Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar today said state sales tax revenue totaled $3.69 billion in February, .05 percent more than in February 2023. The majority of February sales tax revenue is based on sales made in January and remitted to the agency in February. Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in February 2024 was up 0.4 percent compared with the same period a year ago.
"As chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I have repeatedly requested to see the documents used in this After-Action Review on Afghanistan Withdrawal Investigation, or the 'AAR files' — specifically the interview notes of key State Department officials. These first-hand accounts are critical to my committee’s investigation, and would provide direct insight into what went wrong, who bears responsibility, and how to prevent anything like this from happening ever again," said McCaul.
"Even in the midst of these devastating fires, we've seen tremendous perseverance and resiliency in these communities. Together, we will do everything we can to deliver the resources and assistance they need to respond and stay safe," said Gov. Greg Abbott at a briefing with State & Local Officials earlier today, where he provided an update on the state’s ongoing response to the historic wildfires. Gov. Abbott also traveled to the City of Borger, Texas to offer full support for the impacted communities.
The truth is that today’s conservatives do want change, and change is coming to our party. The new Republican Party is, as that desiccated old pervert masquerading as our president likes to say, not your father’s Republican Party. Thank goodness, because my father’s Republican Party was too often a bunch of sissy corporate lackeys who never met a war they didn’t want somebody else’s kids to fight.
“The United States is dealing with more deadly consequences than we have in our entire lifetime because of President Joe Biden’s open border policies. It did not have to be this way,” said Gov. Greg Abbott, hosting former President Donald Trump for a Border Security Tour & Briefing in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Thurs., Feb. 29th, 2024. "Unless and until President Biden steps up and does the job he already has the power to do, Texas will continue to secure the border to protect and defend America from his disastrous border crisis," Abbott said.
"It's time to pass meaningful reform, and we know this bill has the support of the House. However, Senate Democrats see illegal aliens as future Democrat voters, so they don’t want to secure the border and put the needs of American citizens first," said Sen. Ted Cruz of the "Secure the Border Act" that would provide physical & technological border improvements, manpower assistance to Border Patrol & ICE Removal Operations, and protection to families seeking entry at the border as well as unaccompanied alien children.
"These fires not only threaten lives and property, but will also have a substantial impact on our state's critical agriculture industry,” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller earlier today, announcing his commitment to provide unwavering support to agricultural producers as they deal with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire, one of five active fires scorching the region, has contributed to what is now the state's largest in history.
“I commend and offer my deepest thanks to the staff of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery for all they do to support, honor, and love our veterans and their families. I'm so proud they're receiving the national recognition they deserve,” said the Chair of the Texas Veterans Land Board, Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, as the Veterans Cemetery in Killeen was honored with the prestigious "Operational Excellence Award" by the National Cemetery Administration of the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department.
The crime epidemic sweeping the U.S. is one no society can long endure – quasi-legalized shoplifting or smash-and-grab carjackers who are quickly released without bail. Such an implosion will never reach our own neighborhoods or safe places of work – we tell ourselves. But we also know that restoring deterrence by arresting, convicting, and jailing repeat felons will return safety to our streets. Yet we fear that advocating "law & order" will earn slanders like "racist" or "reactionary."
“This gargantuan methamphetamine seizure – the largest ever taken down by U.S. Customs & Border Protection Officers at a port of entry – uniquely illustrates the serious threats our officers and nation face daily, as well as their effectiveness in utilizing our technological enforcement tools to zero-in on these threats,” said Donald Kusser, Director of Field Operations for the Laredo Field Office, after U.S. Customs & Border Protection seized a record 6 and 1/2 tons of meth in a single stop.
The "Terminating Unlawful Negligence & Nullifying Exemptions and Licenses to Sanctions" Act of 2024 (the TUNNELS Act) filed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz today seeks to rescind the licenses used by the Biden White House to channel U.S. Aid to Gaza through international & non-governmental organizations, and prevents the licenses from being reissued. “The Biden Administration exempted, and continues to exempt itself from American laws that prohibit support of terrorism by funneling money elsewhere," said Cruz.
"By extending postpartum Medicaid & CHIP coverage, we'll help ensure that new mothers and the most vulnerable young Texans receive critical healthcare for their families and thrive," said Gov. Greg Abbott today, announcing that effective March 1st, Texas is extending its postpartum coverage from 2 to 12 months for eligible Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients through the Texas Health & Human Services Commission. Anyone enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP who is pregnant or becomes pregnant is eligible.
An effort to dramatically expand school choice options in Alabama – which would allow public education dollars to follow children into private school, homeschooling, and help pay other educational costs – was passed by the state House of Representatives on a margin of 69-34. Pitifully, ALL 28 Democrats voted "no," even though low-income and minorities are by far the biggest beneficiaries of school choice. The bill PRIORITIZES low-income families and kids with disabilities.
Joe Biden has blood on his hands. It’s the blood of Laken Hope Riley – and so many more. It’s the blood of every American murdered by an illegal alien – 2-year-old Jeremy Poou Caceres, the 14-year-old girl raped & stabbed in Louisiana. There's so many more I can’t fit them in here. The blood on the hands of the President – and every Democrat supporting his border disaster – cannot be wiped off or ever removed. The indifference to the suffering of Americans in the pursuit of their political agenda is who they are.
As written in a Newsweek Opinion piece earlier this morning, the best thought coming out of yesterday's Michigan Primary may be – "Joe Biden Should Endorse Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Step Aside." Yes, Joe Biden won the Democrat Primary comfortably, but he lost 13.3% of the Michigan vote to that hard-charging candidate known as “uncommitted.” It's sent a strong signal to both Mr. Biden and his National Democrat friends down-ballot – he has a big, big problem. And, it's likely not just with Michigan.
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a disaster declaration for 60 Texas counties in response to widespread wildfire activity throughout the state. Additional counties may be added if conditions warrant. Governor Abbott also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional state emergency response resources to support local firefighters responding to multiple wildfires burning Texas.
Senator Ted Cruz participated in a town hall in Laredo, Texas, on Sunday, February 25th. The conversation was moderated by United States Hispanic Business Council President & CEO Javier Palomarez. Sen. Cruz was joined by Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina (D) and Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino (D) as panelists, and they answered questions on the economy, energy, international trade, immigration policies, infrastructure, human trafficking, and drug smuggling, among others.
Former New York City Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly cautioned on Sunday that New York City's quality of life "has really deteriorated." And, Illegal Immigrant crime is a major reason. Venezuela's notorious Tren de Aragua gang and El Salvador's feared MS-13 – which former F.B.I. Assistant Director Chris Swecker calls "prison-spawned gangs" – are threatening to take over America's cities. They're the "most dangerous gangs on the planet," he warns. But Joe Biden and th Democrats still deny its a problem.
