The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 30, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Wednesday, April 30th 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, legislation requiring the disclosure of altered images and political advertising and providing for punishments including up to a year in jail, passed the Texas House, spearheaded by its former speaker, Representative Dade Phelan. House Bill 366 passed on third reading on Wednesday by a 102 to 40 vote, with every nay coming from Republicans.

Starting point is 00:00:40 HB 366 passed quickly on second reading with little fanfare on Tuesday, but on Wednesday it was the subject of uproarious debate from both sides, one arguing that truth in advertising is necessary as artificial intelligence technology advances, and the other that it infringes on political speech. Next, the life of the Mother Act clarifying the state's abortion laws has passed the Texas Senate with alterations that rallied more unity behind the bill after a committee hearing revealed tense disagreements within both the pro-life and pro-choice camps surrounding the legislation. Senator Brian Hughes carried Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's legislative priority as Senate Bill 31 through its shaky ride to the upper chamber's floor. Democratic members expressed difficulty in voting for such legislation, although eventually supported its passage to, quote,

Starting point is 00:01:32 save women's lives, end quote, with 31 votes in favor and zero against. SB 31's companion, HB 44 by State Representative Charlie Garan, was left pending in the House Public Health Committee on April 7. In other news, the Texas Lottery Commission has unanimously voted to ban lottery couriers in the state from selling tickets online amid growing criticism of the commission itself. The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers wrote following the decision, quote, The Texas Lottery Commission's decision to approve a ban on lottery couriers is the most recent in a series of actions that have undermined the accountability and credibility of an agency whose operations are under investigation.

Starting point is 00:02:15 The Texas Senate has already passed legislation that prohibits the ability to play the lottery or purchase a ticket through the Internet. The bill has been referred to the house committee on licensing and administrative procedures. Also, Texas's top elected official has issued a letter to condemn actions taken by the San Marcos city council after it announced plans to take up a resolution calling for an arms embargo on the state of Israel and a quote, immediate permanent and sustained ceasefire in occupied Palestine. In the letter published Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott called the resolution pro-Hamas

Starting point is 00:02:50 before writing that, quote, Texas will not tolerate anti-Semitism. Abbott's letter was sent to City of San Marcos Mayor Jane Hewson. The San Marcos City Council resolution details the amount of, quote, bankroll that has financed what it called the ongoing genocide which according to the resolution amounts to over 4.4 million dollars from San Marcos residences taxes. In addition as state lawmakers consider a slew of criminal justice reforms this year new data indicates that a group of unelected judicial officials has authorized the release of thousands

Starting point is 00:03:25 of suspects charged with felony offenses on personal recognizance bonds that do not require cash payment. While judges in Texas are elected, counties often appoint magistrates or hearing officers to exercise some duties of the courts. Magistrates may dismiss cases for a lack of probable cause, issue warrants, and set bail for criminal defendants. In sprawling Harris County, the state's most populous county with nearly 4.8 million people, magistrates set bail for many felony defendants. According to new data obtained by Crime Stoppers of Houston, in the past five years these appointed

Starting point is 00:04:01 officials authorized PR bonds for felony offenders in 28,700 cases. Last but not least, the Texas House Committee on Higher Education considered a bill this week to tighten requirements and expand liabilities for students who are quote, not a citizen or permanent resident, end quote, in the U.S. and are seeking in-state tuition at a Texas university. House Bill 232 by Representative Cody Vasut narrows the eligibility for resident status, mandates more documentation, and enforces financial consequences for misclassified tuition statuses. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to

Starting point is 00:04:42 get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts. .

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 30, 2025

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.