Read this in a browser.

Good morning,

A new analysis of public education spending is raising eyebrows, especially given the academic returns. We want to know what you think in today's One Click Survey.

This is the Texas Minute for Monday, Dec. 23, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Dennis Bonnen Spied on Democrat Caucus Meetings on Behalf of Dustin Burrows

• In a dramatic twist to the already contentious Texas House speaker race, accusations of unethical behavior are being levied against State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) and his campaign. Brandon Waltens has the story.
       

• Burrows lost the race for the House GOP caucus nomination to David Cook (R-Mansfield). Instead of supporting the caucus nominee, Burrows is now running a rump campaign for the speakership, with most of his support coming from Democrats. But not all Democrats are backing his effort.

     
• To gain influence over wayward Democrats, sources revealed to Texas Scorecard that Burrows had disgraced former Speaker-turned-lobbyist Dennis Bonnen secretly listening in on the Democrat caucus meetings. A Burrows ally in the caucus would reportedly dial into the virtual meetings and conference in Bonnen.
      
• “This is a desperate, unprecedented, and unethical action taken by Team Burrows. The House must take action,” wrote State Rep. J.M. Lozano (R-Kinsgsville).

Wells Fargo Exits Net-Zero Banking Alliance After Texas Probe Into Anti-Energy Policies

• Emily Medeiros reports Wells Fargo has withdrawn from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. Their move came in response to Attorney General Ken Paxton opening a review into the bank and other financial institutions for potentially violating state law.
       
• In 2023, a Texas law took effect that prohibits state funds from being given to organizations that boycott energy companies. 
     
• According to Paxton, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance is an “anti-energy activist organization that requires its members to prioritize a radical climate agenda over consumer and investor interests.” As such, a bank's membership in the NZBA would potentially cause it to be “classified as an energy-company boycotter.”
       

• Following an internal review, Wells Fargo announced it would leave the NZBA, ensuring state entities can continue to do business with the bank. 
       

• “I urge other financial institutions to follow their example and end ESG policies that are hostile to our critical oil and gas industries.” – Ken Paxton

Legislation Filed to Abolish the Austin City Council

• Under a constitutional amendment proposed by State Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park), the Austin City Council would be abolished in favor of a “District of Austin.” If approved by Texas voters, Adam Cahn reports, the state would directly oversee district governance.
       
• Austin's city government has tracked further and further to the left, culminating in recent years in "defunding" the police, allowing homeless encampments to flourish, and funding out-of-state abortion services.
     
• "Austin is one of the worst governed cities in Texas. Traffic is a nightmare, homelessness and crime are rampant, and the cost of living is out of control." – James Quintero, Texas Public Policy Foundation
        
• As a constitutional amendment, two-thirds of both chambers and a majority of Texans would have to approve it to take effect.

Texas Library Association To Teach Librarians How To Protect Obscene Books

• At its upcoming 2025 conference, the Texas Library Association will be training librarians how to resist challenges to obscene books targeting children. Valerie Muñoz reports the conference agenda will also focus on "social justice" and advancing LGBT causes.
       
• The event will take place on April 1-4 in Dallas. On the first day of the conference, both school and public librarians can listen to a presentation titled "The Politics of Reading: Challenging Book Bans."
        
• By "book bans," the conference is referring to the new state law that prohibits sexually explicit materials in public school libraries. (The books can still be purchased and read in Texas.)
       
• Another session is titled “Kidlit Quest: Spurring Activism and Social Justice through Children’s Literature.” It focuses on ways public and school libraries can encourage K-12 students to pursue leftwing activism.

Incoming Lawmaker Proposes Measure to Limit Harmful Chemicals in Fertilizer

• Incoming Republican lawmaker Helen Kerwin of Glen Rose has introduced legislation to regulate and limit the proliferation of harmful chemicals in fertilizers sold in Texas. Luca Cacciatore has the details.
      
• At issue are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “PFAS” chemicals. The legislation takes aim at "forever chemicals" that do not easily break down and, in excess concentration, can cause cancer, fertility issues, and respiratory problems.
     
• These forever chemicals gained statewide attention when they were discovered in the Fort Worth area. Fertilizers made by the Maryland-based company Synagro utilized repurposed waste materials called “biosolids.” While current standards put the acceptable amount of PFAS in drinking water at four parts per trillion, the PFAS present in the biosolid fertilizer samples tested was considerably higher.
       
• In Johnson County, a single calf’s liver contained a shocking 610,000 parts per trillion. Ranchers impacted by the PFAS chemicals have filed a lawsuit against Synagro following the lab results.
       
• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has since gotten involved in the fight. Earlier this month, his office announced it would go after the largest manufacturers of PFAS chemical products, 3M and DuPont.

Today In History

On Dec. 23, 1823, the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" was first published in Troy, New York. Often attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, the authorship has long been disputed because it was originally published anonymously. The poem is most widely known by the words of its first line: "'Twas the night before Christmas..."

Quote-Unquote

"If you serve a child a rotten hamburger in America, federal, state and local agencies will investigate you, summon you, close you down, whatever. But if you provide a child with a rotten education, nothing happens, except that you're liable to be given more money to do it with. Well, we've discovered that money alone isn't the answer."

– Ronald Reagan​

One Click Survey

A new review of funding for public education has found that—when including debt—Texans are spending more than $50,000 per-pupil. Since 2011, funding per student has increased by 42 percent, while student proficiency in 8th-grade math has declined by 40 percent.

Are Texans getting a good return on the dollars spent for government-run education?

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