TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT SPEAKS TO CONSTITUENTS LAST MONTH AT MIGUELS MEXICAN RESTRAUNT IN ABILENE

A leader with a strong proven record who represents the Lone Star State recently paid a visit to West Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott made his entrance at Miguel’s Mexican Restraunt in Abilene last month waving to his constituents who gladly welcomed him. He was very enthusiastic about visiting the local community and happy to see those who were present to hear him speak about the 84th legislative session.The governor was introduced by Taylor County Republican Party Chair, Nick Coates. “Abilene voters overwhelming vote for Abbott because he is a Conservative Republican. He leads the way for our state and our state leads the way for our nation.”Some the diverse crowd that gathered to hear Governor Abbott speak traveled from {{more}} neighboring towns. Two dedicated couples drove all the way from the Rotan, Texas. An Abilene Christian University Business Professor Phil Verdiman also accompanied one of his classes to the luncheon. Everyone had a chance to shake hands with the governor before his speech.According to Wikipedia, Abbott was nominated and assumed office as 48th Governor of Texas on January 20, 2015 and preceded former Governor Rick Perry. Prior to serving as the 50th Attorney General of Texas, Governor Abbott served as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court and as a State District Judge in Harris County. He is also an American lawyer and politician. He established a Cyber Crimes Unit to arrest criminals who use the internet to prey upon children; a fugitive Unit to arrest convicted sex offenders who violate their parole; and an expanded Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to crack down on elder abuse and waste of taxpayer dollars.A husband to his wife, First Lady Cecilia Abbott, and father to daughter Audrey, Governor Abbott has spent his career fighting to preserve Texas values like faith, family and freedom for future generations. As the state’s chief law enforcement official, Governor Abbott made protecting Texas the focus of his tenure as Texas’ longest-serving Attorney General. He collected more than $31 billion in child support for Texas children. In 2014, his office was recognized as the nation’s best child support program by the National Child Support Enforcement Association. The governor’s vision continues to focus on creating more jobs and economic opportunity, elevating our schools and education system, building infrastructure to deep the economy growing securing the Texas border in the face of federal inaction. Since he became Governor of Texas, Abbott has stepped in to continue to keep Texas protected. Some of the legislative issues he discussed about during his visit were; the Environmental Protection Agency , immigration laws, same-sex marriage laws, voter fraud ID, health care, tax cuts, open-carry.Securing Texas borders continues to be a priority of Governor Abbott. He started talking about immigration laws and shared that he has set aside $1 billion towards securing Texas borders. He gave a strong message to all illegal drug organizations. “The drug cartels need to take their business elsewhere. They are no longer wanted in the State of Texas,” Governor Abbott said.The Homeland Security Strategic Plan has been drawn up for 2015-2020 for two years. “The goal is to ensure security of all Texans that accompanies the plan.”“Because of its’ size, geographic diversity, large population and strong economy, Texas faces a broad range of threats and hazards every day; our unsecured border, and it’s pervasive influence of international cartels and associated criminal organizations, the risk of terrorists attacks, cyber-attacks and threats to critical infrastructure that create industrial accidents, infectious disease outbreaks, persistent droughts, and a wide certainty of natural disasters.“We are adding more law enforcement personnel up and down the border, we’re adding thousands of camera that detect any kind of cross-border activity, we’re adding more airplanes and more boats to interject water activity,” said Governor Abbott. One of the legislative issues Governor Abbott discussed he said is beneficial for Abilene was his enforcement of environmental laws that have helped keep the water pure, air clean, and the surroundings safe.The Governor shared that he has filed thirty lawsuits against the President Obama Administration in order to protect Texas sovereignty, as he is combatting the Federal Government against illegal regulatory law schemes of environmental protection.“America is not broken. Washington DC is what’s broken,” said Governor Abbott. Another bill that Abbott signed into law involves the largest tax cut in Texas in nearly a decade, including an increase in the homestead exemption and a Permanent 25% cut in business franchise tax.Governor Abbott signed a bill on May 29th, after Texas legislators supported open-carry laws, reversing a ban dating to post civil war after Texas legislators approved it. The National Rifle Association supports the open-carry House Bill 910 that requires the right of option of carrying them either wholly or partially visible in belt or shoulder holster. After the bill was approved, owners will still have to get a license to carry a gun in a visible holster. In reference to health, Governor Abbott shared that nearly one billion will be set aside for health care. “We are now devoting even more resources and have more providers than ever before for women’s health issues.” He said. The decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood was another important issue the governor talked about.“The State of Texas has stepped forward and shown it’s unyielding to commit to both protecting life and providing women’s health services. Ending the Medicaid participation of Planned Parenthood affiliates in the State of Texas is another step in providing access to safe health care for women while protecting our most vulnerable, the unborn.” Governor Abbott said. The state accused the organization of failing to prove conditions that would allow the spread of infectious diseases, after the release of undercover videos featuring discussion of fetal tissue potentially triggering a federal court and being liable directly or by affiliation for a series of Medicaid Program violations. Health officials said that the agency is no longer competent of performing medical services in a professional competent, safe, and ethical manner. Voter fraud is another issue that Governor Abbott discussed. “Texas will continue to fight for its Voter ID requirement to ensure integrity of election in the Lone Star State.” He said. On August 5, 2015 Governor Abbott shared that in the light of voter fraud, it is imperative that Texas has a voter ID law that prevents cheating at the ballot box. In reference to the Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling, Governor Abbott shares again what he earlier stated on June 26, 2015. “The Supreme Court has abandoned its role as an impartial judicial arbiter and has become an unelected nine-member legislature. Five Justices on the Supreme Court have imposed on the entire country their personal view on an issue that the Constitution and the Court’s previous decisions reserve to the people of the States.”“Despite the Supreme Court’s rulings, Texans’ fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected. No Texan is required by the Supreme Court’s decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage. “ Governor Abbott said. “The Texas Constitution guarantees that no human authority ought, in any case whatsoever, to control or interfere with the right of conscience in matters of religion.’ The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion; and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, combined with the newly enacted Pastor Protection Act. It provides robust legal protections to Texans whose faith commands them to adhere to the traditional understanding of marriage.” “As I have done in the past, I will continue to defend the religious liberties of all Texas—including those whose conscience dictates that marriage is only the union of one man and one woman. “ Governor Abbott stated. He also said that he would issue a directive to state agencies instructing them to prioritize the protection of Texans’ religious liberties. At the end of Governor Abbott’s speech, everyone who wanted to had an opportunity to take a photo with him. After lunch at Miguel’s, his agenda consisted of speaking and visiting more Texas cities after leaving Abilene.