Rep. Chip Roy Introduces Border Wall Fund Amendment

[#TexasPolitics365]

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced an amendment that would strip the nearly $5.7 billion in earmarks from the House Democrats’ surface transportation bill and use the money to establish a fund in the Treasury dedicated to constructing a border wall.

Roy's amendment is seen as symbolic, and unlikely to pass, since Democrats control the US House of Representatives, with 220 Democrats, 211 Republicans, and 4 vacancies.

(Full story here.)
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South Texas Woman Arrested On 26 Counts Of Election Fraud

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A south Texas woman was arrested by the Texas Attorney General’s Office Wednesday on 26 counts of violating state election laws.

Monica Rene Mendez, 36, of Port Lavaca, was charged with three counts of illegal voting, seven counts of unlawful voter assistance, eight counts of returning marked ballots without consent and eight counts of election fraud, according to jail records.

(Full story here.)
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Poll: Only 41% Want O'Rourke, McConaughey To Challenge Abbott

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A survey from Quinnipiac University indicates that a majority of Texans don’t want former Rep. Beto O’Rourke to run for governor next year – and a plurality don’t favor a campaign by actor Matthew McConaughey, either.

Only 41% said they wanted O'Rourke, a former Democratic Party Senate candidate and former presidential candidate, to run against incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott in next year's election. 

Forty-one percent also said they favored "Fazed and Confused" actor Matthew McConaughey running for governor. It's unclear whether he will run as a Republican or Democrat if he becomes a candidate. 

The poll showed deep partisan divisions on his proposal to build a wall on the southern border, with the vast majority of Republicans supporting it in the vast majority of Democrats opposing it.

There was bad news for President Joe Biden in the poll, with only 29% of Texans approving his handling of the Border crisis, while 64% opposed it.

(Full story here.)
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Governor Calls July 8th Special Secsion

[#TexasPolitics365]

Late Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott called a special session of the State Legislature for July 8th.

The call was brief, and did not elaborate on what pieces of legislation or subject matter would be taken up in the section. While that will be announced later, it is widely expected that election law reform and banning the teaching of the racially divisive Critical Race Theory in schools will be at the top of the agenda.

Other subjects are likely to include Banning transexuals who were born male from competing in women's sports, and property tax reform which may include reducing property tax rates or preventing local governments from increasing property taxes as a way of funding local projects, without taxpayer consent.

While legislators billed this recent session as one of the most conservative and active in State history, conservative activists were upset with the failure of the state House of Representatives in particular to move forward on these pieces of legislation, especially election law reform/election integrity.

As busy as this session is likely to be, legislators say another session is on the way for September or October of this year to deal with redistricting. 

As this blog reported in January, the Census, which takes place every 10 years after a US Census takes place, was late reporting its data this year, due to Covid-19. Results are usually sent out to states in January or February of the year following a census.

(Full story here.)
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Ag. Commissioner Sid Miller Announces Re-Election Bid

[#TexasPolitics365]

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has announced he will be seeking re-election to that position next year. His announcement early Tuesday ended speculation that he would run for governor against incumbent Greg Abbott.

He wrote on Facebook:

"During my tenure, Texas has faced many challenges. Rural hospitals, farmers, ranchers, parents and students, and every consumer in our state has been touched by the pandemic and the winter storm.

I have worked hard to meet the needs created by these challenges while expanding agriculture markets for Texas goods, protecting consumers, and making sure that our students have the healthy foods they need to thrive.

I really have the best and most rewarding job in the world.

That's why, after listening to the advice of supporters, friends, and my team, I have decided that I can best serve Texas by continuing this important work."

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Texans For Lawsuit Reform Backs Guzman For AG

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Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC (TLRPAC) today endorsed Eva Guzman in her campaign for Texas Attorney General, in what will be seen as a politically significant endorsement.

“Eva Guzman is a committed conservative and an accomplished lawyer and judge, whose intellect and strength of character have served Texas well in her two decades of public service,” TLRPAC Chairman Richard J. Trabulsi Jr. said. 

"Texans can count on her to run a first-class Attorney General’s Office and to fight encroachment by the federal government on our individual liberties and Texas’ rights under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution."

Guzman faces incumbent AG Ken Paxton and Land Commissioner George P. Bush in the Republican primary.

(Full story here.)
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Democrat Beto O'Rourke To Hold Statehouse Rally For Voting Rights

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Again, Beto O'Rourke is driving into small towns in red Texas to talk about democracy. 

The former El Paso congressman, near-miss U.S. Senate contender, and wider-miss presidential aspirant has been on the road for a couple of weeks on his "Texas Drive for Democracy" campaign tour, holding town halls about voting rights. 

The likely future Democratic candidate for governor is heading to Austin today for a big rally at the Texas Capitol. A counter-rally by Republicans will support GOP legislators' plan for election reforms, witch Beto and his fellow Democrats call "voter suppression," but Republicans say is necessary to prevent fraud and local counties from creating their own election laws. 

They cite Harris County in 2020, which arbitrarily extended voting hours and locations to ramp up vote totals in the heavily Democratic areas of Houston.

(Full story here.)
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Gov. Abbott, Keeps Promise To Veto Legislature's Budget After Democrat Walk-Out Kills Election Bill

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Staying true to his earlier promise, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has vetoed the legislature’s portion of the state budget after an election reform bill he prioritized was killed when Democrats walked out at end of this year’s session.

During a dramatic end to the session at the end of May, Democrats walked out of the House chamber before a midnight deadline to pass Republicans’ Senate Bill 7, leaving the House without a quorum to vote.

(Full story here
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Abbott, Patrick, Phelan Trade Barbs Over Failed Legislation

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The Texas legislative session ended just days ago with fireworks. House Democrats walking out to kill a controversial voting rights bill. 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick claimed the House was mismanaged and Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to veto legislative salaries.

But the man in charge of the House, Speaker Dade Phelan, said last minute changes by the Senate threw a wrench in the legislative process. 

(Full story here.)
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Trump, Abbott To Tour Southern Border

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Former President of the the United States Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will be coming to Texas at the end of the month to tour the southern border with Gov. Greg Abbott.

In an open letter, the former president stated that the border crisis precipitated by Pres. Biden has caused innumerable hardships for schools, hospitals, and border towns in general.

He concluded: 

"My visit will hopefully shine a spotlight on these crimes against out Nation–and show the incredible people of ICE and Border Patrol that they have our unshakeable support."

Trump has endorsed Gov. Abbott in his re-election bid next year.

(Full story here.)
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Former Supreme Court Judge Eva Guzman Files To Run For Attorney General

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Eva Guzman, the former justice on the Texas Supreme Court, has filed paperwork to run for state attorney general.

On Friday, Guzman, a Republican, filed what is known as a campaign treasurer appointment form with the Texas Ethics Commission, saying she is seeking the office of attorney general. Media sources say she will soon announce formally.

(Full story here
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State Regulator Says Banks Can Hold Cryptocurrency For Customers

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State-chartered banks in Texas have been given the green light to custody crypto assets on behalf of their customers, a state regulator has announced. 

The guidance is not representative of new law, but an affirmation that state-chartered banks are allowed to provide crypto custody services as long as there are adequate protocols in place and the banks are complying with existing legal frameworks, according to a June 10 notice posted on the Texas Department of Banking’s website. 

(Full story here.)
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Houston Surgeon Joins GOP Land Commissioner Primary Race

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A Houston heart surgeon and attorney is the latest candidate to join the race to replace retiring Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

Dr. Jon Spiers announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for Land Commissioner on Thursday. 

According to his press release, Spiers is a veteran, heart surgeon, attorney and entrepreneur who is looking to “strengthen the General Land Office with bold, hands-on leadership to ensure a safer, stronger Texas that honors the past while building the future.”

He joins another doctor, State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, and Texas Real Estate Commissioner Weston Martinez in seeking the office being vacated by George P. Bush, who is challenging Attorney General Ken Paxton in the 2022 Republican primary.

(Full story here.)
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Gov. To Host Border Security Summit With Law Enforcement

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has invited local law enforcement leaders to a Border Security Summit next week in the border city of Del Rio, Texas. Abbott recently said on FOX News that it was his desire to arrest “everybody coming across the border.”

Abbott on Wednesday night told FOX News’ Sean Hannity: “We got a new game in town in the state of Texas that’s going to begin next week.”

(Full story here.)
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Announces Re-Election Bid

[#TexasPolitics365]

In a video released to the media and his supporters yesterday, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick officially announced that he is running for re-election in 2022.

In the video, he said, 

"I am running for re-election in 2022. Democrats are bragging again that they are going to turn Texas blue and I am not about to let that happen. We will crush them again in 2022."

Dan Patrick was first elected Lt. Governor of Texas in 2014 and re-elected in 2018.

It's very likely that, like Gov. Greg Abbott, Patrick will face primary opposition from the Right, who are upset that some legislative priorities, such as election reform and banning sex changes for minor children, weren't passed in the regular session.

Some political observers point the finger at Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan schedule hearings properly.

Phelan and Patrick have sniped back and forth on Twitter blaming each other for the failures.

On May 10, Patrick was endorsed in his expected 2022 bid by former Pres. Donald Trump.

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Former Austin Councilwoman Troxclair Seeks State Senate Seat

[#TexasPolitics365]

 

Former Austin City Councilwoman Ellen Troxclair has announced her candidacy for Texas Senate District 24.

The seat is currently held by dr. Dawn Buckingham, who is vacating the seat to run for Texas land commissioner.

In a news release posted on social media and her website Wednesday, Troxclair highlighted her conservative credentials.

“With the Biden Administration doing everything it can to force its radical leftist agenda through executive orders and acts of Congress, Texas needs proven, conservative fighters to hold the line at the state level,” said Troxclair. “It is with this in mind, that today I am excited to announce my candidacy for Texas Senate.”

Previously Troxclair served as the lone conservative on the Austin City Council where she lowered property taxes by passing Austin’s landmark homestead exemption. 

Additionally, Troxclair fought back against efforts to use taxpayer dollars to fund Planned Parenthood and benefits for illegal immigrants, as well as an initiative to punish business that helped President Trump construct the border wall.

If Troxclair wins the seat next November, she will be only the second woman in history to hold the District 24 seat, Buckingham being the first.

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Abbott Bans Teen Dancers At Strip Clubs

[#TexasPolitics365]

Hundreds of workers at strip clubs and other adult entertainment venues in Texas lost their jobs overnight last week due to a new law prohibiting the employment of anyone under the age of 21 at so-called sexually oriented businesses.

Previously, the age minimum was 18

Proponents of the law said it will help sever the link between sex trafficking and strip clubs

Club owners, dancers and other employees in the adult entertainment industry accused Texas lawmakers of ripping away the livelihood of not just erotic dancers and strippers, but bartenders, bookkeepers, servers and car valets who are under the age of 21 and also worked at the clubs. 

State Sen. Joan Huffman, a Houston Republican, wrote and sponsored the Legislation. 

George P. Bush, the Texas Land Commissioner, testified in support of the bill in the Senate Jurisprudence Committee hearing last month. Huffman chairs the Committee.

(Full story here.)
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Sen. Buckingham Will Run For Land Commissioner

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Dr. Dawn Buckingham has announced that she will seek the office of Texas Land Commissioner being vacated by George P. Bush, who is running for Attorney General.

The Lakeway Republican announced her candidacy on social media yesterday, posting a screenshot of a press release noting that after the state Senate special session this month, she will formally launch her campaign.

The conservative senator said in the release that she is beginning the campaign with a two million-dollar campaign war chest, conservative endorsements, and a strong finance team, "committed to winning the race."

She also noted her strong conservative record of, "defending the right to life, our Second Amendment, our invaluable oil and natural gas industry, and the low tax economy that has made Texas great."

Her website notes that Buckingham made history in 2016 as the first Republican from Travis County ever elected to the Texas Senate, and the first woman ever elected to represent Senate District 24.

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Republican Mayoral Victory In 85% Hispanic Border Town Gives Hope To GOP

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 Javier Villalobos has defeated Veronica Whitacre in the June 5 runoff election to win the position as the mayor of McAllen, Texas.

Villalobos, a Republican, won the election with 4,744 votes to Whitacre’s 4,538 votes. Villalobos won with 51.11% of the election total.

McAllen is a major border town of 140,000 people. 85% Hispanic, and voted for Biden last year by 17% and for Hillary Clinton in 2016 by a 41% margin.

It is seen by political observers as a major sign that Republicans and conservatives within the party are making serious inroads with Hispanic voters.

Newsmax TV host Steve Cortez noted: 

"The macro realignment accelerates in South Texas, and elsewhere, as Hispanics rally to America First: Strong Borders, Economic Nationalism, Pro-Police." 

Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted: "Javier Villalobos is a proven leader who cares deeply about the people of the Rio Grande Valley.  Congratulations @J_VillalobosLaw on becoming the next Mayor of McAllen!"

(Full story here.)
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McConaughey Questions Motivation Of Anti-Maskers

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Actor Matthew McConaughey has questioned the true motivations of anti-maskers.

During a recent radio interview, the actor, who is actively considering a run for Texas governor, suggested that people who vehemently oppose wearing masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic were being disingenuous about their reasoning for doing so.

McConaughey argued that the issue had become too politicized and advocated for masks as small sacrifices that would eventually pay dividends. He downplayed conservatives concerns about masks.

"I'm like, come on man, I'm not believing you're really scared of this little cotton thing," he continued. "And I'm not believing you really feel that takes away your identity and your freedom. This is a short-term inconvenience for long-term freedom."

It's unclear whether McConaughey will run as a Republican against Governor Abbott or as an independent, if he chooses to run.

(Full story here.)
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West Resigns As TXGOP Chair

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Texas GOP Chairman Allen West announced his resignation Friday morning, raising speculation he could run for statewide office.

West will remain chair until a successor is picked on July 11, the party said.

The party said in a statement that West “will take this opportunity to prayerfully reflect on a new chapter in his already distinguished career.”

it is widely expected within Republican circles that West will seek to challenge Governor Abbott in a primary next year. West has been openly critical of Abbott, especially regarding the mask mandate.

If West runs for governor, he will face not only Abbott, but former State Senator Don Huffines, who has already announced, and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who is expected to announce a run in the coming weeks.

(Full story here.)
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Morgan Luttrell Announces Congressional Bid

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Morgan Luttrell, a retired Navy SEAL with close ties to former Texas governor and Energy Secretary Rick Perry, filed to run for the state’s open 8th Congressional District Tuesday as a Republican. 

Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, who was first elected to the seat in 1996, announced in April he wouldn’t seek reelection next year for the eighth Congressional district, which sits just north of Houston.

Luttrell served 14 years in the military and was deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan. 

His brother, Marcus Luttrell, also served as a Navy SEAL and wrote the bestselling book Lone Survivor based on his own experiences in Afghanistan.

Six other Republican candidates have filed to run in the primary so far, and at least one independent will run for the seat in the general election in 2022,

(Full story here.)
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George P. Bush Announces Bid For Attorney General

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Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced Wednesday evening he is officially throwing his hat into the ring for Texas Attorney General.

He said the Republican Party needs new leadership in the AG’s Office, as current AG Ken Paxton continues to face several legal battles of his own.

He spoke to a crowd of nearly 300 in downtown Austin to lick off his campaign. Attorney General Ken Paxton is expected to announce that he will seek another term, setting up a hotly contested primary race.

Bush is the son of former Florida Gov. and 2016  presidential candidate Jeb Bush. During the rally, George P. Bush spoke approvingly of his father's former opponent, Pres. Donald Trump. It's unclear whether Trump will endorse Paxton in the race. He has already been endorsed incumbents Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for their 2022 bids for re-election.

(Full story here.)

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Legislators Passed Sweeping Overhaul Of State's Energy Grid

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The Texas House and Senate have approved sweeping legislation to overhaul the state’s power grid following the disastrous and deadly winter storm in February that left more than 4.8 million homes and businesses without electricity for days. More than 100 people died.

Texas lawmakers approved a bill to require power generation companies to better prepare their facilities to withstand extreme weather, among several other measures.

(Full story here.)
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Gov. Abbott To Call Special Session of Legislature

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Gov. Abbott says he will call a special session to handle several pieces of legislation that legislators failed to address in their regular session before it ended Sunday night.

Among that legislation will be bills dealing with bail reform, election integrity, and a child gender modification ban. All of which either failed to pass procedural hurdles, or failed to be brought to a vote in time.

Abbott tweeted Monday: 

"Election Integrity & Bail Reform were emergency items for this legislative session. They STILL must pass. They will be added to the special session agenda. 

Legislators will be expected to have worked out the details when they arrive at the Capitol for the special session." 

In another signal that the governor is displeased with the legislature's performance, Abbott announced Monday that he will veto a section of the budget designed to authorize the pay for the legislative branch. However, some political observers have suggested that he will, in the end, not follow through with this threat, which would hurt mostly legislative staffers.

"No pay for  those who abandon their responsibilities," he tweeted.

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