Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Statement on the Final Passage of Senate Bill 1
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement August 31st following the final passage of Senate Bill 1, the Election Integrity Bill, by Senator Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola:
“I am extremely proud that the Texas Senate sent Senate Bill 1 to Governor Abbott's desk today. This bill is very similar to Senate Bill 7 which we first passed in April during the 87th Regular Session. It is about ensuring that all Texans trust the outcome of every election in Texas. We've succeeded in our goal: to make voting in Texas easier while making it more difficult to cheat.
“I want to thank Representative Andrew Murr, R-Junction, for working with the Senate on this important legislation.
“I especially want to salute all Senate Republicans and especially Senator Hughes, who passed this bill on multiple occasions, for their long hours and diligent work to pass this bill for the final time.”
Statement on the Texas Senate Adjourning Sine Die as Landmark Conservative Legislation Passes (September 2, 2021)
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement following the Texas Senate adjourning the Second Called Special Session of the 87th Legislative Session sine die:
“At the end of the 87th Regular Legislative Session, the Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives walked out and broke quorum, killing many of my priorities, and the priorities that reflect the view of the majority of Texans statewide, including the Election Integrity Bill and Bail Reform. During the First Called Special Session, the same Democrats broke quorum again and fled to Washington, D.C., again killing the Election Integrity Bill, the Banning of Critical Race Theory, the Fair Sports for Women and Girls Act and every other item on Governor Abbott's special session call. Throughout the regular session and First Called Special Session, the Texas Senate passed every bill on my priority list and the governor's special session call.
“The Texas Senate once again began work immediately once the Second Called Special Session was called by Governor Abbott, and we passed these Republican priority bills during the first week of the session while we awaited the return of the House Democrats from their Washington, D.C. and European vacations. At the beginning of this week, several must-pass bills hung in the balance, including the Election Integrity Bill, the Banning of Critical Race Theory, the Fair Sports for Women and Girls Act, Bail Reform and Border Funding. We went into overdrive to be sure these bills did not fail again.
"As we finish this week, I am very proud to say that the Texas Senate completed one of the greatest weeks for Republican legislation in Texas, and perhaps, American history. Tonight, we set the foundation for conservative, common sense policy. The cornerstones of this foundation start with Senate Bill 1, the Election Integrity Bill, which makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat. Another cornerstone, Senate Bill 8, the Heartbeat Bill, has already been allowed to be enacted by the United States Supreme Court. The third cornerstone is Senate Bill 3, Banning Critical Race Theory in our schools. No student should be called an oppressor or a victim. Every student deserves to dream big in our great country. The final cornerstone was investing an additional $1.8 billion to secure our border, because the federal government is not doing their job.
"These are conservative cornerstones that will keep Texas, Texas. These tremendous victories were the result of countless hours of teamwork and collaboration by the Texas Senate. We still have unfinished business to complete on the Fair Sports for Women and Girls Act. The Senate has passed that bill 4 times, and it has failed in the House. I have asked Gov. Abbott to place it on the special session call later this month, and we will pass it again.
“As this week ends, I could not be more proud of your Texas Senators and the bills we have sent to Gov. Abbott to be signed into law.”
Statement on the Passage of Senate Bill 1
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement September 22nd following the passage of Senate Bill 1, Property Tax Relief, by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston:
“I have been fighting against increasing property taxes since long before I was Lt. Governor and I am proud the Texas Senate moved to pass additional relief today. This bill guarantees $2 billion in property tax relief, and that amount could rise to a total of $4 billion for the current biennium if our surplus revenues grow.
"Senate Bill 1 follows the clear and simple principle that as Texas' economy grows, and the state receives surplus revenues, a portion must first be returned to taxpayers because it's their money. This signifies a quantum shift in the way we think about spending our surplus dollars. Texas homeowners must receive tax relief before we commit to any new spending...”
Statement on the State Bar of Texas' Investigatory Panel
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement September 24th on the State Bar of Texas’ naming of a partisan and one-sided Investigatory Panel against the attorney general:
“The State Bar of Texas' Investigatory Panel's attack against Attorney General Paxton appears politically motivated and in violation of Article 2, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution, guaranteeing a separation of powers among the branches of government. It is clear the Investigatory Panel, stacked with Biden and Democrat donors and activists, has weaponized its state-granted power, intended to protect a fair and just practice of law, to instead launch an attack over political differences. These actions undermine the integrity of the Investigatory Panel and the State Bar of Texas as a whole."