The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 11, 2025

Episode Date: April 11, 2025

Want to support The Texan and help us continue providing the Lone Star State with news you can trust? Subscribe today: https://thetexan.news/subscribe/Learn more about the Data Center Coalition at: https://www.centerofyourdigitalworld.org/texasThe Texan’s Daily Rundown brings you a quick recap of the latest stories in Texas politics so you can stay informed with news you can trust.Want more resources? Be sure to visit The Texan and subscribe for complete access to our in-depth articles, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, videos, podcasts, and more.Enjoy what you hear? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review!

Howdy folks, today is Friday, April 11th and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauschis and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has presided over the Texas Senate for more than a decade and is now seeking to extend that for another four years with his recent reelection announcement. Patrick said, quote, with the legislative session past the halfway point and many of our priority bills passed, I am announcing my 2026 reelection campaign. A more formal kickoff will come following the session, but I wanted to

make my intentions known and official. Patrick's announcement comes just a day after President Donald Trump endorsed his re-election bid, exclaiming, quote, he will never let you down. Next, the 2026-2027 biennium budget will head to conference committee after the Texas House passed its $337 billion blueprint, $1.3 billion larger than the Senate's, after protracted debate that was full of fits and starts. By a vote of 118 to 26, the $337 billion next biennium budget was passed by the House, along with the Supplemental Appropriations Bill, which fills the financial holes of the current biennial budget.

19 Republicans voted against it, along with seven Democrats. Four members spoke in opposition to the bill, State Representatives Mike Olcott, Brian Harrison, Gina Hinojosa, and John Bryant. Where the Republicans called for more money for property tax relief, currently at $6 billion, the two Democrats criticized the inclusion of $1 billion for an education savings account program. In other news, Texas could allocate up to $70 million in funding for the Thriving Texas Families program, formerly known as the Alternatives to Abortion program,

for the 2026-2027 biennium as part of the state's $337 billion appropriation package. During the House's budget night on Thursday featuring hours of debate over members' amendments to the appropriation bill, Senate Bill 1, Representative Tom Oliverson successfully passed his amendment allocating Medicaid funding towards thriving Texas families, collecting 90 votes in favor and 56 against. Stay tuned for more news updates after this short message. Data centers fuel 364,000 Texas jobs,

generate $3.5 billion in state and local taxes, and power essential services like banking, healthcare, and video calls. With 21 connected devices per household and soaring data demands, these hubs drive Texas' booming economy, shape its technological future, and keep your data here in the U.S.

To learn more, visit centerofyourdigitalworld.org slash Texas. Now returning to your daily Texas news. Also, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed Representative Chip Roy's Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE Act, which would require proof of American citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. The SAVE Act would require states to verify U.S. citizenship and identity through documentary

proof in person when an individual registers to vote in federal elections, regardless of the registration method. Additionally, it requires states to remove non-citizens from their voter rolls. The US House passed the SAVE Act 220 to 208 with four Democratic members voting in favor of the legislation, including Representative Henry Cuellar.

No Republicans voted against the bill. In addition, Texas lawmakers are considering changes to the Harris County Flood Control District that would launch a regional approach to flood planning along the San Jacinto River Basin and hand management of the district to the state instead of county political leaders. The state's only flood control district delineated along county lines. HCFCD was created by the Texas legislature in 1937 after a series of catastrophic floods. Designed to be a local partner for major projects

with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the district now designs, constructs, and maintains local flood control projects in Harris County. Last but not least, state lawmakers are considering reforms to the Harris County toll road authority after hearing testimony about how the county commissioners court is distributing surplus revenues and the demands on the city of Houston's fire and police departments. Senator Paul Bettencourt said during a Senate committee on Transportation hearing last week on his proposed Senate Bill 2722,

quote, I first noticed this issue when I found $170 million of excess toll road funds, quote, I first noticed this issue when I found $170 million of excess toll road funds was being used for facilities such as parks, pools, and etc. Betancourt's legislation and its companion bill by State Representative Mano de Ayala would require any county with more than 4 million residents, of which Harris County is the only in Texas, to adhere to stricter requirements on how toll revenues are spent and also undergo an annual audit of toll revenue expenditures and distributions. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.