"Quick question -- what part of Texas do you represent?"
And do you like countywide voting? It's on the chopping block.
I have to begin with today’s House State Affairs hearing on HB 274: Relating to the establishment of the District of Austin as the seat of state government, authored by Briscoe Cain (R-My Nightmares) because it’s hilarious.
First, here’s the situation: Republicans hate having to work in Austin. They complain that it has too much crime, too much visible homelessness, too many addicts, and they hate the city’s elected leaders, accusing them of defunding the police, which did not happen. They can keep saying it, but it didn’t happen.
I know this all too well because I handled social media for former Austin Mayor Steve Adler for his final two years in office, when social media was really starting to shift to being overrun by crypto bros and Joe Rogan listeners. The barrage of hatred for the mayor and for the city, was pretty intense. All that said, crime continues to decrease and Austin continues to elect Democratic officials because that’s what Austin voters want.
Briscoe’s bill would take away control of the city from elected officials, turning power of the city over to the Texas legislature, which one presumes would turn Austin into a police state without local representation. All because for Republicans, jailing the homeless and addicts is the best solution they’ve got. Cain’s reference for this bill is that it was something done in Mississippi.
Here you can watch Briscoe Cain lay out the bill, lying about defunding the police and whatnot:
And here you can watch a couple of reps on the committee struggle with the bill:
For the kill, you have Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas), and it’s akin to stuffing Cain in a locker:
I honestly think this bill received a hearing just to punish Briscoe Cain for being a huge dweeb.
Stumbled upon this lady again this morning, testifying for HB 267, another attempt at censorship in schools. I’ve featured her before. She’s through and through Qanon.
I went searching for her whole deal and this is her pinned, public Facebook post. You have to really be unhinged to get on the even wronger side of the John Birch Society.
There was a fair amount of shock this week that Rep. Pat Curry (R-Waco) filed a bill to dismantle the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. No one knew why and he hasn’t spoken about it. But Chron tracked down more info:
Outdoor Life suggested Curry, a deer breeder, seeks to eliminate TPWD's role in regulating deer breeding, noting a separate bill he recently filed to abolish the Texas Animal Health Commission, which also oversees captive deer herd depopulations. Curry also filed, HB 3607, which would eliminate certain provisions around permits, remove some existing regulations, and reduce penalties for most breeder violations.
In recent years, TPWD has ramped up regulations on deer breeding to monitor and contain the spread of chronic wasting disease, a deadly neurological disease that threatens both wild and captive deer herds. In an interview with KWTX, Curry said he filed the bill because he doesn't agree with the department's handling of CWD and claimed he had attempted to work with their commission on a solution with no luck. "If you have a deer breeder over here that might have a problem and every ranch within five miles of it is restricted because of that one guy, that's stomping on landowner rights," he told the outlet."
So, just a personal vendetta, really. Got it.
Some bangers on deck for Thursday.
Senate State Affairs 9 a.m.:
SB 16 Hughes | et al.
Relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote; creating criminal offenses.
SB 76 Hall
Relating to elimination of the countywide polling place program.
SJR 37 Birdwell
Proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.
And a ton of other Big Lie, election-related bills. I just want to emphasize that old Bob Hall (omg he is SO OLD) is trying to eliminate countywide voting, which allows you and me to vote anywhere we want in our county. On our way to work, on our way to drop kids off at school, etc. It makes voting a little more convenient and it’s a popular initiative. It works. It makes no sense to kill it unless you’re Bob Hall and you’re very old and convenience really chaps your hide. (No, it’s to make voting just a little harder, I know.)
Senate Education committee 9 a.m.:
SB 37 Creighton
Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, the powers and duties of a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment of the Office of Excellence in Higher Education.
This, and other bills in this hearing, will address more policing of education, this time in colleges. Read more here.
Three. Good. Things.
Knee braces, for when you wake up and your knee don’t work.
My new star jasmine is starting to bloom right outside my office window.
I got an actual check in the mail today. I haven’t handled a check in, I dunno, years?