TUE brief 3.17.20

Sunshine Week, COVID19 style

Mar 17

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Now, on to today's stories.

SUNSHINE WEEK looks different this year. Yesterday, in response to COVID19, Governor Abbott suspended the Open Meetings Act requiring in-person meetings of elected officials.

Abbot's actions appeared to come in response to criticism that telephone meetings among lawmakers during COVID19 containment week were happening without notice, required participation, and archival efforts.

Outlined in the new directive are notice guidelines, ways for the public to participate in videoconferencing or telephone meetings and recording requirements

COVID19 continues to disrupt daily and political life. Yesterday the Texas GOP announced on a conference call that it would be moving its convention, previously scheduled for May to July.

Pearl clutching over the administration of the STARR test can stop now that it has officially been waived.

Cities and counties in Texas have begun to take drastic actions to stop the spread of the virus, including Dallas mandating restaurants to do delivery and takeout only.

TEXAS DEMOCRATS have asked the Secretary of State to mandate 100% mail-in voting for May elections. The request is a power grab in the fog of war and should be rejected.

JASON VILLALBA, a former state lawmaker from Dallas, has launched a think tank to do think tanky things on the subject of Latino political motivations.