Good morning,

In today's One Click Survey, I would like to know what you think about women being subject to a military draft in the future.

This is Texas Minute for Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

David Cook Selected to Challenge Dade Phelan

• At the moment, it appears many Republican Texas House members have thrown their support behind State Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield) for Speaker of the House. As Brandon Waltens reports, the move was made Friday afternoon by nearly half of the GOP caucus in an effort to coalesce around a single challenger to Dade Phelan ahead of the Republican caucus vote in December.
       
• In a secret meeting organized in Austin by reform-minded members and members-elect of the House GOP caucus, Cook emerged as the consensus candidate. Behind closed doors, members heard from Cook and the other four declared challengers: Tom Oliverson of Cypress, Shelby Slawson of Stephenville, James Frank of Wichita Falls, and John Smithee of Amarillo.
     
• Notably, all candidates had pledged to end the practice of awarding committee chairmanships to Democrats, while Phelan has said he will “not waver” from doing so.
       
• First elected in 2020, Cook voted for Phelan in both 2021 and 2023. Along with Frank, he also voted for the discredited impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Smithee and Slawson opposed the impeachment; Oliverson was absent from the vote.
       
• Earlier in the day on Friday, Phelan had derided the meeting as "little more than an orchestrated scheme to generate headlines and fuel social media clicks."

Dallas Judge Keeps State Fair Gun Ban in Place

• A Dallas County judge has ruled that the State Fair of Texas’ firearm ban can stay in place following a legal challenge by Attorney General Ken Paxton. Emily Medeiros reports the policy is opposed by 70 state lawmakers.
      
• In August, fair organizers announced new safety regulations, including a blanket ban on all firearms, even for licensed carriers. Paxton filed a lawsuit against the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas, saying that the ban infringed upon Texans’ right to self-defense.
     
• Last week, Dallas County District Judge Emily Tobolowsky ruled in favor of the State Fair, stating that there was insufficient evidence to prove the firearm ban violated state law. Paxton has filed for an accelerated appeal.
      
• The State Fair is scheduled to run from Friday, September 27, through Sunday, October 20.

Cruz Campaign Criticizes Allred for Support of Biden EPA Mandates

• Democrat U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (TX-32) has voted against a resolution condemning federal Environmental Protection Agency mandates related to increased "emission standards." According to Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's campaign, this is among the issues putting his challenger out of touch with Texans. Valerie Muñoz has the story.
       
• The EPA rule is designed to raise emission standards in an effort to decrease sales of gas-fueled cars and increase sales of electric cars.
     
• Allred has been endorsed by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The group advocates against oil and gas in favor of "climate justice."
       
• Considering how dirty and inefficient wind and solar production is, Allred and his friends at the NRDC seem more interested in helping the CCP than American citizens.

Chip Roy Calls on Speaker Johnson to Oppose Drafting Women Into Military

• Texas Congressman Chip Roy has called on the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose any measure aimed at forcing women to register for selective service. Will Biagini has the details.
      
• According to Roy, forcing young women to register for the selective service insults American values and will destroy the family unit.
     
• Other Texas congressmen who joined Roy in sending the letter were U.S. Reps. Michael Cloud (R-27), Brian Babin (R-36), and Keith Self (R-3).

Lubbock County Judge Pushes for Higher Taxes

• Last week, Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish used what some are calling scare tactics to pressure two county commissioners to support a property tax increase that their constituents oppose. Erin Anderson reports the tactics have earned the judge the nickname "Bow Tie Bully," owing to his eccentric neckwear habit.
       

• Commissioners Jason Corley and Jordan Rackler have intentionally missed the last two Lubbock County Commissioners Court meetings, ensuring that a quorum would not be present to vote on a tax hike supported by Parrish and the other two commissioners. State law requires four commissioners at a meeting to approve a tax levy. Without a quorum vote by September 30, the tax rate for the next fiscal year will default to the No New Revenue rate.

       
• Parrish held a press conference claiming there would be "long-term implications" for Lubbock County's law enforcement and hospital if the tax increase did not pass. Popular talk show host Robert Pratt described that as a "scare tactic" ungrounded in fact.
       
• Back in July, Parrish said voters and taxpayers who want lower taxes should "move."

Today In History

On Sept. 23, 1779, John Paul Jones led a maritime victory against British naval forces in British waters. Though the American ship was damaged, Jones and his crew forced the surrender of the British and took command of their vessels.

Quote-Unquote

"I have not yet begun to fight!"

– John Paul Jones​

ONE CLICK SURVEY

As noted above, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and a colleague from Illinois are spearheading a movement in Congress to oppose any measure that would force women to register for selective service.

Should women, like men, be subject to being drafted for military service?

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