Gov. Rick Perry today highlighted Texas' strong jobs environment, which allows employers from all industries to risk their capital and see a return on their investment. The governor spoke at Shield Tactical, which sells firearm related gear and training services, and credits Gov. Perry's economic development outreach in California with their decision to relocate to the Lone Star State.

Gov. Rick Perry today released the following statement regarding House Bill 11: The people of Texas expect their elected officials to address the water needs of our state, and we will do just that. This issue is too important to leave its fate uncertain, and I will work with lawmakers to ensure we address this need in a fiscally responsible manner.

Gov. Rick Perry today toured the disaster zone in West, Texas and met with local officials and state and local emergency responders about relief and recovery efforts underway.

Gov. Rick Perry today met with state officials to discuss Texas' response to last night's explosion and fires at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas. State officials worked through the night and this morning to assist local emergency management and law enforcement with health and medical resources, incident management, search and rescue and environmental quality monitoring, which are ongoing.

Gov. Rick Perry today released the following statement regarding the incident in West, Texas: We are monitoring developments and gathering information as details continue to emerge about this incident. We have also mobilized state resources to help local authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of West, and the first responders on the scene.

Gov. Rick Perry will travel to Chicago, departing Monday, April 22 and returning Tuesday, April 23 to meet with business leaders in the biotechnology and financial industries and speak at the 2013 BIO International Convention. Today, the governor also launched an ad on four Chicago radio stations, building on a week-long series of mixed media web and print ads in Crain’s Chicago Business and on chicagobusiness.com that began on Monday.

Gov. Rick Perry announced the Governor’s Office has authorized a short-term grant of up to $1,612,500 for Bastrop County for the purpose of wildfire recovery and securing additional funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This grant is being awarded from state funds appropriated for disaster relief, and contingent upon reimbursement from the Texas Legislature through supplemental appropriations.

Gov. Rick Perry announced a four-point plan to provide nearly $1.6 billion in tax relief to all Texas businesses currently subject to the state’s franchise tax. The governor was joined by lawmakers, the Texas Association of Business (TAB), National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute for the announcement.

The scene at the Boston Marathon today is a sobering vision for us all, especially those who have friends or loved ones competing in today’s race.

As part of his ongoing efforts to spur competition between states and recruit jobs and employers to Texas, Gov. Rick Perry is taking his message of low taxes, predictable regulations, fair courts and a skilled workforce to employers in Chicago with a week-long web and print ad buy in Crain’s Chicago Business Journal and on chicagobusiness.com. Paid for by TexasOne, the $38,450 mixed media advertising buy includes a two-day takeover of the website, email marketing and a full page ad in Monday’s edition of Crain’s Chicago Business Journal.

Bob Perry was an exceptional man of great faith who believed strongly in everything he put his mind and soul into, and nothing more so than his family. His astonishing success story as a businessman serves as an inspiration to anyone who ever dreamed of bigger things, and his selfless dedication to the people and causes he believed in serves as an inspiration to anyone who has ever felt the call to get involved.

Gov. Rick Perry emphasized his commitment to finding long-term solutions to Texas’ growing infrastructure needs, specifically strengthening the state’s transportation infrastructure to meet the demands of our rapidly growing economy and population. The governor delivered the keynote address at the Texas Lyceum Association’s 47th Public Conference.

Gov. Rick Perry today highlighted the selfless service and sacrifice of our nation’s military in the fight against terrorism, and committed to ensuring Texas provides the resources and support necessary for our heroes and their families. The governor spoke at the St. Mary’s University School of Law – Center for Terrorism Law 10th Anniversary Celebration.

The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities has announced the winners of the 30th Annual Barbara Jordan Media Awards for pieces produced in 2012. Winners in each of the categories were chosen by a panel of judges, including journalists, professionals in the field of disabilities, and people with disabilities.

Gov. Rick Perry applauded Texas’ progress and hard work in taking another step forward towards becoming the nation’s hub for innovation, collaboration and competition in technology development and manufacturing. The governor participated in an announcement with Google Inc. regarding the installment of Google Fiber in Austin, Texas. Google Fiber is an ultra high-speed broadband network with internet speeds up to 1 gigabyte per second.

The passing of Prime Minister Thatcher marks the end of an era in which bold conservative values faced down tyranny and oppression to open the doors of freedom and democracy for countless people around the world. Prime Minister Thatcher served with grace, dignity and an "iron" will.

Gov. Rick Perry announced the Governor’s Office is offering a cash reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or people responsible for the deaths of Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse, District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia. Kaufman County Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or people responsible for the death of Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse.

A report released this week by the Brookings Institution is the latest to highlight the Lone Star State’s strong jobs climate, finding that Texas leads the nation in job creation with Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Dallas and McAllen creating more jobs now than before the recession. According to the report, Austin saw the highest percentage increase in jobs of any city in the nation.

Gov. Rick Perry announced that Borusan Mannesmann Pipe will expand its manufacturing operations to the U.S. with a steel pipe plant in Baytown, creating 250 jobs and $148 million in capital investment. The state is providing $1.6 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) to close the deal on this project.

Gov. Rick Perry, Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz held a roundtable followed by a press conference to discuss the flexibility needed by states to enact meaningful reforms to the existing, broken Medicaid program. They were joined by Congressmen Joe Barton and Michael C. Burgess, M.D., Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek, as well as the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF). Several Texas lawmakers and groups also joined in support of reforming the current Medicaid system and providing flexibility.