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.

      
• 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, 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 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

• "We’re not against children, education, or schools," said Eva Royer 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 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

ONE CLICK SURVEY

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called on the Texas Senate 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?

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