Good morning, 

With calls for “social distancing” and staying at home, today’s One-Click Survey asks about the impact on candidates, campaigns, and the runoff elections.

But first, here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Wednesday, March 18, 2020
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• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated the National Guard yesterday to aid with the coronavirus crisis. Exempting first responders and healthcare professionals, Brandon Waltens reports Abbott was short on details regarding how exactly guardsmen would be involved, only saying they would “assist in various forms throughout the state when needed.”
       

• Abbott also said yesterday the May 2 local elections and May 26 primary runoffs could be delayed or otherwise altered due to the coronavirus outbreak. While Abbott isn’t sure if he has the authority to make changes to the city and school elections on May 2, the governor said the primaries “are state elections, which I oversee in my emergency capacity, and so I will be able to make decisions about that.” As to what that decision might look like, Abbott said “everything’s on the table.”
            

• Certain provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act have been waived in light of the pandemic. After declaring a state of emergency last week, Gov. Abbott approved a request from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to suspend certain parts of the law. This move allows governmental bodies to meet telephonically or via videoconference in light of the coronavirus situation. 
      

• Paxton’s office noted governmental bodies wishing to meet remotely must adhere to certain guidelines. Among other things, the entities must:
  👉 Provide online written notice containing a public toll-free dial-in number or a free-of-charge videoconference link, as well as an electronic copy of any agenda packet, before conducting telephonic or video conference meetings;
  👉 Provide the public with access and a means to participate in those meetings, preferably through two-way audio or video connections; and, 
  👉 Provide the public with access to a recording of those meetings.  
      

• Conservative groups and members of Congress have raised significant concerns about the coronavirus aid package passed by the House of Representatives and headed to the U.S. Senate for deliberation. As Cary Cheshire reports, 40 Republican lawmakers voted against the legislation including Texas’ Brian Babin, Michael Cloud, Louie Gohmert, Lance Gooden, Chip Roy, and Randy Weber.
       

• The U.S. Senate’s majority leader, Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) told the media yesterday his chamber would pass the House version in the coming days, but then Senate Republicans would put forward their own relief measure.
          

• In a new article by the Acton Institute’s Ben Johnson and published by the Foundation for Economic Education, we learn how a federal monopoly “botched COVID-19 test kits.” Fortunately, private labs working in the free market have stepped up with “spectacular” results.
   
• Robert Montoya explains how pastors across the North Texas metroplex are encouraging Christians to look to Jesus during this time of crisis, despite being limited to online-only services. 
     
• “With all we’re facing today, worship is absolutely critical because we need God.” – Dr. Tony Evans, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship
     
• Houston taxpayers will be subsidizing the construction of a new luxury hotel to the tune of $43 million, Reagan Reed reports. The deal was approved overwhelmingly and with little discussion, in a vote of 16-1. Houston Councilwoman Amy Peck was the lone dissenting vote.
      
• “The fact that the city council approved a $43 million tax break for a luxury hotel is a slap in the face. But what’s worse is that only one council member, Amy Peck, stood against the deal.” – Charles Blain, Urban Reform

• I dislike the “war” analogy to fighting the Wuhan coronavirus. Frankly, governmental “wars of analogy” don’t have a very good track record. They often result in more government, higher costs, and less liberty... and without salutary results.
        

• War on poverty? More poverty. War on drugs? Bust. War on terror? 19 years & counting. Let’s just call this what it is – a public health problem/crisis – and address it calmly and appropriately. Can I stress calmly?
      

• Though, as my colleague Ross Kecseg pointed out, a politician might get traction if willing to actually wage “a war on higher taxes and stifling regulation”... maybe call it something like “draining the swamp.”

ONE CLICK SURVEY

If a political candidate – someone with whom you are otherwise politically aligned – were to be campaigning door-to-door in your neighborhood right now during the coronavirus pandemic, would you be more or less likely to vote for him?

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Once you've "clicked," send me a short email with your thoughts! I'll feature the results and some of the comments I receive in tomorrow's Texas Minute.