Latest news with #CharlesSchwertner
CBS News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Organizational failures highlighted in hearing over deadly Central Texas flooding: "We're better than that."
On day three of the 2025 special session, Texas lawmakers are addressing issues discovered during the deadly Fourth of July flooding in Central Texas. Top state officials are testifying that communication needs to improve between the state and local officials, between first responders, and with the large number of volunteers on the ground. As the Guadalupe River began rising on the Fourth of July, state officials say the authority to order evacuations lay with city and county leaders. "When was the order for evacuation ordered?" asked Republican Senator Charles Schwertner. "I do not believe there was ever one ordered, sir," said Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. "There was never one ordered?" Schwertner replied. "I'm not aware of one, no," said Kidd. Kidd testified before a joint committee on disaster preparedness and response at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday about lapses in communication with local officials. His department, he says, doesn't even have reliable contact information for local emergency managers. "To this day, I still have forms that get sent to us that have an office number as the Emergency Management contact number," said Kidd. "We still get e-mail addresses that we know are generic e-mail addresses that are not being monitored. You've given us the resources to put people in the field to make sure we're working directly with. We have an employee in Kerr County. We have had for two or three years now. That doesn't mean we have any way of guaranteeing a responsible adult, local officials, and those that are appointed are awake and seeing the same information that our people who are paid to be awake at two in the morning are seeing." Kidd also drew attention to the absence of any required certification or training for local emergency management coordinators. "There's no minimum requirements to be an emergency management coordinator. We're better than that," said Kidd. "Those words are going to ring in my head throughout this. 'We are better than this,'" said Rep. Joe Moody, repeating the phrase. In the hall outside the hearing room, Joe Shopp, whose neighborhood in Sandy Creek sustained damage, said he came hoping to speak with state leaders. "Greg Abbott said, we're not going to assign blame," said Shopp. "That's what losers do. Right. But JJ, a friend of mine in our community in Sandy Creek who lost his entire family; he watched his wife and his two children drown. He lost his entire business, his livelihood, every vehicle he owns. And he wants to know who's going to be held accountable. It's not the blame game. It's accountability." Shopp said in his neighborhood, it's volunteers doing all the clean-up. "Every resource we see in our community is volunteer people that have spent thousands and thousands of their own dollars," said Shopp. Kidd, meanwhile, said those volunteers have been a challenge to manage. "It's very difficult to wrangle 27,000 spontaneous volunteers," said Kidd. "The fact of the matter is people come in so quick that we can't control them sometimes, and we don't know who they are." He asked lawmakers to require volunteers showing up after a disaster to register with authorities. "I'd like to know if we have registered sex offenders coming to work in shelters," said Kidd. "Do we have anybody with warrants who shouldn't be going through my personal belongings that are scattered all over the place?" On Wednesday, it was also learned that first responders from different areas weren't able to communicate with each other because their radios weren't compatible. That's been a problem talked about since 9/11. Also highlighted was the lack of any training or minimum qualification for local officials serving as Emergency Management Coordinators. All are issues lawmakers seem interested in taking on. The joint committee will meet again next week in Kerrville to hear from local officials there.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas Bolsters Bitcoin With Sanctuary Designation
(Texas Scorecard) – Senate Bill 21, drafted by State Sen. Charles Schwertner (R–Georgetown) and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday, June 20, creates the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The reserve will be used to diversify the state's investments, giving the Texas comptroller discretionary power to manage the reserve separately from the general fund. Texas joins Arizona and New Hampshire, who established their own cryptocurrency reserves in May. Texas' initiative, however, has received more praise from cryptocurrency advocates for its built-in flexibility. Arizona's reserve only pertains to cryptocurrency seized by the state as unclaimed or abandoned assets or confiscated in criminal investigations. It does not allow direct investments in the reserve. New Hampshire's reserve limits state cryptocurrency investment to a '5 percent cap of the total amount of public funds.' Unlike the reserves in Arizona and New Hampshire, Texas' Bitcoin reserve has no official cap. The comptroller has the discretionary authority to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrency. This means that Texas has an unlimited capacity for investments in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies that have an 'average market capitalization of at least $500 billion over the most recent 24-month period.' This flexibility enables Texas to increase its Bitcoin reserve as a hedge against periods when the dollar's value is volatile or, when the need arises, to dump the reserve periodically to save its investments. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March to create the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile. Both of these federal cryptocurrency reserves follow a framework of forfeiture and seizure much like Arizona's. In addition, they are prevented from receiving direct investments. Texas has the first fully unrestricted Bitcoin reserve in America, making it the leading Bitcoin sanctuary in the nation. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Arabian Post
22-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Texas Carves Out Public Bitcoin Reserve
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has enacted Senate Bill 21, empowering the creation of the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, making it the third US state to legislate a formal Bitcoin reserve following Arizona and New Hampshire. For the first time among its peers, Texas will finance this dedicated fund with public money, distinguishing it from Arizona's and New Hampshire's models. Under the terms of SB 21, the reserve will operate independently of Texas's treasury and be managed by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, guided by an advisory committee of crypto investment professionals. Only assets with an average market capitalisation exceeding US $500 billion over two years qualify for inclusion—Bitcoin currently stands alone in meeting that benchmark. The fund's flexibility extends to growth through forks, airdrops, investment returns and public donations, with biennial public disclosures required. Companion legislation, House Bill 4488, shields the reserve from routine transfer into the general revenue fund and ensures its legal continuity regardless of whether it holds Bitcoin by summer 2025. The Senate passed SB 21 by 25 votes to 5, and the House by 9 to 4; the law will take effect on 1 September 2025. ADVERTISEMENT Proponents frame the reserve as a strategic hedge against inflation and economic volatility, aligning with Texas's broader approach to diversify its assets. Senator Charles Schwertner, the bill's author, observed that if the state can invest in gold or land, it should also have the option to invest in Bitcoin—'the best-performing asset of the last 10 years'. Governor Abbott has been a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency integration, remarking last year that Texas was already home to crypto mining and 'should become the crypto capital'. The inclusion of a state fund aligns with his pro-crypto stance and the passage of HB 4488, which he signed shortly after, enhances the law's stability. Texas's approach diverges notably from Arizona and New Hampshire. Arizona's law permits establishment of a reserve but prohibits spending public funds on asset purchases, whereas New Hampshire enables investment through the treasury—but neither allocates separate, publicly funded funds. By committing public funds and creating a segregated structure, Texas establishes a more robust and intentional framework. Financial analysts and policymakers have reacted with a mixture of cautious interest and concern. While some view the move as a progressive diversification strategy, sceptics warn of Bitcoin's price volatility and uncertain long-term value. Reports from the European Central Bank and ECB president have criticised similar shifts by US governments, saying they could undermine monetary sovereignty and disrupt digital euro initiatives. Meanwhile, a February 2025 University of Chicago economist survey found no consensus that borrowing to fund a crypto reserve would be beneficial. Globally, the action has prompted varied governmental responses. Belarus has emphasised crypto mining; South Korea and Switzerland have explicitly rejected adding Bitcoin to central reserves, citing volatility; India has announced it is reassessing its crypto stance in light of global shifts. The legislative milestone occurs amid mounting institutional interest in Bitcoin. Public companies such as MicroStrategy, Marathon Digital and Tesla continue to invest heavily, contributing to a surge in corporate holdings—more than 819,000 BTC held across 223 firms, representing nearly 3.9 per cent of total supply. Notable large-scale investments have included Paris-listed The Blockchain Group's purchase of 182 BTC for US $19.6 million, and Nakamoto Holdings securing US $51.5 million via PIPE funding for further Bitcoin acquisitions.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Brazos Co. case leads to new law about peace officer attacks
Austin, Tx (FOX 44) – A 2022 Brazos County case involving two peace officers being shot has led to a new law with strong penalties for trying to kill police. State Senator Charles Schwertner said the need for the legislation which increases the penalties for attempted capital murder of a police officer was brought to his attention by Brazos County District Attorney Jarvis Parsons. State Representative Paul Dyson of Bryan was also told about the problem, leading to the writing of what became House Bill 1871. The bill passed by the legislature not only increases the punishment for the offense but also modifies parole. In December 2022, a man shot a Bryan officer, stole their patrol vehicle, and later shot a Brazos County sheriff's deputy during a standoff. Fortunately, both officers survived. In 2024, that man was found guilty of aggravated assault of a public servant. Senator Schwertner said the ultimately exposed a serious gap in our legal system. Current Texas law treats both attempted capital murder of a peace officer and aggravated assault of a public servant as first degree felonies. However, proving attempted capital murder is a more difficult task, requiring the prosecution to prove the offender's intent to kill. As a result, prosecutors could have been discouraged from pursuing attempted capital murder, and instead pursue aggravated assault, even after an attempt to take an officer's life. House Bill 1871 addresses this issue by enhancing the punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer, ensuring that the law better reflects the seriousness of this crime and provides a more appropriate deterrent. The bill also includes provisions that adjust parole eligibility and restrict mandatory supervision for individuals convicted under this offense, emphasizing the state's commitment to protecting peace officers who risk their lives in the line of duty. 'HB 1871 increases the punishment for criminals who do everything in their power to murder police officers in the line of duty and attempt to take law enforcement away from their family and friends,' said Brazos District Attorney Jarvis Parsons 'It increases the punishment for Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer from a minimum of probation to a minimum of 25 years in prison up to life in prison with no parole. This increased punishment sends a vital message that as Texans we will protect the people who protect us.' 'Every day, Texas peace officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities,' said Senator Charles Schwertner. 'House Bill 1871 sends a clear message: if you attempt to kill a law enforcement officer, you will face the full weight of the law.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Legislature OKs bill requiring sheriffs to partner with federal authorities to enforce immigration laws
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas legislature gave the final approval of Senate Bill 8, which will require almost every single county in the state to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce federal immigration laws. It's a move supporters say will keep Texans safe while aligning the state with the Trump administration on strict immigration enforcement. Opponents argue it could lead to overcrowding in jails, a chilling effect on reporting crimes, and racial profiling in minority communities. After going through various changes throughout the legislative process, lawmakers in both chambers finally came to an agreement on the final language of the bill a day before a deadline that would have killed the bill before getting to the governor's desk. SB 8 would require every sheriffs department in a county that operates a jail, or contracts with a private jail, to enter into an agreement with ICE known as 287(g). Currently in Texas there are 234 counties that this bill applies to, according to the bill's author State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown. 'Texas needs to be much more proactive in identifying, detaining, prosecuting and deporting criminal illegal aliens,' Schwertner said. The 287(g) program allows sheriff's deputies to assume some ICE duties, like questioning migrants, issuing warrants or arresting them for immigration violations, depending on their specific training. There are three models within the 287(g) program a law enforcement agency can enter into. They include: Jail Enforcement Model – allows officers to question people to determine immigration status, put their information into a Homeland Security database, take statements and begin the deportation process with an immigration detainer and notice to appear. Warrant Service Officer – a narrower scope than jail enforcement, with officers identifying people as non-citizens during the booking process, referring those people to ICE for evaluation and possible deportation, and serving ICE administrative warrants on people in their custody, according to the ACLU. Task Force Model – described by ICE as a 'force multiplier,' allowing local officers to enforce immigration laws during their routine duties in the community. The final version of the bill gives discretion to sheriffs to decide which of the three models it will enter into with ICE. Sheriffs could decide to enter into more than one type of model, but it is not required to have more than one. It also provides a grant program to help counties cover the cost of training staff or operating the program. The grant amount ranges between $80,000 and $140,000 depending on the size of the county. In laying out the bill on the Senate floor, Schwertner said it sends a clear message. 'Texas will not tolerate criminal illegal aliens threatening our communities,' Schwertner said. But Democratic members in the Senate raised concerns with the bill. It passed along party lines in the Senate. Opponents of the 287(g) program have argued the incorporation of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement will lead many people to not call in the case of emergency out of fear it could lead to them or their family being deported. 'That's an issue that I have, that we're going to potentially drive immigrants into the shadows, and you know, make them victims, or have them a bull's eye of potential crimes,' State Sen. José Menéndez, D – San Antonio, said to Schwertner on the Senate floor. Schwertner argued it would not prevent lawfully present citizens from calling the police in an emergency. 'The people of the United States and of Texas spoke very clearly last November regarding their concerns of illegal immigration and the concerns of criminal illegal aliens doing great harm to communities,' Schwertner said. But Menéndez pointed there are some families with mixed status, where the parents may not lawfully be in the country but their children are. 'If people understand that that family, there's an undocumented person, they have a target now, because people know, well, they won't call the police because there's an undocumented person in that household,' Menéndez explained. Another concern is the capacity in Texas jails. The 287(g) program would require counties place an immigration detainer on an inmate that is deemed to be in the country illegally. Opponents argue this would be costly for counties to hold on to somebody in the jail and wait for federal immigration officials to pick them up. There's also an issue of space. According to data from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, between January and February this year there were 7,481 inmates in Texas jails with an immigration detainer placed on them. Those inmates spent a total of 156,494 days in jail, which averages out to about 21 days per inmate in jail. The total cost to the state is estimated to be more than $14 million, according to the data. 'What are we going to do when these jails must have a 287(g) agreement with the federal government to hold people who are not rapists, murderers or people who have been involved in aggravated assault, they are just people who are not here legally,' State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D – Austin, said to Schwertner on the Senate floor. 'They are criminals, in the sense they are illegal aliens. The program does allow for expedite transfer to ICE to properly adjudicate those individuals,' Schwertner responded. Many opponents to the bill have pointed out concerns with the task force model within the 287(g) program. That model, as Schwertner explained, allows non-federal law enforcement, such as sheriff's deputies, to enforce immigration laws within the community as opposed to inside a jail. Some believe it will lead to racial profiling in minority communities. 'Are you not afraid of the potentiality for racial profiling by police if they see what presumably looks like Mexican or Hispanic people in a truck that they will not be pulled over simply because of the color of their skin,' State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, asked Schwertner. Schwertner agreed racial biases do exist in the world, but argued the sheriffs department and ICE would have oversight on who they place in a task force model. 'Through the 287(g) program task force model, there is training to address the concerns of racial profiling, there are procedures,' Schwertner said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
