WASHINGTON, DC– A bipartisan coalition of federal lawmakers representing Texas communities, led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to quickly implement a key provision in the recently enacted 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that advances several international bridge projects in Texas. The letter was also signed by Sen. John Cornyn and Reps. Vicente Gonzalez, Monica de la Cruz, Tony Gonzales, and Joaquin Castro.Sen. Cruz emphasized the importance of...
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has announced that he will be leading an economic development mission to India. The mission, organized by the Governor's Economic Development & Tourism Office and the Texas Economic Development Corporation, aims to promote Texas' strong economy and encourage trade, job creation, and investment by Indian companies in the state. This will be Governor Abbott's second trip to India.In a statement, Governor Abbott highlighted the opportunities that Texas offers for business expansion and investment. He stated, "Texas is America's—and the...
While the worst of the weather from this most recent winter event has passed, the danger of below freezing temperatures continues to affect Austinites. Please continue to protect the four Ps: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants while also checking on your neighbors.
The Excel Center (for Adults) School District had 183 white students enrolled in their schools in the 2021-22 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.
Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the City of Forney in Texas has been designated as a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Film Commission. This designation recognizes the city's completion of the multi-step training and certification process.In a press release, Governor Abbott congratulated the City of Forney on earning the Film Friendly Texas designation and welcomed them to the more than 175 other Texas communities that have received this recognition. He expressed his commitment to working alongside all communities to ensure they have the...
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Critical Incident Review of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. The Governor expressed gratitude for the review and commended the State of Texas for taking swift action to enhance school and community security following the tragic event.In his statement, Governor Abbott said, "Following the horrific tragedy at Robb Elementary School, Texas took swift action to bolster security in our schools and in our communities, and I thank the U.S. Department of Justice for their...
Governor Greg Abbott has renewed the border security disaster declaration in Texas. The proclamation, issued on January 18, 2024, certifies that the surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border poses an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster for a number of Texas counties and state agencies affected by this disaster.The original disaster proclamation was issued on May 31, 2021, and has since been amended multiple times to modify the list of affected counties. In the latest renewal, Governor Abbott declared a disaster for a total of 67 counties,...
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation ordering a special election to be held in Senate District 15 in Texas. The order comes after the Honorable John Whitmire took the oath of office as Mayor of the City of Houston, creating a vacancy in the district. According to the Texas Constitution and the Texas Election Code, a special election must be held to fill the vacancy.The special election in Senate District 15 will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Candidates who wish to be on the ballot must file their applications with the Secretary of State by Monday, March...
With Winter Storm Heather, which brought frigid temperatures to Austin and Central Texas, moving out of our area, the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center is supporting the demobilization of 24/7 shelter operations. The weather forecast is expected to warm above thresholds during the day, and Cold Weather Shelters (CWS) will reopen tonight, Thursday, January 18.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has voiced concerns over three judicial nominees, highlighting their troubling records on religious liberty. During a Senate Judiciary Committee markup, Senator Cornyn contrasted these nominees with others who have received broad bipartisan support. He emphasized the cooperation between himself, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), and other Republican colleagues with the Biden administration on judicial nominees.Senator Cornyn stated, "There are a number of nominees on today's markup who are evidence of the cooperation and collaboration between the White...
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has renewed the drought disaster declaration in several counties in the state. The proclamation, issued on July 8, 2022, has been amended and renewed multiple times since then. The declaration was made in response to exceptional drought conditions that posed a threat of imminent disaster.The Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed that these drought conditions continue to exist in several counties across the state. However, there are a few counties, including Caldwell, Chambers, Childress, Gonzales, and Hardeman, among others,...
Of the 72 students at University of Texas at Austin High School in Austin, 23 (31.9%) weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2020-21 school year, according to Austin News' analysis of test scores from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
U.S. Senators John Cornyn, Mark Warner, Todd Young, Angus King, James Lankford, and John Hickenlooper have introduced the Critical Minerals Security Act. The bill aims to secure U.S. access to critical mineral supply chains and counter Chinese industry dominance.The legislation directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to evaluate the global supply and ownership of critical minerals. It also establishes a process to assist U.S. companies seeking to divest critical minerals operations in foreign countries. Additionally, the bill aims to develop a method for sharing...