Good morning, 

A recent investigation found Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan is profiting off of contracts with state government while serving in public office. We asked readers what they thought of the arrangement.

You'll find the results at the conclusion of today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 

Election Fraud Enforcement Emerges as Top Issue in Criminal Court of Appeals Race

• A 2021 decision by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals that took the power to prosecute election fraud out of the state attorney general’s hands has become a major issue in the Republican primary election for three of the court’s seats. Brandon Waltens has the details.
     
• In an 8-1 decision in December 2021, the Court of Criminal Appeals—Texas’ highest court on criminal matters—said a state law granting the attorney general power to prosecute election fraud cases is unconstitutional. They argued the attorney general is not given the express authority to do so by the Texas Constitution, giving the power exclusively to locally elected district attorneys.
     
• Attorney General Ken Paxton has vocally disagreed with the ruling, saying, “Soros-funded district attorneys will have sole power to decide whether election fraud has occurred in Texas.” In practice, according to other critics of the court's decision, that means election fraud won't be prosecuted.
       
• Three of the court’s nine members are up for reelection: Sharon Keller, Barbara Hervey, and Michelle Slaughter. All three voted to strip the AG of prosecutorial power in election fraud cases. Paxton has endorsed their primary challengers: David Schenck, Gina Parker, and Lee Finley.

Brave Books Launches Children's Show

• Texas-based Brave Books is launching a video series featuring Kirk Cameron, Leigh-Allyn Baker... and an iguana named Iggy. Emily Medeiros has the story.
       
• Both Cameron and Baker had established strong careers in Hollywood before realizing the industry there did not align with their faith and values. Brave Books produces children's content based on biblical values and traditional American principles.
     
• The live-action show will star Cameron and the Iggy puppet, with Baker providing how-to features on creative activities.
      
• "Hollywood is putting out bad role models all the time," said Cameron. "We want a show that is high quality, that is world-class, and also be a show that parents can trust."

State Lawmaker Works for Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Firm

• An incumbent Republican, Stan Gerds of Smithville, has taken a job at an Austin-based lobby firm, creating what his GOP primary opponent—Tom Glass—is calling a conflict of interest.
      
• Gerdes was hired last fall by the law firm Hance Scarborough LLP. But Gerdes is not a lawyer, and his title is listed as “Legislative Consultant.”
       
• The firm lobbies on behalf of a number of clients, including several taxing entities, such as the cities of Irving, Waco, and Corpus Christi.
      
• Gerdes did not respond to inquiries about the nature of his employment at the firm.

Holland Faces GOP Challengers in House District 33

• In Texas House District 33, the incumbent lawmaker Justin Holland of Heath is trying to stave off challengers in the Republican primary.
        
• Luca Cacciatore reports the challengers are Katrina Pierson, a former consultant to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, and United States Marine veteran Dennis London. Both are highlighting Holland's record in the legislature, including his votes to allow Democrats to chair powerful committees overseeing state policy.
     
• Holland's top contributor is House Speaker Dade Phelan, followed closely by Texans for Lawsuit Reform. 
      
• Pierson has the endorsement of Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Attorney General Ken Paxton, State Rep. Tony Tinderholt of Arlington, and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.
      
• London has been endorsed by former Texas GOP chairman Allen B. West and received the recommendation of the True Texas Project.

Llano High School Removes First Book Challenged over Explicit Content

• In a double victory for protecting Llano High School students, Principal Scott Patrick announced that the first book challenged for explicit content is being removed from the library shelves and that students will no longer be required to review challenged books. Sydnie Henry has the full report.
        
• Local resident Bonnie Wallace is challenging 207 books for inappropriate content.
       
• The district had originally said students would be appointed to the committees reviewing materials challenged for containing inappropriate content. The community response was overwhelmingly negative, with Wallace saying that the students needed to be protected from the objectionable content, not pressured by teachers or administrators into endorsing it.

UPDATE: Texas GOP Chair Decries Phelan Contracts With State Government

• A recent investigation by Texas Scorecard found millions of tax dollars paid to a company controlled by House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont). Now, the chairman of the Republican Party of Texas is decrying the "windfall" created for Mr. Phelan. Robert Montoya reports Phelan's contract with the state's Health and Human Services Commission has been extended to 2029.
       
• GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi noted on social media that the rent HHSC paid to Phelan is three times the market value.
      
• “My next question would be how many other income streams are there like this one?” wrote Rinaldi on X (formerly Twitter).

Quote-Unquote

"Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak; and that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws."

– John Adams​

Y'All Answered

An investigation has revealed that House Speaker Dade Phelan and his family have profited off a lucrative contract with a state agency during his tenure in office.

Yesterday, we asked readers if Texas officials and their immediate families should be prohibited from having contracts with state and local government entities. Just over five percent of readers disagree with such a prohibition, while 94.8 percent favor the idea. 

Here is a sampling of the responses we received after folks clicked their answer.

• “Are our representatives so untrustworthy that we must turn over every rock?” – Diana Firestone
      

• “Nothing like the fox guarding the hen house!” – Bob Davis
    

• “No state, county, or city official should be able to have a company they are tied to be able to provide any service or product to a state, county, or city agency or department.  It is too easy to vote "yes" in your own favor.” – John Newberry
     

• “This is just a perfect breeding ground for corruption.” – Linda Edmondson
     

• “We have become so corrupt that anything is okay as long as you don’t get caught.” – Carroll Knight
      

• “Phelan is the gift that just keeps on giving and won't go away. It's almost as if he looked at Biden and said, ‘Hold my beer.’ When are the people of Beaumont going to wake up to the fact that he's not a conservative, let alone a Republican?” – Rick Goncher
      

• “Texas state officials should be free to do business with the state WITH OVERSIGHT. Charging three times the going rate is a perfect example of why they need rules to follow. Write the rules. Pass the laws. Prosecute violators.” – Anthony Rogers
      

• “As long as the family business competes fairly with other businesses and they would be the best choice even if they didn’t have someone connected to government I think it would be ok.” – Al Crable
      

• “I don’t normally like to regulate capitalism; however, when people don’t control their own behavior, then an external force must be placed on those with no such conscience. … If our public officials cannot resist the temptation to make unethical choices, then they must be rejected by the lesser magistrates, removed from office, and prosecuted for ethics violations.” – Laura Nunn
     

• “We know it's unethical, but did he break the law?” – Thomas Camardo
      

• “The famous quote ‘Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?’ from the Roman poet Juvenal answered this question around 100 A.D. Elected officials are supposed to be watching the taxpayers’ interests, not instigating and profiting from their own interests. Sadly, government attracts at all levels mostly amoral, greedy deceivers who worship money and not God.” – Jack Duk
     

• “Unethical people will always do immoral practices when given the chance.” – Brent Shutt
     

• “Of course, this is the reason many people get into politics. It’s why they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a job that pays $700/month. As long as there is no oversight, enforcement, or punishment the taxpayers will continue to be the losers in this arrangement.” – Steve Sullivan
     

• “When we elect our officials for office, I don't expect them to take advantage of our system to benefit themselves and their families.” – Madeline Bentivegna
      

• “State Legislators should not be profiting from taxpayers.  It is never a fair deal for the taxpayers.” – Susan Valliant
      

• “Phelan is obviously benefiting from an arrangement that should be classed as a conflict. Does not surprise anyone!” – George McClure
      

• “This is not what was intended by our Founding Fathers. Too many politicians are getting wealthy at the expense of their constituents! It is disgraceful and should be stopped immediately at all levels of government!” – Deb Hillis
     

• “I have noticed over and over people go to Austin for moral reasons but soon get wrapped up in self-preservation.” – Gene Klutts
     

• “Of course, state officials should NOT be doing business with the state. Very simply, this creates a conflict of interest and, as such, should be illegal!” – Charles Busbey
      

• “What Dade Phelan "the Felon" has done is literally STEAL these millions from all of us! This should land him in prison for decades.” – David Turner
      

• “Can you say, ‘conflict of interest’? Not to mention the clearest of reasons for killing all conservative interests.” – Ken Jenkins

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