Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D. introduced the next series installment highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. In this episode, we hear the story of Texas Veteran Victor Egger. For about 18 years, he volunteered at a Naval Air Station and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, showing his love for helping service members.

“This continued momentum is a testament to the strength of our young, skilled, diverse and growing workforce, our welcoming business climate, and the strategic investments that we continue to make as a state," said Gov. Greg Abbott, celebrating Texas again leading the nation in annual job creation following the release of March's employment numbers. With 270,700 jobs added from March 2023 to March 2024, Texas has added over 2.3 million jobs during Abbott’s time in office.

"I strongly supported the End the Border Catastrophe Act because it would have closed asylum loopholes, reinforced Border Security Infrastructure, and delivered more resources to enforce against illegal immigration. As usual though, partisan politics got in the way, keeping many of my colleagues from voting yes to put America first and secure our border," said Cong. Gonzales after voting in favor of the End Border Catastrophe Act and foreign aid legislation to support America’s allies.

These bills included the End the Border Catastrophe Act of 2024 (H.R. 3602), 21st Century Peace through Strength Act of 2024 (H.R. 8038), Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 8036), Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 8034), and Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 8035).

Since the COVID-low point in September of 2020, months of increase in upstream oil and gas employment in Texas have outnumbered months of decrease by 33 to 9. In that time, industry has added 39,500 Texas upstream jobs, an average growth of 940 jobs a month. These jobs pay among the highest wages in Texas, with employers in oil and natural gas paying an average salary of over $124,000 in 2023.

"9.5 million illegal immigrants have been encountered at our borders, and over 2 million illegal immigrants are currently living in Texas. In South and West Texas, we know the dangers of the border crisis all too well. Republicans are focused on passing the End the Border Catastrophe Act this week. Every Member of Congress has the opportunity to submit amendments to this legislation."

The Texas labor market maintained its momentum in March to reach a 36th consecutive month of positive annual growth and once again set new record-high levels for jobs, Texans employed, and the civilian labor force. Texas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm job count increased to 14,115,700 after 19,100 jobs were added over the month in March, reflecting growth in 45 of the last 47 months. Texas also led the nation with the largest absolute over-the-year increase in total nonfarm employment, which grew by 270,700 jobs from March 2023 to March 2024.

“Just over two years ago here at the Governor's Mansion, I was proud to celebrate Samsung’s new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor, Texas. Now we're building on that initial investment to make Texas the premier semiconductor hub in America. The future is full of microchips, and we’re proud that some of the world’s most advanced chips will be Made in Texas,” said Gov. Abbott, celebrating the company's massive new expansion of the cutting-edge facilities in Central Texas.

"Last year I helped secure funding for the VA to begin the Planning & Design Process for a new facility in San Antonio. Secretary McDonough also visited Audie Murphy VA Medical Center with me in June, and it was important to get him in front of our community and see firsthand our needs,” said Cong. Gonzales, after asking VA Secretary Denis McDonough for an update on the agency’s plan to construct a new VA hospital in San Antonio during a House Appropriations Committee hearing.

"I appreciate that TCEQ has a difficult job. You have a formula, and you follow it. However, as Lt. Governor, I must look at the bigger picture of what's best for our communities. The survival and strength of our Rural Communities is vital to the future of our state. And, I believe in free markets in Texas – however, in certain situations, when dealing with businesses that can potentially hurt our communities, we also have to weigh what's in the public’s best interest," says Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Long committed to the importance of property rights, Texas argued to the U.S. Supreme Court that the landowners should be permitted to seek relief so long as they do so under Texas law. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously agreed with Texas. The Court also specifically rejected the plaintiffs’ mistaken interpretation of existing caselaw that they claimed would allow them to sue directly under federal law.

"We urge you to reconsider – and immediately disavow – the policies included in a Final Informational Bulletin and a 'Proposed Rule' issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would devastate the Medicaid Safety Net for Elderly & Disabled Adults, pregnant women, and millions of children in our states and across the country,” said Gov. Greg Abbott, joining governors from seven other states to urge President Biden to reverse his concerning policies to strip millions of Americans from access to crucial healthcare.

Sen. Ted Cruz, the Ranking Member on the Senate 's Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, commended Samsung for securing funding to expand their semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Taylor & Austin, Texas – which is expected to create over 20,000 jobs. As part of his efforts to onshore the semiconductor industry, Cruz has been spearheading a bipartisan effort to streamline Federal Environmental Reviews for plant's construction across Texas, and the nation.

As Texas enters what is typically a severe weather season time of the year, Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding Texans they can purchase certain items "Tax Free" during the state’s upcoming Sales Tax Holiday for emergency preparation supplies – which runs from Saturday, April 27th through Monday, April 29th. The Comptroller’s office estimates shoppers will save some $2.1 million in State & Local Sales Taxes, and here's a list of items that are & aren't on the list.

Governor Greg Abbott today issued a "Disaster Declaration" for the following seven East Texas Counties impacted by Severe Storms & Flooding that began last week – and continues to affect homes, businesses, and the agriculture industry throughout the region. To assist with the damage assessment process, Texans are urged to self-report damage to homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT,) which can be accessed at damage.tdem.texas.gov.

“Iran has encircled Israel, has been attacking our Israeli allies from almost every front for months, and now has escalated launching attacks directly from Iran. These attacks are enabled & financed by deliberate policy choices made by Joe Biden and his officials, who've allowed roughly $100 billion to flow to Iran since 2021," said Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, after Iran attacked Israel over the weekend by launching munitions from within Iranian territory.

Simply put, the administration was unprepared for the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and it cost the lives of 13 U.S. service members and injured countless others, while demonstrating American weakness on the world stage. I’m proud that my investigation has yielded hard evidence that will hold the Biden administration accountable to make sure that this never happens again.

Tren De Aragua – a gang originating in the Venezuelan Prison System – has caused widespread chaos throughout Central & South America, is growing its influence across the United States, and Joe Biden's crisis at our nation's own Southern Border has led to encounters with migrants with ties directly to Tren De Aragua. Cong. Gonzales questioned FBI Director Wray on the agency’s plan to combat the violent gang – and about a significant increase in oil theft in West Texas.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s speech to a joint session of Congress yesterday. PM Kishida highlighted the strategic significance of the U.S.-Japan alliance. This year marks the 60th anniversary of a defense training partnership between the two countries that brings Japanese Self-Defense Forces to Fort Bliss, Texas, to train on missile defense systems.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, sent a letter to TRS Board Chairman Jarvis Hollingsworth urging the TRS Board to lower insurance premiums for Medicare-eligible participants in TRS-Care Medicare Advantage and implement a one-time re-enrollment opportunity due to those premium decreases for retired educators who may have left the program.