It’s time for the week that was in Texas politics with Alex Samuels political reporter for The Texas Tribune.
Biden to include undocumented immigrants in census counts
“For eight years under President Barack Obama, Texas served as this conservative counterweight to a progressive administration,” Samuels said. “With the White House now back under Democratic control and [President Joe] Biden already promising a slew of executive orders, it’s expected Texas Republicans will be back on the offense. Some conservative lawmakers and think tanks based in Texas have said that they’re keeping an eye on Biden’s executive actions on health care, environmental regulations and immigration.”
Biden to include undocumented immigrants in census counts
“This is the year for redistricting. And Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order that undid former President Donald Trump’s plan to keep undocumented immigrants from being included in the census tallies,” Samuels said. “Of course, the most significant impact for Texas politically remains an extended delay in the Texas legislature’s effort to redraw the state’s congressional and state legislative districts. Excluding undocumented residents could have a cost on Texas’ several seats in Congress and would have led to a drastic realignment of political power throughout the state.”
Two staffers depart Texas democratic party
“Those two staffers are executive director Manny Garcia and deputy executive director Cliff Walker,” Samuels said. “Their exits come two months after the November election, where Texas Democrats underperformed expectations throughout the ballot. And after Election Day, the state party formed a committee to do a deep dove on the results. And some members of the state Democratic Executive Committee also called on Garcia and Walker to be replaced.”
