The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 13, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Howdy folks, today is Monday, April 13th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Managing Editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, a district court judge has appointed a Republican candidate for Fort Bend County judge to fill the unexpired term of incumbent county judge K.P. George, after George was suspended from office following his felony conviction. Former Sugarland City Council member Daniel Wong emerged from a five-way Republican primary in March to win the GOP nomination for county judge with 54% of the vote. George, who switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party last year after his indictment, came in last in the 26 primary. Last Friday, visiting Judge Jeff Jones ordered George suspended and appointed Wong to fill the term that expires at the end of this year. Wong said that he learned of the appointment from the media, but added that he was ready to serve the county's residence. He said in a statement, quote,

Starting point is 00:01:11 I have served the public and elected office, and I have led in the corporate sector as an acclaimed CEO. Because of the corruption of K.P. George, a cloud has hung over this great county, and gridlock was threatened for the entirety of 2026, end quote. Wong will be on the general election ballot in November 26 and will face the winner of the Democratic primary election runoff in May. Next, the Texas House of Representatives finalized and approved fines along party lines for Democratic members who broke quorum during the summer of 2025, with the total per member coming out to about $8,354. After a House Administration Committee meeting on Friday, which lasted for over six hours, members on the panel approved the fines for Democrats in a 6-5 vote.

Starting point is 00:02:02 Members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus who broke quorum during two special legislative sessions fled to Democratic-leaning states such as Illinois for about two weeks. Aiming to both delay a vote on the GOP favored congressional redistricting map and raise awareness surrounding the legislation. The map ultimately passed the legislature, and the quorum-breaking members were later informed of the fines that they had accumulated through their absence. $9,354 for the costs incurred for their, quote, failure to appear during those 14 days, as they were told by State Representative Charlie Garron, chairman of the House Administration Committee in January. During the committee meeting on Friday, two Sundays were struck from the total fines, taking off about $1,000 from the originally estimated cost.

Starting point is 00:02:53 In other news, three North Texas cities are holding elections on May 2nd asking their residents whether or not they should withdraw from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit or DART system. While a few cities canceled their elections scheduled for this year, Addison, University Park, and Highland Park are proceeding with their DART withdrawal elections. The matter began after an Ernst & Young study in 2024 showed that sales tax collections were greater than allocations for DART service in seven cities. Addison, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Highland Park, Plano, Richardson and University Park. Irving also planned to hold a withdrawal election after the study came out. Following months of negotiation, the Dart Board approved an interlocal agreement in February that would return some of the revenue to each of the 13 member cities.

Starting point is 00:03:45 Starting in fiscal year 2026, Dart would return $42.5 million to all 13. That amount would grow to $78.4 million by fiscal year 2013 for a total of $300,000,000,000.4 million, for a total of $300,000. $60 million over six years. Last but not least, a San Antonio-based in vitro fertilization training institution has launched an expedited instructional course for obstetrics and gynecology or OBGYN, providers, to facilitate the incorporation of such technology more directly into obstetric practices. IVF Academy USA, which was founded in 1995 and was formerly known as Embryo Director, says its aim in launching the nearly two-day IVF training course is to close the gap between OBGYN practices, having to refer patients elsewhere for IVF procedures, in turn, reducing referral

Starting point is 00:04:39 bottlenecks. IVF Academy USA wrote in a business wire press release on March 27th, quote, OBGYNs are typically the first and most trusted entry point into reproductive health care, end quote, IVF has become an increasingly political issue as the technology advanced, in its reach and exacerbate certain factions within the Republican Party. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the texan. News and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 13, 2026

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