March 30, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
The Texas House of Representatives was scheduled to meet Friday morning, but business quickly came to a halt after it was revealed that the chamber lacked the quorum necessary to conduct legislative proceedings.
While an initial roll call via the chamber’s electronic voting machines indicated 118 of the 150 House members were present—enough to meet the two-thirds quorum threshold—a verification vote requested by State Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian) told a different story.
Once the names were read aloud, only 65 members could be verified as present—falling far short of the 100 members required for the House to conduct business.
A visibly frustrated Speaker Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock) promptly gaveled out the session and adjourned the House until 10 a.m. Saturday.
But when they attempted to convene yesterday, there were even less members present than the day before!
This marks the third legislative session in a row that the Texas House has lacked a quorum during at least one day. Democrat lawmakers infamously fled the state for Washington, D.C. in a failed attempt to block election integrity legislation in 2021. And in 2023, when school choice legislation was being considered, House members again failed to reach a quorum on numerous occasions.
The House is slated to try again for a quorum on Monday at 4 p.m.
Featured
Gov. Greg Abbott announced yet another investigation Friday into the controversial East Plano Islamic Center, this time by the Texas Workforce Commission for potential violations of the Texas Fair Housing Act.
According to the governor’s office, the probe focuses on whether the center, known as EPIC, and its affiliated entities may be refusing to sell or rent housing based on religion or other protected characteristics—a direct violation of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
“Texas vigorously safeguards the freedoms granted to American citizens in the U.S. Constitution, including the freedom of religion,” said Abbott. “To that end, the Texas Workforce Commission opened an investigation into the group behind the proposed EPIC compound who are potentially breaking state fair housing laws by refusing to sell or rent housing to certain groups based on religion or other protected traits.”
Real Texans
On this week’s REAL TEXANS, we meet J.M. Lozano, a family man, entrepreneur, and Democrat-turned-Republican lawmaker. He discusses the values that shape his approach to life, business, and politics.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Interim UT Austin President Sides With ‘Shared Governance’
Jim Davis indicated his support for the status quo, which has empowered leftist agitators on campus.
Texas GOP Officially Opposes Red-Light Camera Ticketing Legislation
The party’s legislative priorities committee red-lighted Republican lawmakers’ efforts to revive red-light ticketing schemes for school buses.
Exclusive: Inside Texas A&M’s ‘Draggieland’
After the Texas A&M University regents banned on-campus drag shows, a federal judge temporarily blocked the ban—allowing “Draggieland” to proceed as planned.
Local
Red Oak ISD Teacher Says He Experiences ‘Gender Euphoria’ Around Students
Zachary Sandri, who now goes by “Rosalynn,” began a video posted on social media by describing himself as a “transgender goddess.”
Houston’s Montrose Center To Host Drag Show Open to Children
The non-profit provides LGBT “services” to children as young as seven.
Millsap ISD Superintendent Ousted for Failing to Report Teachers’ Abuse of Autistic Student
Superintendent Edie Martin and two special education teachers were arrested in connection with the child abuse.
Federal
Congressional Subcommittee To Question Prosecutor of Texas Children’s Hospital Whistleblower
The hearing aims to examine the Department of Justice’s prosecution of Dr. Eithan Haim following allegations of wrongdoing at Texas Children’s Hospital.
US Rep. Troy Nehls Calls to End Taxpayer Funding for NPR and PBS
The movement to stop sending taxpayer money to media outlets continues to grow.
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