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Good morning,

This is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Gov. Abbott Pushes for $10 Billion in Property Tax Relief Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking $10 billion in property tax relief this session. His proposal outmaneuvers the House and Senate, which—as Luca Cacciatore reports [[link removed]]—are both currently offering approximately $6 billion in relief.

In his State of the State address, Abbott called for at least $10 billion of the state’s $23.76 billion surplus to go toward tax rate compression for school district maintenance and operation taxes, declaring it an emergency item. Tax compression is the intentional act of lowering the local tax rate by “buying it down” with state funds. (REMINDER: All the money comes from the taxpayers.)

The Senate proposal focuses primarily on expanding the homestead exemption, which essentially reduces the taxable value of an owner-occupied home. The House proposal, on the other hand, is focused exclusively on rate compression.

The governor has also called for increasing the exemption for taxes levied on business personal property—which can include office supplies, vehicles, and inventory used to generate income. Currently, the business exemption is $2,500; Abbott wants to raise it to $100,000. Ted Cruz Moves To Put Biden-era Water Heater Mandate on Ice U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is leading the charge to permanently repeal a Biden-era regulation targeting natural gas water heaters. Brandon Waltens has the details [[link removed]].

The Biden administration’s rule, issued by the Department of Energy in the waning days of the administration, imposed strict efficiency standards that would have phased out many gas-powered water heaters in favor of electric models. Critics warned that the regulation was less about energy savings and more about forcing Americans toward higher-cost electric alternatives.

While President Donald Trump has already signed executive orders reversing several Biden-era environmental regulations, including stringent energy efficiency rules, Cruz’ proposal would ensure that the Biden mandate cannot return through some future executive action.

"Once again, Democrats are waging a war on household appliances under the guise of combating climate change," said Cruz [[link removed]]. "American families deserve access to affordable, reliable appliances without unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles."RELATED NEWS Legislation dismantling the leftist "diversity, equity, inclusion" ideology in government has been filed in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. Texas' Michael Cloud (R-Victoria) is sponsoring the Dismantle DEI Act in the House, while Eric Schmitt (R-MO) is carrying it in the Senate. Debra McClure reports [[link removed]] the proposal seeks to codify President Trump’s recent executive actions ending DEI. Maybe the Dallas Mavericks Will Move to China? Over the weekend, the sports world was stunned to learn that the Dallas Mavericks basketball team had traded generational talent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Daniel Greer examines [[link removed]] how the trade was linked to the efforts of the Maverick’s new ownership, Sands Casino, to bring casino gambling to Texas.

The theory, which is not without merit, is that Sands plans to tank the Mavericks intentionally, driving down the team’s profitability to set up a game of chicken: Tell the state to either expand gambling in Texas and let them build a basketball-casino complex or the team will move to Vegas.

The only flaw in the conspiracy is that Sands has not operated a casino in Las Vegas since 2021. After divesting gambling and real estate holdings in the U.S., Sands has been plowing resources into China. Most recently, the Las Vegas-based Sands donated $15 million to the University of Nevada for the creation of the " Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture [[link removed]]."

(For the record, it’s unlikely that the Mavericks will move to China.)

Sen. Hughes Wants to Protect Businesses From Ideological Discrimination Legislation has been introduced by State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) designed to safeguard businesses against discriminatory lending practices, including those based on ideological standards. Valerie Muñoz has the report [[link removed]].

Lenders would be prohibited from denying an extension of credit, including a loan, based on an organization’s failure to meet ideological benchmarks like "environmental, social, and governance" scores or "diversity, equity, and inclusion" standards.

Instead, lenders in Texas would be required to assess financial risk using only qualitative, impartial standards. Pastor, Substitute Teacher Arrested Again for Child Sex Crimes A former East Texas pastor and substitute teacher has been arrested and charged with sexual assault of a child—his second arrest in two years for a child sex crime. Erin Anderson has the story [[link removed]].

Timothy Daniel Nall, 70, was out on bond for the previous charge when he was arrested this past weekend. In both cases, the alleged victims reported being lured into Nall’s church office with candy.

At the time of his first arrest in 2023, Nall was the pastor of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Mineola. He also worked as a substitute teacher in Quitman Independent School District. Nall was free on a $50,000 bond.

After being arrested on Saturday, Nall was released Sunday on a $100,000 bond. Harris County Officials Want To Keep Birthright Citizenship for Illegal Aliens Joseph Trimmer reports [[link removed]] two Harris County officials have joined the legal challenge against an executive order by President Donald Trump blocking birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia signed onto an amicus brief backing a lawsuit filed by Democrat-run states that are attempting to stop Trump’s order. 🔒 Donate to Texas Scorecard 🔒 [[link removed]] Quote-Unquote

"To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."

– Theodore Roosevelt​

Number of the Day

2,580

The total number of bills filed in the Texas House as of 6:45 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2025. In comparison, 1,165 bills have been filed in the Senate.

[Source: Texas Legislature Online]

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