The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - September 10, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Wednesday, September 10th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans assistant editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has been assassinated at 31 years old while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. Kirk is survived by his wife and two young children. President Donald Trump confirmed on truth social Wednesday afternoon that Kirk had died. A law enforcement official told the Associated Press initially after the shooting that Kirk was being treated in the hospital and was in critical condition. Videos showed Kirk being struck and recoiling while seated in a chair under a tent and falling

Starting point is 00:00:49 to the side while blood poured out from his neck. Multiple videos of the assassination began circulating on social media. Wednesday, with Utah Valley University originally saying that a suspect is in custody. University spokesperson Scott Trotter later released a statement to Deserette News saying the suspect is not yet in custody. Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and a host of other state and federal politicians called for prayers and expressed their sorrow at Kirk's assassination. In other news, Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order to create an age limit and a review of state regulations for hemp-derived THC after the legislature could not come to an

Starting point is 00:01:32 agreement during the last two special sessions. The executive order will task the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, or TABC, and Department of State Health Services, or DSHS, with prohibiting the sale of hemp-derived THC products to a minor, but does not explicitly state a specific age. Abbott had previously stated he would want the age limit to be 21 years old. Furthermore, the executive order directs DSHS to conduct a review of existing agency rules that deal with total THC content in products, labeling requirements, and record keeping. Prior to the executive order, Texas had no age minimum to purchase consumable hemp products. Abbott specifically cites state representative Briscoe-Cain's legislation from the second special session,

Starting point is 00:02:21 as his ideal for THC regulation, and asks TABC, DSHS, and the Texas A&M University Agri-Life Extension Service to conduct a study for possible implementation of rules that were present in House Bill 309. Lastly, in yet another contentious public meeting, Harris County Commissioners clashed with County Judge Lena Hidalgo over next year's budget and tax rates, but narrowly agreed to propose another property tax increase benefiting the county's hospital. district. Hidalgo and commissioners Rodney Ellis and Leslie Briones voted to increase the Harris health tax rate from 60 cents to 62 cents per $100 in taxable valuation. The increase falls just below the 3.5% increase that would trigger a state requirement to seek approval from voters. The county will hold a public hearing on the proposed rate on September 18th. Harris Health

Starting point is 00:03:16 CEO Ismail Porza told commissioners last month that the district could face increased costs, which he partially blamed on President Donald Trump's tariffs on countries such as India and China. On Tuesday, he warned that federal cuts to Medicaid could also affect the county's services. Commissioner Adrian Garcia questioned Porsa and his staff about assumptions based on federal cuts and how much unencumbered cash on hand is maintained by Harris Health. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the texan. News and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - September 10, 2025

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