Lieuntenant Governor of Texas
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Unanimous Passage of Senate Bill 7 – 13th Check for Retired Teachers
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement August 9th following the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 7, providing a 13th check for retired teachers, by Senator Joan Huffman, R-Houston:
“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 provided a 13th check for retired teachers in 2019, and I am proud that we can provide this check today. I will not stop fighting for our retired teachers, and I'm proud that the Texas Senate has stood up for them again.
“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.
“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 again 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 9
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement August 10th following the passage of Senate Bill 9, the Christine Blubaugh Act, by Senator Joan Huffman, R-Houston:
“In Texas, dating violence of any kind is not tolerated. It is important that our students learn about dating violence and how to prevent it. Senate Bill 9 will require that Texas students are taught the dangers of dating violence, and how to recognize it, while giving parents the option to opt out for their student.
“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 9 over and over again until the House finally has a quorum.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Passage of Senate Bill 2
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement August 11th following the passage of Senate Bill 2, Fair Sports for Women and Girls, by Senator Charles Perry, R-Lubbock:
“Women have been fighting for equality in sports for decades with tremendous success. We cannot stop that progress. It is not fair to allow boys to compete in girls’ sports. In Texas schools, the athletic statistics show the reality of sports competition — boys run faster, they throw farther, they jump higher. To pretend they don’t denies women and girl athletes the right to compete on a level playing field and be the best in their sport. It also pushes them out of athletic scholarships.
“The Texas Senate has passed this bill three times now. 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 2 over and over again until the House finally has a quorum.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Statement on the Passage of Senate Bill 3
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement August 11th following the passage of Senate Bill 3, banning the teaching of Critical Race Theory in Texas Schools, by Senator Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola:
“Texans reject ‘woke’ philosophies that espouse that one race or sex is better than another and that someone, by virtue of their race or sex, is innately racist, oppressive or sexist. Senate Bill 3 will make certain that critical race philosophies, including the debunked 1619 founding myth, are removed from our school curriculums statewide.
“Texas parents do not want their children to be taught these false ideas. Parents want their students to learn how to think critically, not be indoctrinated by the ridiculous leftist narrative that America and our Constitution are rooted in racism.
“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 3 over and over again until the House finally has a quorum.”