Voting Resources
Tom Pauken
March 5th, 2018
Gov. Greg Abbott has surprised many observers of Texas politics by actively campaigning to defeat three incumbent Republican members of the Texas House of Representatives in their bids for re-election – Lyle Larson from San...
May 4th, 2016
Yet, memories of that war, and what went wrong in our attempt to prevent a Communist takeover of South Vietnam, came flooding back to me as I read Geoffrey Shaw’s book.
June 10th, 2013
I applaud the signing of House Bill 5 into law. This legislation will allow for multiple pathways to a high school diploma, increased opportunities for vocational education at the high school level, and the beginning of a...
March 3rd, 2013
For the past five years, I’ve had the honor of representing you as Commissioner Representing Employers at the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). As many of you know, I’m leaving the Workforce Commission this month, but I will...
February 7th, 2013
Judging from the first few weeks of the new Texas legislative session, lawmakers are responding to calls for major education reform. Employers, educators, and parents have been calling on our state elected officials to allow...
December 6th, 2012
At our annual conference last week, the Texas Workforce Commission presented Champion Cooler Corp. with the 2012 Texas Workforce Solutions Employer of the Year award for its successful efforts to bring new manufacturing jobs...
May 23rd, 2012
It is an honor to be with you here this evening and discuss the important role that your institution plays in addressing the critical shortage of skilled workers in our state. TSTC has a long and distinguished history in...
April 3rd, 2012
After 10 years as an Army infantryman, Sgt. Anthony Weir had a difficult time finding a good job as he transitioned from service in Iraq to civilian life. Although he remained in the National Guard, Anthony worked as a jail...
February 5th, 2012
Tom Pauken is Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission. The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the...
January 13th, 2012
In early December, Rubbermaid Home Products announced the closing of its manufacturing plant in Greenville, Texas which will take effect this June. An estimated 490 employees will lose their jobs. Several years ago,...
May 18th, 2016
Why do a number of my fellow conservatives – or those posing as conservatives – believe that an Article V Convention of the states call to amend the Constitution will solve the present Constitutional crisis?The U.S....
April 29th, 2016
I disagreed with President Lyndon Baines Johnson on many issues, but I respected him for his efforts to prevent a Communist takeover of South Vietnam.
May 31st, 2013
With the regular session of the 83rd Texas Legislature finished, there are a number of decisions made by the current legislature that are positive steps forward for the future of our state. However, there were a number of...
February 19th, 2013
I submitted written testimony today on Texas House Bill 5. The bill, authored by House Public Education Committee Chairman Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock of Killeen, is being discussed in committee this afternoon.HB 5 replaces the...
January 10th, 2013
What a difference four years makes!When I joined the Texas Workforce Commission in 2008, I was stunned by the lack of appreciation for vocational education -- even here in Texas. State educational policy had become more of a...
November 26th, 2012
It’s amazing how much bad policy gets enacted in the name of the children. For example, illegal immigrants and drug felons currently can collect welfare checks in Texas, even though they are theoretically prevented from...
April 22nd, 2012
Competition is a staple of life in school. Athletic events, UIL academic tournaments, the performing arts, debate clubs, and farm and ranch contests all give students opportunities to earn credit toward graduation and gain...
February 15th, 2012
Recent media reports on the difficulty returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan face in finding jobs as they transition to civilian life raise some important issues. How do you translate their military skills and...
January 20th, 2012
I was pleased to see that, in the Presidential debate in South Carolina Monday night, Newt Gingrich came out in support of a proposal I presented in testimony before Congress on February 2011. It deals with the issue of...
December 16th, 2011
I want to welcome all of you to this Texas Workforce Commission annual conference and thank you for all you do to help make the Texas’ labor market the strongest in the nation.When I spoke to you one year ago, we faced a...
