The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - October 25, 2024

Episode Date: October 25, 2024

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Howdy folks, today is Friday, October 25th, 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, two groups within the Texas House of Representatives have taken opposing sides on the issue of death row inmate Robert Robertserson, each responding to a series of documents released this week by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. The OAG released documents from Roberson's trial that highlight aspects of his conviction that had not been presented to the public, as his case has recently come under extreme scrutiny from both supporters and opponents of his conviction. Roberson was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 2003 in connection with the death of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in 2002. Over the course of his sentence,

his legal representation has continually attempted to appeal his death sentence, without success. The OAG release includes the original autopsy report and additional documents to, quote, correct falsehoods amplified by a coalition interfering with the capital punishment proceedings, end quote, regarding Roberson's case. A coalition of Texas House members, including Representatives Joe Moody, Jeff Leach, Retta Bowers, and Lacey Hull, signed onto a response letter to the OAG. The letter characterized the OAG release as, quote, misleading and in large part simply untrue. The next day, another group of Texas House Representatives entered the fray. Led by Representative Cody Harris, an amicus brief was submitted to the Supreme Court of Texas that

casts doubt on some of the public claims from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. In other news, after mostly staying out of the U.S. Senate race in Texas, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's fund has made a $5 million buy in Texas as early voting hits the halfway point. Schumer's group, the Senate Majority Pack, had mostly abstained from the Texas race, playing ball in other, seemingly more competitive races like in Ohio and Montana, much to Congressman Colin Allred's chagrin. But clearly the calculus has changed for the group, which has now put substantial skin in the game in Texas.

Senate Majority Pack President J.B. Persh said, quote, Senator Ted Cruz is a danger to the people of Texas, and that's never been more clear than with his support of a deadly abortion ban. Persh continued, quote, In such an important election, Senate Majority Pack is determined to make sure Texans understand the choice facing them this November. That's why we're going on offense, so that in a few short months, Texans understand the choice facing them this November. That's why we're going on offense, so that in a few short months, Texans can have a trusted, bipartisan senator in Colin Allred and can kick Cancun Cruz to the curb. Senate Majority PAC announced it raised $119 million in the third quarter. The ad that will air with the sum is focused on abortion,

Democrats' primary wedge issue in this race and across the country that is not friendly to Republicans. It will begin airtime in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio on Friday, according to the group. to block a Harris County Guaranteed Basic Income program that will provide monthly stipends to randomly selected residents and dismissed a lawsuit arguing the plan is illegal under the Texas Constitution. Last month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Harris County Judge Lena Hidalgo and members of the Commissioner's Court, noting that the state Constitution explicitly prohibits counties from granting, quote, public money or thing of value in aid of or to any individual. Hidalgo and the Commissioner's Court initially approved the Uplift-Harris program last year to award $500 stipends for 18 months to 1,928 residents randomly selected from a pool of applicants who earned below 200% of the

federal poverty line or $60,000 for a household of four. Eligibility was limited to those residing in one of 10 high-poverty zip codes or those already receiving benefits through the county's Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self-Sufficiency, or ACCESS, program. The Supreme Court of Texas blocked implementation of the initial program, noting that the county had not imposed any limitations on how the funds could be spent. In August, the Commissioner's Court revamped the program, which taps $21 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to rename the program and limit use of the funds to, quote, necessities, end quote, according to court filings.

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