Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Passage of Senate Bill 1
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement July 13th, following the passage of Senate Bill 1, the election integrity bill, by Senator Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola:
“I am very proud that the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 1 today. SB 1 is about ensuring that every Texan trusts the outcome of every election in Texas. It increases transparency and ensures the voting rules are the same in every county across the state. It will require that signatures on mail-in ballots are verified so we know that ballots cast by mail belong to the people they say they belong to.
“Texas has more early voting hours than many states, and SB 1 expands early voting hours. SB 1 also prohibits any election machine or counting machine from being connected to the internet, making hacking impossible, and it will allow Texans to watch votes being counted on election night as larger counties will be required to livestream the voting tabulation process.
“Both public and private polling indicates that the majority of Texans support the provisions included in SB 1, and yet, House Democrats were so intent on using this bill for political gain that they left the state to avoid voting on it. They are in Washington, D.C. repeating misinformation and lies about SB 1. Instead of doing their jobs, they are
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Unanimous Passage of Senate Bill 7 – 13th Check for Retired Teachers pushing Congress to pass a federal election bill Texans don’t want. According to a Texas Association of Business poll conducted in April, 65% of Texans ‘do not believe election law should be federalized and do not want U.S. Congress to dictate Texas election law.’
“The opposing party made the same false argument of voter suppression against legislation requiring a photo voter ID to vote, but turnout increased substantially after that legislation passed. Voter turnout in Texas skyrocketed from 7,993,851 in 2012 to 11,144,040 in 2020 – a 40% increase. Gubernatorial election turnout in Texas increased by 76%. In 2012, about 58.6% of registered Texans voted, and in 2020, 66.7% voted. Importantly, 85% of all Texans, including Democrats and Independents, support photo voter ID.
“I am proud that the Texas Senate passed SB 1 today — just as we passed Senate Bill 7 in the regular session. Final passage of this bill into law will require the House Democrats who have fled the state to avoid voting on this bill to return to the Texas House for a quorum. If they do not, this bill will die, but the Senate will continue to pass SB 1 over and over again until the House finally has a quorum. I congratulate Senator Hughes for his leadership and hard work on SB 1.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement July 13th, following the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 7, providing a 13th check for retired teachers, by Senator Joan Huffman, R-Houston:
“Other than a parent, no person is more important to the development of a child than a teacher. Providing a 13th check for our retired teachers is yet another way we can honor their commitment to our children and to the future of Texas.
“When I became Lieutenant Governor, I made it my goal to make the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) actuarially sound, and I am very proud that we have accomplished that goal. We were able to provide a 13th check for retired teachers in 2019, and I am proud that we can provide this one today. I will not stop fighting for our retired teachers, and today, I'm proud that the Texas Senate has stood up for them again.
“Final passage of this bill into law will require the House Democrats who have fled the state to return to the House for a quorum. If they do not, this bill will die, but the Senate will pass SB 7 over and over until the House finally has a quorum.”
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) is the largest public retirement system in Texas, serving over 1.6 million people. TRS is the 6th largest U.S. public pension plan and sits in the top 25 worldwide. One out of every 20 Texans relies on TRS for retirement, disability and survivor benefits.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Passage of Senate Bill 5
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement July 14th, following the passage of Senate Bill 5, by Senator Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola:
“Freedom of speech is a Godgiven right, and protecting that right is a top priority for Texans. We cannot allow social media platforms – the modern-day town square – to censor the views of Texans.
“Texans, regardless of their ideology or message, have the right to take part in digital debates. Senate Bill 5 ensures that social media companies will not be able to deny Texans their right to free speech or discriminate against them because of their point of view. I thank Senator Hughes for his leadership on this legislation to protect our fundamental rights.
“Final passage of this bill into law will require the House Democrats who have fled the state to return to the House for a quorum. If they do not, this bill will die, but the Senate will pass Senate Bill 5 over and over until the House finally has a quorum.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Unanimous Passage of Senate Bills 8 and 12
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement July 14th, following the unanimous passage of Senate Bills 8 and 12, by Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston:
“The two property tax relief bills the Texas Senate passed today will save Texas homeowners nearly $250 million in the 2022-2023 biennium, and over $500 million for the 2024-2025 biennium, as we continue my commitment to providing more property tax relief for Texans. I have been fighting against increasing property taxes since long before I was Lieutenant Governor, and I am proud the Texas Senate moved to pass additional relief today.
“Senate Bills 8 and 12 both passed the Texas Senate unanimously. However, before Texans can receive this property tax relief, these bills must also pass the Texas House, which has been shut down by the House Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C. If they do not return, this bill will die, but the Texas Senate will pass Senate Bills 8 and 12 over and over again until the House finally has a quorum.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Passage of Senate Bill 6
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement July 14th, following the passage of Senate Bill 6, the bail reform bill, by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston:
“At the end of the 87th Regular Legislative Session, Democrats walked out of the Texas House, killing bail reform and other vital legislation. More Texans’ lives continue to be lost and victimized by crime since the regular session ended.
“In some Texas cities, repeat and violent offenders are being allowed to roam free on personal recognizance or very low bail, putting our communities and law enforcement at risk. Senate Bill 6, when finally passed, will stop that.
“Final passage of this bill into law will require House Democrats who have fled the state to return to Texas for a quorum. If they do not, this bill will die, but the Senate will pass SB 6 over and over until the House finally has a quorum.
“I appreciate Senator Huffman's continued leadership on this critical issue.”