The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - February 10, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Monday, February 10th, 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, Texas' Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment, or SCOPE, Act, has again been partially blocked after a Texas judge preliminarily enjoined it due to a lawsuit challenging the law. Austin District Court Judge Robert Pittman has granted a motion for a preliminary injunction against provisions in the SCOPE Act, writing that, quote, even accepting that Texas has a compelling interest in blocking select categories under HB 18, the law is not narrowly

Starting point is 00:00:45 tailored. House Bill 18, also known as the SCOPE Act, was passed during the 88th legislative session. The law aims to prevent digital service providers, or DSPs, such as social media platforms, from entering into agreements with minors without parental or guardian consent. It also mandates that DSPs include options in these agreements for parents or guardians to permanently enable specific settings. Additionally, the SCOPE Act requires certain disclosures about advertising practices and seeks to provide parents with greater transparency regarding how algorithms are used to target their children. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression filed the initial suit on

Starting point is 00:01:25 behalf of students engaged in advancing Texas back in August 2024. In other news, Governor Greg Abbott delivered his State of the State address several days ago, outlining his priorities for the 89th legislative session and listing his emergency items, which included an unexpected addition, the creation of a Texas Cyber Command. Abbott declared, quote, We must deploy cutting-edge capabilities to better secure our state. Minutes after the proclamation was made, information from the governor's office on the new proposition was circulated, detailing the necessity of a Texas Cyber Command to increase the state's ability

Starting point is 00:02:00 to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats and hostile foreign adversaries, like China, Iran, Russia, and other rogue outlets around the world. The governor's plan is to have the new venture be headquartered in San Antonio, a city with a large presence of cybersecurity experts, including the University of Texas at San Antonio, which is a member of the United States Cyber Command Academic Engagement Network. UT San Antonio opened their $91.8 million National Security Collaboration Center in 2023 in order to develop, quote, highly skilled professionals in data science, data analytics, and national security. Last but not least, as Keller Independent School District continues to examine the possibility of realigning and detaching part of the district, it is now being led by a new interim superintendent.

Starting point is 00:02:57 Dr. Corey Wilson, who has to lead the district during this transition. His knowledge of Keller ISD and commitment to its students will provide valuable stability at this time. No official action was taken at the meeting regarding former Superintendent Tracy Johnson's voluntary separation agreement. At a board meeting on January 16th, Johnson expressed her disagreement with the idea of detaching part of Keller ISD, saying she didn't believe it was right for the kids. Johnson's contract began on January 1st, 2024 and was set to end on December 31st, 2027. Her compensation was $275,000 per year. The contract allows the superintendent to resign her duties with 45 days notice prior to June 30th of any year. Ranklev said the board would take up the superintendent's separation agreement at a later date. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news

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The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - February 10, 2025

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