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June 16, 2024
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
A group of House Republicans are attempting to steer the conversation away from ending Democrat chairmanships by instead signing onto a series of priorities that conspicuously omits a ban on the practice.
This comes after 46 current and incoming members recently signed a pledge to only vote for a Speaker of the House that does not put Democrats in leadership positions. 21 of those members, thus far, have also signed onto the “Contract With Texas”, a series of 12 proposed House reforms to end powersharing with Democrats and emphasize Republican legislative priorities.
Enter the “Texas Conservative Commitment.”
With 10 planks, the pledge largely mirrors the legislative priorities passed by delegates to the Republican Party of Texas convention last month but with softer language. It also includes property tax relief and “universal school choice.”
Notably missing, however, is ending Democrat chairmanships. While the exact source of the Texas Conservative Commitment is still unknown, it stems from members close to current House leadership.
Former Texas GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi turned attention to the 26 members that signed the Texas Conservative Commitment but have not signed the pledge against Democrat chairs.
Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham Geroge said, “While it is always encouraging to see lawmakers work together to advance conservative policies, the ‘Texas Conservative Commitment’ is clearly designed to advance alternative policies in lieu of the Texas GOP Legislative Priorities. Most frustratingly, this commitment is silent on the issue of Democrat chairs, which members of Speaker Dade Phelan’s leadership team are trying to protect.”
“Republican voters are eager to unite and work to defeat the Democrats in November. Texas House Republicans should stop trying to empower them in January,” he added.
Featured
Four lawmakers have been officially censured by the House Republican Caucus for campaigning for conservative challengers against incumbents during the recent primary elections.
Caucus rules prohibit members from endorsing against incumbents in what has been referred to as the “Incumbent Protection Program.”
This cycle, however, conservative incumbent State Reps. Brian Harrison, Nate Schatzline, Steve Toth, and Tony Tinderholt joined statewide Republicans like Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in endorsing against liberal Republicans in an election cycle that saw the defeat of 15 incumbent Republicans.
State
Texas’ #1 Most Wanted Illegal Alien Captured
Among other crimes, he was wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Texas Tech Pledges Greater Oversight Following Drag Queen Seminar
“Queering Agriculture” presentation attempts to “sneak” propaganda into K-12 classrooms.
Is a Mystery Algorithm Revealing Texans’ Voting Choices?
House committee investigates ballots being linked back to voters.
Local
Texas Supreme Court Extends Pause on Harris County Guaranteed Income Program
Harris County’s controversial guaranteed basic income pilot program Uplift Harris planned to send a $500 monthly stipend to low-income families with no strings attached.
Lorena Parents Speak About Sex Abuse Scandal at School Board Meeting
The community seeks accountability from district officials and Principal April Jewell.
Dallas City Council Condemns Border Security Legislation
The resolution asserts that enforcing a new border security law would strain police resources and negatively impact relationships with the community.
Federal
US Supreme Court Overturns Bump Stock Ban for Firearms
The ruling serves as yet another major victory this week for gun rights activists.
Texas Joins Lawsuit Against New Federal Rule Advantaging Foreigners in US Agriculture
If the rule goes into effect on June 28, temporary agricultural workers will be allowed to unionize while Americans can’t.
Texas Congressman Files ‘Dismantle DEI Act’
The act would eliminate DEI positions in the federal government and prohibit federal grants from being used for DEI initiatives.
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