The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 7, 2025
Episode Date: April 7, 2025Want 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: ht...tps://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!
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Howdy folks! Today is Monday, April 7th and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown.
I'm the Texans reporter Cameron Abrams and here's the rundown of today's news in Texas
politics. First up, the four former Office of the Attorney General employees who sued
under the Texas Whistleblower Act were awarded $6.67
million in damages in a Friday judgment, double the settlement originally struck in 2022.
Blake Brickman, David Maxwell, Ryan Vassar, and Mark Penley were awarded a combined total of $6.6
million plus 7.5% interest and additional amounts conditional on an appeal being filed.
The ruling stems from the lawsuit filed against the agency in the wake of seven top aides
to Attorney General Kim Paxton accusing him of corruption and abuse of office, which they
reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2020.
The four employees
were subsequently fired, which was the basis of their whistleblower suit. In 2022, the OAG
and the former employees agreed to a $3.3 million settlement, but the Texas House
balked at paying it. Instead, the Lower Chambers General Investigating Committee
used it as the springboard for an
inquiry and impeachment.
Paxton was eventually acquitted on all charges by the Texas Senate.
Next, artificial intelligence and government oversight is an ongoing issue at the federal
level, and now, Senator Ted Cruz is requesting information regarding actions possibly taken
by a nonprofit
organization that has advocated for certain safeguards. Cruz, who chairs the
US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, has issued a letter
to Jules Polanski, chief executive officer of the Future of Privacy Forum,
regarding their participation in crafting federal regulations for the
Biden administration to implement as AI
safety in a now rescinded executive order. Cruz's letter states,
quote, FBF bills itself as a mediator that brings together thought leaders to address
challenges posed by technology. That doesn't mean it lacks a point of view. In October 2023,
Biden issued an executive order to establish, quote, new
standards for AI safety and security. The order also aims to address best practices
for authenticating content and calls on Congress to pass bipartisan data privacy legislation.
President Donald Trump issued his own executive order in his second administration to rescind
these measures. Stay tuned for more news updates after this short message.
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To learn more, visit centerofyourdigitalworld.org.
Now returning to your daily Texas news.
In other news, the nascent race for Texas's most numbers-heavy elected office is already
chock full of thematics and theatrics,
and one sticks out above the rest.
Activists and politicians vs. big money donors.
Right after jumping in the race following comptroller Glenn Hager's naming as the
next Texas A&M University System Chancellor, former state senator Don Huffins rolled out
a steady stream of endorsements backing his
bid for what's effectively the state's accountant.
Senator Ted Cruz said in an endorsement, quote, Don will bring real change with Doge to the
comptroller's office.
His unwavering commitment to returning money to the hardworking people of Texas is exactly
what we need in this critical role.
Huffins' opponent, Railroad Commissioner Christy Craddock, is also maintaining that
similar messaging theme.
Last but not least, by a vote of 6-5, the San Antonio City Council voted to add an additional
$100,000 to its reproductive justice fund in order to fund travel for out-of-state abortions.
Now, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the city and requested
a temporary restraining order to stop the funding.
Paxton said in a press release, quote, the city of San Antonio is blatantly defying Texas
law by using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion tourism.
Beyond being an egregious misuse of public funds,
it's an attack on the pro-life values of our state.
I will not stand by while rogue cities use tax dollars
to circumvent state law
and take the innocent lives of unborn children.
In September, 2023, San Antonio allocated $500,000
to a reproductive justice fund
that council member Terry Castillo
claimed was quote, crucial to support the residents rights to make reproductive health
care decisions, including abortion. When the city staff presented its recommendations
to the city council in October 2024, none of the awards included use for abortion travel.
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