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Our newest show is "Real Texans," with episodes coming out each Sunday. Coming up this weekend is a conversation with Attorney General Ken Paxon. We'll have some excerpts for you tomorrow. Until then, check out our current lineup of shows down below. 

This is the Texas Minute for Thursday, January 23, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Brian Babin Seeks to Block Birthright Citizenship for Children of Illegal Aliens

• Texas' Brian Babin has reintroduced legislation to block illegal aliens from taking advantage of birthright citizenship by having children on American soil. Will Biagini reports that the East Texas congressman had previously introduced the concept in 2023.
      
• The Birthright Citizenship Act would confer citizenship to children born in the United States only if at least one parent is either a citizen, lawfully present foreign national, or immigrant serving in the military.
       
• “This bill will build on President Trump’s executive order and codify these critical reforms into law. It’s time to END the exploitation of loopholes in our immigration system.” — Brian Babin
      
• Shortly after being inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, Donald Trump issued an executive order on “birthright citizenship.” 
       
• His presidential order empowers the secretary of state, attorney general, secretary of homeland security, and the Social Security Commission to withhold birthright citizenship from children of illegal aliens in the United States.

Texas House, Senate Release Initial Budget Drafts

• Initial budget proposals have been released by the Texas Senate and House, showcasing that the chambers are mostly in agreement but divided on how to deal with property tax relief and education funding. Luca Cacciatore has the details.
         
• Among other things, the Senate proposal includes $5.3 billion in additional funding for public education, including a $4,000 raise for all teachers and an additional $6,000 for rural teachers. The Senate budget also allocates $1 billion for an anticipated school choice program spearheaded by Gov. Greg Abbott.
       
• The House's starting point, meanwhile, has $4.85 billion in new education funding while also setting aside $1 billion for a school choice plan. The fact a school choice plan is even contemplated in the chamber's budget marks a major concession by the more moderate body.
         
• The Senate continues to push property tax relief through "homestead exemptions," while the House is focused on "compressing" the school tax rates.
       
• Andrew McVeigh, who leads Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, told Texas Scorecard that neither chamber is doing enough to provide meaningful tax relief. "While Texas taxpayers were over-taxed by roughly $24 billion, this $6.5 billion in relief isn’t even one-third of the surplus, and taxpayers are rightly frustrated."

Michael Cloud Appointed to U.S. House DOGE Subcommittee

• U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX-27) has been appointed to the newly formed House Oversight Subcommittee, Delivering On Government Efficiency. The DOGE subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
        
• With President Donald Trump back in the White House, the subcommittee has been charged with working alongside the Department of Government Efficiency to reduce federal waste and streamline government operations.
       
• “We have an opportunity here like never before to root out waste, streamline government, and restore accountability to Washington. I look forward to working with Chairwoman Greene and members of the committee to advance President Trump’s vision of cutting bureaucracy and delivering results for the American people.” – Michael Cloud

Senate Legislation Would Create Database for School Bonds, Taxes, and Bond Projects

• State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) has authored legislation directing the Texas Education Agency to create a database including critical information points about bonds.
       
• Among other things, the database would track the bond language, estimated tax rates, and the projects to be funded.
      

• The proposal comes amid concerns from grassroots activists who say current Texas bond elections often miss important information or even incorporate disinformation.

       
• Kolkhorst said her goal is to ensure Texans have "clear and accessible information about a school district’s financial decisions." 

Harris County to 'Evaluate' Work-From-Home Policy

• On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump directed all federal employees to return to in-person work as soon as practicable. Houston Mayor John Whitmire has similarly announced that all city employees must return to the office starting Feb. 1.
      
• Now, reports Joseph Trimmer, the Harris County Commissioners Court is set to discuss potential changes to its work-from-home policies. What started as a temporary measure during the COVID scare has evolved into a long-term arrangement and an established policy for county employees.
      
• The sole Republican on the court, Commissioner Tom Ramsey, added the topic as an “emergency/supplemental” item to this Thursday’s agenda—but it was moved to February.
      
• It is unknown how many Harris County employees are working from home. The Office of County Administration told Texas Scorecard each department keeps their own records of such matters.

Quote-Unquote

"What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?"

– Thomas Jefferson​

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