Key Legislative Moves and Voter Roll Updates in Texas
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Today we cover significant developments in Texas politics. The Texas Legislature is exploring new regulations for artificial intelligence, with a focus on ethical and privacy concerns. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has established a PAC to support Republican candidates in the Texas Senate, aiming to maintain and strengthen the GOP majority. Additionally, Texas has removed over 1.1 million inactive voters from its rolls since 2021, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure accurate voter registration records. Finally, there are reports from several media outlets sharing a “readout” about an all-staff meeting in Speaker Phelan’s office.
Today’s Insights:
- Texas Legislature Explores Artificial Intelligence Oversight
- Dan Patrick Forms PAC to Support GOP in Texas Senate
- 1.1 Million Removed from Voter Registration Rolls Since 2021
- Reported Readout from Speaker Dade Phelan’s All-Staff Meeting
Texas Lawmakers Consider AI Regulation
The Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee recently held a four-hour hearing to examine the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) as it becomes increasingly prevalent in various industries. During the hearing, lawmakers and experts discussed ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and the potential impact of AI on jobs and the economy. The discussion is part of ongoing efforts to assess how Texas might approach AI regulation, aiming to balance technological innovation with public interest protections as the technology continues to develop.
Full testimonies from the Senate Committee provided by USLege:
Matt Lease, PHD, Professor at University of Texas at Austin’s School of Information
Amanda Crawford, Executive Director of the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) and Chief Information Officer for Texas
Tina McLeod, Chief Information Officer at the Officer of the Attorney General
Dan Patrick Forms PAC to Support GOP in Texas Senate
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has launched a new political action committee (PAC) aimed at supporting Republican candidates in the Texas Senate. The PAC will focus on key races in the upcoming 2024 elections, with the goal of maintaining and possibly expanding the GOP majority in the Senate. This effort is part of Patrick’s strategy to ensure the continuation of the Republican agenda in Texas.
We rate only one of the nine contested Senate races on the ballot is competitive: SD27. Republican challenger Adam Hinojosa faces Sen. Morgan LaMantia, who currently has a significant financial advantage over Hinojosa. He may be the new PAC’s primary beneficiary.
1.1 Million Removed from Voter Registration Rolls Since 2021
Since 2021, Texas has removed more than 1.1 million inactive voters from its voter rolls as part of statutorily required ongoing maintenance efforts by the Secretary of State’s office. The process, aimed at ensuring the accuracy of voter registration records, targeted individuals who had not participated in recent elections or confirmed their registration status. This removal affects approximately 7% of the state’s 16.7 million registered voters. About half of the removed voters had died, requested to be removed or moved to another state. About 463,000 were on the ’suspense list’ and had not responded to county requests for information. Another 6,500-7,000 were believed to be noncitizens, and about 6,000 had felony convictions and were thus ineligible to vote.Those identified for removal were notified and given the opportunity to confirm their status before being officially removed. The action complies with federal guidelines designed to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter rolls.
Reported Readout from Speaker Dade Phelan’s All-Staff Meeting
Reporters from several media outlets have shared on Twitter/X what appears to be a “readout" about an all-staff meeting in Speaker Phelan’s office where Mike Toomey was introduced as his new chief of staff. The meeting “sets the stage for [a] new chapter of leadership,” according to the document. Highlighted is Phelan’s “strong focus on school choice and education funding, which close collaboration planned with Governor Abbott, the Texas Senate, House members and Chairman Brad Buckley of the House Public Education Committee.” Other legislative priorities mentioned in the readout included job creation, economic development, reducing the size and scope of government and fiscal conservatism. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has frequently criticized Phelan for killing priority conservative legislation, including school choice. As far as we can tell, neither the Speaker’s office nor campaign has issued a formal press release regarding his legislative priorities.
What to know after Texas authorities searched the homes of Latino campaign volunteers (AP)
Dan Patrick starts Texas Senate leadership political action committee (Texas Tribune)
Colin Allred’s understated campaign strategy draws mixed reviews from fellow Democrats (Texas Tribune)
Fourth Reading: The Toomey of It All (The Texan)
REDACTED #024: A Tale of Two Tickets (The Texan)
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Texas Political Spotlight
In solidarity with the Texas Hill Country, please visit TXBiz News’ page to see ways to support our state through this hardship: Hill Country Flood Relief
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Governor Abbott has called a high-stakes special session packed with issues ranging from flood response to redistricting, abortion, and THC regulation, just weeks after deadly storms swept Central Texas. Meanwhile, Sen. Angela Paxton announced her divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton amidst a heated US Senate GOP primary. Lastly, in Boca Chica, SpaceX’s newest project is drawing attention from environmental advocates worried about its impact on coastal dunes.
Today’s Insights:
- Governor Abbott Officially Sets Special Session Agenda
- Sen. Angela Paxton Announces Divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton Amidst Heated US Senate GOP Primary
- Space X Set To Build Liquid Oxygen Plant in South Texas
Governor Abbott Officially Sets Special Session Agenda
Governor Greg Abbott has called Texas lawmakers back to Austin for a July 21 special session with an 18-item agenda including issues such as natural disaster preparedness, abortion restrictions, THC regulation, and congressional redistricting. The top four items address the catastrophic flooding across Central Texas that left over 100 people dead and more than 160 still missing. Abbott is urging swift action to improve early warning systems and emergency communications, and to provide financial support for flood-impacted areas. “We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future,” the governor said while visiting Kerr County, one of the hardest-hit regions.
While flood response dominates the immediate urgency, the governor's agenda also reopens contentious debates that stalled during the regular session earlier this year. These include efforts to eliminate the STAAR test, limit abortion access, particularly regarding medical abortion, and regulate hemp-derived THC products without imposing a full ban. Abbott’s recent veto of a GOP-led THC ban signaled a more measured approach focused on potency limits potential regulation. At the same time, he is calling for legislation to “further protect unborn children and their mothers,” in what could become another high-profile ideological fight at the Capitol.
Perhaps the most politically consequential item is mid-decade redistricting. Abbott cites constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice, but critics, including Texas Democrats and advocacy groups, argue the effort is designed to redraw key districts in favor of Republicans ahead of the 2026 elections. Civil rights groups have also raised concerns about the inclusion of legislation to “protect women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces,” interpreting it as a revival of what critics referred to as "bathroom bills". With lawmakers convening for up to 30 days, and the possibility of additional sessions, Texans can expect legislative action for a while.
Sen. Angela Paxton Announces Divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton Amidst Heated US Senate GOP Primary
Sen. Angela Paxton announced Thursday she is filing for divorce from her husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton. In her statement, the McKinney Republican said she had “earnestly pursued reconciliation,” but that recent discoveries made continuing the marriage untenable. The couple have long been prominent figures in Texas politics, with Angela Paxton holding the Senate seat her husband once occupied. Ken Paxton attributed the separation to the “pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny.”
The announcement comes as Ken Paxton mounts a high-profile primary challenge against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
Space X Set To Build Liquid Oxygen Plant in South Texas
Cameron County commissioners have approved a construction permit allowing SpaceX to build an air separator facility near the sand dunes of Boca Chica Beach, a decision that has sparked environmental concerns among local residents. The facility—described as a compact industrial plant with 20 structures on 1.66 acres—will separate nitrogen and oxygen from the air to support rocket launches, reducing the need for over 200 truck deliveries per launch from Brownsville. Although SpaceX agreed to mitigation measures and shifting construction further inland to minimize dune disruption, critics remain skeptical, citing limited public input and concerns over the project's impact on vegetation and wildlife. The permit requires SpaceX to restore or replace any damaged dunes, with enforcement authority resting with the Texas General Land Office.
“I think that it’s clearly true today how the government of Cameron County is kind of falling over to please SpaceX”
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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TXElects Election Updates
We bring you latest candidate filings, campaign finance information and more for all candidates running for statewide, legislative and congressional offices.
Senate Race In Monday’s Austin press conference on the 2-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, Democrat Colin Allred included his wife Alexandra Eber as a featured speaker on abortion issues. Eber discussed challenges faced by pregnant women and said that “Politicians in Texas, like Ted Cruz, have done the unthinkable, which is to make it ever harder for women in those unthinkable moments.”
The Texas Politics Project’s June polling found that 45% of Texans believe abortion laws should be less strict, with 23% preferring no change, and 20% preferring stricter abortion laws.
Cruz leads Allred 45% to 34%, according to the Texas Politics Project’s June poll. Allred leads Cruz among Hispanic voters, 38% to 34%, while Cruz led 18-29 year olds 32% to 30%.
Speaker Race The Republican Party of Texas listed “No Democrat Chairs” as its fourth highest legislative priority in its recently released 2024 platform. Last regular session, Speaker Dade Phelan appointed 9 of the 37 House committee chairmanships to Democrats. Phelan defeated challenger David Covey by 366 votes in the runoff primary election and currently faces two challengers for the speakership: Rep. Shelby Slawson and Rep. Tom Oliverson.
Dade Phelan spending Speaker Dade Phelan made $5M in contributions to Texas House 2024 primary candidates and PACs. His largest 20 expenditures were:
Explore our databases and analysis tools for more election insights.
TXElects Election Updates
We bring you the latest candidate filings, campaign finance information and more for all candidates running for statewide, legislative and congressional offices.
Texas campaign spending
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC contributed at least $10M in total to Texas Legislature primary and runoff races. The top 20 expenditures were:
Texans United for a Conservative Majority contributed at least $7.7M in total to Texas Legislature primary and runoff races. The top 20 expenditures were:
Gov. Greg Abbott spent nearly contributed almost $9M in total to Texas Legislature primary and runoff races. The top 20 expenditures were:
Senate Race
UT Tyler’s June 11-20 Texas Registered Voter Survey shows Sen. Ted Cruz leading Democrat challenger Colin Allred 43% to 39%. Respondents listed securing the border as the most important policy issue facing Texas, followed by inflation and reproductive rights.
HD 70
In a Dallas WFAA Inside Texas Politics interview, incumbent Democrat Rep. Mihaela Plesa responded to claims that her district is one of the likeliest to flip. “We do the work, they said that last cycle and we were out-funded 4 to 1 … and we won.” The interview also covers school choice, the Speaker race, IVF, grid infrastructure, and other issues.
Biden debate performance
The Texas Tribune reported on down-ballot discussions following President Biden’s debate performance last Thursday. Former Republican Congresswoman Mayra Flores, currently challenging incumbent Democratic Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, wrote in a text message that “Gonzalez has supported Joe Biden every step of the way … Now is not the time for feeble leadership from Biden or blind yes men like Gonzalez.”
Democratic State Rep. Ron Reynolds of Missouri City wrote on Instagram that he was “very disturbed” by the debate and supported the nomination of VP Kamala Harris in place of President Biden. Democratic Congressman Marc Veasey took an alternate stance, encouraging members to not “say anything that they will regret later before everybody’s had a chance to just kind of chill a little bit.”
Explore our databases and analysis tools for more election insights.
