The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 9, 2026

Episode Date: April 9, 2026

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Howdy folks, today is Thursday, April 9th, 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, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick called on Republican voters to unite behind whichever candidate wins Texas' Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff, either U.S. Senator John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton, warning that party disunity could even cost the GOP its majority in the Texas House. Patrick said at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's Texas Policy Summit on Wednesday, quote, I wish they'd spend the next five weeks or six weeks, quite frankly,

running positive ads on why they should be elected, because it's not helping our party by tearing each other apart. The lieutenant governor shared that he has been speaking with President Donald Trump, who he said is very interested in the politics of what's happening in Texas. Patrick challenged both candidates to endorse whoever wins the runoff election and, in turn, encourage their supporters to vote for the Republican nominee. Patrick predicted, quote, if 10 to 15% of either of their sides don't turn out and vote,

James Talariko is going to win, end quote, referring to the Democrats' 26 U.S. Senate nominee. Patrick continued saying that if Republicans lose the U.S. Senate seat, they'll lose the entire Senate. and so must unite behind whoever wins the primary. In other news, seven Texas Independent School districts are considering or have approved imminent school closures, citing declining enrollment and budget deficits. This current wave of school closures adds to the growing list of ISDs set to shutter campuses

in the coming years, including seven charter schools. The approved closures are as follows. Midway ISD voted to close Spiegelville Elementary. Superintendent Dr. Chris Allen cited declining enrollment and a lack of flexible state funding as reasons for the closure, which is projected to save the district $1.2 million. San Antonio ISD voted to close Rhodes Middle at the end of the 2025-2020 school year. Rhodes students will instead be zoned to attend Tafola Middle, which will be operated by third future schools through an 1882 partnership, created under Senate Bill 1882, which allowed, outside organizations to run public schools and can even provide additional funding. Fort Worth ISD announced that DeZavala Elementary will close at the end of the 2025-20206 school year a year earlier than the

district's original plan. Austin ISD approved the closure of Blackshear Elementary, in addition to the 10 school closures announced in November. Superintendent Mataya Seguera said that Blackshare will be consolidated with Oak Springs Elementary in January, 28. Last but not least, the Dallas City Council is reconsidering its housing policy, highlighting the shortages and affordability challenges that are faced by some Dallas residents. On April 1st, Dallas City staff and stakeholders presented statistics to the City Council demonstrating some of those challenges. Cullum Clark with the Bush Institute cited a report showing the housing shortage to be a national issue because housing inventory was, quote, underbuilt across the country in the early 2000s.

He said that housing costs across the country are 20 to 25% higher in comparison to income than they were at the beginning of the 21st century. He pointed out that Dallas has fallen behind in building income restricted apartments and lost the housing cost advantage it once had over other areas of the country. He believes this trend could be reversed with a, quote, building boom, and that two pieces of legislation passed during the 89th Texas legislature help make that possible. Senate Bill 840 by State Senator Brian Hughes allows multifamily residential units to be built in otherwise commercially zoned areas of cities. Senate Bill 15 by State Senator Paul Betancourt prohibits cities with populations over 150,000,

from setting minimum lot sizes at more than 3,000 square feet on an unplatted parcel of land that is at least five acres. 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.