News from January 2024
Texas Oil and Gas Association 2023 report finds record $26.3 billion in local and state taxes generated by the Texas oil and gas industry
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 31, 2024
The Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) recently released an economic impact report, revealing that the Texas oil and natural gas industry contributed $26.3 billion in state and local taxes and royalties in 2023, setting a new record for the state. The report was announced by Todd Staples, president of TXOGA, and it provided an update on the global leadership of the Texas oil and gas industry, its progress towards environmental goals, as well as TXOGA's policy priorities for the future.
Respiratory virus dashboard launches in Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2024
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has launched a respiratory virus dashboard and reporting system, designed to provide Texans with a real-time view of the presence of any respiratory viruses in the state.
Texas state Rep. Ellen Troxclair: 'I stand with Governor Abbott as he fights to protect the unprecedented flood of illegal immigrants pouring across our Southern Border.'
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 29, 2024
Texas State Representative Ellen Troxclair has voiced her support for Governor Greg Abbott's efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico border. This statement comes amidst escalating tensions between Abbott and President Joe Biden over Operation Lone Star.
OPINION: Texas Supreme Court to Determine Legality of $26 Billion Energy Tax
By Bill Peacock | Jan 26, 2024
Next week, the Texas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments to determine the legality of a 2021 Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) rule that arbitrarily raised the price of electricity to $9,000 per megawatt hour during Winter Storm Uri—about four times the market price at the time.
Texas Leadership Scholars Program offering full-ride scholarships for eligible students
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 26, 2024
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has announced that it is offering full-ride scholarships through the Texas Leadership Scholars program for eligible students. The initiative is open to Texas seniors, and the board will be accepting applications for the fall 2024 class.
Governor Greg Abbott issues statement on Texas' constitutional right to self-defense
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 25, 2024
The federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the States.
Senator Paul Bettencourt delivers record tax reduction and named Legislator of the Year
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 24, 2024
State Senator Paul Bettencourt is Chairman of the Texas Senate Local Government Committee, representing Texas Senate District 7.
OPINION: The Real Costs for Texas Southern Border Counties
By Thomas McGregor | Jan 22, 2024
Beyond immigration concerns, Texas is grappling with a significant and heartbreaking challenge.
Renewable Energy Comes Up Short During Texas Freeze
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 19, 2024
During the recent freezing conditions in Texas, the output from renewable energy saw a decline as electricity demand was escalating. Bill Peacock, policy director of the Energy Alliance, utilized data from the Public Utility Commission of Texas to underscore the deficiencies of renewables.
Robert Henneke: 'The damage has already been done'
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 14, 2024
Robert Henneke, executive director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), has expressed his views on President Biden's handling of the economy. He specifically highlights concerns over inflation rates and public trust in Biden's economic policies.
Greg Abbott: 'Texas will continue to hold the line against the border crisis'
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 14, 2024
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, announced on January 12th that the state would continue Operation Lone Star in its efforts to secure the border. Launched in March 2021, the operation aims to secure dangerous ports into Texas.
TMD Investigation into Migrant Drownings
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 14, 2024
A thorough review conducted by the Texas Military Department (TMD) has shed light on the circumstances surrounding the recent drownings of migrants in the Rio Grande. In response to claims that Border Patrol had requested access to save distressed migrants but were prevented by the TMD, the department has clarified that these claims are inaccurate.According to TMD, at the time Border Patrol requested access to Shelby Park, the drownings had already occurred and the bodies were being recovered by Mexican Authorities. TMD soldiers were in direct communication with Border...
Migrant Drownings near Eagle Pass
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 13, 2024
The Texas Military Department (TMD) has responded to a social media post regarding the drownings of three migrants near Eagle Pass. The TMD was contacted by Border Patrol on Friday night about a migrant distress situation. However, after actively searching the river with lights and night vision goggles, no distressed migrants were observed."At no time did TMD security personnel along the river observe any distressed migrants, nor did TMD turn back any illegal immigrants from the US during this period," stated the TMD.Furthermore, the TMD reported that they observed a...
Law Enforcement Today Owner: ‘Texas is enforcing the 10th Amendment'
By Lone Star Standard News Service | Jan 12, 2024
Kyle Reyes, owner of Law Enforcement Today, said that “Texas is enforcing the 10th amendment” by taking control of a public park on the U.S.-Mexico border.
ERCOT says Texas grid operations are expected to be normal
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 12, 2024
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), responsible for managing the operations of the Texas electric grid, declared on Thursday that "grid conditions are expected to be normal, and there is not a current expectation of an energy emergency" in anticipation of the freeze predicted to strike Texas this weekend. The forecast indicates temperatures plunging into single digits as early as Saturday in the Texas Panhandle.
Texas Supreme Court Considers Overturning PUC's $26 Billion Monopoly Tax
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 12, 2024
Energy analyst Bill Peacock has submitted an amicus brief to the Texas Supreme Court this week, endorsing a lower court's decision to overturn the Public Utility Commission of Texas' (PUC) 2021 ruling. The controversial decision imposed a $26 billion monopoly tax on electricity buyers during Winter Storm Uri. The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on the case on January 30.
Texas Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Captured in Mexico
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 12, 2024
A Texas 10 Most Wanted offender, Iris Iliana Rodriguez, has been apprehended in the State of Jalisco, Mexico, bringing an end to her six-year run from the law. Rodriguez, 34, was arrested on December 11, 2023, by members of INTERPOL Mexico, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations (CID) Special Agents, and the USMS Country Attaché in Mexico.Rodriguez had been wanted since January 2015 when warrants were issued for her arrest on charges of three counts of indecency with a...
Affordable housing development in Austin hosts grand opening
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 12, 2024
A new affordable housing property in Austin, The James on Grand Avenue, held its grand opening on January 11th, welcoming current residents and area leaders. The property, located at 15701 FM 1325, is an income-restricted development that received $2.4 million in tax credits as a recipient of the 2021 4% Housing Tax Credit program. Over the course of its 10-year term, The James on Grand Avenue is estimated to be worth approximately $24 million."If you are interested in making The James on Grand Avenue your home, please contact the management office at (737) 270-8159,"...
EPA Advances Important IRA Program to Establish Oil and Gas Methane Waste Charge
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 12, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a crucial step towards implementing the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) by proposing a structure for the methane waste charge on large sources of oil and gas methane pollution. This program was passed by Congress last year in the Inflation Reduction Act.Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), commended the EPA's proposal, stating, "EPA's proposal for a fee on oil and gas methane pollution implements the clean air protections for Americans that were part of the Inflation Reduction...
Environmental advocates petition FedEx to ‘go solar’
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 11, 2024
Advocates from Environment America Research & Policy Center are calling on FedEx to take a leading role in the transition to renewable energy sources in the United States. They delivered a petition signed by over 11,500 people, urging the shipping giant to commit to installing solar panels on its warehouses and parking lots by 2035. Johanna Neumann, senior director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America Research & Policy Center, emphasized the importance of solar power, stating, "Rooftop solar is where Now Meets Next." She believes that FedEx can...
