The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - May 8, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Howdy folks, today is Friday, May 8th, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texan senior editor Rob Laus, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Texas camps are being given some leeway in meeting the state's new safety laws, specifically fiber optic internet requirements, after several camps came to an agreement with the Department of State Health Services. Following a lawsuit from 19 camps against the DSHS, the state agency is assuring the camps that they'll receive licenses despite failing to meet the letter of the law. In a press release issued on Thursday, DSHS stated, quote, Under the agreement, camps that maintain a redundant broadband internet service will not face potential license denial or revocation for not having fiber service during the 2026 camping season, as long as they meet all other safety requirements.

Starting point is 00:01:02 The agreement reached between DHS and the camps will pause the proceedings of their lawsuit until March 1, 27. In response to the legal backlash and concerns raised by several camps across the state, worried that they wouldn't receive licenses to operate this summer, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burroughs asserted that they'd support said camps receiving licenses, even if they don't meet the exact new fiber-optic internet requirements. In other news, the Texas American Muslim University at Dallas or Tex-Am was ordered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to cease granting or offering to grant degrees, with the T-HECB claiming Texam does not hold a certificate of authority necessary to operate in Texas.

Starting point is 00:01:50 Texam told the Texan in a statement on Thursday that they, quote, are a legal entity in Texas and are actively engaging with T-HECB to clarify any misunderstandings and to ensure full compliance with state regulations. Texam continued, quote, Our intent is to work collaboratively with the state to resolve any issues and we are committed to seeking all appropriate authorizations before granting any degrees or credentials. On Friday, Texas A&M University announced that it sent a cease and desist letter to Texas. quote, demanding that the entity immediately stop using names, marks, domains, and branding elements that infringe upon or dilute Texas A&M's trademarks. The statement added, quote,

Starting point is 00:02:37 A&M system officials are prepared to pursue all necessary legal remedies. Visit the Texan.com. News to read reporter Mary Elise O'Barre's full story. Last but not least, Houston Mayor John Whitmire unveiled a $7.5 billion dollar budget that slashes a projected $181 million shortfall without raising the property tax rate next year. But his plan to plug budget holes through restructuring, right-of-way rental charges, and a new fee tied to garbage collection has sparked pushback from some members of the Houston City Council and city controller Chris Hollins. Wittmeyer noted that previous administrations had attempted to meet budgetary demands through layoffs, property sales, and federal relief funds, but

Starting point is 00:03:24 said he was asked to run for mayor because he would not kick the can down the road when it came to addressing the city's structural budget issues. Under the proposal, solid waste collection will be classified as a utility and be placed under the combined utility system within Houston Public Works. Residents using city trash collection services will be charged $5 a month in administrative fees for the next two years. In subsequent years, the fee will increase incrementally to reach $25, per month in 2032. The fee will generate an estimated $24 million in additional revenue next year, but will not fully cover the $117 million cost of solid waste collection. Instead, roughly $100 million from a fund balance maintained by the combined utility system for water and sewer system

Starting point is 00:04:16 maintenance will help cover expenses. Whitmire also dismissed calls for property tax increases this year. The Houston City Council is scheduled to vote on the fiscal year 2027 budget on June 3rd. 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.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - May 8, 2026

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