Good morning!

Here is the Texas Minute for Thursday, May 18, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan
https://blast.texasscorecard.com/t/d-e-v...-ikyhhdtkht-tt/
House Would Put $16 Billion Toward Property Tax Relief

Later today, the Texas House is slated to debate a revised property tax relief proposal that, in essence, combines the differing proposals originally passed by the Senate and the House. Brandon Waltens has the details.


Since the beginning of the session, the House and Senate have been at odds on how to deliver property tax relief.


The proposal originally passed by the Senate would increase the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $70,000 and allow seniors or disabled adults to get an additional $30,000. Meanwhile, the House’s original version limited how much the taxable value of a property can increase each year by lowering the appraisal cap from 10 percent to 5 percent. Both versions offered around $12 billion in new property tax relief.


The new House proposal increases the homestead exemption to $100,000 while lowering the appraisal cap to 5 percent. An independent analysis by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility finds $16 billion in new tax relief.


“It’s a great victory for taxpayers everywhere that the House has increased the Senate’s property tax relief package to $16 billion in new relief. They are now about $4 billion away from giving Texas the largest property tax cut in history,” said Tim Hardin, the president of TFR.


While House Speaker Dade Phelan has claimed the plan provides "$21 billion" in property tax relief, Hardin explains that this “fuzzy math” was created by counting previously existing property tax relief passed in 2019.


Any compromise between the House and Senate must move quickly. The legislative session ends on May 29.


Florida and Idaho Respond to Abbott’s Request for Border Assistance

Following the expiration of Title 42, Gov. Greg Abbott sent letters to governors across the nation, requesting assistance in handling Texas’ border crisis. Soli Rice reports Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Gov. Brad Little of Idaho have agreed to send help.

"In the federal government’s absence, we, as Governors, must band together to combat President Biden’s ongoing border crisis and ensure the safety and security that all Americans deserve," wrote Abbott.

DeSantis has committed to sending 1,100 personnel, including National Guard soldiers, law enforcement, and other first responders as well as vehicles and other equipment.

“Idaho is proud to support Gov. Abbott alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis in response to the ongoing border crisis,” stated Little on social media. “We are stepping up to protect our communities and our nation!”


Texas Hospital Resumes Sterilizing and Mutilating Children

A new report finds that the largest children’s hospital in Texas—and the United States—has restarted medical interventions for gender-confused children only three days after announcing they would stop the practice. Katy Marshall has the details.

Investigative journalist Christopher Rufo has found internal records from Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, revealing that the institution continued performing child gender mutilation surgeries.

In March, the hospital claimed they were halting these procedures after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a legal opinion explaining that the medical treatments—including providing minors with sterilizing cross-sex hormones and surgically removing their healthy body parts—classify as child abuse.

Video has also emerged of Baylor College of Medicine ethics professor Claire Horner explaining how parental rights block “gender-affirming care” efforts. “The biggest hang-ups are going to be … the parental rights issue,” said Horner.

Yes, parental rights are such an inconvenience to those who want to sterilize and mutilate mentally ill children. There is a special ring of hell reserved for doctors who take advantage of mentally ill children in the name of cashing insurance checks and creating victims dependent on lifelong medical intervention.


Senate Advances Effort Reining In Local Regulations

Legislation to roll back a “patchwork” of county and municipal ordinances in multiple areas of policy is one step closer to the governor’s desk after being adopted by the Texas Senate. Emily Wilkerson explains that the measure passed out of the House last month.


State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) described the measure as “a lifeline for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and job creators in Texas who need consistency and certainty to invest, expand and grow.”

The legislation (House Bill 2127) effectively repeals any local ordinance that conflicts with state law and prohibits any attempt to enact or enforce such an ordinance. It also allows anyone adversely affected by a potential violation of this law to bring legal action against the city or county that committed the violation.


House Approves ‘Save Women’s Sports’ Measure

House lawmakers gave tentative approval yesterday to legislation protecting women’s collegiate athletics from men masquerading as women. Sydnie Henry has the story.

Senate Bill 15, authored by State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston), extends the current ban on boys competing in girls’ public school sports teams to include Texas' public colleges and universities.

Sponsoring the legislation in the House was Valoree Swanson (R-Spring), who highlighted the physical differences between men and women in supporting the effort. She pointed to well-publicized cases of college women being forced to compete against – and share showers and locker rooms with – biological men.

Some Democrats tried to derail the legislation, such as John Bucy (D-Austin) complaining that there is “no evidence” it is an issue.


In their reckless embrace of transgender lunacy, a great many Democrats have made themselves scientifically and biologically illiterate.

Ultimately, the legislation was approved by a vote of 93-49 – with a half-dozen Democrats in support.


Senate Committee Considers Effort To Police Big Tech

Members of the Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony this week about legislation requiring social media companies to verify users are at least 18 years of age when signing up or have the consent of their parents or guardians to do so. Darrell Frost reports one witness described efforts to keep children safe as “a David vs. Goliath fight.”

The legislation was passed out of the House by a vote of 125-20 in late April. It has not yet been scheduled for a vote by the Senate.

As Texas Scorecard reported in December of last year, minors active on social media have been shown to be at greater risk of developing mental health problems, engaging in self-harm, and committing suicide.

May 21, 2023
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
https://blast.texasscorecard.com/t/d-e-v...-ikyhhdtkht-jt/


Good morning,

With just over a week left in the regular legislative session in Austin, it looks we are are gearing up overtime.

The issue at the center of it all? School choice.

A legislative priority of the Republican Party of Texas, school choice has been Gov. Greg Abbott's signature priority this year, as he's traveled around the state pushing for increased educational choice for parents.

The problem? The Texas House, which has repeatedly blocked school choice efforts this session.

While the Senate worked quickly to pass Senate Bill 8, which funds individual educational savings accounts for families at $8,000 per student annually, that legislation has stalled in the House.

For a brief moment last week, it appeared as though the House Public Education Committee could be prepared to pass out a severely watered down version that would limit those who could benefit from the plan to special education students as well as those in F-rated school districts.

Gov. Abbott, however, has said that won't do, saying failure to pass meaningful school choice "will necessitate special sessions."

Well, yesterday marked the deadline for House committees to pass out Senate bills. And Senate Bill 8, the school choice proposal, was not among them, meaning it is all but dead.

So it appears we are headed for a special session later this year on the school choice issue. With other conservative priorities hanging in the balance this week, it remains to be seen what other issues Abbott may add to that special session call when they return.



Featured
Property Tax Relief Compromise Passes Texas House

by Darrell Frost

A new property tax relief proposal passed the Texas House unanimously on Friday.

Combining elements of property tax plans from both chambers of the state legislature, the measure represents a breakthrough in deliberations that until recently appeared to have been at a stalemate.

Read More


State
Senate Committee Strengthens House Border Security Measures, But Concerns Remain
Advocates say the legislation still doesn’t go far enough to empower state authorities to repel invading illegals.
Texas House Moves to Protect Children from Sexually Explicit Performances
A measure to ensure minors are not exposed to explicit performances has received initial approval from the House.
House Higher Ed Bill Allows Universities to Hide their DEI
A late night amendment could allow DEI to continue in the shadows.


Read more in State news...


Local
New Documents Reveal State Rep. Frederick Frazier’s Sign Shenanigans Violated Dallas Police Rules
Internal Affairs investigators say the Dallas police officer’s campaign sign crimes were caught on surveillance video and violate the department’s code of conduct.
Leander ISD Teacher Explains ‘Gender Identity’ to Elementary Students
Fourth-grade teacher Deanna Perkins hangs pride flags in her classroom and wears a “pronoun lanyard” to school.
Plainview ISD Families Demand Accountability for Children’s ‘Sexual Contact’ Inside Classroom
Parents say action is overdue and it’s time to protect all the children.


Read more in Local news...


Federal
U.S. Rep. Roy Blasts Air Force for LGBTQ Celebration
After a memo was released by the Department of the Air Force celebrating Pride Month, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy wonders if rainbow uniforms are next.
AG Paxton Challenges Biden Administration’s Destructive Border Policy
As chaos spreads across the southern border, AG Paxton has filed a lawsuit that would prevent the Biden administration from releasing illegal aliens into the country without court dates.
​​​​​​​


Read more in Federal news...

Texas Scorecard TV App!

Have you checked out Texas Scorecard's streaming video apps for Roku and Apple TV?

In addition to our growing library of shows and video content, the Texas Scorecard TV app also includes gavel-to-gavel live coverage of the Senate and House chambers.

The app is available for free right now: simply go to the Roku or Apple TV app store, and search for "Texas Scorecard."



Quoting...

"Freedom has cost too much blood and agony to be relinquished at the cheap price of rhetoric."

- Thomas Sowell

Good morning,
https://blast.texasscorecard.com/t/d-e-v...-ikyhhdtkht-tk/
Here is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Attorney General Paxton Calls on Speaker Phelan to Resign

Texas’ top lawyer says House Speaker Dade Phelan needs to resign after being in a state of “​​apparent debilitating intoxication” while presiding over the House. Brandon Waltens has the details.

The comments from Attorney General Ken Paxton came in reference to a viral video that circulated on social media over the weekend showing Phelan slurring words and acting in a manner that some allege is consistent with intoxication.

“After much consideration, it is with profound disappointment that I call on Speaker Dade Phelan to resign at the end of this legislative session. Texans were dismayed to witness his performance presiding over the Texas House in a state of apparent debilitating intoxication,” said Paxton.

Paxton has called on the House General Investigating Committee to open an investigation into Phelan for “violation of House rules, state law, and for conduct unbecoming of his position.”

All of this happened at the same time, literally, on Tuesday afternoon when the General Investigating Committee announced it was looking into the details surrounding a legal settlement reached between several former top-level A.G. staff who had been fired two years ago.


Public School Administrators Admit to Ignoring CRT Ban

Although state law bans Texas public school officials from teaching critical race theory, a new video shows administrators from several Dallas-area districts admitting to infusing the curriculum with racist ideology. Katy Marshall has the story.

During Texas’ 2021 legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law House Bill 3979, which was designed to prevent teachers from utilizing critical race theory and prohibits teaching that one race or sex is inherently superior to another.

Despite the prohibition on CRT, a new video from Accuracy in Media depicts several school administrators saying they are ignoring the ban.

And then there is Keller ISD’s Advanced Academic Coordinator Donna Hodge, who said her district simply renamed its curriculum so as to avoid violating the CRT ban.


House Lawmakers Reject Ban on College Faculty Tenure

While the Texas Senate passed legislation removing tenure for new faculty at the state's public universities, members of the Texas House instead approved a drastically rewritten version that implements restrictions on the practice. As Sydnie Henry reports, the vastly different versions of the legislation must be reconciled by the two chambers.


Consequences For Educators Who Expose Kids to ‘Harmful’ Material

While it is already a crime to sell, distribute, or display “patently offensive” sexually explicit materials to minors, legislation approved by the Texas House and Senate for the first time adds consequences for educators who do it. Erin Anderson has the details.

House Bill 4520 by State Rep. Cody Harris (R–Palestine) adds exposing minors to harmful material to the list of crimes that require the state to revoke an educator’s teaching certificate. Additionally, educators convicted of, or receiving deferred adjudication for, the crime will also be disqualified from receiving benefits from the Teacher Retirement System.

Left-wing school librarians opposed the legislation, claiming it would "criminalize" their profession.


The House passed HB 4520 earlier this month with a near-unanimous bipartisan vote, and the Senate approved it earlier this week. It now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott for his consideration.


House Approves Election Security Measures

Three measures to make elections more secure were approved in the Texas House on Tuesday, the deadline for the chamber to approve Senate legislation.

One of those would, effectively, require Texas to withdraw from a costly interstate voter registration crosscheck program. Another would give the Texas secretary of state administrative oversight of county elections offices where recurring problems are identified.

Others, however, died – including a measure allowing election crimes to be prosecuted in adjoining counties or judicial districts.


Investigative Series: Destroying Souls

Check out the new Texas Scorecard investigative series titled Destroying Souls. The series is taking a painful look at sex trafficking in the Lone Star State.


Part 1 explored the history of sex slavery in Texas. Part 2 examined how the government's response to the Chinese coronavirus hindered programs trying to address sex slavery.


At noon today, Part 3 will explore the latest efforts to take on the sex slavery crisis.


🔒 Donate to Texas Scorecard 🔒


Today in History

On May 24, 1775, John Hancock was elected as the president of the Second Continental Congress.

Quote-Unquote

"That people who pay greater respect to a wealthy villain than to an honest, upright man in poverty, almost deserve to be enslaved; they plainly show that wealth, however it may be acquired, is, in their esteem, to be preferred to virtue."

– John Hancock​

U.S. Senator
John Cornyn (R)
(202) 224-2934

U.S. Senator
Ted Cruz (R)
(202) 224-5922

Governor of Texas
Greg Abbott (R)
(512) 463-2000

Lt. Governor
Dan Patrick (R)
(512) 463-0001


State Board of Education, District 10
Tom Maynard ( R)
Main (512) 463-9007

U.S. House, District 17
Pete Sessions (R)
(202) 225-6105​​​​​​​

Texas Senate, District 5
Charles Schwertner (R)
(512) 463-0105​​​​​​​

Texas House, District 13
Angelia Orr (R)
(512) 463-0600​​​​​​​

Speaker of the Texas House
Dade Phelan (R)
(512) 463-1000

We don’t include politicians’ email addresses, because email is generally an inefficient way to communicate with elected officials due to volume and spam. We recommend sending a postcard or letter to their mailing address, or calling their office.

It's heating up:



https://twitter.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1661415070939611141

https://blast.texasscorecard.com/t/d-e-vlimyd-ikyhhdtkht-ii/

Good morning,

Would-be tyrants like to whisper convenient little lies to distract us from our role as citizens in this self-governing Republic. I close out the week reflecting on one of the most insidious of those lies.

Here is the Texas Minute for Friday, May 26, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan


PROGRAMMING NOTE: I'll be out of the office for the next couple of weeks, so Brandon Waltens (brandon@texasscorecard.com) will be taking over the Texas Minute duties.

House Committee Votes To Start Impeachment Against Paxton

The Texas House could see its first impeachment proceedings in nearly 50 years, as the House Committee on General Investigating unanimously voted yesterday to refer articles of impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton. Brandon Waltens has the details.

The move comes one day after a hearing in which the committee heard testimony from a group of four investigators secretly appointed by the committee back in March. The investigators largely rehashed the ongoing indictment of Paxton on securities fraud charges that have been likened to a “political prosecution” for eight years and have been the focus of multiple campaigns.


Chris Hilton, the chief of general litigation for the Office of the Attorney General, demanded to testify on behalf of Paxton but was denied the opportunity to do so. Hilton called the committee’s work an “illegal investigation.”

Notably, the impeachment referral comes just days after Paxton called for the resignation of House Speaker Dade Phelan for allegedly running the House while under the influence of alcohol.

This move by Speaker Phelan marks an escalation in his war against Texas' Republican primary voters that has seen him reject Gov. Greg Abbott's marquee legislative push (see below), attack Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and undermine the priorities of the Republican Party of Texas.

Members of the Texas House will go home having not achieved much for conservatives but with a record of attacking conservative priorities and Republican standard-bearers.

Impeachment requires a majority vote in the House of Representatives. Even though the regular session ends on Monday, the House can organize itself into a special session for impeachment proceedings. Should the House impeach Paxton, the issue would be sent to the Senate for a trial where conviction requires two-thirds of the senators.

📺 Call It What It Is...

In a special edition of his show, Luke Macias breaks down the history of impeachment in Texas and why the House leadership is pursuing it against A.G. Paxton.

"Call it what it is. The Texas House of Representatives is weaponizing the impeachment process to go after one of their political opponents. That's what it is, pure and simple. It's absurd. It's silly. It's unserious. It's immature. It's desperate. And, it's actually consistent with the leadership of the Texas House of Representatives.” – Luke Macias

You can watch the Luke Macias Show on YouTube or listen to it on your favorite podcasting platforms.


House Keeps Rejecting Abbott's School Choice Push

As the Texas legislative session approaches the May 29 finish line, a dispute over public education is heating up between the state House and Senate, with the fate of school choice legislation hanging in the balance. Darrell Frost reports on the feud around a legislative priority of Gov. Greg Abbott and the Republican Party of Texas.

In just the last two months, the Senate has three times moved legislation with school choice components, and each time they have been met with hostility in the House. Both chambers are dominated by Republicans.

In the latest attempt, the House killed legislation increasing salaries for public school teachers because the legislation included a school choice component.

Gov. Abbott has said he will call lawmakers into a special session on the issue if it isn't addressed in the regular session.


Attacks On Free Speech Stopped... For Now

Legislation intended to limit Texans’ free speech rights has almost certainly died after failing to receive a vote before end-of-session deadlines in both chambers of the state Legislature.


State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola) wanted to change key provisions of the Texas Citizens Participation Act, which was enacted to protect Texans’ right to express their opinions about public figures or matters of public concern. At issue are SLAPP lawsuits—“strategic lawsuits against public participation”—used by wealthy and powerful individuals to silence critics through litigation.

Behind the scenes, the effort was pushed by two big-business lobby groups: Texans for Lawsuit Reform and the Texas Association of Business.

Cultural Rot Breeds Sex Slavery

All week, Texas Scorecard has examined the issues of sex slavery and sex trafficking. The investigative series ends with a report by Robert Montoya reviewing the cultural roots of this vampiric enterprise.

From the fatherlessness epidemic to easy access to pornography, sex slavery is intertwined with the decline of the family.

Fort Worth Mayor Encourages Kids to Read ‘LGBTQ+’ Books

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker has appeared to endorse LGBT and radical gender ideologies through her summer reading program for children. Katy Marshall reports the mayor's office is now backtracking.

The Fort Worth Public Library announced this week that the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge would run June 1-August 12. To complete the summer reading challenge, children read books and complete activities to earn badges.

Parents noticed that the challenge also encouraged children to read books with LGBT themes. Among other things, school-age participants were being encouraged to learn about the history of LGBT "pride" month.

Shortly after parents began calling the city offices to complain, the Fort Worth Public Library removed the "pride" badge from the children’s summer reading challenge.

This is not Mayor Parker’s first time coming under fire for supporting radical gender ideology. She has criticized efforts to prohibit sterilization and gender mutilation procedures on children.

The mayor's office did not respond to a request for comment.

DeSantis Officially Joins Presidential Contest

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his presidential bid in a live – and glitchy – Twitter Spaces event with Elon Musk that attracted hundreds of thousands of listeners. Sydnie Henry has the story.

DeSantis pledged to hold federal agencies accountable for abusing their authority, end Biden’s “shenanigans” on the border and secure it, and protect children from rampant sexualization and woke indoctrination. The Florida governor has made a name for himself in the last few years by taking on COVID-19 shutdowns and mandates, Disney’s woke propaganda for children, indoctrination in public schools, drag shows targeting children, men in women’s sports, DEI in universities, and China’s agricultural land purchases in Florida.

A poll by CWS Research earlier this month before DeSantis’ announcement found that 16 percent of Texas’ Republican primary voters said they would support DeSantis. Former President Donald Trump led the poll with 54 percent support.

A poll of general election voters last month found both Trump and DeSantis would beat Joe Biden.


📺 WATCH: The Headline

On this week's edition of The Headline with Brandon Waltens, Robert Montoya discusses the findings of his latest investigative series. And I'll drop in to chat about the escalating war between the Texas House and ... everyone else.

You can watch The Headline on the Apple TV or Roku apps, on an iOS or Android phone, or on the Texas Scorecard YouTube channel.

Friday Reflection:
It's Our Job

by Michael Quinn Sullivan

Listen to the Reflections Podcast


There is a lie whispered by tyrants, spoken by sycophants, and repeated by patriots. It is a lie that has undermined our Republic and will be the undoing of our liberty.

That lie is one I hear all too frequently, spoken as though it were holy writ. “I just wish I could go back to a time when I didn’t have to pay attention to government.”

It is a lie I have become frustrated hearing repeated by people who should know better. So much so, I have begun to respond to it with an admittedly snarky question: “So, you must be eager to have King Charles and Lady Camilla reign over you? Or, perhaps, you think the German chancellor would be a nice ruler?”

Because, fundamentally, that is the choice. We can be a self-governing Republic, or we can be a subservient people governed by tyrants.

Our system of government only works when the citizens are engaged. As citizens, it is our job – every day – to pay attention to the government. The extent to which we stop being engaged is in direct proportion to the loss of liberty and the rise of tyranny.

“Ah, but Michael, I don’t have time to pay attention to the government! It’s all so complicated!” Then, no worries, just sign away your rights. Another person, who is more interested, is happy to see to the affairs of state. He’ll just need ready access to your property, your children, and whatever wealth you manage to accumulate.

That is the bargain the people of God made despite the warnings from the Prophet Samuel. They had been a self-governing people but found it was a lot of work. They wanted, instead, to be serfs. They were warned of the outcomes yet chose a life of serfdom anyway.

This is why that lie is gently whispered by tyrants and those who desire to be our masters. They want us to fall into the same trap as our ancestors. They want us to slip shackles on our wrists and ankles. It will be so much easier…

It is true that the sloth of previous generations has forced us in this generation to have more fights than we would have had they not succumbed to the lie. But even so, we would still be required to vigilantly stand watch, but liberty would not be on the ropes.

So, the question for us to answer is this: Do we want to make things better or worse for ourselves and our posterity? Do we want our successors to be serfs, or will we leave a legacy of liberty?

Our American forefathers answered that question in the 1770s. Our Texan forefathers answered it in the 1830s. How about us?

Like theirs, our answer will not come merely in words, but by our actions.


Quote-Unquote

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."

– Samuel Adams

Now Available: 'Reflections on Life & Liberty'

Drawing from scripture, history, and personal experience, “Reflections on Life and Liberty” focuses on the importance of citizenship and self-governance in the fight to save the American Republic.

The book comes in three formats: hardcover, paperback, and digital download. For now, "Reflections on Life & Liberty" is only available at Amazon.

Directory of Your National and State Lawmakers

This information is automatically inserted based on the mailing address you provide to us. If you'd like to update your contact information, please visit our subscriber portal.

U.S. Senator
John Cornyn (R)
(202) 224-2934

U.S. Senator
Ted Cruz (R)
(202) 224-5922

Governor of Texas
Greg Abbott (R)
(512) 463-2000

Lt. Governor
Dan Patrick (R)
(512) 463-0001

Attorney General
Ken Paxton (R)
(512) 463-2100

Comptroller
Glenn Hegar (R)
(512) 463-4600

Land Commissioner
Dawn Buckingham (R)
(512) 463-5001


Commissioner of Agriculture
Sid Miller (R)
(512) 463-7476

Railroad Commissioners
Wayne Christian (R)
Christi Craddick (R)
Jim Wright (R)
(512) 463-7158

State Board of Education, District 10
Tom Maynard ( R)
Main (512) 463-9007

U.S. House, District 17
Pete Sessions (R)
(202) 225-6105

Texas Senate, District 5
Charles Schwertner (R)
(512) 463-0105

Texas House, District 13
Angelia Orr (R)
(512) 463-0600

Speaker of the Texas House
Dade Phelan (R)
(512) 463-1000

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A product of Texas Scorecard
www.TexasScorecard.com
(888) 410-1836
PO Box 248, Leander, TX 78646

Presented by Texas Scorecard, the Texas Minute is a quick look at the first news of the Lone Star State so citizens can be well informed and effectively engaged. It is available weekday mornings in your inbox!

Good morning,
https://blast.texasscorecard.com/t/d-e-v...-ikyhhdtkht-ty/
Here is the Texas Minute for Monday, May 29, 2023.
– Brandon Waltens


But first, on this Memorial Day, the Texas Scorecard team would like to remember our service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and give our thanks to all who have served.

House Approves Illegal Impeachment of AG Ken Paxton

Despite major opposition from conservative voices, the Texas House voted 121-23 to impeach Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in a rare and rushed Saturday meeting.

House Speaker Dade Phelan, who traditionally abstains from most votes, registered an affirmative vote following Paxton’s call for his resignation due to apparent intoxication on the House floor.

The vote was also Democrat-led, with 61 Democrats and 60 Republicans voting for the motion.

Saturday's impeachment, the first of a statewide official in over 100 years, centered around a settlement reached with four former employees of the Office of the Attorney General who say they were fired unfairly.

The move has gained significant opposition from conservatives like U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who called the process a "travesty."

Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he would fight any Republican who voted for the impeachment resolution.

The issue will now be sent to the Senate for a trial where Paxton would be required to be convicted by two-thirds of the senators in order to be removed from office.

Texas Legislature Massively Increases State Spending

​​​​Just moments after the House impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton, they approved the largest spending increase in 20 years. Sydnie Henry has the details.

The budget, now approved by both the House and Senate, increases spending to $321 billion, a 21.3 percent jump from the previous biennium’s appropriations.

Although lawmakers have been working with a historic budget surplus—that is, they took too much in taxes from citizens—of nearly $33 billion, they have not allocated the majority of it toward new property tax relief.

According to Tim Hardin, the president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, “The property tax relief that has steadily improved throughout the session due to taxpayer pressure still falls short of the promised ‘largest property tax cut in Texas history.’”

Indeed, with the Legislature's regular session slated to end today, no agreement has been reached on property tax relief, meaning it must be addressed in a special session.

Harris County Dems Threaten to Sue over Election Integrity Legislation​​​​

Republican legislation inspired by a series of election fiascos in Harris County is drawing threats of lawsuits from local Democrat officials—before it’s even been signed into law.

Erin Anderson reports that Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee announced the county plans to sue the state over two bills passed by Texas lawmakers: one that eliminates their elections administrator position and another that subjects the county’s elections office to state oversight.

County Judge Lina Hidalgo, County Commissioner Rodney Harris, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner—all Democrats like Menefee—also backed the legal challenges.

Until 2020, Harris County elections were administered by the county clerk, while the tax assessor (a position Bettencourt once held) managed voter registration. Then, Hidalgo and the commissioners court decided to move all election duties to an appointed elections administrator.

Following the November 2020 election, Hidalgo pushed to appoint Isabel Longoria as the county’s first elections administrator, despite her complete lack of experience. A series of botched elections followed, including what some called “the worst election fiasco in Texas history,” forcing Longoria to resign in 2022.

The county then hired Clifford Tatum, a consultant from Washington, D.C., whose gross mismanagement of the November 2022 election sparked a criminal investigation and multiple lawsuits that are ongoing.

Texas Legislative Session to End with Unfinished Business

The regular legislative session is set to end today, but lawmakers should be prepared to come back for overtime.

At the beginning of the session, Gov. Greg Abbott announced 7 priority items. Only 3 of those priorities will be reach his desk.

While the legislature passed legislation addressing COVID mandates, the fentanyl crisis, and school safety, other priorities failed to reach the finish line, including:

Border security
Bail Reform
School Choice
Property Tax Relief

Special sessions can only be called by the governor, up to 30 days at a time, and on issues he chooses.

🔒 Donate to Texas Scorecard 🔒

Quote-Unquote

"…And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice."

– Ronald Reagan​

Richard Lowery and Michael Quinn Sullivan 🇺🇸 follow
Texas Freedom Caucus@TxFreedomCaucus

🚨BREAKING: Freedom Caucus requests an immediate special session. We had significant wins this session, but the legislature fell short on several critical issues. We cannot afford to wait two more years for maximum property tax relief, border security, educational freedom, a COVID-19 vaccine mandates ban, adoption assistance, and full-time vocational training. That’s why we’ve sent this letter to @GovAbbott requesting a special session immediately following sine die. #txlege


https://twitter.com/TxFreedomCaucus/stat...007722701193219

Quote: Sanguine wrote in post #23

---

ust moments after the House impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton, they approved the largest spending increase in 20 years. Sydnie Henry has the details.

The budget, now approved by both the House and Senate, increases spending to $321 billion, a 21.3 percent jump from the previous biennium’s appropriations.

Although lawmakers have been working with a historic budget surplus—that is, they took too much in taxes from citizens—of nearly $33 billion, they have not allocated the majority of it toward new property tax relief.

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Michael Quinn Sullivan 🇺🇸@MQSullivan
#TxLege managed to push the biggest budget in history, spending more on corporate welfare than ever. They over-collected $32 billion from taxpayers… and did ZERO property tax relief.

The House @TXGOPCaucus wasted time serving the political vendettas of crony insiders rather than delivering for Texans.
10:29 AM · May 29, 2023
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Don Huffines@DonHuffines
https://twitter.com/DonHuffines/status/1663196448505188356
Texas received an unprecedented amount of your money this year. Taxpayers overfunded the government by $62 billion. This massive surplus should have been returned to all Texans by eliminating the school property tax.

Instead, last night, #txlege passed corporate welfare, which gives tax relief to businesses on your dime. Giving tax breaks to politically connected companies while continuing to raise everyone else’s property taxes to pay for the tax breaks is theft.

Members of the Texas Legislature that vote for these programs—and governors that sign the bills that allow for them—are aiding and abetting theft. School district property tax abatements should not be renewed.

The best economic incentive we can provide businesses (or anyone) is lower property taxes across the board. Texans deserve definitive action that permanently locks in property tax relief and puts Texas on the path to eliminating school M&O property taxes.
9:51 AM · May 29, 2023
·
10.9K
Views

The Texas Minute, presented by Texas Scorecard
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Good morning,

If you were wondering, the Texas House did manage to have a quorum for business last night, which consisted of passing several resolutions. It was announced by Speaker Dade Phelan that the House would "stand at ease" until Monday or Tuesday. The special session ends on Tuesday.

Here is the Texas Minute for Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.


– Michael Quinn Sullivan

House to Abbott: School Choice Is Dead For Now

Despite being the top legislative priority of Gov. Greg Abbott, school choice legislation appears all but dead in the Texas House. Brandon Waltens reports on the announcement made last night.

State Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Salado), the chair of the House Public Education Committee, said after the business was concluded that the timeline was “too tight for the House to be able to move something in this special.”

The Texas Senate has repeatedly passed school choice legislation, including SB 1 in the opening days of this special session.

On Wednesday, Abbott said he had reached an agreement with House Speaker Dade Phelan on a compromise bill that would include “billions” of dollars in new funding for public schools.

600,000 Known ‘Gotaways’ Reported at the Border

During a national security hearing on Capitol Hill, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified that more than 600,000 known “gotaways” were reported at the border over the last 12 months. Soli Rice has the details.

It is assumed the actual number of gotaways is higher than reported. In federal law, "got away" refers to an illegal alien who "is directly or indirectly observed making an unlawful entry into the United States."

The last year saw 2,475,669 illegal alien encounters along the southwest border. Combined with the number of known gotaways, this brings the number of known illegals attempting to cross into the United States or successfully crossing to more than three million.

The total number of FBI terror watchlist suspects arrested along the southwest border in FY23 came out to 169—more than the previous six years combined. This excludes any potential suspects that may have evaded Border Patrol when crossing the border.


According to Customs and Border Protection estimates, more than 18,000 gotaways made it into the U.S. during the first six days of October alone.


Texas Senate Reworks House Border Legislation

The Senate Committee on Border Security approved an overhaul to a House measure intended to allow Texas to remove illegal aliens. Sydnie Henry has the report.

Concerns over the implementation of the measure were raised in the Senate, leading State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) to substitute in language that he said would overcome those perceived shortcomings.

For example, the House version allowed law enforcement to order an illegal alien to return to Mexico without being convicted of the new state crime. Birdwell explained that created conflicts in state and federal law. Under his version, illegal aliens must first be tried under a new state law before they can be sent to the border for deportation.

Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith (R) was not pleased with the changes, saying he felt it put too much power in the hands of the Biden administration.


Cruz Files Hamas Sanctions Act

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has introduced legislation that would impose sanctions on Hamas and others associated with the terrorist organization. Emily Medeiros has the story.

The Hamas Sanctions Act would prohibit U.S. tax dollars from going to the Gaza Strip as well as sanction every Hamas member and affiliate known to the U.S. within 15 days.

If enacted, the law would block Hamas’ ability to find safe havens abroad in countries like Qatar or Turkey. It would impose sanctions on hotels, landlords, banks, and similar businesses in allied countries that provide services to Hamas leaders.

“The United States should use every resource at our disposal, including our diplomatic power and sanctions leverage, for as long as it takes, to ensure that our Israeli allies are able to utterly eradicate Hamas.” – Ted Cruz


#DecisionTexas
Two More Phelan Allies Draw Challengers

Two Dallas-area state representatives will face challenges for their House seats in the March Republican Primary. Morgan Meyer (Dallas) and Jared Patterson (Frisco) are both closely aligned with House Speaker Dade Phelan.

Meyer is being challenged in the GOP primary by local attorney Barry Wernick, while Patterson will face former Dallas County Clerk Cynthia Figueroa.

Meyer and Patterson both voted for the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.


#DecisionTexas
Houstonians Turning Out For Mayoral Race

A race to replace term-limited Mayor Sylvester Turner is drawing Houston voters to the polls as Texans turn out to cast ballots in statewide and local elections. Erin Anderson reports the mayoral contest centers on two septuagenarian Democrats: State Sen. John Whitmire and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

A University of Houston survey conducted earlier this month showed Whitmire leading Jackson Lee with 34 percent compared to 31 percent. But the same poll found that in an expected runoff, Whitmire led Jackson Lee 50 percent to 36 percent.


#DecisionTexas
Granger Will Not Seek Re-Election

After over 25 years in Congress, Republican U.S. Rep. Kay Granger has announced she will retire at the end of her current term.

She previously served as the mayor of Fort Worth and was first elected to Congress in 1996.

Granger has been plagued for several years over a scandal concerning her son’s involvement with Panther Island, an economic development boondoggle disguised as a flood control project. A 2019 programmatic review found that for 15 years, nearly $400 million of taxpayer money was spent on the project, with little to show for it.

Granger currently holds a lifetime score of 66 percent on the FreedomWorks Congressional Scorecard. Even in recent weeks, Granger has drawn the ire of conservatives after refusing to vote for Jim Jordan (R-OH) for Speaker of the House.

State Rep. Craig Goldman (R–Fort Worth) is widely rumored to be planning a run. Businessman John O’Shea, who has the endorsement of Attorney General Ken Paxton, announced his Republican campaign for the seat earlier this year.



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Number of the Day

83

The combined number of years that State Sen. John Whitmire (74-years-old) and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (73-years-old) have held elected positions. Whitmire has spent 50 years in the Texas Legislature, while Jackson Lee has spent 33 years in city and federal office.

[Source: public records]

Quote-Unquote

"The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse."

– James Madison​


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Directory of Your U.S. & Texas Lawmakers

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U.S. Senator
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(202) 224-2934

U.S. Senator
Ted Cruz (R)
(202) 224-5922

Governor of Texas
Greg Abbott (R)
(512) 463-2000

Lt. Governor
Dan Patrick (R)
(512) 463-0001


State Board of Education, District 10
Tom Maynard ( R)
Main (512) 463-9007

U.S. House, District 17
Pete Sessions (R)
(202) 225-6105

Texas Senate, District 5
Charles Schwertner (R)
(512) 463-0105

Texas House, District 13
Angelia Orr (R)
(512) 463-0600

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Dade Phelan (R)
(512) 463-1000

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Presented by Texas Scorecard, the Texas Minute is a quick look at the first news of the Lone Star State so citizens can be well informed and effectively engaged. It is available weekday mornings in your inbox!

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Good morning,

Yesterday, we asked readers about the candidates seeking the GOP nomination for the presidency. The results came in a landslide. Check out the results below.

This is the Texas Minute for Tuesday, Nov.21, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

But First...

At Texas Scorecard, our mission is to inform citizens so that they can be fully engaged as the leaders of our state. We don't put our content behind paywalls, seek corporate advertising, or accept government grants. Instead, we rely on the generosity of our readers.

If you like our work, and want us to reach more people, then please make a special pre-Thanksgiving donation today!

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Former ICE Director Promises ‘Biggest Deportation Operation’ Under Trump

In a second Trump administration, cleaning up the southwest border would be a priority, according to the former director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sydnie Henry has more on the story.

In a social media post, Tom Homan said he would "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen" should Donald Trump re-take the White House in 2024. Trump had previously said he would re-hire Homan to head ICE in a second administration.

“If there’s no consequence, we can’t fix the border. We’re going to have a consequence in the Trump administration,” Homan added.


#DecisionTexas
Paxton Impeachment Leader Won’t Seek Re-Election

State Rep. Andrew Murr (R–Junction), who led the impeachment charge against Attorney General Ken Paxton, has announced he will not seek re-election. Brandon Waltens has the report.

First elected to the Texas House in 2014, Murr was named the chairman of the House General Investigating Committee by Speaker Dade Phelan earlier this year. From that post, Murr led a secret investigation against Paxton that culminated in a rushed impeachment process. Paxton was exonerated by the Senate this fall.

Besides the impeachment push, Murr’s record led to his censure at home by the Republican executive committees in Medina and Bandera counties.

By leaving office, Murr avoids a potentially embarassing re-election fight. He had already gained a primary challenge from Wes Virdell, who was endorsed by Attorney General Ken Paxton.


Parents Want an Inspector General for Public Education

As the debate over “school choice” continues in the Texas Legislature, parents are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to expand his agenda for the ongoing fourth special legislative session to include more oversight and accountability in public education. Erin Anderson has the details.

Aileen Blachowski is part of Texas Education 911, a grassroots movement promoting parent-identified policy solutions.

“With more than 50 percent of the state budget spent on public education, Texas needs an Inspector General for Education to report fraud, waste and abuse—especially abuses of parental rights and school employees who physically or sexually harm a child,” said Blachowski.

The organization has documented 32 stories of students across the state harmed by public school administrators failing to follow the law when children have been abused by district employees.


Israeli Student Says She was Targeted By Public School Teacher

An investigation is underway in the Dickinson Independent School District after an Israeli student reported being targeted for harassment by her English teacher. Emily Medeiros has the story.


The student said she walked into her English class last week to find a message, “No Justice, no Peace. Justice for Palestine,” written on the whiteboard. The message was not part of a lesson. Instead, the girl claims, it appears to have been an opportunity for the teacher to insert her political opinion about the Israel-Hamas war into the classroom.

The girl's parents filed a complaint with the district.


#DecisionTexas
Texas State University to Host 2024 Presidential Debate

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Monday that Texas State University in San Marcos will host a debate ahead of the general election.

Texas State will be the first university in the state to host a presidential debate. It is also the only university in Texas to have a former president as an alumnus. Lyndon B. Johnson graduated in 1930, when the school went under the name Southwest Texas State Teachers College.


The debate, which will take place on September 16, 2024, will be the first in a series of four debates scheduled by the commission next year.


🎶 Grab Some Texas Music 🎶

As you assemble a playlist for your Thanksgiving travel, check out "The Handwriting Was Mine" by Owen Stroud.

This is Texas music, through and through. A sample of the song titles: "I'm Not Afraid of I-35," "Leander," and "Lone Star Nerd."

Owen interned for us many years ago, and has gone on to a career in music education.