“Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Asked Us to Secure Texas from Squatters. We did!” Austin, TX – Senator Paul Bettencourt’s (R-Houston) Senate Bill 38 (SB 38), commonly known as the “Squatters Bill”, has officially passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature and heads to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature after passing the Texas Senate in concurrence with House amendments by a vote of 23–8. SB 38, which was sponsored in the House by Rep. Angie […]
May, 2025
Gov. Abbott Signs $16B Housing Fix, HB 21 to End Abusive Housing Finance Tax Deals HB 21 Cracks Down on Housing Finance Corporation Exemptions Draining Local Revenues By Rep. Gates and Senate Sponsor Bettencourt to Restore Integrity to TX Housing Finance System
AUSTIN, TX — In a landmark bipartisan victory for tax fairness and local control, Governor Greg Abbott has officially signed House Bill 21 (HB 21) into law, authored by Rep. Gary Gates (R- Rosenberg) and sponsored in the Senate by Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston). Effective immediately, the new law closes a $5 billion loophole that allowed out-of-jurisdiction developers to exploit housing tax exemptions, stripping local communities of revenue while delivering no real affordability. HB 21 […]
Sen. Cruz in Washington Post: Tax Bill is Republicans’ Chance to Shape the Next Generation of Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Washington Post published an op-ed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) describing transformative measures he is prioritizing in this year’s reconciliation bill, including his Invest America Act and Universal School Choice Act. Read excerpts of the op-ed below or the full op-ed here. Last month, Republican senators gathered in the Library of Congress to have an extended discussion and strategy session about the budget reconciliation process that is dominating conversations in Washington. I asked […]
DPS Encourages Texans to Prepare Ahead of 2025 Hurricane Season
AUSTIN – In support of hurricane preparedness efforts across the state, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds Texans to make an emergency plan now as the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season—which runs June 1 through November 30—nears. Below are some safety reminders to help you and your loved ones be better prepared. HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS SAFETY TIPS: Assemble an emergency kit that includes items such as water, non-perishable food, medications, first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, […]
“ALL ABOARD!” FOR RAILFEST 2025 IN ROSENGERG ON JUNE 22
Relive the Golden Days of rail travel through Texas as the Rosenberg Railroad Museum presents its RAILFEST on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in historic downtown Rosenberg, Texas. From full sized rolling stock to multiple detailed model railroad layouts and more, this annual event will present railroading history in multiple ways. Guests will step back in time as they tour the restored 1879 “Quebec”, an executive railcar designed for a business mogul and their entourage. The […]
Reps. Troy E. Nehls and Jimmy Panetta Introduce the LOOTER Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) introduced the Law On Offender Transgressions during Emergencies and Recovery Act (LOOTER ACT), which would establish federal crime penalties for theft committed during declared natural disasters. Specifically, the LOOTER Act would amend Title 18 of the U.S. Code to create clear federal penalties for larceny offenses committed in areas under a federal disaster declaration. Under Rep. Nehls’ and Rep. Panetta’s bill, petit larceny during a disaster would be punishable by up […]
Lone Star Symphonic Band Celebrates Independence Day with Hearts of Gratitude
May 29th, 2025. Katy, Texas. The Lone Star Symphonic Band concludes its 32nd Concert Season with a concert this June. All performances this season will take place at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, located at 22111 Morton Road, Katy, Texas 77449. The concert performance will begin at 4:00 pm. Tickets to individual concerts are available at the cost of $11 each. The year’s Concert Season will conclude on June 29th, 2025, with the Band’s annual […]
Rio Grande Valley Fugitive on Texas’ Most Wanted List Captured in Hidalgo Co.
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the capture of another fugitive from Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List—this time in Hidalgo Co. Eliud Perez Reyes, a violent offender wanted in multiple counties, was arrested on Monday, May 26. A Crime Stoppers reward will not be paid for his arrest. Eliud Perez Reyes, 45, was taken into custody following a traffic stop near US-83 BUS and Bentsen Palm Drive in Palmview. Working […]
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar Reminds Families to Save for Higher Education on 529 College Savings Day
(AUSTIN) — Tomorrow is 529 College Savings Day, and Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is encouraging families to save for their children’s higher education expenses using the state’s 529 college plans. “529 Day is a good reminder that now is the perfect time to start saving for college with a 529 plan or even contributing to an existing account,” Hegar said. “Families will find that when it comes to planning for their children’s future education, starting early is key […]
Texas Game Wardens, Grapevine Police Department Make Arrests for Fatal Hit and Run Over Memorial Day Weekend
GRAPEVINE — On May 27, Texas Game Wardens, Grapevine Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations arrested two individuals believed to be involved in the fatal hit and run boat collision on the evening of May 25 at Grapevine Lake. A personal watercraft (PWC), which had two females on board, was being driven at a high speed near the shoreline of Oak Grove Park when it collided with a kayak occupied by 18-year-old Ava Moore. The […]