Don McLaughlin Archives - Uvalde Hesperian

VIDEO: Hundreds attend NW Screwworm Meeting: Expert Panel lays out Facts and State’s response plans

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:30:09 +0000

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

06-10-26

About 300 plus attended the NW Screwworm Community Meeting sponsored by Spear AG during the morning session and over a hundred attended the evening session held at the Uvalde County Fairplex Events Center. Texas State Senator District 80 Don McLaughlin appeared with two other State officials at the evening meeting covering recent updates on Texas Counties where Screwworm cases have been confirmed as well as what animals are at risk.

The two-hour meetings discussed the animals at risk and steps ranchers, farmers, pet owners and locals should take to identify possible screwworm larvae infections on animals and how to report the problem. One official stressed the key way to address the problem is to keep “eyes-on” animals. They went on to stress the importance of looking for any odd behaviors and monitor any wounds that the NW Screwworm larvae could infect.

The Uvalde Hesperian will post additional information presented at the meeting in a future report.

The post VIDEO: Hundreds attend NW Screwworm Meeting: Expert Panel lays out Facts and State’s response plans appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Rep. Don McLaughlin Refiles Flood Preparedness Bills While Democrats Run for the Cameras

admin — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:17:57 +0000

08-16-25

Top Picture from Pixabay

AUSTIN, TX – State Representative Don McLaughlin has refiled his three flood preparedness and response bills for consideration in the second special session while House Democrats continue to break quorum, flee the state, and trade legislative work for their 15 minutes of fame.

The bills take direct aim at improving flood readiness and safeguarding lives in the wake of the devastating Fourth of July flash floods:

HB 45 – Relating to a guide on preparing for and responding to a flooding disaster.
HB 69 – Relating to creating the Texas Flash Flood Alley Interoperability Council and a grant program administered by the council.
HB 75 – Relating to building standards for youth camps located within or near certain floodplains.

“These bills are about saving lives and making sure Texans are ready when the next flood hits,” Representative McLaughlin said. “Meanwhile, Democrats are hiding in other states, abandoning their jobs, and chasing cable news interviews. I’m confident these bills, and other flood preparedness measures, will pass as soon as they are done grandstanding for the cameras and get back to doing their jobs.”

The post Rep. Don McLaughlin Refiles Flood Preparedness Bills While Democrats Run for the Cameras appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Why I Voted for School Choice By State Representative Don McLaughlin

admin — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:27:51 +0000

The post Why I Voted for School Choice By State Representative Don McLaughlin appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Texas Governor Abbott and Rep. Don McLaughlin praise House vote passing School Voucher Plan Bill

admin — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 19:24:54 +0000

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

04-17-25

Top Picture: Knippa ISD school crossing: file photo

Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Wednesday night April 16th, the Texas House voted and passed SB 2 or the School Choice Plan which will give parents the option of using public tax monies to help pay for private school education for their children.

Houston Public Media a publication of the University of Houston wrote, “After more than 12 hours of debate, the Texas House gave initial approval to two of the most closely-watched bills of the legislative session – a $7.7 billion public school funding package and a hotly contested proposal to create a pathway for families to use state tax dollars to help send their kids to private schools.”

Governor Greg Abbott today applauded the Texas House of Representatives for making Texas history by passing Senate Bill 2, the state’s universal school choice program in an official April 17th press release:

“For the first time in Texas history, our state has passed a universal school choice bill out of both chambers in the Texas Legislature,” said Governor Abbott. “This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children. Texas could not have accomplished this without the hard work and unwavering support from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, Chairman Brandon Creighton, and Chairman Brad Buckley. I applaud the legislators who took a stand with the overwhelming majority of Texans who support school choice. When it reaches my desk, I will swiftly sign this bill into law, creating the largest day-one school choice program in the nation and putting Texas on a pathway to becoming the best state in America for educating our kids.”

Texas House District 80 Representative Don McLaughlin also praised the passage of the School Choice Bill on his Campaign Facebook Page:

“Last night, I stood with Texas parents—and with President Trump, the Texas House, and conservatives statewide—to deliver real education freedom for families.

This is a major conservative win. Parents are back in charge, and the days of unaccountable bureaucrats running our schools are coming to an end. ” McLaughlin said.

According to a KVUE news article, earlier this morning, the House passed an ESA bill which would allow parents to create Educational Savings Accounts.

“Record Funding for Public Schools”

Texas House also Passes HB2 to allocate “Record Funding” for Public Schools: According to a Press Release from the Governor Abbott’s Office he said, “The Texas House took a monumental step to increase education funding and teacher pay raises that puts Texas on the path to education excellence for our students,” said Governor Abbott. “Since I have been Governor, public education funding and average teacher pay have reached all-time highs and, now, House Bill 2 will add $7.7 billion more to fund a high-quality education for the next generation of Texas leaders. I thank Speaker Dustin Burrows and Chairman Brad Buckley for their steadfast leadership, and I look forward to signing this bill into law.”

With the passage of these bills related to Texas School Funding, the School Voucher Program and the creation of Educational Savings Accounts it is unclear as to how these different bills, if voted into law, will work on the ground level and what impact the School Voucher Plan will have on overall public school funding.

The post Texas Governor Abbott and Rep. Don McLaughlin praise House vote passing School Voucher Plan Bill appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Rep. Don McLaughlin Introduces Family Violence Registration Program

admin — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 22:57:52 +0000

02-18-25
Press Release from State of Texas Representative Don McLaughlin

McLaughlin is taking swift action to protect our families from dangerous offenders. House Bill 2956 creates the Family Violence Registration Program, a groundbreaking database that would stop offenders in their tracks and provide law enforcement and communities with real-time access to potentially life-saving information.

Creating a state-run database, this bill would establish a system to track individuals convicted of or granted deferred adjudication community supervision for family violence offenses. These offenders will be forced to register annually, more often if deemed a greater threat. Failure to register will result in criminal penalties, including a Class C misdemeanor.

“If you lay your hand on an innocent man, woman, or child, you will pay the price, and the state will ensure your sickening actions don’t lurk in our communities,” said Rep. McLaughlin. “This bill equips law enforcement, institutions, and communities with tools to track and stop offenders before they strike again.

There’s no excuse for domestic violence, and no abuser should get a free pass.”
Modeled after the Sex Offender Registration Program, the Family Violence Registration Program is a vital step in combatting domestic violence, providing communities with the resources necessary to protect themselves.

“This is a bipartisan issue,” continued Rep. McLaughlin. “Protecting Texans should not be debated. I urge my colleagues to come together and support this life-saving legislation. Opposition to this bill is a slap in the face to the families we represent, especially to women, who are at the greatest risk of domestic violence. I stand resolute in the fight to protect our communities, and I vow to always do what is right.”

The post Rep. Don McLaughlin Introduces Family Violence Registration Program appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Don McLaughlin to be inaugurated Tuesday, January 14th as Texas District 80’s new State Representative

admin — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 22:34:12 +0000

by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

01-12-25

Uvalde County and Texas House District 8o will soon have a new State Representative. Former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin is slated to be sworn at noon on Tuesday, January 14th at Noon at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas.

McLaughlin won his bid for the Texas House of Representative District 80 seat in the November 2024 General Election and will follow former Texas House Representative Tracy O. King who served for 14 regular session and 14 special sessions in the Texas House. King then chose to retire and not run for another term. King was first elected to the District 80 seat in 1994. Source: Texas Tribune

The post Don McLaughlin to be inaugurated Tuesday, January 14th as Texas District 80’s new State Representative appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin wins bid for the State of Texas District 80 House seat flipping the seat red

admin — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 02:42:25 +0000

by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

Top Photo: Don McLaughlin talks on the phone at his election watch party.

11-6-07

With most of the local Uvalde County races having been decided during the Republican Primary Elections earlier this year in March, there were a handful of races that were decided Tuesday, November 6th on Election Night.

During the November 54th General Elections, former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr. (R-TX) faced off against Cecilia Castellano (D-TX) vying for a seat currently held by Uvaldean Tracy O. King (D-TX). McLaughlin Jr. was joined by over 100 supporters at an invitation only election watch party at Broadway 830 on Election Night.

As the statewide votes came in on Election Night, it became clear early on that McLaughlin secured about 60% votes to secure a sound lead over his opponent Castellano. Source: Texas Secretary of State

Texas House District 80 is a rural South Texas district, running through Pleasanton, Pearsall, Uvalde and parts of Laredo.

McLaughlin Jr’s unofficial win flips the Texas House 80 seat red.

Other Sources: KGNS News : Former Uvalde mayor Don McLaughlin wins south Texas House District seat, flips it red

See Uvalde County Final Unofficial results below: Source: Uvalde County Election Office.

ENRFinalCumulative Results-11-5-2024 09-02-02 PM

The post Former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin wins bid for the State of Texas District 80 House seat flipping the seat red appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott endorses Don McLaughlin for Texas House District 80 seat

admin — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 14:18:26 +0000

Photo from the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Press Release: From the Don McLaughlin for House District 80 Campaign: Top photo submitted by the Don McLaughlin campaign

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has endorsed Candidate Don McLaughlin for Texas House District 80 who is running in the Texas Republican primary election.

McLaughlin’s campaign released a press release Saturday, January 21st announcing the endorsement by Governor Greg Abbott on Friday, January 19th, 2024.

“I know Don will come to Austin to fight for a secure southern border, measures that expand school choice across Texas, and policies that strengthen our state’s booming economy. I encourage all Texans across House District 80 to join me in supporting Don McLaughlin for State Representative.” Gov. Greg Abbott said.

The post Texas Governor Greg Abbott endorses Don McLaughlin for Texas House District 80 seat appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Don McLaughlin Archives - Uvalde Hesperian

VIDEO: Hundreds attend NW Screwworm Meeting: Expert Panel lays out Facts and State’s response plans

Rep. Don McLaughlin Refiles Flood Preparedness Bills While Democrats Run for the Cameras

Press Release from the Office of Texas State Representative Don McLaughlin District 80

Why I Voted for School Choice By State Representative Don McLaughlin

Texas Governor Abbott and Rep. Don McLaughlin praise House vote passing School Voucher Plan Bill

Rep. Don McLaughlin Introduces Family Violence Registration Program

Rep. Don McLaughlin Introduces Family Violence Registration Program, Ensuring Texas is No Safe Haven for Abusers

Don McLaughlin to be inaugurated Tuesday, January 14th as Texas District 80’s new State Representative

The 89th Texas Legislature starts on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025

Former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin wins bid for the State of Texas District 80 House seat flipping the seat red

See Unofficial Uvalde County Election Results below

Texas Governor Greg Abbott endorses Don McLaughlin for Texas House District 80 seat