Greg Abbott in 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Crime:
Crack down on human trafficking
We must also work together to crack down on human trafficking and to protect the victims of this heinous crime. I ask the legislature to increase funding to create six regional human trafficking squads. These squads will investigate and shut down human
trafficking operations across Texas. And absolutely every trafficker should get mandatory jail time. These predators should be locked up, not freely roaming our streets looking for victims.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Texas legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Education:
Increase teacher pay, with best earning six figures
We must target education funding to help our students achieve in school. That starts with teachers in the classroom. Texas must recruit and retain the best and brightest teachers to educate our students. This session, we must pay our teachers more.
We must provide incentives to put effective teachers in the schools and classrooms where they are needed the most. And we must create a pathway for the best teachers to earn a six-figure salary.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Texas legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Education:
Focus on mental health for safer schools
Texas must act now to make our schools safer. After the horrific shooting at Santa Fe High School, I held roundtables with parents, students, educators, law enforcement, and mental health experts. One solution everyone agreed on was the need to address
mental health in our schools.Programs like the telemedicine wellness project at Texas Tech. It partners with school districts in West Texas to identify and remove students who pose a potential threat. And it provides students the help they need.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Texas legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Rein in property taxes; they punish families
If we are going to keep Texas the economic engine of America, we must rein in a property tax system that punishes families and businesses and prevents younger Texans from achieving their dream of homeownership. We can no longer sit idly by while
property owners are reduced to tenants of their own property with taxing authorities playing the role of landlord. I applaud leaders of the Senate and House for working together on bills that limit the ability of taxing authorities to raise your taxes.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Texas legislature
Feb 5, 2019
On War & Peace:
Help veterans get benefits they've earned
We must not turn our backs on the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have worn the uniform of the mightiest military in the history of the world. That includes fully funding the mental health program for veterans at HHSC.
We must also fund the Texas Veterans Commission to help veterans receive the VA healthcare benefits they have earned. This session we will ensure that the men and women who fought on the front lines go to the front of the line.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Texas legislature
Feb 5, 2019
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2019