The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - May 5, 2025

Episode Date: May 5, 2025

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Howdy folks, today is Monday, May 5th, 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, over the weekend, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2, establishing an education savings account program in Texas. This action marks the fulfillment of a long-held priority for the state's highest official. Abbott said to the nearly 1,400 people in attendance at the signing, quote, it is time that we put our children on a pathway to having the number one ranked education system in

the United States of America. Abbott was joined at the event by other state elected officials, including Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dustin Burroughs, Senator Brandon Creighton, and Representative Brad Buckley. US Senator John Cornyn also joined the state officials for the SB 2 signing. The ESA program has been the most hotly debated issue in this legislative session so far, being subject to hours of debate in the lower chamber just a few

weeks ago before it was passed 86 to 63 with two Republicans voting against it. Former Speaker Representative Dade Phelan and Representative Gary Vandever. Every House Democrat voted against SB2. Next, a repeat of the property tax feud of 2023 looks unlikely as the two chambers of the Texas legislature have struck a deal on homestead and business property taxes well in advance of Sine Die, the last day of the legislative session on June 2nd. State Senator Paul Bettencourt announced in the Senate Local Government Committee hearing on Monday that the House and Senate had agreed on two of the three property tax relief components. The final deal on these two pillars is as follows. A $40,000 increase to the standard homestead exemption, a $50,000 increase for the elderly and disabled homestead exemption, and a $122,500 increase to the business personal property tax exemption.

The House and the Senate had around $6.5 billion itemized for property tax relief in the budget, which remains in conference committee after both chambers passed their versions. Governor Greg Abbott has called for at least $10 billion in total new tax relief. In other news, few government agencies in Texas carry a title that evokes as much goodwill as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, conjuring images of sprawling state parks,

cherished outdoor traditions, and a hunting and fishing industry deeply woven into the state's culture. But for a growing number of ranchers and rural landowners, that once sterling name has begun to tarnish. To them, the department no longer represents partnership or preservation, but has instead come to embody bureaucratic overreach, financial strain, and threats to constitutional rights, concerns that have now reached the Texas legislature. Criticism of the agency manifested or relate to legislation on several issues. Its aggressive strategy

to contain chronic wasting disease, the broad warrantless search authority granted to state game wardens, and a real or perceived disconnect between the agency's governing board, increasingly populated by major political donors, and the citizens the commission is supposed to serve. Also, Texas lawmakers remain active in addressing border security and illegal immigration in the 89th legislative session, with several pieces of legislation currently under consideration in both the state house and Senate. Illegal immigration through the U.S.-Mexico border has markedly approved since President

Donald Trump entered office in January. A report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the agency has seen a dramatic drop in border crossings this year, which includes, quote, "'It's lowest Southwest border crossings in history in March.'" Trump recently told NBC News in an interview, quote, "'We have the best border in the history of our country.'" In one of his first acts in office,

Trump declared a national emergency at the Southern border in one of many executive orders. Last but not least, Elon Musk's influence in Texas has grown as Cameron County voters overwhelmingly approved the incorporation of a new town for SpaceX employees. SpaceX's spaceport, now known as the city of Starbase, is located in the Rio Grande Valley near Boca Chica in southeastern Texas. The city has around 300 adults who reside there in addition to 120 children. The site encompasses the Starbase office, a production area, a residential zone, and various other facilities. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be

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