Latest news with #GregAbbot
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Texas Ten Commandments Bill Is the Latest Example of Forcing Religious Texts in Public Schools
Texas has become the latest state to pass a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. The bill, which is already being legally challenged and is unlikely to pass constitutional muster, is part of a recent trend of red states attempting to inject religious texts into the classroom. Senate Bill 10 requires public schools to "display in a conspicuous place in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments." The poster is required to only contain the text of the Ten Commandments and must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall. Further, if a school doesn't have an acceptable poster in each classroom, the bill requires them to accept any privately donated poster. The bill was passed by the Texas state House on Saturday and overwhelmingly approved in the state Senate with a 28–3 vote on Wednesday. While S.B. 10 has not yet been enacted, Texas' Republican Gov. Greg Abbot said in a social media post earlier this month that he would sign the bill if it passed the Legislature. Similar bills have been recently signed into law in Louisiana and Arkansas. While Louisiana's Ten Commandments bill tried to avoid legal scrutiny by directing schools to only use private donations, not public funds, Texas' bill makes no such distinctions. The bill states that a school "may, but is not required to, purchase posters . . . using district funds." Louisiana's bill was halted in federal court last November, shedding doubt on the Texas bill's ability to survive a First Amendment challenge. The day after the bill was passed, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several other groups announced that they were suing to stop the bill from becoming law. "We all have the right to decide what religious beliefs, if any, to hold and practice. Government officials have no business intruding on these deeply personal religious matters," reads a Thursday statement from the ACLU. "S.B. 10 will subject students to state-sponsored displays of the Ten Commandments for nearly every hour of their public education. It is religiously coercive and interferes with families' right to direct children's religious education." The post Texas Ten Commandments Bill Is the Latest Example of Forcing Religious Texts in Public Schools appeared first on
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas Revs the Growth Machine
Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. This week's stories include: The near death of Texas' Starter Home Act Colorado's pending ban on rent-recommendation algorithm software A very Catholic story of eminent domain abuse But first, our lead item on the success of pro-supply housing bills in Texas. On May 20, the Texas House passed Senate Bill 840, which allows developers in larger counties to build residential and mixed-use developments on commercially zoned land "by-right." That means local governments can't force builders to go through extensive, expensive, and discretionary processes of requesting rezonings and variances. The bill "would make converting empty office spaces into housing units much easier," reads an analysis from the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Similar to Florida's Live Local Act, the bill also limits localities' ability to impose height and density restrictions on new residential developments on commercially zoned land. Cities would have to allow these new developments to be built at least at a density of 36 units per acre and 45 feet tall. Housing wonks describe the bill as clean and "muscular." Today, the Texas Senate concurred with the House amendments to S.B. 840. It will now go to Gov. Greg Abbot's desk. Also headed to the governor's desk is House Bill 24, which places new limits on valid petition rights that property owners can use to halt zoning changes. H.B. 24, a reform to the so-called "tyrant's veto", raises the percentage of property owners required to challenge a rezoning from 20 percent to 60 percent. It also lowers a city council's vote threshold to override these challenges from a supermajority to a simple majority. Neighborhood activists in Austin famously used their valid petition rights to thwart upzonings in that city. With H.B. 24's reforms, that will be a harder thing to pull off. Still pending approval is Senate Bill 15, a.k.a. the Texas Starter Homes Act. Described as a "smaller homes on smaller lots bill," the legislation would prevent local governments from setting minimum lot sizes of over 1,400 square feet in new subdivisions of five acres or more. The bill only applies to cities of 150,000 people in counties of 300,000 people or more. S.B. 15 had already passed the Senate with a 29–2 vote back in March. It was scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives this weekend, where it nearly died. As the Texas Tribune reports, House Democrats led by Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. (D–Fort Worth) attempted to kill the bill on a procedural move. Romero had requested a "point of order" about the bill's exclusion of land around a planned Dallas County police training facility. This, said Romero, violated legislative rules about singling out individual jurisdictions in legislation. That point of order was accepted, preventing further discussion of the bill. But, reports the Tribune, the bill's supporters in the House managed to "fast-track" the legislation by removing the offending provision so that it will be considered on the floor again today. Romero told Tribune reporter Joshua Fetcher that he'd seen no evidence that allowing smaller homes on smaller lots would reduce home prices. He might want to look a little harder. The Mercatus Center's Emily Hamilton found in a 2024 study that Houston's minimum lot size reforms, on which the Texas Starter Home bill is modeled, facilitated an "unprecedented" increase in the rates of infill housing construction in single-family neighborhoods. Houston's reforms "had no detectable effect on land values, and she finds some evidence that it reduced land values. This may be because it has facilitated a large amount of housing construction," according to Hamilton's study. In recent years, software sold by companies like RealPage that recommend to landlords profit-maximizing rent and occupancy levels has come under fire for making housing less affordable. Critics charge that these products allow landlords to collude on prices in order to raise rents to above-market rates. The federal government and several states have sued RealPage for antitrust violations. States and cities have also started to crack down with legislation of their own. Earlier this month, the Colorado Legislature passed H.B. 25-1004, which would "ban the use, sale and distribution of software that uses an algorithm to set rents." (Colorado is one of the states suing RealPage.) The bill is now on Gov. Jared Polis' desk, who has not said whether he'll sign or veto it. "We're all for math and algorithms. At the same time, there is the concept of antitrust, which has been abused, but also has a core role in preventing monopolistic pricing practices," Polis told Reason in a Friday interview. "It's a question of: Is this an algorithm that reduces market friction and leads to more efficient pricing or is it a backdoor effort to exert monopolistic control over pricing?" The limited academic research on rent-recommendation algorithms suggests that they do in fact facilitate more efficient pricing. One study found that landlords who use these products lower rents faster in down markets and raise them faster in hot markets. RealPage critics would seem to have a hard time explaining why rents in Austin, where lots of landlords use RealPage products, are slashing rents in response to a glut of new supply. Last week, news broke that the village of Dolton, Illinois, is threatening to seize via eminent domain the childhood home of newly elected Pope Leo XIV from its current owners, who recently bought and renovated the home and are now selling it at auction. As I wrote last week: At present, the owners are auctioning off the small, 1949-built home for a reserve price of $250,000. In a Tuesday letter to the auction house running the sale, Dolton attorney Burton Odelson cautioned buyers against purchasing the house. "Please inform any prospective buyers that their 'purchase' may only be temporary since the Village intends to begin the eminent domain process very shortly," reads Odelson's letter, per NBC Chicago. Odelson told Chicago's ABC7 that the village had initially tried to voluntarily purchase the home but had snagged on the sale price. "We've tried to negotiate with the owner. [He] wants too much money, so we will either negotiate with the auction house or, as the letter stated that I sent to the auction house, we will take it through eminent domain, which is our right as a village," Odelson said. It's a wonder why the village can't pursue a voluntary sale, given the relatively low reserve price of the home. The potential for the modest, 75-year-old home to serve as a historic site surely couldn't boost the sale price that much. Seizing the home via eminent domain would seem to contradict the last Pope Leo's defense of private property and, in particular, privately owned family estates, in his famous 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum. Wrote Pope Leo XIII, "Every man has by nature the right to possess property as his own." The plans of contemporary socialists to seize private property, Leo XIII denounced as "emphatically unjust, for they would rob the lawful possessor, distort the functions of the State, and create utter confusion in the community." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is very pleased that at least one home in Pacific Palisades is under construction following the deadly wildfires that struck the area earlier this year. Los Angeles–area builders are less impressed with the mayor's streamlining efforts. Politico reports on a brewing split between the California Assembly and Senate on this session's housing bills. The Assembly has been passing a litany of YIMBY ("yes in my backyard") bills to streamline development. They face an uncertain future in the Senate. Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire has been less than keen on such efforts. Senate Housing Chair Aisha Wahab (D–Hayward) is even more critical by arguing that lowering building costs doesn't necessarily reduce housing costs. At The Volokh Conspiracy, George Mason University law professor Ilya Somin lays out some of the legal problems Toms River, New Jersey, might face if it follows through on its plans to use eminent domain to prevent a church from building a homeless shelter. Bisnow reports on the dire financial state of New York's rent-stabilized housing stock. If you have a home in Minnesota, you soon might not be able to get inside it, thanks to the state's impending ban on lead content in keys that makes most keys illegal. The post Texas Revs the Growth Machine appeared first on
Epoch Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Key Vote Puts Texas Closer to Displaying Ten Commandments in Classrooms
The Texas Legislature cleared a major vote on May 24 on a measure that would require the state's public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. The state's Republican-majority House offered preliminary approval of the measure on Saturday, with a final vote to be held in the next few days. If passed, the bill will go to Gov. Greg Abbot's desk, who has said he would sign it into law. 'The focus of this bill is to look at what is historically important to our nation educationally and judicially,' said state Rep. Candy Noble, a Republican co-sponsor of the bill. Louisiana and Arkansas have passed similar laws, although Louisiana's law has been paused after a federal judge deemed it 'unconstitutional in every application.' The judge in the Louisiana case Those who support displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms assert they are built into the foundation of the United States' judicial and educational systems and ought to be posted. Detractors argue that the practice would violate the religious freedom of others and cited the Constitution's separation of church and state. Related Stories 5/19/2025 5/9/2025 Recently, the Supreme Court issued a 4–4 vote regarding the fate of a publicly funded Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. The tie vote effectively upheld an Oklahoma court decision that annulled a state charter school board vote to approve St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. The institution would have been the nation's first religious charter school. The Texas Legislature also passed a measure that establishes a voluntary period of prayer or time to read a religious text during school hours for both students and staff. The governor is expected to sign the bill. 'We should be encouraging our students to read and study their Bible every day,' Republican state Rep. Brent Money said. 'Our kids in our public schools need prayer, need Bible reading, more now than they ever have.' If passed, Texas's bill would require public schools to display in classrooms a 16-inch-by-20-inch poster or framed image of a particular English translation of the Ten Commandments. There are varying translations and interpretations of the commandments depending on different denominations, faiths, and languages. Democratic lawmakers in Texas were unsuccessful in amending the bill on Saturday to require schools to show other religious texts or offer different translations of the Ten Commandments. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The "money for Texas" amendment: GOP budget could reward Greg Abbott for MAGA border stunts
Congressional Republicans slipped a provision into their budget passed Thursday that would hand out billions of dollars to pay for things like Texas Gov. Greg Abbot's immigrant busing initiative and state-funded border wall. An amendment to the House budget, passed Wednesday night, sets aside $12 billion for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to allocate to states, specifically to pay for programs the Trump administration considers supportive of its border security mission. The provision makes the money available to reimburse states for any costs related to aiding the effort "to enforce the immigration laws, including through detention and removal, and to combat the unlawful entry of persons and contraband." Under the provision, states would be able to obtain compensation for immigration-related activities dating back to January 2021, when former President Joe Biden was inaugurated. But there's a catch: The amendment to the bill also says that the secretary of Homeland Security cannot grant the money to any state that has received reimbursement under any other grant program managed by the department. In practical terms, this prohibition targets FEMA's Shelter and Services Program, a program created in order to help state and local governments as well as humanitarian groups pay for any costs associated with receiving immigrants while they await the outcome of their court proceedings. These costs can include anything from food, shelter, transportation, medical care or personal hygiene supplies. In effect, this language in the bill means that states like Texas, Florida and South Dakota can apply to receive funding for actions decried as political stunts, like Abbot's busing of immigrants to cities like New York, Gov. Ron DeSantis' flights of immigrants to California or Noem's own decision to send national guard troops to the southern border as South Dakota governor. 'Greg Abbott has been asking Congress to do this, and we've seen multiple GOP members of Congress request this funding. So this is, by and large, money for Texas,' Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, told Salon. Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, likewise noted in an analysis of the bill that the $12 billion provision appears largely being aimed at reimbursing Texas for its immigrant busing program, which cost the state roughly $1,900 per seat, as well as the state's other border initiatives, which included physically pushing immigrants back across the border and installing razor wire in the Rio Grande. WOLA approximated that the funding is comparable to the Head Start preschool program for low-income families or 22 times the budget for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS. Republicans also larded up their budget bill with huge funding for ICE, enough to make it the best-funded federal law enforcement agency ever, as well as numerous provisions aimed at making navigating the immigration process more expensive and more difficult for immigrants. In terms of top-line numbers, Republicans allocated $15 billion to ICE for deportations, $16.2 billion for hiring new ICE agents, $46.5 billion for building barriers across the border and $45 billion for adult and family detention. For example, the budget would require immigrants to pay a $1,000 minimum application fee to apply for asylum and a $500 fee for applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, applications which are currently free. For immigrants in ICE detention, who earn about $1 dollar a day, this would mean it would take nearly three years for them to earn enough money to apply for asylum. The bill also includes a provision imposing a $100 fee for immigrants who request additional time in immigration proceedings to obtain a lawyer, which only compounds the difficulties standing in immigrants' way in terms of finding legal counsel for their immigration proceedings. 'This puts a monetary price on defending yourself in court and seeking humanitarian protection,' Reichlin-Melnick told Salon. 'It overcharges people for the right to defend themselves in court.'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Natura Resources Announces Two Advanced Nuclear Deployments in Texas
ABILENE, Texas, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Natura Resources (Natura) is proud to announce the deployment of two advanced nuclear projects in Texas, aimed at enhancing energy security and reliability for the rapidly growing state. These deployments, located in the Permian Basin and at Texas A&M University's RELLIS Campus, represent significant strides in addressing Texas' energy and water needs. Permian Basin DeploymentNatura has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Texas Tech University (TTU) and Abilene Christian University (ACU) to advance its molten salt reactor (MSR) technology. This collaboration, which includes the Texas Produced Water Consortium (TxPWC) at Texas Tech, focuses on integrating MSR technology with water desalination systems. The goal is to provide a sustainable solution for water scarcity by purifying produced water from oil and gas operations, making it available for agricultural and other beneficial uses. Doug Robison, Founder and CEO of Natura Resources, emphasized the importance of this partnership: "Our collaboration with Texas Tech and ACU is a pivotal step in addressing Texas' critical water and energy challenges. By leveraging our MSR technology, we aim to secure crucial water resources and drive innovation in clean energy." Texas A&M University RELLIS Campus DeploymentIn a parallel effort, Natura is partnering with Texas A&M University to deploy the Natura MSR-100 reactor at the RELLIS Campus. This initiative is part of a broader project known as "The Energy Proving Ground," which involves multiple nuclear reactor companies. The project aims to bring commercial-ready small modular reactors (SMRs) to the site, providing a reliable source of clean energy for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Doug Robison highlighted the significance of this deployment: "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Texas A&M University to showcase how our technology can meet the energy needs of Texas and the nation. The Natura MSR-100 at the RELLIS Campus will play a crucial role in advancing our clean energy mission." Technology Overview: Natura MSR-100The Natura MSR-100 is a cutting-edge small modular reactor (SMR) that utilizes molten salt reactor (MSR) technology. Key features of the Natura MSR-100 include: Liquid-Fueled Design: The reactor uses a liquid fuel composed of fissile uranium material dissolved in a molten salt mixture. This design enhances safety and efficiency and produces less long-lived radioactive waste. High-Temperature Operation: The reactor operates at temperatures exceeding 600°C, which improves thermal efficiency and electricity generation. Inherent Safety Features: The MSR-100 operates at lower pressures and includes passive safety mechanisms that reduce the risk of accidents. Desalination Capability: The high-temperature heat generated by the MSR-100 can be used for desalination, providing a sustainable source of clean water. State of Texas EndorsementGovernor Greg Abbott, in his State of the State Address on February 2, 2025, emphasized the importance of nuclear energy for Texas: "It is time for Texas to lead the nuclear power renaissance in the United States." This statement underscores the state's commitment to advancing nuclear technology and positioning Texas as a leader in clean energy innovation. Additionally, the 2024 Interim Report from the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs highlighted Natura as a potential solution to power the state water plan, further validating the significance of these deployments. The Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs, chaired by Senator Charles Perry, stated in the 2024 Interim Report that Natura's advanced nuclear technology offers a promising solution to our state's water and energy challenges. By integrating desalination with energy production, the technology can ensure a sustainable future for Texas. During the press event at Texas A&M in February, Representative Cody Harris stated that advanced nuclear deployments, such as Natura's deployment at the RELLIS, will positively impact not only Texas, but the rest of the World as well. Driving Community and Business Growth in TexasThese advanced nuclear deployments are expected to have a profound impact on local communities. By providing a stable and reliable source of clean energy, these projects will support economic growth and job creation in the regions. The integration of Natura's MSR technology with desalination systems will also address water scarcity, ensuring that local communities have access to purified water for agricultural and other uses. This dual benefit of energy and water security will enhance the quality of life for residents and contribute to the overall sustainability of the regions. The need for reliable and abundant energy is critical for attracting and sustaining business growth in Texas. With the rise of data centers, fabrication, and manufacturing facilities, the demand for electricity is surging. Texas' business-friendly environment, combined with Natura's advanced nuclear technology, positions the state to meet this growing demand. By providing a stable and clean energy source, Natura's deployments will support the expansion of data centers and other energy-intensive industries, driving economic development and solidifying Texas' status as a leader in the 21st-century economy. For more information about Natura Resources and its role in advancing small modular reactor technology, please contact Andrew Harmon or visit About Natura ResourcesNatura Resources LLC is a leading advanced reactor developer committed to answering the world's increased demand for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water by developing commercially deployable molten salt reactors. Natura's small modular reactors are liquid-fueled and molten salt-cooled, which increases efficiency and reduces waste. The Natura MSR-1 being deployed at Abilene Christian University is the first liquid-fueled reactor design to receive a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In less than five years, Natura has established itself as a leading force in the advanced nuclear industry, fueled by a commitment to performance. Natura's leadership team has a proven track record of revolutionizing the energy industry with innovative technology and tangible results. Natura is privately owned and has secured over $78 million in funding through its first three investment rounds. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Natura Resources Sign in to access your portfolio
