The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - September 5, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy, folks, today is Friday, September 5th, 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, the Republican Party of Texas has finally pulled the trigger on a maneuver its planned since 2022, filing a lawsuit against the state of Texas in an attempt to close its primary election next year. to only registered GOP voters. The lawsuit reads, quote, Texas Open Primary Election System, which allows independence and Democrats to vote in Republican primaries, violates the First Amendment rights of the Republican Party of Texas. The First Amendment entitles political parties to determine who they associate with to select their

Starting point is 00:00:51 nominees for public office, end quote. At its 2022 convention, RPT delegates took an initial step toward closing its primary by removing every explicit reference to Texas election code from its rules, preserving the requirements set by state law but untying its governing document from it by name. At last year's convention, delegates approved a new Rule 46 that lays out parameters for voting in the Republican primary, which includes either registering with the party specifically or signing a certificate of affiliation with it. Next, one of the last things the Texas House did before adjourning Signy Die on Wednesday night was to adopt rules changes that enact new punishments for future quorum breaks, along with a prohibition on fundraising during them.

Starting point is 00:01:39 There are two primary things Republicans have done in response to the latest Democratic quorum break, the second in three legislatures. The first is State Representative Matt Shaheen's House Bill 18 that statutorily prohibits fundraising into, or spending out of, Campaign accounts or an associated committee while a member is breaking quorum and a call on the House exists. During the recent quorum break, individuals and outside groups contributed financially to the absconded Democrats and associated caucuses. Most notably, Beto O'Rourke's powered by People Pack, which gave $1 million. Fines were levied to Democrats who broke quorum, amounting to roughly $9,000 per member, payment of which was prohibited from coming from members' campaign account. In other news, with the second special session of 2025, now in the rearview mirror,

Starting point is 00:02:31 members of the Texas legislature are speeding home to their respective districts, but some key issues remain unresolved and a possible third special session could put the breaks on a long interim. Abbott remained quiet when the Senate and House called it quits on the second special session, as some of his major special session priorities remained unaddressed. One of the most contentious issues that could not garner a consensus was how to address hemp-derived THC in Texas, whether to regulate or outright ban it. Property tax reform, taxpayer-funded lobbying, and shielding unsubstantiated complaints against police officers are other examples of hot-button issues that still loom large.

Starting point is 00:03:13 Also, parents, nurse practitioners, public schools, and most importantly students across the state are beginning to grapple with a number of new education laws that went into effect earlier this month, with one such policy resulting in some children being denied access to basic common-sense health care. Some have even reported incidents of schools withholding band-aids, which has caused parents and lawmakers to criticize how school districts are handling the law's implementation. Senate Bill 12, also known as the Parent Bill of Rights, was passed and signed into law during the 89th legislative session. As of September 1st, for the 2025-2020-6 school year, the new law will, among other things, such as banning diversity, equity, and inclusion instructional materials,

Starting point is 00:04:00 require that the Texas Education Agency, quote, develop a form for use by school districts in providing information about parental rights and options. Among those rights and options are health care services, including notice and consent from parents for their child to receive, quote, medical, psychiatric, and psychological treatment. Last but not least, through tearful applause, a somber rejoicing, filled the air as Governor Greg Abbott signed three disaster relief bills into law, alongside family and friends of the victims of the deadly July 4th flooding in Central Texas.

Starting point is 00:04:35 At the governor's mansion in Austin, Abbott was positioned next to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, as well as State Representative Drew Darby and State Senator Charles Perry, who both carried many of the flood disaster relief bills through the legislative process during the second special session. Filling the stairs behind them were dozens of families who lost their daughters at Camp Mystic during the flooding. 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 5, 2025

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