The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - July 16, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Well, howdy folks. Today is Thursday, July 16th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texan's senior editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, as Harris County launches a series of hearings and town hall events to prepare for crafting its fiscal year 2027 budget, a new analysis from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy warns that the county's structural deficit could expand from this year's projected shortfall of $129 million, and result in a negative general fund balance of up to $800 million by $29. Bill King, a fellow in public finance at the Baker Institute, told the Texan that Harris County has few options for increasing revenue to cover the looming deficit. King said, quote, the big problem, first of all, is they're absolutely constrained on their

Starting point is 00:00:59 revenue sources, because really all they have is property taxes. They were, able to jack those up a bunch in 2024 and give themselves some running room, but they're out of that room now, end quote. While the county is projecting a property tax base increase of about 5%, King is skeptical, saying that he is aware of commercial properties selling for one-third of their county appraised values. He added that in addition to state restraints, property tax increases are politically unpopular right now. About 80% of the county's revenue comes from property taxes. It'll 11% from charges for services and another 8% from other sources. Although tax revenues have increased over the last five years, expenditures have grown by 7%. In other news, U.S. Senator John Cornyn targeted

Starting point is 00:01:48 President Donald Trump's promises surrounding safety guidelines for chemical abortion pills at the confirmation hearing of acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday. Blanche served as deputy U.S. Attorney General to former Attorney General Pam Bondi until she was fired in April, at which point Blanche took over as head of the U.S. Department of Justice. During the hearing, Cornyn referenced a letter on the issue that he and U.S. Senator Tom Tillis sent to Blanche on Tuesday, requesting that he resolved litigation over whether in-person dispensing requirements must be reinstated for the chemical abortion pill Mifah Pristone. In the case, the state of Louisiana is challenging, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for allowing chemical abortion pills to be mailed into the state,

Starting point is 00:02:35 arguing that the federal agency's 2023 removal of the in-person dispensing requirement increase the danger for women consuming the pills with no medical supervision. Cornyn said, quote, if President Trump is the most pro-life president, this ought to be a pretty easy call, because women are hurt as a result of side effects, heavy bleeding, prolonged potentially infection or sepsis, incomplete abortion, other complications, when this is being sold through the mail or through online prescription. Blanche confirmed that he would respond to the letter. Last but not least,

Starting point is 00:03:08 the Texas Hemp Business Council released a policy analysis that determined THC's public health threat level to be inconsistent with the threats posed by alcohol, opioids, tobacco, and fentanyl. The analysis, which comes in response to a Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing last week, aims to urge lawmakers that THC products should be regulated rather than banned. The item addressing societal impacts of THC product consumption was introduced by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick as part of his 2026 interim charges. During the hearing, lawmakers revisited the idea of banning THC products outright. State Senator Charles Perry stated that he would file another attempt at a THC ban during the upcoming 90th legislative session that began.

Starting point is 00:03:56 begins in January. Former attempts to ban THC were stifled when Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3, also known as the banning THC and Texas bill, after it passed both the Texas Senate and House in the 89th legislative session last year. Abbott's veto allowed for hemp products consisting of no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight to be sold on the Texas market. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the Texan. News to get full to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - July 16, 2026

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