Texas Political Spotlight
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Attorney General Ken Paxton and GOP Chairman Abraham George are on a Texas tour rallying support for David Cook as Speaker of the House. Meanwhile, Southern Methodist University is preparing to welcome its new president, Jay Hartzell, who is transitioning from UT Austin. Across the state, Texans are bracing for our annual arctic blast, with ERCOT assuring the public that the power supply will remain stable despite the cold. Finally, Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jimmy Blacklock as Chief Justice and James P. Sullivan as Justice, Place 2, on the Supreme Court of Texas, with their terms set to expire in 2026
Today’s Insights:
- Ken Paxton Hits the Road to Share His Stance on the Speaker Race
- Goodbye Longhorns, Hello Mustangs
- Cold Temperatures, Confident ERCOT
Ken Paxton Hits the Road to Share His Stance on the Speaker Race
On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas GOP Chairman Abraham George launched a statewide tour to publicly support Representative David Cook for Speaker of the House. At a rally in Fort Worth, Paxton and George argued that Cook, who secured support from the House GOP Caucus, should be Speaker over Representative Dustin Burrows. Paxton emphasized that grassroots Republicans want conservatives leading the House, rather than moderate Republicans working with Democrats to choose the Speaker. He criticized the practice of a Speaker being chosen with Democratic votes, claiming it hindered Republican priorities for the past 16 years.
"If the Speakership is controlled by a block of Democratic votes, which it has been since Joe Straus, it prevents Republicans who are elected to get certain things done, from getting their priorities done. That's been happening for the past 16 years and I think this is the first time we've really had the chance to expose that."
- Attorney General Ken Paxton
Paxton and George also called for Republicans to hold all committee chair positions, ending the tradition of including both parties in leadership roles. They urged veteran Republican Representatives Charlie Geren, Giovanni Capriglione, and newcomer John McQueeney to support Cook. Paxton and George made it clear that they aim to challenge any Republican supporting Burrows in future primaries. Paxton stated:
“We need to go after every one of those guys that tells us that they're Republican, but they don't stand up and vote for a Republican speaker”
The full Texas House will vote for Speaker on January 14, with 76 votes needed to win.
Goodbye Longhorns, Hello Mustangs
Jay Hartzell, president of the University of Texas at Austin since 2020, will step down to become the next president of Southern Methodist University in Dallas beginning on June 1st. SMU’s Board of Trustees unanimously selected Hartzell for the role, citing his strong leadership and academic achievements. During his tenure at UT-Austin, Hartzell guided the university through significant growth, including increased academic selectivity, higher graduation rates, and a $1 billion fundraising milestone to support students. His leadership also required navigating high-profile political and cultural tensions that brought national attention to the university, shaping its trajectory during a transformative period. During his tenure, UT-Austin also transition to the Southeastern Conference.
At SMU, Hartzell aims to build on the university’s current momentum, including its successes in academics, athletics, and fundraising. SMU’s leadership highlighted his extensive experience and vision as key to advancing the private university’s goals in a thriving city like Dallas. Hartzell’s move marks a major leadership change in Texas higher education and leaves an open position at UT-Austin. The UT System Board of Regents plans to address the transition in February, with discussions on interim leadership and next steps for the flagship institution.
SMU’s stellar – and rising – national reputation, decades of extraordinary internal and external leadership, strong board of trustees, accomplished alumni, and impressively strong and diverse students and faculty made this an opportunity that Kara and I could not pass up. I look forward to building upon the University’s remarkable momentum and leading SMU into its next era.”
- Jay Hartzell
Cold Temperatures, Confident ERCOT
An arctic blast hit Texas on Monday, plunging temperatures into the low 20s in some areas, but the Electric Reliability Council of Texas has assured residents that power disruptions are not expected this week. Meteorologists predict snow and ice later this week, with North Texas potentially seeing 1 to 5 inches of snow, while Central Texas will likely experience icy conditions. Despite the weather watch issued by ERCOT, the state’s energy reserves remain well above the threshold for emergency measures, ensuring a stable grid.
The National Weather Service cautioned Texans about icy roads, especially from Thursday to Friday, and urged preparedness. The Texas Division of Emergency Management recommended stocking up on groceries, checking on neighbors, and protecting pipes and plants. A polar vortex, which caused the imfamous 2021 Winter Storm Uri, is the source of this cold snap, and although conditions are expected to be frigid, ERCOT remains confident in the state's grid capacity.
Stay up to date with ERCOT metrics here: Grid and Market Conditions
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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TXBIZNEWS
Scotiabank Commits $60M to Expand Dallas Operations Description
On September 2, Governor Greg Abbott announced that Scotiabank will establish a major regional office in Dallas with a $60 million investment, creating over 1,020 new jobs, as detailed in a press release.
The Details:
- The project will develop a 100,000-square-foot hub in Dallas’s Victory Park neighborhood.
- Scotiabank CEO Travis Machen said, “This marks a significant investment in our U.S. operations, reinforcing our presence in Texas since the 1960s.”
- The office will prioritize local hiring, with at least 25% of jobs reserved for Dallas residents, and offer internships with Dallas College and other local institutions.
- Operations are expected to begin by late 2026, pending final approvals.
Why It Matters:
This investment bolsters Dallas’s status as a financial hub and supports Texas’s economic growth amid rising demand for financial services.
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TXBIZNEWS
On September 4, Toyota announced a $531 million investment to expand its manufacturing facility in San Antonio, underscoring its ongoing commitment to the region, as detailed in a press release.
The Details:
- The investment will add a 500,000-square-foot facility dedicated to drivetrain parts production, creating over 400 new jobs and enhancing production for the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia.
- The project builds on Toyota’s 20-year legacy in San Antonio, where it already assembles trucks and SUVs, and follows a $6.5 million grant to East Central ISD for STEM education.
- Rep. John Lujan said, “This expansion underscores Bexar County’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing.”
- Toyota Texas aims to start production by mid-2026, reinforcing its role in the U.S. manufacturing supply chain.
- The move aligns with Toyota’s $531 million investment announced in June 2024, reflecting a continued focus on local growth.
Why It Matters:
This investment strengthens San Antonio’s manufacturing sector and supports Texas’s economic leadership in advanced industries.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
TXBIZNEWS
New Report: 60% of Small Businesses Use AI, Eye Cryptocurrency
On August 18, 2025, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce published the fourth edition of Empowering Small Business: The Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business found that nearly 60% of small businesses use AI.
The Details:
- The report shows 58% of small businesses use generative AI, up from 40% in 2024 and double 2023’s rate, with 96% planning to adopt emerging technologies like AI and cryptocurrencies.
- 77% of AI-using businesses say limits on the technology would hurt growth and operations, while 82% reported workforce increases last year.
- Jordan Crenshaw, Senior Vice President of the Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center, said, “A fragmented regulatory landscape will significantly hinder their ability to compete… policymakers need a single national framework.”
- Hrag Kalebjian of Henry’s House of Coffee noted, “AI has been a game-changer… streamlining tasks like product descriptions and marketing emails.”
- The study also found 70% of small business owners are interested in cryptocurrency and stablecoins.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
