Voter Fraud Through the Expansion of Mail-In Voting
Press Release
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today filed a brief with the Court of Appeals for the Fourteenth Judicial District in Houston, defending the Texas Election Code requirements for submitting a mail-in ballot. This brief follows an appeal filed last month, which automatically stayed a Travis County District Court order misconstruing the Election Code to allow anyone to vote by mail using specific protections intended to aid only those with true disabilities.
“The integrity of our election process must be maintained, and the law established by our Legislature must be followed consistently. Unlawful expansion of mail-in voting, which is a special protection made available to Texans with actual disabilities, will only serve to undermine the security of our elections and to facilitate fraud,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Fear of contracting COVID-19 does not amount to a sickness or physical condition as required by state law. My office will continue to defend Texas’s election laws to ensure that our elections remain free, fair and safe.”
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Joint Guidance for Houses of Worship in Texas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2020
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton today issued joint guidance regarding the effect of Executive Order GA 14 on religious services conducted in congregations and houses of worship.
“All Texans must work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, and houses of worship face a particular challenge as we work to combat this pandemic,” said Attorney General Paxton. “This guidance provides clear direction for houses of worship to protect the health and safety of Texans as they continue to hold religious services, exercise their religious liberty, and serve their faith communities.”
The Executive Order GA 14 defines essential services to include “religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and houses of worship.” Orders given by state or local governments prohibiting people from providing or obtaining certain services must ensure that the orders do not violate the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, Article I of the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which protect the rights of Texans to freely exercise their religion.
Read the joint guidance document here.
For information on the spread or treatment of Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services website.
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Governor Abbott Announces $14.1 Million In Grants To Texas Military Communities
For Immediate Distribution
| April 1, 2020 | (512) 463-1826
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today announced a new round of grants totaling $14.1 million from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission’s (TMPC) Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program awarded to various military communities across the state. This program assists defense communities that may be positively or negatively impacted by a future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. The grant money will be invested in infrastructure projects and other initiatives to increase the military value of military installations in Texas and protect jobs.
"The strength of our military communities in Texas is unparalleled in part because of state support like the DEAAG program,” said Governor Abbott. “Not only are the 15 major military installations and Army Futures Command in Texas critical for the defense of our nation, they also add over $101 billion to the state’s economy and support, directly and indirectly, more than 224,000 jobs in communities across this great state. Now more than ever, this support is critical. That is why I will continue to work with the Texas Legislature and TMPC to ensure that our military installations continue to add unmatched value.”
The following entities will receive FY2020-2021 DEAAG disbursements:
Abilene
– $616,389; Security Control Center expansion at Dyess Air Force Base brings additional capacity to the security center
Alamo Area Council of Governments
– $5,000,000; Project reinforces and hardens power distribution across San Antonio and Joint Base San Antonio
Corpus Christi
– $919,500; Flight line security and safety enhancements at Corpus Christi Army Depot
El Paso
– $2,050,000; Expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant, serving El Paso and Fort Bliss
Texarkana
– $516,670; Robotic Vehicle Program preparing Red River Army Depot for the Army’s new robotics mission
Tom Green County
– $5,000,000; Project Resiliency funds power infrastructure, human resiliency and communications infrastructure, benefiting San Angelo and Goodfellow Air Force Base
The TMPC is part of the Governor’s Office and advises the Governor and the Legislature on defense and military issues and ways to strengthen the position of Texas military installations in preparation for a potential BRAC and other defense-related issues. The commission is composed of 13 members serving six-year staggered terms, typically representing an installation in their community.
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AG Paxton Seeks Immediate Appellate Review to Enforce Governor’s Order Halting Unnecessary Medical Procedures
Governor Abbott Issues Executive Orders To Mitigate Spread Of COVID-19 In Texas
Press Release
March 19, 2020
The four orders serve to limit public gatherings and help reduce exposure for people across the state.
WHEREAS, the novel coronavirus (COVD-19) has been recognized globally as a contagious respiratory virus; and
WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on March 13, 2020, certifying that COVJD-19 poses an imminent threat of disaster for aH counties in the state of Texas; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 continues to spread and to pose an increasing, imminent threat of disaster throughout Texas; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised that person-to-person contact heightens the risk of COVID-19 transmission; and
WHEREAS, the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, as promulgated by President Donald J. Trump and the CDC on March 16, 2020, call upon Americans to slow the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people, using drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options at restaurants and bars, and avoiding visitation at nursing homes, among other steps; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of State Health Services has now determined that, as of March 19, 2020, COVID- 19 represents a public health disaster within the meaning of Chapter 81 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; and
WHEREAS, under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, “[t]he governor is responsible for meeting . . . the dangers to the state and people presented by disasters” (Section 418.001 of the Texas Government Code), and the legislature has given the governor broad authority to fulfill that responsibility.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, do hereby order the following on a statewide basis effective 11:59 p.m. on March 20, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2020, subject to extension thereafter based on the status of COVID-19 in Texas and the recommendations of the CDC:
Order No. 1 - In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
Order No. 2 - In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed and highly encouraged throughout the limited duration of this executive order.
Order No. 3 - In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
Order No. 4 - In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools shall temporarily close.
This, executive order does not prohibit people from visiting a variety of places, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks, so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. This executive order does not mandate sheltering in place. All critical infrastructure will remain operational, domestic travel will remain unrestricted, and government entities and businesses will continue providing essential services. For offices and workplaces that remain open, employees should practice good hygiene and, where feasible, work from home in order to achieve optimum isolation from COVD-19. The more that people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained and the sooner this executive order will expire.
This executive order supersedes all previous orders on this matter that are in conflict or inconsistent with its terms, and this order shall remain in effect and in full force until 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2020, subject to being extended, modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by me or by a succeeding governor.Return to South Texas Community News
Price Gouging and Scammers Taking Advantage of Coronavirus Emergency
AUSTIN – As Texans take precautions against exposure to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and prepare for the possibility of self-quarantine if affected, Attorney General Ken Paxton warned that state law prohibits price gouging in the wake of a declared disaster. Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statewide disaster declaration.
- Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments.
- Use trusted sources – such as legitimate, government websites – for up-to-date, fact-based information about COVID-19.
- Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information.
- Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations.
Governor Abbott Holds Call With Texas Legislators to Provide Update On Coronavirus Efforts
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| (PHOTO: Office Of The Governor, 3/12/20) |
Governor Abbott also reinforced the state's commitment to collaborating with local jurisdictions to make certain they have the support, resources, and supplies needed to protect their communities. The Governor encouraged local jurisdictions to track and report any expenses associated with COVID-19 for potential reimbursement from the federal government. The Governor encouraged local jurisdictions to maintain consistent communication with state partners and to continue implementing proactive, vigilant strategies at the local level.
The Governor was joined on the call by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Chief Nim Kidd, and Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath. During the call, Commissioner Morath announced that starting tomorrow, the TEA will begin hosting daily calls with superintendents across the state to ensure relevant information on COVID-19 is communicated to school districts in a timely manner.
"The State of Texas continues to implement proactive strategies to respond to any and all new developments of COVID-19 and that includes collaborating with our local partners throughout Texas," said Governor Abbott. "Local jurisdictions are essential to our mission of protecting public health, and state agencies will continue to be in constant contact with local leaders to provide additional resources and the most up to date information. I am grateful for the responsiveness and cooperation of our mayors and county judges as we continue our efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Together, we will continue to build on our response capabilities and implement proactive strategies that protect the health and safety of all Texans."
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Reports Of Price-Gouging Of Medical Supplies In Texas
Question of Obamacare Validity
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Prosecution of Mail Ballot Fraudster to Move Forward
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AG Paxton - Investigation into JUUL’s Marketing Practices of e-cigarettes
Press Release
The multistate investigation focuses on JUUL’s marketing and sales practices, including targeting underage users, claims about the nicotine content of its products, and statements regarding the risks, safety, and effectiveness as a smoking cessation device.
“I am pleased to be working alongside other states to determine whether any of JUUL’s statements or business practices mislead or otherwise harmed consumers,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Protecting Texans from deceptive business practices is a high priority for my office, and I am committed to holding companies accountable for the quality, effects, and marketing of their products.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control found that over five million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in 2019, and almost one million used an e-cigarette daily. In December 2019, President Trump signed legislation to raise the federal minimum age of sale for tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years.
AG Paxton Files Brief Supporting Fifth Circuit’s Obamacare Decision
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a brief with the United States Supreme Court today, arguing that the Fifth Circuit’s decision to declare Obamacare’s individual mandate unconstitutional and remand the case to the district court does not require review by the Supreme Court at this time. The brief also argues the U.S. House of Representatives, which petitioned the Supreme Court to review the decision, lacks standing to request such a review.