Kirk Murder Sparks Purges, Investigations
According to The Texas Tribune, House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday announced the formation of committees to study bias and free speech at universities amid a firestorm of criticism from conservative lawmakers on statements made by university faculty and students.
The House and Senate Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education were formed “honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk,” according to a press release. Kirk, a Christian conservative activist who frequently traveled to college campuses to discuss controversial politics, was shot and killed on Wednesday at Utah Valley University during one of his events.
In the wake of Kirk’s death, Republican lawmakers and activists in Texas and across the state have harshly criticized online commentary mocking Kirk and his killing. Several lawmakers have called for the removal of school teachers, professors and public officials who criticized Kirk, which Burrows said highlighted the necessity of the committee. Read the whole article here.
Free Speech Only for Those With “Right” Ideas
According to reporting from KSAT-TV News in San Antonio, the Texas Education Agency announced it would investigate educators’ “inappropriate content” on social media after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath’s letter, sent Friday to superintendents, said that the agency has learned some Texas public school educators posted or shared “reprehensible” comments related to the assassination.
The Concho Observer notes that widespread comments from educators with Right-wing affiliations regarding the attack on Paul Pelosi — or any other political violence perpetrated in recent years — invited no scrutiny whatsoever, despite clearly violating the rules they now purport to care about, and are seeking to enforce.
Social Studies in Texas to Include Fewer Cultures
The State Board of Education on Friday approved a social studies teaching plan that will dedicate more time across school grades to Texas and U.S. history while placing less attention on world history and cultures.
The Republican-dominated board voted 8-7 in favor of the proposal, which marks only one step in a longer effort by the group to revise Texas’ social studies standards and set new guidelines for what students should learn before they graduate. Republicans Evelyn Brooks and Pam Little joined Democrats in opposition to the plan.
Read all about it here at The Texas Tribune.
Texas Senate Primaries Wide Open
The Texas Tribune reports both the Democratic and Republican primaries for U.S. Senate are wide open, according to a recent statewide poll, which found many Texas voters are either undecided or would support candidates who haven’t actually entered the race.
On the GOP side, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn leads Attorney General Ken Paxton, 32% to 26%, with another 29% of registered voters having yet to decide who they will vote for, a poll released Friday by Texas Public Opinion Research found.
The survey’s hypothetical Democratic primary, meanwhile, was headlined by former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, both of whom have been speculated as possible candidates but have not announced they are seeking the nomination. O’Rourke led with 27% of the hypothetical vote and Crockett followed with 26%, well ahead of the two leading candidates in the race, former Dallas congressman Colin Allred and state Rep. James Talarico.
Much of the attention so far has focused on the Republican primary, where until last month, every poll had shown Cornyn trailing his challenger. The survey results released Friday were the first that showed Cornyn with a lead of multiple percentage points over Paxton — a further sign the margins have narrowed in a race that Paxton once comfortably led. Both candidates are vying for the endorsement of President Donald Trump, whose support could prove decisive for either Republican.
