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The important role of truthful journalism in exposing the agenda of the left was on full display thanks to an article written by one of Texas Scorecard's college fellows.

Here is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Transportation Department Tries to Hide DEI-related Records

• The Texas Department of Transportation is attempting to withhold documents concerning the agency’s use of materials related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) and "environmental, social, and governance" (ESG). Soli Rice reports the agency is asking the Office of the Attorney General for permission to keep those documents away from citizens. 

      
• DEI and ESG are used to push leftist propaganda in government agencies and large corporations.
     
• Responding to a tip from a whistleblower, Texas Scorecard sought agency records that would either confirm or debunk allegations that the agency has been pushing a "woke" agenda on its 12,861 employees.
      
• Rather than provide the relevant documents, the agency's associate general counsel, William Sumner Macdaniel, is petitioning the OAG to allow the information to be "excepted from disclosure."

UPDATE: ‘Diversity’ Advocate Won't Be Coming To A&M Journalism Department

• Following public exposure of her beliefs and academic record, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin has decided to stay put rather than move to Texas A&M. Valerie Muñoz, who broke the original story, provides an update.

      
• Last month, Texas Scorecard reported that Texas A&M University had offered Kathleen McElroy – a former New York Times senior editor and a proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion – to serve as the director of a new journalism program.
       

• At UT, McElroy focused her studies on “race and its intersection with journalism” and admitted to teaching journalistic objectivity in a way that frames news with the context of “racist institutions.” As she once told the federally funded NPR, "We can’t just give people a set of facts anymore.”
      

• After Scorecard's initial report, McElroy told an Austin left-wing news outlet that A&M rewrote the job offer due to public pressure so she has opted to stay at UT.
      

• McElroy’s decision comes as the Texas A&M System begins an “ethics and compliance” review of DEI offices ahead of a statewide DEI ban put in place this year by the Legislature.

DPS Warns Biden Program Will 'Legalize Illegal Immigration'

• Following an announcement by the Biden administration about the start of a new immigration program, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety is warning it could essentially "legalize illegal immigration." Emily Medeiros has the details.
     
• The Biden administration announced Friday that it will soon start a new immigration program called “Family Reunification Parole” to allow immigrants from certain Central American countries and Colombia to enter the U.S. legally. The administration claims the new program will deter illegal aliens from making the dangerous trip from these countries and promote family unity.
      
• “This is going to be a complete disaster. It’s not going to stop mass migration,” said Lt. Chris Olivarez during an interview on Fox and Friends. “Essentially, the federal government is legalizing illegal immigration. And all that’s going to do is create a much larger magnet for people to make their way to the United States.”

Is Property Tax Deal Good Enough?

• With the House and Senate prepared to pass a deal on property tax relief later this week, Brandon Waltens reports Texans are wondering if the agreement is enough to satisfy taxpayers. 
      
• The plan agreed to by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan will put $7 billion toward lowering local school property tax rates. It will also increase the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000, while putting in place a “20% circuit breaker” appraisal cap on non-homesteaded properties under $5 million in value. Lastly, it will increase the exemption for the business franchise tax from $1 million to $2.47 million.
         
• While the politicians are touting the plan as "historic," grassroots activists like Fran Rhodes of the True Texas Project say the Legislature has missed an opportunity. “The lawmakers will call this a win, but taxpayers lose, again! No path to elimination; we still have to rent our homes from the government.”
      

• Don Huffines, a former state senator and the leader of the Huffines Liberty Foundation, called the agreement a “huge disappointment.”

     

• Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi said he was glad "homeowners were prioritized in the final property tax relief package thanks to the efforts of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Senate."

Mayra Flores Announces Congressional Comeback Bid

• Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores has announced her intent to challenge incumbent Vicente Gonzalez and retake her previously held South Texas seat in Congress.
       

• Flores told Fox News she had been recruited by the National Republican Congressional Committee and her campaign will focus on issues such as border security and child trafficking.
        
• Flores is running in Texas’ 34th Congressional District, a predominately Hispanic community representing cities like Brownsville and McAllen. She won a special election in 2022 but then lost in the November election that year.
      
• The district has since been considered a battleground for Republicans in South Texas.

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