Good morning, 

This is the Texas Minute for Thursday, July 18, 2024.

– Sydnie Henry 

‘Final Straw’: Elon Musk Moving SpaceX to Texas After California Passes Anti-parent Law

• The tech billionaire has confirmed that SpaceX will be moving to Texas. Will Biagini has the details. 
   

• "This is the final straw," Musk posted on X. "Because of this law and the many others that preceded it, attacking both families and companies, SpaceX will now move its HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas." 
   

• On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1955 into law—which prohibits schools from notifying parents if a child believes they are a different gender than their biological sex. 
   

• Musk announced that the headquarters of social media platform X—formerly called Twitter—will also be relocating to Texas because "The governor of California just signed a bill causing massive destruction of parental rights and putting children at risk for permanent damage."
   

• Both these companies will be joining Musk's electric car company, Tesla, in Texas.

Rep. Toth Presses Democrat Chair for Clarity on Prison Costs for Illegal Aliens

• As Texas faces the brunt of the invasion at the Southern border under the Biden administration, State Rep. Steve Toth is seeking answers on the cost that jailing them is having on taxpayers. Brandon Waltens has the story. 
   
• In a recent letter to Democrat State Rep. Abel Herrero, the Chair of the Texas House Corrections Committee, Toth, a Republican, raised significant concerns about the financial and social burdens placed on Texas taxpayers due to the housing of illegal aliens in state and county facilities.
   
• "The continued burden on Texas to pay for services rendered for illegal aliens housed in Texas Prisons and County Jails continues to increase with no end in sight... our prison systems have become a sanctuary–providing housing, food, psychiatric and medical care for illegal immigrants." - Steve Toth 
   

• To address these concerns, Toth posed several questions to Herrero, demanding a detailed accounting and investigation. Besides the cost of imprisoning these illegal aliens, he's seeking answers to where they originate from and if there are any who are on the terrorist watchlist. 

In Related News... 

Dallas County Jailed 14 Illegal Alien Suspects for Child Sex Crimes in June

ICE Removes Guatemalan Fugitive Who Crossed in El Paso

State Investigation Found Law Breaking by Round Rock ISD Police

• An investigative report from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement found multiple issues at the Round Rock ISD Police Department. Robert Montoya has the latest.
   
• A December 20, 2023 letter from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement's Major T.J. Vineyard informed Round Rock ISD Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez that "the background investigation for" then-police chief Dennis Weiner hadn’t been done before he’d been hired. 

   

• Vineyard also advised there were other issues with the hiring of not only Weiner but also Assistant Chief Rosemarie White. The "preemployment procedure" mandated by state law hadn’t been followed, and the appointment process for both individuals had not been completed before they "began activities in the capacity of peace officers."

Sen. Cruz Introduces Measure to Reverse Biden Rule Impacting Texas Oil and Gas

• U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has introduced legislation to reverse the United States Fish and Wildlife Service rule listing the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, arguing it hampers oil and gas production in the Permian Basin. Debra McClure has the report. 
   
• "The Biden administration has used the federal government to suppress American energy production at the exact time when the country and indeed the world needs access to affordable American energy." - Ted Cruz
   
• According to the Railroad Commission of Texas, the Fish and Wildlife Service used outdated information when determining whether the lizard risked extinction. The Railroad Commission also says the Fish and Wildlife Service ignored the significant DSL conservation efforts launched by the oil and gas industry to protect the lizards and their habitat.

Quote-Unquote

"Integrity is the lifeblood of democracy. Deceit is a poison in its veins." 
 

– Edward M. Kennedy​

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