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September 3, 2023
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
Did you know 774 new laws went into effect on Friday?
At the top of the list is House Bill 1—the state’s budget. The $321.1 billion biennial budget represents the largest increase in state spending in history.
But while some of the money is allocated towards property tax relief (around $18 billion), the state is also spending big on corporate welfare.
House Bill 5, which author State Rep. Todd Hunter (R–Corpus Christi) calls the “Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act,” creates a new statewide economic incentive program to replace the state’s controversial Chapter 313 program, which ended after lawmakers declined to renew it during the 2021 legislative session.
Notably, both the Republican Party of Texas and the Democrat Party of Texas oppose corporate handouts in their platforms.
The new program, combined with several other handouts, is expected to cost taxpayers over $10 billion.
Most of the state’s new laws—ranging from making hairstyles a protected class to decriminalizing walking on the wrong side of the road—are unlikely to be challenged.
Still, other laws set to go into effect have been making their way through legal challenges.
House Bill 2127, also known as the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, attempts to provide consistency by returning sovereign regulatory powers to the state in light of the patchwork of local regulations in place across Texas. It works by declaring local ordinances that are inconsistent with state law invalid.
That law was challenged by several major cities, including Houston and San Antonio. Last week, a district judge declared the law unconstitutional.
Because the judge did not enjoin enforcement of the law, and the Office of the Attorney General immediately appealed the decision, the law will still go into effect as it makes its way potentially to the Texas Supreme Court.
Senate Bill 14, which bans child gender mutilation procedures, is also set to take effect after the Texas Supreme Court lifted a Travis County judge’s temporary injunction of the law.
Other Republican priorities have been held up and will not go into effect immediately.
On August 31, the eve of the new laws’ effective date, three laws were halted by lower courts:
– House Bill 900, which aims to prohibit inappropriate material from being distributed to children in school libraries.
– Senate Bill 12, which prohibits sexually explicit performances targeting children.
– House Bill 1181, which requires age verification for pornographic websites.
All three are expected to be appealed by the Office of the Attorney General in the coming days.
Featured
Both Austin and Houston are part of ‘C40 Cities,’ an alliance of mayors seeking to impact climate change and “cut their emissions in half by 2030.”
State
House Leadership Attacks Lawmaker After Exposing Obstruction in Austin
State Rep. Brian Harrison has ramped up calls for a ban on COVID vaccine mandates in Texas, angering some in House leadership.
Texas Passed Hundreds of New Laws—None Provide Significant Border Security
Lawmakers ignored public outcry about securing the border.
New Law Requires Texas Schools to Hire Security Guards
A new law will require Texas school districts and charter schools to hire at least one armed security guard for every campus.
Local
Texas Lawmaker Faces Trial Over Allegedly ‘Stolen’ Donations to Dallas Police Charity
State Rep. Frederick Frazier is also facing two felony counts of impersonating a public servant during the 2022 Republican primary.
State Rep. Andrew Murr Admonished by Constituents—Again
Murr of Junction is being criticized by a second county in House District 53 for violating the principles of the Republican Party of Texas.
Katy ISD Adopts New Pro-Parent Gender Policy
After 6 hours of public comment and heated debates, the board voted 4-3 in favor of the new policy.
Federal
Biden’s Galveston Wind Farm Leases Receive No Bids at Auction
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said, “The liberal fantasy around so-called ‘green’ energy is a lie.”
Sen. Ted Cruz Opposes Proposed Plea Deal for 9/11 ‘Masterminds’
Cruz and another member of Congress have requested that 9/11 terrorists be denied a plea deal that would allow them to escape the death penalty.
Rep. Chip Roy Hosts Panel on the Dangers of Fentanyl
Roy was joined by several parents, law enforcement, Dripping Springs city council members and officials, and Dripping Springs ISD officials.
Nominations are Open
The annual Texas Conservative Leader Awards highlight the men and women of the grassroots who work to make the Lone Star State shine brighter than ever.
If you know someone deserving of recognition, nominate them today.
Quoting...
“Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
- John Adams
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