Patrick Releases 25 Legislative Priorities

C APITAL Highlights 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released his top 25 legislative priorities as the legislative session gets underway, The Texas Tribune reported. They include banning all forms of consumable THC, the psychoactive ingredient in CBD products; increasing the school homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000; a Texas version of a government oversight department to improve governmental efficiency; and measures to shore up the state’s electric grid and water supply.

Patrick released a statement saying his priorities guarantee the Texas Senate, over which he presides, “will continue to lead as the preeminent legislative body in America by passing our bold, conservative agenda, helping President Trump deliver on his promise of making America great again.”

He said he plans to release an additional 15 priority bills soon, for a total of 40.

Flu Cases Spiking Across the State 

The number of influenza cases is rising rapidly, the Austin American-Statesman reported, particularly in North Texas where at least two school districts were forced to close because of excessive absences. Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services indicates a 34% positivity rate in the week of Jan. 12-18.

A Fort Worth children’s hospital last week reported nearly 700 patients visiting its emergency rooms within a 24-hour span.

“Which is just an astronomical number,” Dr. Stephanie Felton, attending physician at Cook Children’s Medical Center, said. “Every year, we obviously see the flu. This year, I will say, that we’re seeing an abundance of it, as far as the numbers.”

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, and a runny or stuffy nose. Severe symptoms can last up to three days, while less-severe symptoms can hang around for up to two weeks.

Abbott Seeks Fed Reimbursement For Border Security 

Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the federal government to reimburse Texas for the $11.1 billion the state has spent in the past four years in Operation Lone Star. “Over the past four years, OLS efforts successfully reduced illegal immigration into Texas by 87%, demonstrated the ongoing effectiveness of President Donald Trump’s border measures, and shone a spotlight on a national crisis,” Abbott wrote in a letter to U.S. congressional leadership.

Abbott has long been critical of federal border enforcement efforts under former President Joe Biden, claiming his policies left Texas “defenseless” against infiltration across the border of violent gangs and other criminals.