#Texas Gov. #Abbott Open To Rethink Of His Executive Powers After GOP Criticism

[#TexasPolitics365]

Gov. Greg Abbott says he's open to reconsidering his executive powers during state emergencies, a point of contention among some fellow Republicans during the coronavirus pandemic, and that his office is "offering up some legislation ourselves on ways to address this going forward."

"What we are working on — and we've already begun working with legislators — is approaches to make sure we can pre-plan how a response would be done, but it has to be done in a way that leaves flexibility to move swiftly," Abbott told The Texas Tribune the day after his "State of the State" address last week.

Some GOP lawmakers have grown uneasy with how aggressively Abbott has used his executive authority, particularly when it comes to business shutdowns and mask mandates. 

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BREAKING: GOP Congressman Ron Wright Has Died Of Cancer, Complications From Covid-19

[#TexasPolitics365]

Arlington Republican Congressman Ron Wright has died of Cancer and complications of Covid-19, the Dallas Morning News reports. 

His family and spokesperson confirmed Wright’s death Monday morning. The 67-year-old congressman, who was reelected in November, had been battling cancer.

Wright is the first member of Congress to die of COVID-19.

According to a statement, Wright had been keeping a vigorous work scheduled before contracting the virus. Two weeks ago Wright and his wife, Susan, were admitted to Baylor hospital in Dallas because of COVID-19 side effects.

Wright announced on Jan. 21 that he had tested positive “after coming in contact with an individual with the virus last week.” He had been in quarantine since Jan. 15 and said he would remain in quarantine until doctors cleared him to return to work.

Monday afternoon, Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted his condolences:

"Heidi and I are saddened to hear of Congressman Wright’s passing. Ron was not only a dedicated public servant, a principled conservative, and a proud Texan, he was also a loving father and grandfather."

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Divided El Paso Co. GOP Splits In Two

[#TexasPolitics365]

A deeply divided El Paso County Republican Party has split into two organizations over vision and leadership.

KTSM-TV News reports that Party officials expected former chairman Rick Seeberger to cause a scene at last week's meeting at a Christian center in central El Paso. But he quietly stepped down when nearly 100 members of the party largely rejected a motion to allow him to speak.

Seeberger hadn't resigned his position October of last year, but rescinded that position when some people in the green party encouraged to remain involved.

Members of the party then elected Ray Baca as their new chairman, who immediately appointed Bethany Hatch as his vice-chair. The election puts Baca at the head of a local party organization that is recognized by the state GOP.

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Newly Registered "MAGA Patriot Party" Sets Up Office In San Antonio

[#TexasPolitics365]

An office complex on the west side of San Antonio is the new address for the newly formed MAGA Patriot Party National Committee, reports Fox7Austin.

Paperwork for the new party was filed this past week with the Federal Elections Commission. James Davis, who lives near Tampa Bay, Florida, is listed as its Custodian of Records, Treasurer, and Designated Agent.

The move signals dissatisfaction with the mainstream leaders of the Republican Party, and they're discomfort with former Pres. Trump's frequent bombastic style and rhetoric.

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said the Republican Party had created a monster in Donald Trump and could no longer control their base, which has been "radicalized."

“As they continue to lose their base to a radicalized and false ideology, they are finding out the hard way that there is a consequence for selling your soul to a snake oil salesman in exchange for temporary power.”

The San Antonio Express-News reports that a spokesman for former President Donald Trump has disavowed any connection with the MAGA Patriot Party, which listed Trump's political action committee as a beneficiary of its fundraising in its FEC filing.

“We are not supportive of this effort, have nothing to do with it and only know about it through public reporting," said Jason Miller.

Trump has frequently discussed starting a "Patriot Party" to advance his agenda. But despite one starting in Georgia and this effort in Florida and Texas oh, he has not started such an organization or endorsed an existing one.

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#Texas GOP Chair Defends Idea Of Secession Referendum

[#TexasPolitics365]

Texas Republican Chair and Allen West on Thursday backed a state lawmaker’s push to let Texans decide whether to split from the Union, reports Talking Points Memo.

“I have always said I would rather have Texas lead than secede, but the people here in Texas have a right to be able to voice their opinions on a critical issue that affects them right now,” West told Newsmax.

“Especially in light of all of the onerous, intrusive executive orders that are coming down from [Vice] President Joe Biden."

The Republican leader argued that NOT  putting secession to a vote would deprive Texas citizens of their constitutional rights.

“I don’t understand why anyone would feel that they need to prevent the people from having a voice in something that is part of the Texas Constitution,” Allen said.

Texas Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R), has introduced legislation to hold a referendum in November on making the Lone Star State a country.

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GOP Senator Springer Files 11 Bills On Gun Rights

[#TexasPolitics365]

State Senator Drew Springer has filed 11 bills in this legislative session protecting and expanding Texans' gun rights.

The 11 bills, the most bills filed by state senator in modern Senate history, said Springer, were filed because "Standing up for the 2nd Amendment has always been one of my top priorities," he wrote in a Facebook post. 

"Time and time again, we’ve seen how harmful government regulations have limited firearm producers and owners," the Weatherford Republican explained.

The bills would establish Constitutional carry, allow Texans to manufacture, sell and use firearms inside Texas, and give Texas sanctuary state status. 

Springer says many of the bills he filed were written to "stand up to the federal government’s overreach and fight for the 10th Amendment."

Rachel Malone, founder of Texas Firearms Freedom, praised Springer and bill co-sponsor Sen. Dawn Buckingham for the legislation.

"Glad to see a Constitutional Carry bill filed in the Senate (SB 540, joint authored by Sen. Dawn Buckingham) ....along with these other bills that we are prioritizing:

- 2A Sanctuary State - companion to HB 635

- Texas Firearm Freedom bill - companion to HB 915

- Suppressor Freedom bill - companion to HB 957

- Domestic Violence Victim Protection - companion to HB 1094"

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House Speaker Names Committee Chairs For Session

[#TexasPolitics365]

Republican Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan shook up the chamber’s committee leadership Thursday, signaling who his top lieutenants will be during his first session overseeing the lower chamber, reported the Texas Tribune.

According to the speaker's office, 21 chairs of the chamber's 34 standing committees are Republicans and 13 are Democrats. And a Democrat — state Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso — is again serving as speaker pro tem, a position he held under Bonnen during the 2019 session.

The practice of appointing Democrats as committee chairs and vice-chairs is said to irk many Republicans.

Five committee chairs and 14 vice-chairs are women, while 14 chairs and 21 vice-chairs are Black, Hispanic or Asian American.

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Gov. Abbott Signs Executive Order Protecting Energy Industry From "Federal Gov't Overreach"

[#TexasPolitics365] 

Gov. Abbott held a press conference in Odessa Friday, where he issued an Executive Order to protect Texas' energy industry from federal overreach. 

Abbott also announced his support for legislation that will prohibit cities from banning natural gas appliances.

During an energy roundtable in Odessa, Abbott and the participants also discussed enhancing workforce development in Texas, cutting costly red tape, and expanding broadband access in rural communities.

The Governor's Executive Order directs every state agency to, "use all lawful powers and tools to challenge any federal action that threatens the continued strength, vitality, and independence of the energy industry," according to a statement released by the governor's office.

Each state agency should work to identify potential litigation, notice-and-comment opportunities, and any other means of preventing federal overreach within the law. 

"The men and women who work in the energy industry produce the affordable energy that powers our lives and they are vital to the Texas economy,” said Abbott.

"Texas is a pro-energy state, and we will not sit idly by and allow the Biden administration or local governments to destroy jobs and raise energy costs for Texas families," he said.

"My Executive Order will help ensure that the Federal government cannot take away the livelihoods of Texans who work so hard to provide our state and our nation with the energy we need."

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Sen. Bettencourt Opposes "Crime Bomb" Release Of 1,540 Prisoners

[#TexasPolitics365] 

As the Harris County Jail reaches capacity amid a lingering pandemic a federal judge has ordered county officials to review 1,543 cases, reports Fox26 Houston TV.

Judge Lina Hidalgo and others are again pushing for the immediate release of almost 2,000 criminal defendants, citing the on-going health risk of so many people living and working in confinement. As of this week, 2,609 inmates have tested positive and 6 have died of COVID-19.

State Senator Paul Bettencourt and others are pushing back in federal court, calling the proposed mass release "a crime bomb" that will pose a clear and immediate danger to public safety.

Bettencourt tweeted his opposition and about the brief he filled with the court along with other legislators, citing Houston's already high crime rate.

"Filed brief w/ 8 Reps to stop "crimebomb" from @SheriffEd_HCSO asking release of HC inmates! Fox26 panel hosted by @GrooganFox26 said, murders skyrocketed in COH, @WSJ rated Houston #21 (Chicago #36) on crime, & majority of inmates victims are minorities!"

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Bill Seeks To Ban Transgender Teens From Playing On Single-Sex Teams

[#TexasPolitics365]

Lawmakers have filed legislation that would ban transgender girls and women who attend public K-12 schools, colleges and universities from playing on single-sex sports teams designated for girls and women, reports the Texas Tribune.

One bill, filed by Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, is similar to others filed across the country that are characterized by conservative advocates as trying to maintain fairness in women’s sports. 

State legislators and school boards across the country are struggling with the concept of those born as males seeking to play on women's and girls sports teams. 

Idaho passed a similar law last year called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.” In Montana, another bill, called the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” advanced to the state Senate this week.

Meanwhile, LGBTQ advocates claim the bills legitimize discrimination and help to stigmatize those struggling with their gender identity.

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Little-Known GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Condemned By Party For Violent Rhetoric

[#TexasPolitics365]

A self-proclaimed Republican candidate for governor of Texas is in hot water for posting a noose on Twitter that called for the death of politicians in Washington. The post prompted a strong rebuke from the Republican Party of Texas Sunday.

Rusk, Texas city councilman Martin Holsome tweeted out a photo of a noose - twice - following the Capitol riot. His post, on January 7th, pictured the noose, and read:

"Starting in Washington DC..."

In a January 15th Twitter post, which has since been deleted by Twitter for violating its rules against violence, Holsome posted the same picture of the noose with a more threatening message: 

“Once more for those of you who don’t understand... Starting in D.C. - let ’em hang by the neck until they are dead, dead DEAD!!!” 

The Huffington Post reported that Holsome, who in the past has said he works as a trucker and an independent logging contractor, won his council seat in Rusk, a small town of 5,500, by just one vote in 2018. 

A profile in a local paper described him as an “unconventional” councilman who is “imperfect” and became an “accidental politician.” Public records show that he will serve in the position until 2022. 

The  Texas Republican Party released a statement Sunday condemning Holsome's call for violence.

"The Texas GOP condemns all talk of political violence, specifically comments made by gubernatorial candidate Martin Holsome.  

The statement continued, "Chairman Allen West has stated, “I personally find any depictions of a noose disgusting and despicable. Martin Holsome’s language is horrifying. Calling for lynching is mortifying to any decent American.” 

"Support for political violence will never have a home in the Texas GOP. We have consistently condemned the leftist violence that ravaged the nation last summer and again in early January. We have always been consistent in this principle."

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