Latest news with #SB3
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Wire
Citizens Against Government Waste Names Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe July 2025 Porker of the Month
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe (R) its July 2025 Porker of the Month for punting taxpayer money into Kansas City NFL and MLB stadiums. Gov. Kehoe was an easy choice for July Porker of the Month as he plays games with taxpayer dollars and hands off huge tax breaks to team owners. Share After SB 3 passed the Missouri Senate 19 to 13 in a rushed 2:30 a.m. vote during a special session with minimal public debate, Gov. Kehoe quickly signed it into law. SB 3 authorizes bonds backed by state tax revenues to cover up to 50 percent of the $1.15 billion stadium costs for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Missourians face spiraling property taxes and strained local budgets as schools, infrastructure, and first responders struggle for resources. But Gov. Kehoe put the needs of his constituents last and tax breaks for team owners first. CAGW President Tom Schatz said, 'Gov. Kehoe's support for this late-night bill pushes property tax-funded public bonds for the private benefit of team owners who can easily afford to pay for their own stadiums. His grand handout should have taxpayers scrambling and crying foul as they get penalized by the governor and special interests. Gov. Kehoe was an easy choice for July Porker of the Month as he plays games with taxpayer dollars and hands off huge tax breaks to team owners.' Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government. For more than two decades, Porker of the Month is a dubious honor given to lawmakers and government officials who have shown a blatant disregard for the taxpayers.
Business Journals
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Journals
What to know about the Texas Legislature's special session
The Texas Legislature's special session officially begins at noon on Monday, July 21. It features a sweeping 18-item agenda that includes flood recovery efforts, property tax cuts, the elimination of the STAAR tests, THC and much more. "There is more work to be done, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country," Gov. Greg Abbott said when announcing the special session earlier this month. "We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future." GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Related: Why Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed SB 3, and what's next for Houston's consumable hemp industry KHOU 11 will have complete coverage of the special session. Reporter Victor Jacobo will be in Austin starting Sunday night. Flood recovery and preparedness among top priorities In direct response to the catastrophic Hill Country floods over the Fourth of July weekend, several legislative items focus on helping communities better prepare for and recover from natural disasters: Flood warning systems: Improve early alerts and preparedness infrastructure in flood-prone areas. Emergency communications: Strengthen communication networks during major storm events. Hill Country flood relief funding: Support jurisdictions impacted by the July 2025 floods, including FEMA match funding. Natural disaster regulation reform: Streamline policies to accelerate recovery timelines. This story excerpt is courtesy of our partners at KHOU 11. Click here for KHOU's full story, including the highlights of several other issues on the agenda and how special sessions work.
CBS News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Texas Reps react to Governor Greg Abbott's veto of SB3, the THC ban bill, and call for a special session
The author of Senate Bill 3 that banned THC products in Texas still believes in the integrity of the legislation despite Governor Greg Abbott's veto. The Governor rejected the bill last Sunday night, with less than 40 minutes before the midnight deadline, and he called for a special session beginning July 21 for lawmakers to pass another bill that will regulate the Hemp industry in Texas. In an interview Tuesday for Eye On Politics, Republican State Senator Charles Perry of Lubbock told CBS News Texas, "He raised some legitimate concerns in his proclamation as to why he got to where he did. I have all the confidence in the world that we will alleviate and address those concerns in a special session in fairly short order. SB 3 is on solid ground. My prediction would be we'll have something fairly close to what SB 3 did." Gov. Abbott's legal concerns In his proclamation, Abbott said he vetoed the measure because of legal concerns. "If I were to allow Senate Bill 3 to become law, its enforcement would be enjoined for years, leaving existing abuses unaddressed. Texas cannot afford to wait. Knowing that it faces a lengthy battle that will render it dead on arrival in court-would hinder rather than help us solve the public safety issues the bill seeks to contain." The Governor's veto comes despite the fact that all Republicans in the State Senate and all but two Republicans in the State House voted for SB 3. Representative Brian Harrison of Midlothian was one of the two Republicans who voted against the bill. In an interview for Eye On Politics, Harrison told CBS News Texas, "I believe I was the only Republican in the legislature to call on the Governor to veto SB 3 and I did that three weeks ago. It was unfortunate that the legislature passed a bill that in my opinion was massively a government overreach. It was marching us in the direction of California-style nanny-stateism and it was going to force adults to make a horrible choice. These are patriotic, freedom-loving Texans who either want or rely on these products. It was a bill that needed to be vetoed." Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick "puzzled" by veto Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who pushed for this bill during the regular legislative session, held a news conference Monday and didn't hold back about the Governor's veto. "One can only come to this conclusion which surprises me. The governor of the state of Texas wants to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas." In response to the Lt. Governor's news conference, the Governor's Press Secretary Andrew Mahaleris, issued a statement that said in part, "Governor Abbott has always shared the Lieutenant Governor's desire to ensure that THC products are not sold to our children, and that the dangerous synthetic drugs that we have seen recently are banned." In his veto proclamation, the Governor also cited a similar Arkansas law that was challenged in the courts and had been held up. But last week, a federal appeals court overturned a lower court's ruling that blocked the Arkansas legislation banning THC. In a post on the social media platform "X", the Lt. Governor cited the ruling saying, "All we have to do is pass SB 3, just like we passed during the regular session." The Governor responded on "X", "Even though the Arkansas law was not plagued with the same legal defects as the Texas bill, it still was unenforced for two years and will be further tied up in court for years to come." A poll by the Texas Politics Project at UT Austin, shows overall, 53 percent oppose the ban on THC products, 31 percent support it. Among Republicans, a much closer margin, with 46 percent support the ban, while 39 percent oppose it.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
ONE HEMP Commends Governor Abbott's Veto of SB 3
Urges Lawmakers to Protect Access to Hemp Health Products in Upcoming Special Session WASHINGTON, DC, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Today ONE HEMP – a coalition of industry leaders committed to advancing regulatory standards for hemp-derived cannabinoid (CBD) products – issued a statement of strong support for Governor Greg Abbott's veto of Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which would have banned federally legal, non-intoxicating hemp wellness products relied on by millions of Texans. The industry group commends the Governor for recognizing the bill's flaws and the harm it could have caused to individuals with disabilities, chronic pain, veterans, seniors, and others who depend on safe, science-backed hemp products. In his veto message, Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of regulating hemp in a way that protects public safety, aligns with federal law, and is enforceable without delay. ONE HEMP agrees. As the Texas Legislature prepares for the July 22nd special session, ONE HEMP urges lawmakers to adopt a science-based regulatory framework that protects access to safe, non-intoxicating hemp-derived CBD products. "Governor Abbott's veto was a critical first step in protecting access to safe hemp products," shares ONE HEMP member John Harloe, J.D., Ph.D, General Counsel at Village Farms Global Cannabis. "One Hemp supports removing harmful products, like Delta 8, but treating all hemp as dangerous or marijuana is extreme. Lawmakers must now distinguish between intoxicating, unsafe products and those that are non-intoxicating, rigorously tested, and label compliant. Texans deserve smart, science-based policies that protect public safety without punishing those who rely on hemp for their health." ONE HEMP maintains that proposals to move hemp products into the state's medical cannabis dispensary system isn't a substitute for a well-regulated industry. Non-intoxicating hemp does not fit within a regulatory framework designed for medical marijuana. Treating these products as interchangeable could disrupt access and impact the health of Texans who depend on them. ONE HEMP calls on lawmakers to work with advocates and experts to build a regulatory model that: Protects minors from intoxicating products Enforces strict testing and labeling standards Supports law enforcement with clear rules Preserves access to safe, non-intoxicating hemp products "This is Texas's opportunity to lead with science, compassion, and common sense. Let's get this right — for public health and the rights of all Texans," added Mr. Harloe. About ONE HEMP ONE HEMP is an industry working group dedicated to advancing regulatory standards for hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Comprising leading voices in the CBD sector, the group serves as a scientific resource for policymakers and seeks to promote consumer safety and industry innovation. The group has enlisted some of the world's foremost cannabinoid researchers and toxicologists, ensuring that their approach is firmly rooted in robust scientific research and a deep understanding of CBD's safety profile. ONE HEMP's founding mission is to demand regulatory standards by Congress and the FDA that treat CBD products as dietary supplements and serve as a leading scientific resource to policymakers to ensure consumer safety and consistency. ONE HEMP aims to set industry benchmarks, nurturing trust and innovation in the CBD sector. Industry leaders that have joined ONE HEMP include – among others – Charlotte's Web (TSX: CWEB, OTCQX: CWBHF) and CBDistillery. Taken together these leaders represent some of the largest providers of CBD products. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE ONE HEMP Sign in to access your portfolio
Cision Canada
24-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
ONE HEMP Commends Governor Abbott's Veto of SB 3
Urges Lawmakers to Protect Access to Hemp Health Products in Upcoming Special Session WASHINGTON, DC, /CNW/ - Today ONE HEMP – a coalition of industry leaders committed to advancing regulatory standards for hemp-derived cannabinoid (CBD) products – issued a statement of strong support for Governor Greg Abbott's veto of Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which would have banned federally legal, non-intoxicating hemp wellness products relied on by millions of Texans. The industry group commends the Governor for recognizing the bill's flaws and the harm it could have caused to individuals with disabilities, chronic pain, veterans, seniors, and others who depend on safe, science-backed hemp products. In his veto message, Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of regulating hemp in a way that protects public safety, aligns with federal law, and is enforceable without delay. ONE HEMP agrees. As the Texas Legislature prepares for the July 22nd special session, ONE HEMP urges lawmakers to adopt a science-based regulatory framework that protects access to safe, non-intoxicating hemp-derived CBD products. " Governor Abbott's veto was a critical first step in protecting access to safe hemp products," shares ONE HEMP member John Harloe, J.D., Ph.D, General Counsel at Village Farms Global Cannabis." One Hemp supports removing harmful products, like Delta 8, but treating all hemp as dangerous or marijuana is extreme. Lawmakers must now distinguish between intoxicating, unsafe products and those that are non-intoxicating, rigorously tested, and label compliant. Texans deserve smart, science-based policies that protect public safety without punishing those who rely on hemp for their health." ONE HEMP maintains that proposals to move hemp products into the state's medical cannabis dispensary system isn't a substitute for a well-regulated industry. Non-intoxicating hemp does not fit within a regulatory framework designed for medical marijuana. Treating these products as interchangeable could disrupt access and impact the health of Texans who depend on them. ONE HEMP calls on lawmakers to work with advocates and experts to build a regulatory model that: Protects minors from intoxicating products Enforces strict testing and labeling standards Supports law enforcement with clear rules Preserves access to safe, non-intoxicating hemp products " This is Texas's opportunity to lead with science, compassion, and common sense. Let's get this right — for public health and the rights of all Texans," added Mr. Harloe. ONE HEMP is an industry working group dedicated to advancing regulatory standards for hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Comprising leading voices in the CBD sector, the group serves as a scientific resource for policymakers and seeks to promote consumer safety and industry innovation. The group has enlisted some of the world's foremost cannabinoid researchers and toxicologists, ensuring that their approach is firmly rooted in robust scientific research and a deep understanding of CBD's safety profile. ONE HEMP's founding mission is to demand regulatory standards by Congress and the FDA that treat CBD products as dietary supplements and serve as a leading scientific resource to policymakers to ensure consumer safety and consistency. ONE HEMP aims to set industry benchmarks, nurturing trust and innovation in the CBD sector. Industry leaders that have joined ONE HEMP include – among others – Charlotte's Web (TSX: CWEB, OTCQX: CWBHF) and CBDistillery. Taken together these leaders represent some of the largest providers of CBD products.
