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What do you think about the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton? Sound off in today's One Click Survey!

Here is the Texas Minute for Monday, August 28, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

👉 Programming Note 👈

• I'm taking a short break from the Texas Minute emails to focus on a special project; Brandon Waltens will be taking over for a bit. You can still catch me on the daily Texas Minute podcast and my weekly Friday Reflection. 

Bandera County GOP Censures State Rep. Andrew Murr

• The Republican Party of Bandera County has censured their state representative, Andrew Murr of Junction. They cite his opposition to the core principles of the Republican Party of Texas, and his role in impeaching Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Sydnie Henry has the details.
       
• Murr was appointed by House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) to chair the General Investigating Committee. From that position, Murr launched a secret investigation into Paxton which resulted in a rushed impeachment vote on the House floor in late May. (Phelan was recently censured by the largest county in his East Texas district.)
      
• Among the violations cited by the Bandera County GOP against Murr were his support of appointing Democrat committee chairs and his opposition to school choice.
      
• The Bandera County GOP censure resolution requests that the State Republican Executive Committee concur with them against Murr.

Texan Sued For Shooting Criminal in Self-Defense

• On August 25, 2020, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two, in self-defense during a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Now a resident of Texas, Rittenhouse has been sued in federal court by the estate of one of the men.
      
• The estate of Joseph Rosenbaum is suing Rittenhouse, Kenosha officials, local Sheriff’s departments, the City of Kenosha, the City of West Allis, and several counties for “compensatory and punitive damages” for what the lawsuit describes as the “wrongful death” of Rosenbaum.
      
• At a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Rosenbaum (who was white) confronted and chased Rittenhouse, eventually throwing a sack of items at him. According to witness testimony, Rosenbaum reached for Rittenhouse’s gun. It was then that Rittenhouse shot and killed Rosenbaum. Rittenhouse was acquitted of all criminal charges in 2021.
      
• Leading up to Rittenhouse’s trial, it was revealed that Rosenbaum spent most of his adult life in prison for sexual contact with five preteen boys.
      
• “These lawsuits are making it harder and harder for me to move on with my life,” Rittenhouse told Texas Scorecard. “It is extremely difficult to go outside without fear of being harassed or assaulted because of the lies spread in these lawsuits. No one should have to continue to defend the fact that they acted in self-defense.”

Demand Grows to Oust Tarrant Appraisal District Chief

• More local officials are demanding new leadership at the troubled Tarrant Appraisal District following yet another scandal within the agency that sets property values for taxing purposes. Erin Anderson reports that the mayors of three Tarrant County cities—Keller, Southlake, and Colleyville—have published a statement calling for TAD’s top executive, Jeff Law, to be dismissed.

      
• Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare has also called for new leadership at TAD.

School District Shuts Down, Citing COVID-19 Cases

• Is it 2020, again?
   
• Runge Independent School District in Karnes County announced last week they would be closing all schools until August 29. Emily Medeiros reports ten staff members had tested positive for COVID-19.
     

• The school district currently serves 195 students and has 43 faculty members across all schools. Runge ISD has also put extracurricular activities and team practices on hold.

Houston Teacher Accused of Recording Sex Acts with Student

• A now-former Houston teacher is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old female student at KIPP East End High School over the course of several months and recording their sex acts.
     
• The teacher – Over Santiago Garcia Lopez, 25 – was arrested last week and charged with improper relationship between educator and student and sexual performance by a child. Both are second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison. The sexual activity reportedly began in March, and the teacher and student “recorded their sexual intercourse acts, which occurred at the school and the defendant’s residence.”
      

• KIPP Texas Public Schools said they had already fired Garcia Lopez for “unrelated reasons” when they learned about his alleged sex crimes.
       

• Another former KIPP Houston teacher was arrested in April for smuggling four illegal aliens through Kinney County.

ONE CLICK SURVEY

The legal team representing Attorney General Ken Paxton has asked the Texas Senate to dismiss the impeachment charges for a variety of reasons. As expected, the House impeachment managers object and want senators to kick Paxton out of office.

When the Texas Senate convenes on Sept. 5, should they dismiss the impeachment charges against Attorney General Ken Paxton?

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