Sen. Cornyn leads passage of bill to address concerns arising from Chinese manufactured cargo cranes
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 24, 2023
On July 27, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) lead the passage of the Cranes of Concern at our Ports (CCP) Act alongside Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM). The legislation addresses potential security risks stemming from Chinese-made cargo cranes at U.S. ports, focusing on evaluating surveillance threats, operational disruptions, and potential impacts on national security.
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ERCOT asks consumers to reduce electricity use amid high heat and demand, low generation
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 22, 2023
On Aug. 20, the Energy Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a voluntary conservation notice, requesting that consumers reduce their use of electricity if safely able. The notice came amid a stretch of high temperatures, high demand for electricity, and a drop off in thermal electric generation.
Gov. Greg Abbott: 'We will not allow this crime to persist in Texas'
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 18, 2023
On Aug. 5, Gov. Greg Abbott reiterated his signing of the Deputy Darren Almendarez Act into law, aimed at countering the significant rise in catalytic converter thefts. Named after Deputy Almendarez who tragically lost his life trying to prevent such thefts, this legislation introduces stricter penalties and criminalizes theft and unlawful possession, addressing a surge of over 1,200% in thefts between 2019 and 2021.
Energy policy experts on 88th Regular Legislative Session: 'If you like free markets, it was not so good'
By Andy Nghiem | Jul 5, 2023
As the 88th Regular Legislative Session wraps up, the Lone Star Standard reached out to energy policy experts for their perspective on what the future looks like for the Texas grid and energy reliability in general.
Texas lawmakers give final approval to bill seeking to improve grid reliability
By Andy Nghiem | May 23, 2023
On May 22, the Texas House of Representatives gave final approval to Senate Bill 7 which deals with improving energy grid reliability across the state of Texas.
Texas State Representative: 'Property taxes are unethical, out of control, and should be eliminated'
By Andy Nghiem | May 11, 2023
During a recent session, state lawmakers voted against an amendment that would have provided Texans $20 billion in tax relief; State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) was among those who voted in support of the amendment.
Texas GOP adds budget rider: 'No funds appropriated by this Act may be expended for diversity, equity and inclusion'
By Andy Nghiem | Apr 7, 2023
Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-TX) has added a budget rider namely, "Prohibition on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practices in the Special Provisions Relating Only to State Agencies of Higher Education." The special provision would ban any state funding for DEI offices or practices on public universities and colleges in Texas.
Cryptocurrency policy paper: 'Winning back policymakers, regulators and the community’s trust will require putting risk management, security and transparency front and center'
By Andy Nghiem | Feb 22, 2023
Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange by volume, stated its belief that prioritizing risk management, transparency, disclosures and security is crucial to restoring trust in the industry, which suffered through a turbulent year, in a policy paper titled "Building Trust in the Crypto Ecosystem."
Smith as Texas A&M hit with lawsuit over DEI hiring procedures: 'Discrimination is still illegal'
By Andy Nghiem | Oct 13, 2022
Garry Smith, a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, commented on a recent lawsuit filed against Texas A&M University.
Fort Worth/Irving doctor says it's important for each patient to know that the office staff cares about them
By Andy Nghiem | Oct 5, 2022
Dallas Breathe Free offers an online quiz for potential patients to evaluate their symptoms.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies used to hire faculty and staff at UT Rio Grande Valley: 'We can explore how our pedagogies can challenge inequities'
By Andy Nghiem | Oct 4, 2022
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), under the UT System, has started hiring faculty and staff based upon diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) standards. The UTRGV Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) functions as a “neutral fact finder” that administers the university’s equity policies and services, according to the UTRGV website. This includes guidance and training, adhering to the University Affirmative Action Plan and dealing with complaints.
Diversity, equity and inclusion used to hire faculty and staff at UT El Paso
By Andy Nghiem | Sep 29, 2022
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has instituted diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into the university’s curriculum and hiring practices.
TPPF's Ginn: 'Local property taxes are out of control' in Texas
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 24, 2022
Texas homeowners currently pay the sixth-highest property taxes in the nation.
Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun repatriating bodies of those who died in human smuggling tragedy
By Andy Nghiem | Jul 18, 2022
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defense recently coordinated to repatriate the bodies of 25 Mexicans who died as a result of a human smuggling accident near San Antonio in June.
Texas Comptroller estimates higher state sales tax revenue than projected: 'State sales tax collections surged in June'
By Andy Nghiem | Jul 11, 2022
Just before Independence Day weekend, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced that sales tax revenue for the month of June, totaled $3.68 billion, which is 16.4% more than June of 2021.
Texas Wind and Solar Generate Record 34% of ERCOT Electricity: 'Texas wind and solar now have natural gas in their sights'
By Andy Nghiem | May 5, 2022
Texas has been expanding its wind and solar energy generation for some years, and new data shows that wind and solar together set a new high for the percentage of ERCOT energy generated in a single quarter.
Laredo's economic development director on border security, 'The real impact is going to be in the supply chain.'
By Andy Nghiem | Apr 12, 2022
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has instituted more stringent measures at the southern Texas border in response to the federal government ending Title 42 expulsions from the U.S.
'President Biden cannot continue governing through executive edicts': Ken Paxton sues CDC to lift mask mandates for air travel
By Andy Nghiem | Feb 24, 2022
On Feb. 16, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to end federal mask requirements on airplanes.
Huffines criticizes Abbott for failing to address sex-reassignment 'crisis' in Texas
By Andy Nghiem | Feb 17, 2022
Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines criticizes Gov. Greg Abbott for not addressing sex-reassignment issues.
'Non-citizens have no right to take part in our government': Huffines rebukes Denton City Council's decision to allow non-citizens on city boards
By Andy Nghiem | Feb 14, 2022
Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines recently criticized the Denton City Council's decision to allow non-citizens to hold positions on city boards.
