The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - May 16, 2024

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Thursday, May 16th, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Marketing and Media Manager, Daniel Friend, and here's the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First off, Alexandra Mueller, former candidate for Harris County judge, has resigned as chair of the Republican Party of Texas' 2024 Victory Fund seven months into her tenure. She was appointed to the position by the RPT and Senator Ted Cruz in October and recently resigned, during which time at least $150,000 was raised for the effort, plus over $1 million in transfers from Cruz's entities to the party. A source close to the situation said the party is closing in on a replacement, expecting to announce soon. Next, more than two years after Harris County's chaotic 2022 general election, a visiting judge has ordered that a new election take place for the 180th state district court due to illegal votes and disqualified votes that were improperly cast

Starting point is 00:00:55 after hours. Of the more than 1 million votes cast, Harris County reported that incumbent Judge Deshaun Jones defeated Republican challenger Tammy Pierce by 449 votes, but in his ruling, Judge David Peoples determined that 1,430 illegal votes were cast in the contest. Pierce's attorney, Paul Simpson, said they were gratified by the decision. Jones's attorney is expected to appeal. Turning to the border. Last year, a team of Texas Rangers led an operation to secure the 170-acre Fronton Island in the Rio Grande from cartel control after the federal government allegedly turned a blind eye to a transnational criminal organization using the location as a launching point for years. Now, the federal government wants to oust state officials from the island and has threatened to trespass the state, further demanding border security

Starting point is 00:01:36 infrastructure to be removed. The operation to secure Fronten Island began when Land Commissioner Don Buckingham gave the green light, citing research by the General Land Office showing that the state of Texas owns the land. The International Boundary and Water Commission, which is an international agency tasked with enforcing a 1970 treaty between the U.S. and Mexico, says the island belongs to the federal government and that the state's border security operations are in violation of the treaty. Next, Fort Worth Independent School District has returned many of the books removed from its libraries at the beginning of the school year to be evaluated for sexual content. In July 2023, citizen advocacy group Tarrant County Citizens Defending Freedom said it found many inappropriate books in the Fort Worth ISD's school libraries.

Starting point is 00:02:15 Some of these books were found in the district elementaries and middle school libraries. After two weeks, the Fort Worth ISD libraries reopened in August 2023, with 118 books removed from inventory for further evaluation by the district in order to determine if they were, quote, developmentally appropriate. Of those 118, 90 books will now return to school libraries. In the Texas legislature, this week the Texas Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education held a public hearing addressing issues related to monitoring free speech, campus antisemitism, and the state ban on college diversity, equity, and inclusion offices. Texas universities have been grappling with increased tensions on campus across the state due to pro-Palestine protests. University presidents have also been tasked with

Starting point is 00:02:53 eliminating DEI offices following the passage of Senate Bill 17 to prohibit them last year. Prior to public testimony, committee chair and SB17 author Senator Brandon Creighton detailed the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas and explained his concern with the anti-Semitic protests on college campuses. He blasted protesters chanting, globalize the intifada from the river to the sea, marrying the same rhetoric that fueled the terrorists on October 7th, signaling to annihilate Israel by any means necessary. In some breaking news this week, a portion of the causeway connecting Pelican Island and Galveston Island collapsed Wednesday morning when a barge inadvertently struck the bridge. The collapsed portion is part of a rail line that runs alongside the traffic bridgeway.

Starting point is 00:03:32 A statement from the city of Galveston said there were no injuries, but that oil was spilled into the bay as a result of the collision. Traffic to the island is halted for the time being. The city said the Coast Guard has responded to the site, as have officials from the Texas Department of Transportation. According to a source with knowledge, the barge disconnected from a tugboat while it was being moved. Last but not least, Harris County and the Texas Solar for All Coalition won nearly six Texas localities spearheaded by Harris County has been awarded $249.7 million of the $7 billion designated to the Solar for All program. Solar for All is a nationwide grant program launched by the United

Starting point is 00:04:15 States Environmental Protection Agency on April 22nd. It was established in order to direct $7 billion of EPA funds to 60 selectees who would then provide solar panels for citizens in quote, disadvantaged households and low-income communities. The Solar for All program is a product of President Joe Biden's Justice40 initiative, which promises to direct approximately 40% of quote, certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments, overall benefits to communities who are quote, marginalized or disadvantaged. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe

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The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - May 16, 2024

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