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Good morning!

Yesterday, we asked readers about early voting (which continues through Friday). Find out what they said at the conclusion of today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Ken Paxton Sues Pornography Conglomerate for Violating Age-Verification Law A new state law requires commercial pornography websites to use “reasonable” methods to verify that users are at least 18 years of age before they access X-rated content online. Brandon Waltens reports [[link removed]] that Attorney General Ken Paxton is now suing one of the Internet's largest distributors for violating the state's law.

Pornhub—owned by Aylo Global—and other pro-porn plaintiffs had sued to block the law, but the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said the state could enforce it. Yesterday, Paxton sued Aylo Global.

“Texas has a right to protect its children from the detrimental effects of pornographic content,” said Paxton [[link removed]]. “I look forward to holding any company accountable that violates our age verification laws intended to prevent minors from being exposed to harmful, obscene material on the internet.”

PornHub has already complied with age-verification laws (or threats of such laws) in Louisiana, Virginia, Mississippi, Utah, North Carolina, and Montana. Trump: ‘Any Republican Backing Phelan is a Fool’ Former President Donald Trump is continuing to take an aggressive stance on Texas' legislative races [[link removed]], calling any Republican who supports House Speaker Dade Phelan “a fool.”

Trump made that comment in reiterating his support for David Covey, who is challenging Phelan in the March 5th GOP primary.

“Any Republican backing Phelan is a fool, and should be disassociated from the Republican Party – that’s how bad Phelan is, especially on Election Integrity!” wrote Trump.Related Election News Dan Patrick Makes More 2024 Endorsements Will Biagini reports [[link removed]] on the latest endorsements made by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick ahead of next week's GOP primary.

Patrick's list of endorsements has expanded to include Brent Money in House District 2 and Mike Olcott in HD 60. Olcott is challenging incumbent Glenn Rogers, while Money is taking on Jill Dutton. School District Using Website for Political Messaging North Texas' Denison Independent School District has gone all in for their incumbent state representative... using email blasts [[link removed]] and the district's website [[link removed]] to praise him while attacking Gov. Greg Abbott.

The district's superintendent is using the email system [[link removed]] to urge staff to vote for "pro-public education" candidates. The district's website [[link removed]] praises State Rep. Reggie Smith (R-Sherman) for opposing Gov. Greg Abbott's education reform agenda.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has served public notice that his office will deal with such "illegal" use of taxpayer resources. Late last week, Denton ISD was sued by Paxton after administrators were caught using taxpayer resources to coerce and intimidate staff ahead of the March 5th primary. Former House Speaker Joins Democrat to Decry Rise of Conservatives Disgraced former Speaker of the Texas House Dennis Bonnen, who served as a Republican, told a local cable news show that he was upset that conservative activists are reshaping the state's GOP. That sentiment was echoed by his co-interviewee, former State Rep. Mark Strama, a Democrat. Daniel Greer has the details [[link removed]].

Bonnen served one term as speaker before being forced to resign in 2019.

In a wide-ranging conversation on Central Texas' Spectrum News, Bonnen insisted that current Speaker Dade Phelan has a solid track record as a Republican and that criticism of the Speaker on a wide range of topics is unfair.

Bonnen and Strama bristled at criticisms from Republican voters about the Republican majority allowing Democrats to chair committees in the GOP-dominated chamber. Notably, Bonnen is now a lobbyist while Strama—the nephew of a founder of Texans for Lawsuit Reform—now heads a liberal institute at UT. Fire Department Chaplain Calls for Free Speech After posting his views on a personal blog, a volunteer chaplain with the Austin Fire Department was dismissed from his position. Now, Dr. Andrew Fox has spoken out about the 2021 incident. Emily Medeiros has the details [[link removed]].

Fox had written that men and women are biologically different and that men should not compete on women’s sports teams. That line of thinking was branded in anonymous comments as “male chauvinism, racism, and transphobia.” After being forced to write an apology to the city's LGBT community, Fox was dismissed and was then dismissed from his duties.

In a lawsuit against the City of Austin, Fox is asking that he be reinstated to his former position as lead chaplain of the fire department. He is also asking for compensatory damages, including damages for the humiliation, emotional distress, inconvenience, and loss of reputation. Ernest Bailes Faces Primary Challengers in House District 18 Situated northeast of Houston and close to the Louisiana border, House District 18 has two candidates challenging incumbent State Rep. Ernest Bailes of Shepherd in the GOP primary. Amelia McKenzie profiles the race [[link removed]].

Bailes, a close ally of House Speaker Dade Phelan, has served in the Texas Legislature since 2017. His challengers are Janis Holt and Stephen Missick.

Notably, Bailes authored the legislation enabling the development of the Colony Ridge housing project considered by many to be a magnet for illegal aliens.

Holt has been endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Young Conservatives of Texas, Texas Right to Life, Texas Home School Coalition, Texas Values Action, Texans for True Conservatives, and the Family Empowerment Coalition PAC. Katy ISD Coach Gets Jail for Sexual Contact with Student A one-time coach in Katy Independent School District is going to jail after admitting to sexual contact with a 15-year-old student. Erin Anderson reports [[link removed]] that at least five female students accused Lonnie Teagle of making inappropriate sexual comments and touching them while they were at school.

Teagle was the head football coach at Paetow High School in Katy ISD for about six months. He resigned from the job in October 2022 after two girls reported his alleged behavior.

He waived his right to a trial and pleaded guilty to having an improper relationship with a student. Teagle was sentenced to 120 days in jail and eight years of probation. 🔒 Donate to Texas Scorecard 🔒 [[link removed]] Today in History

On Feb. 28, 1850, Carlos Esparza and his supporters declared themselves independent of Texas by forming the Territory of the Rio Grande. (The cause was dropped shortly after.)

Quote-Unquote

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."

– John Quincy Adams​

Y'All Answered [[link removed]]

Early in-person voting continues all this week ahead of the March 5 primary. Yesterday, we asked readers if they had already voted or planned to do so.

In response, 45.2 percent of readers said they had already voted, while another 39.2 percent intend to vote early. Just over 15 percent said they will wait until the March 5 Election Day to vote. Less than 1 percent of readers said they do not vote in primaries.

Here is a sampling of the responses we received [[link removed]].

“By voting early, you help grassroots candidates you support to target their limited resources to turn out the vote! Easy way to be an activist!” – Kathy Turner

“I love the thrill of voting on Election Day, so I always wait. I can't let this question go by, though, without letting people know we have voting recommendations for 80 counties at [[link removed]]. Those judges and commissioners can be hard to pick, so we're here to help you out!” – Julie McCarty

“I like to vote. I see it as a right and privilege. I voted the first day of early voting. I have never missed since I became old enough.” – Gary Hunt

“I prefer to vote early, but not TOO early, in case a scandal arises that would change my vote.” – Teri McGiffert

“I always vote early, so my vote will be anything but Democrat in case I die.” – David Hudman

“Not only did I vote in the primary just yesterday, but I took my two voting-age kids and my spouse! Oh, and everyone had a printout of the primary ballot with my suggestions for how to vote. The best voter is an informed voter!” – Dana Krasinksi

“I tell people the first day of early voting is ‘election day.’ All the rest are the grace period of ‘late voting.’” – Kevin Wade

“I always vote early. Less traffic. Easier to do.” – Terry Jones

“Voting should be done in person with ID on Election Day, using paper ballots. There should only be very few exceptions for voting absentee.” – Al Crable

“Too many things happen during early voting ... new revelations, new interviews, last minute information discoveries, so I always wait. Then I know I'm sure with my decisions. Also, we get together with neighbors to hash out every candidate or proposition. The objective is to vote as a block and not cancel each other's vote.” – Danny Burrows

“It’s a pain to drive into Lakeway or Bee Cave to a mass voting center. We will just wait until March 5 to vote locally.” – Charles Reagan

“I do vote early and will do so this week. For me, being a homeschool mom with multiple health issues, it's just easier to go to my voting location early. I can get in and out in about 10 minutes, which is great since I cannot always stand for long periods of time.” – Cathy Blake

“I voted on Tuesday, day two. No lines.” – Ron Smith

“I always vote on Election Day, But this time, I am ‘answering the call’ to vote early.” – Bill Hall

“I have found early voting convenient because of business-related travel. However, I have also found ways to get to the polls on election day regardless of any inconvenience.” – Roger Taylor

"If you give up your right to vote, you must also give up your right to complain about the outcome." – Tara Souther

“I always vote early, and I support early voting. Counting on one day to vote is a sucker's bet due to unforeseen circumstances.” – Jason Kerr

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