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Governor Greg Abbott emphasized that advanced nuclear power will strengthen the state’s energy grid and position Texas as a global leader in the industry.
Today’s Insights:
- Texas is Gearing up for Nuclear Energy
- Dan Patrick’s Latest Legislative Priority: Dementia Research
- Musk Joined at SpaceX Launch by Trump
Texas is Gearing up for Nuclear Energy
Governor Greg Abbott and the Public Utility Commission of Texas released a report outlining Texas’ strategy to develop an advanced nuclear power industry. Over the past year, a working group formed by Abbott studied the state’s potential for advanced nuclear reactors, recommending financial incentives, regulatory improvements, and streamlined permitting to facilitate development. The group emphasized Texas’ readiness to lead, citing resources, workforce, funding, and 61 evaluated sites suitable for reactor deployment. Advanced nuclear is expected to provide reliable, clean energy for industrial and military facilities, create significant economic growth, and position Texas as a leader in the global nuclear market. Additionally, Texas A&M University is taking steps to host next-generation reactor testing at its RELLIS campus, further supporting the state’s nuclear ambitions.
Dan Patrick’s Latest Legislative Priority: Dementia Research
On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposed creating the Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas, modeled after the successful counterpart institute for Cancer Prevention, the CPRIT. This new research institute initiative aims to attract leading dementia researchers and companies to Texas soil. Senate Finance Chair Joan Huffman will author the bill, with bipartisan support anticipated, followed by a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval. Patrick highlighted CPRIT’s success, which attracted world-class cancer research to Texas and resulted in institutions like UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center becoming globally renowned.
Per Patrick, “Dementia, and especially Alzheimer’s, touches so many families today. It is a heart breaking and devastating disease. Just as we are leading on cancer research, Texas can be a world leader in combatting Dementia, finding treatment and, one day, a cure.”
Musk Joined at SpaceX Launch by Trump
Over the past two weeks, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have solidified a close relationship, highlighted by Trump attending a SpaceX Starship launch in South Texas. Musk hosted the president-elect, explaining the test and showcasing a model of the rocket before liftoff. While the reusable booster didn’t return to the launch pad as planned, the event symbolized the growing bond between the two influential figures. This partnership carries implications for politics (both state and federal), government operations, foreign policy, and the future of space exploration, including potential missions to Mars.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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#43 - Wes Benedict: Bridging Policy and Community with Texans for Reasonable Solutions
Welcome to Episode #43 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Wes Benedict, Grassroots Manager at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.
Wes brings years of advocacy experience and a steady, practical approach to community engagement. The conversation explores how Texas communities can navigate political tension, build cross-partisan coalitions, and create space for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.
They dive into the organization’s focus on key statewide issues including housing, infrastructure, water, and the evolving relationship between local and state governments. Wes breaks down why these policies matter for both everyday Texans and the business community, and how reasonable, bipartisan solutions can move conversations forward.
The episode closes with insights on how individuals can get involved, what success looks like in grassroots policy work, and what Texans should be watching as the special session unfolds.
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Texas Political Spotlight
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Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends,
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at 84, remembered by former President George W. Bush as a “patriot” whose intellect and conviction shaped decades of U.S. policy. In Texas, the Education Agency announced a sweeping takeover of Fort Worth ISD, the state’s second-largest intervention, citing years of academic underperformance and plans to install new local managers. And in Washington, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a bomb threat, prompting an FBI investigation that later found no explosives, allowing operations to resume safely.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
