Governor Greg Abbott has recognized the critical role that local, regional, and statewide economic development organizations play in strengthening the Texas economy, creating new job opportunities, and enhancing quality of life for all Texans by proclaiming May 12‒16, 2025 as Economic Development Week in Texas. Image for illustration purposes
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USTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has recognized the critical role that local, regional, and statewide economic development organizations play in strengthening the Texas economy, creating new job opportunities, and enhancing quality of life for all Texans by proclaiming May 12‒16, 2025 as Economic Development Week in Texas.
“Texas is where the future is building — where opportunity is abundant, where free enterprise flourishes, and where families and jobs grow,” said Governor Abbott. “The key to Texas’ unrivaled success in economic development is teamwork. It takes a collaborative effort from organizations across the state to attract new businesses, investments, and jobs, as well as help existing Texas companies grow. By working together with all of our economic development partners across the state, we will build a stronger, more prosperous Texas for generations.”
Governor Abbott recently celebrated Texas being ranked the Best State for Business for the 21st year in a row by Chief Executive magazine in recognition of the state’s business climate, workforce, and quality of life. Additionally, Texas won the 2025 Prosperity Cup awarded by Site Selection magazine to the top-performing state for attracting new business investments, earning Texas the “Triple Crown Trophy” for the best economy in the nation. The Governor also released his five-year statewide economic development strategic plan that establishes a blueprint for continued economic expansion and job creation across Texas.
The Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT) is tasked with marketing and promoting the state of Texas across the nation and around the world as the premier business location and travel destination. EDT works closely with communities and local, regional, and statewide economic development and tourism organizations, as well as partnering state agencies, to ensure Texas remains the best place to live, work, and visit.
Pharr-San-Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) hosted its annual Service Awards & Retirement Celebration on May 8, 2025. The event, themed “A Jazz Night at PSJA,” celebrated the dedication and commitment of staff members with 25 or more years of service and honored the district’s retire. Image courtesy of PSJA ISD
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PHARR, Texas – Pharr-San-Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) hosted its annual Service Awards & Retirement Celebration on May 8, 2025. The event, themed “A Jazz Night at PSJA,” celebrated the dedication and commitment of staff members with 25 or more years of service and honored the district’s retirees.
Dr. Alejandro Elias, Superintendent of PSJA, extended heartfelt congratulations to service award recipients and retirees, emphasizing their significant contributions to the district. “Tonight is a tribute to those who make PSJA extraordinary. To our honorees and retirees—thank you for shaping lives and strengthening the foundation of our district,” said Dr. Elias.
Image courtesy of PSJA ISD
The celebration included dinner, special remarks from district leaders, and live music by the PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School Jazz Band. Among the honored individuals was Raul Longoria Elementary teacher Karin I. Isaacs, recognized for an exceptional 40 years of service to PSJA ISD. Reflecting on her years as an educator, the passion and dedication that she feels for her students shines through as she expresses that helping educate our future is her motivation for teaching.
Image courtesy of PSJA ISD
“I want to do everything I can to help my students lead successful lives. I care deeply about each of them and strive to always be there when they need support,” said Isaacs. “The greatest reward in teaching comes when I see their faces light up and hear them say, ‘I can read!’, ‘I got it’ or I can do this!”
The celebration honored 137 service award honorees and over 100 retirees, including teachers, administrators, food service staff, transportation personnel, and many others, all of whom have played pivotal roles in ensuring the best learning experiences for students at PSJA ISD.
Image courtesy of PSJA ISD
Also honored among the retirees was Dr. Nora Cantu, Executive Officer for Academics, who has proudly served PSJA ISD for 44 years. She began her career as a middle school teacher and rose through the ranks to become a district administrator. Looking ahead, Dr. Cantu shared her excitement about spending more time with her family, especially her 88-year-old mother. She also plans to travel, craft, garden, and launch a new business.
“I felt a mix of happiness and sadness at tonight’s event, it was truly bittersweet,” said Dr. Cantu. “After serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Executive Officer, this marks the end of one chapter and the start of a new one. I will deeply miss my PSJA family.”
The event served as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of dedicated educators and staff within the PSJA ISD community who regardless of their role exemplify the district’s commitment to excellence.
This important bill ensures that firefighters, peace officers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who experience a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift are presumed to have been injured in the line of duty. Courtesy image. Bgd for illustration purposes
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Austin, TX – The Texas Senate passed House Bill (HB) 331, authored by Representative Jared Patterson and Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. This important bill ensures that firefighters, peace officers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who experience a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift are presumed to have been injured in the line of duty. This change will help these brave individuals access workers’ compensation benefits more easily and fairly.
Senator Hinojosa emphasized the importance of this bill, stating “Our first responders have earned and deserve our support. They are there for us when we need them the most. Likewise, we shouldn’t turn our backs on them when their life and health are impacted by their work.”
First responders face significant risks. Current law requires that heart attacks or strokes occur during duty. However, the nature of their work often involves high-stress situations that can lead to medical emergencies after their shifts have ended. Many firefighters and police officers push through to the end of their shifts, only to discover they have suffered a heart attack later.
House Bill 331 removes the “nonroutine” limitation, broadening the definition of “qualifying activity” to include any stressful or strenuous physical activities, whether routine or extraordinary. Since first responders frequently deal with unpredictable situations, this change will simplify the coverage and eliminate confusion.
The new law will apply only to claims filed on or after the effective date, meaning there will be no retroactive claims.
Senator Hinojosa concluded, “This bill is the right move to protect our first responders and their families, giving them peace of mind that if a tragedy occurs, they will have access to the benefits they deserve.”
The bill is now awaiting final approval from Governor Greg Abbott.
“For the first time in years, more agents are back in the field—patrolling territories that CBP didn’t have the bandwidth or manpower to oversee just six months ago,” said Pete Flores, Acting Commissioner of CBP. USCBP image for illustration purposes
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WASHINGTON DC — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released operational statistics for April 2025. CBP monthly reporting can be viewed on CBP’s Stats and Summaries webpage.
“For the first time in years, more agents are back in the field—patrolling territories that CBP didn’t have the bandwidth or manpower to oversee just six months ago,” said Pete Flores, Acting Commissioner of CBP. “But thanks to this administration’s dramatic shift in security posture at our border, we are now seeing operational control becoming a reality—and it’s only just beginning.”
Below are key operational statistics for CBP’s primary mission areas in April 2025.
Halting the flow of illegal aliens into the country
Driven by the administration’s decisive and effective immigration enforcement, our frontlines continue to see overwhelming improvements when it comes to securing our border. Because of this, only five illegal aliens were temporarily allowed into the U.S. in April for U.S. special interest court cases—a staggering drop from the roughly 68,000 released along the southwest border during the same month last year.
Operational Control – At Entry and At Large
CBP is sharpening its enforcement posture by categorizing apprehensions into two strategic areas: At Entry and At Large. This framework gives a clearer picture of how operational control is being asserted—both where illegal crossings typically begin and beyond.
At Entry refers to interdictions along the border or in an illegal alien’s transit toward their intended destinations. These are the frontline areas where CBP has already seen a sharp decline in attempted crossings, thanks to sustained deterrence and enforcement.
At Large encompasses everything beyond those corridors. It includes broader operations aimed at disrupting illegal activity wherever it takes hold—making communities across America safer. A clear example of At Largeenforcement is Operation Tidal Wave, the largest joint immigration operation in Florida history. Conducted in late April with support from CBP, it resulted in 1,120 criminal arrests in just one week.
With these distinguishing factors, the breakdown in April 2025 shows Border Patrol recorded 8,383 apprehensions along the southwest border, with 906 classified as at large — a 93% drop from the 128,895 apprehensionsrecorded in April 2024. That averages out to 279 apprehensions per day, including 30 at large, which is a dramatic decrease from 4,297 per day just a year ago.
Interdictions outside of At Entry
Safeguarding Communities by Interdicting Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
As the largest law enforcement agency in the United States, CBP is uniquely positioned to detect, identify, and seize illicit drugs like fentanyl before they enter our communities.
Nationwide in April, seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana (combined, by weight) increased 15% from March, including 758 pounds of fentanyl seized in April. Seizures of methamphetamine increased 30%.
CBP’s enhanced enforcement posture not only makes every American safer, but it also saves you time and money. CBP is also the front line for facilitating lawful international travel and trade which is a critical element of our nation’s economic prosperity.
CBP works diligently with the trade community and port operators to ensure that merchandise is cleared efficiently while interdicting illicit cargo that is hidden in some shipments. In April 2025, CBP processed more than 3 millionentry summaries valued at more than $284 billion, while trade via the ocean environment accounted for 38% of the total import value, followed by air, truck, and rail.
Protecting Consumers and Eradicating Forced Labor from Supply Chains
CBP continues to lead U.S. government efforts to eliminate goods from the supply chain made with forced labor from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. In April, CBP stopped 140 shipments valued at more than$3.65 million for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor, and which may be subject to a Withhold Release Order, Forced Labor Finding, or the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act’s rebuttable presumption, and prohibited importation into the United States under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.
CBP also seizes millions of counterfeit products every year worth billions of dollars had they been genuine. In April, CBP seized 2,613 shipments that contained counterfeit goods valued at more than $502 million.
CBP is uniquely positioned to implement and enforce the President’s tariffs using all our enforcement and revenue collection authorities. CBP has successfully implemented tariffs guided by 21 presidential actions during this Administration and has collected $37.9 billion in tariff revenue since Jan. 20.
CBP enforces tariffs through a combination of legal authority, advanced systems, and operational procedures designed to ensure that duties owed are paid. We have fulfilled the demand and remain committed to facilitating legitimate trade while upholding a robust enforcement posture.
External Revenue
CBP completed 33 audits in April that identified $117 million in duties and fees owed to the U.S. government, stemming from imported goods that had been improperly declared in accordance with U.S. trade laws and customs regulations. CBP collected over $18 million of this identified revenue and from previous fiscal years’ assignments.
Agriculture Stats/Seizures – Securing American Agriculture
In April, CBP agriculture specialists helped protect America’s agriculture, natural resources, and economic prosperity.
CBP issued 8,875 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products entering the United States.
CBP conducted 108,601 positive passenger inspections and issued 740 civil penalties and/or violations to the traveling public for failing to declare prohibited agriculture items.
South Texas College graduate in Social Work Tasha Bellevue said she traveled from Orlando, Fla. to Texas to attend STC’s commencement on May 10. STC Image
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By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, TEXAS –Tasha Bellevue said she made it a priority to travel from Florida to Texas to attend South Texas College’s Commencement Ceremony and celebrate the milestone with students from the Rio Grande Valley in person.
At great personal expense, Bellevue, 38, said she saved more than $4,000 so she and her children could travel, the roughly 1,300 miles from Orlando, Fla. to Edinburg, to attend graduation at Bert Odgen Arena on May 10.
Completing her associate degree in Social Work through the college’s online campus after a nearly three-year journey, Bellevue said STC has given her the motivation to succeed and offer a better life for her and her children.
“It was important for me to be there for my graduation because I’ve been through so much raising my children while completing my degree, but I definitely feel like STC has helped me find my purpose, which I believe now is to help others,” Bellevue said while holding back tears. “I want my children to see me step on that stage to receive that degree. This is me setting that example for them and showing them that education is so important, just like being proactive in society.”
As a Haitian American, Bellevue said her parents emigrated from Haiti and settled in Brooklyn, New York before moving to Miami and finally Fort Lauderdale, where she grew up.
Years later and now a single mother of four, Bellevue said she was looking for a new path so she could offer better opportunities to her children. Researching schools from across the United States, Bellevue said she soon discovered STC and found it would be the right fit for her degree choice in Social Work.
She began taking classes through the college’s online program in August 2022.
“It took me a while to find my purpose, but now I’m so motivated and driven to make sure that I set a good example for my children while also being of service to others,” Bellevue said. “I also want to show them that no matter what obstacle or how challenging things may be, you can succeed. I have four children and my oldest is 15 years old and I’ve told her it’s never too late to go back to school. I want to make sure that right out of high school she chooses something that she is passionate about when she pursues her education.”
Bellevue was among the 3,700 students who received their certificates or degrees at STC’s Commencement Ceremonies May 10 at the Bert Odgen Arena in Edinburg.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a bachelor’s and finally a master’s degree in social work to enter a career working with children in a behavioral setting.
“I think my experience with taking online courses at STC has been such a beneficial experience as I have had to balance my family and a full-time job. I couldn’t have done it otherwise,” Bellevue said. “I never really paid attention to how long it would take me to finish, I just set my goals every day and stayed motivated. That’s how you succeed.”
After more than a decade of putting her education on hold to raise her children, 54-year-old single mom Cristina Lopez walked across the stage just a day after her youngest son, Aaron Santos Lopez and proudly earned their associate degrees from South Texas College, together. STC image
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By Veronica Salinas
After more than a decade of putting her education on hold to raise her children, 54-year-old single mom Cristina Lopez walked across the stage just a day after her youngest son, Aaron Santos Lopez, and proudly earned their associate degrees from South Texas College.
What began as a personal goal for Cristina evolved into a powerful, shared journey marked by perseverance, faith and the unwavering strength of family. Mother and son leaned on each other through long days, late-night study sessions and the constant demands of work, school and life to reach the finish line side by side.
Cristina earned her Associate of Arts in Sociology, while Aaron graduated as a dual credit student from Achieve Early College High School and earned an Associate of Arts in Communication.
Her road to graduation was more than 10 years in the making. Cristina took college courses intermittently, always placing the needs of her two sons first. Whether it meant pausing her education to accommodate their schedules or simply being present in their lives, her commitment to motherhood never wavered.
“My priority has always been my kids,” she said. “I would enroll in two or three classes here and there, whenever our schedules allowed, but I never went full time because I needed to be present for them. I wanted to make sure they had the support and guidance they needed to succeed before I fully focused on myself.”
Their joint graduation is more than just a symbol of perseverance, it’s a reflection of the powerful bond that helped them navigate the challenges of balancing school, work and family.
While Cristina juggled her responsibilities as a full-time mom and college student, Aaron managed a demanding schedule of high school coursework, college classes and participation in the James Nikki Rowe High School band, where he plays the baritone.
“Balancing all of this isn’t something everyone can do,” Aaron said. “It was tough, especially when we were mentally and physically drained from all the responsibilities. But my mom and I pushed each other through those moments. We were always there to remind each other that this was the time to give our best, no matter how exhausted we were. We knew that our hard work would pay off and that kept us going even when it felt impossible.”
Cristina balanced the demands of motherhood and college by putting her son’s needs first, often shifting between roles with unwavering dedication.
”My priority was always making sure Aaron stayed on top of his schoolwork and his band responsibilities,” she said. “I’d help him with his assignments, remind him of his practice schedule and make sure he had everything he needed to succeed. Once that was settled, I’d switch gears, take off my ‘mom hat,’ and put on my ‘student cap.’ It wasn’t always easy, but Aaron would remind me why it was worth it, and his support made all the difference.”
Cristina credits much of her success to the mentorship and resources offered by the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA). The program provided training on financial management, stress coping techniques and more, while also offering emotional support when she needed it most.
“Being mentored by the VIDA program and the moms who guided me along the way was invaluable,” she said. “They helped keep me grounded through some of the toughest moments. Whenever I felt like giving up or lost sight of my goals, their wisdom, encouragement and faith reminded me that I wasn’t alone in this journey. Their unwavering support helped me stay focused and motivated, even when things felt overwhelming.”
Now, Cristina is setting her sights on the future. She plans to enroll this fall in STC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership (BASOL) program, building on her 15+ years of secretarial experience to advance in the workplace.
“This degree will help me climb the ladder in an office setting,” she explained. “I’m excited to keep going.”
Aaron, meanwhile, is preparing for the next chapter of his academic journey as he heads to Texas A&M University Kingsville to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communication. With a passion for meaningful dialogue and critical thinking, he is excited to dive deeper into a field that aligns with his strengths and interests.
“I love debating and understanding how people think,” he said. “I’ve always been curious about how messages shape opinions and how people connect through conversation. The communication field feels like the perfect fit because it allows me to use my voice, challenge ideas and learn how to express myself in impactful ways.”
Reflecting on their shared experience, Aaron said the journey brought him and his mom closer than ever.
“This journey with my mom is something I didn’t know I needed,” he said. “Going through college together brought us closer in a way I never expected. I got to see firsthand how determined she was, not just to finish, but to truly succeed. I recognized the same drive in her that I saw in myself. We didn’t just aim to get by; we challenged each other to go above and beyond. That shared determination made the experience even more powerful.”
Cristina hopes her story inspires other parents to take the leap and pursue their own education.
“It’s never too late,” she said. “Don’t let age, fear, or timing hold you back. There will always be challenges, whether it’s raising kids, working full-time or feeling overwhelmed, but if you take it one step at a time, it’s possible. I did this not just to show my children what’s possible, but to finally do something for myself and I’m proud of that.”
For Cristina and Aaron Lopez, graduation isn’t just the end of a chapter, it is the celebration of resilience, love and the power of pursuing a dream together.
“There is no crime more heinous than child sexual exploitation, and I am grateful that my law to reauthorize the Project Safe Childhood program.” Senator Cornyn. Image for illustration purposes
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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement on the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated mission by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and law enforcement agencies to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators, which led to the rescue of 115 children and arrest of 205 child sex offenders, including one individual in the Eastern District of Texas and five in the Western District. These cases were brought through Project Safe Childhood, which Sen. Cornyn successfully led the law to reauthorize last year.
“There is no crime more heinous than child sexual exploitation, and I am grateful that my law to reauthorize the Project Safe Childhood program has most recently led to more than 200 dangerous individuals who have committed this unthinkable act being taken off our streets and 115 children being rescued through Operation Restore Justice,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Thank you to Attorney General Bondi, the entire Department of Justice, and other law enforcement agencies involved for prioritizing the safety of our nation’s most vulnerable, and I look forward to seeing even more arrests of child sex offenders in the future under my law.”
Background:
These legal cases were brought against hundreds of offenders as part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative to combat child sexual exploitation. This nationwide program was started in May 2006 by the DOJ. Sen. Cornyn authored and successfully passed the Project Safe Childhood Act, which was signed into law in December of 2024 and reauthorized and strengthened this critical initiative.
In Texas, Operation Restore Justice has led to the arrest of six individuals in the Eastern and Western Districts of Texas charged with crimes ranging from distribution and possession of child pornography to child sexual exploitation.
David Barker. Image: Linguisticgeek, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education celebrated President Trump’s nomination of David Barker to be Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. As Assistant Secretary, Dr. Barker will work to improve outcomes and accountability in postsecondary education, including by helping to lead reforms to accreditation, improving federal student aid programs, and ensuring its grant programs are invested in agency priorities.
David Barker – Office of Postsecondary Education
David Barker is a sixth-generation Iowan with deep experience in higher education policy and governance. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago and has taught economics at both the University of Chicago and the University of Iowa. For the past six years, he has served on the Iowa Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s public universities. During his tenure, he has played a key role in advancing cost control measures, promoting academic freedom, and ending discriminatory DEI programs.
“Sixth generation Iowan David Barker has a proven 40-year track record as a successful entrepreneur and led the fight on the Iowa Board of Regents to undo restrictive COVID-19 mandates on students. He is a great pick by President Trump to serve as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.” – Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator for Iowa
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) hosted the inaugural National Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Facility in Florence. Photo: Texas DPS
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AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) hosted the inaugural National Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Facility in Florence. Designed to showcase the highest levels of law enforcement excellence, the event brought together Top Troopers from across the country for a week of collaboration, competition and training. Male Trooper Michael Brown from Oklahoma Highway Patrol and female Lindsey Rumenapp from New York State Police earned the title of 2025 National Top Troopers, receiving a custom-made belt buckle from Andrews, Texas, and bragging rights for the next year.
The National Top Trooper saw competitors from 15 states, including: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Maryland and Tennessee. Corporal Kip Staton of Tyler, who won the Texas Top Trooper competition last month, and Trooper Aundrea Powell of Port Lavaca, who was the female alternate in the Texas Top Trooper competition, represented the Lone Star State.
“It was our privilege to host law enforcement agencies from across the nation and showcase the exceptional talent within our profession,” said DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin. “Events like this help strengthen the relationship and communication between agencies, which is critical when we’re called to respond together during natural disasters or large-scale emergencies. The partnerships built here one day could save lives.”
The National Top Trooper Competition is a rigorous three-day event designed to test the full scope of a Trooper’s operational readiness. Participants compete in nine events that evaluate physical fitness, mental resilience, tactical proficiency and overall job knowledge. In addition to the competitive challenges, Troopers must appear before an interview board, where they are assessed on professionalism, communication skills and critical thinking. Core components of the competition include advanced driving scenarios, physical fitness and marksmanship with all department-issued weapon systems, ensuring each competitor demonstrates mastery in essential law enforcement skills.
As a symbol of strength, resilience and warrior spirit, each participant in this year’s National Top Trooper Competition received a Spartan Sword, reflecting the event’s chosen theme. The sword reflects more than just victory— it embodies the discipline, honor and unwavering commitment required of those who wear the badge.
“This year’s theme serves as a powerful reminder that every Trooper, like a Spartan, must be ready to stand strong in defense of others,” said Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee. “Being out here alongside these Troopers, watching them push their limits and represent law enforcement across the country—it’s a powerful reminder of the grit, heart and professionalism that defines this job.”
In addition to the competition, Troopers also received Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC)training from Texas DPS instructors. This internationally recognized program equips law enforcement personnel with the tools to identify indicators that a child is a victim or at risk of becoming a victim—including children who are missing, exploited at-risk or endangered. Providing this training during the competition highlights its importance and ensures more law enforcement agencies across the country are better prepared to remove children from dangerous situations.
Photos of the inaugural National Top Trooper Competition including winner photos are available here.
Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini prepares to present legislation in the Senate chamber during the 89thRegular Session of the Texas Legislature. Photo Credit: Texas Senate Media Services
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Austin, TX – With less than a month remaining in Texas’ 89th Legislative Session, Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, is successfully advancing dozens of Senate and House bills through the legislative process. As of Friday (May 9) the Senate had passed 62 of her bills, 8 of which also were passed by the House of Representatives and sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for his consideration.
“We’ve made great progress, but our work is far from over,” Dean Senator Zaffirini said. “With the session’s final weeks ahead, I remain focused on delivering results for the families of Senate District 21 and all Texans.”
She has passed 1,388 bills, more than any legislator in the history of the State of Texas, and holds a state and national record of having cast more than 74,000 consecutive votes. This session Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appointed her to the Senate Committees on Business and Commerce; Finance; State Affairs; and Natural Resources, of which she is Vice Chair.
She also is Lt. Gov. Patrick’s appointee to the Texas Judicial Council and the Texas Access to Justice Commission.
Of those, the following were passed by both chambers:
SB 65 would allow counties with populations of more than 265,000 to adopt uniform work hours for county employees.
SB 72 would give rental car customers the option to purchase a single damage waiver for up to 180 days, aligning rental contract terms across Texas law.
SB 703 would strengthen licensure restrictions for massage therapists by making indecent assault an automatic disqualification.
SB 1532 would streamline state water finance reporting by eliminating outdated online posting requirements for the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas program.
SB 1568 would promote spay and neuter programs by creating a redesigned license plate with the message “Spay. Neuter. Adopt.” to increase public awareness and participation.
SB 1619 would expand access to life-saving allergy medication by letting schools stock nasal sprays and other new delivery devices, not only EpiPens.
SB 1697 would improve transparency for home rooftop solar energy devices by requiring electric providers to share a standardized customer guide.
SB 2077 would make it easier to appoint qualified persons to the Texas Mutual Insurance Board by updating outdated conflict-of-interest rules.
What’s more, the following House Bills (HBs) and House Concurrent Resolutions (HCRs) sponsored by Dean Senator Zaffirini were passed by the Senate and House of Representatives:
HB 2763 would rename the Texas Department of Transportation building in Starr County to the Eduardo “Eddie” Gracia, Jr., P.E., Area Engineer and Maintenance Facility.
HB 3135 would allow the issuance of specialty license plates for retired firefighters.
HCR 29 would designate April as Counseling Awareness Month for 10 years.
HCR 70 would redesignate Jim Hogg County as the official Vaquero Capital of Texas for 10 years.
HCR 71 would designate La Salle County as the official Wild Hog Capital of Texas for 10 years.
Dean Senator Zaffirini made history as the first woman Dean of the Senate on Dec. 31, 2023. She succeeds 24 men who held the title since 1909, when it was first assigned to the longest-serving senator. The seventh of only 25 women who have served with 954 male senators in 89 Texas Legislatures, she and Eddie Bernice Johnson joined Cyndi Krier in 1987, marking the first time more than one woman served in the 31-member body. Today there are eight women senators.
Dean Senator Zaffirini also is the namesake of Webb County’s Justice Center, the first state courthouse named for a woman; the student success center at Texas A&M International University; a UISD elementary school; a library at Laredo College; a City of Laredo park; a state park road and soccer mini-pitch in Laredo; a patient suite at the UT Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin; four endowed scholarships; and two grant programs, including the Access to Justice Initiative at the UT Law School.
