FROM THE GOVERNOR

Abbott announces budget and policy staff leadership

AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott announced Budget and Policy staff leadership within the Office of the Governor.

“These talented individuals have demonstrated their ability to deliver wins for the State of Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans deserve leadership that will enhance their daily lives and safeguard the foundational truths that unite us as one. I have full faith that together, with this highly-skilled and qualified leadership team, Texas will remain the premier state for freedom and prosperity.”

Tabatha Vasquez will lead the Budget and Policy Teams as Senior Advisor to the Governor. Vasquez previously served as the Governor’s Policy Director and Deputy Budget and Policy Director. She has held various positions within the Texas Legislature, including Chief of Staff in the House, and Legislative Director and Sunset Committee Director in the Senate. Prior to her state service, she consulted and managed dozens of campaigns for candidates at all levels of government, both in Texas and across the country. Vasquez is a board member of the Pink Granite Foundation and former President of Capitol Republican Women. Vasquez attended Mars Hill University, where she majored in sociology and criminal justice, minored in business, and played Division II Women’s Soccer.

Cory Fish serves as Policy Director for the Office of the Governor. Fish previously served as a Budget and Policy Advisor to Governor Abbott and was later promoted to Deputy Policy Director. Prior to joining the Office of the Governor, he was a fellow at the Cicero Institute in Austin and has also held various roles at a trade association and non-profit law firm. Fish received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Texas at Austin (UT) School of Law.

Fisher Reynolds serves as Budget Director for the Office of the Governor. He was previously Chief of Staff at the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), where he led a broad range of cross-functional initiatives and projects for the business. Prior to joining LCRA, Reynolds served as a Budget and Policy Advisor to Governor Abbott and as an Analyst with the Legislative Budget Board. He is a graduate of the Frank McBee, Jr. Fellows Program at the Austin Area Research Organization. Reynolds earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Political Science from Marquette University and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration from UT.

Danny Mittnacht serves as Deputy Policy Director for the Office of the Governor. Mittnacht joined Governor Abbott’s team for the 89th Legislative Session as a Budget and Policy Advisor covering technology, cybersecurity, financial services, occupational licensing, and housing issues. He’s held several positions in the Texas House, including Policy Director and Policy Advisor for the Speaker of the House, as well as Legislative Director and Chief of Staff to State Representatives. In addition to his state service, Mittnacht has consulted and managed dozens of campaigns at all levels of government in Texas and across the country. He holds an MBA from UT’s McCombs School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dallas.

Jimmy Anderson serves as Deputy Budget Director for the Office of the Governor. Anderson previously served as a Budget & Policy Advisor focused on tax and economic development matters in the Office of the Governor. Prior to joining Governor Abbott, he held the various positions for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Anderson has served on boards for the YMCA of Central Texas, Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, Sobering Center of Austin and Travis County, and Round Rock Noon Kiwanis. Anderson is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, and graduated from St. Mary’s School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree and from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Public Administration.

Abbott touts Texas fueling the nuclear renaissance, booming energy sector AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott touted Texas’ booming energy industry as the nation’s leader in energy production, powering America’s economy and leading the nation in investment in the advanced nuclear energy industry.

“This year Texas took a magnificent step in becoming the headquarters of the American Nuclear Renaissance,” said Governor Abbott. “By solidifying our great state as a prairie for nuclear energy to thrive, Texas’ energy ecosystem is stronger than ever before. Texas is investing in the future of the world’s energy sector and protecting the petroleum industry, the lifeblood of the state’s economy, to power our state for generations to come.”

2025 Highlights from Texas’ Energy Sector: Governor Abbott Signs Oilfield Theft Protection, Pro-Growth Legislation Into Law In June, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law key legislation to protect Texas’ oil and gas industry and promote economic growth across West Texas, including Senate Bill 494, Senate Bill 529, Senate Bill 1806, House Bill 48, and the Beacon Budget Appropriation.

“Today is a defining moment for the Permian Basin, the future of this region, and the future of Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “We are bringing the full weight of the law to crack down on oil theft in the Permian Basin to protect the critical role energy development plays in fueling our economy. I’m also signing an item to fund an historic $123 million investment in The Beacon, a pivotal economic development project for Midland-Odessa.”

Senate Bill 494 (Sparks/ Landgraf) establishes a petroleum product theft task force.

Senate Bill 529 (Sparks/ Craddick) alters the tax code for the City of Midland to divert certain collected tax revenue for economic development projects.

Senate Bill 1806 (Sparks/ Craddick) provides the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with additional tools to combat oil and gas theft.

House Bill 48 (Darby/ Sparks) creates an organized oilfield theft prevention unit within DPS to protect oilfield assets, support the energy industry, safeguard economic stability, and enhance public safety.

Beacon Budget Appropriation was appropriated by the Texas Legislature to the Texas Facilities Commission to support Beacon Healthcare in extending healthcare, research, residential, and retails spaces in the region.

Governor Abbott Congratulates Texas Legislature For Passing Nuclear Power Legislation In June, Governor Greg Abbott congratulated the Texas Legislature for passing House Bill 14, which revolutionized Texas’ growing nuclear industry and will lead a nuclear power renaissance in the United States.

“Texas is the energy capital of the world, and this legislation will position Texas at the forefront of America’s nuclear renaissance,” said Governor Abbott. “By creating the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office and investing $350 million—the largest national commitment—we will jumpstart next-generation nuclear development and deployment. This initiative will also strengthen Texas’ nuclear manufacturing capacity, rebuild a domestic fuel cycle supply chain, and train the future nuclear workforce. I look forward to signing it into law.”

House Bill 14 (Harris/ Alders) establishes the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office to, among other objectives, lead the transition to a balanced energy future by advancing innovative nuclear energy generation technologies while delivering safe, reliable, and clean energy solutions that address the state’s growing demand.

Governor Abbott Names Shaffer Director Of The Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office In September, Governor Greg Abbott named Jarred Shaffer as Director of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office (TANEO). TANEO provides strategic leadership to support advanced nuclear project development within Texas and administering the $350 million Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund to incentivize the development of the nuclear energy industry in Texas.

“The state of Texas continues to build the world’s most robust and diverse energy sector,” said Governor Abbott. “TANEO and the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund will increase Texas’ investment in an all-of-the-above energy approach to solidify Texas as the world’s energy hub. Jarred Shaffer’s expertise on energy issues makes him the best fit to streamline the nuclear regulatory environment and direct investments to spur a flourishing and competitive nuclear power industry in the Lone Star State. Texas will lead the nuclear renaissance.”

As TANEO begins its work, it is publishing a Request for Information (RFI) from the public and interested stakeholders in the areas of TANEO’s advanced nuclear energy strategic plan development, permitting feedback, regulatory study, and grant application review.

Those interested in responding to this RFI, submit the completed RFI and attachments, if applicable, to [email protected]. gov with the subject line “Request for Information Form_LAST NAME”.

Governor Abbott Delivers Remarks At 2025 Texas Nuclear Summit In October. Governor Greg Abbott delivered remarks on Texas leading the nuclear renaissance in America and received the “Atomic Texan Award” at the 2025 Texas Nuclear Summit.

“As the Texas economy continues to grow, the lifeblood of every business increasingly depends upon affordable, reliable power,” said Governor Abbott. “To power our future, Texas must be the epicenter for nuclear power generation. Altogether, we have amassed the resources, infrastructure, and the strategy to be able to advance the nuclear renaissance here in the state of Texas.”

This year, Texas launched the Texas Energy Fund (TxEF) to provide grants and loans to finance the construct ion, maintenance, and modernization of electric facilities in Texas.

Abbott announced six significant TxEF investments into the energy industry for the following projects:

• Up to $105 million to the Rock Island Generation Project, for a 122 megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant in Colorado County.

• Up to $216 million to NRG Energy Inc.(Houston), for a 456 megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant in Houston.

• Up to $516 million to NRG Energy, Inc. (Baytown), for a 721 megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant near Baytown.

• Up to $464 million to Calpine Corporation, for a 460 megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant in Fairfield.

• Up to $1.12 billion to Competitive Power Ventures Basin Ranch, for a 1,350 megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant in Ward County.