The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - June 20, 2024

Episode Date: June 20, 2024

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Howdy folks, today is Thursday, June 20th, 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, Donald Trump's recent conviction is more likely to lead Texas voters to support his bid for president than oppose it, according to a new poll from the Texas Politics Project. Trump was found guilty last month by a New York jury for falsifying business records, charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges. Republicans across the country, including in Texas, decried the conviction, calling it a political maneuver during an election year. 36% of those polled by TPP said the conviction makes them more likely to support Trump, while 27% said it makes them less likely to want him back in the White House.

32% said it had no effect on their opinion. Next, in the wake of the pro-Palestine protests that took over major American universities in recent months, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has released a poll gauging what Americans think is, quote, never an acceptable form of protest. 80% said defacing college or university property, 68% said burning an American flag, 52% said occupying buildings, and 43% said establishing encampments.

In other news, after months of negotiations to resolve a long-running dispute, the Houston City Council unanimously approved a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Houston Firefighters Union at a cost of at least $1.5 billion. Mayor John Whitmire said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, This vote today was a show of support and appreciation for firefighters putting their lives on the line on a regular basis. I'm very pleased to be mayor of a great city today. The agreement formalizes an 18% pay increase approved by the City Council in 2021, provides a base pay increase of 10% beginning in July, and includes additional pay increases of up to 24% over the next five years. Last week, the City Council voted 14-3 to cover the agreement's $650 million in back pay

with judgment bonds that do not require voter approval. The total cost of the settlement is estimated at $1.5 billion. Houston Professional Firefighters Association President Marty Langton praised Whitmire for his work to negotiate the settlement and the city council's vote Tuesday, calling it a historic day. Moving on, the Dallas City Council chose not to move forward with a proposed amendment to the city charter that would have implemented further term limits on its members. Currently, the city charter allows a city council member to serve four two-year terms, but then requires him or her to sit out a term before running for a seat again. The amendment proposed by District 12 council member Kara Mendelson would have limited the total terms

to eight years, with no option to run again. Mendelson pointed out to her colleagues that there are plenty of people in Dallas who are qualified and interested in serving. She also said that incumbents have an unfair advantage in elections. Also, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a new advisory for Texas schools following a court ruling that blocked enforcement of a new Title IX rule. In April, the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Education issued the rule that

includes changes to how federal civil rights law protects from, quote, discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. Paxton explained, quote, Texas schools do not and should not adopt or enforce any of the policy changes contained in the rule. Texas students are now safe from losing their Title IX protections, and the school districts are protected from the threat of the loss of federal funding. Last but not least, Fort Worth Independent School District

passed an unbalanced budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The district has struggled with its budget since the 2022-2023 school year. In April 2023, the district laid off 200 employees and at one point had an $80 million budget deficit. The school board then approved an unbalanced budget for the 2023-2024 school year. The district started this year with a $45 million deficit. Last September, the board approved the creation of a facilities master plan that would recommend measures to maximize building use across the district.

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