The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 14, 2025

Episode Date: April 14, 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 Monday, April 14th 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, a proposed Muslim-centric residential community in Josephine has prompted several state officials to launch investigations into its practices and procedures. And now, one of Texas' U.S. senators is calling on federal agencies to do the same. Senator John Cornyn has penned a letter to both U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon to push for an investigation

to, quote, explore whether the proponents of the proposed development are abiding by existing federal and state prohibitions on the enforcement of Sharia law. Cornyn's letter states, quote, Religious discrimination, whether explicit or implicit, is unconstitutional under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our nation's values, and I am concerned this community potentially undermines this vital protection. Cornyn's letter calls attention to not only the residential development,

but also its investment arm, Community Capital Partner LP. The East Plano Islamic Center and its epic city development have become subject to numerous investigations, including from Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. 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, health care, and video calls. With 21 connected devices per household and soaring data demands, these hubs drive

Texas's booming economy, shape its technological future, and keep your data here in the U.S. To learn more, visit centerofyourdigitalworld.org. Now returning to your daily Texas news. Next, while the majority of Texans were fast asleep Thursday night, the lower chamber of the legislature passed a $337 billion budget. Through the proceedings, hundreds of amendments were proposed and debated, and many were adopted relating to cutting appropriations for diversity, equity, and inclusion at different levels of government. The biennial budget night fight is a hallowed ceremony in the Texas House, where lawmakers

have the opportunity to claw and fight for their particular issue to either be included or struck from the state's coffers. An amendment to remove money appropriated to Texas A&M University because it offers degrees or courses in DEI and quote, does not comply with the biological reality that there are only two sexes, end quote, was proposed by Representative Shelley Luther. Although it was not debated on the floor and ultimately moved to Article 11, also known as the legislative graveyard. The Texas House earlier in the evening made

a move to place 150 of the 393 amendments on a suspension list, which adopts them into the budget without necessitating debate. But many others were moved into Article 11, a polite way to kill an amendment, as these are not normally adopted during the conference committee hearing. In other news, a viral fight at a Hearst-Ulus-Bedford Independent School District Junior High School received national coverage and triggered concern from the public, leading the district to create a new student safety task force to begin to address violence. Sometime during the last week of March, two 13-year-olds were involved in a fight at Harwood Junior High School. According to reporting from WFAA, the fight started when one student allegedly disrespected the other student's dead grandmother. Notably, a crowd of

students surrounded the fight and two school staffs stood close by but didn't intervene, with one even refusing to put down his drink. A police officer reportedly detained the aggressor in the video while the school nurse started treating the other student, who suffered a concussion and shoulder injury. The aggressor was ordered by a judge to go to an alternative school and wear a leg monitor. On March 28, HEB ISD Superintendent Joe Harrington published a letter to the public addressing the fight. Last but not least, the city of Dallas has hired two new chiefs to handle matters of public safety in the city. On Friday, April 11th, Dallas City Manager Kimberly Tolbert named Daniel Como as the new chief of police. His service will begin on April 23rd. A native of New Orleans,

Como most recently served as special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Houston Field Division, overseeing 12 offices throughout Texas, including Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. He began his career with the DEA in 1997, but before that started with the Houston Police Department in 1991. Como said he joined law enforcement after witnessing what can happen in unsafe neighborhoods and has continued working with local police while serving with the DEA. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to get full access

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