Broadcasts from District 12: Press Conference
When Ben arrived in the House press conference room, the press was already assembled and waiting. He had gotten several emails from Press Secretary Jordan outlining what he should and shouldn’t say. The gist of it was that the actions of Morales and Ace Tech didn’t represent the intentions of the state government.
Ben walked to the podium at the front of the room. The Texas state flag and the American flag hung limply behind him. The seal of the state of Texas hung at waist height on the podium in front of him like an oversized belt buckle. Ben cast his eyes around for a friendly face and settled on Terry. She held his gaze, but offered no consolation. Ben didn’t expect comfort from Jordan, but his stance was more that of a warden than a passive observer.
After several seconds, the soft hum of conversation settled down and Ben could hear a chair squeak as the reporter from CBS tried to get a better view of the podium. He looked down at his notes, then looked back up at the reporters with their cameras and lights.
“SNAP is a federal program to relieve food poverty. Each state has discretion to allocate funds as they see fit. The policy of the state of Texas is to help those who need it while keeping food stamp fraud to a minimum.”
One reporter in the front checked her phone. If I can bore them, maybe the fallout will be contained. He took a calming breath and continued in as monotonous a voice as he could muster.
“I am–was–head of the committee to oversee SNAP fund allocation.”
The reporter put her phone in her pocket. She was looking up now.
“There have been allegations that the measures we took to prevent fraud ended up illegally blocking Hispanic and Black state residents from receiving benefits.”
She was sitting on the edge of her seat now. So much for boring them to death.
“Those allegations are currently part of an ongoing investigation by the Attorney General’s office and accountability will be decided by due process.”
Terry nodded approvingly. He had stuck to the script. Now for the questions. Ben licked his lips and waited. A hand shot up.
“Is it true that AI determines who gets approved for benefits?”
“Uh…” Ben stammered along. “It was a deterministic mod–”
Another reporter cut him off, “Who authorized the model?”
He didn’t get a chance to respond before another reporter stood up and boomed from the back, “Is it true the influencer Maya Larroche was behind it?”
The room turned towards the voice in the back, then as one, towards Ben, waiting for a response. He picked up his notecards. There was a bit about more carefully vetting future contractors. Ben put the cards down again and looked up.
“I authorized the model,” he said, simply.
“So are you currently under investigation?”
Ben admitted he was, and breathed out in relief that the questions about Maya stopped there.
“How do you respond to stories that the model has been reversed? And to the allegations that you are responsible?” A woman with vocal fry croaked out. “A public official interfering with an ongoing investigation is a criminal act.”
Ben glanced at Jordan. He had gone off script, but the press secretary seemed more curious than furious. Morales always followed the script.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and any harm that might have come to the people of Texas because of them.” Ben looked at Terry who held his gaze, unwaveringly.
He continued, “My actions in no way represent the authority nor policy of the state of Texas.”
Questions came at increasingly lengthening intervals, then after a few moments of silence Jordan stepped out into the middle of the room. “Thank you ladies and gentlemen, no further questions.”
Ben left the press room first, and returned to the dressing room. He sat down on a wooden chair and listened to the sound of a crowd of people leaving the room next door. Laughter rose above the muted voices then died down. High heels echoed down the hallway. After a few minutes the noise thinned out and Jordan and Terry entered the room.
Jordan spoke first, “I’m going to need you to resign.”
Ben nodded, then looked to Terry. She said nothing.
With that, Terry and Jordan turned and left the room. Ben listened as two more pairs of footsteps echoed down the hallway.