April 30, 2025 3:25 PM
Phelan argues that AI generated images and videos used in campaigns need disclaimers to point out to voters that the image was completely made up; Rep. Little and others worry they could be jailed for spreading misinformation
Hard
feelings from what was quite possibly the most dishonest Republican primary in this
state’s history were laid bare on the Texas House floor Wednesday
as former Speaker Dade Phelan won overwhelming approval for his proposed
crackdown on the use of misleading AI generated images in political campaigns.
Phelan’s
proposal has garnered the attention of the paid activist class and political
consultants from coast to coast who have cast it as a “ban on memes.”
But the
text of House Bill 366 is much more nuanced, requiring disclosure
to voters of the fact that an image or video – like one of Phelan hugging
former Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi used against him in the GOP
primary last year – was completely false and never
happened “in reality.”
To the
surprise of no serious Capitol observer, the opposition to the
bill came from GOP House members whose campaigns have mainly been bankrolled by
Midland and Cisco billionaires who of course happen to also be top allies of
Attorney General Ken Paxton, the biggest beneficiary of West Texas’
largesse.
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By Scott Braddock
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Copyright April 30, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 30, 2025 3:14 PM
Of course it's subject to change but Hunter doubts a Saturday calendar will be needed this weekend
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Copyright April 30, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 30, 2025 12:26 PM
Rep. Talarico accused Rep. Gerdes of subverting public education with allegations that kids are pretending to be animals in schools; Rep. Leach slams Talarico: “I don’t know what he’s running for.”
The fury
of over “furries” caused a flurry in the Texas House
Public Education Committee overnight.
House
Bill 54, also
known as the Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in
Educational Spaces (FURRIES) Act by Rep. Stan Gerdes
bans students from engaging in furry fandom, a subculture where people dress
and perform as anthropomorphized animals, in public schools. You may recall
that Gov. Greg Abbott pointed
to reports of “furries” as he pushed the Legislature
to pass his pet project of school vouchers. Carveouts in the Gerdes proposal include holidays like Halloween and it would not apply to
students in fifth grade or below and exempts “differently-abled
students.” Schools that do not comply would face up to $10,000 in fines for the
first violation and up to $25,000 for subsequent violations.
Rep. Gerdes
laid out a dire situation as a threat to public schools everywhere.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By James Russell
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Copyright April 30, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 30, 2025 12:07 PM
JCJ Chair Leach, Vice Chair Ann Johnson, and freshman Rep. Paul Dyson ripped Harrison for not understanding his proposal and for tweeting while colleagues were trying to question him on his bill. Thanks to our friends at Lege TV for posting the full video, which is must-watch TV. Check it out below
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Copyright April 30, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 29, 2025 6:15 PM
After the governor’s biggest contributor got his way, the issue that most inflames the GOP base and has caused some of the Texas House’s nastiest debates is simmering in the background
A series
of bills making their way through the Legislature have immigrants’ rights
advocates sounding the alarm on what they say are misguided and dangerous. And
now that Gov. Greg Abbott notched the win on vouchers for his Pennsylvania
sugar daddy, Republican lawmakers need to show some action on the primary issue
that concerns GOP primary voters in this state.
Among the
bills up for debate now is a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By James Russell
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Copyright April 29, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 29, 2025 6:12 PM
The executive
summary is here.
The toplines are
here.
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Copyright April 29, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 29, 2025 4:20 PM
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April 29, 2025 4:20 PM
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April 29, 2025 11:19 AM
It got 129 yes votes
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Copyright April 29, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 29, 2025 10:02 AM
Originally reported by our friend Brad Johnson: "Abbott relayed to the membership that Trump is endorsing everyone who voted for SB 2, including Burrows not just for re-election but also for speaker"
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Copyright April 29, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 28, 2025 11:11 PM
About a dozen Democrats, mostly South Texas and border legislators, joined Republicans to get those JRs moving again after a Democratic blockade held up through last week.
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Copyright April 28, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 28, 2025 11:10 PM
"Being a Democrat — and serving this incredible community as Chair— is one of the greatest honors of my life," Sethi said
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Copyright April 28, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 25, 2025 1:12 PM
Representatives Tinderholt, Hopper, and others are demanding RPT priorities start moving in the House or Democratic bills will continue to be popped on L&C. L&C committee voted to send all remaining bills they had back to the committees where they were first referred
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Copyright April 25, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 24, 2025 3:42 PM
"School choice has come to Texas," declared Lt. Gov. Patrick, who earlier had scolded senators for making political statements on the Senate floor
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Copyright April 24, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 24, 2025 1:06 PM
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Copyright April 24, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 24, 2025 11:35 AM
“I am truly honored to have all 20 Republican Senators come forward to join my reelection campaign. I have the pleasure to work with these 20 great men and women every day. They are super smart, hardworking, and passionate about representing the conservative majority in Texas as well as all Texans," a humbled Patrick said
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Copyright April 24, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 24, 2025 11:08 AM
Rep. Noble postponed third reading consideration of HJR72 after it received only 90 votes yesterday
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Copyright April 24, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 23, 2025 4:03 PM
Apartment owners want an expedited process but opponents say “squatting is a false flag” and that legal aid groups “will simply cease to assist tenants in the evictions process."
A bill
with bipartisan support making its way through the Legislature has tenants’
rights advocates, legal aid organizations, and even some law enforcement
officials saying it would make it easier to evict renters and tenants.
Senate
Bill 38 by Local
Government Chair Paul Bettencourt, dubbed the “Secure Texas
Against Squatters Act” and a top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and
companion HB 32 by Trade, Workforce and Economic Development
Chair Angie Chen Button, creates a streamlined process for removing
so-called squatters. It passed out of the Senate 21-8, with Sens. Juan Chuy
Hinojosa and Cesar Blanco, one of the bill’s co-authors, voting with
the majority.
Black's
Law Dictionary defines
a squatter as “a person who settles on property without any legal claim or
title.” But it's also a term associated with a new cause célèbres of some conservatives
wrapping concerns about landlords’ rights and crime around a bill expediting
the eviction process.
The rest of the story, subscribers only
By James Russell
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Copyright April 23, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 23, 2025 2:42 PM
A constitutional amendment fails to get 100 on the Texas House floor 90 to 51. 6 were absent. Texas House Democrats showing their teeth now, denying 100 votes for a constitutional amendment. Could still pass it later, but even conservative Ds stuck with leadership after GOP leaders rolled them on school vouchers last week.
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Copyright April 23, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
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April 23, 2025 12:46 PM
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