In a stunning turn of events, state Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock claimed Saturday evening that he had the necessary votes to become the next speaker of the Texas House.

“The speaker’s race is over,” he said in a news conference that lasted less than two minutes. “I have secured enough to be speaker of the House for the next session.”

Burrows released a list of 76 supporters — 38 Republicans and 38 Democrats. However, three members say they should not be on the list, debasing Burrows’ claim to have the necessary votes to be elected speaker.

Burrows’ announcement came just minutes after Rep. David Cook of Mansfield, Burrows’ main rival for the speaker’s gavel, had been declared the endorsed candidate by the House GOP Caucus by a vote of 48-14 after a contingent of Burrows’ supporters dramatically left the meeting after the two rivals had stalemated in the first two rounds.

All 88 GOP caucus members are tied by the group’s rules to vote for the endorsed candidate, which would help Cook surpass the 76-vote threshold at the beginning of the legislative session in January to be elected speaker.

But Burrows made his announcement surrounded by fellow Republican supporters indicating that those lawmakers were willing to go against the rules to back Burrows… 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ Texas Longhorns lose in SEC title game, wait for playoff bid (KUT)

The Texas Longhorns football team made a pretty smooth transition to the SEC. They just couldn’t figure out how to beat Georgia.

After storming through the regular season, with only a loss to the Bulldogs blemishing their record, they stumbled again in the SEC title game, falling 22-19 to Georgia.

The loss knocks UT out of contention for a first round bye in the college football playoffs. But the team is virtually a lock to get a bid when the 12-team field is announced Sunday... 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ After a decline last year, Travis County homeowners should expect a return to rising property taxes (KUT)

As Austin-area homeowners receive their latest property tax bills this winter, they should expect to see an increase.

According to an analysis by the Travis County Tax Office, the average property tax bill this year for homeowners who live in their homes is $1,123 higher than last year, or about an 11% increase.

This is the largest projected jump in the average tax bill since at least 2014.

The increase comes after voters approved several propositions at the ballot box in November. Voters supported measures to increase teacher pay and help lower the cost of child care in the area, all of which will be paid for by raising tax rates.

Annual increases in property tax bills have been the norm for Travis County homeowners for at least the past decade. Since 2013, the average annual increase has oscillated between $282 and $536, according to a KUT analysis of tax office data. Property taxes fund the vast majority of public services in Texas, including those provided by cities, counties and public schools... 🟪 (LINK TO FULL STORY)

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