Texas shows how government can succeed doing more with less. We did it together

For all the challenges facing Texas, the state government is serving its people exceptionally well, especially compared to Washington’s frequent breakdowns.

Having just completed eight years in statewide elected office as Texas Land Commissioner, I can share the “secret sauce” that makes Texas work: relationships. Much like the rural Texas small towns we know, they create incentives to tackle problems and reach solutions that work for the public.

As a result, the future of Texas is bright and a shining example of what elected officials and staff can achieve when they try to get the government to “do more with less.”

Governor of Texas.Abbott enters third semester with pledge to safer schools

As they say in Texas, “Don’t brag if it’s true” applies to our approach to governance. We are the gold standard for how government can serve its people, from local school boards to legislatures.

When the oil and gas industry hit rock bottom during the pandemic, industry and government leaders in Texas worked together to creatively stabilize prices by encouraging temporary cuts in production to keep businesses free from labor. helped to maintain the salaries of employees.

Working with the Railways Commission, the Directorate General of Lands will remove obstacles to increasing land leases to boost oil and gas production, increase income to fund children’s education, and endangered species. Worked on weaponizing the law.

In 2017, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, I worked with Gov. Greg Abbott to lead the largest housing mission in U.S. history, effectively managing $10 billion in federal aid to save thousands of homes. was built or rebuilt.

We worked with local and state elected officials along the coast to help the people of Texas recover as quickly as possible. Our success in rebuilding Texas is now a model for disaster recovery and prudent management of federal taxpayer dollars.

I am committed to working with Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, the Texas delegation to Congress, and coastal leaders from Port Arthur to Brownsville to reduce coastal damage from storm surges, saving lives and property. Completed the Texas Coastal Plan to restore the ecosystem. This is the first-ever plan to protect the entire Texas coast, approved by Congress in December.

Working closely with Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to fund the first part of this coastal plan, including a $4 billion budget from Congress and $200 million from the Texas Legislature The message is that Texas is protecting its citizens and important sea trade corridors, including the Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston Ship Channels.

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In Texas, we rely on relationships to achieve bold and audacious goals. The Alamo was in desperate need of repair from the ravages of time, so I worked with the Texas Legislature, the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and private citizens of all walks of life to create and implement the 1836 Plan. .

Together, we were able to secure a nearly $200 million budget for the Alamo. The plan’s goal is to restore the original fort and preserve the Alamo for future generations of Texans.

As a result, the future of Texas is bright and a shining example of what elected officials and staff can achieve when they try to get the government to “do more with less.” “Don’t brag if it’s true” applies to our approach to governance. We are the gold standard for how government can serve its people, from local school boards to legislatures.

My days as Land Commissioner are over, but my efforts to reach people with the message of consensus, partnership and ethical government are far from over. This country needs leaders inside and outside the government.

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Texas’ challenges affect the entire nation. After all, everything is bigger in Texas. As part of Michael Best’s Legal and Government Relations team, I am excited to navigate on behalf of our clients the implications of policy decisions at the federal and state levels and the complex legal challenges that impact our clients’ growth prospects. increase.

So what happens when our leaders act in concert with those who look hopelessly at Washington and governments abroad and wonder if common sense policymaking is still possible? As an example, I suggest you look to the Lone Star State. Give citizens the freedom to choose their dreams and the resources to make those dreams come true.

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