The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - December 9, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy, folks, today is Tuesday, December 9th, and you are listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick unveiled his latest plan to reduce tax bills, building upon the $51 billion of total property tax relief spent in the state budget over the last few by Ennea. At a Tuesday press conference, Patrick laid out his proposal for the next time the legislature regularly convenes in 27. First, lower the age to qualify for the senior homestead exemption from 65 years old to 55. Second, increase the standard homestead exemption by $40,000 to $180,000 in total. And third, place more taxing restrictions on local governments while

Starting point is 00:00:57 still allowing for growth. Patrick called it his initial blueprint, which he is calling Operation Double Nickel, adding that he, Governor Greg Abbott, and Speaker Dustin Burroughs would all get together and discuss the entire issue for next session. He estimated the cost of the first part of the plan would amount to $1.3 billion, while the entire package would cost the state under $4 billion in more dollars not already committed to local property tax relief. Next, the state of Texas was granted a temporary restraining order, or TRO, against Johnson & Johnson, Kenview Incorporated, and Kenview Brands LLC, after challenging their statuses as allegedly unregistered foreign companies, asserting they are operating illegally within the state.

Starting point is 00:01:44 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against the companies on December 3rd, alleging that they were in violation of the Texas Business Organization's Code Chapter 9, which requires that, quote, entities, which Kenview and J&J are, must register and maintain an active filing before doing business in the state. The TRO was obtained by Paxton two days later on December 5th. It's set to expire on December 15th when the 287th Judicial District Court in Bailey County will hold an injunction hearing and determine whether or not to prohibit Johnson & Johnson and Kenview from operating in the state of Texas. According to court documents, the two companies have not completed the necessary registration with the Texas Secretary of State in order to operate.

Starting point is 00:02:34 Johnson & Johnson's registration is described as having lapsed into inactive status, while Kenview has yet to register. In other news, Texas lawmakers' reactions varied after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Texas' favor on December 4th and allowed the newly drawn congressional map, approved by the legislature this year, to remain in place. which is projected to favor the GOP in the 2026 elections. Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the move on Thursday, claiming that the new maps, quote, better align our representation in D.C. with the values of Texas. Abbott addressed the perceived advantage the decision gives the Republicans in the 26 election cycle, stating that given the recent SCOTUS decision,

Starting point is 00:03:17 quote, Texas is officially and legally more red. He was joined by a broad swath of Republican legislators celebrating, the prospective GOP gains in the 26 election, many of whom announced their campaigns after the decision on Thursday. State Representative Gene Wu, the chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus who represents a heavily urban Houston district, and who engaged in a legal battle with Abbott stemming from the summer House Democratic quorum break, was not as optimistic, saying he was angry about the decision and implying that it is the end of the Voting Rights Act. He claimed the decision displayed the Supreme Court's lack of power to protect minority communities.

Starting point is 00:03:58 Wu purported that Republicans, quote, in their own writing and in their own letters, said that they were redistricting for racial reasons, end quote, calling such a move by the Supreme Court absurd. Last but not least, the filing deadline for Texas' 26 primaries is now passed, solidifying the fields for next year's internal party spats. Visit the Texan.com. News to read senior reporter Brad Johnson's takeaways from Monday's point of no return, from Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett jumping into the U.S. Senate race to the number of open seats across Texas. Thanks for listening.

Starting point is 00:04:36 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. Thank you.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - December 9, 2025

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