| From | Fran's Friday Message <[email protected]> |
| Subject | Getting ready for 2025! |
| Date | March 22, 2024 12:05 PM |
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Greetings from the TPPF Policy Summit 2024!
I've been attending the Policy Summit this week. Cool people to meet, friends to catch up with, and plenty of new things to learn. The discussions at these summits in some ways set up expectations for the next legislative session, and it's time to start preparing now! January may seem a long way off but there is much work to be done and the time will pass quickly. So, I wanted to share a few take aways from the sessions this week.
HOPE
I'm normally a very optimistic and hopeful person, but it's hard to stay that way in the current political environment. Today I will leave this summit with an even greater feeling of hopefulness for Texas. I've been hearing it and feeling it from the speakers, the panel members, and the fellow activists.
Lt Gov Patrick did the keynote speech yesterday, and he talked about moments in history where people didn't know if what they were doing would have the outcome they were hoping for, but they did the right thing anyway. He said we are at that moment in Texas. We don't know for sure if the tide is turning, but he is confident that in the future, historians will look back on this time and say - this is when things changed in Texas politics.
If Lt Governor is right, it will be because of the actions taken by folks like you all. Our True Texas army is winning, because of you, and there is a brighter change coming. A few months ago at the start of primary election season, I put a this photo on my FB cover page. It was a hopeful message that now seems to be coming true.
EDUCATION
One thing we need to accept is that School Choice is coming in 2025. One way or another, I believe they will pass something that will be called school choice. I know we have people on both sides of this issue, but the reality is that the Governor wants it, the Lt Governor wants it, many legislators want it, and 80+ percent of Republican voters (according to polls and the primary resolutions) want it. It's happening! We can at least try to make whatever bill is filed as good as it can be. That will require a lot of testimony at hearings, collecting data, and talking to legislators.
In a panel discussion on "Winning the War on Woke" I asked Senator Paul Bettencourt what the legislature will do to make sure that Universities follow the ban on DEI that was passed in 2023. He said if they don't, then those universities would be having some very interesting discussions at budget hearings next year. Be ready to hold Senator Bettencourt to his words.
$53 billion per year is being spent on higher education. Senator Bettencourt says that funding will be pulled for institutions that do not obey the law. Senator Creighton said something similar in a different panel discussion on Indoctrination in public schools. It's time to start using the power of the purse when people don't follow the law.
BORDER
The Roadmap for Border Security Policy in 2025 session was the most optimistic of all. Michael Banks, Texas Border Czar, Rep Ryan Guillen, HD31, Tom Homan, former head of ICE, and Rodney Scott, former Chief of US Border Patrol, all agree that the problems at the border are improving. According to Banks, 75% of all border crossings are happening in other states, not Texas. The recent efforts to install barriers, close down the park at Eagle Pass, and other efforts and working! SB4 - the bill that passed last session that allows law enforcement to arrest and possibly deport anyone crossing our border illegally, is bouncing back and forth in the courts, but the general consensus is that it will prevail.
Tom Homan said that he has promised President Trump, that if he wins, Homan will head up the biggest mass deportation effort we've ever seen. He also says Trump will declare Mexican cartels terrorists.
Rodney Scott says that it's important to separate immigration policy from border security policy. They are not the same, and you can't implement immigration policy without first controlling the border.
All of that gave me hope and encouragement. I hope it does for you too. The recent Primary election also gives us reason to be optimistic. Congratulations to all the activists who helped challengers defeat bad incumbents in the TX House. We still have 8 runoff elections to win, but win or loose, we'll see an unprecedented number of new freshman House Representatives in 2025, and hopefully, a brighter future for Republican priority legislation.
Everyone agrees that Dade Phelan will not be Speaker of the House next year - even if he does win the runoff election with David Covey. Establishment types are already lining up Phelan clones to run for speaker, continuing the same Phelan policies that we've fought against. Rep. Tom Oliverson announced yesterday that he is officially running for Speaker. He promises a paradigm shift away from the Phelan era and his policies. You can read his full statement here from his Facebook page. He certainly says all the right things, but we'll have to wait and see if he can muster the support of 76 Republicans to win.
So, I have two Action Items for you this week.
1) Stay hopeful! We have good reason to be, and we need to encourage each other.
2) Contact your State Representatives now and start talking to them about the kind of person you want to be the next Speaker of the House. It needs to be someone who will not appoint minority party members as committee chairs, will treat all members with equal respect and opportunity, and not waste the valuable short time of a 140 day session. The Texas House is not a social club, and members should be free to represent their constituents, and not be required to capitulate to the Speaker's wishes in order to be successful.
That's all I have for this week. I hope my message has brightened your day, as the past few days have brightened mine.
Stay hopeful, and stay engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
PS: Another fun thing about attending these conferences, is you get to catch up with old friends. I ran into Ammon Blair, former Director of our RGV group. He's doing well and says Hi!
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.PS: A
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tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt=
; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Greetings fr=
om the TPPF Policy Summit 2024!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family=
: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Marg=
in: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: =
10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">I've been attending the Policy Summit this week=
. Cool people to meet, friends to catch up with, and plenty of new th=
ings to learn. The discussions at these summits in some ways set up e=
xpectations for the next legislative session, and it's time to start prepar=
ing now! January may seem a long way off but there is much work to be=
done and the time will pass quickly. So, I wanted to share a few tak=
e aways from the sessions this week.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bot=
tom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>HOPE</strong></p> <p style=3D"colo=
r: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padd=
ing: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-heigh=
t: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">I'm normally a very opti=
mistic and hopeful person, but it's hard to stay that way in the current po=
litical environment. Today I will leave this summit with an even greater fe=
eling of hopefulness for Texas. I've been hearing it and feeling it f=
rom the speakers, the panel members, and the fellow activists. </p> <p=
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-wei=
ght: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12=
pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Lt Gov Pat=
rick did the keynote speech yesterday, and he talked about moments in histo=
ry where people didn't know if what they were doing would have the outcome =
they were hoping for, but they did the right thing anyway. He said we=
are at that moment in Texas. We don't know for sure if the tide is t=
urning, but he is confident that in the future, historians will look back o=
n this time and say - this is when things changed in Texas politics. <=
/p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fo=
nt-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-si=
ze: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">If L=
t Governor is right, it will be because of the actions taken by folks like =
you all. Our True Texas army is winning, because of you, and there is=
a brighter change coming. A few months ago at the start of primary e=
lection season, I put a this photo on my FB cover page. It was a hope=
ful message that now seems to be coming true.</p>=20
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/truetexasproject/images/Big%20Changes.jpg" a=
lt=3D"Big%20Changes.jpg" width=3D"321" height=3D"212" align=3D"middle" styl=
e=3D"outline: none; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;=
max-width: 100%; clear: both; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 au=
to; float: none; text-align: center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><=
![end-if]-->
</figure> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;"><strong>EDUCATION</strong></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144;=
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; mar=
gin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">One thing we need to accept is that=
School Choice is coming in 2025. One way or another, I believe they =
will pass something that will be called school choice. I know we have=
people on both sides of this issue, but the reality is that the Governor w=
ants it, the Lt Governor wants it, many legislators want it, and 80+ percen=
t of Republican voters (according to polls and the primary resolutions) wan=
t it. It's happening! We can at least try to make whatever bill=
is filed as good as it can be. That will require a lot of testimony =
at hearings, collecting data, and talking to legislators.</p> <p style=3D"c=
olor: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; p=
adding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-he=
ight: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">In a panel discussion=
on "Winning the War on Woke" I asked Senator Paul Bettencourt what the leg=
islature will do to make sure that Universities follow the ban on DEI that =
was passed in 2023. He said if they don't, then those universities wo=
uld be having some very interesting discussions at budget hearings next yea=
r. Be ready to hold Senator Bettencourt to his words.</p> <p style=3D=
"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400;=
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-=
height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">$53 billion per yea=
r is being spent on higher education. Senator Bettencourt says that f=
unding will be pulled for institutions that do not obey the law. Sena=
tor Creighton said something similar in a different panel discussion on Ind=
octrination in public schools. It's time to start using the power of =
the purse when people don't follow the law.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144;=
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; mar=
gin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>BORDER</strong></p> <p styl=
e=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: =
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; l=
ine-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">The Roadmap for=
Border Security Policy in 2025 session was the most optimistic of all.&nbs=
p; Michael Banks, Texas Border Czar, Rep Ryan Guillen, HD31, Tom Homan, for=
mer head of ICE, and Rodney Scott, former Chief of US Border Patrol, all ag=
ree that the problems at the border are improving. According to Banks=
, 75% of all border crossings are happening in other states, not Texas.&nbs=
p; The recent efforts to install barriers, close down the park at Eagle Pas=
s, and other efforts and working! SB4 - the bill that passed last ses=
sion that allows law enforcement to arrest and possibly deport anyone cross=
ing our border illegally, is bouncing back and forth in the courts, but the=
general consensus is that it will prevail.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144;=
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; mar=
gin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Tom Homan said that he has promised=
President Trump, that if he wins, Homan will head up the biggest mass depo=
rtation effort we've ever seen. He also says Trump will declare Mexic=
an cartels terrorists.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,h=
elvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; te=
xt-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Mar=
gin-bottom: 10px;">Rodney Scott says that it's important to separate immigr=
ation policy from border security policy. They are not the same, and =
you can't implement immigration policy without first controlling the border=
.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; =
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-=
size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Al=
l of that gave me hope and encouragement. I hope it does for you too.=
The recent Primary election also gives us reason to be optimistic. C=
ongratulations to all the activists who helped challengers defeat bad incum=
bents in the TX House. We still have 8 runoff elections to win, but w=
in or loose, we'll see an unprecedented number of new freshman House Repres=
entatives in 2025, and hopefully, a brighter future for Republican priority=
legislation.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,=
sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-botto=
m: 10px;">Everyone agrees that Dade Phelan will not be Speaker of the House=
next year - even if he does win the runoff election with David Covey. =
; Establishment types are already lining up Phelan clones to run for speake=
r, continuing the same Phelan policies that we've fought against. Rep=
. Tom Oliverson announced yesterday that he is officially running for Speak=
er. He promises a paradigm shift away from the Phelan era and his pol=
icies. You can read his full statement<a title=3D" here " href=3D"htt=
ps://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/T-L5cREBV8Vf5w8m6SfVpuNK=
GsJuDVPSyCwNm6CZeo4=3D/pgzsQEvjAHpIrUH_GIoZo45DYjUWlEY-s0uKMarTwXI=3D" targ=
et=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: no=
ne; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">=
here </a> from his Facebook page. He certainly says all the rig=
ht things, but we'll have to wait and see if he can muster the support of 7=
6 Republicans to win.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,he=
lvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; tex=
t-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Marg=
in-bottom: 10px;">So, I have two Action Items for you this week.</p> <p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">1) Stay =
hopeful! We have good reason to be, and we need to encourage each oth=
er.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fon=
t-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">=
2) Contact your State Representatives now and start talking to them a=
bout the kind of person you want to be the next Speaker of the House. =
It needs to be someone who will not appoint minority party members as comm=
ittee chairs, will treat all members with equal respect and opportunity, an=
d not waste the valuable short time of a 140 day session. The Texas H=
ouse is not a social club, and members should be free to represent their co=
nstituents, and not be required to capitulate to the Speaker's wishes in or=
der to be successful.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,he=
lvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; tex=
t-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Marg=
in-bottom: 10px;">That's all I have for this week. I hope my message =
has brightened your day, as the past few days have brightened mine.</p> <p =
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weig=
ht: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Stay hopefu=
l, and stay engaged!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;">Fran Rhodes, President</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; fon=
t-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin:=
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-=
bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">PS: Another fun thing about atten=
ding these conferences, is you get to catch up with old friends. I ra=
n into Ammon Blair, former Director of our RGV group. He's doing well=
and says Hi!</p>=20
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/truetexasproject/images/Ammon.jpg" alt=3D"Am=
mon.jpg" width=3D"317" height=3D"423" align=3D"middle" style=3D"outline: no=
ne; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%=
; clear: both; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none;=
text-align: center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]-->
</figure> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;"> </p>=20
<div id=3D":r8u:" class=3D"x1n2onr6"></div></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row end-row-footer" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; =
border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; b=
ackground-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 24px;"><p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5=
; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span styl=
e=3D"font-size: 14px;"> </span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style=3D"color: #cc0000;">=
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.PS: A<br>=
Can you help?<br>We are 100% donation-based.</span><br><span style=3D"color=
: #000055;">Click </span><a href=3D"[link removed]
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m6SfVpuNKGsJuDVPSyCwNm6CZeo4=3D/pgzsQEvjAHpIrUH_GIoZoxyNTRPsMZdWMhRkE81SqWA=
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padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">TrueTexasProject.com</a></=
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Greetings from the TPPF Policy Summit 2024!
I've been attending the Policy Summit this week. Cool people to meet, friends to catch up with, and plenty of new things to learn. The discussions at these summits in some ways set up expectations for the next legislative session, and it's time to start preparing now! January may seem a long way off but there is much work to be done and the time will pass quickly. So, I wanted to share a few take aways from the sessions this week.
HOPE
I'm normally a very optimistic and hopeful person, but it's hard to stay that way in the current political environment. Today I will leave this summit with an even greater feeling of hopefulness for Texas. I've been hearing it and feeling it from the speakers, the panel members, and the fellow activists.
Lt Gov Patrick did the keynote speech yesterday, and he talked about moments in history where people didn't know if what they were doing would have the outcome they were hoping for, but they did the right thing anyway. He said we are at that moment in Texas. We don't know for sure if the tide is turning, but he is confident that in the future, historians will look back on this time and say - this is when things changed in Texas politics.
If Lt Governor is right, it will be because of the actions taken by folks like you all. Our True Texas army is winning, because of you, and there is a brighter change coming. A few months ago at the start of primary election season, I put a this photo on my FB cover page. It was a hopeful message that now seems to be coming true.
EDUCATION
One thing we need to accept is that School Choice is coming in 2025. One way or another, I believe they will pass something that will be called school choice. I know we have people on both sides of this issue, but the reality is that the Governor wants it, the Lt Governor wants it, many legislators want it, and 80+ percent of Republican voters (according to polls and the primary resolutions) want it. It's happening! We can at least try to make whatever bill is filed as good as it can be. That will require a lot of testimony at hearings, collecting data, and talking to legislators.
In a panel discussion on "Winning the War on Woke" I asked Senator Paul Bettencourt what the legislature will do to make sure that Universities follow the ban on DEI that was passed in 2023. He said if they don't, then those universities would be having some very interesting discussions at budget hearings next year. Be ready to hold Senator Bettencourt to his words.
$53 billion per year is being spent on higher education. Senator Bettencourt says that funding will be pulled for institutions that do not obey the law. Senator Creighton said something similar in a different panel discussion on Indoctrination in public schools. It's time to start using the power of the purse when people don't follow the law.
BORDER
The Roadmap for Border Security Policy in 2025 session was the most optimistic of all. Michael Banks, Texas Border Czar, Rep Ryan Guillen, HD31, Tom Homan, former head of ICE, and Rodney Scott, former Chief of US Border Patrol, all agree that the problems at the border are improving. According to Banks, 75% of all border crossings are happening in other states, not Texas. The recent efforts to install barriers, close down the park at Eagle Pass, and other efforts and working! SB4 - the bill that passed last session that allows law enforcement to arrest and possibly deport anyone crossing our border illegally, is bouncing back and forth in the courts, but the general consensus is that it will prevail.
Tom Homan said that he has promised President Trump, that if he wins, Homan will head up the biggest mass deportation effort we've ever seen. He also says Trump will declare Mexican cartels terrorists.
Rodney Scott says that it's important to separate immigration policy from border security policy. They are not the same, and you can't implement immigration policy without first controlling the border.
All of that gave me hope and encouragement. I hope it does for you too. The recent Primary election also gives us reason to be optimistic. Congratulations to all the activists who helped challengers defeat bad incumbents in the TX House. We still have 8 runoff elections to win, but win or loose, we'll see an unprecedented number of new freshman House Representatives in 2025, and hopefully, a brighter future for Republican priority legislation.
Everyone agrees that Dade Phelan will not be Speaker of the House next year - even if he does win the runoff election with David Covey. Establishment types are already lining up Phelan clones to run for speaker, continuing the same Phelan policies that we've fought against. Rep. Tom Oliverson announced yesterday that he is officially running for Speaker. He promises a paradigm shift away from the Phelan era and his policies. You can read his full statement here from his Facebook page. He certainly says all the right things, but we'll have to wait and see if he can muster the support of 76 Republicans to win.
So, I have two Action Items for you this week.
1) Stay hopeful! We have good reason to be, and we need to encourage each other.
2) Contact your State Representatives now and start talking to them about the kind of person you want to be the next Speaker of the House. It needs to be someone who will not appoint minority party members as committee chairs, will treat all members with equal respect and opportunity, and not waste the valuable short time of a 140 day session. The Texas House is not a social club, and members should be free to represent their constituents, and not be required to capitulate to the Speaker's wishes in order to be successful.
That's all I have for this week. I hope my message has brightened your day, as the past few days have brightened mine.
Stay hopeful, and stay engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
PS: Another fun thing about attending these conferences, is you get to catch up with old friends. I ran into Ammon Blair, former Director of our RGV group. He's doing well and says Hi!
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.PS: A
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our movement.
TrueTexasProject.com
To update your profile with a new email address, satellite location, or other details, or to adjust your recurring donations, please click here.
BONUS TIP: remove the "unsubscribe" line at the bottom of your email before you forward it! Otherwise the recipient may unsubscribe YOU!
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed].
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Greetings from the TPPF Policy Summit 2024!
I've been attending the Policy Summit this week. Cool people to meet, friends to catch up with, and plenty of new things to learn. The discussions at these summits in some ways set up expectations for the next legislative session, and it's time to start preparing now! January may seem a long way off but there is much work to be done and the time will pass quickly. So, I wanted to share a few take aways from the sessions this week.
HOPE
I'm normally a very optimistic and hopeful person, but it's hard to stay that way in the current political environment. Today I will leave this summit with an even greater feeling of hopefulness for Texas. I've been hearing it and feeling it from the speakers, the panel members, and the fellow activists.
Lt Gov Patrick did the keynote speech yesterday, and he talked about moments in history where people didn't know if what they were doing would have the outcome they were hoping for, but they did the right thing anyway. He said we are at that moment in Texas. We don't know for sure if the tide is turning, but he is confident that in the future, historians will look back on this time and say - this is when things changed in Texas politics.
If Lt Governor is right, it will be because of the actions taken by folks like you all. Our True Texas army is winning, because of you, and there is a brighter change coming. A few months ago at the start of primary election season, I put a this photo on my FB cover page. It was a hopeful message that now seems to be coming true.
EDUCATION
One thing we need to accept is that School Choice is coming in 2025. One way or another, I believe they will pass something that will be called school choice. I know we have people on both sides of this issue, but the reality is that the Governor wants it, the Lt Governor wants it, many legislators want it, and 80+ percent of Republican voters (according to polls and the primary resolutions) want it. It's happening! We can at least try to make whatever bill is filed as good as it can be. That will require a lot of testimony at hearings, collecting data, and talking to legislators.
In a panel discussion on "Winning the War on Woke" I asked Senator Paul Bettencourt what the legislature will do to make sure that Universities follow the ban on DEI that was passed in 2023. He said if they don't, then those universities would be having some very interesting discussions at budget hearings next year. Be ready to hold Senator Bettencourt to his words.
$53 billion per year is being spent on higher education. Senator Bettencourt says that funding will be pulled for institutions that do not obey the law. Senator Creighton said something similar in a different panel discussion on Indoctrination in public schools. It's time to start using the power of the purse when people don't follow the law.
BORDER
The Roadmap for Border Security Policy in 2025 session was the most optimistic of all. Michael Banks, Texas Border Czar, Rep Ryan Guillen, HD31, Tom Homan, former head of ICE, and Rodney Scott, former Chief of US Border Patrol, all agree that the problems at the border are improving. According to Banks, 75% of all border crossings are happening in other states, not Texas. The recent efforts to install barriers, close down the park at Eagle Pass, and other efforts and working! SB4 - the bill that passed last session that allows law enforcement to arrest and possibly deport anyone crossing our border illegally, is bouncing back and forth in the courts, but the general consensus is that it will prevail.
Tom Homan said that he has promised President Trump, that if he wins, Homan will head up the biggest mass deportation effort we've ever seen. He also says Trump will declare Mexican cartels terrorists.
Rodney Scott says that it's important to separate immigration policy from border security policy. They are not the same, and you can't implement immigration policy without first controlling the border.
All of that gave me hope and encouragement. I hope it does for you too. The recent Primary election also gives us reason to be optimistic. Congratulations to all the activists who helped challengers defeat bad incumbents in the TX House. We still have 8 runoff elections to win, but win or loose, we'll see an unprecedented number of new freshman House Representatives in 2025, and hopefully, a brighter future for Republican priority legislation.
Everyone agrees that Dade Phelan will not be Speaker of the House next year - even if he does win the runoff election with David Covey. Establishment types are already lining up Phelan clones to run for speaker, continuing the same Phelan policies that we've fought against. Rep. Tom Oliverson announced yesterday that he is officially running for Speaker. He promises a paradigm shift away from the Phelan era and his policies. You can read his full statement here from his Facebook page. He certainly says all the right things, but we'll have to wait and see if he can muster the support of 76 Republicans to win.
So, I have two Action Items for you this week.
1) Stay hopeful! We have good reason to be, and we need to encourage each other.
2) Contact your State Representatives now and start talking to them about the kind of person you want to be the next Speaker of the House. It needs to be someone who will not appoint minority party members as committee chairs, will treat all members with equal respect and opportunity, and not waste the valuable short time of a 140 day session. The Texas House is not a social club, and members should be free to represent their constituents, and not be required to capitulate to the Speaker's wishes in order to be successful.
That's all I have for this week. I hope my message has brightened your day, as the past few days have brightened mine.
Stay hopeful, and stay engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
PS: Another fun thing about attending these conferences, is you get to catch up with old friends. I ran into Ammon Blair, former Director of our RGV group. He's doing well and says Hi!
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.PS: A
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our movement.
TrueTexasProject.com
To update your profile with a new email address, satellite location, or other details, or to adjust your recurring donations, please click here.
BONUS TIP: remove the "unsubscribe" line at the bottom of your email before you forward it! Otherwise the recipient may unsubscribe YOU!
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed].
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al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; padding-top: 24px; pad=
ding-bottom: 24px; word-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px=
; padding-right: 24px; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0;">=20
<center style=3D"width: 100%; min-width: 532px;"> <a href=3D=
"[link removed]
puNKGsJuDVPSyCwNm6CZeo4=3D/pgzsQEvjAHpIrUH_GIoZo8g4TMTNCWlxzUvH8lB7y_0=3D" =
title=3D"Share" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration:=
none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5=
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pp.neoncrm.com/nx/static/img/icons/social-media/darkicons/Share.png" alt=3D=
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on-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear: both; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 a=
uto; float: none; text-align: center; border: none; display: inline; margin=
-top: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; width: auto; object-fit: none; height: auto;=
"></a>=20
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ing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; p=
adding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Marg=
in: 0; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"=
>=20
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<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 24px; padding-bottom: 12px;"><p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt=
; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href=3D"h=
ttps://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/T-L5cREBV8Vf5w8m6SfVpu=
NKGsJuDVPSyCwNm6CZeo4=3D/pgzsQEvjAHpIrUH_GIoZo4-4Ez67c0k3X14YGNBGMfo=3D" st=
yle=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding=
: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><img style=3D"outline: none; text=
-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear:=
both; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align: center; bor=
der: none; display: block; width: 750px; height: auto;" src=3D"[link removed]
texasproject.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/truetexasproject/images/TTP%20Em=
ail%20Header(1).png" alt width=3D"750" height=3D"263"></a><span style=3D"fo=
nt-weight: 400; color: #e03e2d; font-size: 11pt;">[Are these emails too sma=
ll? Is half of it clipped? At the very top of this email, click the link th=
at says "see it online". It will open in normal size and with full content!=
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<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
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<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 12px;"><p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt=
; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Greetings fr=
om the TPPF Policy Summit 2024!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family=
: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Marg=
in: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: =
10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">I've been attending the Policy Summit this week=
. Cool people to meet, friends to catch up with, and plenty of new th=
ings to learn. The discussions at these summits in some ways set up e=
xpectations for the next legislative session, and it's time to start prepar=
ing now! January may seem a long way off but there is much work to be=
done and the time will pass quickly. So, I wanted to share a few tak=
e aways from the sessions this week.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bot=
tom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>HOPE</strong></p> <p style=3D"colo=
r: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padd=
ing: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-heigh=
t: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">I'm normally a very opti=
mistic and hopeful person, but it's hard to stay that way in the current po=
litical environment. Today I will leave this summit with an even greater fe=
eling of hopefulness for Texas. I've been hearing it and feeling it f=
rom the speakers, the panel members, and the fellow activists. </p> <p=
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-wei=
ght: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12=
pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Lt Gov Pat=
rick did the keynote speech yesterday, and he talked about moments in histo=
ry where people didn't know if what they were doing would have the outcome =
they were hoping for, but they did the right thing anyway. He said we=
are at that moment in Texas. We don't know for sure if the tide is t=
urning, but he is confident that in the future, historians will look back o=
n this time and say - this is when things changed in Texas politics. <=
/p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fo=
nt-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-si=
ze: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">If L=
t Governor is right, it will be because of the actions taken by folks like =
you all. Our True Texas army is winning, because of you, and there is=
a brighter change coming. A few months ago at the start of primary e=
lection season, I put a this photo on my FB cover page. It was a hope=
ful message that now seems to be coming true.</p>=20
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/truetexasproject/images/Big%20Changes.jpg" a=
lt=3D"Big%20Changes.jpg" width=3D"321" height=3D"212" align=3D"middle" styl=
e=3D"outline: none; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;=
max-width: 100%; clear: both; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 au=
to; float: none; text-align: center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><=
![end-if]-->
</figure> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;"><strong>EDUCATION</strong></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144;=
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; mar=
gin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">One thing we need to accept is that=
School Choice is coming in 2025. One way or another, I believe they =
will pass something that will be called school choice. I know we have=
people on both sides of this issue, but the reality is that the Governor w=
ants it, the Lt Governor wants it, many legislators want it, and 80+ percen=
t of Republican voters (according to polls and the primary resolutions) wan=
t it. It's happening! We can at least try to make whatever bill=
is filed as good as it can be. That will require a lot of testimony =
at hearings, collecting data, and talking to legislators.</p> <p style=3D"c=
olor: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; p=
adding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-he=
ight: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">In a panel discussion=
on "Winning the War on Woke" I asked Senator Paul Bettencourt what the leg=
islature will do to make sure that Universities follow the ban on DEI that =
was passed in 2023. He said if they don't, then those universities wo=
uld be having some very interesting discussions at budget hearings next yea=
r. Be ready to hold Senator Bettencourt to his words.</p> <p style=3D=
"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400;=
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-=
height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">$53 billion per yea=
r is being spent on higher education. Senator Bettencourt says that f=
unding will be pulled for institutions that do not obey the law. Sena=
tor Creighton said something similar in a different panel discussion on Ind=
octrination in public schools. It's time to start using the power of =
the purse when people don't follow the law.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144;=
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; mar=
gin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>BORDER</strong></p> <p styl=
e=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: =
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; l=
ine-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">The Roadmap for=
Border Security Policy in 2025 session was the most optimistic of all.&nbs=
p; Michael Banks, Texas Border Czar, Rep Ryan Guillen, HD31, Tom Homan, for=
mer head of ICE, and Rodney Scott, former Chief of US Border Patrol, all ag=
ree that the problems at the border are improving. According to Banks=
, 75% of all border crossings are happening in other states, not Texas.&nbs=
p; The recent efforts to install barriers, close down the park at Eagle Pas=
s, and other efforts and working! SB4 - the bill that passed last ses=
sion that allows law enforcement to arrest and possibly deport anyone cross=
ing our border illegally, is bouncing back and forth in the courts, but the=
general consensus is that it will prevail.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144;=
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; mar=
gin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Tom Homan said that he has promised=
President Trump, that if he wins, Homan will head up the biggest mass depo=
rtation effort we've ever seen. He also says Trump will declare Mexic=
an cartels terrorists.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,h=
elvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; te=
xt-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Mar=
gin-bottom: 10px;">Rodney Scott says that it's important to separate immigr=
ation policy from border security policy. They are not the same, and =
you can't implement immigration policy without first controlling the border=
.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; =
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-=
size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Al=
l of that gave me hope and encouragement. I hope it does for you too.=
The recent Primary election also gives us reason to be optimistic. C=
ongratulations to all the activists who helped challengers defeat bad incum=
bents in the TX House. We still have 8 runoff elections to win, but w=
in or loose, we'll see an unprecedented number of new freshman House Repres=
entatives in 2025, and hopefully, a brighter future for Republican priority=
legislation.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,=
sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-botto=
m: 10px;">Everyone agrees that Dade Phelan will not be Speaker of the House=
next year - even if he does win the runoff election with David Covey. =
; Establishment types are already lining up Phelan clones to run for speake=
r, continuing the same Phelan policies that we've fought against. Rep=
. Tom Oliverson announced yesterday that he is officially running for Speak=
er. He promises a paradigm shift away from the Phelan era and his pol=
icies. You can read his full statement<a title=3D" here " href=3D"htt=
ps://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/T-L5cREBV8Vf5w8m6SfVpuNK=
GsJuDVPSyCwNm6CZeo4=3D/pgzsQEvjAHpIrUH_GIoZo45DYjUWlEY-s0uKMarTwXI=3D" targ=
et=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: no=
ne; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">=
here </a> from his Facebook page. He certainly says all the rig=
ht things, but we'll have to wait and see if he can muster the support of 7=
6 Republicans to win.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,he=
lvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; tex=
t-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Marg=
in-bottom: 10px;">So, I have two Action Items for you this week.</p> <p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">1) Stay =
hopeful! We have good reason to be, and we need to encourage each oth=
er.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fon=
t-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">=
2) Contact your State Representatives now and start talking to them a=
bout the kind of person you want to be the next Speaker of the House. =
It needs to be someone who will not appoint minority party members as comm=
ittee chairs, will treat all members with equal respect and opportunity, an=
d not waste the valuable short time of a 140 day session. The Texas H=
ouse is not a social club, and members should be free to represent their co=
nstituents, and not be required to capitulate to the Speaker's wishes in or=
der to be successful.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,he=
lvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; tex=
t-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Marg=
in-bottom: 10px;">That's all I have for this week. I hope my message =
has brightened your day, as the past few days have brightened mine.</p> <p =
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weig=
ht: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Stay hopefu=
l, and stay engaged!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;">Fran Rhodes, President</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; fon=
t-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin:=
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-=
bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">PS: Another fun thing about atten=
ding these conferences, is you get to catch up with old friends. I ra=
n into Ammon Blair, former Director of our RGV group. He's doing well=
and says Hi!</p>=20
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/truetexasproject/images/Ammon.jpg" alt=3D"Am=
mon.jpg" width=3D"317" height=3D"423" align=3D"middle" style=3D"outline: no=
ne; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%=
; clear: both; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none;=
text-align: center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]-->
</figure> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;"> </p>=20
<div id=3D":r8u:" class=3D"x1n2onr6"></div></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row end-row-footer" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; =
border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; b=
ackground-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 24px;"><p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5=
; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span styl=
e=3D"font-size: 14px;"> </span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style=3D"color: #cc0000;">=
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.PS: A<br>=
Can you help?<br>We are 100% donation-based.</span><br><span style=3D"color=
: #000055;">Click </span><a href=3D"[link removed]
ing/click-link/T-L5cREBV8Vf5w8m6SfVpuNKGsJuDVPSyCwNm6CZeo4=3D/pgzsQEvjAHpIr=
UH_GIoZozFZz37ebU-LynjIpV1cRek=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration=
: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.=
5;"><span style=3D"color: #cc0000;">here</span></a><span style=3D"color: #0=
00055;"> to donate to our movement. <br><a hr=
ef=3D"[link removed]
m6SfVpuNKGsJuDVPSyCwNm6CZeo4=3D/pgzsQEvjAHpIrUH_GIoZoxyNTRPsMZdWMhRkE81SqWA=
=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; =
padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">TrueTexasProject.com</a></=
span></strong></p>=20
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g: 0; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-alig=
n: left; max-width: 100%; width: 100%;">=20
<tbody>=20
<tr data-v-45dfea3e style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: t=
op; text-align: left;">=20
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cal-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fo=
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ze: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; border-collapse: collapse;">
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gn: center;" data-v-45dfea3e>
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oopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inher=
it; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><img style=3D"outline:=
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00%; clear: both; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align: =
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Greetings from the TPPF Policy Summit 2024!
I've been attending the Policy Summit this week. Cool people to meet, friends to catch up with, and plenty of new things to learn. The discussions at these summits in some ways set up expectations for the next legislative session, and it's time to start preparing now! January may seem a long way off but there is much work to be done and the time will pass quickly. So, I wanted to share a few take aways from the sessions this week.
HOPE
I'm normally a very optimistic and hopeful person, but it's hard to stay that way in the current political environment. Today I will leave this summit with an even greater feeling of hopefulness for Texas. I've been hearing it and feeling it from the speakers, the panel members, and the fellow activists.
Lt Gov Patrick did the keynote speech yesterday, and he talked about moments in history where people didn't know if what they were doing would have the outcome they were hoping for, but they did the right thing anyway. He said we are at that moment in Texas. We don't know for sure if the tide is turning, but he is confident that in the future, historians will look back on this time and say - this is when things changed in Texas politics.
If Lt Governor is right, it will be because of the actions taken by folks like you all. Our True Texas army is winning, because of you, and there is a brighter change coming. A few months ago at the start of primary election season, I put a this photo on my FB cover page. It was a hopeful message that now seems to be coming true.
EDUCATION
One thing we need to accept is that School Choice is coming in 2025. One way or another, I believe they will pass something that will be called school choice. I know we have people on both sides of this issue, but the reality is that the Governor wants it, the Lt Governor wants it, many legislators want it, and 80+ percent of Republican voters (according to polls and the primary resolutions) want it. It's happening! We can at least try to make whatever bill is filed as good as it can be. That will require a lot of testimony at hearings, collecting data, and talking to legislators.
In a panel discussion on "Winning the War on Woke" I asked Senator Paul Bettencourt what the legislature will do to make sure that Universities follow the ban on DEI that was passed in 2023. He said if they don't, then those universities would be having some very interesting discussions at budget hearings next year. Be ready to hold Senator Bettencourt to his words.
$53 billion per year is being spent on higher education. Senator Bettencourt says that funding will be pulled for institutions that do not obey the law. Senator Creighton said something similar in a different panel discussion on Indoctrination in public schools. It's time to start using the power of the purse when people don't follow the law.
BORDER
The Roadmap for Border Security Policy in 2025 session was the most optimistic of all. Michael Banks, Texas Border Czar, Rep Ryan Guillen, HD31, Tom Homan, former head of ICE, and Rodney Scott, former Chief of US Border Patrol, all agree that the problems at the border are improving. According to Banks, 75% of all border crossings are happening in other states, not Texas. The recent efforts to install barriers, close down the park at Eagle Pass, and other efforts and working! SB4 - the bill that passed last session that allows law enforcement to arrest and possibly deport anyone crossing our border illegally, is bouncing back and forth in the courts, but the general consensus is that it will prevail.
Tom Homan said that he has promised President Trump, that if he wins, Homan will head up the biggest mass deportation effort we've ever seen. He also says Trump will declare Mexican cartels terrorists.
Rodney Scott says that it's important to separate immigration policy from border security policy. They are not the same, and you can't implement immigration policy without first controlling the border.
All of that gave me hope and encouragement. I hope it does for you too. The recent Primary election also gives us reason to be optimistic. Congratulations to all the activists who helped challengers defeat bad incumbents in the TX House. We still have 8 runoff elections to win, but win or loose, we'll see an unprecedented number of new freshman House Representatives in 2025, and hopefully, a brighter future for Republican priority legislation.
Everyone agrees that Dade Phelan will not be Speaker of the House next year - even if he does win the runoff election with David Covey. Establishment types are already lining up Phelan clones to run for speaker, continuing the same Phelan policies that we've fought against. Rep. Tom Oliverson announced yesterday that he is officially running for Speaker. He promises a paradigm shift away from the Phelan era and his policies. You can read his full statement here from his Facebook page. He certainly says all the right things, but we'll have to wait and see if he can muster the support of 76 Republicans to win.
So, I have two Action Items for you this week.
1) Stay hopeful! We have good reason to be, and we need to encourage each other.
2) Contact your State Representatives now and start talking to them about the kind of person you want to be the next Speaker of the House. It needs to be someone who will not appoint minority party members as committee chairs, will treat all members with equal respect and opportunity, and not waste the valuable short time of a 140 day session. The Texas House is not a social club, and members should be free to represent their constituents, and not be required to capitulate to the Speaker's wishes in order to be successful.
That's all I have for this week. I hope my message has brightened your day, as the past few days have brightened mine.
Stay hopeful, and stay engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
PS: Another fun thing about attending these conferences, is you get to catch up with old friends. I ran into Ammon Blair, former Director of our RGV group. He's doing well and says Hi!
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