January 20 was inauguration day for Gov. Greg Abbott, successor to Rick Perry, who completed a record-setting 14 years as governor. Abbott is the 48th governor of Texas.
Abbott expressed gratitude to the people who elected him and promised to “promote policies that limit the growth of government, not the size of your dreams.”
“Texas truly is the land of opportunity, the place where anyone can achieve anything,” Abbott said. “But as great as Texas is there’s more we must do: More for the families stuck in traffic. More for parched towns thirsty for water. More for parents who fear their child is falling behind in school. More for employers searching for skilled workers. More for our veterans who return broken from battle.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, successor to David Dewhurst who served at the post for 12 years, also addressed the crowd at the inauguration. “In my campaign,” Patrick said, “I pledged to secure the border, to lower property and business taxes, prioritize, reform and improve public education, build our infrastructure and protect life, family and the Second Amendment. That’s what I pledged to do as a candidate and that’s what I will do as lieutenant governor.” Patrick is the state’s 42nd lieutenant governor.
Ed Sterling works for the Texas Press Association and follows the Legislature for the organization.
