Latest News
Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn: Cartel members say ‘whatever kills the American is good with us’
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 19, 2024
Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn has reported that incarcerated Mexican cartel members have conveyed to him that "whatever kills the American is good." This statement was made during the House Oversight and Accountability subcommittee meeting on April 16.
Texas Permanent School Fund fires BlackRock as investment manager
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 19, 2024
The Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation (Texas PSF) has issued a letter to BlackRock Investment Management, terminating its role as the investment manager for $8.5 billion of PSF funds that support Texas public schools. The decision is in line with a 2021 Texas law mandating state agencies to divest from investment firms that boycott energy companies under environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies.
Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO: ‘We feel like we're not getting the ROI that we want and we desire out of our city government’
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 19, 2024
Greg Sindelar, CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said it's crucial to assess government spending and services, particularly comparing the cost of services and what residents get in return. Sindelar was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Metrics and Accountability: Bryan Sunderland Explains Cicero's Approach To Public Policy
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 18, 2024
Highlights from our interview with Bryan Sunderland, director of advocacy at the Cicero Institute
TDHCA Celebrates Rehabilitation of Waco Affordable Housing Property
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 18, 2024
The Riverside Apartments in Waco have undergone a significant transformation, thanks to the support of various organizations and partners. Through the efforts of TDHCA's 4% Housing Tax Credit Program, $1.1 million in tax credits were awarded to help renovate the 152-unit property, with an estimated total value of $11 million over a 10-year term."This is a revival of pride for a community," expressed Waco Councilwoman, Andrea Barefield. "It’s the voice of residents that matter and helped restore dignity to this property and their homes."The collaborative efforts of City...
Governor Abbott Named To 2024 TIME100 List Of Most Influential People In The World
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 18, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has been recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in their 2024 TIME100 list.
Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO: ‘It's going to be really interesting’ to see the political shifts ‘over the next 10-20 years in Texas’
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 18, 2024
Greg Sindelar, CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said that Texas' political landscape is undergoing significant changes, pointing out historical party transitions of key figures and the unpredictability of political shifts. Sindelar was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Governor Abbott Meets With Samsung Executives To Discuss Billions Invested In Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 17, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott yesterday met with Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. ("Samsung") President and CEO Kye Hyun Kyung and other executives at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin to celebrate Samsung’s continued partnership with Texas and investment of more than $40 billion in the state. This investment is expected to support the expansion of cutting-edge facilities in Central Texas, including expanding their initial $17 billion semiconductor manufacturing facility, and adding a second chip-manufacturing fab, an advanced packaging facility, and a research and development...
OPINION: Do Not Mail Checks in Window Envelopes!
By Bill King | Apr 17, 2024
A couple of months ago, I wrote a check for about $200 to my pool company for the monthly maintenance. It was a computer-generated check that I mailed in a window envelope, which made it apparent that a check was enclosed. After about ten days, the check had still not cleared. I called the company and they said they had not received it. A couple of days later, the check cleared my bank twice, except the payee and the amount had been altered. Instead of being payable to my pool company for $200, the check was shown to be payable to a company and a person I had never heard of and were for a total of over $14,000.
Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO: We try to ‘ensure that the federal government is staying out of the way’
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 17, 2024
Greg Sindelar, CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said the foundation is dedicated to research-based initiatives, aiming to empower states and limit federal intervention in policymaking. Sindelar was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
DPS Recognizes Heroic Actions at April PSC Meeting
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 16, 2024
The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC) recently held a meeting at DPS Headquarters in Austin where several heroic actions were recognized by DPS Director Steven McCraw and the commissioners.Director McCraw commended the awardees, stating, “The men and women recognized here today embody the Texas Department of Public Safety motto: courtesy, service, protection. I am honored to recognize the courage and commitment of these awardees who have stepped up in service of their fellow Texans. Texas is safer—and brighter—because of them.”Among the awardees was Trooper Lyndon...
Texas Restaurant Foundation chair: We partner with the re-entry and integration program so incarcerated individuals ‘can have that second chance hiring'
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 16, 2024
Russell Woodward, chair of the Texas Restaurant Foundation, said they collaborate with educational institutions and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to provide culinary and hospitality training for formerly incarcerated individuals, fostering second-chance hiring opportunities. Woodward was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
California to Texas: The Top State-to-State Move in the U.S.
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 16, 2024
Approximately 102,000 Californians moved to Texas, more than any other state-to-state relocation in the U.S. in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Census recently analyzed by Texas REALTORS® in its 2024 Relocation Report.
Governor Abbott Issues Severe Weather Disaster Declaration In April 2024
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 16, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has issued a severe weather disaster declaration in response to the recent severe storms and flooding that have affected several counties in the state. The declaration was officially signed on April 15, 2024, and includes the counties of Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Newton, Panola, Shelby, and Tyler.Governor Abbott stated, "I do hereby declare a state of disaster in the previously listed counties." He further authorized the use of all available resources of state government and political subdivisions to cope with the ongoing disaster....
Montana AG, others filed amicus brief in support of Office of Texas Attorney General
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 15, 2024
A national coalition of state attorneys general has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of Texas, alleging that the State Bar of Texas’s Commission for Lawyer Discipline is engaging in politically motivated lawfare against the leadership of the Office of the Texas Attorney General. The brief was submitted on April 12 by Montana, along with 17 other states, in response to complaints against First Assistant Brent Webster and Attorney General Ken Paxton over their decision to file Texas v. Pennsylvania concerning the 2020 election.
Texas Wildfires: Rep. Burrows Explains the Investigation Into the Origins and Impact of the Texas Wildfires
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 15, 2024
Highlights from our interview with State Representative Dustin Burrows
Texas Restaurant Foundation chair: The teachers participating in our training program are ‘one important piece of our workforce’
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 15, 2024
Russell Woodward, chair of the Texas Restaurant Foundation, said that their annual ProStart Educators Training Conference is pivotal for workforce training objectives, gathering a hundred teachers for hands-on programs. Woodward was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
TPPF Applauds Legislation to Safeguard Elections Amid Discussions on Election Integrity
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 14, 2024
TPPF has been working on legislation regarding election and border security legislation for many years now.
Property Tax Reductions Help Texas Rise to Sixth in ALEC's States Economic Outlook Rankings
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 14, 2024
Austin, TX – Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) shared insights on Texas's achievement in the American Legislative Exchange Council's Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitive Index. Bettencourt noted, "Texas leaping up the rankings in ALEC's Rich States, Poor States up to 6th is a testament to a solid continually growing economy, legislative leadership like Lt Governor Patrick committed to economic freedom, and the passage of a record property reduction bill pouring billions of dollars back into taxpayer's pockets."Moreover, Senator Bettencourt...
DPS Recovers 23 Illegal Immigrants Smuggled Inside Flatbed Trailer
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 14, 2024
LAREDO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today recovered 23 illegal immigrants concealed inside a flatbed trailer during an Operation Lone Star traffic stop in La Salle County.On April 12, 2024, just after 9:00 A.M., the driver of a white-truck tractor towing a flatbed trailer on Interstate Highway 35 failed to stop for a DPS commercial vehicle safety inspection. After a short pursuit, the driver stopped one mile north of the La Salle County Rest Area and fled the vehicle on foot. DPS Troopers and law enforcement agency partners then discovered 23 illegal...