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August 4, 2024
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
After Meta, formerly known as Facebook, agreed to settle a privacy lawsuit with Texas for $1.4 billion, Texans are wondering: what happens to that money?
The settlement, the largest ever obtained by a single state, concerns the unauthorized collection of biometric data from users. Meta agreed to the settlement and will pay $1.4 billion to the state of Texas over five years.
According to the Office of the Attorney General, money collected from the settlement will go, in small part, to pay outside counsel working on the case—lawyers specializing in these kinds of lawsuits.
The vast majority, however, will go to the state general revenue fund. That means it will be up to the state legislature to decide how the money gets spent when they pass the next biennial budget, and if it will be given back to Texans.
Andrew McVeigh, the president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, says he wants to see the money be returned via property tax relief.
“For years, taxpayers across the State have been suffering under the ever-increasing tax burden, particularly property taxes. This settlement with Meta provides Texas with a unique opportunity,” said McVeigh. “The funds from this settlement should be treated the same as all surplus state revenue should be treated: returned to the taxpayer to help relieve them of their property tax burden. Specifically, using the funds to compress, or ‘buy-down’ the School M&O property tax rate, which will provide all Texans with real relief.”
Featured
With eyes focused on the national election in November, there’s another race quietly unfolding in the background: the race to lead the Texas House in the next legislative session.
Currently, that seat is held by Dade Phelan, but sources indicate his tenure may be coming to an end.
State
Dr. Mary Talley Bowden Notches Win
The Texas Medical Board has dismissed a pending case against Dr. Bowden.
Texas GOP Lawmakers See Decline in Economic Scores
The 2023 Texas State Economic Scorecard saw a decline in scores for both chambers of the Texas Legislature.
School Board Members Instructed to Weaponize Pay Increases
A Texas Association of School Boards guest speaker encouraged educators to use raises as a means to apply political pressure on school choice for the upcoming legislative session.
Local
Keller ISD Backs Down, Allows Students with Pro-Trump Parking Spot Art to Repaint
After being instructed to erase art depicting the former president, students may now repaint their parking spots.
Parents Split Over Student Access to Cell Phones at School
Keller ISD is the latest district to consider keeping kids off their phones during school hours.
Sex Abuse Victim’s Mom Scorches Lorena ISD School Board
Amanda Gilmore said, “There’s a special place in Hell” for defenders of Lorena Primary Principal April Jewell.
Federal
Biden-Harris Administration Freezes Illegal Alien Parole Program
Lawmakers have already been questioning whether the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can adequately monitor more than 1 million parolees.
Federal Court Rules Texas Can Keep Border Buoy Barriers in Rio Grande
This comes just over one year after Texas installed the marine barriers—prompting the Biden administration to sue the state for securing the border.
Sen. Cruz Warns of Terrorist-Linked Gazans Crossing US-Canada Border
In addition to the southern border crisis, the U.S. faces increased threats from the northern border.
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