SUMMARY: Three candidates—two Democrats and one Republican—are contesting the Texas House speaker position, currently held by Rep. Dade Phelan. Following recent elections, Republicans have a majority with 88 seats, needing 76 votes to elect a speaker. Key issues include school choice and the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Rep. David Cook aims to reform the House and has criticized Phelan’s reliance on Democratic support. Phelan asserts he has sufficient backing to secure reelection. Additionally, Democrats Ana-Maria Ramos and John Bryant have announced their candidacies, focusing on issues like public education, abortion rights, and gun safety reforms.

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SUMMARY: The American Petroleum Institute has presented a five-point plan to President-elect Donald Trump, urging policies that enhance U.S. energy leadership and address inflation. The plan emphasizes economic benefits from a strong fossil fuel sector and advocates for U.S. energy independence, calling for expanded oil and natural gas production on federal lands. API President Mike Sommers expressed the need to ease regulations, reform permitting processes, and retain a competitive corporate tax rate. The plan also seeks to repeal restrictive EPA rules and highlights the importance of energy independence, particularly following concerns about the Biden administration’s policies impacting the industry.

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SUMMARY: After Republicans dominated statewide races, especially in South Texas, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa announced plans to resign after 12 years. In the Nov. 5 elections, Hispanic voters in border counties largely supported Republican candidates, including President-elect Trump and Senator Ted Cruz. Hinojosa attributed Trump’s success with Hispanics to frustrations over border security and criticized the Democratic transgender agenda. Some Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, blamed the party’s cultural policies for the shift to the right. Hinojosa apologized for his remarks and called for party unity, but announced his resignation due to the party’s electoral losses.

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