Read this in a browser.

Good morning, 

At this point, it might seem like a sad April Fool's joke but the Texas House really is going to start considering legislation today. And down below, you'll find the results of this week's One Click Survey about their work ethic.

This is the Texas Minute for April 1, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Abbott Deploys Texas Rangers To Investigate Islamic Center

• As the list of investigations into the controversial East Plano Islamic Center continues to grow, Gov. Greg Abbott announced yesterday that he has directed the Texas Rangers to launch a criminal investigation into EPIC and its affiliated entities. Brandon Waltens has the latest developments.
   
• This action comes amid escalating concerns over the legality of operations connected to the proposed 402-acre EPIC City development in Collin County—an Islamic compound that includes a mosque, religious school, and housing.
     
• The Rangers’ investigation will focus on potential criminal law violations, with any charges to be referred to local prosecutors upon completion of the investigation.

Buckingham Calls for Federal Action to Secure Border Islands

• Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has formally requested the Trump administration’s assistance in securing two islands along the Rio Grande near Roma. As Sydnie Henry reports, both islands have become hotspots for criminal activity, including smuggling operations and weapons stashes.
   
• In a letter addressed to President Donald Trump, Buckingham urged collaboration between the U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Military Department to secure Beaver Island (20.3 acres) and Roma Island (12.13 acres).
      
• The General Land Office recently confirmed that these islands are within U.S. jurisdiction, with portions owned by both the State of Texas and the federal government.

Poll: Energy Independence Valued More Than Fighting ‘Climate Change’

• Will Biagini reports that a new poll has revealed that 57 percent of Americans value energy independence more than fighting climate change. 
   
• Conducted by Napolitan News Service, the data finds 68 percent of voters believe providing clean air and water is also more important than fighting climate change.

University of North Texas System Puts Campus Drag Shows on Pause

• The University of North Texas System has “paused” drag shows across its campuses, reports Valerie Muñoz, with the institution citing compliance with state and federal executive orders prohibiting taxpayer funding of gender ideology.
      
• UNT is now the third university system in the state to end on-campus drag shows. The Texas A&M University System regents started the trend with a resolution in late February, and the University of Texas System followed suit on March 18.
     
• Two drag shows were scheduled to take place on the UNT campus in April.
     
• The decisions cited compliance with executive orders from President Donald J. Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott, which prohibit the use of taxpayer funds to promote “gender ideology.”

RELATED NEWS

• "The Constitution does not require Texas' colleges and universities to promote offensive, degrading, and lewd behavior on their campuses." – Ken Paxton

Texas Senate Committee Considers $2.5 Billion for Film Industry

• Members of the Senate Finance Committee are considering giving the film industry $2.5 billion over the next decade. Luca Cacciatore has the details.
     
• Legislation by State Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), would create a new fund to provide "incentives" for the film industry—$500 million every two years over the next decade, amounting to $2.5 billion by the 2034-2035 biennium.
      
• The current program requires that 55 percent of a project’s paid crew and cast must be Texas residents, and 60 percent of production must be completed in the state. Huffman's legislation would lower the residency requirements on paid crew and cast down to 35 percent initially, with a steady five percent increase every biennium until it reaches 50 percent by September 1, 2031.
       
• Actor Matthew McConaughey testified in favor of the measure, saying that opposition to the program is "more philosophical than economical."
      
• "If Texas truly wants to foster an environment where Texas entrepreneurs and artists can compete in the film industry, we must dismantle hurdles and barriers to entry like high taxes and government regulations. Giving handouts to private film companies with taxpayer money is not the solution." – Andrew McVeigh, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility

Quote-Unquote

"The coffers are empty, the taxes almost unendurable, the people are in a bad humor, the money discredited, the army magazines exhausted, and the prospect to replenish them poor; the soldiers are badly clad, winter is coming ... taking this and other things into account, public service might appear undesirable. However, let us once more take cheer and be steadfast, rely on God, and our own strength, and endure courageously, then we shall after be sure of reaching our goal."

– Frederick Muhlenberg​

Y'All Answered

Since the Texas Legislature convened in January, the Texas Senate has advanced legislation dealing with property taxes, criminal justice, and school choice. The Texas House has not debated, let alone passed, a single measure. On Friday, a majority of the Texas House simply refused to show up, forcing Speaker Dustin Burrows to try to call them in again on Saturday... to no avail. (The House did, finally, get a quorum yesterday afternoon.)

We asked readers if the Texas Constitution should be amended to dock lawmakers' pay and benefits when they do not attend. Only 3.4 percent oppose the idea, while 96.6 percent support it.

Here is a sampling of the responses we received from folks who participated in the survey.

• “I doubt most want the job for 'pay and benefits' in the first place. Their 'higher calling' is to turn Texas blue.  If they refuse to serve the people, they need to be removed.” – Tim Rhodes
           

• “Sad that this question has to be asked. When campaigning for our vote, they implied a willingness to represent us; not showing up ain't living up to their word.” – Nancy West
      

• “You were elected to do a job for your constituents. Show up to work or be replaced.” – Lane Burgess
      

• “These people were elected to do a job. They aren’t there to just draw a paycheck. Why has this continued this long? Yes, they need to be fined, or better yet, kicked out!” – Ann Cole
     

• “Why should anyone care? The Republican Party is a circus, and the Democrats are liars and thieves. We need to primary all of them. They think themselves untouchable.” – Gerald Dietz
      

• “The Texas House members’ work ethic has been a disgrace now for many years. They have one job—to vote on legislation mandated by us, the voters! They don’t seem to understand their purpose.” – Anne Pottinger 
      

• “They should be liable for some type of gross negligence penalty, criminal and/or civil. They ran for the position; they need to fulfill their responsibilities.” – D.M. Brewster
      

• “There would be consequences if I didn't show up for work. But then again, I'm just an average citizen, not an elite politician.” – Wendy Nylaan
      

• “Each member should be censured as well as docked for dereliction of duty.” – Dennis Scharp 
      

• “If there are no repercussions, why would members of the Texas House show up? This has seemingly become a trend with them. Amend the Constitution immediately!” – Cathy Blake
       

• “The real issue here is the honesty and integrity of our elected leaders. Burrows knows there wasn’t a quorum but tried to proceed.” – Mike Hess
       

• “These people think they can do anything on my tax dollar! They should be treated like the rest of us; do your job or don't get paid!” – Wanda Wilcox
       

• “I have a bigger problem with those legislators who falsely accessed the voting system to cover for the absent Representatives. In most jobs I've had, punching someone else's time card is a firing offense.” – John Bolgiano
       

• “Pay and benefits? If I didn’t show up to work without a really good reason, I’d be FIRED!” – Doreen Cardenas
      

• “This survey is really about common sense: if you don't work, you don't get paid, but this pathetic bunch of politicians we re-elected and elected for the first time are worse than the Washington DC mess—sad days in Texas!” – Dave Sommers

Directory of Your Current U.S. & Texas Lawmakers

This information is automatically inserted based on the mailing address you provide to us. If you'd like to update your contact information, please visit our subscriber portal.