AUSTIN – Lt. Governor Dan Patrick issued the following statement today upon announcing Senate Committee assignments for the 2017 Legislative Session: “The committee assignments I am announcing today continue the efficient committee structure we established in the 2015 Legislative Session. These appointments reflect the proven leadership, commitment, expertise and solid work ethic of the thirty-one… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the filing of Senate Bill 26 – Texas Emissions Reduction Plan by Senator Craig Estes, (R – Wichita Falls): “Senate Bill 26 will give state agencies, local governments, and school districts the opportunity to dramatically reduce fuel costs while reducing mobile emissions. I commend… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the filing of Senate Bill 1, General Appropriations Act: “I am proud to reappoint Senate Finance Chairman Jane Nelson and I congratulate her on the filing of Senate Bill 1. This budget is well within the available revenue and upholds our commitment to continue… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the filing of Senate Bill 12 – Protective Vests for Police by Senator Royce West, (D – Dallas): “Last year, Texas had more law enforcement officers die in the line of duty than any other state in America. Families were shattered by senseless tragedies… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement on the opening of the 85th legislative session: “As the Capitol welcomes legislators from all over the State of Texas, I am proud to gavel-in the opening of the Texas Senate for the 85th session of the Texas Legislature. “Our state faces many challenges this… Read more »

Reforming the spending cap to tie state spending to the growth of Texas   AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the filing of Senate Bill 9, authored by Senator Kelly Hancock, (R – North Richland Hills): “The people of Texas elected us to produce a conservative budget that ensures taxpayer… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made the following statement today following the release of Comptroller Glenn Hegar’s estimate of the biennial revenue: “We anticipated Comptroller Hegar’s announcement today would report that we have less to spend than we did at this time in 2015. Although questions were raised at the time, we were clearly… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Patrick issued this statement today following the filing of Senate Bill 20, the Pro-Life Insurance Act, by Senator Larry Taylor, (R – Friendswood): “SB 20 is an important step in ensuring that Texans are never forced to violate their conscience by paying for someone else’s decision to end an innocent life…. Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Governor Patrick issued this statement today following the filing of Senate Bill 6, the Texas Privacy Act, by Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R – Brenham): “The people of Texas elected us to stand up for common decency, common sense and public safety. This legislation codifies what has been common practice in Texas and… Read more »

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement this evening: “Working with Governor Abbott, we have ordered the flags at the Capitol be lowered to half-staff in honor of the sacrifice of the soldiers we lost yesterday. The tragic accident in Galveston Bay is a reminder of the dangers our solders face everyday… Read more »