While Texas faces its worst measles outbreak in decades, Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has introduced a resolution to rename the “New York strip” steak cut to the “Texas strip” in what appears to be a gesture aimed at liberals. Patrick announced on social media his intention to push this resolution in the Texas Senate, which, although not legally-binding, would demonstrate significant legislative support.
Patrick’s announcement referenced the Gulf of Mexico, which former President Donald Trump renamed to the Gulf of America. Patrick seems to be anticipating criticism for diverting attention to renaming steak cuts at a time when a child in Texas died from measles— the first such fatality in the US in a decade. He justified the move by stating it would improve marketing for Texas beef.
Critics on social media have been quick to lampoon Patrick’s proposal, arguing that it is a waste of time and that more pressing issues should be addressed. One respondent pointed out that many Texans might lose their land due to high property taxes, which is a more significant concern than the naming of a steak cut. Patrick also took issue with the Delmonico’s restaurant chain in New York, which popularized the New York strip. He argued that Texas, as the leading beef-producing state in the US with 12.2 million head of cattle, should not continue to honor a naming tradition originating from a state known more for dairy.
Patrick wants Texas restaurants and groceries to adopt the “Texas strip” name and hopes the change will spread nationwide. He argued that “liberal New York” should not get credit for the hard work of Texas ranchers. He also emphasized promoting the “Texas brand” for all products grown or made in the state, as it supports the economy and jobs.
Despite the controversy, Patrick’s proposal comes in the midst of a severe measles outbreak in Texas, with over 145 reported cases and a child’s death due to the disease – the first measles death in the US since 2015. President Trump’s appointed US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has previously questioned vaccine safety, recently published an op-ed that acknowledged the importance of vaccines for both individual and community immunity against highly contagious diseases like measles.
This is not the first time Patrick has faced criticism for his stance on public health issues. In the spring of 2020, he faced backlash for suggesting that older people in the US might rather risk death from COVID-19 than suffer economic harm from lockdowns.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/03/texas-new-york-strip-steak-dan-patrick
