Texas Gov. Abbott enters 3rd term with vow for safer schools

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott used his third inaugural address Tuesday to push for safer classrooms and improved mental health infrastructure.

Abbott touched on mental health and made assurances of swift — albeit still undetermined — action as he began a ninth year in office. He pushed back on calls for tougher gun restrictions during his reelection campaign and it is doubtful the GOP-controlled Legislature would raise the minimum age to purchase AR-15-style rifles from 18 to 21 years old, which has become one of the biggest demands of the most vocal families in Uvalde.

"Parents must know that their children are safe when they drop them off every morning," Abbott said.