Two Texas chapters of the Center on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have initiated legal action against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, challenges Abbott’s designation of CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization and subsequent ban on the group owning land within the state. The suit alleges violations of CAIR’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association, along with due process violations under the Fourteenth Amendment. CAIR’s legal challenge also highlights Abbott’s direction to investigate the organization, as well as claims made by the Governor that CAIR is a “front group” for Hamas and a direct subsidiary of the Muslim Brotherhood.
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After a public records request for communications between Governor Greg Abbott’s office and Elon Musk’s companies, Texas officials released nearly 1,400 pages, with the vast majority heavily redacted. The documents, requested by The Texas Newsroom, yielded little information about Musk’s influence, with most pages blacked out, citing concerns like trade secrets and private exchanges. Open government experts highlight this as a symptom of a larger transparency problem in Texas, stemming from court decisions and legislation that have weakened public records laws, making it harder to access information about interactions between government and private entities. The Texas Newsroom is seeking reconsideration of the decision to release heavily redacted information, as the ability to challenge these rulings has become increasingly difficult.
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A panel of federal judges has blocked Texas from using its newly drawn congressional map, ordering the state to revert to its previous map from 2021. The ruling, signed by Judge Jeffrey Brown, cited evidence of racial gerrymandering in the new map, which was drawn by Republicans. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced an appeal to the Supreme Court, setting up a major legal battle that could impact control of the House of Representatives. This decision, which favors the NAACP and other voting rights advocates, comes as candidate filing periods for the upcoming election are underway.
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Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to gut public school funding, coupled with the redirection of state money towards private schools, paints a concerning picture for the future of education in Texas. It’s a move that seems designed to dismantle a system that is already struggling, potentially setting the stage for a dramatic shift in how children are educated and what opportunities are available to them.
The crux of the issue lies in the financial implications. Abbott’s proposal to slash property taxes, while seemingly beneficial on the surface, directly impacts the primary funding source for public schools. This creates a situation where schools are starved of resources, potentially leading to teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and a decline in educational quality.… Continue reading
Texas Governor Greg Abbott posted on X that he would impose a 100% tariff on New Yorkers moving to Texas if Democrat Zohran Mamdani, the frontrunner, is elected mayor. This statement was made on the eve of the New York City mayoral election and appears to be a response to concerns about New Yorkers leaving the city. Legally, such a tariff would be unconstitutional because states cannot impose tariffs on other states, and the right to travel and become a resident of another state is protected. The post garnered reactions ranging from criticism, acceptance, and uncertainty over whether it was a joke.
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The Texas Comptroller’s office has paused the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program, which aimed to support businesses owned by women, minorities, and disabled veterans seeking state contracts. The office stated the program is undergoing review to ensure it complies with Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This action has led to the removal of program information and a halt to new certifications. Despite the pause, ending the program altogether would require legislative action or a court ruling. The HUB program, established by state law, seeks to create opportunities for smaller, disadvantaged businesses to secure state contracts, though it does not mandate specific quotas.
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In response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s order to remove Pride crosswalks, the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas is painting its steps in rainbow colors. Church leaders state that this act of defiance is a visible witness to the gospel and a symbol of solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community. This decision comes after Abbott directed the removal of rainbow crosswalks across the state, citing concerns about political agendas on Texas roadways. Local residents and city council members have condemned the governor’s actions, emphasizing the rainbow’s significance as a symbol of inclusion and diversity, and protesting the removal.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced plans to target university professors accused of promoting “leftist ideologies,” signaling a shift towards increased scrutiny of educational content. This move follows an audit of courses within the University of Texas System focusing on transgender and identity-related topics. Furthermore, these actions are taking place against a backdrop of incidents where educators have faced repercussions for discussing gender and sexual orientation. While the state currently lacks specific legislation prohibiting such discussions at the university level, there is a “Don’t Say Gay” law in place for grades K-12, causing trans and nonbinary students in Texas to report increased intolerance and harassment.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressed individuals mocking Charlie Kirk’s death, sharing a video of a student’s arrest for celebrating the news. Abbott, along with other Texas lawmakers, condemned the student’s actions and thanked Texas Tech University for their response. The student involved in the incident is no longer enrolled at the university. This comes after the tragic death of Charlie Kirk who was fatally shot at Utah Valley University.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott immediately calls second special session for redistricting. So, here we are again, talking about Texas and its ongoing dance with political maneuvering. As the dust barely settles from the first special session, Governor Greg Abbott has swiftly announced a second one focused squarely on redistricting. This isn’t exactly a surprise, is it? It seems like every time Texas Democrats try to make a move, the political landscape shifts beneath their feet. The fact that the Democrats might be heading back to the state in some capacity now means the pressure is on.
The central question, of course, is why?… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood