Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on Governor Greg Abbott’s Second Special Session Call “The Texas Senate stands ready to begin our important work, immediately.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement August 5th following Governor Greg Abbott’s call for an immediate second special session:
“I want to thank Governor Abbott for calling the legislature back for a second special session. The work we will complete is critical to Texans. All of the bills on this special session call were passed by the Texas Senate during the regular legislative session this spring, but did not pass the House.
“During the first special session in July, the Texas Senate maintained a quorum and quickly passed every bill listed on Governor Abbott’s call. Unfortunately, a quorum was not maintained in the Texas House of Representatives, and all of the bills died.
“With Governor Abbott promptly calling us back for another special session, I want Texans to know the Texas Senate stands ready to begin our important work, immediately. We will have a quorum, and we will begin committee hearings this weekend. Bills will be heard on the Senate floor beginning next week. I look forward to a productive special session for the people of Texas.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Passage of Senate Bill 6
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement August 9th following the passage of Senate Bill 6, the bail reform bill, by Senator 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. During the first special session, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 6, but Texas House Democrats fled the state, again killing this bill. As a result, more Texans’ lives continue to be lost and victimized by crime.
“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 Senate Bill 6 over and over again 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 August 9th 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 $100 million dollars for the 2022-2023 biennium. This number could have been significantly higher had the Texas House Democrats not broken quorum. Texas homeowners will save 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."