Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter on Wednesday to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan to request that the state’s legislative leaders convene special legislative committees following last week’s tragic shooting in Uvalde.
The special legislative committees would be created to develop recommendations on school safety, mental health, social media, police training, firearm safety, and other areas in response to the tragic deaths at Robb Elementary School last week.
“As Texans mourn the tragedy that occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde last week, we as a State must reassess the twin issues of school safety and mass violence,” the letter stated.
“As leaders, we must come together at this time to provide solutions to protect all Texans. Accordingly, I hereby request that each of you convene a special legislative committee. I look forward to working with you both on this important mission to make Texas safer, and I stand ready to provide any and all support,” Abbott added.
The governor has requested that the process begin immediately, noting that the Texas Rangers and Federal Bureau of Investigation will continue investigating the crimes regarding the Uvalde shooting that killed 19 fourth-grade students and two teachers at the hands of an 18-year-old shooter.
The letter comes one day after Abbott announced a state of disaster for the city of Uvalde on Tuesday that will expedite state and local resources to assist the community following a tragic mass shooting last week.
“The community of Uvalde has been left devastated by last week’s senseless act of violence at Robb Elementary School and should not have to encounter any difficulty in receiving the support needed to heal,” Abbott said in a statement released regarding the declaration.
“This disaster declaration frees up the many resources available through the State of Texas and local jurisdictions to continue providing much needed support to all who were impacted and work in the community unencumbered by regulations unnecessary to respond to this tragedy. All of Texas stands with Uvalde, and we are prepared to provide support through all available means,” he added.
The letter also comes after claims that the school district’s police chief was not cooperating in the investigation.
Pete Arredondo, chief of police for the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, has denied the accusations. He told CNN he regularly speaks with the Texas Department of Safety, which is investigating the school police response to the horrific tragedy at Robb Elementary School.
“I am in touch with DPS everyday,” Arredondo told the news outlet.
The Department of Justice announced on Sunday that it would investigate the response to the school shooting.
“The goal of the review is to provide an independent account of law enforcement actions and responses that day, and to identify lessons learned and best practices to help first responders prepare for and respond to active shooter events,” DOJ spokesman Anthony Coley said.