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May 19, 2024
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
Early voting in the primary runoff elections begins Monday, May 20, and runs through Friday, May 24. Election day is the following Tuesday, May 28.
Also happening this week is the Republican Party of Texas' biennial convention in San Antonio, where delegates will have the opportunity to choose the next state party leader for the next two years.
With current Chairman Matt Rinaldi not seeking re-election, the field has grown to six candidates: Ben Armenta, Mike Garcia, Abraham George, Matt Mackowiak, Weston Martinez, and Dana Myers.
Texas Scorecard asked each candidate a series of questions, including what they see as the proper role of the chair and what should be done with elected Republicans who ignore the party’s priorities.
Featured
By Robert Montoya and Kristen Stanciu
Texas A&M University System administrator Rick Olshak is the Director of Title IX and Student Conduct Compliance.
Olshak recently lamented the fact that the new Biden administration Title IX rewrite did not go far enough in extending to transgender competition in athletics. State lawmakers passed a law against that practice just last year. Questions were raised regarding Olshak’s adherence to Texas values.
Texas Scorecard began investigating Olshak after his comments and contacted Texas A&M on the afternoon of May 15 regarding their employment of him.
“Chancellor John Sharp has directed that Rick Olshak be suspended with pay in accordance with System policy while allegations about his job performance as a System employee are investigated,” Laylan Copelin, Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications, told Texas Scorecard the morning of May 16. “Please note that the allegations under investigation do not include his private social media posts, as this activity is protected by the First Amendment.”
State
Gov. Greg Abbott Pardons Army Sergeant Daniel Perry
Last year, Perry was sentenced to 25 years for the death of an armed Black Lives Matter protester.
Anti-Israel Protests & DEI Ban Progress the Focus of Senate Education Hearing
Senate Education Chair Brandon Creighton described DEI ideology as mirroring old Marxist talking points.
Galveston Voting Rights Case Could Cost Texas Democrats Seats
The full Fifth Circuit heard Galveston County’s redistricting case challenging misuse of the Voting Rights Act for political advantage.
Local
Did Round Rock ISD Officials Attempt to Cover Up a Sexual Assault?
According to former Round Rock ISD Chief of Police Dennis Weiner, the district attempted to hide a sexual assault of a five-year-old student.
Houston Mayor Rolls Out $6.7 Billion Budget
While the budget did not include new fees or higher taxes, Mayor Whitmire’s accompanying budget letter indicated that both could still be on the table down the road.
Prosper ISD Parents Propose Single-member Voting Districts
Local families say there’s a real need for all areas of the district to be properly represented on the board of trustees.
Federal
Texas Asks Court to Halt Biden’s Title IX Rewrite
Unless the court blocks the rule, it is set to take effect on August 1, 2024.
Border Patrol Data Shows Massive Spike in Known Gotaways Under Biden
The number spiked from around 100,000 year-over-year from fiscal years 2010-2020 to as high as 670,674 by FY 2023.
Venezuelan Fugitive Crossed in Texas, Arrested in New York
Johan Jose Cardenas Silva was first encountered in Del Rio, Texas in October 2022.
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The Texas Scorecard Journalism Fellowship is a comprehensive program designed for conservative Texans under the age of 25 with an interest in public policy, effective civic engagement, political accountability, and Texas history.
