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January 7, 2024
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
A new year and a new lawsuit from the federal government.
As expected, the Biden administration has filed a lawsuit seeking to stop a new border security effort in Texas, calling the law “unconstitutional.”
Passed during the fourth special session last year, Senate Bill 4 creates a new state crime for entering the country illegally, empowering law enforcement to arrest illegal crossers.
U.S. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta says the law is “clearly unconstitutional.”
Gov. Greg Abbott, meanwhile, has maintained that the effort will uphold scrutiny in the courts.
“The authors of the United States Constitution foresaw a situation when the federal government would be inattentive to states that faced charges at their borders,” Abbott said during the bill’s signing last month. “And in response, they inserted Article One Section 10 to the United States Constitution, to empower states to take action to defend themselves. And that is exactly what Texas is doing.”
After the lawsuit was filed, Abbott said he liked his chances.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, meanwhile, said he is ready to fight back.
The lawsuit brought by the Justice Department is not the only legal hurdle the new law faces. Shortly after it was signed last month, the American Civil Liberties Union filed their own lawsuit.
Pending any court decisions, the law is set to go into effect on March 5.
Featured
A new bombshell report reveals Texas A&M University’s partnership with the government of Qatar could be a major threat to national security.
Since 2003 Texas A&M has operated a branch in the middle eastern country of Qatar, which was set up through an agreement between Texas A&M and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, which has close links to the Qatar royal family.
Now, a report from the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy reveals Qatar’s undisclosed funding into Texas A&M has resulted in full Qatari ownership of over 500 research projects.
State
Abbott Bucks Phelan, Criticizes Democrat Chairs in Texas House
Gov. Greg Abbott noted that State Rep. Justin Holland “voted against gun rights and school choice, but voted to put Democrats in leadership positions.”
New State Laws Are In Effect
Measures to provide relief to property taxpayers, eliminate DEI requirements in universities, and increase transparency took effect on January 1.
Universities Try to Circumvent New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Law
Multiple universities have been attempting to skirt the new law by renaming their DEI departments.
Local
$5 Million Price Tag for New Harris County Commissioners Court
Four years and $5 million ago, Former Commissioner Steve Radak called the project an “absolute waste of money.”
Brazosport School Board Votes to Fire Teacher Charged with Sexually Assaulting a Student
A 12-count indictment details Brandyn Martin Hargrove’s alleged sex crimes against an underage female student starting in 2007.
Austin Mayor Says Contract with Local Police Union is Top Priority
Following staffing shortages and rising crime, Mayor Kirk Watson says he wants to come to an agreement with the Austin Police Association.
Federal
Border Protection Officer Charged with Human Smuggling
Emanuel Celedon is also charged with bribery and drug trafficking.
Speaker Johnson Applauds Efforts to Secure Southern Border Amidst Federal Lawsuits
The new Republican Speaker of the U.S. House visited the Texas-Mexico border and said that Gov. Greg Abbott has the authority to secure the state.
Federal Court Upholds Texas Election Security Law Requiring ‘Wet’ Signatures
The Fifth Circuit determined that an original signature attesting to the truth of information provided on a voter registration application is “a material requirement.”
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Quoting...
"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light."
- George Washington
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