GOP Convention Leads With Texans
The first-ever midterm GOP convention kicked off yesterday afternoon in Dallas at the American Airlines Center, with tens of thousands of Republicans from around the country on hand to celebrate gains and put a spotlight on the Trump administration’s record ahead of the November General Election. Brandon Waltens has the details.
The first day was stacked with Texans, ranging from activists like Vanessa Sivadge to congressional hopefuls like Carlos de la Cruz. U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill of Flower Mound had a prime speaking role, focused on the importance of keeping the House in GOP hands. “This November, Americans have a very clear choice: it’s the mainstream versus the extreme.”
Attorney General Ken Paxton also addressed the national audience, highlighting his General Election fight for the U.S. Senate against James Talarico. “I will fight to preserve the American dream. James Talarico is running to destroy it,” said Paxton. “He wants to transition your kids. He wants to transition Texas off of oil and gas. How about we transition him and his crazy ideas right out of Texas?”
Meanwhile, Texas-raised Cabinet secretaries Scott Turner (Housing and Urban Development) and Brooke Rollins (Agriculture) highlighted the Trump record on affordability. The president, of course, delivered a keynote address last night and he is expected to deliver additional remarks tonight closing out the convention.
“Your vote will decide whether our country stumbles at the starting gate of the next 250 years or surges forward and never ever looks back.” – Donald Trump
Lt. Gov. Patrick ‘Very Disappointed’ in Top Regulators for Ignoring Lawmakers
- Speaking at a Texas GOP event in Dallas yesterday morning, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he was “very disappointed” with the Public Utility Commission of Texas after it approved the first of three proposed extra-high-voltage transmission lines despite lawmakers telling them to stop. As Robert Montoya reports, the lieutenant governor shot a not-so-subtle warning at the PUC’s unelected commissioners by comparing them to the now-defunct Texas Lottery Commission.
- Critics have argued that PUC, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and electricity delivery company Oncor transformed a regional reliability directive into a de facto statewide plan without an explicit vote by state lawmakers. This summer, 43 state lawmakers signed a letter asking the agency to pause the project until the legislature can convene in January.
- “I don’t like it when any major agency takes action only four months before session,” said Patrick.
Bastrop Council Votes To End Flock Camera Contract
- A week after voting to cover up the license plate reading cameras in the city limits, Bastrop council members opted this week to end their contract with Flock Safety. Hunter Burney has the story.
- Flock has come under increased scrutiny on a variety of fronts. Notably, the company does not require law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant for otherwise private data it collects on individuals. Its system has also been shown to be subject to abuse by police officers stalking romantic partners and others.
- Bastrop’s mayor, Ishmael Harris, has also raised concerns about the lack of transparency by the company regarding its uses of data collected under the auspices of the city contract.
A poll commissioned last month by the Texas Public Policy Foundation showed that over 63 percent of Texans opposed Flock cameras, with 51 percent stating they “strongly opposed” the technology. Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a pause on state funding for Flock cameras.
In Williamson County, the Liberty Hill City Council voted unanimously last night to remove its seven Flock cameras. Councilmembers there expressed concerns similar to those of their counterparts in Bastrop.
Harris County Moves To Hike Tax Rate
- Michael Wilson reports that Harris County commissioners voted 3-2 this week to move forward with the highest property tax rate in the county’s modern history. The move is meant to close a budget shortfall of more than $180 million.
- The new rate is expected to cost the average homeowner an additional $200 annually.
- Final adoption of the new tax rate is scheduled to take place during the commissioners’ meeting next week. They have until October 1 to finalize the county’s new budget.
Federal Prosecutors Charge 247 People in South Texas Border Enforcement Push
- Over the last week, federal prosecutors charged 247 people, including 232 illegal aliens, in 239 immigration and border security related cases. As Riley Wanasek reports, the charges include 171 criminal complaints for felony reentry after prior removal and 41 illegal entry cases.
- According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, most of the illegal aliens charged had prior felony convictions involving narcotics, violent crimes, immigration offenses, and other crimes.
More Texas News
Number of the Day
20,000
The approximate seating capacity at the American Airlines Center.
Source: American Airlines Center
Today in History
On Sept. 13, 1813, American naval forces under the commander of Captain Oliver Perry handed the British navy a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Lake Erie.
Quote-Unquote
“We have met the enemy, and they are ours.” – Oliver Hazard Perry’s post-battle telegram to General William Henry Harrison, who would later serve as the United States’ ninth president.
SHOWS
Contact information, biographies, and campaign finances.
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