Good morning, 

Here is the Texas Minute for Thursday, April 25, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Abbott: Antisemitic Protestors Should Be Expelled From Texas Universities

• The anti-Israel protests that have captured college campuses nationwide have come to Texas, with hundreds of students marching and gathering at the University of Texas at Austin in support of Palestine. Brandon Waltens covered yesterday's protest, where students called for the end of the nation of Israel.

• “These protesters belong in jail. Antisemitism will not be tolerated in Texas. Period. Students joining in hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled.” – Greg Abbott

Phelan Appointee Signs on to Anti-Israel Letter

• A group of Democrat lawmakers in the Texas House are calling on President Joe Biden to “reassess” financial aid to Israel in light of what they call the “ongoing assault on civilians in Gaza by the Netanyahu government.”
        
• One of those Democrats signing the anti-Israel letter is Victoria Neave Criado of Dallas, whom Speaker Phelan appointed to chair the House's County Affairs Committee.
     
• Their letter does not condemn or even mention Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Jewish civilians that precipitated Israel's military response.

Texas’ Financial Transparency Has Worsened Since 2019

• A new study by Truth in Accounting finds that Texas’ record of publishing transparent and accurate government financial information has worsened over the past five years. Luca Cacciatore has the details.
        
• Texas' rating has dropped from 80 out of 100 points in 2019 to 73 in 2024. 
        
• The study is based upon information disclosed in state budgets, as well as other “best practices” used to improve government transparency and accountability.
       
• James Quintero, head of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Taxpayer Protection Project, said that even though Texas’ transparency standards were ahead of their time when first passed, they have since been hollowed out.
       
• “One key challenge today is that the law is no longer geared toward a presumption of openness. Instead, it provides governmental entities with many different avenues to withhold public information, either in whole or in part.” – James Quintero

Austin Council to Consider Resolution Making City 'Sanctuary' for Child Gender Mutilation

• When the Austin City Council meets next week, it will consider a resolution making the city a sanctuary for gender mutilative surgeries and chemical castration for children. Emily Medeiros has the story.
       

• The city’s LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission unanimously approved the recommendation to the Austin City Council last week to protect "transgender and sexual identity."

       
• If enacted, the resolution would forbid the use of city personnel, funds, and resources from being used to investigate, prosecute, or impose other penalties on those attempting to provide mutilative procedures to gender-confused individuals. A new state law prohibits gender mutilative procedures from being performed on minors. 
        
• Williamson County GOP Chair-Elect Michelle Evans said the resolution is "putting ideology above the safety and well-being of youth in the city."
        
• "This move by the Austin City Council isn’t about what’s best for kids; it’s about what’s best for an evil movement that preys on children." – Brady Gray, Texas Family Project

Teacher Accused of Sexually Soliciting Minor

• A charter school elementary teacher in Houston has been arrested for online solicitation of a minor for sex. Will Biagini reports investigators found child pornography on the man's phone. 
           
• At the time of the incident, Michael Bourquin was a teacher at Mangum Elementary School. An investigation by the Manvel Police Department revealed that Bourquin held sexually explicit online conversations with a 15-year-old boy where they discussed meeting up for sexual activity.
           
• Southwest Public Schools, the charter school operator, has said Bourquin is "no longer employed" by them. However, according to the State Board for Education Certification, his teaching certificate is still listed as valid.

Quote-Unquote

"Texas is neither southern nor western. Texas is Texas."

– William A. Blakley

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