Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Good Tuesday Morning. Here comes the sun. I hope you get outside today.

Get in touch: greg@gregcox.law

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Today's Top Narrative

"An organized crime ring embedded in the Texas Government." That was how Sen. Bob Hall (R–Rockwood) described the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) in his opening statement at yesterday's Senate State Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola).

Sen. Bob Hall at yesterday's Senate State Affairs Committee (Mikala Compton/American-Statesman)

But first, a walk through some of yesterday's events leading up to the Senate hearing. And remember, the issue is whether Texas law allows someone to purchase a lotto ticket by courier or via the Internet. In many cases, the two are the same thing with a courier service offering an app.

The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers, which includes Jackpocket, announced support for HB 3201 by Rep. John Bucy (D–Austin). The bill would license and regulate lottery couriers. It was a good try.

A few minutes later, TLC announced a full ban on lottery couriers. Executive Director Ryan Mindell said in a statement: “Lottery courier services operating in Texas have been a significant concern for many of our stakeholders. Previously, the agency interpreted its authority as not extending to the regulation or prohibition of these services. ... In recent days, our agency conducted a review of our authority under the State Lottery Act. As a result of this review and information from recent retailer investigations, the Commission will revoke the license of a retailer that works with or assists a courier service..." TLC will open a rulemaking on this issue next week.

How Texas is Attempting to Capture Corporations Fleeing Delaware.

After 39 of the 55 delegates to the convention signed the final draft of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, it returned to the original 13 states for ratification. The ratification process sparked intense national debate: Federalists v. Anti-Federalists. But not quite as much in Delaware. Less than

Playing against the House

Good Thursday morning. Anyone else hungry for steak all the time lately? Get in touch: greg@gregcox.law ⭕Today's Top Narrative PLAYING AGAINST THE HOUSE. We've heard from Governor Abbott: "I don't have a problem with online sports betting." We have a

Public Education pulls an all-nighter

Good Wednesday morning. If I had known that a large group of educators were going to be up all night, I would have dropped my kids off and gotten some sleep. Get in touch: greg@gregcox.law ⭕Today's Top Narrative ALL-NIGHTER. With over 715 witnesses registered to testify—

ESA day in the Texas House.

Good Tuesday morning. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. After a few months of late nights and early mornings, I am finally bulking up the team to help streamline my workflow and deliver a better product. You can also start to expect a regular cadence of more long-form writings. As

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How Texas is Attempting to Capture Corporations Fleeing Delaware.

Playing against the House

Public Education pulls an all-nighter

ESA day in the Texas House.