Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Sworn in, Begin Third Terms

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) took their oath of office in Austin Tuesday, officially beginning their third terms.

Abbott begins his third four-year term after beating Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke in November 2022. Abbott campaigned on his promise to continue to work to further secure the border with Mexico and stem the tide of migration while also providing meaningful property tax reform to Texans.

In his inaugural address on Tuesday, Abbott on Tuesday laid out his vision for the next four years. Texas has an almost $33 billion surplus this legislative session and the governor wants to use it for property tax cuts.

“But make no mistake, that money does not belong to the government. It belongs to the taxpayers. We will use that budget surplus to provide the largest property tax cut in Texas history,” said Abbott.

Abbott said Texas will continue to work to secure the border while also making improvements to roads, and ports, to keep up with population growth.

In addition, Abbott pointed to improvements made with the power grid, which held up during recent tests of severe winter weather. But he said they will need to do more to keep up with the increased demand for power as the state's population continues to grow.

Abbott also talked about school security, mental health services and school choice -- with regard to the latter, Abbott said parents should be able to make decisions about their child’s education.

“No one knows what is better for a child's education than their parents,” said Abbott.

Though the 88th legislative session is already underway, Abbott will lay out his legislative priorities, and name his emergency items, in his State of the State address next month.

TEXAS DEMOCRATS RESPOND TO ABBOTT'S ADDRESS

Democrats responded after the governor's speech. Texas Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio) is the caucus chairman and said Republicans have controlled the state for 30 years and 30 years later costs are higher than ever. Fischer said Texas Democrats will work to lead cost-cutting efforts to save Texas families money.

“What we did not hear from Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick is a plan to address the economic pain Texans are facing. All over this state, families are having difficult conversations around the kitchen table about the rising costs of goods and services: a dozen eggs are $6, college tuition is rising, and insurance and utility bills are skyrocketing,” said Fischer. "We should use this historic moment to right the wrongs of the last thirty years. House Democrats will lead on cutting costs for Texas families and we will work with anyone that's ready to work with us to deliver for Texans."

TEXAS LT. GOV. ALSO PROMISES RELIEF FOR FAMILIES

Patrick, who also serves as the leader of the Texas Senate, is also beginning his third four-year term on Tuesday.

Patrick prioritized his items for the 88th session in December and said Tuesday he was committed to property tax relief -- "you come first, it's your money."

“In the budget that we will release this week, the Texas Senate will raise your homestead exemption to $70,000, which will save you thousands of dollars in the lifetime of your home,” said Patrick.

Patrick said the increase to the exemption is an increase of $30,000 over the current $40,000 limit which was increased during the 2021 legislative session.

INAUGURAL EVENTS

The event began at 11 a.m. with the Texas National Guard posing the colors followed by the pledge of allegiance and national anthem. Patrick and Abbott both gave inaugural addresses after being sworn in. Those speeches can be watched below. Abbott's can be read and watched here while Patrick's can be watched here.

The inauguration will be followed by the "Taste of Texas" inaugural luncheon, which will include food from individual restaurants around the state. North Texas is represented at the luncheon by Dallas' Pelican House Restaurant which will plan to serve cajun chipotle corn salad and BBQ brisket jambalaya. The Texas Restaurant Association, which is coordinating the lunch, has a complete list of participants here.

The day will end with the inaugural ball on Tuesday night -- a “Celebration of Texas” -- at Austin's Moody Theater.