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Good morning, 

This is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

CLARIFICATION: In yesterday's Texas Minute entry about Apple's planned facility in Houston, the impression was left that the company was spending $500 billion on it. In fact, $500 billion is Apple's nationwide commitment of which Houston is a part. I apologize for the confusion!

NOW AVAILABLE: Hijacked?

• Hijacked? is available now!

Democrat Lawmaker Pockets Pay from Taxpayer-Funded Lobby

• As lawmakers seek to end taxpayer-funded lobbying this session, recently-surfaced information suggests that State Rep. Mary Gonzalez (D-San Elizario) is pocketing a six-figure salary from an organization that receives money from the taxpayer-funded lobbying group Texas Association of School Boards. Will Biagini has the report.
      
• In an email obtained by Texas Scorecard, Texas Latino School Boards Association Executive Director Jayme Mathias asserted that Gonzalez’s organization—now called "School Board Members for Latino Equity"—receives monetary support from the taxpayer-financed Texas Association of School Boards.
      
• According to Mathias’ email, TASB has funded Gonzalez's group to the tune of over $100,000 per year. TASB confirmed to Texas Scorecard that it has had a licensing agreement with Gonzalez’s group for nearly a decade.

Mass Arrests in Colony Ridge

• Federal and state authorities have arrested more than 100 illegal aliens in the controversial Colony Ridge development north of Houston. Joseph Trimmer reports that arrests were made at worksites and during traffic stops by a combination of state and federal agencies.
      
• President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, described the enforcement operations as "Phase 1."
     
• The Colony Ridge development has been accused of attracting illegal aliens by using deceptive social media marketing. The company allegedly issues loans that are touted as not requiring a social security number so illegal aliens can “own land in the United States.”

Proposed Law Would Allow Ivermectin to be Sold OTC in Texas

• Legislation filed in the Texas House would allow ivermectin to be sold over the counter in the Lone Star State. As Ian Camacho reports, ivermectin was approved for human use in 1987.
       
• Despite decades of use, ivermectin became the subject of controversy during the COVID-19 lockdowns when it was successfully used to help those suffering from the virus. 
     
• State Rep. Wes Virdell (R-Brady) has introduced legislation allowing ivermectin to be sold without a prescription. Tennessee passed a similar law three years ago.

Senator Wants to End Faculty Power in University Decision-Making

• In the Texas Senate, Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) has filed legislation to limit the power of university faculty senates by positioning them solely as advisory councils. Valerie Muñoz has the story. 
       
• The measure denies the faculty senates any decision-making power, such as initiating investigations or approving personnel actions. It would also require that faculty senate meetings be open to the public.  All votes must be recorded and made public.
       
• Bettencourt's measure is meant to reaffirm that state universities' governing boards are the decision-making authority on matters including degree programs and curricula, not the faculty senates.

East Texas Teacher Charged With Child Porn and Bestiality

• An East Texas teacher, Hillary Danielle Williams, and her boyfriend have been arrested on child pornography charges. Erin Anderson reports they were arrested this weekend in Lufkin.
      
• Williams was a teacher in the Wells Independent School District. She taught math to junior high and high school students beginning in 2024. According to district officials, Williams resigned on Monday.
       
• "At this time, we have no information indicating that any of our students are directly involved in this situation," said Wells ISD Superintendent Jimmy Wright.

In Case You Missed It

A Conversation on School Choice

• Few issues have sparked as much debate in the Texas Legislature and around the Lone Star State as the issue of school choice.

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Quote-Unquote

"Three groups spend other people's money: children, thieves, politicians. All three need supervision."

– Dick Armey​

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