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Good morning,

John Cornyn failed in his bid to be the next majority leader of the U.S. Senate, but the Texas Republican announced he was seeking a fourth six-year term to the chamber in 2026. In today's One Click Survey, we want your thoughts on his candidacy.

This is the Texas Minute for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Texas Supreme Court Rules House Violated Constitutional Seperation of Powers In a ruling issued on Friday, the Supreme Court of Texas found that a maneuver by some members of the Texas House to delay the execution of a convicted child murderer last month was a violation of the separation of powers. Brandon Waltens has the story [[link removed]].

The case in question concerns Robert Roberson, who was convicted of killing his two-year-old daughter Nikki in 2002. With all his appeals exhausted, Roberson was set to be executed last month.

Moments before his scheduled execution, the Texas Supreme Court issued a temporary stay after members of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, chaired by Democrat State Rep. Joe Moody, issued a subpoena for Roberson to appear before it. That scheme was challenged by many Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, who said the committee “stepped out of line” in issuing the subpoena at the eleventh hour.

While the latest ruling from the Supreme Court of Texas acknowledges legislative committees’ power to issue subpoenas even to inmates, that power does not extend to delaying executions.

A trial court will determine Roberson’s new execution date, which cannot occur sooner than 90 days. Lawsuits Against 𝕏 Must Be Filed in Tarrant County Courts Starting on Friday, social media platform 𝕏 will require all lawsuits against it to be filed in Texas under its terms of service. Emily Medeiros has the details [[link removed]].

Once based in California, the company was moved to Texas by billionaire Elon Musk after he purchased it.

Now, those using the service must agree that all disputes related to the company must be brought exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas or any state court located in Tarrant County.

“Tarrant County is becoming the stronghold for conservative values and common sense. Elon knows if he wants a fair trial, he has to have Republican judges,” said Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French. “This is another massive vote of confidence in what we are doing here in Tarrant County.” Legislation Would Require DNA Testing of Illegal Aliens Will Biagini reports [[link removed]] on a new measure to require rapid DNA testing of illegal aliens by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The measure's author, State Rep. Terri Leo Wilson (R–Galveston), wants DPS to work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to target groups of foreign nationals suspected of lying about familial status.

After visiting the border last year, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz strongly expressed the need for DNA testing to prevent child trafficking.

Without providing concrete reasons for doing so, the Biden administration quietly ended a rapid DNA testing program in 2023 that had been put in place by the Trump administration. Lawmaker Proposes Constitutional Right to Vaccine Choice Andy Hopper, an incoming Texas Republican state representative, is proposing an amendment to the state constitution establishing a right to refuse vaccinations. As Luca Cacciatore explains [[link removed]], constitutional amendments require two-thirds support in both the House and the Senate before being sent to the public for ratification.

Hopper said Texans deserve "comprehensive protection" from being forced to undergo a medical procedure they may not want.

Michelle Evans, the political director of Texans for Vaccine Choice, said that Hopper’s amendment would “put to rest any and all vaccine mandates in Texas.”

Hopper’s proposal comes roughly one year after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a measure into law banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates by private employers.

Texas Tech College of Education Teaches ‘Equity’ Course Texas Tech’s College of Education offers a graduate “equity” course. As Robert Montoya and Luca Cacciatore report [[link removed]], the course is taught by a professor who was previously suspended for posting antisemitic comments on social media. Today In History

At noon on Nov. 18, 1883, railroads in the United States and Canada began using four time zones. This allowed more efficient scheduling during a period when time-keeping was determined locally. Congress eventually codified the time zones into law in 1918.

Number of the Day

2

The number of time zones in Texas. Most of the state is on Central Time, but the counties of El Paso, Hudspeth, as well as part of Culberson, are on Mountain Time.

[Source: TimeAndDate.com [[link removed]]]

Quote-Unquote

"For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America."

– John Steinbeck​

One Click Survey

After losing his bid to be the next U.S. Senate majority leader, John Cornyn has announced his intention to seek reelection in 2026. If the Texas GOP primary were held this week, would you support John Cornyn?

Yes [[link removed]]

... or ...

No [[link removed]]

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

Directory of Your Current U.S. & Texas Officials [[link removed]]

This information is automatically inserted based on the mailing address you provide to us. If you'd like to update your contact information, please visit our subscriber portal [[link removed]].

​ U.S. Senator [[link removed]]

John Cornyn - R

(202) 224-2934

U.S. Senator [[link removed]]

Ted Cruz - R

(202) 224-5922

Governor of Texas [[link removed]]

Greg Abbott - R

(512) 463-2000

Lt. Governor [[link removed]]

Dan Patrick - R

(512) 463-0001

Attorney General [[link removed]]

Ken Paxton – R

(512) 463-2100

Comptroller [[link removed]]

Glenn Hegar – R

(512) 463-4600

Land Commissioner [[link removed]]

Dawn Buckingham – R

(512) 463-5001

Commissioner of Agriculture [[link removed]]

Sid Miller – R

(512) 463-7476

Railroad Commissioners [[link removed]]

Wayne Christian – R

Christi Craddick – R

Jim Wright – R

(512) 463-7158

State Board of Education [[link removed]], District

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Main (512) 463-9007

U.S. House [[link removed]], District

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Congressional Switchboard (202) 225-3121

Texas Senate [[link removed]], District

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Capitol Switchboard (512) 463-4630

Texas House [[link removed]], District

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Capitol Switchboard (512) 463-4630

Speaker of the Texas House​​​​​​​ [[link removed]]

Dade Phelan (R)

(512) 463-1000

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