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This is the Texas Minute for Monday, February 26, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Texas Continues Busing Illegal Aliens Out of State

• Texas has bused more than 103,600 illegal aliens to self-described sanctuary cities around the nation, according to new numbers announced by the Office of the Governor. Will Biagini breaks down where they are being sent but reveals little is being done to ensure violent criminals are not being transported. 
   
• The numbers include more than:
  👉 12,500 to Washington, D.C. since April 2022;
  👉 38,200 to New York City since August 2022;
  👉 31,700 to Chicago since August 2022;
  👉 3,400 to Philadelphia since November 2022;
  👉 16,300 to Denver since May 2023; and,
  👉 1,500 to Los Angeles since June 2023.
       
• Texas Scorecard asked how—or even if—the aliens were screened to ensure criminals were not being pushed further into the country. A spokesman for the Texas Department of Emergency Management explained that the agency relied on "processing and release by the federal government" but did not provide further details.
      
• The federal government, meanwhile, is remaining tight-lipped on their screening procedures.

Congress Wants Answers About Illegal Aliens in Airports

• Several Republican members of Texas' congressional delegation are demanding the Federal Aviation Administration explain why and how illegal aliens are housed at airport facilities. Emily Medeiros has the story.

     
• The lawmakers sent a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker demanding answers to reports that airports under the authority of the FAA are being utilized to house illegal aliens. The lawmakers assert several of the nation’s busiest airports—including Boston Logan, Atlanta, and Chicago O’Hare—are hosting thousands of illegal aliens, which poses security risks. 
         
• "We are alarmed about the logistics and security implications of housing illegal immigrants within airport premises," write the congressmen. Led by Texas' Keith Self, among the other Texans signing the letter were Republicans Brian Babin, Lance Gooden, Randy Weber, Kay Granger, Tony Gonzales, Roger Williams, Pete Sessions, and John Carter.
       
• In addition, Self has introduced the Airport Immigration Enforcement Act, which would prohibit the FAA from housing illegal aliens within an airport.
        
• “America’s worst terror attack started at an airport – so it is unconscionable that the FAA is allowing unvetted illegal immigrants, and potential terrorists, to be housed in U.S. airports,” said Self. “Democrats’ lawless open border policies have turned American cities, schools, and now airports into processing centers for illegal immigrants. These troubling practices cannot continue.”

‘Pastors for Texas Children’ Accused of Abusing Tax Exempt Status

• Complaints filed with the Internal Revenue Service and Attorney General Ken Paxton allege that the liberal advocacy group "Pastors for Texas Children" has abused its status as a tax-exempt entity. Daniel Greer has the details.
       
• For nearly a decade, "Pastors for Texas Children" has been working to undermine conservative efforts to reform education.
     
• The complaints filed by the Family Empowerment Coalition PAC provided multiple examples of PTC seemingly acting outside the boundaries of existing rules for non-profit enterprises.

Schenck and Keller Spar Over Criminal Appeals Court Leadership

• Erin Anderson explains how the two Republican candidates for presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals present voters with contrasting views of how the court has been—and should be—run.
       
• The Court of Criminal Appeals is the state’s highest court for criminal matters. 
       
• Even as incumbent Sharon Keller touted her years of experience, challenger David Schenck said it’s “time for a change.” Keller has served on the court since 1994 and has been the presiding judge since 2001. 
       
• Schenck is a former assistant attorney general who served eight years on the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas and has chaired the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Abbott Encourages Texans to 'Bank That Vote Early'

• As part of a round of campaign stops during early voting, Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday that Texas Republicans should "bank that vote early." Brandon Waltens filed a report from Willow Park, where the governor was campaigning for Mike Olcott.
       
• Olcott is challenging liberal incumbent Glenn Rogers in House District 60, west of Fort Worth.
      
• "And for everyone who has not yet voted, we don’t want you to wait until later on this week," said Abbott. "Do what Trump said: bank that vote early."

Superintendent Encourages Staff to Vote for ‘Pro-Public Education’ Candidates

• Texas school districts’ utilization of taxpayer-funded resources to get out the vote is being closely scrutinized this year, with some administrators acting beyond what the law allows. Sydnie Henry reports on complaints generated from teachers about the superintendent of Denision Independent School District.
      
• Superintendent David Kirkbride emailed Denison ISD employees encouraging them to vote for candidates who “support public education” while specifically decrying Gov. Greg Abbott's push for school choice. The communication was provided to Texas Scorecard by teachers who felt they were being pressured to adopt Kirkbride's political philosophy.
     
• The Texas Election Code prohibits public employees from using public resources to electioneer.
        
• Christine Welborn of Advancing Integrity said that while Kirkbride might not have crossed the legal line into electioneering, the implications of telling staff who to vote for are still present in his message that was sent with taxpayer resources.

Today In History

On Feb. 26, 1993, the World Trade Center in New York City was bombed by Islamic terrorists, killing six people and injuring nearly a thousand.

Quote-Unquote

"Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good. 'Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm."

– Ralph Waldo Emerson​

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