The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - December 17, 2024

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today's Tuesday, December 17th, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lausches, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, pursuant to the quadrennial requirement in the Texas Constitution, the 40 presidential electors for the 2024 election met in Austin on Tuesday to cast their ballots for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Per the Texas Election Code, quote, the electors shall convene at the state capitol at 2 p.m. on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December following their election and shall perform their duties as prescribed by

Starting point is 00:00:45 federal law. The process is overseen by the Texas Secretary of State. Being a heavily Republican state, no Democratic candidate has taken Texas since 1976 when Jimmy Carter won the presidency. Since then, Texas has increased from 26 electoral votes to 40, with at least three more expected by the next census in 2030. Next, for the second time this year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a court-ordered halt to Harris County's plan to provide monthly stipends to select residents, but the case remains under appeal. Last June, the Supreme Court of Texas stayed the county's guaranteed basic income program, known as Uplift Harris, after Paxton sued on grounds that the Texas Constitution expressly prohibits giving funds to benefit

Starting point is 00:01:30 individuals and only grants counties a limited scope of authority. In the court's ruling, Justice Jimmy Blacklock expressed doubt that the no-strings-attached nature of the payments would pass constitutional muster. In August, the Harris County Commissioner's Court voted along partisan lines to revamp the GBI, which will tap $21 million in Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Renamed the Community Prosperity Program, selected recipients will receive $500 each month on a debit card. Purportedly, there will be no restrictions on how the funds may be used, but county officials have not provided specifics on the limitations.

Starting point is 00:02:08 Paxton filed suit, and although a local district court judge dismissed the case, he appealed, and earlier this month, the newly created 15th Court of Appeals issued an administrative stay. In other news, the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee has again subpoenaed death row inmate Robert Roberson.

Starting point is 00:02:26 The subpoena issued on Tuesday requests for Roberson to appear in person before a committee hearing on Friday, December 20th. This is the second time Roberson has been subpoenaed to appear and provide testimony. Following a committee meeting in October, Roberson was issued a subpoena to appear in a successful attempt to delay his execution after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles declined to grant clemency in his case. However, Roberson did not appear then to provide testimony. Last but not least, the ongoing effort to end daylight saving time has gained a new wind with the leader of the next presidential administration expressing his support. President-elect Donald Trump said on social media that the Republicans will use their best efforts to eliminate daylight saving time,

Starting point is 00:03:10 calling it inconvenient and very costly to our nation. Last year, two bills were filed in the Texas legislature, which each read, quote, this state shall observe daylight saving time year round. This subsection applies to both the portion of the state using Central Standard Time as the official standard time, and the portion of the state using Mountain Standard Time as the official standard time. P.S. If you're looking for a good Christmas gift for someone special who's addicted to Texas politics, consider a gift subscription to The Texan. With all the craziness this year and the certainty of more to come in 2025 access to breaking articles and regular newsletters breaking down political happenings in the Lone Star State and beyond is the perfect way to show your appreciation. Thanks for listening

Starting point is 00:03:56 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.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - December 17, 2024

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