Greg Abbott: Work begins today

AUSTIN -- Addressing media Wednesday at the Capitol, Attorney General Greg Abbott said his work as Governor-Elect Abbott starts today.

The first order of business was naming first Assistant Attorney General Daniel Hodge, a former chief of staff and second in rank to Abbott himself in the Office of Attorney General, to coordinate the transition to a new administration for the first time in 14 years.

"We have and will continue to work closely with Governor Perry throughout the transition process," Abbott told media gathered for a briefing Wednesday morning inside the old Texas Supreme Court chamber.

Little more than 13 hours since declaring victory Tuesday night, Abbott said the wave of Republican victories sent a clear message where the work should begin.

"Securing the border was a referendum issue in all these races across America," said Abbott. "And I think the message that Americans sent was they want to see government officials at all levels doing all we can to secure the border."

With the GOP now in control of the U.S. Senate, Abbott suggested the federal government must work to "fix the broken immigration system" while he works to implement state policies he campaigned on.

"That includes adding more department of public safety officers," Abbott said. "It means adding more Texas Rangers. It means providing more resources and funding for local law enforcement."

The governor-elect said top campaign issues such as promoting business growth and improving education and infrastructure will be his top priorities upon taking office. Asked about his plans concerning "open carry" laws concerning handguns, which he supported on the campaign trail, Abbott said he would sign an open carry bill if passed by the state House and Senate.

The change in leadership means the next few days and weeks will be full of meetings. Abbott told media he spoke Wednesday with Lieutenant Governor-Elect Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Joe Straus. He also met with Health and Human Services Commissioner Dr. Kyle Janek for a briefing on the Ebola situation.

As the timeframe expires for signs of further secondary infections from the initial case in Dallas, Abbott said efforts to put in place proper protocols will continue.

"Knowing that Ebola still exists in West African countries and can still travel to other locations, we will remain vigilant and on guard in the state of Texas, constantly working to ensure that hospital and medical personnel in this state will be prepared to deal with it if it ever comes back," Abbott said.