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Good morning, 

Today marks the 179th year of the Lone Star State. More on that below.

This is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

House Committee Unilaterally Raises Office Budgets, Gives Democrat Vice Chairs $3.6M in New Pay

• In an unprecedented move, the Texas House Administration Committee has unanimously approved significant increases to legislative office budgets without a vote from the full House. Brandon Waltens has the details.
        
• Traditionally, such budgetary changes are enacted through a "housekeeping resolution," which requires approval by all members. However, last month, Speaker Dustin Burrows declared a floor vote unnecessary, allowing the Administration Committee to implement the changes independently.
      
• The approved adjustments include a $2,000 monthly increase to session office budgets, a $1,000 monthly increase to interim office budgets, the elimination of salary caps for staff, and an increase in the annual carryover of unused funds to $30,000. 
      
• Notably, the 30 Democrat vice chairs of committees will receive an additional $5,000 per month, amounting to an extra $3.6 million over the biennium. Never before have House committee vice chairs received any stipend.
       
• Is that how you expected your tax dollars to be spent, supercharging the Democrat opposition?

USDA Exploring Federal Ban on China Buying U.S. Farmland

• Donald Trump's Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, is considering federal action to prevent Chinese entities from purchasing American farmland.
       
• Rollins told Breitbart News that the Trump administration is actively looking at ways to address the issue at the federal level.
       
• The issue of Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland has sparked growing concerns over national security, particularly in states like Texas, where large swaths of agricultural and rural land have been bought by Chinese companies and individuals.
      
• Senators in Texas passed a ban on such purchases in 2023, but the effort ultimately failed in the Texas House amid opposition from Democrat lawmakers and some Republicans.
      
• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made the issue one of his priorities for this legislative session.

Texas Joins Coalition Lawsuit Against New York’s Climate Change Superfund Act

• Legal action is being taken against New York by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a coalition of 22 states, and several industry groups over its Climate Change Superfund. Sydnie Henry has the story.
        
• New York’s Climate Change Superfund Act, signed into law in December 2024, aims to collect approximately $75 billion over the next 25 years from fossil fuel companies to fund “climate change adaptation” and infrastructure projects within the state. It retroactively holds energy producers accountable for emissions dating back to 2000, regardless of whether the companies operate within New York.
       
• The lawsuit is being spearheaded by West Virginia's attorney general. The plaintiffs contend the New York law violates the Constitution's Commerce Clause and the due process rights of the companies.
       
• "New York’s law is nothing more than an unconstitutional shakedown of vital American energy industries that form the bedrock of our national economic independence," said Paxton. "In return for keeping the lights on and fueling our manufacturing, energy producers are being targeted for destruction by the left-wing policies of New York radicals."

Dallas County GOP Censures Lawmakers Over House Speaker Vote

• Republican State Reps Morgan Meyer of Dallas and Angie Chen Button of Richardson have been censured by the Dallas County GOP for actions deemed "in opposition to the core principles of the Republican Party of Texas’s Platform and the Legislative Priorities."
     
• Specifically, the GOP took issue with Button and Meyer abandoning the Republican caucus vote for House speaker and then voting against the caucus nominee. 
   
• The censure also accuses Meyer and Button of violating voters’ rights when, on January 23, 2025, they supported imposing the “nuclear option” motion on the Texas House floor that cut off any opportunity for amendments and debate on the new House rules.
        
• The Dallas County GOP has also formally requested that the State Republican Executive Committee uphold the censure of Meyer and Button and impose all applicable penalties under the party rules. This could include refusing to allow them a place on the Republican Primary Election ballot.
      
• "I think it’s important that we hold elected officials accountable for their actions, and there are consequences to those actions and decisions when they violate our principles, our platform—rules and procedures that we expect them to follow." –Allen West, chairman of the Dallas County GOP 

Texans for Vaccine Choice Rally Celebrates Medical Liberty

• State and federal lawmakers spoke out in support of medical liberty and family values at the 10th anniversary celebration of Texans for Vaccine Choice. Will Biagini covered the rally.
     
• Among those addressing the attendees were U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Austin), State Rep. Mitch Little (R-Lewisville), and conservative commentator Sara Gonzales.
      
• State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress), a physician, stressed in his remarks the need for Texas to ban workplace vaccine mandates. 

City of Austin Incubating DEI and LGBT

• As the Trump administration is eliminating DEI federally, local officials in Austin are preserving it. As Robert Montoya reports, the Austin city council garnered a "perfect" score from a far-left advocacy group on the implementation of the LGBT agenda.
    
• The Human Rights Campaign gave Austin the top rating on its Municipal Equality Index. Points are awarded based on how well a city promotes the LGBT agenda in its laws, spending, services, and public positions.
       
• The city's proposed $5 billion budget is rife with spending predicated on the "diversity, equity, and inclusion" agenda.
       
• "DEI is the siren song of today’s social justice movement. Its chief priests promise equity and fairness but deliver only ridicule and ruin to those foolish enough to embrace it." – James Quintero, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Houston Public Works Needs Billions To Replace Failing Water Plant

• Houston Public Works leaders are calling for funding to repair and replace the city’s aging water plant. As Joseph Trimmer reports, the 70-year-old facility serves 75 percent of Houston residents.
     
• Serious infrastructure problems, like cracked walls and leaks, could cost as much to repair as would a full replacement.
   
• Houston is currently facing a deficit of more than $200 million.

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"Texas will again lift its head and stand among the nations. It ought to do so, for no country upon the globe can compare with it in natural advantages."

– Sam Houston​

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