Working to stop the scourge of human trafficking by enacting stronger laws and improving awareness is something on which I have been focused through many years of service to Texans.

Today, Governor Greg Abbott signed nine sweeping policies into law, including initiatives that I spearheaded. Texas must continue to stand strong against this heinous crime while ensuring survivors have a new chance at life.

I have been working to stop human trafficking for a long time, and I was invited to join President Donald Trump in 2019 as he signed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act to continue the fight against this modern-day slavery.

Our work together is far from over. Every Texan must be vigilant to recognize and report these criminal acts to help put an end to the horrors of trafficking. We must also make certain Texas is ready and able to protect our border where far too many trafficking crimes are occurring.

In January, lawmakers convened to take up the people’s work consisting of both challenges and opportunities facing our great state. We began with a budget shortfall and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. By February, Winter Storm Uri brought additional devastation across all 254 counties.

Despite an uphill climb, legislators adjourned May 31 with much accomplished to keep Texas a National leader and the 9th largest economy in the world. The success achieved was powered by the voices of Texans and their resiliency, grit and determination that has always made Texas a special place.

The 87th Legislative Session addressed many critical issues, starting with passing the state’s budget for the next biennium. The prosperity of Texas depends upon a conservative and balanced state budget that funds our critical priorities while honoring the taxpayers who shoulder the burden every day. The new $248.5 billion budget is 5.2% leaner than the previous one.

Lawmakers enhanced the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT with additional reforms to strengthen the Texas grid. Senate Bill 3 creates rules preventing lengthy rolling blackouts, issues fines to utilities not prepared for severe weather, provides for a statewide power outage alert system, and brings greater PUC oversight. It also ensures the services needed to power homes and businesses are both budgeted and protected from weather emergencies. Senate Bill 2 addresses the governance of ERCOT requiring Texas residency, industry-specific expertise, and creates a board member selection committee with representation appointed by the Governor and Legislature.

Other bills passed include House Bill 16 that protects residential consumers from sky-high electric bills by banning the sale of wholesale indexed products; HB 17 preserves customer choice and access to energy sources in Texas; HB 1510 funds winterization of our power grid; and HB 1520 provides securitization financing for gas utilities to recover excessive costs from Uri and requires a study to mitigate similar future costs.

Additional investments include $34.2 billion in healthcare with a significant focus on improving women’s health programs, increasing mental/behavioral health, and allocating more funding for Texans with intellectual and physical disabilities on community waiver interest lists. We also ensured more Texans have access to healthcare, passed laws to clarify pricing guidelines that hospitals charge and lowered prescription costs for those who are uninsured and under-insured by establishing a fund for prescription rebates. We were also successful in capping the co-pay for insulin to $25. Other new laws include cost coverage assistance related to ovarian cancer, expanding telemedicine, and prohibiting the denial of organ transplants because of a disability.

The budget includes $46.5 billion for public education – a 5.6% increase from the previous fiscal year and up 20.9% from 2018-2019. Key areas are targeted programs to help students and schools impacted by the pandemic, supplemental special education services and increases to the Foundation School Program formula funds and various student allotments. Increases were made to the Teacher Retirement System as well as funding for higher education access programs.

From my own bill package, I passed greater transparency and cost-savings for college students, reforms to end surprise assessments for Public Improvement District homeowners, protected victims of human trafficking, and allowed reinstatement of parental rights with strict guidelines. I also passed innovative legislation to open the door for Texas to be America’s leader in blockchain technology and digital currency.

Another one of my bills provides education and training to incarcerated non-violent offenders to stop the cycle of imprisonment. I also championed the Texas Reskilling & Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Initiative to help our workforce through post-secondary technical and vocational education. Also passed was assisting restaurants and consumers by allowing the sale of bulk food retail, a lifeline during the pandemic.

I was grateful to work with a local mom to establish guidelines surrounding technology use in schools to better protect our children’s health and safety. Finally, the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act protects our critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries, and The 1836 Project preserves the lessons from our past so that every Texan can understand what makes Texas “Texas.”

We accomplished much, and passed legislation that will benefit all Texans, but our work is not complete. On July 8, Governor Greg Abbott has called lawmakers back for a special session, and I am ready to return to keep fighting for you!

This is only a highlight of some of the bills passed. All are available at https://capitol.texas.gov/.

Election Integrity is almost ready to become the law in Texas. With the passage of Senate Bill 1 in both the House and Senate, we will protect the right of every citizen to cast a secure ballot and make it easy to vote, and hard to cheat, preserving our democracy. #txlege

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Allen Blakemore

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

713-526-3399

Thirty-One House Colleagues Support Parker in Senate Bid

Early Response is Strong

Flower Mound, TX – Tan Parker, Texas State Representative and conservative Republican candidate for Texas State Senate District 12, released this statement:

“I am pleased and proud to receive a tremendous response from my House colleagues for our campaign. For the past 14 years in the Texas House, I’ve been honored to work with many great men and women who faithfully represent their Districts and work for the betterment of Texas.  

“The following State Representatives have endorsed me to serve as the next Senator for SD 12:

Steve Allison

Doc Anderson

Trent Ashby

Ernest Bailes

Cecil Bell

Angie Chen Button

Gio Capriglione

Jeff Cason

Travis Clardy

Tom Craddick

Drew Darby

John Frullo

Gary Gates

Dan Huberty

Kyle Kacal

Phil King

Stan Lambert

JM Lozano

Geanie Morrison

Four Price

John Raney

Matt Schaefer

Mike Schofield

Hugh Shine

Bryan Slaton

John Smithee

Lynn Stucky

David Spiller

Phil Stephenson

Tony Tinderholt

Ed Thompson

“The Senate redistricting map was released on Saturday. As we returned to the Capitol yesterday to begin the Third Called Special Session of the 87th Legislature, many of my colleagues were very generous with their endorsements, and I am honored to share their names today.”

For more information about the Tan Parker campaign visit www.TanParker.com or on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

FOR  IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Allen  Blakemore

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

713-526-3399

Tan Parker Rolls Out National Leader Endorsements – With Labor Day in the rearview mirror – the campaign kicks off

Flower Mound,TX – Tan Parker, Texas State Representative and conservative Republican candidate for Texas State Senate District 12, released this statement:

“Labor Day historically marks the beginning of the Election cycle; however, we’ve been working hard on this campaign since I first announced on July 7.  Additionally, it’s been a busy summer serving the people of Texas during two consecutive Special Sessions.

“I am honored to roll out our National Leader endorsements. I’ve known and worked with each of these seven exceptional leaders on advancing conservative public policy. They know me, and I’m humbled to have their endorsement as the campaign moves forward.

“As of today, this list includes:

·      Rick Perry – former Energy Secretary & TX Governor

·      Rick Santorum – former U.S. Senator PA

·      Dick Armey – former U.S. House Majority Leader

·      Michael Burgess – U.S. Congressman TX

·      Beth Van Duyne – U.S. Congresswoman TX

·      Pete Sessions – U.S. Congressman TX

·      Rebecca Kleefisch – former Lt. Governor WI

“Our entire team is hard at work as we campaign throughout the area, listening to voters and discussing the path forward for Senate District 12 as our stalwart Senator Jane Nelson retires from the Texas Senate.”

For more information about the Tan Parker campaign visit www.TanParker.com or on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Allen Blakemore

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

713-526-3399

Tan Parker: District Leaders Endorsements Continue

Campaign momentum continues to grow

Flower Mound, TX – Tan Parker, Texas State Representative and conservative Republican candidate for Texas State Senate District 12, released this statement:

“Momentum continues to grow for our campaign for SD12. I am tremendously pleased with the response. Elected county and municipal leaders across the area are joining our team.

“As of today, the following district leaders have endorsed.

Tracy Murphree – Denton County Sheriff

Bill Waybourn – Tarrant County Sheriff

Andy Eads – Denton County Judge

Ryan Williams – Denton County Commissioner Pct. 1

Ron Marchant – Denton County Commissioner Pct. 2

Bobbie Mitchell – Denton County Commissioner Pct. 3

Dianne Edmondson – Denton County Commissioner Pct. 4

Mike Donnelly – former Mayor, Double Oak

Steve Dixon – former Mayor, Flower Mound

Jody Smith – former Mayor, Flower Mound

Charlotte Wilcox – Mayor, Highland Village

TJ Gilmore – Mayor, Lewisville

David Rettig – Mayor, Northlake

Matthew Poole – Mayor, Ponder

Scooter Gierisch – Mayor, Roanoke

Laura Hill – former Mayor, Southlake

Joe McCourry – Mayor, The Colony

Alicia Fleury – Mayor, Trophy Club

Nick Sanders – former Mayor, Trophy Club

Richard Boyer – Mayor Pro-Tem, The Colony

Kirk Mikulec – Councilman, The Colony

Perry Schrag – Councilman, The Colony

David Terre – Councilman, The Colony

Joel Marks – Councilman, The Colony

Brian R. Wade – Councilman, The Colony

Kathy Duke – former Lewisville ISD Trustee

Tracy Miller – Lewisville ISD Trustee

Rodney Anderson – former Dallas County GOP Chairman

Richard Hayes – former Denton County GOP Chairman

“These locally elected leaders each have the pulse of their communities. I am proud to have their support and confidence as the election season progresses.”

A robust list of campaign supporters and endorsers is available at: https://www.tanparker.com/endorsements and is being updated regularly.

For more information about the Tan Parker campaign visit www.TanParker.com or on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Allen Blakemore

Monday, September 20, 2021

713-526-3399

Dallas County GOP Rallies Around Tan Parker

New District Lines Bring SD12 into Dallas County

Flower Mound, TX – Tan Parker, Texas State Representative and conservative Republican candidate for Texas State Senate District 12, released this statement:

“The new Texas Senate redistricting maps released on Saturday extend Senate District 12 into Dallas County.

“I am excited about having Dallas County in the new District boundary. While my House District is in neighboring Denton County, I have worked closely with the Dallas County Republican Party over many years and built strong working relationships there.

“I am proud to kick off our Dallas endorsements with these outstanding leaders for the area.

Rodney Anderson

  – former Chair Dallas GOP 2019-2021 & former State Representative

Wade Emmert

  – former Chairman Dallas GOP 2011-2016

Bob Driegert

  – former Chairman Dallas GOP 1992-2002

“Each of these Dallas County leaders have made a significant impact on the Republican Party in Dallas County and in other areas of service for our great state. I am honored to have earned their trust and support of our campaign. They know I am working hard to keep Texas Red and will serve the people across the new Senate District 12.”

For more information about the Tan Parker campaign visit www.TanParker.com or on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Today was a very full and consequential day and night for the Texas House. We passed the historic election integrity bill on third reading, and it’s heading to the Senate for a conference committee report.

We also had a great day on property tax relief for Texans, passing legislation to help new homeowners, our residents who are 65, and those who are disabled.

We took up a lot of bills on second reading today. Texas is taking on border security with over $1 billion in new funding because Washington has walked away from its responsibilities. We also passed the 13th check for our retired teachers, the tech censorship bill to uphold freedom of speech for Texans, and protected Texans with meaningful bail reform to keep criminals off our streets.