The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 3, 2025

Episode Date: April 3, 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 April 3rd and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauschus and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, after two days of delay to allow members to read the changes in the committee substitute, the House Public Education Committee met to take up Senate Bill 2, the upper chamber's proposal for an education savings accounts program. Lawmakers sparred over the bill with Chairman Brad Buckley defending school choice while several Democratic representatives including Vice Chair Diego Bernal criticized the

idea. In the end the bill was reported favorably with nine ayes and six nays. It now goes to the whole House, which is expected to take it up for a vote in the coming weeks. Next, President Donald Trump declared April 2nd Liberation Day in the United States as he announced tariffs that will be levied against other countries around the world. During a Make America Wealthy Again press conference, Trump argued that jobs and factories will come roaring back and that the tariffs will bring about a golden age for the country. Trump said during the conference, quote,

Reciprocal. That means they do it to us and we do it to them. Very simple. Can't get any simpler than that. Trump announced his administration will impose 25% tariffs on auto imports starting Thursday at midnight in addition to the reciprocal tariffs. He later clarified in his address that the tariffs will be, quote, not a full reciprocal. He said that the United States will charge other nations approximately half of what they are and have been charging the U.S. In other news, the Tarrant County

Commissioner's Court voted 3-2 to approve a contract with the Public Interest Legal Foundation, or PILF, to provide, quote, advice and consulting services regarding redistricting for County Commissioners districts for the upcoming 2026 primary election and 2026 general election. Commissioners Roderick Miles and Elisa Simmons opposed the measure. Dozens of public speakers signed up to address the commissioners, most of whom opposed the measure. They called the contract an effort at gerrymandering and an attempt to suppress minority voters, and some objected to the quote conservative legal group that would advise the redistricting process. Those who supported the measure pointed out

that Tarrant County has been growing rapidly and needs to consider redistricting based on population. They also pointed out that areas of the precinct map currently appear to be gerrymandered. County Judge Tim O'Hare researched and selected PILF for the contract. According to its website, PILF is, quote, a 501c3 public interest law firm dedicated to election integrity. The foundation exists to

assist states and others to aid the cause of election integrity and fight against lawlessness in American elections. It is involved in a lawsuit against Harris County because of voting machines that may have compromised the secrecy of voters' ballots. 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's booming economy, shape its technological future, and keep your data

here in the US. To learn more visit centerofyourdigitalworld.org slash Texas. Now returning to your daily Texas news. Last but not least, real estate and land ownership by foreign entities is a major political issue in Texas, especially given the recent revelations regarding Epic City. And now, the Texas House has taken up the issue with a bill that will create a criminal offense for such actions. House Bill 17, authored by Representative Cole Hefner, would restrict certain foreign individuals and entities from purchasing or acquiring titles or properties in Texas. Hefner said of his legislation, quote,

House Bill 17 is to prohibit hostile foreign actors who intend to do us harm from owning land in our great state. A committee substitute to the bill was laid out before the House Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill names China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, in addition to any country designated by the governor, as the nations from which people are prohibited to purchase or acquire real estate property. The committee substitute, as explained during the hearing, would add a requirement that countries must appear on at least one of the three most recent U.S. Director of National Intelligence annual threat assessment reports, in addition to stating that the governor can

only add to the federal list, not subtract from it. 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.