The Texas Insider

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Happy Wednesday!

Written by: Jay Williamson

Statewide News Round-Up

The Governor did a recent interview with the Texas Tribune where he said he would be "heavily involved" in the push for an education savings account program (voucher) this session. Abbott plans to travel across the state and make the case directly to voters, primarily in the rural areas across the state. Rural House Republicans make up some of the strongest opposition to this legislation as they see it potentially redirecting taxpayer money away from public schools. Despite this, Abbott said, "among Republican rural voters, about 80% support this,' Abbott intends to change the perception in rural areas and, subsequently, the minds of their legislators. (More on the Tribune's Interview)

Abbott also commented on the $3.3 million attorney general whistleblower settlement. He said he expects the attorney general will need to make the case to House and Senate members on why taxpayer dollars should be used for his settlement.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Governor hosted a border security press conference in Weslaco along with the new Texas Border Czar, the Director of DPS, Senator Brian Birdwell (Chair of Senate Border Security), and Representative Ryan Guillen (Chair of House Homeland Security & Public Safety). He started his remarks by saying Texas saw the highest number of migrants apprehended in 2022 in Texas history. (More here)

Another thing to note is the Biden administration, Homeland Security, and Justice Departments announced a new border control measure that if someone entered the US illegally, they would be presumed ineligible for asylum. Administration officials said the proposal will be subject to a 30-day public comment period and will likely take effect before the May 11th expiration of Title 42.

An administration official described the need for the proposal as we "will not allow mass chaos and disorder at the border because of Congress's failure to act." The impact this may have on the Texas border remains to be seen, but law enforcement officials on the border are already preparing for new migration surges beginning this spring. We still have a lot more to learn about this program, but it may put the president at odds with certain members of his party. (More on Biden's Border Policy)

Tuesday, the Dallas Morning News reported that Dallas Congressman Colin Allred is considering a Senate bid against Ted Cruz. In 2018 Allred beat Republican Pete Sessions to flipping the seat from red to blue. Allred, a former NFL player, served in the General Counsel's office at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. No Democrat has won a statewide race in Texas since 1994. Beto O'Rourke lost to Cruz in 2018 by only 2.6 percentage points (compared to nearly 11 points in his 2022 race against Governor Abbott). Allred would have to give up his current congressional seat to run. (More here)

One of the Lt. Governor's priority bills was filed yesterday, SB 2, by Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola. ) This bill intends to raise the penalty for intentional illegal voting from a misdemeanor to a state jail felony.

As reported last week, Representative Carrie Isaac (R-San Marcos) has filed a bill to ban polling places on higher education institutions' campuses. Isaac's district includes Texas State, where students had record turnout in the November 2022 election. In a press release, Isaac said this legislation is intended to "do everything we can to make our school campuses as safe as possible." Isaac plans to file more legislation banning polling places on public and charter school campuses. (More here)

The county officials who created the task force said they have yet to consult the election administrator, praised by former Secretary of State John Scott as the ideal prototype of an elections official. (More here) In the 2022 audit by the State's Forensic Audit Division, Tarrant County was found to administer a quality, transparent election. (Audit Results) 

The Mexican American Legislative Chair Representative Victoria Neave (D-Dallas) delivered the 2023 Latino State of the State Address. Some of the highlights: (Full Video)

• Latinos own nearly 30% of small businesses in Texas

• Highest number of Latino legislators out of any state legislature

• Texans must invest in our people to lighten the burden on families.

• The legislature must change school funding to be based on enrollment not attendance

• Support raising the age to buy an assault rifle to 21

Abbott sent a letter to the President requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the Texas communities impacted by the severe winter storm earlier this month. The counties included: Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Delta, Denton, Falls, Hays, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kendall, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Milam, Red River, Robertson, Shelby, Smith, Travis, and Williamson counties. Should the Governor's request be granted, jurisdictions would be eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance program. (Official Press Release Here)

This grant funding could be used for: debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, and much more.

Legislative Report

Over 3,677 bills have been filed as of 2/22/23.

97 days till Sine Die (Last day of the legislative session)

16 days till bill filing deadline

State Budget

Elections

SB 2 by Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) this legislation would increase the penalty for intentionally voting illegally from a misdemeanor to a state jail felony.

SB 1052 by Senator Springer (R-Muenster) would increase amount a judge or clerk can be paid for work for before the polls open.

HB 2585 by Representative Thierry (D-Houston) would require the voter registrar to automatically register any county resident eligible to vote and enrolled in an institution of higher education.

Education

SB 1055 by Senator Nichols (R-Jacksonville) would add Stephen F. Austin to the University of Texas System.

Natural Resources

Health Care

HB 2587 by Representative Donna Howard (D-Austin) would require the Health and Human Services Commission to assist families with income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.

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Happy Wednesday!!