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MRT (free): Abbott’s National Profile Rises // TX Looks to Seize on DE Ruling Against Musk // Menefee to Seek CD-18 // State to Close Border Site
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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MONDAY || 3/17/2025
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“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX)
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TOP NEWS
“Gov. Greg Abbott’s national profile is on the rise,” Dallas Morning News' Gromer Jeffers, Jr. — “From his strategic partnership with President Donald Trump to his headline-grabbing border policies, Gov. Greg Abbott is riding a wave of Republican popularity that has raised his national profile and could put a 2028 White House campaign within reach if he wants it.
Few Republican governors have Abbott’s national stature, and the Texas governor for the past decade has basked in praise from Trump, who devoted part of his Jan. 20 inaugural speeches to lauding Abbott as the “leader of the pack” among the nation’s governors.
At the least, Abbott will have the choice to run for president or stay as governor in the nation’s most important and prosperous Republican state. Either way, he can strongly influence GOP politics on a national scale.
“That’s something that really came to mind when I saw Trump praise Abbott during that second inaugural speech,” said Aaron Kall, a University of Michigan political scientist and author of the book Debating the Donald.
“Abbott and Trump are similar. A lot of the governor’s actions are designed to solicit media attention on a larger, national stage. That suggests the potential for seeking something beyond being governor of Texas, and it will be a wide-open race in 2028,” Kall said.
Abbott is, for now, focused on his future in Texas, his chief political consultant, Dave Carney, said.
“The governor has been consistent that he has the second-best job in the country, and he loves what he’s doing and he’s going to run for reelection,” Carney said. “That’s what he’s focused on, Texas. He told the president when he [Trump] was a candidate that he has no interest in going to Washington.”
Even so, speculation about Abbott’s future persists.
Abbott and Trump see eye-to-eye on immigration, border security and reducing government regulation, providing common ground for one of the governor’s newest objectives — federal reimbursement for $11 billion spent on state border-security efforts during the Biden administration. Abbott has made several treks to Washington to rally support for the payout.
Buttering Texas’ toast is one benefit to being cozy with Trump. From a political perspective, the Trump-Abbott partnership improves his standing with Trump loyalists and conservative Republicans outside of Texas.
Abbott briefly pondered a presidential run during the 2024 cycle and made a few appearances in battleground states before the presidential campaign season. But he never fully explored a candidacy and backed away from the prospect when Trump emerged as the clear GOP frontrunner.
Term limits set up an open race for the Oval Office in 2028." DMN ($)
TOP NEWS
“Gateway’s Robert Morris turns himself in on child sex abuse charges” DMN ($)
DMN: “University of North Texas and Rice University under federal investigation for “race-exclusionary practices” Texas Tribune
“Texans grapple with rising toxic pollution as oil, gas production booms” The Hill
#TXLEGE
Drew Springer guest column: “Former Texas senator: Lottery scandal confirms need for gaming commission” DMN ($)
“Texas GOP backs bill to shield CEOs like Elon Musk from lawsuits” Houston Chronicle ($)
Editorial: “Cryptocurrencies are no place for public investments” DMN ($)
2025
“Christian Menefee, top civil attorney for Harris County government, files for Sylvester Turner’s congressional seat” Texas Tribune
STATE GOVERNMENT
“Texas to close border site used to process arrested migrants” Texas Tribune
“Here's how Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar's departure may influence state politics” AAS ($)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Whitmire’s team carts efficiency study to Austin to build trust” Houston Chronicle ($)
“Houston police directed to call ICE on undocumented immigrants with deportation orders” Texas Tribune
“Could Dallas Convention Center move near Reunion Tower? Hunt Realty shares new design plan” DMN ($)
Editorial: “On housing shortage, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is right on the money” DMN ($)
BUSINESS NEWS
“PepsiCo buys Austin-based Poppi to gain prebiotic soda brand” SAEN ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here." TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education funding" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "In Texas, Christian right grows confident and assertive" TX TRIB
> AP: "Accused Texas megachurch pastor to surrender in Oklahoma on child sexual abuse charges" AP
> AP: "Oklahomans survey devastation after hundreds of homes are destroyed and damaged by wildfires" AP
> HOU CHRON: "Texas GOP backs bill to shield CEOs like Elon Musk from lawsuits" HOU CHRON
> AP: "Severe weather moves east after tornadoes, winds and wildfires killed at least 39 people" AP
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Harris County approves San Antonio’s $24M federally-funded solar initiative, advances statewide program" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Texas lawmakers file plans to overhaul state water funding" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> HOU CHRON: "Starliner astronauts closer to coming home after NASA's Crew-10 departs for ISS" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Harris County deputy sheriff dies after being reported missing" HOU CHRON
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Houston monitoring wastewater plants, schools for measles as Texas sees more than 250 cases" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Keller ISD board calls off district split option" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "McKinney Community Development Corp. awards nearly $7M to entertainment, development projects" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> TX TRIB: "Paxton investigates Dallas for alleged sanctuary city policies" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas is running out of water. Here’s why and what state leaders plan to do about it." TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas Southern University asks for $120 million to replace aging law school" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Want to understand Texas’ water crisis? Start with the guide to water terms." TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas bill would increase oversight of universities’ hiring, curriculum and compliance" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas lawmakers are pushing harsher criminal penalties while prison and jail populations soar" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "DOJ drops fight against Texas political maps as Trump administration retreats from voting rights cases" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas lawmakers will debate saving the state’s water supply after key legislation is introduced" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "In lawsuit settlement, Texas Tech’s med school promises it won’t consider race in admissions" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "FEMA wants the names and addresses of migrants helped by Texas nonprofits and local governments that got federal grant money" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Feds are opening more detention centers in Texas as Trump administration steps up deportations" TX TRIB
> HOU CHRON: "Senate priority bill curbs faculty influence in state higher education" HOU CHRON
> TX TRIB: "Texas lawmakers and charter leaders push back on the $870K paid to Valere schools’ superintendent" TX TRIB
> AP: "Big March storm system threatens US with tornadoes, blizzards and wildfire risk" AP
> TX TRIB: "Orator, conscience, advocate: State lawmakers honor Sylvester Turner with bipartisan accolades in Capitol ceremony" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Robert Morris, Texas megachurch pastor and former Trump adviser, indicted for child sex crimes" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas Senate majority unveils bill requiring voters to prove their citizenship" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "A Republican effort to set deadlines to plug orphan wells in Texas hits resistance" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas House bill would weaken renters’ rights, advocates say" TX TRIB
> AP: "FEMA launches review of migrant shelter aid, suggesting smuggling laws were violated" AP
EXTRA POINTS
Last weekend's Texas sports scores:
Fri
> NBA: Houston 133, Dallas 96
> NBA: Charlotte 145, San Antonio 134
> NHL: Winnipeg 4, Dallas 1
> NCAAM: #2 Houston 74, 5 #17 BYU 54(Kansas City, MO)
> NCAAM: Texas at #8 Tennessee (Nashville, TN)
> NCAAM: Arizona 86, #9 Texas Tech 80
Sat
> NBA: Houston 117, Chicago 114
> NBA: San Antonio 119, New Orleans 115
> NCAAM: #2 Houston 72, Arizona 64 (Kansas City, MO)
> NCAAM: #8 Tennessee 83, Texas 72 (Nashville, TN)
> MLS: Austin 1, Los Angeles 0
> MLS: Vancouver 1, Dallas 0
> MLS: Salt Lake City 2, Houston 1
Sun
> NBA: Philadelphia 130, Dallas 125
> NHL: Colorado 4, Dallas 3
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: NBA: Philadelphia at Houston
> 9:30pm: NBA: Spurs at LA Lakers
HOUSTON TEXANS: "Houston Texans and Derek Stingley Jr. agree on contract extension" Houston Chronicle ($)
TEXAS RANGERS: "Texas Rangers LHP Cody Bradford to open season on IL" AAS ($)
HOUSTON MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Houston a top seed for 3rd straight year, looks to make deeper run after 2 Sweet 16 losses in a row" AP
TEXAS A&M MEN'S BASKETBALL: "No. 4 seeded Texas A&M to face Yale in first round of NCAA men's basketball tournament" Bryan Eagle
TEXAS MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Texas basketball: From tears to cheers, Longhorns embrace NCAA Tournament opportunity" AAS ($)
TEXAS TECH MEN'S BASKETBALL: "JT Toppin leads No. 9 Texas Tech past Baylor 76-74 in Big 12 Tournament" Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
TEXAS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: "March Madness: Madison Booker boosts top-seed Texas to best season in 20 years" AP
TCU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: "Van Lith's spark lights TCU's path to best season in program history and 2 seed in March Madness" AP
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Framber Valdez to make 4th consecutive start on opening day for the Astros" AP
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Houston Astros: Christian Walker could be ready for opening day" Houston Chronicle ($)
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "Quentin Grimes scores 28 as Sixers beat Mavs 130-125 in matchup of injury-depleted teams" AP
DALLAS STARS: "Makar scores 34 seconds into OT, Avalanche hold off Stars 4-3 in Mikko Rantanen's return to Colorado" AP
HOUSTON DYNAMO: "Diogo Gonçalves, Diego Luna score first-half goals to lead Real Salt Lake over Dynamo 2-1" AP
FC DALLAS: "Blackmon scores 1st goal since 2023, Whitecaps beat Dallas 1-0" AP
AUSTIN FC: "LAFC shut out by Austin FC for 3rd straight loss" LA Daily News
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