The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - June 23, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Monday, June 23rd and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans reporter Cameron Abrams and here's the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, just before the June 22nd midnight veto deadline, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3, which would have banned the manufacture, sale, and possession of hemp-derived THC products. Otherwise known as banning THC in Texas, SB 3 allowed products to be sold that contained CBD or CBG, but with a 21-year-old age minimum for purchases. SB 3 also would have required packaging to be made

Starting point is 00:00:45 without bright colors or cartoon images in order to not be attractive to miners. The law would also prohibited retailers from having stores within 1,000 feet of a school. Abbott had not made his views known publicly before the clock struck midnight Sunday. He told reporters last week that quote, there are meaningful positions and concerns on both sides of the issue and I'll look into all of those and evaluate all of those. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick was the leading advocate for the legislation producing on the ground videos at retail stores and

Starting point is 00:01:19 holding multiple press conferences detailing the issues he sees with the current status quo of the hemp industry. The bill was one of Patrick's top legislative priorities and the lieutenant governor did not mince words after the veto. Patrick said in a statement, quote, throughout the legislative session Abbott remained totally silent on Senate Bill 3, the bill that would have banned dangerous THC products in Texas. His late-night veto on an issue supported by 105 of 108 Republicans in the legislature, strongly backed by law enforcement, many in the medical and education communities, and the families who have seen

Starting point is 00:01:57 their loved ones' lives destroyed by these very dangerous drugs, leaves them feeling abandoned. The lieutenant governor held a fiery press conference on Monday voicing his dismay over Abbott's veto. Patrick speculated that the governor's ultimate goal was the legalization of recreational marijuana, citing language in the governor's SP3 veto proclamation specifically calling for, quote, regulation rather than prohibition. Next, the 89th Texas Legislature will gavel back in for a special session on July 21st, called by Governor Greg Abbott an hour after he vetoed the hotly debated Senate Bill 3 banning THC derived products on Sunday night. Abbott specified five bills that he intends for the legislature to address besides SB 3. SB 1758 by Senator Brian Birdwell related

Starting point is 00:02:51 to the operation of cement kilns. SB 1253 by Senator Charles Perry regulating certain water projects. SB 1278 by Senator Tam Parker on affirmative defense in cases of human trafficking. SB 2878 by Senator Tam Parker on affirmative defense in cases of human trafficking. SB 2878 by Senator Brian Hughes concerning the operation of the state judicial branch and SB 648 by Senator Royce West related to recording requirements of real property. He noted that all seven of his emergency priorities passed during the regular 89 session, which spanned from January 13th to June 2nd, property tax relief, generational investment in water, raising teacher pay, expanding career pay, school choice, bail reform, and creating the Texas Cyber Command. Texas Cyber Command. Abbot also noted that during the regular session, he signed 1,155 bills, vetoed 26, and approved the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act and the supplemental

Starting point is 00:03:54 budget. In other news, State Senator Joan Huffman announced her candidacy for Texas Attorney General on Monday afternoon, citing her extensive experience in criminal justice and 17 years serving in the Texas legislature. In a press release, Huffman stated, quote, I will be elected Attorney General because I am the best qualified, most experienced candidate who understands the intricacies of every function of state government. As the third high-profile Republican candidate to announce their bid for current Texas Attorney General Kim Paxton seat, Huffman will run against her upper chamber colleague, Senator Mays Middleton and Aaron Reitz, a former Department of Justice employee under President Donald Trump

Starting point is 00:04:40 and a staffer for Paxton and Senator Ted Cruz. Last but not least, Texas law grants Governor Greg Abbott the power to reject legislation approved by state lawmakers, which requires a two-thirds vote to override. Once the regular session concludes, the governor is allotted a 20-day window to finalize any veto decisions. Visit thetexan.news for an updated tracker of all the bills nixed by Abbott this session. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to get access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts. Music

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The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - June 23, 2025

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