Abbott Will Seek Legislative Ban On Men In Women's Collegiate Sports

[#TexasPolitics365]

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, pledged last week in Dallas to support legislation prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in women's college sports.

Abbott discussed the plan last Saturday at a Young America's Foundation gathering, revealing that the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature would move in this session to clamp down on the issue.

"In Texas last session, we passed a law prohibiting biological men from competing in women's sports in the education level from high school down," Abbott said. "This next session, we will pass a law prohibiting biological men to compete against women in college sports.

(Full story HERE.)
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Ag Commish Miller Warns Biden Admin. not to Politicize School Lunch Program

[#TexasPolitics365]

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is warning the Biden administration to avoid tying national school meal programs to any political agenda that would impact the feeding and nourishment of Texas children. Miller said he is “prepared to take the appropriate measures to prevent the politicization of feeding Texas school children.”

Media reports have stated that the Biden Administration may withhold federal funds for school meals from school districts that do not conform to federal policy regarding gender identity, use of girls’ restrooms and locker rooms by biological males and allowing biological males to compete in female sports and athletics.

(Full story HERE.)
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House Passes Bill Aimed At protecting Girl Teen Athletes

[#TexasPolitics365]

 

The Texas House has passed a bill requiring public school athletes to play on teams corresponding with their biological sex at or near birth.

The debate on House Bill 25 went on for several hours Thursday but came to an end with a 76-54 vote. The bill will now move to the Texas Senate, where it's expected to pass. 

HB 25 lets girls play on boys' teams if a girls' team is not offered or available.

“Biological males, in addition to having much higher testosterone levels, have many other physiological advantages that girls just cannot overcome,” said Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Spring), one of the bill’s authors. 

(Full story here.)
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Deputy AG Tweets Gymnast Was "Selfish" To Quit Olympic Team

[#TexasPolitics365]

One day after withdrawing from the team competition, Houston’s Simone Biles announced that she would not be competing in the individual all-around final.

While millions of people have expressed their support of her strength and decision to be open and honest about the importance of mental health, one Texas elected official had a different opinion.

In a now-deleted tweet, Aaron Reitz, the Texas Deputy Attorney General called the accomplished gymnast a “selfish, childish national embarrassment.”

His comments were denounced by the Attorney general's office. 

It's unclear whether the controversial statements will affect the future political ambitions of Reitz, who is rumored to be contemplating a run for state senate.

(Full story here.)
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Governor Calls July 8th Special Secsion

[#TexasPolitics365]

Late Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott called a special session of the State Legislature for July 8th.

The call was brief, and did not elaborate on what pieces of legislation or subject matter would be taken up in the section. While that will be announced later, it is widely expected that election law reform and banning the teaching of the racially divisive Critical Race Theory in schools will be at the top of the agenda.

Other subjects are likely to include Banning transexuals who were born male from competing in women's sports, and property tax reform which may include reducing property tax rates or preventing local governments from increasing property taxes as a way of funding local projects, without taxpayer consent.

While legislators billed this recent session as one of the most conservative and active in State history, conservative activists were upset with the failure of the state House of Representatives in particular to move forward on these pieces of legislation, especially election law reform/election integrity.

As busy as this session is likely to be, legislators say another session is on the way for September or October of this year to deal with redistricting. 

As this blog reported in January, the Census, which takes place every 10 years after a US Census takes place, was late reporting its data this year, due to Covid-19. Results are usually sent out to states in January or February of the year following a census.

(Full story here.)
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Near Unanimous Support In #Texas Senate For National Anthem Bill

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Democrats in the Texas Senate overwhelmingly crossed the aisle on Thursday to vote in favor of the “Star Spangled Banner Protection Act,” a conservative-backed bill that would require any professional sports teams with contracts with the state government to play the national anthem before the start of a game.

Ten of the 13 Senate Democrats joined all 18 Republicans in supporting the bill. Just Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, of Austin, and Sen. Nathan Johnson, of Dallas, opposed it, while Democratic Sen. José Menéndez was absent from the chamber Thursday. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called the 28-2 vote in favor of the bill “one of the more surprising votes” in his career. 

(Full story here.)
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#Abbott Refuses To Throw Out First Rangers Pitch Over Atlanta #MLB Pull-Out

[#TexasPolitics365]

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declined the Texas Rangers’ offer for him to throw out the first pitch on opening day over the league’s decision to pull the All-Star Game from Georgia.

The Rangers are set to play their home opener on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The team offered Abbott the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, which he participated in two years ago and did so virtually last year.

(Full story here.)

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Bill Seeks To Give College Athletes Financial Control Of Their Names And Likeness

[#TexasPolitics365] 

Texas legislators are joining the national push to enact laws giving college athletes rights to cash in on their name, image and likeness just in case the NCAA fails to move forward, reports Hookem.com.

House Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) has filed legislation for the upcoming session that would allow athletes at Texas, Texas A&M and any other institution in the state to work with an agent and sign legal contracts.

Legislators in California and Michigan are already advancing similar bills. 

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