Cruz-Cornyn provision expediting $4.3 billion in disaster recovery funding for Hurricane Harvey included in disaster relief package HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today issued the following statement applauding the Senate for passing Cruz-Cornyn legislation included in the supplemental disaster funding bill to require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to publish the federal rules allocating $4.3 billion in Community Development Block Grants – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for Hurricane Harvey […]
Texas News
Correction: Items Eligible for Energy Star® Sales Tax HolidayThis Weekend
(AUSTIN) — There was incorrect information in a May 23 advisory regarding items eligible for sales tax exemption during the ENERGY STAR® sales tax holiday this weekend: ENERGY STAR-labeled LED lightbulbs are not exempt from sales tax. Only ENERGY STAR-labeled incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs are exempt from sales tax. Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs without an ENERGY STAR label are not exempt from sales tax.
Get Ready for Free Fishing Day in Texas June 1
AUSTIN – Texas offers a Free Fishing Day on the first Saturday in June every year to help kick off National Fishing and Boating Week. On this day anglers can fish on any public waterbody in the state without a fishing license. To help celebrate Free Fishing Day, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and other organizations are hosting many free events around the state on Saturday, June 1, 2019, to provide fun, high quality […]
Sen. Cruz Joins Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Military ‘Widow’s Tax’
HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today cosponsored the Military Widow’s Tax Elimination Act of 2019 (S. 622), to ensure that military spouses receive full Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) survivor benefits. “Our servicemen and women, and their families represent the finest qualities of the United States and we have the important responsibility of taking care of their families and spouses,” Sen. Cruz said. “I’m proud to join this effort to […]
Sens. Cruz, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Rename Odessa VA Clinic After Texas Medal of Honor Recipients
HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) this week introduced a bill to rename the Odessa VA Clinic after two Texas Medal of Honor recipients: United States Marine Corps Private First Class Alfred “Mac” Wilson and United States Army Staff Sergeant Marvin R. Young. Rep. Michael Conaway (R-Texas) is leading this effort in the U.S. House of Representatives and filed companion legislation to rename the Odessa VA Clinic last month. “I […]
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Cruz-Durbin Resolution Calling for Peaceful Transition in Sudan
Bipartisan resolution advances to Senate floor WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the committee passed S. Res. 188, which encourages a swift and peaceful transfer of power in Sudan and calls on the United States government to halt efforts to weaken pressure on Sudan until such a transfer occurs. “The committee’s passage of this resolution sends a message of solidarity to the people of Sudan who […]
School Finance, Property Tax Relief Deal Reached
(Austin) State leadership, joined by key lawmakers, announced Thursday they had come to a deal on top priorities laid out in January: lowering property taxes and reforming public school finance. “I said ‘We will do what no one thought possible. We will finally fix school finance in Texas’,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I’m proud to tell you, today, we are announcing that we’ve done exactly that”. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick told reporters that this is […]
Senate Republicans Permanently Ban Earmarks
‘I was proud to lead the effort with Sen. Sasse to restore the earmark ban, and am gratified that my colleagues supported our effort today’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, today issued a statement following the adoption of a permanent earmark ban by the Senate Republican Conference: “Today, Republicans have taken an important step in restoring fiscal sanity by adopting a permanent earmark […]
DPS Ramps Up Enforcement For Memorial Day Weekend
AUSTIN – This Memorial Day weekend, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is joining law enforcement efforts across the state to help keep Texas roadways safe and encourage motorists to practice safe driving habits. From Friday, May 24, through Monday, May 27, DPS Troopers will be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers, as well as drivers violating speed limit, seat belt and other traffic laws. “Memorial Day pays tribute to those who have made […]
AG Paxton to Congress: States Need Clear-Cut Authority to Enforce Their Criminal Laws Against Illegal Activity Online
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with a bipartisan group of 46 fellow attorneys general, urged congressional leaders in Washington to amend the Communications Decency Act of 1996 to make certain that state and local authorities have the authority to investigate and prosecute criminal activity online. Congress did amend the Communications Decency Act last year, passing the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act and the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act […]