Updated at 8:31 p.m. with remarks from Abbott and more information from our sister station KVUE.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gave updates on COVID-19 and other issues facing the Lone Star State during his State of the State address on Monday, Feb. 1.
Abbott gave the address at 7 p.m. Monday. Watch the full address, followed by a response from the Texas Democratic Party, in the video below.
Abbott's address comes amid challenges faced from the coronavirus pandemic – not only in Texas but globally – since early in 2020. Since the coronavirus pandemic struck the Lone Star State, more than 2 million Texans have contracted the virus and more than 36,000 people have died statewide.
Deaths related to the coronavirus have hit record highs in Texas in recent weeks, but case numbers and hospitalizations have been on the decline.
"To say the pandemic is a challenge is an understatement but to say it has been a reversal of who we are as Texans is a misstatement," Abbott said Monday. "Texas remains the economic engine of America, the land of unmatched opportunity, and our comeback is already materializing."
Abbott touched on job growth in Texas and the major companies – including Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Oracle, Charles Schwab and Tesla – who have moved operations to Texas. He also called small businesses the "cornerstone of our economic success," saying the Texas Legislature has fostered success for that sector.
During his address, Abbott declared five emergency items, which will allow lawmakers to bypass the Texas Constitution's 60-day no voting rule and pass legislation related to the emergency items. The emergency items are:
- Expanding broadband access
- Passing laws that prevent cities from defunding the police
- Fixing the "flawed bail system" via the Damon Allen Act
- Election integrity so Texans can have "trust and confidence in the outcome of elections"
- Coronavirus-related civil liberty protections for "individuals, businesses and health care providers that operated safely during the pandemic"
Abbott also noted other areas he believes should be priorities this legislative session, including continued investment in education and mental health support.
Additionally in his address, the governor touched on hot-button issues such as border security, gun rights and abortion. He also stated that he wants a law this session that prevents any government entity from shutting down religious activities in Texas.
Finally, Abbott asked that the Legislature review and make permanent some of the regulatory relief he has authorized during the pandemic to "cut red tape and unleash the full might of the Texas economy."
Members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus said they want increased access to health care to be a top priority.
"Clearly, we do have a number of emergencies starting with COVID-19 and the inadequate health care access in the State of Texas," said Rep. Chris Turner (D-Grand Praire), chair of the House Democratic Caucus. "And so I hope, frankly, increasing access to health care, increasing access to health coverage is going to be one of the items he addresses."
Abbott participated in three roundtables in two weeks -- one in Odessa on Thursday about the energy industry in Texas on Jan. 28, a session on the economy and construction industry in San Antonio on Jan. 26, and a third on law enforcement and public safety on Jan. 21.
KVUE digital producer Paul Livengood and reporter Luis de Leon contributed to this report.
