Texas Rural News Clips 1.22.24
#TXLEGE
Ken Paxton says he’ll accept judgment, won’t contest facts in whistleblower case
Attorney General Ken Paxton sought Thursday to end the long-running whistleblower lawsuit against him — and avoid sitting for a deposition — by saying he would no longer contest the facts of the case and was prepared to accept any judgment. The move came after he appeared to exhaust his options to reverse a Travis County judge’s order that he and three top aides answer questions under oath by Feb. 9. The all-GOP Texas Supreme Court ruled against Paxton on that issue last week.
Quorum Report: National school voucher supporter wrote Abbott a $6 million check
Jeff Yass, who's put a focus on "school choice," contributed $6 million to Abbott on Dec.18, per the governor's report. Abbott's campaign brags that it is the "largest single donation in Texas history," surpassing the DTL contribution of $3 million to Patrick last year.
ELECTION 2024
DECEMBER UT/TEXAS POLITICS PROJECT POLL: AFTER LONG LEGISLATIVE SESSION, TEXAS VOTERS HAVE NOT-SO-GREAT EXPECTATIONS
After a bruising 2023 legislative session extended by four special sessions, Texas voters continue to convey little confidence in legislative efforts to address key problems in the state such as the reliability of the grid, public school safety, and improved border security, according to a University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll conducted in early December. When asked about their support for key legislative priorities during the session, the issues deemed most important by the largest shares of voters were areas in which the legislature either failed to pass significant legislation or achieved mixed results. After 140 days and 4 special sessions, no more than 29% of Texas voters said that they were either “extremely” or “very” confident that the legislature “reduced property taxes enough to make a difference to most Texans” (29%), improved the safety of Texas public schools (26%), improved security among the Texas-Mexico border (26%), or increased the reliability of the state’s electric grid (23%) or the state’s water supply (22%). These expectations are only marginally improved since these questions were asked of voters at the end of the regular session in June.
Money flows into Texas House GOP primary battles this season
Money is flowing in from both allies and enemies of Texas House Republicans that could fuel a brutal primary season, campaign finance reports filed this week show. Earlier this week, elected officials, candidates and political action committees had to reveal their finances for the past six months. For some of them, it was the first time they had to disclose anything since July. A lot of new political grudges have formed over that period. The Senate acquitted Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial in September, and Gov. Greg Abbott’s yearlong crusade for school vouchers crashed and burned in November. Now Paxton and Abbott are on a warpath in the primary, determined to unseat House Republicans who crossed them.
RURAL VOICES ESSENTIAL TO DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
Across the country, lawmakers are gathering in their respective state capitols and Washington, D.C. to begin another year of debating and passing legislation. The democratic process is something America prides itself on and one that requires input from citizens to thrive. While the process for public input varies by state, there is one commonality that exists—lawmakers need to hear directly from their constituents on issues that are important to them.
Ted Cruz endorses Donald Trump for president
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, endorsed Donald Trump to be the Republican presidential nominee Tuesday evening after facing pressure from the former president to back his reelection campaign. Cruz announced his endorsement during an appearance on Fox News with host Sean Hannity a day after Trump easily won the Iowa caucuses that kicked off the 2024 presidential race.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Apply by Jan. 26, 2024 for Funding to Enhance Land Stewardship Efforts in Texas
NRCS is reminding agricultural producers and forestry landowners and land managers to submit applications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) county office by Jan. 26, 2024, for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP Classic and CSP-Inflation Reduction Act [IRA]). NRCS accepts applications year-round, but any applications received after Jan. 26, 2024, will be considered for future CSP application sign ups.
These 7 Texas ranches up for sale cost more than $20M
As the demand for rural Texas properties soared over the last several years, it's become increasingly common to see high-priced ranches come onto the real estate market. Some are likely to be snapped up by developers to build housing in around the state's growing cities, while others have agricultural operations, vineyards, or are put into conservation easements. Below are seven big ranches currently up for sale across the state, starting with the newest to the market.
Uvalde Newspaper Publisher Urges Community Journalists to Pay More Attention Before Tragedies Strike
We and communities like Uvalde are seldom singled out. Community journalism is not at the top of everybody’s list. I guess it seems mundane to people in larger areas. They don’t think that small towns have much going on. But it is that commitment that we’ve made to our communities to record their history with accuracy and dignity that actually prepares us for something like a mass school-shooting.
“The most hated people in Gunter”: How the government of this North Texas town broke apart
A railroad has, in the literal sense, always divided Gunter. The St. Louis, San Francisco and Texas Railway was built in 1902 through land donated by rancher Jonathan "Jot" Gunter for the North Texas city that now bears his name. The track passes less than 100 yards from City Hall — the frequent din of rumbling freight cars sometimes requiring a pause of city business. More than a century after the first locomotive passed through, political acrimony has torn the city apart. And the railroad is to blame.
Analysis: Rural Families Need Broadband Subsidy Program More but Use It Less
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission announced plans to wind-down the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers a $30 monthly subsidy for internet service to qualifying households, and up to $75 per month for households on Tribal lands and high-cost rural areas. The program began in 2022 as a follow-up to the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) – which was set up to help households struggling to afford internet during Covid-19.
The Mother of Texas State Parks
Melissa Chadwick is the keeper of Mother Neff State Park—a park that started as a family farm and retreat, and became the foundation for the state’s hundred-year-old parks system.
To celebrate one hundred years of Texas State Parks, Texas Country Reporter has been highlighting fascinating characters and feel-good stories set in state parks across Texas. The latest dispatch comes from Mother Neff State Park, often considered the mother of all state parks. Watch to learn more about the unique history of this park.
HEALTH
Texas A&M Health Launches Rural Engagement Program
The Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) is stepping up its support for rural health care in Texas by launching the Rural Engagement Program. This new initiative combines efforts from the Texas A&M schools of medicine and nursing and the Rural and Community Health Institute to expand the health care workforce and bolster the viability of health care organizations to better serve rural Texans.
Hit First and the Worst: Inflation continues to impact rural residents and their healthcare
Inflation continues to take a toll on rural residents. Not only have grocery bills increased, but medical costs are also soaring, which is why many are calling for improvements to rural health care. Texas State Director of Americans for Prosperity, Genevieve Collins spoke with RFD-TV’s own Suzanne Alexander on the issues impacting residents and how lack of availability is costing them.