Interim Charges, Marijuana Legalization and New Speaker Bid

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Endorses Mitch Little in Texas House District 65 Race

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has endorsed Mitch Little, a Republican candidate for Texas House District 65, in the upcoming general election in this competitive district that we have rated as likely Republican. Patrick praised Little as a strong conservative who upholds values such as freedom, family, and traditional Texas principles. This is Patrick's first endorsement for the general election.

New Poll Shows Trump Leading Harris by 5 Points in Texas

A recent analysis by Jim Henson and Joshua Blank at the University of Texas Austin highlights key dynamics shaping Texas public opinion ahead of the anticipated Trump-Harris presidential debate. Polling shows former President Trump maintaining a lead in Texas, with 49% support compared to 44% for Vice President Kamala Harris in a head-to-head match-up, based on an August 2024 University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll. The race mirrors past election trends, with Trump holding a smaller margin than his 2016 and 2020 victories. Harris has shown improvement in polling over President Biden's earlier performance, likely boosted by increased enthusiasm among Democrats. However, while Harris remains less defined among Texas voters, Trump’s popularity appears solidified, and he enjoys stronger trust on key issues like the economy, immigration, and inflation. The stakes are particularly high for Harris, who will seek to capitalize on her momentum and potentially sway undecided voters, especially independents, where she has made recent gains.

Texas House Candidate Sally Duval Releases Campaign Ad Advocating for Marijuana Legalization

Texas House candidate for House District 73, Sally Duval released a provocative campaign advertisement in which she is seen smoking marijuana, advocating for more clear regulation of cannabis. Duval, a reform candidate running on a platform of change, argues that Texans should have access to safe, tested marijuana products, positioning herself as a bold reform candidate. We have this district rated as Safe Republican, so she faces an uphill battle in unseating Rep. Carrie Isaac.

Rep. James Frank Announces Bid for Texas House Speaker, Fourth Challenger to Dade Phelan

State Representative James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) has officially entered the race for Texas House Speaker, joining three other Republican challengers aiming to unseat current Speaker Dade Phelan. Frank, known for his work on healthcare and family services, adds further complexity to the leadership struggle within the Texas House.

Texas House Committee Zoom Meeting Hacked During Security Hearing on Foreign Threats

During a Texas House committee meeting on securing the state from "hostile foreign organizations," a Zoom session was apparently hacked, displaying unauthorized content that seemed to be Russian Propaganda. This interruption derailed the meeting, forcing the legislators to shut down the stream. The committee recorded on-site audio of the remainder of the hearing.

New Interim Legislative Charges Announced by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for 2024

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released additional interim legislative charges for Texas Senate committees. https://Click here to view interim charges.

The charges are:

Business and Commerce Committee

• Non-Compete Agreements

Criminal Justice Committee

• Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault

• Retail Theft

• Financial Crimes

Education Committee

• Improving K12-College Pathways

• Monitoring:

Finance Committee

• School Enrollment Trends

• Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program

Health and Human Services Committee

• Protecting Vulnerable Texans in Emergencies

Higher Education Subcommittee

• Stopping DEI to Strengthen the Texas Workforce

• Core Curriculum Course Accessibility

State Affairs Committee

• Impeachment Reform

• Runoff Elections

• Lottery

• Unmasking Protestors

• Stop Noncitizen Voting

• Beverages with THC

• Public Trust in Government

• Addressing Homelessness

• Election Audit Reports

• Monitoring

We hope you enjoyed today’s read.

Stay connected with TXLege on X @TXLege_

Find what you need in committee hearings, floor debates, and state agency meetings faster with USLege. Say goodbye to tedious tasks!