Good morning,

This week's One Click Survey asks about deporting illegal aliens.

Here is the Texas Minute for Monday, Nov. 6, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Illegal Alien ‘Failed to Disclose’ Homicide Conviction

• Federal officials arrested a Venezuelan national in Massachusetts months after he originally crossed the border into Eagle Pass, Texas. Sydnie Henry has the details.
        
• U.S. Border Patrol officials had arrested the 38-year-old man for unlawfully entering the United States in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 31. He was processed, given a notice to appear at Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices within 60 days, and released. He did not show up as promised.
     
• Authorities encountered the man outside Boston last week, where they learned of his homicide conviction as well as his failure to report to ICE. He will now remain in federal custody pending removal from the U.S.

Congressmen Request Border Funding

• As border communities continue to struggle amid the ongoing crisis of illegal crossings, two congressmen have sent a letter asking the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to consider additional funding for first responders. Emily Medeiros has the story.
      
• The request was sent by U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) to House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) and ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).
     
• The congressmen noted the rapid uptick in illegal crossings along the southwest border, pointing to the historic number of encounters and stressing the negative impact on local law enforcement.

Patrick to Phelan: ‘No One Takes You Seriously Anymore’

• With just hours remaining in the third special session in Austin, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is blasting House Speaker Dade Phelan, saying the Beaumont Republican is producing “nothing more than hot air.” As Brandon Waltens reports, Patrick had previously called on Phelan to resign.

     
• The root of the most recent sparring is border security legislation. 
     
• House Bill 4 by State Rep. David Spiller (R–Jacksboro) would create a criminal penalty for improper re-entry from a foreign nation and authorize law enforcement to order them back to Mexico. However, several concerns over the implementation of the measure were raised, leading State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R–Granbury) to substitute in language to overcome those perceived shortcomings in the House’s version.
       
• Phelan has taken aim at Patrick and the Senate, calling them weak on border security.
      
• “The Speaker is desperate to improve his border credentials with conservatives and sent the House version of HB4 over to the Senate. The bill’s author claimed it’s the toughest border bill ever, but it is simply a Texas-sized catch-and-release bill,” explained Patrick on social media.
     
• Constitutionally, the 30-day special session expires on Tuesday. Gov. Greg Abbott has not indicated if or when he would call a fourth special session.

School Districts Ask Voters For Big Debt And Higher Taxes

• At the bottom of many Texans’ November ballots are local elections for school bonds or tax rate increases. Erin Anderson reports three Texas school districts are asking voters to approve both: bonds backed by property taxes and a property tax rate increase.

     
• The school districts in Clear Creek, Granbury, and Lewisville each put bond propositions on the ballot alongside a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election.
      
• School bond debt is repaid using local property taxes. With interest, the bonds’ total cost to taxpayers is much higher than the dollar amounts shown on the ballot. Whether or not the tax rate changes when a bond first passes, the local tax liability is increased; thus, every bond is a property tax increase.
      
• Bond debt is repaid using the portion of property owners’ taxes designated for “Interest and Sinking” expenses.
      
• Other school district expenses, such as teacher salaries and other classroom-related costs, are paid using property taxes collected for “Maintenance and Operations” (M&O). If a district raises its M&O tax rate beyond the amount allowed by state law, voters must approve the increase.
       
• Polls are open tomorrow statewide from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Today In History

On Nov. 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected the president of the United States.

Quote-Unquote

"Important principles may, and must, be inflexible."

– Abraham Lincoln​

ONE CLICK SURVEY

Should Texas law enforcement officers be allowed to deport illegal aliens whether or not there is a conviction or court order ?

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