The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - March 26, 2025

Episode Date: March 26, 2025

Want to support The Texan and help us continue providing the Lone Star State with news you can trust? Subscribe today: https://thetexan.news/subscribe/Learn more about the Data Center Coalition at: https://www.centerofyourdigitalworld.org/texasLearn more about the American Property Casualty Insurance Association at: https://www.securingourfuture.com/Texas/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? Be sure to visit The Texan and subscribe for complete access to our in-depth articles, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, videos, podcasts, and more.Enjoy what you hear? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review!

Howdy folks, today is Wednesday, March 26th and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauschus and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, US Senator John Cornyn put any remaining question about whether he would seek re-election next year to bed when he released an official campaign launch video on Wednesday morning. In the two-minute video, Cornyn featured his role as the Senate

GOP whip during President Donald Trump's first term when Republicans passed the marquee tax cuts. It then quotes Trump at a 2019 rally complimenting both Cornyn and Senator Ted Cruz. The ad then focused its messaging on the Biden administration and its border security and energy policies, along with its quote, weaponization of the Justice Department. Cornyn has no formidable primary opponent yet, but Attorney General Ken Paxton has all but jumped into the race, telling DC media last week that he was nearing an official bid against Texas' senior senator.

Stay tuned for more news updates after this short message. Data centers fuel 364,000 Texas jobs, generate $3.5 billion in state and local taxes, and power essential services like banking, healthcare, and video calls. With 21 connected devices per household and soaring data demands, these hubs drive Texas's booming economy, shape its technological future, and keep your data here in the US. To learn more, visit centerofyourdigitalworld.org. slash Texas.

Now returning to your daily Texas news. Next, Texas initial $336 billion blueprint for the next biennium budget passed the Texas Senate in a unanimous fashion on Tuesday. Senate Bill 1 by State Senator Joan Huffman outlines $176 billion in all article spending in the 2026 fiscal year and $160 billion in 2027. That is a $16 billion increase in spending from the current biennium's budget as originally drafted. Projections in this budget estimate that the 2024-2025 biennium budget will amount to $333 billion after supplemental appropriations are made. This budget maintains the $1 billion itemized to pay

for the education savings account program that state leadership expects to pass to be administered by the comptroller. Speaker Dustin Burroughs says he expects the lower chamber's school finance and ESA bills to pass out of committee early next week and move on to the floor shortly thereafter. In other news, the Texas legislature is now halfway through the 89th session and school choice remains the most looming issue for elected officials. Not since former House Speaker Dennis Bonin's tenure have all members of the Big Three met in a public forum until Tuesday. Newly elected House Speaker Dustin Burroughs joined Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, along with former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, to give

a final push for education savings accounts and explain how the leaders of the state government plan to get the school choice bills across the finish line. House Bill 3 is just one half of the Texas two-step education plan from public education committee chair Brad Buckley, who was also in attendance at the press conference along with more than a dozen other Texas House and Senate members. The school choice proposal in the House would create a universal option for Texas families through a $1 billion funding provision in the general revenue fund, offering education savings accounts to any child qualified to attend a public school, including those enrolled in public pre-K programs and families with

children in private schools. Stay tuned for more news updates after this short message. Texas insurance companies want to help keep premiums affordable. That's why the American Property Casualty Insurance Association supports a competitive marketplace, reforms of legal system abuse, and better preparedness for the next major storm. For more information, visit securingourfuture.com slash Texas. Now returning to your daily Texas news. Also Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett described wheelchair-confined Governor Greg Abbott as

Governor Hot Wheels during a recent speech, sparking criticism online and from other Texas officials. She made the comment during a speech at a human rights campaign event. A number of national and local lawmakers weighed in on her behavior, including Representative Randy Weber, who has confirmed his intention to file a motion to censure her. Crockett later responded to the ensuing backlash that she was not thinking about the governor's condition,

but was instead referencing the transportation he has used to transfer migrants out of Texas. Last but not least, five finalists have been named in the search for a new police chief for the city of Dallas since former chief Eddie Garcia left his post last fall and joined the Austin city government. Dallas city manager Kimberly Tolbert announced that the list of 25 had been whittled down to five candidates, all of whom have held executive law enforcement positions.

Dallas residents can meet the candidates on Tuesday, April 1st, in the lobby of Dallas City Hall from 6 to 7.30 p.m. Tolbert is expected to make the final hiring decision by the second week of April. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.