov. Abbott promptly calls the legislature back for a second special session, and the Texas Senate gets to work immediately.
At the top of the list: 13th Check for Retired Teachers, Bail Reform, Property Tax Relief, The Christine Blubaugh Act, Fair Sports for Women and Girls, Banning Critical Race Theory in our Schools, Banning the Sale of Abortion-Inducing Drugs, Stopping Social Media Censorship, Business Freedom and Uniformity Act, Election Integrity.
Joined Gov. Abbott to sign $1.8 billion of additional border security funding into law.
President Biden has allowed our southern border to collapse into total disarray. I went to the Del Rio bridge for a firsthand look at this illegal immigration disaster, which continues to spiral out of control.
Women have fought for equality in sports for decades, and they have achieved enormous success along the way. In Texas, we refuse to deny any woman or girl the right to compete on a level playing field and to be the best in her sport.
I joined Governor Abbott as he signed the Damon Allen Act, SB 6, into law at the Capitol. This bill prohibits violent or repeat offenders from being released on personal bond and mandates judges to consider the offender's criminal history before setting bail.
SB 1, passed by the Senate 30-1, guarantees $2 billion in property tax relief, and that amount could rise to a total of $4 billion for the current biennium if our surplus revenues grow.
I, along with Senator Donna Campbell, was honored to receive the Trailblazer Award from the American Football Coaches Association and National Football League at the Green Bay Packers game for our work protecting missing children by providing parents no-ink fingerprint kits to every student K through 7th in Texas. This can be the difference between safe, speedy return and tragedy. Missing children are a national crisis, and we must use all available resources to keep our little ones safe.
I was in Cypress casting my ballot on Texas’ Constitutional Amendments!
I wrote an editorial that ran on Thanksgiving Day in the Dallas Morning News about our incredible police officers. This is an issue that weighs heavy on my heart.
