For the first time the State of the State address was delivered outside of the Texas State Capitol with members of the State Legislature joining virtually. Abbott delivered his prime-time speech from Visionary Fiber Technologies in Lockhart. He began saying “the state of our state is brimming with promise.”
Over the next thirty minutes Abbott spelled out the legislative priorities that he said would “help build a healthier, safer, freer, and more prosperous state.” This included five emergency items that the Legislature will focus on over the first 60 days of the session. In the order he rolled them out, they are: to expand Broadband Internet access to all Texas zip codes, legislation to defund cities that defund the police, fix a flawed bail system, ensure election integrity, and provide businesses that remained open during the pandemic with civil liability protections.
“Our comeback is already materializing,” Abbott said about the state eclipsing over 2-million COVID vaccinations while still growing the economy. “Texas has added new jobs for eight months in a row,” said Abbott. “In December alone, Texas added more than 64,000 new jobs. Texans are returning to work. Students are returning to school. Families are re-establishing routines. With each passing day of more vaccinations and increased immunity, normalcy is returning to Texas.”
To ensure healthier Texans, Abbott spoke of accelerating the vaccine process until every Texan who wants one will be able to get one. “We should seize the opportunity this session to permanently expand telemedicine so that every Texan in every region of the state can benefit,” said Abbott. He also pushed for protections for those with pre-existing conditions.
Legislation to support law enforcement fit into his call for safer Texans. “To keep Texans safe, and to discourage cities from going down this dangerous path, we must pass laws that prevent cities from defunding police,” said Abbott. Next he took on what he called the state’s broken bail system that led to the death of DPS Trooper Damon Allen. “His killer was out on a $15,000 bond despite having previously been convicted of assaulting a sheriff’s deputy, and having been arrested on charges of evading arrest and aggravated assault on a public servant,” said Abbott.
Religious liberty found its way into the 2021 State of the State Address as well. Abbott called for safeguarding the freedom to worship. He asked lawmakers to come up with a law this session that prevents any government entity from shutting down religious activities, as he said some counties attempted to do during the height of the COVID pandemic.
Making Texas a Second Amendment Sanctuary State and further restrictions on abortion are also priorities for Abbott.
Texas Democrats responded with a pre-taped video.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said the following:
“Let’s be clear, no matter what Governor Abbott says we have suffered under his watch because of his actions. We’re all hurting. Texans are demanding an end to this pandemic and a fair shot to get ahead. As Barbara Jordan said, ‘what the people want is very simple, they want an America as good as its promise.”
Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro said the following:
“35,000 Texas families have lost loved ones to this virus. The unemployment rate has more than doubled in the last year alone. And, our state leadership under Governor Abbott has failed to respond. Leaving Texas with one of the worst outbreaks and one of the worst responses in the entire nation. We have to hold our elected leaders accountable, we have to believe in science and listen to experts. If we get this right, we can build a stronger Texas that works for everyone, if we don’t we will continue to be left behind.”
Houston State Representative Senfronia Thompson said the following:
“The COVID-19 pandemic uncovered the ugly truth about the inequities within our healthcare system. The fallout from this pandemic is only going to exacerbate the cost of healthcare even more. But I am hopeful we will use our good senses to work together to provide 12 months postpartum care for women and draw down federal medicaid dollars. For a long time we have been leaving billions of Texas dollars on the table that belong to us and it is time to bring that money home. Until women, women particularly of color have access to healthcare and equal opportunities I am going to be at your state capitol fighting to put women forward. I along with my Texas Democrats will continue to fight for you and your families in the Texas Legislature. I will work to get things done and done right because that is the Democratic way.”
State Senator and Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus Carol Alvarado said the following:
“2 million Texans have contacted the COVID-19, businesses have closed. I wish I could tell you our State of the State is strong and working for all Texans, but the sad truth, it’s not. 7 million Texans have filed unemployment claims. Families are struggling and haven’t been able to get their kids back to school. Texans are tough and resilient but in order to get through these difficult times we must get our priorities straight. That’s why Texas Democrats have been pushing for years to expand Medicaid because we’re not okay with the fact that we are the nation’s most uninsured state. We’re not okay with the fact that 1% of Texans are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. We’re not okay with asking our teachers to go back into the schools without giving them the resources for safe classrooms.”
State Representative and Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Chris Turner said the following:
“This past year has been one of the most difficult ever. Our communities have been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also facing a challenging economic reality. The state has to step up and help people get back to work. This legislative session, Texas House Democrats will fight to expand healthcare access for millions of uninsured Texans. We’ll fight for continuous coverage, for children and new mothers so they aren’t kicked off their healthcare especially now when they need it most. We’ll fight for health equity, tackling the tragic and unacceptable racial disparities in our healthcare system that this pandemic has exposed. And we will help Texas workers and businesses get back on their feet. Texas House Democrats are committed to working for all Texans and provide real solutions for the challenge we face.”