As we approach the month of September, I hope all of my fellow sportsmen and women are preparing for the start of dove season. That being said, I recommend taking advantage of and downloading the new Texas Parks & Wildlife Department app, Texas Outdoor Annual. This smartphone application allows you to purchase your license online,... Read More

On August 19, the Texas House officially reached a quorum. With the required number of members now present to conduct business, committees can start meeting in committee to consider the critical items on Governor Abbott’s agenda. I look forward to taking swift action on items such as election integrity, bail reform, border security, and property... Read More

For most East Texas school districts, a new school year has either just begun or is about to. Last year was as trying as any in recent history, particularly for our school teachers, faculty, and administrators. They deserve our utmost respect and appreciation, as they have worked tirelessly over the summer to prepare for our... Read More

On August 2, 1832, Texas settlers refused to surrender their arms to the Mexican Army in Nacogdoches, escalating into The Battle of Nacogdoches, which is often referred to as the opening salvo of the Texas Revolution. James Bowie marched with the Texian Militia and initialed a siege on the Mexican Garrison, eventually capturing the Old... Read More

As the month of July comes to an end and the Olympic games begin to heat up, I hope you are rooting for the red, white, and blue every step of the way. An athlete to keep an eye on is fellow East Texan, Mackenzie Brown, of Flint. As the lone East Texas Olympian, Mackenzie... Read More

As we approach the month of August and the start of another school year, I hope you and your family enjoy the remainder of the 2021 summer vacation. In preparation for the first day, I would like to remind everyone that Texas will host Tax-Free Weekend from August 6-8. Tax-Free Weekend provides an excellent opportunity... Read More

With COVID restrictions lifted statewide and summer vacations still an option before school gets started next month, I sincerely hope you and your family will consider making the trip to Austin for a history and civics lesson at your State Capitol. And with the Legislature in the midst of a Special Session, there’s no better time to... Read More

As many of you know, Governor Abbott called upon legislators to return to Austin on July 8 to begin the first Special Session of the 87th Legislature. On Wednesday, July 7, the Governor announced the Special Session agenda. As expected, election integrity and bail reform were on top of that list, along with nine other... Read More

AUSTIN – Today, Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) selected State Representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) to serve as the Chairman for the House Select Committee on Constitutional Rights and Remedies. The 15-member committee has been formed ahead of the forthcoming Special Session on July 8th and will expire once the 88th Legislative Session convenes in January 2023.... Read More

On an unseasonably cool Thursday, July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared what its delegates had voted on just two days prior: total independence from King George III and Great Britain. In doing so, the founding fathers pushed back against tyranny, creating a new form of government whose power was to be derived only... Read More