Senate Bill Would Allow Re-do Of Elections With Ballot Paper Shortages

[#TexasPolitics365]

Texas Senate has passed a proposal allowing the state to re-run elections in Harris County, home to the state’s most populous city, Houston.

The legislation was the result of Harris County officials running out of ballot paper at several voting sites in the deeply problematic 2022 election. 

The measure would give the Texas secretary of state the authority to hold a new election in the county if it runs out of paper at 2% or more of its polling sites for more than an hour.

The bill’s Republican co-author, State Sen. Mayes Middleton, said, “There is no excuse why we can’t competently run our elections and have adequate ballot paper.” 

(Full story HERE.)
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GOP Legislators Aiming For School Choice Legislation This Session

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After decades of rejections, state Rep. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville, believes this upcoming legislative session is the one where Texas will finally pass a school choice program.

Supporters believe they will finally cross the finish line with backing from families displeased with public schools in the last two years over pandemic response rules and about how race and history are taught. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Texas GOP have already listed school choice as a legislative priority for next year.

(Full story HERE.)
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Bill Seeking To Rein In Biden's Executive Orders Passes #Texas House

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House Republicans this week have passed legislation to monitor and combat President Biden's executive orders. The legislation has now moved on to the state senate.

Sponsored by Rep. Mayes Middleton (R - Wallisville) the bill requires the state Attorney General to provide a written report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and leadership of the State Legislature at the end of every month that reviews all presidential executive orders and their effect on Texas.

"Texas must stand up against Biden’s unconstitutional executive orders and protect the rights guaranteed to citizens of the United States under the Constitution," said Middleton.

(Full text here.)
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Legislator Tries Again To Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

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Texas State Representative Mayes Middleton (R - Wallisville) introduced legislation to end taxpayer-funded lobbying during the last session of the Texas Legislature and is filing a new bill to do so this week. 

Though that reform effort passed the state Senate during the last session, it fell short in the state House. 

Things have changed since then, however, and this reform is now poised for enactment in 2021, reports Forbes Magazine, which says it could be the catalyst for other states to adopt similar legislation.

About the bill, Middleton wrote on Facebook:

"Our tax money is being spent on Austin lobbyists to advocate against the taxpayer and basic good governance.  Most Taxpayers have no idea that their local school boards, city councils, and county commissioners courts are using taxpayer money to hire Austin lobbyists, who then lobby against property tax reform and for higher taxes."

Middleton said the bill (link opens .pdf) that he is has filed this legislative session is "a lot more simple" than the previous text. 

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