HOUSTON – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement today warning Texans in rain-soaked areas around the state to continue to monitor local weather conditions and pay attention to warnings by local officials: “I joined Gov. Greg Abbott for a briefing today by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and am working with… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement today after the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Texas State Senator Peter P. Flores, R-Pleasanton. Flores was elected in a special election last month to represent Senate District 19, a sprawling 17 county district which includes the South Side of San Antonio. “I want to… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement today: “I am deeply concerned about the serious allegations reported in the Austin American-Statesman on September 25 regarding Sen. Charles Schwertner. I had no advance knowledge of the inquiry until I read about it in the news report. “I was also concerned yesterday to see… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the appointment of Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, to the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) Advisory Committee today. The lieutenant governor issued the following statement regarding the announcement: “I am proud to appoint Sen. Kolkhorst to the SWIFT Advisory Committee. Senator Kolkhorst is a hard- working and… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today in response to reports that a committee of the Teachers Retirement System Board has decided against raising retired teachers’ health care premiums: “I am glad my recommendation that the TRS Board not raise retired teacher health care premiums now is close to being accepted. I… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following news reports of a Texas Education Agency (TEA) committee’s recommendation to cut career tech cosmetology programs: “Career tech is a top priority for me. I was very proud to pass Senate Bill 22 last session which creates a path for business involvement in education… Read more »

“Additional funding should not fall on the shoulders of our retired teachers…”   AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick sent the following letter today to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board urging them not to raise health care premiums for retired teachers next year. The lieutenant governor’s letter is copied here:   August… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today upon the release of the final report of the Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools and School Security: “Immediately after the tragic school shooting in Santa Fe, I appointed a bi-partisan Select Committee, headed by Senate Education Committee Chairman, Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, to review… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick commended the Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools and School Security today which has just concluded its final committee meeting. Chaired by Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, the committee has taken testimony from over 150 witnesses on school violence and security issues. “Senator Taylor and the select committee have… Read more »

Santa Fe Strong Safety & Security Committee Unanimously Recommended Installation of Metal Detectors AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement today in response to the Santa Fe Independent School District Board of Trustees vote last night to install metal detectors at the entrances to their schools before the school year begins this… Read more »