The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - January 29, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Howdy folks, today is Thursday, January 29th, 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, the two Democratic primary opponents in Texas U.S. Senate race, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Representative James Talarico, took to the stage to pitch their respective campaigns to voters on issues including immigration, health care and the current presidential administration, contrasted against their records as lawmakers. Crockett and Talariko are vying to be the next Democratic candidate on the ballot come November to compete for U.S. Senator John Cornyn's seat against whichever Republican candidate beats out the rest, a field that includes the incumbent Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Congressman Wesley Hunt.

Starting point is 00:00:58 The debate was hosted by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial organizations. After hosting the two candidates, the AFL-CIO declined to endorse in the race. Shortly before the start of the debate, U.S. immigration and customs enforcement agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shot and killed Alex Preti, a 37-year-old man with a concealed firearm who is believed to have been interfering with ICE deportation efforts. Prettie's death, as well as that of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by ICE agents a few weeks earlier in her car, were noted several times during the debate. Next, a heated Republican battle is emerging in southeast Texas, where state representative Terry Leo Wilson faces a primary

Starting point is 00:01:41 challenge from a Chambers County developer in a race shaped by conflicting characterizations of Leo Wilson's voting record and renewed scrutiny of a tiny school district's relationship with a lucrative non-profit public school foundation. Former Mont Bellevue City Manager Nathan Watkins, Vice President at America's Holdings Real Estate Development and a director of the Barbers Hill Independent School District's Education Foundation, announced last year that he would run against Leo Wilson for Texas House District 23, which includes Chambers County and part of Galveston County. First elected in 2022, Leo Wilson wields endorsements from President Donald Trump, Governor Greg Abbott, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, State Senator Mays Middleton, and all four Galveston County Commissioners. Both Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burroughs have traveled to Galveston to support her re-election campaign. Watkins touts endorsements from three Chambers County Commissioners, the Chambers County Sheriff,

Starting point is 00:02:41 and BHSD Superintendent Greg Poole, who has donated $25,000 to his campaign. In other news, the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees heard a $6.2 billion bond proposal recommendation from the district's Citizens' Bond Steering Committee during a January 26th. board meeting. During the January 8th board briefing for the bond, the steering committee outlined two options, one worth $4.9 billion and the other $6.2 billion. The $6.2 billion proposal is made up of four propositions, and the committee said it will result in a one cent tax increase. For an average home worth $500,000 at market value, it is projected to cost Dallas residents an additional $33.48 cents per year. School bonds are repaid through the interest in sinking portion of property taxes.

Starting point is 00:03:33 The committee implied Dallas ISD has enough capacity within its existing I&S tax rate to support a $4.9 billion bond, saying it would result in a zero cent tax increase. A $6.2 billion bond would exceed that capacity and require the one cent increase. Last but not least, the Austin Transit Partnership is celebrating that its light rail system has completed a a major milestone required before construction can begin. The Federal Transit Administration has issued its record of decision, finding that the project meets the environmental requirements and approving its environmental impact statement. The Austin Transit Partnership began the National Environmental Policy Act process in January 2024. Compliance is required as the Austin Transit Partnership is

Starting point is 00:04:21 seeking federal grant funds for the construction of the light rail. In 2020, Austin voters overwhelmingly approved an 8.75 cent property tax hike to partially fund a $7.1 billion light rail transit plan. Project Connect includes the construction of new light rail lines and a downtown underground rail station, 55% of which city officials plan to finance. They will seek the remainder through federal funding. 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.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - January 29, 2026

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