No images? Click here [link removed]
September 22, 2024
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
Most incoming Republican Texas House members appear to have thrown their support behind State Rep. David Cook [[link removed]] for Speaker of the House in a move to coalesce around a single challenger against Dade Phelan [[link removed]] ahead of the Republican Caucus vote in December.
The decision came after several rounds of voting during a secret meeting held Friday in Austin. Generally, the meeting consisted of reform-minded members and members-elect of the House GOP caucus. Phelan did not participate, though apparently half of the 86 Republicans did.
First elected in 2020, Cook voted for Phelan in both 2021 and 2023. He also voted for the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. The secretive process employed in the Paxton impeachment was a flashpoint for many of the members.
Friday’s meeting was attended by all five Republicans who had filed to challenge current Speaker Dade Phelan: John Smithee [[link removed]], Tom Oliverson [[link removed]], Shelby Slawson [[link removed]], David Cook [[link removed]], and James Frank [[link removed]]. The final rounds of voting came down to Smithee and Cook.
Notably, all candidates had pledged to end the practice of awarding committee chairmanships to Democrats, while Phelan has said he will “not waver” from doing so.
Earlier in the day, Phelan derided the meeting as “little more than an orchestrated scheme to generate headlines and fuel social media clicks.”
“The organizers of this distraction have completely and deliberately shortcut established caucus rules to generate an outcome benefitting nobody but themselves. Not only are their actions disappointing and unacceptable, they are futile, as I proudly have the clear majority votes needed to be the Speaker today, and will have the clear majority support needed to become Speaker again come January,” he added.
State Rep. Tony Tinderholt [[link removed]], who challenged Phelan for the speakership in 2023, fired back in a post on X.
“We’d love to see your list of legislators because the only way to have the votes to become speaker means you have the Democrats! That goes against the Republican Party Platform, but using Dems in your primary is how you barely won re-election after spending millions,” wrote Tinderholt.
The Republican Caucus will vote in December to nominate a speaker candidate. The official vote for Speaker will take place on the first day of the legislative session, January 14, 2025.
Featured 365 Days of Secrecy: Phelan Refuses to Disclose Costs of Paxton Impeachment [[link removed]]
On September 18, 2023, just two days after the Senate acquitted Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for a full audit of the impeachment’s expenses.
One year later, Speaker Dade Phelan has still refused to provide taxpayers with the information.
Read More [[link removed]]
State Texas Children’s Hospital Whistleblower Tells Senate Committee to Investigate Use of State Funds [[link removed]]
She was fired from her job at the hospital last month after disclosing information that allegedly revealed Medicaid fraud for gender mutilation procedures. Citizens Tell Senators School Districts Are Failing to Implement Law Barring Explicit Books [[link removed]]
Problems with inappropriate materials persist in school districts across the state. Nuclear Reactor Approved for Construction at Abilene Christian University [[link removed]]
The project involves the first U.S. university reactor approved in over 30 years.
Read more in State news... [[link removed]]
Local Dallas Judge Rules State Fair’s Gun Ban Can Stay in Place [[link removed]]
Judge Emily Tobolowsky said there was insufficient evidence to prove the firearm ban violated state law. Harris County Raises Taxes for Residents [[link removed]]
The average homeowner can expect to pay roughly $160 more on their property tax bill. Fort Worth ISD Residents Speak Out Against Superintendent [[link removed]]
Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Angélica Ramsey has come under fire for the district’s failing performance.
Read more in Local news... [[link removed]]
Federal Rep. Chip Roy Calls on Speaker Johnson To Oppose Drafting Women Into Military [[link removed]]
The Texas congressman led the warning alongside an Illinois congresswoman and 22 other Republican lawmakers.
ICE Houston Deports Illegal Alien Wanted in Honduras [[link removed]]
A Honduran illegal alien has been deported after being on parole in the U.S. since 2022. US Rep. Crockett Called Trump Supporters ‘Threats’ Just Hours Before Assassination Attempt [[link removed]]
Crockett previously tried to remove Trump’s Secret Service protection—prompting Republicans to demand her resignation.
Read more in Federal news... [[link removed]]
Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe here! [[link removed]] Help us keep Texans informed! [[link removed]] Manage Your Subscription [[link removed]]
Join the conversation with Texas Scorecard on any or all of our social media accounts!
[[link removed]]
The Texas Scorecard Journalism Fellowship [[link removed]] 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.
Share [link removed] Tweet [link removed] Forward [link removed] A product of Texas Scorecard
www.TexasScorecard.com
(888) 410-1836
PO Box 248, Leander, TX 78646 This message was originally sent to:
John xxxxxx |
If you ever stop receiving our emails, it might be because someone unintentionally removed you from the list. To resubscribe, simply do so through our subscriber portal:
[link removed]
Before you click the link below... If someone forwarded this email to you, clicking the link will end their subscription. Unsubscribe [link removed]
