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Texas Governor rejects funding following Democrat walk-out

Published

5 years ago

June 2, 2021

The Texas governor says he’ll reject funding following the staged walk-out this week

The Republican Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, says he will reject funding for the state law-making body following a staged walkout by Democrats.

The walk-out came as Texas Republican lawmakers attempted to pass a sweeping set of new laws to tighten voting regulations. However, Democratic delegates blocked the motion.

Democrats say the proposed bill legislation would’ve added new obstacles for voting in future elections.

The governors also raised concerns the bill would’ve limited the availability of certain forms of voting. The methods in question are largely used by low income and handicapped people.

Republican Governors in Texas left unable to vote

The walk-out in Texas left the House without enough numbers to meet a quorum. This meant Republicans were unable to cast their vote.

Governor Abbot says he “will veto Article 10 of the budget passed.” He further added that Texas will “not pay for those who abandon their responsibilities”. Article 10 funds the state legislative branch.

In a statement published the same day, Abbott also said it was “deeply disappointing and concerning” that the election bill did not reach his desk.

However, Texas State Democrat Jessica Gonzalez argues her fellow representatives “have done their part” for democracy.

I will veto Article 10 of the budget passed by the legislature.

Article 10 funds the legislative branch.

No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities.

Stay tuned.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 31, 2021

If passed, the bill would ban drive-thru voting in Texas and prohibit 24-hour voting. It would’ve also banned public officials from offering mail-in voting applications to voters who do not request them.

24-hour voting was used by more than 100,000 voters in the 2020 election in Harris County, where President Biden won with about 56 percent of the vote.

Concerning, the bill would’ve also meant senators would not have to confirm evidence of election fraud.

The proposed legislation would allow courts to overturn elections if “the number of votes illegally cast in the election is equal to or greater than the number of votes necessary to change the outcome of an election.”

Texas Senator Cruz comes under fire for abandoning his state

The walk-out in Texas comes after prominent Republican Senator Ted Cruz recently left for Israel. Violence between the country and Hamas militants ceased 11 days ago.

Critics have blasted Senator Cruz for ‘opportunism’ following the trip. This own state is currently being ravaged by storms.

In a tweet, Cruz says “radical Democrats are wrong. Israel has the undeniable right to defend itself”.

Democrats block bill to arm Israel

Texas Senator Cruz recently introduced a bill that will allow arms sales to Israel. However, the bill was also blocked by the Democrats.

In a statement, Cruz says: “sadly, Democrats in both the House and the Senate are choosing to pacify their anti-Israel base by opposing this critical support.”

“I call on my Democrat colleagues to choose a side and support this common-sense resolution”.

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William Howard

William is an Executive News Producer at TICKER NEWS, responsible for the production and direction of news bulletins. William is also the presenter of the hourly Weather + Climate segment. With qualifications in Journalism and Law (LLB), William previously worked at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) before moving to TICKER NEWS. He was also an intern at the Seven Network's 'Sunrise'. A creative-minded individual, William has a passion for broadcast journalism and reporting on global politics and international affairs.

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OpenAI prepares first consumer device amid revenue boom

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

Published

21 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

OpenAI is gearing up to launch its first-ever consumer hardware device in late 2026. The product is expected to be a screenless smart speaker, signalling the tech giant’s move beyond software and into the world of physical devices.

The device comes after OpenAI acquired a promising hardware startup to accelerate development.

The company is also pushing a strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing, working closely with U.S. manufacturers to secure efficient production of essential components.

Despite the progress, technical hurdles remain, especially around the device’s listening capabilities, which could delay the rollout.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI reporting an annualised revenue of over $20 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 233% increase from the previous year. The combination of massive revenue growth and expansion into hardware marks a new era for the AI pioneer.

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#OpenAI #SmartSpeaker #AIHardware #TechNews #Innovation #Manufacturing #AIRevenue #FutureTech

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Putin invited to Trump’s Gaza Peace Board

Putin invited to U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza amid ceasefire efforts and reconstruction debates.

Published

21 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Putin invited to U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza amid ceasefire efforts and reconstruction debates.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly received an invitation to join the U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, according to the Kremlin. The council, created by President Donald Trump, is designed to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas while overseeing the region’s reconstruction.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow will review the details of the invitation before responding. The board has already extended invitations to several world leaders, with some nations confirming their participation.

The proposal has sparked debate because the Trump administration reportedly requires participating nations to pay $1 billion to secure a permanent seat. Putin’s potential involvement also raises concerns, given his ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

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#GazaPeace #Putin #Trump #MiddleEast #InternationalRelations #WorldLeaders #Ceasefire #GlobalPolitics

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Trump escalates Greenland standoff as Europe weighs retaliation

Denmark boosts Greenland troops as Trump pushes U.S. control, prompting European leaders to seek diplomatic solutions amidst rising tensions.

Published

21 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Denmark boosts Greenland troops as Trump pushes U.S. control, prompting European leaders to seek diplomatic solutions amidst rising tensions.

Denmark has deployed additional troops to Greenland after President Donald Trump renewed his push for U.S. control of the island, linking the issue to what he claims cost him a Nobel Peace Prize.

The move has raised alarm across Europe, with leaders scrambling to prevent a fresh transatlantic crisis.

Trump has warned of tariffs against countries opposing American control of Greenland, calling the territory vital to U.S. security interests. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has privately raised concerns with Trump, while EU officials assess potential coordinated countermeasures.

Despite the rhetoric, European leaders remain cautious. With U.S. influence deeply embedded in Europe’s defence and security framework, the bloc is keen to avoid further escalation as diplomatic negotiations continue behind the scenes.

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