The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - September 17, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Wednesday, September 17th, 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, following months of speculation about her future plans, Harris County Judge Lena Hidalgo announced this week she will not seek a third term as chief executive of Texas. is largest county. Hidalgo said during an interview with ABC 13 in Houston, quote, I am still in office until December 26 and I've got the work cut out for me, and that's not even knock on wood, counting any emergencies that might arise. She added that even though she is not running for office this cycle, she will stay in public service. Despite controversy over her leadership, particularly during her second term, polling from the University of Houston over the

Starting point is 00:01:00 summer shows Hidalgo has remained the most popular of potential candidates for county judge among Democrats, topping former Houston mayor, Anise Parker, and city council member Letitia Plummer. Next, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Austin Independent School District have reached an agreed order suspending the teaching of critical race theory in classrooms. said in a Monday press release from the office of the Attorney General, quote, Critical race theory is anti-American propaganda and in no world will I allow the woke indoctrination of Texas children. The agreed order cited state law prohibiting lessons that suggest individuals are inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, should feel guilt or be

Starting point is 00:01:47 discriminated against on account of their race or sex, or bear responsibility for actions committed in the past by others of the same race or sex. Although the AISD superintendent did not admit wrongdoing or liability, he agreed to the order. The agreement requires the superintendent to communicate the law to all principles and AISD staff. He must also send district-wide communication within 14 days explaining the state law, the district's compliance, and the prohibition on instructing parents or students on, quote, how to circumvent this statute. In other news, by not attending the Tarrant County Commissioner's Court meeting on Tuesday, September 16th, two Democratic members, Commissioner's Roderick Miles and

Starting point is 00:02:35 Elisa Simmons, prevented a vote to lower the county's tax rate. Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare moved the adoption of an Advilorum tax rate slightly below the no-new revenue rate. However, because only three members of the court were present, the commissioners could not vote to approve the new fiscal year 2026 tax rate. Simmons described the lower rate as destructive and said it had been forced upon the county's budget director. Budget cuts highlighted by Simmons include eliminating the county's Human Services Department and reducing the number of polling places for early voting and election day this cycle. Also, Texas' own version of the Federal Department of government efficiency, the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, or TREO, has been assigned a director

Starting point is 00:03:23 by Governor Greg Abbott after going into effect this month. Abbot selected Jerome Greener, executive vice president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation to be the director of TREO, announcing the appointment on Wednesday afternoon. TREO was established through the passage of Senate Bill 14, authored by state Senator Phil King, and sponsored by state representative. Giovanni Capriglione during the 89th regular legislative session. In order to, as described by Abbott in a press release, quote, find and eliminate unnecessary regulations in state agencies and create best practices for state agencies to reduce regulatory strains on Texans. Last but not least, free speech on college campuses is once again in the headlines after the assassination of

Starting point is 00:04:13 Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, as universities across Texas are issuing statements in response to students and staff who have made disparaging remarks against him. Kirk was assassinated in a politically targeted shooting on the campus of Utah Valley University last Wednesday. In the days that followed, social media was flooded with comments and posts from university students, faculty, and staff both ridiculing Kirk and celebrating his murder. Governor Greg Abbott has been active on social media over the last few days calling for or praising the expulsions of students at multiple Texas universities who celebrated or mocked Kirk's death. Visit the Texan. News to read more. 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. Thank you.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - September 17, 2025

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