Welcome back, friends
In today’s update, Texas farmers face uncertainty after the expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill, prompting calls for new legislation and disaster assistance. Additionally, Texas files a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the platform of violating state privacy laws by mishandling minors’ personal data. Both stories reflect ongoing challenges in policy and regulation affecting key sectors in Texas.
Today’s Insights:
- Texas Sues TikTok Over Minor Data Privacy
- Congress’s Farm Bill Inaction Raises Concerns
Texas Sues TikTok Over Minor Data Privacy
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the platform violated the state’s Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act. The lawsuit claims TikTok unlawfully collected and shared minors’ personal information without parental consent, violating state privacy laws. Under the SCOPE Act, companies must provide parents with tools to control their children's data, a requirement TikTok allegedly failed to meet. The state is seeking civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation and demanding stricter compliance measures to ensure better protection of minors’ online privacy in the future.
Congress’s Farm Bill Inaction Raises Concerns
The expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill has left Texas farmers and ranchers without updated federal support, leading to calls for swift legislative action. The Texas Farm Bureau has highlighted the importance of passing a new bill that includes updated disaster relief and commodity programs to address inflationary pressures and natural disasters affecting the agricultural sector. Uncertainty surrounding federal aid impacts both producers and consumers, with potential risks to food security. Farmers are also advocating for short-term assistance while awaiting comprehensive legislative solutions.
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#43 - Wes Benedict: Bridging Policy and Community with Texans for Reasonable Solutions
Welcome to Episode #43 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Wes Benedict, Grassroots Manager at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.
Wes brings years of advocacy experience and a steady, practical approach to community engagement. The conversation explores how Texas communities can navigate political tension, build cross-partisan coalitions, and create space for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.
They dive into the organization’s focus on key statewide issues including housing, infrastructure, water, and the evolving relationship between local and state governments. Wes breaks down why these policies matter for both everyday Texans and the business community, and how reasonable, bipartisan solutions can move conversations forward.
The episode closes with insights on how individuals can get involved, what success looks like in grassroots policy work, and what Texans should be watching as the special session unfolds.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Bills & Business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more deep dives into Texas policy and business news.
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Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends,
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at 84, remembered by former President George W. Bush as a “patriot” whose intellect and conviction shaped decades of U.S. policy. In Texas, the Education Agency announced a sweeping takeover of Fort Worth ISD, the state’s second-largest intervention, citing years of academic underperformance and plans to install new local managers. And in Washington, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a bomb threat, prompting an FBI investigation that later found no explosives, allowing operations to resume safely.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
