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Today's stories
GOVERNOR ABBOTT's COVID19 contact tracing firm appears to have no safe quarter.
Liberals are upset the Frisco based MTX Group built an election canvassing application. Conservatives are upset the firm was awarded a nearly $300 million contract without oversight, to perform a task that may compromise the privacy of Texans and not be worth the cost.
The owners of MTX, with scant past political activity, beat out heavy hitters like IBM and AT&T for the contract.
MTX Group, based in New York before moving operations to Texas, backed the mayoral bid of Democrat Kathy Sheehan in Albany.
At the national level, the founder and CEO of MTX Dastagir 'Das' Nobel, has donated to only one candidate, Genevieve Collins (R-TX).
Das' wife, Nipa, donated $2,500 to State Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) in September 2019. These are the universal donations for the pair.
The company does not appear to have hired lobbyists in Texas.
Contact tracing, while it may have been a useful endeavor in January or February, is likely a complete waste of time and money at this point. The $295 million paid to MTX over the 27-month contract term is "federal" money.
MAIL-IN BALLOTING news continues to churn.
A bum ruling federal out of San Antonio expanding mail-in balloting lasted less than 24 hours before it was put on hold yesterday by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. After it's time with the 5th, the case will almost certainly make it's way to the SCOTUS.
Also yesterday, SCOTX heard arguments in a state lawsuit with similar aims. During the hearing, an attorney arguing for expansion suggested not having immunity to something is a disability, a legal argument with a strained relationship with reality.
Related: Virginia sees 42x mail-in ballot participation
Hit the links
Stunning Upsets In Local VA Elections
David Dewhurst assaulted by girlfriend
As Coronavirus Spreads, So Do Scams
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