Republican Rep. David Spiller of Jacksboro and Democratic Sen. Rolando Gutierrez of San Antonio are weighing in on President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller discusses a new agreement between the state and Mexico for much-needed water in the Rio Grande Valley. Congressman Mark Vesey talks about the election and his priorities for his new term starting in January. State Representative Jared Patterson discusses his new bill to keep Texas children away from social media and House elections. Political reporter Jack Fink covers these stories in the latest episode of Eye On Politics. (Original air date: November 24, 2024)
President Trump’s mass deportation plan
Texas is likely to be the front line of President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport a mass number of illegal immigrants in the United States. Last week, the president-elect acknowledged on social media that he would use the military to carry out his policies. There are reportedly more than 1.4 million people in the United States who have received final deportation orders from immigration officials.
Also last week, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham urged Trump to provide the administration with more than 1,400 acres of newly acquired Texas Land Commission land to build facilities needed for the deportation program. sent a letter. Incoming border czar Tom Homan reportedly said last week that his administration intends to respond to the states’ proposals. State Sen. Rolando Guiterrez (D-San Antonio) told Jack he was concerned that Trump’s plan would hurt the economy.
“Our economy will be hit significantly,” Gutierrez said. “I think people need babysitters, gardeners, guys behind the counter in the back of the kitchen, people in Dallas and all over this state who are used to being at Taco Bell and all these other places. They all think twice. Because it will cost more in the future.”
Watch Jack’s full interview with State Sen. Rolando Gutierrez.
State Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) also spoke with Jack, but he disagreed with Gutierrez’s opinion.
“I’m not expressing any concern about cost or any concern about the cost of deportation,” Spiller said. “The government needs to look at the billions of dollars the federal government has already spent through its agencies to promote and make this happen.”
Watch Jack’s full interview with State Representative David Spiller.
New water agreement between Texas and Mexico
Texas has accepted a new deal with Mexico to receive much-needed water in the Rio Grande Valley. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the agreement will help farmers and cities in the region. He told Jack that the state needs to do more in the long run.
Watch Jack’s full interview with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.
New bill introduced to keep Texas kids off social media
A new bill introduced by state Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) would require social media platforms to verify that new users are at least 18 years old. The bill would also allow the Texas attorney general to target social media platforms if they have minors on them. Mr. Patterson spoke with Jack about the bill and also discussed the election for the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
Republican Rep. David Cook of Midlothian is challenging current Speaker Dade Phelan of Beaumont. Members of the House Republican Caucus will gather in Austin on Saturday, Dec. 8, to decide who to support. However, the final vote will take place on January 14, 2025, the first day of the new parliament. The member who receives a majority of 76 votes becomes the chairperson.
Other candidates running for chair include two Democrats from Dallas, Ana Maria Ramos and John Bryant.
Watch the full interview with Jack and Congressman Jared Patterson.
One-on-one with Congressman Mark Vesey of Fort Worth
Many Democratic politicians and candidates in Texas and across the country are still grappling with the results of November’s election. That includes U.S. Rep. Mark Vesey of Fort Worth. Last week, he was elected vice-chairman of the New Democratic Party Coalition. This is a group of 100 MPs who consider themselves pragmatic and centre-left. He met with Jacques a few days before his appointment as the organization’s vice-chairman to discuss his priorities for the new parliamentary term, which begins in January.
Check out our interview with Jack and Congressman Mark Vesey.
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