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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:...


Government

Guadalupe, Jim Wells, Karnes, Live Oak, and Wilson Counties Receive Federal Disaster Area Designations, De La Cruz Announces

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz received notification that several counties in Texas have been declared federal natural disaster areas due to the recent drought. Guadalupe, Karnes, Live Oak, and Wilson Counties were designated as primary disaster areas, while Jim Wells County was labeled as a contiguous disaster area. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack officially declared the disaster on Tuesday, March 25th, 2024. In total, 91 counties in Texas were encompassed in the disaster declaration.The disaster declaration resulting from the drought opens up opportunities for...


Government

City Hall Update for March 18-22, 2024

Mayor Whitmire welcomed President Joe Biden to Houston, stating, "It was an honor to welcome President Biden to Houston, a city full of great people and endless opportunities. My administration is committed to ongoing collaboration with the federal government to ensure Houston's prosperity thrives."Regarding the historic $650 million agreement reached between the City of Houston and the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, Mayor Whitmire emphasized, "A world-class city like Houston deserves a well-funded fire department to attract and retain talented...


Government

Mayor Whitmire Appoints Veteran Leader as New Economic Development Officer

Mayor John Whitmire has appointed Gwendolyn Tillotson-Bell as the City of Houston's Chief Economic Development Officer. Tillotson-Bell, who has been working as the Deputy Director of the Mayor's Office of Economic Development for the past 17 years, will take over from Andy Icken, who recently retired. In her new role, Tillotson-Bell will be responsible for overseeing the administration and relationship management of various economic development initiatives in Houston, including Tax Increment Investment Zones (TIRZs), Industrial Development Agreements, Management...


Government

Houston Man Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison for Murder Outside Gulf Freeway Club

A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to 55 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the murder of 29-year-old Erik Villeda in the parking lot of a club in south Houston in 2022. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg expressed gratitude towards the jury for recognizing the severity of the crime. Ogg stated, “We are thankful to the jury who recognized that this defendant went to extraordinary lengths to find and then gun down an unarmed man in broad daylight. Justice mandates that this killer spend decades behind bars for taking the life of a young father and husband who...


Government

Texas Leads Nation With Jobs Surge In February

Governor Greg Abbott expressed his pride as he celebrated Texas as the nation's leading state in job creation. Following the release of February employment numbers, which showed a surge in job opportunities, Abbott highlighted Texas's remarkable performance in the job market."Texas continues to dominate the nation in job creation because we've built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish and hardworking Texans to succeed," Governor Abbott stated proudly.According to the February employment data released by the Texas Workforce Commission and the U.S. Bureau...


Government

Governor Abbott Named 2024 Texan Of The Year

Governor Greg Abbott was named the 2024 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference for his significant contributions to the state's economy. At an award reception in New Braunfels, Governor Abbott expressed his gratitude, stating, "Not only is Texas the headquarters of headquarters, but our small businesses also employ nearly half of all working Texans."Acknowledging the pivotal role of Texans in driving the state's success, Governor Abbott emphasized, "Whether you own a business, are an educator, or working in healthcare, Texans are the reason our state and...


Government

Governor Abbott Appoints Robert Uhl to Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Program Advisory Board

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Robert Uhl to the Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Program Advisory Board for a term set to expire on June 19, 2025. Uhl, a managing associate at Sidley Austin LLP from Farmers Branch, will be contributing his expertise to the Board's mission of providing assistance in awarding grant funds for the development of new career and technical education programs.Robert Uhl's professional background as an attorney and his involvement in various legal associations make him a valuable addition to the Board. He is a member of the State Bar of...


Government

Governor Abbott Directs State Emergency Response Resources Ahead Of Critical Wildfire Threats

Governor Greg Abbott has taken proactive measures in response to anticipated critical wildfire conditions in the Panhandle and West Texas. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has been directed to activate state emergency response resources to address the impending threat."As wildfire threats are expected across West Texas and the Panhandle this weekend, Texas is ready to swiftly respond with emergency resources and personnel to assist local officials to keep their communities safe,” stated Governor Abbott. He also expressed gratitude towards the firefighters...


Government

Documented Gang Member Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for 2020 Murder

A member of the 52 Hoover Crips gang, Robert E. Chenier, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of 37-year-old Shaun Lewis in 2020. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg expressed her thoughts on the case, stating, “When a gang member shoots up a house, brutally murders a man and is so confident he will get away with murder that he brags about it, we see exactly how pervasive gun violence is in our community. We mourn for the victim’s family and thank the jury for ending this gang member’s reign of terror.”Chenier and Lewis were acquainted with each...