ACCOUNT

Good morning,

Texas legislators are considering expanded subsidies for filmmakers. In today's One Click Survey, we want to know what you think of the idea.

This is the Texas Minute for Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Secretary of State Reverses Course on Non-citizen IDs for Voting

• In a major reversal from guidance issued by her office last week, Secretary of State Jane Nelson now says non-citizen driver’s licenses may not be used as a form of voter identification. Brandon Waltens has the story.
     
• The Texas Department of Public Safety issues driver’s licenses and personal identification cards to lawfully present noncitizens, which are clearly marked “Temporary Visitor” or “Limited-Term” and expire after one year or when the individual’s period of lawful presence ends.
     
• Creating massive confusion around the state last week, Nelson's office told poll workers to offer a regular ballot to people on the voter rolls who present a noncitizen ID—contradicting previous guidance from the Secretary of State’s office. On Friday afternoon, after public outcry about the guidelines, Nelson issued a revision of the SOS policy.
           
• "When an individual attempts to vote by presenting a temporary or limited-term driver’s license (which federal regulations say must be issued only to non-citizens who are lawfully present in this country) election workers must require that the individual produce a naturalization card or naturalization certificate demonstrating U.S. citizenship to receive a regular ballot." – Jane Nelson

RELATED NEWS

FEMA Reportedly Took Funds From Border Security to Advance Open Border Policies

• Will Biagini reports on allegations that the Biden-Harris administration redirected funds meant for securing the southern border to advancing its open borders agenda.
       
• The Center for Renewing America reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been using funds allocated to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to spur illegal border crossings. 
     
• "It appears that much of the money used by FEMA to fund illegal immigration was transferred to FEMA from CBP," explained Wade Miller of the Center for Renewing America. "The Biden/Harris admin is defunding border security to facilitate open borders."
       
• In the past two years alone, FEMA covered approximately $1 billion worth of food, shelter, and transportation for illegal aliens.

Hiding Behind Loophole Created by Legislature, School District Considers 25% Tax Hike Without Voter Approval

• Trustees in the Huffman Independent School District outside Houston are set to vote tomorrow on raising property taxes by as much as 25 percent without voter approval by taking advantage of a “disaster” exception in the tax code. As Erin Anderson reports, school districts can adopt a one-time tax increase without voter approval following a declared disaster.
       
• Huffman ISD filed claims with FEMA for damages caused by Hurricane Beryl after Acting Gov. Dan Patrick declared a state of disaster due to the storm in dozens of counties, including Harris. 
     
• If the tax hike is adopted, the average homeowner’s tax bill in Huffman ISD could increase by $576.
      
• It is worth noting that Huffman ISD Superintendent Benny Soileau is under criminal investigation for alleged electioneering during this year’s March primary elections.
      
• Other school districts are also taking advantage of the disaster loophole, including Cy-Fair ISD, Judson ISD, and Rusk ISD.
      
• Nothing says, "Let's help the community recover from a disaster," like a big tax increase!

Colin Allred Reshapes Records Ahead of Election

• U.S. Rep. Colin Allred now claims that he opposes men competing in women’s sports despite a voting record to the contrary. The Democrat is challenging Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in the General Election.
     
• In a new advertisement called “Sports,” Allred asserted that he does not support biological men competing in women’s sports. Cruz's campaign was quick to pounce, noting Allred voted against the Protection of Women and Girls Sports Act—which aimed to prohibit school athletic programs from allowing biological men to be pitted against women in female sports.
       
• Cruz campaign officials note Allred is changing his tune just days before early voting starts on Oct. 21.

Today In History

On October 14, 1890, Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas. He would later serve two terms as president of the United States.

Quote-Unquote

"Every step we take towards making the State our Caretaker of our lives, by that much we move toward making the State our Master."

– Dwight D. Eisenhower​

ONE CLICK SURVEY

Members of the Texas Senate heard last week from advocates for expanded subsidies for Hollywood filmmakers. Advocates said Texas needs to offer bigger film subsidies, like Georgia and New Mexico do, to bring movie production to the state and increase tourism. Opponents, who were not invited to testify, have criticized the expenditures as "corporate welfare" benefiting corporate giants like Walmart, Nike, and AT&T.

Should the state continue to subsidize the film industry?

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