Here’s what’s on Texas Standard for Friday, June 18, 2021.
Supreme Court Obamacare Ruling
An effort spearheaded by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to dismantle the Affordable Care Act has been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 7-2 ruling, SCOTUS said Paxton’s lawsuit against the ACA lacked the grounds to sue. Here to help us parse out this ruling is Lynne Rambo, emeritus professor at Texas A&M School of Law.
In sports they say, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” That also applies to the Texas Legislature. It ended its session on May 31, but the process doesn’t truly conclude until Gov. Greg Abbott hits the deadline for vetoes, which happens on Sunday. Many are expecting a slew of killed bills. And in Texas, lawmakers are powerless to do anything about that. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports that this gives the Texas governor immense unchecked political power.
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez: ‘A Girl, A Truck And Her Dad: A Texas Father’s Day Story’
In honor of Sunday’s holiday, the activist and former Senate candidate talks about a prized family heirloom: her father’s mint green, 1961 F-100 Ford pickup truck.
With the release of some early standardized test scores this week, we’re getting a glimpse at just how much a year of virtual learning during the pandemic affected Texas’ public school students. These first results indicate what many educators feared: Texas high school students fell considerably behind in math. Jacob Carpenter has been reporting on this for the Houston Chronicle and joins us with more.
Pride Month And Fatherhood
Those of you who listen to us from the Houston area are surely familiar with the name – and the voice – of Eddie Robinson. Robinson was the local host of Morning Edition at Houston Public Media for seven years but now, he’s taken on a new role. Robinson is executive producer and host of a new weekly talk show and podcast called “I See U” – that’s see, as in s,e,e – but if it also sounds like a wing of a hospital, Robinson says that’s on purpose. He says “I See U” is focused on racial equality and social justice in a time of an emergency.
Yesterday, President Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday, inviting all Americans to recognize the moment when the news of the end of slavery came to Texas. Texas Standard commentator Peniel Joseph says the act of nationalizing a holiday celebrated by many Black Americans for over a century and a half underscores the progress and perils of the struggle for racial justice since last year’s George Floyd protests.
In Galveston, where Juneteenth orders were issued by Union troops back in 1865, the holiday will be commemorated with a parade and the dedication of a new mural. Houston Public Media’s Elizabeth Trovall has the story.
Typewriter Rodeo: ‘Pandemic Pets’
We always end the week with a poem from the Typewriter Rodeo, which is also available wherever you get podcasts. And you can request a topic for a poem anytime by reaching out to us.
The Week In Texas Politics
Fridays on the Standard also mean it’s time to recap the week in Texas politics with The Texas Tribune. Gov. Abbott has been signing a slew of bills this week. Helping us narrow in on a few is state politics reporter Cassi Pollock.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
