The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - June 5, 2026

Episode Date: June 5, 2026

The Texan’s Daily Rundown brings you a quick recap of the latest stories in Texas politics so you can stay informed with news you can trust.Want more resources? Visit The Texan for complete access to our in-depth articles, newsletters, videos, podcasts, and more.Enjoy what you hear? Be sure to follow us and leave a review!

Well, howdy folks. Today is Friday, June 5th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texan senior editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for the whole state of Texas due to the presence of the New World Screwworm parasite, citing the threat it poses to livestock, wildlife, and the economy. The destructive flesh-eating livestock pest, previously eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s, made its way up through Mexico over the past year and was discovered in a three-week-old calf's umbilical cord in Zavala County this week. This adds onto a statewide disaster declaration the governor issued in late January regarding NWS, amid reports about recent animal cases in Mexico. Abbott stated in his proclamation on Friday that, quote, NWS northward from Mexico into Texas threatens Texas wildlife and livestock industry and economy and poses an imminent threat or occurrence of widespread and severe property damage.

Several Texas counties preceded Abbott's announcement with their own local state of disaster declarations, including Kinney County, whose county attorney Brent Smith prodded other counties to follow his lead, also taking aim at the USDA's handling of the crisis, stating that, quote, the USDA has had plenty of time to prepare for this and they are failing. Smith added, quote, it's time to use the private sector. During a press conference where he signed the proclamation, Abbott stated, quote, this is likely to spread over the course of the summer. During winter months, it may kill off the flies or reduce their number, but we cannot make it through a second summer. In other news, elected officials and thousands of landowners are sounding

the alarm over proposed 765 kilovolt transmission lines, part of the Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan, quote, to meet increasing demand for power in the region from population growth and ongoing electrification of the oil and gas industry. Following Winterstorm Uri in 2021, the Texas legislature examined grid reliability and resource availability, hearing testimony regarding high demand areas like the Permian Basin. With both Texas' population, and its oil and gas production continuing to grow, the state's energy grid needs more dispatchable energy. As part of House Bill 5066 from the 88th legislative session in 2023, the Public Utility Commission of Texas was directed to implement the Permian Basin Reliability

Plan. The plan was developed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and adopted in September 2024. It includes 3, 765-kilovolt transmission line, to carry large amounts of power across the state. However, some lawmakers have expressed apprehension about the plan. On May 11th, State Representative Brad Buckley, along with 23 state representatives and a state senator, sent a letter to PUC Chairman Thomas Gleason and Commissioners, requesting a meeting to discuss concerns regarding the transmission lines. The letter stated, quote,

It is our understanding that the Permian Basin Reliability Plan can be successfully executed without the immediate construction of all proposed import paths. It also emphasized concerns that the strategic transmission expansion plan, quote, exceeds the intended scope of HB 5066. Last but not least, in case you missed it, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced earlier this week that she will step down on Friday, July 17th. She said, quote,

it has been an honor to serve the people of Texas in this role. My time a secretary came as an important. moment for Texas, and I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish as an agency in under four years. A former state senator, Nelson was appointed as Secretary of State, a position that oversees Texas elections by Governor Greg Abbott in December 2022. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the Texan.News to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.