Greg Abbott in 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Crime:
Activist judges use low bail to let out dangerous criminals
One of the most dangerous places is one you would least expect: a courtroom where activist judges are using low bail to let dangerous criminals back on the streets. We must shut and lock that revolving door by passing laws
that keep dangerous criminals behind bars and hold accountable the judges who let them out. To get that done, I am making ending revolving door bail an emergency item this session.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
On Drugs:
Treat fentanyl deaths as poisonings, prosecute as murders
Mexican drug cartels make fentanyl look like legitimate medicine -- even candy. But that one pill can kill. To end cartel killings of Texans, we must do two things: call fentanyl deaths what they are -- poisonings -- and prosecute them as murders.
We must also increase the supply of lifesaving NARCAN, so we can save more Texans who are ambushed by fentanyl.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
On Education:
Schools should not push woke agendas, period
Let's be clear: Schools are for education, not indoctrination. Schools should not push woke agendas. Period. We must reform curriculum, get kids back to the basics of learning, and we must empower parents. Parents deserve access to curriculum, school
libraries, and what their children are taught. We will do that with our Parental Bill of Rights.Parents also deserve education freedom. Without it, some parents are hindered in helping their child succeed.
The way to do that is with school choice through state-funded Education Savings Accounts. I created Education Savings Accounts for special needs students.
It worked so well that a bipartisan super-majority passed it into law and now wants to increase funding for it. Now, it's time to provide every parent with the ability to choose the best education option for their child.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
On Education:
Reward community colleges that produce employable Texans
I met Ariel Aguilar, a young graduate who was so grateful for the program. Instead of studying subjects irrelevant to his career, the job skill program gave him the ability to study what he needed. It also quickly landed him a good-paying career.
Our goal is to ensure that every Texan is prepared to succeed in high-demand industries like, technology, healthcare, and energy. That's why this session we will reward community colleges that produce skilled, employable Texans.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
On Energy & Oil:
Build a power grid strong enough for the next century
We passed 14 bipartisan laws that strengthened the power grid. Since then, no Texan has lost power because of the state grid. But we all know that increased demand will be placed on the grid as Texas continues to grow.
So, we will build a grid strong enough to power Texas for the next century. In fact, in just the last month, multiple electric generation projects have been announced, adding reliable power to our grid.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
On Gun Control:
Mandatory minimum sentence for illegally possessing guns
Another public safety issue is gun crime. Some want more gun laws, but too many local officials won't even enforce the gun laws that are already on the books. Most gun crimes are committed by criminals who possess guns illegally.
We need to leave prosecutors and judges with no choice but to punish those criminals and remove them and their guns from our streets. I want a mandatory minimum sentence for criminals who illegally possess guns of 10 years behind bars.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
On Health Care:
Prohibit government from imposing COVID restrictions forever
I'm announcing an emergency item to end COVID restrictions forever. We must prohibit any government from imposing COVID mask mandates, COVID vaccine mandates, and from closing any business or school because of COVID.
These actions will help Texas close the door on COVID restrictions. Also, we must change how government responds to future pandemics, including requiring the legislature to convene if another pandemic is ever declared.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
On Immigration:
Texas is the only state in US to build its own border wall
Texans are furious about the lawlessness caused by Biden's open border policies. During the prior administration, we had the lowest illegal crossings in decades, but this past year, the United States set a record for the most illegal crossings ever.
I designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. I bussed migrants to sanctuary cities in other states, and Texas is the only state in the history of America to build its own border wall.
The House and Senate are proposing another $4.6 billion to strengthen our border security efforts. But know this: Illegal smuggling is being aided and abetted by U.S. residents. That must stop.
We must impose a mandatory minimum jail sentence of at least 10 years for anyone caught smuggling illegal immigrants in Texas.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
On Tax Reform:
Pass the largest property tax cut in the history of Texas
As I travel across Texas, there's one thing I hear loud and clear: Property taxes are suffocating Texans. We must fix that this session. Hardworking Texans produced the largest budget surplus in Texas history. That money belongs to the taxpayers.
We should return it to you with the largest property tax cut in the history of Texas.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023