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Good morning,

With appraisal notices landing around the state, Texans' frustrations over the property tax system continue to simmer. In today's One Click Survey, we want to gauge your thoughts on it.

Here is the Texas Minute for Monday, April 22, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Feminist Media Critic to Depart UT-Austin Over DEI Ban Oh, whatever is Texas going to do losing a "feminist media critic"?

As the University of Texas at Austin works to implement Texas’ new ban on leftwing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices at state-funded universities, one professor isn’t sticking around to see the results. Adam Cahn has the details [[link removed]].

Assistant Professor Jennifer McClearen has specialized in feminist media criticism at UT-Austin. On her personal blog, McClearen wrote that she and her "partner, Kate," have never felt at home in Texas because there were not enough draconian COVID-19 restrictions. She said UT-Austin made her return "to the physical classroom too quickly."

But the last straw for the leftwing activist was when the state "attacked DEI programs", causing "marginalized students [to] shed tears."

Ma'am, don't let the door hit you on the way out! Paxton Highlights SCOTUS Ruling for Border Security Case With the Biden administration working to thwart Texas' efforts to secure the border, Attorney General Ken Paxton notified the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals last week that Congress has passed no laws creating a cause of action justifying the Department of Justice's legal strategy. As Will Biagini reports [[link removed]], Paxton is pushing for the courts to allow the state to begin enforcing a new law creating a state felony for being in the country illegally.

In a separate case, a unanimous Supreme Court ruled in favor of more than 100 North Texas landowners whose properties were devalued by the federal government's actions. According to Paxton, SCOTUS found the executive branch cannot "offensively enforce" constitutional provisions without statutory cause. Paxton argues this reasoning also applies to the state's new border security law. Houston Teacher Arrested for Improper Relationship with a Student A Houston-area teacher has been arrested on allegations he had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. Emily Medeiros reports [[link removed]] the man resigned from his position in the Cy-Fair school district the day he was arrested.

Kayden Burbank, 29, was a teacher and assistant coach for the Cy-Fair football team. Investigators have revealed that the alleged sexual relationship was discovered when the teacher's girlfriend found text messages between the teacher and the student.

Despite the arrest and resignation, state records show that Burbank’s teaching certificate is still valid, and he is not currently under investigation by the Texas Education Agency. Activists Use ‘No Bond Bus Tour’ to Drive Home Message in Granbury ISD An eye-catching yellow school bus is driving around Hood County emblazoned with the slogans “If You Know, You No” and “Caution High Taxes Ahead.” As Erin Anderson reports [[link removed]], the bus is part of a citizen-driven effort to oppose a debt issuance that will cost Granbury ISD taxpayers $315 million. "We’re not against children, education, or schools," said Eva Royer [[link removed]] of the Granbury Families PAC. "But we need the district to be good stewards of our money." Kerrville Residents Sue City Over Controversial Ordinance Two residents and a local grassroots organization have filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Kerrville for its recently passed ordinance targeting First Amendment rights. Luca Cacciatore reports [[link removed]] the plaintiffs believe the city is trying to stifle political opposition.

They argue that the ordinance makes the “price of participating in civic matters too costly and burdensome” for those challenging incumbents. Quote-Unquote

"There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him."

– Robert A. Heinlein

Number of the Day

$82,119,465,456

Total property tax levy (schools, cities, counties, and special purpose districts) in Texas for 2023. In 2003, the total property tax levy was $23.4 billion. (The 2023 school tax levy alone is $40.09 billion.)

[Source: Texas Comptroller [[link removed]]; Texas Policy Research [[link removed]]]

ONE CLICK SURVEY

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called on the Texas Senate [[link removed]] to study property tax relief and elimination. Approximately half of the property tax bill is the local school district's "maintenance and operation" levy. Other levies include those for the city, hospital district, and community college.

When it comes to property tax elimination, which statement most closely captures your stance?

Eliminate just the school “M&O” levy. [[link removed]] Eliminate all property taxes. [[link removed]] Reduce property tax burden but keep all the levies. [[link removed]] Make no changes to the property tax system. [[link removed]]

Once you’ve clicked an answer, reply to this email with any thoughts you’d like to share!

Directory of Your Current U.S. & Texas Officials [[link removed]]

This information is automatically inserted based on the mailing address you provide to us. If you'd like to update your contact information, please visit our subscriber portal [[link removed]].

​ U.S. Senator [[link removed]]

John Cornyn - R

(202) 224-2934

U.S. Senator [[link removed]]

Ted Cruz - R

(202) 224-5922

Governor of Texas [[link removed]]

Greg Abbott - R

(512) 463-2000

Lt. Governor [[link removed]]

Dan Patrick - R

(512) 463-0001

Attorney General [[link removed]]

Ken Paxton – R

(512) 463-2100

Comptroller [[link removed]]

Glenn Hegar – R

(512) 463-4600

Land Commissioner [[link removed]]

Dawn Buckingham – R

(512) 463-5001

Commissioner of Agriculture [[link removed]]

Sid Miller – R

(512) 463-7476

Railroad Commissioners [[link removed]]

Wayne Christian – R

Christi Craddick – R

Jim Wright – R

(512) 463-7158

State Board of Education [[link removed]], District

Update your address ( )

Main (512) 463-9007

U.S. House [[link removed]], District

Update your address ()

Congressional Switchboard (202) 225-3121

Texas Senate [[link removed]], District

Update your address ()

Capitol Switchboard (512) 463-4630​​​​​​​

Texas House [[link removed]], District

Update your address ()

Capitol Switchboard (512) 463-4630

Speaker of the Texas House

Dade Phelan (R)

(512) 463-1000

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