Our most precious Texans are also among the most vulnerable. Greg Abbott has made protecting children and removing dangerous predators from our communities a top priority as Texas' Attorney General.
He launched the Cyber Crimes and Fugitive units in
2003, directly resulting in the arrest of more than 4,454 fugitives, sex offenders, parole violators, and other felons.
In addition to fostering safety for our children in our communities and online, one of the most important responsibilities of the
Attorney General is the collection of child support.
Child support directly benefits the children and saves Texas taxpayers money by avoiding additional state welfare costs. Under Greg Abbott's watch, the Attorney General's office has collected over
$31 billion in child support for Texas children. In 2014, his office was recognized as the nation's best child support program by the National Child Support Enforcement Association.
Make it a hate crime to target uniformed police officers
Unbelievably, last year ambush-style killings of police increased more than 150 percent. These murders had one thing in common: The victims were killed because of the uniform they wear.
Texas will not tolerate attacks on law enforcement officers.
We will rise up as a state in support our law enforcement. I want legislation that increases penalties and makes it a hate crime for criminals who target peace officers simply because of their uniform.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Texas Legislature
, Jan 31, 2017
Raise bail when past criminals are re-arrested
Gov. Greg Abbott wants the Texas Legislature to pass a bail reform law next year. The Republican governor announced his proposed Damon Allen Act, named in honor of a 41-year-old highway patrol trooper who was gunned down last during a traffic stop.
The suspect, 33-year-old Dabrett Black, was out of jail on a $15,500 bond at the time after allegedly assaulting a Smith County deputy. Abbott said, "Texas must ensure that something like this never happens again."
Abbott said bond amounts would be
set to better match the threat of accused criminals. His changes would include:
Having judges and magistrates who set bail be informed of the defendant's full criminal history and take that into account when setting bond amounts.
Adding the safety
of law enforcement to the list of threats judges must consider when setting bail.
Implementing a statewide case management system, so judges and magistrates would have all the relevant information at bail settings.
We must also work together to crack down on human trafficking and to protect the victims of this heinous crime. I ask the legislature to increase funding to create six regional human trafficking squads. These squads will investigate and shut down human
trafficking operations across Texas. And absolutely every trafficker should get mandatory jail time. These predators should be locked up, not freely roaming our streets looking for victims.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Texas legislature
, Feb 5, 2019
Emergency laws to prevent cities from defunding the police
We will support our law enforcement officers, not demonize and defund them. Defunding law enforcement invites crime and chaos into communities. It risks the lives and livelihoods of innocent people. To keep Texans safe, and to
discourage cities from going down this dangerous path, we must pass laws that prevent cities from defunding police. This issue is so urgent, I am making it an emergency item this session.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
, Feb 2, 2021
Activist judges use low bail to let out dangerous criminals
One of the most dangerous places is one you would least expect: a courtroom where activist judges are using low bail to let dangerous criminals back on the streets. We must shut and lock that revolving door by passing laws
that keep dangerous criminals behind bars and hold accountable the judges who let them out. To get that done, I am making ending revolving door bail an emergency item this session.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
, Feb 16, 2023