If u’re distressed about this week’s events in America, vote. Volunteer on a campaign. Vote against those who divide us, promote culture wars and sow discord. Vote for those who solve problems, unite us and defend American values. Cry, get sad, get mad, but then get up & VOTE!🇺🇸
Since the CDC released a patient from the TCID who later returned a positive COVID-19 I’m calling on
@GovAbbott
, Lt. Gov.
@DanPatrick
,
@JohnCornyn
&
@tedcruz
2 make the CDC bring COVID19 test kits & its first vaccines to Bexar County where they have caused unnecessary exposure.
“You’re at one of your lowest points already & someone tells you, ‘I’m sorry my religious beliefs will keep me from treating someone like you.’ You know what? If that’s how you feel, don’t take that job.“ Watch:
#txlege
#StandWithTXSocialWorkers
#LGBTQIA
TX Senate debated SB 7 Voter suppression for 7+ hrs. Ironic that we debated all night while the bill outlaws 24 hour voting! Your right 2 VOTE should never be debated while the public sleeps! Elections have serious consequences! The fight continues!
#txlege
#sb7
#VoterSuppression
In light of the ongoing court proceedings regarding the no-mask mandate & the proven need to require mask wearing in schools, I will commit to starting a legal defense fund for school districts that choose to defy the Governor’s EO that is being challenged.
#txed
#txlege
#covid19
Holding
#txed
teachers' pay raises & school funding hostage over vouchers was the final straw.
I voted no on
#HB1
. We missed an opportunity to use a historic budget surplus to help all Texans esp. those who need it most.
Read more:
#txlege
#teachers
🧵
Senator José Menéndez Issues Statement on Vote for State Budget
San Antonio, Texas– Senator José Menéndez issues statement after voting “No” on the CSHB 1, the state budget:
Having a historic $32.7 Billion surplus provided us a tremendous opportunity.
🧵
#txlege
#txed
#HB1
“‘I’m disappointed that we did nothing to increase school funding. We had an opportunity, a historic budget surplus, $33 billion. And we did nothing,’ Menendez said.”
See the full story:
#txlege
#txed
@ksatnews
@MaxMasseyTV
Thank you to
@MomsDemand
for coming out to testify against the permitless carry bill. This bill would allow any Texan the ability to carry a gun without a permit. We stand with you Mom’s Demand Action!
#txlege
#StopTXPermitlessCarry
Over the last 14 months we have been blessed to watch our beautiful granddaughter, Adelisa, blossom into a tremendous blessing for all of us who love her! (1)
We know many of our LGBTQ+ community are here at the Capitol today for the House debate on SB14. You are welcome in our office at E1.610 if you need a space. Know we are always here for you!
#txlege
#LGBTQ
+
#SB14
Video sharing our family’s
#COVID19
experience & thank you all for the tremendous outpouring of prayers, well wishes & support! It’s been a rough 16 days & your kindness & support have been overwhelming! Such a blessing to be part of a loving community! We love you all!
#txlege
So proud of our daughter Tori encouraging people to get involved, sharing how to testify at the Texas State Capitol, and how that can make a difference in our State!!
#txlege
Our retired teachers haven’t received an increase in their monthly retirement in nearly two decades! Vote for Prop. 9 to make sure our teachers receive their earned cost of living increase! (COLA)
#txed
#teachers
#txlege
#prop9
Amendment added, signed unanimously by all
#txlege
Senators, principally authored by
@RolandForTexas
:
Requires state funding for supplemental payments for teachers if district has
-20K or more students, $2K per full time teacher
-20K or less students, $6K per full time teacher
In one of the last bills heard on the Senate floor tonight, we passed
#HB999
which would allow certain high school seniors to utilize the individual graduation committee process to complete their high school graduation requirements without
#txlege
#txed
@DiegoBernalTX
Trump to reporters about ad rejected by CNN, NBC and Fox as he left for today's rallies: “A lot of things are offensive...Your questions are offensive.”
Thanks to Rep.’s Cuellar, Green & Garcia who helped facilitate a very positive meeting w/ Sen.
@JoeManchinWV
who agreed that the right to vote is fundamental. Working together we’ll find a pathway forward to protect
#votingrights
of all Americans & protect our democracy!
#txlege
Still at it on
#txlege
Senate floor. Debating
#HB3979
which would limit the ability of
#teachers
to discuss the important issues in our history & current events. If we do not inform students about these horrible events, we will not learn from them.
#txed
The reports of inhumane treatment at the Texas Border are cruel, disgusting, & a threat to our democracy. If true, these actions are criminal. We must ensure that people are treated with dignity & that their human rights aren’t violated, for
🧵👇🏽
#txlege
👇🏽This is one of the many important reasons that Texas needs to pass a Statewide Comprehensive Non-Discrimination law! We have to STOP allowing people to be mistreated & marginalized just because of who they are! If you agree then make sure you & everyone you know VOTES!!
1 in 4 LGBTQ teens attempted suicide in the beginning of last year.
46% considered suicide.
This is what anti-LGBTQ legislation does.
Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis are literally driving children to the point of wanting to die.
We passed
#HB108
out of the Senate, which would allow current and retired teachers to obtain a license plate for their years of service. Our teachers sacrifice so much for our children, and this is one way we can honor them.
#txlege
#txed
#teachers
“We need to drop the
#STAAR
exam entirely and put our focus and the $83M towards the safety of our children and our teachers, not the companies that profit from the test. The test will only serve to measure the digital divide that the pandemic has amplified."
#txlege
#txed
Editorial:
#STAAR
test fails Texas students and needs to go— but not as part of school vouchers
@ExpressNews
“In January 2022, when state Sen. José Menéndez, a San Antonio Democrat, advocated canceling the STAAR due to the🧵
#txlege
#txed
@ExpressNews
The STAAR test unfairly impacts our students, teachers & neighborhood schools. Research shows that these tests are 2 to 3 years above grade level. I am filing a bill to put a 2 year moratorium on use of STAAR tests that assess school district & campus performance.
#txlege
#txed
Today we’re debating bills. First up is SB 1, school voucher bill. Taking public funds out of public schools will hurt already underfunded
#txed
. We need to support public education & teachers, not take much-needed funds away.
🔴 Watch live:
#txlege
Congratulations to
@NISDWarren
Softball team as they make history! They’ve advanced to the Regional Semi-Finals. This weekend they will play a best out of 3 game series against Edinburg’s Vela HS. The Warren Softball team is the only San Antonio team left in the UIL playoffs!
In Washington D.C. today meeting with
@SpeakerPelosi
, Senator Majority Leader
@SenSchumer
, & members of Congress on protecting the right to vote for ALL Texans. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us!
More:
#txlege
#votingrights
What a great way to start your day. Just finished a 30 mile bike ride with Tori! Big thank you to Howard Peak and the City of San Antonio for the vision and commitment to the Leon Creek Greenway!
#sanantonio
#cycling
Team Menéndez wrapped up our night last night at 12:30am. We prepped for three committee hearings for today, a bill layout, several amendments, and our floor debate. We are close to the finish line, and working hard to get our bills to the Governor’s desk!
#txlege
"It is unfair to teachers, staff, and families to enact policy that is incongruent with the current situation and puts them in danger's way."
#txlege
#txed
#COVID19
After a long week in the Texas Senate, we are back hearing more bills in the Senate Public Education committee on Saturday night. Our office will continue to fight for our students, teachers and schools to ensure our education system works for everyone.
#txlege
#txed
We passed
#SB2081
which would limit Pre-K class sizes to 22 students. Having manageable class sizes help teachers provide the education needed to prepare students for Kinder & beyond! We’ll continue to fight for better
#txed
for all students & this is a great 1st step.
#txlege
Heartbroken for more lives lost & families torn apart.
Sad. Devastated. Angry. There are no more words to describe this. I’m tired of only talking about these preventable tragedies! We can’t wait anymore & need to DO everything we possibly can to prevent &
#stopgunviolence
NOW!!
Dear Governor Abbott & Commissioner Morath,
Our schools are facing a crisis during this
#COVID19
omicron surge as it continues to drive record number of infections around our state. This surge is worsening the already unprecedented staffing issues🧵
#txlege
#txed
#STAAR
This morning members of the TX Senate & House of Representatives met w/
@VP
@KamalaHarris
to discuss voting rights. Throughout the 87th
#txlege
Session our fundamental right to vote continued to be attacked. We are here to ensure its protection.
#votingrights
This is more than an act of vandalism. This disrespects all the people that were killed in the Holocaust, along with all that survived that unthinkable and horrible time in history. This racism cannot be tolerated, and is a direct threat to our friends in the community.
I want to give a huge thank you & recognize our great Team in the Capitol & in the District Office that make it possible for me to best serve our constituents! They are dedicated, caring & bright, & have worked tirelessly for SD 26 & Texas. I appreciate you all!
#txlege
Honored to attend
@NISD
June Board meeting to recognize retiring Supt.
@briantwoods1
for his 31 years of service, & Board of Trustees for
@HEB
Excellence in Education Outstanding School Board award! Look forward to continued excellence from our outstanding public schools!
#txed
Senator José Menéndez Issues Statement on Vote for State Budget
San Antonio, Texas– Senator José Menéndez issues statement after voting “No” on the CSHB 1, the state budget:
Having a historic $32.7 Billion surplus provided us a tremendous opportunity.
🧵
#txlege
#txed
#HB1
Happy
#SineDie
! Always grateful to serve constituents of District26. I couldn’t do this w/out the love of my life, Cehlia by my side. Thank you all for your support & friendship! & Thank you for being engaged/sharing your voice w/legislative ideas, issues, & working w/us!
#txlege
"How did you decide that 10pm tonight was the right time? Does that seem like the best time to be creating very important policy-making decisions after 10pm?"
"Tomorrow we have the full day to debate any legislative measures, do we not?"
#txlege
#VoterSuppression
#SB7
Good Tuesday morning! Austin and I are heading up to the Capitol! I have committee at 8 and he has virtual school. Y’all be safe, get vaccinated and mask up!
#txlege
Today, I’m fighting legislation that could make someone a felon for making a simple mistake! Senate Bill 2, would further criminalize voting mistakes to a felony, this is an unneeded solution looking for a nonexistent problem.
#txlege
#SB2
#votingrights
We created this survey to hear directly from our parents, students, and educators. Please see tweet thread below, then fill out the survey and make sure your voice is heard. (1/3)
#txlege
#txed
Senator Menéndez’s Survey on the
#STAAR
Exam:
The CDC and medical professionals have clearly stated that requiring masks protects the children, their families, the school staff and staff’s families.
#txlege
#txed
#COVID19
#maskup
Honored to join San Antonio
#MarchaDeLosNi
ños from Confluence Park to Mission Concepción to remember our lost loved ones on
#D
íadeMuertos. We paid special homage to the 21 victims of the Uvalde massacre, along with all TX mass shootings.🧵
#UvaldeStrong
#txlege
#txed
@MomsDemand
We would like to send heartfelt congratulations to Senator Menendez and his wonderful wife Cehlia today for their 23rd wedding anniversary. We wish you both many more years of celebration, love and happiness! Happy Anniversary!
#Menendez4TX
I wanted to capture this moment. (They grow too quickly!) Austin and I are feeling good about Mama’s (Cehlia) health improving everyday! Thank you all for your prayers and kind messages!
Dear Governor Abbott:
I have sent you letters requesting that school personnel are prioritized when allocating the
#COVID19
vaccines. Your recent announcement to reopen
#Texas
to 100% & to eliminate the state's face
#maskmandate
should be reconsidered
(Thread)
#txlege
#txed
Hard to believe that 17 years ago we were Blessed with Tori! We are so proud of the Strong, Independent, Intelligent, Compassionate, Beautiful Woman you have grown to be! Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!
Congratulations to
@JoeBiden
and
@KamalaHarris
! What a great choice for Vice President and strong ticket they make! Our future is looking brighter already! Ready to vote
#BidenHarris2020
!
Who are you wearing a
#mask
for? JoAnn is wearing her mask to protect me & I’m wearing mine to protect her. Doctors & Scientists agree that wearing masks saves lives! Continue to wear your masks to protect each other! Share your mask photos & tell us who you wear it for!
#txlege
Which is why I write this through tears of fear, frustration and anger because even though we (everyone but the baby) have all been vaccinated and been careful she tested positive for COVID on Saturday night.
Of course we’re in quarantine & are taking care of her and each other but as I ask myself how this could have been prevented I know that I have to use every means possible to help others so I’m starting here by asking everyone that can be vaccinated to do so and if you can’t for
Senator José Menéndez Issues Statement on Absence Due to
#COVID19
San Antonio, Texas - State Senator José Menéndez shared the following statement with his colleagues during the 87(2) Special Session.
Senator José Menéndez shared the following statement:
#txlege
#SB1
(Thread)
The members of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus are holding a press conference to discuss gun safety and efforts to prevent future mass shootings.
#txlege
#txed
#GunSafetyNow
Watch live here:
Dear Maxx, for over the last 10+ years you blessed us with your noble, sweet, kind nature. You loved us all & made us all feel special. You were always so patient & loving. I know that you were the one who actually helped “rescue” us when we adopted you & while our hearts ache🧵
This afternoon all 31 Senators joint authored our
#SB2233
. This bill requires all lobbyists to complete sexual harassment & ethics training, prior to registering as a lobbyist. We’re grateful for this bipartisan support & believe this is one step forward to (1/2)
#txlege
(Thread) The
#STAAR
Test Is Hurting Our Kids. We Need to Act Now
#Menendez4TX
“What is abundantly clear is that we have studies that show that our current path is not working for our children or for the future of TX. This has got to stop."
#txlege
#txed
“One exam does not measure everyone’s intellect,” said Sen. Jose Menendez, author of SB2058. “We are not saying you get an automatic pass. Someone is going to review that you did the work. You have to show competence of the subjects.”
#txlege
#txed
#STAAR
@shannonrwatts
We need an TX AG, Who has fought Trump, Kavanaugh, and Ken Paxton and won!
@RochelleMGarza
wants to hold those in power accountable to Texans. Of the people. By the people. For the people!
I survived my first 5am
@orangetheory
workout! Thank you to everyone who has been encouraging me to get back into a workout routine! Time to get the kids ready for school!
#fitness
#health
#txlege
TEXAS SENATE DEMOCRATS TAKE FIGHT TO NATION’S CAPITOL Austin, TX- Today, Democrats in the TX Senate went to our nation’s capital to urge the federal government to pass legislation ensuring secure & accessible elections for all.
#txlege
#LetThePeopleVote
#JohnLewisVotingRightsAct
Excited to have
@jvn
come by while at the Capitol advocating for the
#LGBTQ
+ community! He shared that he was grateful for Senator Menendez's work to protect this community, and for his closing on the Senate floor on
#SB14
. Thank you JVN for all of your hard work to
#txlege
👇🏽🧵
5:30 Saturday evening & we’re still here working in the State Capitol. To all that are here testifying against
#SB1
&
#HB3
- Thank you!! If you see this, please pass this *thank you* along to everyone that’s here. We appreciate you!
#txlege
#LetThePeopleVote
#VotingRights
Thank you all for your thoughtful support! The workout is still tough but I’m feeling better every day!
Please take care of your health and your loved ones!
Michelle Obama watched her father go to the polls every single election, even though his illness made it difficult — so she vowed never to take voting for granted
On
@CNNThisMorning
talking about common sense gun safety legislation. There are over 20 common sense gun control bills that have been filed that could prevent these tragedies from happening over and over. We need change and we need it now!
#txlege
#GunControlNow
"We have to make our nation healthier. We're not doing enough. But we also have to do something about what's actually killing the people. That is these guns."
TX State Sen.
@Menendez4Texas
joins to talk mental health and gun control in the wake of Allen, TX shooting:
Deviant predators like,
#LarryNassar
,
#Weinstein
should never be able to use a document to hide their actions.
I’m drafting a bill that will outlaw NDA or confidentiality agreements that keep people from reporting harassment, abuse, assault, or other crimes.
#MeToo
#txlege
No question from me on how tired
#teachers
are after volunteering to be teacher for the day to see & experience firsthand what they do! That’s why I filed a bill to require all legislators to volunteer as teacher for the day! 🙋🏽
#txlege
#txed
👉🏽
#SB1262
➡️
hmm I feel like I JUST SAW Senator Menéndez in an Education hearing that was still going after midnight….now here he is again in B&C bright and early.
What kind of coffee do legislators drink?! Maybe this is their opportunity to experience “teacher tired”😴😂
#txed
#txlege
Today is a special day as it’s my BFF, my sweet wife, Cehlia’s Birthday! Happy Birthday Honey
@CEHLIANM
!! The rest of y’all get up and move around your health and your loved ones are depending on you!
#OTF
@BarackObama
Mr. President, Thank you for your genuine, kindness, thoughtfulness, humanity, and love for people wherever they may be!
This Country needs more leaders like you!