Governor Abbott should call us into special sessions until we do SOMETHING The FBI or DPS BELIEVE will lessen the chance of the next Uvalde Tragedy. We should hope and pray every day , but DO something.
I have tested positive for COVID-19. I began to exhibit symptoms last night. I appreciate the well wishes while I diligently comply with isolation and contact tracing guidelines as put out by the Governor and CDC.
I'm now through the quarantine period for COVID-19 and doing well! Nancy and I are grateful for your prayers and support.
Please take this disease seriously. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain appropriate distancing when possible.
Out of frustration, the Governor vetoed all funding for the Legislative Branch because Democrats broke quorum.
But, vetoing this funding doesn't punish legislators who left. It punishes regular hard-working folks who have nothing to do with voting for or against bills. 1/3
It has been a great honor to represent the people, schools and businesses of
#SD31
for the past 17 years in the Texas Legislature. After thoughtful consideration and with the reassurance of my family, I have decided not to seek reelection to the Texas Senate.
Though I believe its author’s intentions were pure, I voted against SB17 yesterday because as written it can also be used as a defense for discrimination.
#txlege
If local ISDs choose to close & therefore reduce # of instructional days, exceptions for taking
#STAAR
should be made. Thank you
@MikeMorath
,
@teainfo
, for your leadership in this matter. The safety of our students AND teachers should continue to be top priority!
#txlege
#COVID19
I believe that charter schools, as public schools, should be audited and held accountable for every penny they spend. Every expense should be just as transparent as traditional public schools. Public schools are non-profit too!
@IDEAschools
Teachers must be included among frontline workers with first responders, nursing home staff and hospital workers to receive the COVID vaccine. Keeping them healthy helps get TX kids back to in-person school. 1/2
The 86th Texas Legislature has adjourned! Thank you to everyone who called, wrote, visited and made your voice heard this session. It's an honor to continue representing you.
I’ve joined more than 80 colleagues in sending a letter to Governor
@GregAbbott_TX
with our suggestions and recommendations for a statewide broadband plan that ensures our rural communities aren’t left behind as our economy continues to expand online.
I filed Senate Bill 995 two weeks ago to raise the basic allotment, reduce recapture, and increase classroom teacher salaries. I was happy to see Texas House Bill 3, authored by
@DanHuberty
, shares many of the same goals.
#txlege
#txed
#TheTexasPlan
Thank you to SB 213 co-authors and all of the parents, teachers and schools who have continued to support Individual Graduation Committees, which help deserving and qualified students receive a High School diploma!
@GregAbbott_TX
@DanHuberty
#txlege
#txed
They have not left their posts but are worried about health insurance, rent, and paying for their children's school supplies. For this reason, I have filed SJR 8, which will keep this mess from happening again.
#txlege
3/3
I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to vote, and those who have personally reached out after our win last night, for continuing to believe in me to represent the best interests of SD-31. Nancy and I cannot thank you enough!
#txlege
This pandemic is very much not over and we’ve seen confirmed cases increasing in
#SD31
. It’s on each of us to take the necessary steps to keep our economy open and recovering. Wear a mask. Maintain a safe distance. Wash your hands. Small sacrifices for a big difference.
Opening Day of this Legislative Session looks a lot different than it did two years ago, but I am as ready as ever to fight for our students, teachers, families, and everyone in
#SD31
over the next 140 days.
Today is a sad day. Bill Powers, former law school dean, President of UT Austin, and good friend has died. His dedication to UT and to Higher Ed was Inspirational. Not being a UT alumnus, I don’t say this often. But today I do. Hook ‘em Bill.
Recent water damage to our TX Capitol reminds us that tax money should be spent wisely. It is not prudent to pay $20M for a state bullion depository that stores zero state assets & when private individuals can store at their local banks. We must do better with your money!
#txlege
I'm excited to announce that I filed for re-election today! I was born and raised in SD-31 & I started my family here, and I'm proud to fight for the small-town values of these communities.
#txlege
You may have heard some false attacks made by my opponents about the way my office spends money and I want to set the record straight. I'm ranked 26th out of 31 Senators in spending, and I send money back to the state every single year.
#txlege
I would like to thank fellow Republican Senator, & former teacher, Jane Nelson in joining me calling for the cancellation of the high-stakes STAAR test. Here are the letters I sent Governor
@GregAbbott_TX
&
@SenJaneNelson
sent Commissioner Morath in recent weeks.
@teainfo
#txed
I’ve spent my time in
#txlege
fighting for kids in public schools, not just bc my boys & I are proud products of
#txed
but because it's truly about the kids! That’s why it's such an honor to receive the Hero for Children Award from
@pastors4txkids
Guess who fired the cannon at the end of UT-Iowa State game. Lucky they didn’t let her aim it file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/56/06/82F0FAB5-A671-45A3-A1B1-C713249A475A/IMG_0521.jpeg
What an honor to receive the award as honorary life member from the Texas Association of Community Schools (
@TACSnet
). An award that truly means a lot and one I will treasure.
#txlege
#txed
It's been such a pleasure to see the
@utpb
College of Engineering come to fruition & the placement of the final beam was an exciting step in the process. As Chairman of Senate Higher Ed Committee it's been an honor to work w/ UTPB on expanding opportunities in the Permian Basin
Congratulations to the winning team members and everyone at Texas Tech. The
@TexasTech
Meat Science Team was named grand champion of the 2019 Australian Collegiate Meat Judging Competition, beating teams from all over the world. Wow!
The
@TexasTech
Meat Judging Team recently traveled “Down Under” to compete in the 2019 Australian Collegiate Meat Judging Competition, and was named the champion team!
#TTUVetMed
This week, Governor
@GregAbbott_TX
announced Texas’ major health insurers will continue to reimburse providers for telehealth at the same rate as in-person services. This will continue to increase the availability of telehealth to millions of Texans & keep our community safe.
Yesterday, I pre-filed SB 177, which will allow for the continued and permanent use of Individual Graduation Committees. Almost 59,000 students have benefited greatly from IGCs since my legislation created them in 2015 and it is time to make IGCs permanent!
#txed
#txlege
There’s nothing better than getting to help raise these two and I couldn’t be prouder to be their father. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads in our community today!
I'm excited to be sworn in as your State Senator today. We’re going to be hard at work over the next 140 days and if there’s an issue you want me to hear about, send a message or call one of my district offices in Amarillo, Big Spring, Midland or Odessa:
My 33rd anniversary. A lot more people remark on Nancy’s stamina than her good fortune. She is a great Covid nurse. I hope she doesn’t regret that. Stay safe and wear your mask.
I had the chance to spend time with the Amarillo High School and
@BushlandHS
cross country teams today as they get ready to run in the state tournament. Good luck!
We now have less than 4 weeks before the veto eliminates pay for Capitol post office staff, researchers, caseworkers in district offices, those responsible for answering open record requests, etc... 2/3
Happy MLK day! I'm proud to follow Dr. King and fight for a good education for every child in SD31 and in Texas. How are you planning to spend this Day of Service?
Huge news for SD 31!- the
@TXHigherEdBoard
has approved
@TTUVetMed
's request for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree with a major in Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo. What a great week for
@TTUSystem
!
.
@EctorCountyISD
Superintendent Scott Muri has been named a finalist for Texan of the Year by the
@dallasnews
. Congratulations to Scott and to the entire district - his leadership and passion for education benefit each of us.
As the author of the bill that created Individual Graduation Committees, I will always support efforts to help ALL Texans advance in school and have the opportunity to join the workforce and provide for themselves and their families.
I was proud to recognize my friend and former
@TexasTech
Chancellor Robert Duncan with SR733. He was a great Chancellor following his remarkable career in the Senate, leading Texas Tech to record growth and further expansion in our community. Thank you for your public service!
Happy Mother’s Day! I'm so thankful for all the mother’s in my life; my mom Jayne who raised me, my lovely wife Nancy who is the best mother to our boys a man could ask for, and for Anna, the wonderful mother in-law I added on my wedding day. I’m grateful for all of you today!
Thanks to Governor
@GregAbbott_TX
for signing SB213 into law, and thanks to Chairman
@DanHuberty
for shepherding it through the House. These Individual Graduation Committees are so important to helping deserving and qualified students receive a High School diploma.
#txlege
#txed
#SB10
will restore legislative salary funding to ensure the hardworking employees throughout the TX Capitol and in the district offices do not get punished for the political theatrics of others. If it doesn't pass and pay is cut to our staffs, I will refuse my paycheck.
#txlege
This week, eligibility for the COVID vaccine in Texas has been expanded to include ALL teachers, staff, bus drivers, & anyone who works in education. This is outstanding news for not only our educators, but also for our families & students who are counting on them.
#txed
#txlege
Nancy and I voted today and we'd appreciate your support as you head to the polls! Early Voting is happening now through March 2nd and Election Day is on March 6th. Visit to find your polling location and use
#Vote4Kel
to let us know you're voting!
The addition of a second veterinary school will enhance our state’s ability to meet the demand for a growing population and a secure food supply. Thanks to all my colleagues who joined me in supporting the
@TexasTech
Vet School.
#txlege
#txed
Today is the first of the 87th Legislature. The public will be welcome with a Covid test. Mine was negative. We will show the country how people meet and demonstrate peacefully and respectfully.
I had a great time at the
@TTUVetMed
ground breaking today! Proud to have worked to secure funding during Legislative Session for this important addition to our community. Thanks to everyone who spoke up and worked to gain support for the school and helped make today happen.
“I continue to be a firm believer in the need for accountability where public dollars are concerned, but I also believe this can be accomplished without mandating punitive assessments in an uncertain, hopefully, once-in-a-lifetime educational climate." 2/2