The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - February 27, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Thursday, February 27th and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans reporter Cameron Abrams and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, the Texas Senate suspended the regular order of business and the constitutional rule to take up a bill to prohibit online and mobile applications that allow for Texans to play the lottery. Lawmakers may only address emergency items designated as such by the governor in the first 60 days of a legislative session.

Starting point is 00:00:38 Suspending the constitutional order to address non-emergency items this early in the session is an unusual move, underscoring the issue's significance in the Senate. Senate Bill 28, filed by Senator Bob Hall, prohibits the ability to play the lottery or purchase a ticket through the Internet or mobile applications. The Texas Lottery Commission, which is currently up for sunset review, noted in a recent report that lottery ticket courier companies operate in a, quote, sometimes vague statute. Hall stated during his floor speech on SB 28, quote, I strongly believe that the only legislative change that would have a

Starting point is 00:01:14 meaningful impact on the organized crime syndicate embedded in the Texas government is alleged legislation that completely and permanently abolishes the lottery commission. By unanimous vote, SB 28 was passed in the Texas Senate. Stay tuned for more news updates after this short message. Data centers fuel 364,000 Texas jobs, generate $3.5 billion in state and local taxes, and power essential services like banking, health care, and video calls. With 21 connected devices per household and soaring data demands, these hubs drive Texas'

Starting point is 00:01:52 booming economy, shape its technological future, and keep your data here in the U.S. To learn more, visit centerofyourdigitalworld.org. Now returning to your Daily Texas News. Second, legislation was filed by a Texas lawmaker to prohibit public libraries from receiving state funding if found to be hosting what's called Drag Queen story hours for children, and the bill was heard in a Senate committee today. Senator Brian Hughes filed Senate Bill 18 on February 22nd, quote, relating to prohibiting municipal libraries that host certain events from receiving state

Starting point is 00:02:30 or public funding. A bill passed during the 88th legislative session, also pertaining to such performances garnering national attention in August, 2023, after a federal district court temporarily blocked it from going into effect. SB12 banned minors from attending drag queen shows, spurring a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union,

Starting point is 00:02:51 who alleged it was unconstitutional and a violation of free expression. But the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is considering the case and last heard oral arguments back in October. Next up, a pair of bills were taken up in the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday where doctors, health advocates, and lawmakers highlighted the growing concerns over ultra-processed foods and their impact on public health. HHS Chair Lois Kolkhorst, who filed the Make Texas Healthy Again bill, led off the hearing by saying the legislation is quote a step forward

Starting point is 00:03:25 and will quote protect the health and life of every Texan. Cole course laid out the four pillars of the bill including requiring physical education, requiring nutrition education for Texas physicians, medical students, medical residents, and high school and public universities, tasking the Texas Nutritional Advisory Committee with examining the link between ultra-processed foods and chronic diseases, and finally requiring, quote, honest labeling in an effort to protect consumers. After a full day of testimony, both bills were left pending in committee, but each bill is expected to be approved. Up next, teacher pay raises as part of the Texas Teacher Bill of Rights were taken up on the Senate floor

Starting point is 00:04:07 Wednesday where lawmakers in the upper chamber debated this emergency item for Governor Greg Abbott. Quote, we love our teachers, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said before handing the microphone over to the bill author Senator Brandon Creighton. Pay them like professionals, not just a job. Creighton led off talking about the importance of teachers in the state. Quote, our teachers deserve more than words, he said. They deserve action from this legislature. All of our communities and our future workforce depend on it. The bill was passed with unanimous approval. Lastly, the Tarrant Appraisal District Board has received four resolutions from school

Starting point is 00:04:45 districts seeking reappraisals in 2025. Castlebury, Everman, Azel, and Fort Worth Independent School Districts have asked the TAD Board to reconsider its reappraisal plan and conduct a reappraisal of properties within the school district so they don't risk losing state funding. Earlier this month, TAD Chief appraiser Joe Don Bobbit sent letters to seven school districts appraising them for their risk of falling short of the property value study conducted by the Texas Comptroller's Office. In order to address inequitable public education funding, the legislature requires, quote,

Starting point is 00:05:22 an independent estimate of taxable property value in each school district. Last year, the TAD board adopted a new reappraisal plan that holds the 2024 values for residential properties across the district for 2025 and 2026 and then reappraises in 2027. State Rep Chris Turner authored a bill, House Bill 2786, that would amend the Texas Tax Code to require appraisal districts to conduct annual reappraisals. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - February 27, 2025

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