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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