News from January 2025
Texas launches national trucking campaign against sex trafficking
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 31, 2025
Every year, many boys and young men become victims of sex trafficking, a crisis often overlooked in anti-trafficking efforts.
The Other Ones Foundation: ‘Investing in a holistic approach to homelessness’ is key
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 31, 2025
Max Moscoe, Public Information Officer for The Other Ones Foundation, an Austin-based nonprofit focused on aiding the transition of individuals out of homelessness, outlined his organization's comprehensive approach to addressing the crisis.
TAM CEO: ‘We're the number one semiconductor manufacturing state in the U.S.’
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 31, 2025
Tony Bennett, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, said Texas leads in semiconductor manufacturing, with strong industries in automotive, food products, and heavy machinery, employing nearly 1 million Texans and supporting up to six additional jobs per manufacturing job. Bennett was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Weekend Interview: Reforming the Texas Legal Landscape with Lee Parsley
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 31, 2025
Lee Parsley, the General Counsel and President of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, has become a prominent figure in the conversation about the legal landscape and legal reform in Texas. With over 35 years of experience in law, his journey through Texas and into the legal business gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of law and business in the Lone Star State.
Trump's executive order on gender reassignment receives praise from TPPF
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 31, 2025
The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has expressed approval of President Trump's executive order that bans federal funding and support for physical and hormonal gender reassignment procedures for minors.
Senator Bettencourt announces support for Texas Education Freedom Act
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
Senator Paul Bettencourt has announced his support for Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, joining Chairman Brandon Creighton and other Republican members of the Senate Education Committee.
Representative Leach: Texas House creates Texas “DOGE Committee to shrink government and eliminate waste”
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
Texas State Representative Jeff Leach announced that the Texas House has established the Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency, known as the 'DOGE Committee', to address inefficiencies and wasteful spending in the state.
Grand Prairie ISD Public Information Officer: New cell phone policy leads to ‘greater level of engagement’ and ‘more socialization’
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
Grand Prairie Independent School District (ISD) Public Information Officer Sam Buchmeyer said that the district's new cell phone policy has enhanced classroom engagement and increased social interaction among students.
Montgomery Superintendent on new cell phone policy: ‘students are more engaged’ and ‘performance on daily assignments has improved’
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
Montgomery Independent School District (ISD) Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin announced that a new cell phone policy has led to academic improvements and increased classroom interaction among students.
Texas agriculture commissioner ends contracts over DEI policy concerns
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has declared that the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will cease contracting with entities that support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility...
Corsicana receives recognition as Tourism Friendly community by Travel Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
Governor Greg Abbott has extended his congratulations to the City of Corsicana for being recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community.
Texas lawmakers push forward with new school choice legislation
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
Today in Austin, Texas, Senator Paul Bettencourt of Houston expressed his support for Senate Bill 2, known as the Texas Education Freedom Act.
Research Digest: New publications explore pavement data and bridge solutions
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
The latest edition of the Research Digest, dated January 2025, is now accessible on the CTR Library’s website.
Sid Miller reappoints four members to Texas Agriculture Finance Authority board
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has announced the reappointment of four members to the Texas Agriculture Finance Authority (TAFA) Board.
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows to keynote at policy summit
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
The Texas Public Policy Foundation has announced that Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Texas Policy Summit.
Rep. Spiller announces introduction of bills on faith and moral education in public schools
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 30, 2025
Texas State Representative David Spiller has introduced two legislative bills, HB 1425 and HB 2116, which aim to enhance the role of faith and moral education in public schools across the state.
TAM CEO: Texas manufacturing should be ‘able to compete globally with any economic sector’
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 29, 2025
Tony Bennett, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, said that after retiring and gaining experience across 15 states and Washington, D.C., he helped start the organization in 2005 to strengthen Texas' manufacturing sector, and it will celebrate its 20th year next year. Bennett was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Weekend Interview: Understanding Texas Taxes with Jennifer Rabb from Texas Taxpayers and Research Association
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 29, 2025
In Texas, the issue of rising property taxes often is the center of public policy conversations among residents and legislators alike — especially in rapidly growing urban areas like Austin. Jennifer Rabb, the President of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association (TARA), finds herself at the center of these discussions as a leading voice on tax policy in Texas.
OPINION: A Warning for Texas: The Cooper Health Scandal and Its Implications
By Taylor McCray | Jan 29, 2025
In Texas, we take pride in doing things our way—fiercely independent, accountable, and committed to putting people before politics.
Cody Campbell calls for federal reform in college sports
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 29, 2025
Former NFL and college football player Cody Campbell has voiced concerns over the challenges currently facing college sports, describing them as complex issues that go beyond name, image, and license agreements (NIL) and the transfer portal.
