The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - March 19, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Howdy folks, today is Thursday, May 19th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans managing editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Texas will no longer celebrate Caesar Chavez Day on March 31st after fallout due to reports alleging that the Latino civil rights activist engaged in the sexual abuse of women and girls amid his career as a labor leader. The New York Times came out with a report detailing their investigation into the allegations against Chavez, which included the abuse and rape of two girls in the 1960s, as well as the sexual abuse of Dolores Huerta, who founded the National Farm Workers Association alongside him. Huerta confirmed on Wednesday that the

Starting point is 00:00:52 reports were true and that Chavez had pressured her into sexual encounters, specifically citing two instances, both of which produced children whom she gave up for adoption. Abbot announced via an ex post on Wednesday afternoon that the state would no longer observe the Caesar Chavez Day holiday, which is scheduled for March 31st, Chavez's birthday. President Barack Obama established it as a federal holiday in 2014. Abbott said, quote, I am directing all Texas state agency heads to comply. He added, quote, in the upcoming legislative session, I will work with Texas lawmakers to remove Caesar Chavez Day from state law altogether. In other than, news. The Austin Independent School District is planning to celebrate Pride Week from March 23rd to March 27th,

Starting point is 00:01:41 but some conservative lawmakers argue it may violate state law. The district's website said that Pride Week matters because, quote, when students feel safe and can show up as their full selves at school, they're better able to engage in learning and thrive academically. Austin ISD says it is celebrating in March because National LGBT Pride Month takes place in June when students are not in school. Texas Senate Bill 12, also known as the Parental Bill of Rights, authored by state Senator Brandon Creighton and passed last year, prohibits Texas K-12 public schools from instituting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The bill also bans schools from assisting in the gender social transitioning of students, which includes using a different name or pronouns that deny the

Starting point is 00:02:29 students' biological sex at birth. SB 12 restricts the academic instruction of sexual orientation or gender identity and states that schools cannot, quote, authorize or sponsor a student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity. State Senator Mays Middleton, a co-sponsor of SB 12, told the Texan that Austin ISD is in violation of the law by promoting Pride Week. Last but not least, plans to replace the Seawolf Parkway Bridge between Galveston and Pelican Islands, which was damaged following an oil tanker collision in 2024, are moving forward, along with a request to study a land bridge alternative. The current bridge, built in the 1960s, is a two-lane load-restricted lift bridge with three-foot

Starting point is 00:03:16 shoulders. It is reaching the end of its useful life. According to a Texas Department of Transportation presentation in 2023, before the oil tanker damage, the state had already spent 12. $12 million over 10 years to maintain and repair the bridge. At that time, the cost to replace it was estimated to be $194 million. Now the costs are estimated between $300 and $350 million. A text-dot description of the bridge states, quote, the deterioration of the Seawolf Parkway Bridge has progressed to the extent that any additional deterioration could result in sudden bridge closure. It continues, quote, since this bridge provides sole access to Pelican Island, bridge closure would effectively cut off access for all users,

Starting point is 00:04:04 including evacuation and emergency services. Roger Rees, the Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, sees an opportunity to replace the existing bridge with one that will allow the port, quote, to develop port acreage to its highest and best use and serve the region for decades. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the Texan. and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, news, and podcasts.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - March 19, 2026

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