News from December 2023
Paul Bettencourt: 'The Senate voted unanimously for SB 2'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 31, 2023
Texas State Senate Member, Paul Bettencourt, has announced a record $18.1 billion cut in property taxes. He revealed via Twitter that his office has been inundated with calls of gratitude from the public.
Mike Sommers: 'This is an important step toward a lower-carbon, more energy-secure future'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 31, 2023
Mike Sommers, President of the American Petroleum Institute (API), has expressed his appreciation towards the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for granting Louisiana an opportunity to advance in its carbon capture projects. The API is eager to make further progress towards a more sustainable, lower-carbon future.
Sherry Sylvester: 'Still I am optimistic about 2024'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 31, 2023
Sherry Sylvester, Senior Advisor to the Texas Lt Governor and a representative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, recently shared her vision for 2024. "It is not the best of times," she admits. However, despite acknowledging the current division within the country, she maintains an optimistic outlook. "Our country is so hopelessly and hatefully divided that we can’t even agree on enough facts to have a decent argument," she says, adding, "Still, I am optimistic about 2024."
Refrigerator standards set to cut energy waste
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 29, 2023
The Biden administration has announced new energy-saving standards for home refrigerators and freezers, set to take effect in the coming years. These standards, which will ensure that new appliances sold nationwide consume significantly less energy while maintaining current features and sizes, are expected to have a substantial impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions and promoting energy efficiency.According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the updated standards will result in a reduction of nearly 101 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the course...
Texas Parks & Wildlife announces the First Day Hike program
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 28, 2023
The Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) has announced the First Day Hike program, a series of activities designed for Texans who wish to visit a state park on the first day of 2024. The program includes ranger-guided walks, bicycle rides, paddling, polar plunges, and unguided walks in Texas parks to encourage people to embrace outdoor activities in the new year.
Railroad Commission conducts major inspections of critical infrastructure to prepare for this winter
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 27, 2023
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) has initiated a series of inspections at major natural gas facilities across the state, beginning in early December. This initiative is part of the RRC's strategy to prepare the state's natural gas supply for the ongoing winter season.
Texas State Board Of Education creates new process for evaluating classroom instructional materials
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 27, 2023
The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) has initiated the development of a new set of criteria for selecting classroom instructional materials for schools across the state. The proposed standards will govern the evaluation of materials to be utilized in classrooms and stored in school libraries.
Robert Henneke; 'The federal government cannot destroy Texas property'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 24, 2023
Robert Henneke, Executive Director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), an organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining conservative policies, has expressed his skepticism towards President Biden's intention to dismantle border barriers. Henneke criticized this move as 'malfeasance in addressing the border crisis.'
LaTonya Goffney; 'We don't have to be alone. There's power in networks'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 24, 2023
Educate Texas, an organization committed to enhancing the public school system, has announced its 2023 Impact Network Report. This significant milestone is attributed to the collective efforts of multiple directors and stakeholders in Texas education.
Every Texan reports: 'local systems struggle to pick up the slack to provide for uninsured Texas'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 24, 2023
Every Texan, an organization that prioritizes politics, welfare, and safety for Texas, has stated that the state leads in the number of uninsured residents. This issue is attributed to state leadership and has become a significant dispute.
Don Huffins: 'Our state needs parental choice'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 24, 2023
Don Huffines, a former member of the Texas Senate and current president of the Huffines Liberty Foundation, has offered his perspective on recent school bills. In his own words, "The final bill does not come at the cost of empowering enemies of our education system." He further emphasized the importance of parental choice in the state's education system.
State Sen. Nathan Johnson: Recent senate bill on human smuggling penalties ‘has been on the books since 1999’
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 22, 2023
State Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) said a recent senate bill did not create a new law, contrary to popular belief. Johnson discussed some of the different senate bills from the last several sessions that had caused confusion for constituents, and stressed the importance of passing effective bills.
Rep. Burgess: The federal government is ‘spending too much money’ in healthcare
By Chloe Vander Laan | Dec 22, 2023
Congressman Michael Burgess (R-Texas) said one of the areas he is trying to help cut down on federal spending is in the healthcare space. Burgess was invited to be a guest on the Wayne’s World Podcast to speak about his work as a congressman and doctor.
State Sen. Nathan Johnson: Nobody in the Capitol ‘would ever call me timid’
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 21, 2023
State Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) said he's not worried about having an opponent to run against because it will show constituents what he is capable of as a legislator. Johnson was recently challenged in the upcoming election by fellow state Democrat Victoria Neave Criado who currently serves as a state Representative in the Texas House.
Texas business groups announce the creation of a childcare task force
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 21, 2023
A coalition of Texas business groups has announced the formation of an Employers Childcare Task Force, which will devise a strategic childcare policy agenda for the 2025 legislative session. The coalition is spearheaded by the Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Association of Business, Early Matters Texas, and Texas 2036.
Texas Oil & Gas Association announces PUC's proposed electricity reliability plan for the Permian Basin
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 21, 2023
The Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) has announced that the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) has adopted a proposed electricity reliability plan for the Permian Basin. This announcement was made during a workshop held in Midland, which was led by the PUC and included participants from TXOGA, the Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA), and the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.
Texas Public Policy Foundation's Derek Cohen appointed to the Commission on Judicial Conduct
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 21, 2023
The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has announced the appointment of Derek Cohen by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct. Cohen will join 12 other members on the commission, with his term set to expire in November 2029.
Abbott signs border legislation into law: ‘These laws will help stop the tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas’
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 20, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) has signed a package of border security legislation into law. The Governor's administration asserts that these three laws will bolster the state's border security, curb human trafficking, impede illegal border crossings and ensure the safety of Texans.
Rep. Burgess: ‘The unprecedented prosperity that arose in the first four years of the Trump administration’ can be linked to energy production
By Chloe Vander Laan | Dec 20, 2023
Congressman Michael Burgess (R-Texas) said the efforts of the energy subcommittee and their efforts to allow crude oil exports were critical in the improvement of the American economy during the Trump administration. Burgess was invited to be a guest on the Wayne’s World Podcast to speak about his work as a congressman and doctor.
ACLU of Texas challenges Senate Bill 4 in court
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 20, 2023
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas has announced that it is filing a lawsuit to challenge Senate Bill 4 (SB-4), following its signing into law by Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican from Texas. SB-4 permits local and state law enforcement officials in Texas to detain anyone they suspect of illegally entering the state.
