Good morning, 

Here is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

– Sydnie Henry 

UPFRONT: We printed that Rep. Crockett sponsored H.R. 2081, but it was H.R. 8081. I apologize for any confusion!

Gov. Abbott Pledges to Analyze CenterPoint’s Preparedness and Priorities

• The governor is demanding information on what CenterPoint can do now to improve its readiness for the next hurricane season. Luca Cacciatore has the story. 
   
• While laying into the energy provider for causing Texans to "lose faith" in their basic utilities, Abbott promised in his letter Tuesday that the "adequacy" of CenterPoint’s preparedness will be "analyzed in the coming months."
   
• Abbott’s letter detailed certain changes and other information to be provided to the governor’s office by July 31 as the Public Utility Commission investigates. Among them is a request that CenterPoint explain how it plans to eliminate all vegetation issues by the end of August.
   
• The governor warned that if CenterPoint does not comply, he will issue an executive order to impose requirements on the company that will keep power on throughout the rest of the hurricane season. In addition, he will request the PUC ignore any attempt by CenterPoint to raise utility rates for Texans.

Paxton Exhorts US Senate to Pass Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Measure

• Attorney General Ken Paxton has sent a letter to U.S. Senators urging them to approve a measure aimed at blocking noncitizens from registering to vote in federal elections. Will Biagini has the latest. 
   
• The "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act" would require Americans to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The act was introduced by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week. 
   
• As the measure makes its way to the U.S. Senate, Paxton is pressing senators to also pass the legislation. 
   
• Currently, federal law prohibits states from requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration while simultaneously barring noncitizens from voting in federal elections.
   
• "Congress needs to correct this statutory defect by allowing states to ensure that votes are being cast legally by eligible voters." - Ken Paxton  

Austin City Council Members Propose Creating a Municipal Bank

• Is it a good idea for a municipal government to charter a bank? Adam Cahn reports that Austin residents could soon find out.
   
• Item #88 on this week’s Austin City Council agenda would direct the city manager to conduct a "feasibility study on the creation of a public bank" and report back by November 1.
   
• Skepticism over the proposal abounds across the political spectrum.
   
• "What could go wrong?" - Democrat trial lawyer Adam Loewy posted on X.
   
• U.S. Rep. Chip Roy echoed Loewy’s sentiment and called for the state to take over Austin.

Hood County Residents Are Sick of Bitcoin Mining Noise

• Marathon Digital’s cryptocurrency mine near Granbury is one of 10 in Texas emitting noxious noise while consuming huge amounts of electricity. Erin Andreson has the story. 
   
• County officials lost a noise pollution case last week against the facility’s manager, yet they plan to continue fighting. 
   

• Responding to constituents’ complaints, Hood County Precinct 2 Constable John Shirley began to measure the noise levels and determined they violated the state’s disorderly conduct statute. Texas law defines noise as "unreasonable" if "the decibel level exceeds 85 after the person making the noise receives notice from a magistrate or peace officer that the noise is a public nuisance."
   

• According to a report by Hood County News, jurors agreed the plant’s noise levels were "unreasonable" but did not agree the plant manager was personally responsible.
   

• The constable said he will continue monitoring noise levels while county officials consider their next steps for protecting residents. "This is not going to be solved in a week or a year," Shirley added. "As long as my constituents are being harmed, I’m going to act within the law."

Water Crisis: US Rep. De La Cruz Urges Mexico to Honor 1944 Treaty

• U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz requested a meeting with Mexican President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum to address the 896,567 acre-feet of water that Mexico owes the United States under a 1944 international treaty. Debra McClure has the details. 
   
• De La Cruz wrote to Sheinbaum that under the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico agreed to supply an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually to the United States over a five-year cycle, but its water delivery is overdue.
   
• Referring to the water shortage as "a true crisis for both communities and farmers" in her South Texas district, she urged the incoming president to fulfill Mexico’s commitment, pointing out that its lack of water delivery caused the last operating sugar mill in the state to close its doors, resulting in a loss of 500 jobs.
   
• De La Cruz and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) have expressed support for withholding federal funding for Mexico until it complies with the treaty.

Quote-Unquote

"Some say that spirit no longer exists. But I have seen it — I have felt it — all across the land; in the big cities, the small towns and in rural America. The American spirit is still there, ready to blaze into life if you and I are willing to do what has to be done."

– Ronald Reagan​

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