Good morning,

Lawmakers are still at odds over how to deliver $12.3 billion in property tax relief to Texans. Which plan do you prefer? Sound off in the One Click Survey.

But first, here is the Texas Minute for Monday, June 19, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Abbott Buses Illegal Aliens to Los Angeles

• Gov. Greg Abbott bussed more illegal aliens out of the state last week – this time to Los Angeles, California, a self-declared “sanctuary” city. Sydnie Henry has the details.
     

• Abbott’s busing scheme has delivered more than 21,000 illegal aliens to “sanctuary” cities such as D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Denver.
     

• In just four months Texas has spent more than $6,000,000 busing illegal aliens further into the country, according to records requested by Texas Scorecard from the Texas Emergency Management Department.
      

• The governor has promised to continue the scheme until President Joe Biden secures the border.

Texas GOP Condemns House Impeachment Of Paxton

• By a vote of 53 to 11, the State Republican Executive Committee passed a resolution on Saturday condemning the Texas House for their rushed and “illegal” impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.

      

• The resolution notes that the Texas House did not consider – or even seek out – any “rebuttal evidence or testimony” from Paxton. Further, the GOP notes, members of the House had only “48 hours before the impeachment vote was called and taken” to consider the charges after the secretive investigation was revealed.

         

• The SREC is composed of the party chairman, vice-chair, and 62 members elected from the 31 state senatorial districts – a man and woman from each.
      

• The resolution called on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Senate to dismiss the impeachment.

School Police Officer Arrested For Sexual Assault Of Student

• A Frisco police officer assigned to work in a local school district has been fired, arrested, and charged with multiple felonies involving sex with a 14-year-old student. Erin Anderson has the story.
       

• Kendal Augustus, 34, worked as a school resource officer in Frisco Independent School District. Police officials say they learned of allegations earlier this month that Augustus had engaged in an “improper relationship” during the 2017-18 school year with a Frisco ISD student who was 14 at the time.
       

• Augustus was a member of the Frisco Police Department’s School Resource Officer Unit since July 2016. He is married, but his wife filed for divorce in February.

Six Flags Backtracks And Sets Age Restriction For Drag Shows

• Six Flags Over Texas at Arlington planned to host several drag shows targeting children in June for their LGBT “Pride” celebration. But after a public backlash, Soli Rice reports, the amusement park will now restrict the shows to 18-and-older.
      
• Six Flags initially labeled the shows as “PG,” saying they considered the content “family friendly.” The amusement park did suggest guests under 17 "consult with a parent" before attending.
     
• The drag shows were not family-friendly. Facing protests and negative publicity, the theme park announced the change late last week.

Longview Mayor Supports Drag Shows Targeting Children

• During an East Texas LGBT event that featured a drag show with children in attendance, Longview Mayor Dr. Andy Mack offered his full support of “LGBTQ pride day.” Ryan Hughes has the story.
      
• The drag show included a man masquerading as a woman dressed in a rainbow skirt dancing before a crowd – including young children – while lip-syncing the unofficial LGBT anthem: Lady Gaga’s "Born this way."

ONE CLICK SURVEY

There are currently two competing legislative proposals for distributing $12.3 billion in property tax relief.

The Abbott/Phelan proposal puts approximately $12 billion directly into "rate compression" –resulting in the school property tax rate dropping 16.2 cents off the current rate. This plan applies “relief” evenly to all types of property – homesteads, rentals, commercial, agricultural, and industrial.

The Patrick/Senate proposal puts the same $12 billion into a mix of "rate compression" and increasing the homestead exemption – resulting in the school tax rate dropping 10 cents and the homestead exemption increasing from $40,000 to $100,000. This plan provides more relief to homeowners, though property appraisals diminish exemption value over time.

Which property tax relief plan do you prefer?

Once you’ve clicked an answer, reply to this email with any thoughts you’d like to share!

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