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This week we saw the first round of joint budget hearings take place between staff from the Texas Legislative Budget Board and various state agencies, serving as a crucial step in the broader state budget process. We received the long-awaited election audit reports from the Texas Secretary of State from the 2021-22 election cycle, confirming huge issues for Texas’ most populous county, and we recently saw the U.S. Supreme Court halt the Biden Administration’s expanded Title IX Rule.
Political narratives are beginning to take shape ahead of the upcoming 89th Legislative Session. All of that and more in this week’s newsletter.
For Liberty, For Texas
Jeramy D. Kitchen
President, Texas Policy Research
Featured
Texas Abortion Trends: A Post-Dobbs Overview
In our most recent data project, we dig into the data surrounding abortion in Texas. Recently, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) revealed that there have been virtually no elective abortions performed in Texas this year (2024). This significant development comes in the wake of both the Texas Heartbeat Act and the Dobbs Decision by the United States Supreme Court. Both have aided in curbing abortion rates and protecting fetal life from the moment a heartbeat is detected.
Other Recent Content
Texas Purges Over One Million Ineligible Voters: A Major Step in Election Integrity
- Texas has removed over one million ineligible voters from its voter rolls, which is seen as a significant move toward enhancing election integrity in the state.
- The state’s efforts are part of ongoing measures to ensure that only eligible voters are able to participate in elections, addressing concerns about potential voter fraud and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Harris County’s Latest Approach to Guaranteed Income Amid Legal Scrutiny
- Harris County has introduced a new guaranteed income program, which has come under legal scrutiny due to concerns about its implementation and alignment with state laws.
- The program aims to provide financial support to low-income residents, but its legal challenges raise questions about the sustainability and legality of such initiatives at the county level.
Decision on Geofence Warrants: A Critical Blow to Mass Surveillance
- A recent court decision against geofence warrants is considered a significant setback to mass surveillance practices, as it challenges the legality of using broad, location-based data to identify suspects.
- The ruling underscores the importance of protecting individual privacy rights and limiting government overreach in digital surveillance methods.
Texas SCOPE Act: Legal Battle Brewing Over Protecting Minors and Digital Rights
- The Texas SCOPE Act, aimed at protecting minors online by implementing stricter age verification and content restrictions, is facing legal challenges that question its implications for digital rights and free speech.
- The legal battle highlights the tension between safeguarding children from harmful content and preserving the privacy and digital rights of internet users, with potential national implications depending on the outcome.
Legislative Countdowns
2024 General Election: 66 Days
Prefiling Legislation Begins: 72 Days
89th Legislative Session Begins: 136 Days
Bill Filing Deadline: 195 Days
89th Legislative Session Ends: 275 Days
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