Gov. Greg Abbott prevents vaccine passports
An executive order was issued by Gov. Greg Abbot on Tuesday preventing state agencies from requiring Texans to receive COVID-19 vaccine passports to enter buildings and accept other services, according to the Dallas Morning News.
The order comes as both the International Air Transport Association and IBM are currently developing their own versions of a vaccine passport. The order issued by Abbott also applies to political subdivisions and all departments or agencies that receive public funding.
“As I’ve said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced,” Abbott said in a written statement. “Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives.”
McConnell issues warning to big business after MLB moves All-Star Game
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that businesses could face “consequences” if they continue to try to influence voting laws, according to CNN.
This statement comes shortly after the backlash over Georgia’s new elections laws and the MLB’s decision to relocate their All-Star game from Atlanta.
“Businesses must not use economic blackmail to spread disinformation and push bad ideas that citizens reject at the ballot box,” McConnell said.
McConnell later warned corporate America to “stay out of politics” at a news conference.
Charles Butt and Joe Straus encourage Texas to use $18 billion towards public schools
On Tuesday, H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt and former House Speaker Joe Straus continued to pressure lawmakers into sending funds into school districts, according to the Dallas Morning News.
The early drafts of the next state budget have excluded about $18 billion in federal funds that were intended to help students and schools amid the pandemic.
The executive director of the Texas School Coalition, Christy Rome said, “All parents want to see their children succeed and in order for us to help that happen, we need additional services in order to overcome that learning loss that has occurred.”
Gov. Greg Abbott also provided his support and input suggesting that all federal funds intended for schools should be sent “as quickly as possible.”
As schools begin to estimate budgeting costs for the next school year, the cause for concern continues to rise.
