The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - July 18, 2024

Episode Date: July 18, 2024

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Howdy folks, today is Thursday, July 18th, 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, as multiple federal lawmakers begin their investigations into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, a group of Texas House members have sent a letter encouraging examination of the political rhetoric that preceded the shooting. The letter, led by Representative Ellen Troxclair, was signed onto by 30 elected state representatives and three GOP nominees. The letter reads, quote, Americans deserve answers. As we work to

understand what happened and why, we thank the Oversight Committee for conducting a formal investigation and ask that this is done as swiftly, thoroughly, and transparently as possible. At minimum, we need to understand how the attempted assassination was able to occur and what will be done to ensure it does not happen again. The letter goes on to urge the U.S. House's Oversight Committee investigation to examine the, quote, political rhetoric used during this presidential campaign and how it has contributed to a rising threat of political violence. Next, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced the creation of a special Texas Senate committee to review the actions taken by electric utility companies in response to Hurricane Beryl, which left more than 2 million residents without power, some for more

than a week after the Category 1 storm made landfall. Patrick said in a statement on Wednesday, quote, Texans are rightfully upset with the overwhelming failure of electric utility companies to restore power in a timely fashion following Hurricane Beryl. The electric utility company's failure cannot be tolerated, especially when it was so obvious a storm was headed toward Texas. Hurricane Beryl made landfall on July 8th, pelting the coastline and the city of Houston with flooding rains and gusts of up to 107 miles per hour. In the storm's aftermath, 2.26 million homes and businesses were left without power, and officials and residents quickly became frustrated with Centerpoint Energy's progress on repairs that left more than 600,000 without electricity

as summer temperatures soared and at least three heat-related deaths were reported. In other news, Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Colin Allred have traded political blows in what's been an underplayed race overshadowed by the frenzied political bout. But on two contentious fronts, the pair find their own

competitive advantages, immigration and abortion. Texas is ground zero for the fight over immigration and border security, and it's a poster child for both the political left and right on abortion. Poll after poll shows border security and immigration topping the list of concerns for Texans. The pair was given preeminence by 36% of respondents in the Texas Politics Project's June poll. 23% of respondents in the latest University of Houston poll said that the pair of issues will influence their presidential votes, with inflation and the economy eight points lower in second place. Also, newly selected Austin City Manager T.C. Brodnax has presented his proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 that totals $5.9 billion,

a record for the city. City leaders, including Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and the Austin City Council, will review the 1,163-page proposal over the coming weeks and will hold hearings to get the public's thoughts. Broadnax wrote that this proposal addresses current issues and will also lay a foundation and plan for the future. He stated, quote, As federal funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act expire and growth in sales tax collection slows, municipalities across the state are finally experiencing the harsh consequences of the property tax cap established by the Texas legislature. Last but not least, in response to a recent resolution passed by the Dallas City Council, the Regional Transportation Council of

the North Central Texas Council of Governments held a workshop to consider alternate alignments for a proposed high-speed rail between Dallas and Fort Worth. In June, Dallas unanimously passed a resolution that it characterized as a, quote, pause on plans to extend an anticipated high-speed rail line through its downtown area while it conducts an economic impact study. The resolution read, quote, City Council does not support construction of any above-ground passenger rail lines through the Central Business District of Dallas. The current alignment of the high-speed rail from Dallas to Fort Worth is elevated along the Interstate 30 corridor east of Arlington. Thanks for listening.

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