The Democrat Revolution in Texas Is Off to a Fast Start

The Democrat Revolution in Texas Is Off to a Fast Start

Three Former GOP Speakers Find New Role Helping Democrat Take Power

Three former Republican House speakers who spent much of their time in power battling conservatives are now lining up to help a Democrat take control of the chamber. Brandon Waltens has the details.

Democrat Senfronia Thompson of Houston announced yesterday that former Speakers Joe Straus, Dennis Bonnen, and Dade Phelan will serve on her transition team as she prepares to take the gavel in January. Straus ousted a Republican speaker in 2009 with the aid of all the Democrats and just a dozen Republicans; Bonnen served just one term, resigning after a quid pro quo scandal; and Phelan left the speakership in 2025 under pressure from the GOP.

Thompson, who has served in the Texas House since 1973, said last week that she had secured pledges from a majority of lawmakers—including eight Republicans—to become the next speaker when the chamber convenes in January. The Texas House Republican Caucus is scheduled to select its own speaker nominee on Dec. 5.
Straus, Bonnen, and Phelan are helping Democrats … or, just doing what they have always done.

Muslim Mandates

A Democrat lawmaker has filed legislation in the Texas House that would enshrine in state law February 4 as “Muslim Heritage Day.” Hunter Burney has the story.

State Rep. Suleman Lalani (D–Sugar Land), a Muslim Pakistani immigrant, filed the legislation to recognize “the historic, cultural, and social contributions of Muslim Americans” in Texas. Muslims compose approximately one percent of the state population.
Lalani has also filed legislation that would require school districts to provide students with halal meals upon request “for any breakfast or lunch program provided by the district or school.” In order to be Halal, food must be prepared in adherence to Islamic religious requirements.

Democrat Wants To Strip Redistricting Power From Legislature

Amanda Lindberg reports on proposed legislation that would change the state constitution and create a redistricting commission. State Rep. Ann Johnson (D-Houston) wants to remove the elected members of the Texas Legislature and the executive branch from the process.

She wants the state constitution amended so that seats for the U.S. House, Texas Senate, and Texas House are set by a nine-member commission. Similar redistricting schemes exist in California, Washington, and Michigan.
For Johnson’s proposal to take effect, it must be supported by two-thirds of both legislative chambers and approved by voters.

New Law Would Reimpose Left-wing Advocacy in University Bureaucracies

As Adam Cahn reports, Democrats are attempting to reimpose left-wing advocacy bureaucracies in taxpayer-subsidized universities during the 90th Legislative Session.
Measures filed by State Rep. John Bucy (D–Cedar Park) and State Sen. Jose Menendez (D–San Antonio) would end reforms enacted over the last several sessions that sought to prohibit ideological programs—like the “diversity, equity, and inclusion” agenda—in state university governance.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation and other reform-based organizations have argued that DEI distorts history, inflames racial tensions, and stifles free speech.

Houston Council Members Move to Codify ICE Restrictions

Three members of the Houston City Council are seeking to make restrictions on police cooperation with federal immigration authorities permanent, just days after Mayor John Whitmire announced a new policy limiting contact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Michael Wilson reports that those efforts are being undertaken despite putting Houston in conflict with state law.

The proposal would prohibit Houston Police Department officers from contacting ICE or extending an individual’s detention solely because of an administrative immigration warrant. By codifying the policy into city ordinance, the councilmembers hope to prevent future mayors from independently reversing the policy.

State law currently prohibits local governments from limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

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