Greg Abbott in 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
Ensure every child is spared from ravages of abortion
Estimates show more than 40 million babies lost their lives to abortion in 2020. That's shocking. It's horrifying. It must end. I have signed eleven laws that protect innocent lives, but more must be done. This session, we need a law that ensures
that the life of every child will be spared from the ravages of abortion. We should also make explicit what should be obvious: no unborn child should be targeted for abortion on the basis on race, sex, or disability.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
On Crime:
Emergency laws to prevent cities from defunding the police
We will support our law enforcement officers, not demonize and defund them. Defunding law enforcement invites crime and chaos into communities. It risks the lives and livelihoods of innocent people. To keep Texans safe, and to
discourage cities from going down this dangerous path, we must pass laws that prevent cities from defunding police. This issue is so urgent, I am making it an emergency item this session.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
On Education:
Teach students what it means to be American & to be a Texan
If we expect the next generation of Texans to keep Texas the best state in the nation, we must teach them why we are so exceptional. We must educate them what it means to be an
American and what it means to be a Texan. We must bolster civics education in our classrooms and ensure that every child learns the values of freedom, good governance, and patriotism.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
On Government Reform:
Election integrity essential to our democracy
The integrity of our elections is so essential to our democracy. One thing all of us should agree on whether you're a Republican,
Democrat, or Independent, is that we must have trust and confidence in the outcome of our elections. That why Election Integrity will be an emergency item this session.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
On Gun Control:
Texas must be a Second Amendment Sanctuary State
Second Amendment rights are also under attack. Politicians from the federal level to the local level have shouted: "Heck yes, the government is coming to get your guns." We won't let that happen in Texas. Last session, I signed ten laws to
protect gun rights in Texas. This session we need to erect a complete barrier against any government office anywhere from treading on gun rights in Texas. Texas must be a Second Amendment Sanctuary State.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
On Health Care:
We must focus on mental health challenges
If we are going to fully address COVID related health issues, we must also focus on the mental health challenges that Texans are facing. During the pandemic, we created a 24/7 mental health support line, provided crisis counseling, and established
virtual access for behavioral services. They were funded by the almost $8 billion that the Legislature devoted to mental health last session. I will work with the Legislature this session to ensure that Texas continues to address these challenges.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
On Health Care:
Ensure coverage without being forced into the ObamaCare
Looking beyond just COVID, there is more we can do this session to ensure that Texans have better access to healthcare.
That includes ensuring that Texans with pre-existing conditions have access to healthcare coverage without being forced into the Affordable Care Act.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
On Immigration:
Texas must fortify its efforts to secure our border
Public safety also extends to our border. Because of the federal government's open border policies, Texas must fortify its efforts to secure our border.
We already have planes in the air, boots on the ground, boats on the water, and cruisers on the roads. We must expand our efforts to crack down on human trafficking and drug smuggling in Texas.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Prevent government from shutting churches during pandemic
Freedom of Religion is enshrined in the First Amendment. And yet, some government officials across the country shut down churches during the pandemic. Even in Texas, some local officials tried closing churches. That is wrong.
We must ensure that freedom to worship is forever safeguarded. I want a law this session that prevents any government entity from shutting down religious activities in Texas.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
On Technology:
Broadband not a luxury; it's an essential tool
From medicine to education to business, broadband access is not a luxury--
it is an essential tool that must be available for all Texans. That's why I am making the expansion of broadband access an emergency item this session.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022