The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - October 14, 2024

Episode Date: October 14, 2024

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Howdy folks, today is Monday, October 14th, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lausches, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Texas lawmakers have announced intent to file legislation to require citizenship status on driver's licenses after Secretary of State Jane Nelson issued an election advisory which brought to light the state's small window for potential use of limited-term driver's licenses as valid voter ID. Nelson issued an advisory to election officials on October 8th that describes limited-term driver's licenses as an acceptable form of voter ID, though recommending other forms of photo identification if possible. Nelson then requested that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issue a non-binding opinion on whether

a limited-term driver's license that generates questions of voter eligibility is a valid form of voter ID and if an election official must present a ballot to an individual who only provides such ID in person. After she did not receive a response from Paxton, Nelson amended her election advisory, explaining that, quote, election workers have an obligation under state criminal law to not facilitate illegal voting by non-citizens. She said, quote, when an individual attempts to vote by temporary or limited-term driver's license, election workers must require that the individual produce a naturalization card or naturalization certificate demonstrating U.S. citizenship to receive a regular ballot. Next, a Galveston County District Court judge heard testimony Monday

on how the city of Kima's closure of a popular street is affecting businesses in the entertainment district of the tiny tourist town. Harry White, owner of the Voodoo Hut restaurant and bar, testified that since the city permanently closed 6th Street to all vehicular traffic at the end of July, including bikes and golf carts, his business is down by over $13,000 a week. White said, quote, I may have to shut the restaurant down. I may have to shut the business down at least three or four days a week. So yes, I will have to lay off employees. We've never operated a deficit, but we are now. White is one of several property owners who sued the city over the street closure, noting that although the Texas Transportation Code requires general law cities like Kima to

obtain permission from all owners of property abutting the street, the city council voted to close the street without their consent. Brian Stevens, who owns property housing six businesses on the street, testified that although city council members had claimed emergency vehicles would be allowed to access the street, an ambulance was recently unable to reach a seriously ill person who needed

to be transported to the hospital. In other news, the Lone Star State has quickly become a hub for technological innovation related to autonomous vehicles, or AVs, and robotics. Many companies over the years have come to see Texas as a place to launch pilot programs and test their abilities to enact real-world change. favorable regulatory environment, and strong support for innovation, Texas provides an ideal setting for companies to refine their autonomous systems. From urban centers like Austin and Dallas to rural areas with open roads, the state offers a variety of testing conditions that allow for robust evaluations and improvements of cutting-edge technologies. The House Transportation Committee held a hearing this month covering the topic of AVs and their operation in Texas, with Representative John Lujan commenting that

creating standards and a framework for new autonomous technologies could open up a Pandora's box of regulations for these emerging industries. During a Senate Transportation Committee hearing in September, Senator Robert Nichols echoed these concerns, saying that, quote, the state at some point needs to be able to be in a position to step in and have a set of rules to follow that everybody understands and agrees on what the rules are to start with. Last but not least, on the latest episode of the Send Me Some Stuff podcast, Cameron Abrams and I cover all we can leading up to the presidential election. Podcast and media appearances, immigration policy and polling, Christian nationalism,

and every other effort the candidates are making to reach the American people. We are less than one month away from election day, and the pressure is on. 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.