August 30, 2026
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
Texas lawmakers are considering restrictions on where local governments can conduct official meetings after a Bastrop City Council retreat more than 100 miles away in Fredericksburg sparked concerns over public access.
The issue was taken up Wednesday by the House Select Committee on Governmental Oversight, which was tasked with evaluating the authority of political subdivisions to hold meetings subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act outside their jurisdictions.
State Rep. Stan Gerdes first raised concerns about the Bastrop retreat earlier this month, arguing that holding the workshop in Fredericksburg made it “nearly impossible” for residents to attend and participate.
Gerdes said at the time that he would file legislation requiring city council meetings to be held in the cities they represent so residents have “a fair opportunity to attend, speak, and hold their elected officials accountable.”
Following the hearing, Gerdes told Texas Scorecard that he still plans to pursue legislation targeting the practice.
“It was completely unacceptable for the Bastrop City Council to take a taxpayer-funded trip hours away from where citizens could participate to spend 2 days discussing critical issues including the budget, tax rate, flock cameras and data centers.
“This is not the treatment our families deserve and I’m glad the House committee members saw fit to question this complete abuse of taxpayer dollars after we directly called out the Council for this disgrace.
“I will be filing legislation to ensure these taxpayer-funded getaways to handle the business of the people do not happen anymore,” he added.
Featured
Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Wednesday that his office has secured a proposed settlement worth more than $1 billion with Meta Platforms Inc. that would require the company to adopt new safety features for children using its social media platforms.
Paxton said the agreement would direct more than $1 billion to the State of Texas for youth mental health services, crisis resources, digital literacy programs, after-school initiatives and grants for Texas schools. The settlement would also impose new platform requirements involving age assurance, teen screen-time limits, school-hour notifications, public reactions, and nighttime access.
Real Texans
On this edition of REAL TEXANS, Michael sits down with Comptroller Don Huffines to review his first month on the job. Huffines says that under his watch, no level of government will be left unexamined: from major state agencies to the smallest school districts.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Despite Lawmakers’ Saying Stop, Regulators Move Forward on Controversial 765-kV Lines
Attorney General Ken Paxton joins coalition calling for commissioners to abate applications so the legislature can take over.
More Texas Teachers Lose Credentials Over Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct accounted for more than 100 of the certification sanctions in the latest quarterly report.
Tarrant County Democrat Called ICE ‘Un-American,’ Donated to AOC
Katie Duzan is running against Republican Cheryl Bean for an open Texas House seat currently held by Tony Tinderholt.
Local
Wylie City Council Declines To Renew Flock Camera Contract
The decision comes after a resident-led campaign to “deflock” Wylie.
Houston Murder Suspect Out on Bond Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Mail Fraud Scheme
Federal prosecutors say the Houston man orchestrated a nearly $24 million mail theft scheme while free on a $600,000 bond tied to a fatal shooting in Stafford last year.
San Antonio ISD Proposes $600 Million Bond Package, Tax Rate Increase
The bond package and voter-approval tax rate election will appear on the November 3 ballot for San Antonio residents.
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