Good morning, 

Gun control and corporate welfare are marching quickly through the GOP-dominated Texas House, but conservative activists aren't seeing progress on their initiatives.

Here is the Texas Minute for Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Two Republicans Join Democrats To Advance Gun Control Measure

• Following the tragic shooting in Allen, Texas, over the weekend committed by a 33-year-old man, two Republicans in a Texas House committee voted with Democrats to raise the age for semi-automatic rifle purchases larger than a .22 caliber from 18 to 21. Sydnie Henry has the story.

       
• The Texas House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety called a short-notice meeting Monday morning to pass House Bill 2744 by State Rep. Tracy King (D–Uvalde).
      
• In a nine-member committee with a 5-4 makeup of Republicans to Democrats, Republican State Reps. Justin Holland of Heath and Sam Harless of Spring voted with the Democrats to approve the measure.

House Approves More Corporate Welfare For Hollywood

• Despite opposition from fiscal conservatives, lawmakers in the Texas House have continued their streak of voting for additional corporate welfare handouts.

     
• House Bill 4419 by State Rep. Craig Goldman (R–Fort Worth) would expand the definition of “event” under the major events reimbursements program to include film or television productions—benefiting Hollywood producers. It was adopted by a vote of 121-21 and now must go to the Senate for consideration.
       
• “This legislative session has been the most fiscally irresponsible in decades,” said Tim Hardin, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.
      
• Another new corporate welfare program for Hollywood, House Bill 3600 by State Rep. Four Price (R–Amarillo), is set to be considered later this week.

House GOP Leadership Slow-rolls Ban On Drag Shows Targeting Children

• Legislation to ban sexually explicit drag shows from targeting children is set to finally receive a committee hearing this Wednesday in the Texas House. But as Brandon Waltens reports, with the bill moving so slowly this late in the session, it could be too late.

        
• A bipartisan coalition of senators voted for the ban more than a month ago, but House Speaker Dade Phelan and his leadership team have slow-walked it in their chamber. The deadline for Senate bills to pass the House is May 23.
         
• Meanwhile, Katy Marshall explains how lawyers for Speaker Phelan are trying to silence a television ad from the Texas Family Project that calls him out for inaction on protecting children from sexualized drag shows.
       
• 📺 or 🎧... For an in-depth analysis on Phelan's options, check out today's edition of the Luke Macias Show. It is available everywhere you listen to podcasts, as well as Texas Scorecard's YouTube channel, Apple TV, and Roku devices.

School Choice Legislation Awaits Action in Texas House

• Nearly a month has gone by since the Texas House Committee on Public Education held hearings on school choice proposals, but none of the bills have advanced to debate by the full chamber. As Darrell Frost reports, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and the Republican Party of Texas have all made school choice a legislative priority.
        
• The Senate passed a school choice measure on April 6, which was sent to the House but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
      
• Chairing the House Committee on Public Education is Brad Buckley (R-Salado), who did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s request for comment on the status of school choice legislation.

Slaton Resigns, But House Will Continue With Expulsion Vote

• Facing expulsion from the Texas House for inappropriate sexual conduct with a subordinate, State Rep. Bryan Slaton (R-Royse City) announced his resignation from the Legislature on Monday. But the chairman of the House General Investigating Committee said the chamber will vote to expel Slaton anyway.

         
• On Saturday, the General Investigating Committee announced findings that Slaton had provided alcohol to a 19-year-old staff member prior to having sex with her at his apartment. The report also alleged that Slaton attempted to use his position to cover up the situation.
       
• No state representative has been expelled by the Texas House since 1927.
      
• In his resignation statement, Slaton did not make mention of the accusations levied against him.

Texas GOP Candidates Win Big In Weekend Elections

• In Saturday’s nominally nonpartisan city and school board elections, two-thirds of the candidates endorsed by the Republican Party of Texas won their races. Erin Anderson has the details.

      

• Texas GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi called it a “big night for conservative candidates in local elections.”
       

• In all, the party endorsed 25 local candidates across the state, and 16 of them won.

Allred: America Would Be Better Off Without Second Amendment 

• Just days after announcing he will challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a video has resurfaced demonstrating Democrat U.S. Rep. Colin Allred's thoughts on the Second Amendment. Emily Wilkerson has the details.
     
• “Would it be better had it not been written? Of course," said Allred. "But there’s no chance that we’re going to repeal any of the Bill of Rights amendments. … It wouldn’t happen; it’s not within the bounds of reality in this country.”
      
• Instead, Allred has pushed for legislation imposing unconstitutional "red-flag" laws that deny due-process rights while adding heavy restrictions on gun ownership by law-abiding citizens.

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Y'All Answered

The majority of Republicans in the Texas House joined with Democrats in voting to explore adding a "mileage tax" to Texans' burden. They hope the tax could collect an additional $10 billion annually from Texas taxpayers.

Yesterday, we asked readers if Texas should impose a mileage tax: 98.3 percent said, "No, Texans are taxed enough already," while 1.7 percent believe "the state needs more revenues."

Here is just a sampling of the responses that I received.

• “I was considering an involved explanation as to why I am opposed but then just thought NO.  HELL NO.” – Garry Ludwig
      

• "I moved to Texas a year ago (I have lived in most states east of the Mississippi). Texans, you are way over-taxed and you do not even realize it." – Donna Nyzio
      

• “I am highly offended by even the thought of being taxed per mile. Our legislators are failing us. They are living in an alternate universe.  Time to vote all of them out.  On further thought, we could put a lot of money back in the coffers if all of the legislators’ ‘pensions’ were defunded and transferred to the highway fund. That ought to go a long way to building the roads they want!” – Meg Comstock
      

• “NO!  No more taxes! What kind of hubris has reared its ugly head, in a session where there is a $32 billion surplus, to find a new way to tax?  How can these morons possibly suggest there isn't enough revenue?  In days gone by, such hubris was rewarded with tar and feathers and a trip out of town on a rail.” – Roger Taylor
       

• “How about we tax them for stupidity? That should generate a couple of million dollars!” – Hamila Hobson
       

• “Instead of wasting time figuring out how to tax the people they represent, why don't our legislators spend their time figuring out how to cut spending.” – Alan Smith
      

• “Come on people, let’s stop trying to bring California mentality to Texas!” – Bernadine Peters
       

• “Over-taxation is what started America. Evidently, some Texas REPs believe like every DEM – they can’t get enough of our money.” Jeffrey Mayer
      

• “Why should we fight to keep Texas 'red' when the Republicans keep ceding control to the Democrats!?” – Cindy Hess
     

• “WHY THE HELL NOT? But why stop there? Let’s have a ‘BIRTH’ tax, a ‘LIVING’ tax, and a ‘DEATH’ tax. And how about a ‘WEALTH’ tax and a ‘POOR’ tax.  And for the crème de la crème, we could have a ‘TAX’ tax.  And while we’re at it, let’s change the name of our state from ‘TEXAS’ to ‘TAXES’ so it more closely represents what it has become!” – Bill Park
      

• "All electric vehicles should be required to pay a mileage tax as they do not pay the taxes included in the purchase of gas-driven vehicles." – Pamela Millisor
      

• “A mileage tax should only apply to those who drive electric vehicles, as they contribute zero gas tax dollars to your road maintenance and construction.” – Bruce Porter
       

• “This ‘ain't California,’ and when it begins to look the same, prepare to exit.” – Lisa Buck
      

• “No more taxes on gasoline-powered vehicles. Charge all electric vehicles with mileage driven. Plus, all bicycles should have to pay for a yearly permit to ride on state/federal highways. If motor vehicles have to ‘share the road’ with bicycle riders, they should ‘share the cost.’” – Marcus Kaspar
       

• "If there is anything politicians love more than being re-elected,  it is a new way to get more money from the people that they 'serve'... All in the name of 'helping,' of course." – Tara Souther
       

• “Read my lips: NO new taxes.” – Ron Farren
     

• “They can’t get anything worthwhile done for Texas and we’re fed up!  Taking notes for the next election!” – Donna de Socarraz
       

• “Talk about an unfair tax! How are they planning on taxing people who would be driving on Texas roads who don't pay taxes in Texas?” – Danny Lee
      

• "If you want to see taxes, you should look at some of my bills.  I am taxed to death by a few pennies here and a few pennies there, but it adds up to money and makes my bills more than my usage." – Eleanor Edmondson
       

• “Tax our mileage? This is absolutely outrageous to propose such a tax of any kind when they are reaping billions of dollars in surplus and have trouble returning it to my pocket with property tax relief. Our legislature is out of control and apparently can't 'read the room.' We need a complete clean-out of the State House with their tax policies and their weird ideas of mutilating kids as being no big deal.” – Glen Hartman
      

• "This is so ridiculous of a tax that I believe it is just a ploy to divert attention away from the fact that Republicans in the House are ignoring any property tax relief!" – Dallas Bingley
       

• “We already have a tax on gasoline. Just put a tax on electric recharging stations, then you don't have to worry about how you are going to measure mileage driven.” – Jerry Harben
       

• “The only mileage tax that should be considered would be for the total electric vehicles to replace the gas tax not collected.” – Charles Lueg

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