Over the past weeks, scrutiny has correctly increased on the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) and their inability to restore public confidence in their operations.                                                                                                                                      


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Senate Bill 28, Banning Lottery Couriers, Has Unanimously Passed the Texas Senate


Lottery Courier [[link removed]][link removed]


Over the past weeks, scrutiny has correctly increased on the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) and their inability to restore public confidence in their operations. In April of 2023, the biggest theft of citizens’ money happened when a foreign syndicate purchased 26 million $1 tickets in the Lotto Texas game. The winning prize had reached $95 million. Those tickets were all bought within 72 hours of the winning numbers being announced. The Lottery Commission not only inexplicably allowed this to happen but also provided extraordinary assistance in facilitating the printing of these tickets in several courier locations, one of which had little to no experience in printing tickets.


The Governor and I have called for a Texas Rangers investigation [[link removed]] of this event and the entire Lottery Commission, dating as far back as 2016, when the Commission, through its own rulemaking, changed the way the lottery operated by introducing couriers into the process of buying and printing tickets on behalf of people on a phone app.


Two weeks ago, I visited a lottery courier location and was stunned to see how the operation worked. The location had two lottery terminals in a tiny retail space — not the usual convenience store — and they had 30-40 terminals behind the wall in a backroom that were spitting tickets out by the second. While I was eventually allowed to tour the backroom of the store, I was not allowed to take photos or videos or ask questions.


On Thursday, the Senate made it clear that the first step in restoring public trust in the commission, if even possible, is to ban lottery couriers. The decision on whether the lottery will continue in Texas will be made in the coming days and weeks of the legislative session.


Senate Bill 28, by Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, bans lottery couriers from operating in Texas by prohibiting the sale or purchase of lottery tickets on the Internet.


Here is my official statement [[link removed]].


Teaching Is a Profession, Not Just a Job


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As the husband of a long-time schoolteacher, the son-in-law of a teacher, and the father-in-law of a teacher, I understand the profound impact that a great educator has on a child’s development. I believe teaching is a profession and not just a job, and teachers should be paid accordingly. Since my arrival in the Texas Senate, I have prioritized teacher pay increases to reflect the sentiment expressed in Matthew 6:21: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”


SB 26 will provide experienced teachers in urban and suburban districts raises between $2,500 and $5,500. It aims to close the pay gap between urban and suburban teachers and rural teachers, providing raises up to $10,000 for rural teachers. Additionally, SB 26 expands the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) to enable more public schools and teachers to participate, providing a genuine pathway for teachers to earn six-figure salaries.


I thank Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, for his tireless work on SB 26 and the entire Senate for sharing my continued commitment to supporting our teachers, who give so much for Texas’ future.


To learn more about Senate Bill 26, please click here [[link removed]].


Funding Alzheimer's Research, Treatment, and Prevention: One of My Top Priorities


Research [[link removed]]


The week before last, I spoke with advocates from the Texas Medical Center about my priority bill that establishes the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT). This bill, Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), will focus specifically on dementia and related disorders. Dementia is a broad term that encompasses diseases affecting cognitive abilities, memory, thinking, and behavior, with Alzheimer's being the most commonly recognized form.


This investment will attract leading researchers and companies to Texas, motivating them to establish their operations here as they search for a cure.


Currently, about 400,000 Texans suffer from Alzheimer's. This disease doesn't just impact the individuals diagnosed; it also profoundly affects their entire families. Dementia is a heartbreaking and devastating condition. With a steadfast commitment, Texas has the potential to become a world leader in combating dementia in the search for effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.


Let’s Make It Official: The Texas Strip Steak


Factoid: Texas has about 12.2 million head of cattle, the most in America. I met with the Texas Cattle Feeders and Cattle Raisers last week.


Out of curiosity, I asked each of them their favorite cut of meat. A few said New York Strip. I asked why we didn’t call it a “Texas Strip” because New York has mostly dairy cows. Just because a New York restaurant named Texas beef a New York Strip in the 19th century doesn’t mean we need to keep doing that.


The Texas Senate will file a concurrent resolution to officially change the name of the New York Strip to the “Texas Strip” in the Lone Star State. We will ask restaurants to change the name of this strip of meat the next time they reprint their menus, and grocery stores to do the same. We want this to catch on across the country and around the globe.


In a world filled with serious issues that we address every day at the Texas Capitol, this simple resolution will help better market Texas beef. That’s good for the Texas cattle industry. The Cattle Associations sure liked the idea.


Liberal New York shouldn’t get the credit for our hard-working ranchers. We promote the Texas brand on everything made or grown in Texas because it benefits our economy and jobs.


After session ends this summer, I might take a short cruise across the Gulf of America and have a juicy medium-rare Texas Strip.


Men Belong in the Men's Bathroom and Women in the Women's Bathroom


Recently, inside a women's bathroom at the Texas Capitol, a young female staffer said a man complimented her on her hair. Here's the deal: men belong in the men's bathroom and women in the women's bathroom because women and young girls deserve their privacy. We will follow that rule in all Capitol bathrooms. President Trump issued an executive order stating that there are two sexes in America: male and female. We've known that in Texas for a long time, and I'm glad we finally have a president who recognizes that.


Keynote at Grimes County Reagan-Trump Dinner


Keynote [[link removed]]


The Saturday before last in Navasota, I had the honor of delivering the keynote address at the 20th annual Grimes County Reagan-Trump Dinner. Thank you to everyone who attended!


Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI) Black Tie & Boots Gala


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On Wednesday night, I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI) Black Tie & Boots Gala in Austin.


For over two decades, TCCRI has been a steadfast champion of conservative principles, and its important work has helped make Texas a leader on both the national and global stage.


Honoring Former NCAA All-American Swimmer Riley Gaines on the Texas Senate Floor


Riley Gaines [[link removed]]


The week before last, we honored former NCAA All-American swimmer Riley Gaines on the Texas Senate floor for her dedication to protecting women and girls in sports, which has been a significant priority for me since 2017.


In 2017, I recognized the need for legislation like SB 6, authored by Senator Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham. This bill aimed to ensure women and girls have privacy and safety in their restrooms, showers, and locker rooms. The Senate passed it, but unfortunately, it did not make it through the House.


In 2021, we introduced SB 3, the Fair Sports for Women and Girls Act, by Senator Charles Perry, R-Lubbock. This common-sense legislation ensured that boys would not be allowed to compete against girls in individual and team sports or qualify for sports scholarships.


In 2023, SB 15, Protecting Women's College Sports, was introduced by Senator Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, to prohibit men from participating in women's college sports in Texas.


Riley Gaines has visited the Capitol in the past to advocate for this issue and has been a champion for women's sports and rights.


Women have been fighting for equality in sports for decades, achieving tremendous success along the way. We must continue to protect that progress and not allow it to be torn down.


Children Are Our Future


Children are our future [[link removed]]


I always look forward to meeting with students from Texas. Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to give a brief civics lesson to the Student Senate from the Presbyterian School of Houston at the Capitol. Children are our future, and it is so important to get them interested in civics and to get involved within their communities.


Thank you for all your support over the years and for everything you do to keep Texas red. May God bless you and your family, and may He continue to bless the greatest state of all—Texas.


Sincerely,


Dan Patrick [[link removed]]


Dan Patrick

Lieutenant Governor of Texas


P.S. Feel free to forward this email to your friends and family who may not be on our email list — they can also click here to sign up for future updates. [[link removed]]


"Whomever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant."

Matthew 20:26 (NLT)


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