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Good morning,

There are just over six weeks left in the legislative session, meaning that critical deadlines are rapidly approaching to determine the success or failure of key issues ... and even the session itself.

This is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

ANALYSIS: Consensus Priorities for 2025

• As the legislative session enters the critical final phase of policymaking, Texas Scorecard has identified the common objectives—the consensus priorities. These can be considered "slam dunks" based on widespread support from conservative groups and Republican lawmakers.
       
• These are not Texas Scorecard's priorities, but rather those held in common by a range of conservative groups and Republican officeholders. 
       
• The analysis does not suggest what should or shouldn’t succeed or fail during the legislative session. Inclusion doesn’t necessarily mean that a priority has the overwhelming support of the political base (though most do), and the inverse applies to priorities that missed the consensus cut. Instead, it looks at what people have been discussing and working toward.

• The Consensus Priorities Project details 11 major issues and identifies 41 pieces of legislation to accomplish them. All the details can be found at Texas Scorecard.

Trump Admin Derails Houston-Dallas Train Grant, Saving Taxpayers Millions

• Joseph Trimmer reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation has officially terminated a $63.9 million federal grant intended for the planning and development of a controversial high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the move will save taxpayers millions while allowing Amtrak to focus on improving existing operations.
        
• The Texas Central Railway project has faced strong opposition from landowners and lawmakers since it was proposed in 2009. Originally pitched as a private venture, the project has become increasingly reliant on federal funding as cost estimates soared from $12 billion to over $40 billion.
        
• “If the private sector believes this project is feasible, they should carry the pre-construction work forward, rather than relying on Amtrak and the American taxpayer to bail them out.” – Sean Duffy

Texas Senate Bans Local Government Funding of Abortion Travel

• By a vote of 22 to 9, the Texas Senate approved a measure that would prohibit local jurisdictions from providing funding to an “abortion assistance entity.” Luca Cacciatore has details on the legislation authored by State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-Bulverde).
     
• An “abortion assistance entity” is defined under the law as an individual or organization that facilitates abortion by covering costs, helping with travel, or providing counseling that encourages abortion.
      
• The cities of Austin and San Antonio have attempted to fund abortion travel. For example, the Austin City Council’s 2024-2025 city budget appropriated $400,000 to entities that assist residents in paying travel, hotel, and food costs related to obtaining out-of-state abortions. 

MEANWHILE, IN THE HOUSE...

• The proposed resolution describes the late Planned Parenthood president as having “valiantly upheld the importance of the organization’s services and defended the rights of the women and families that it served.”
      
• Pro-life leaders are blasting the move. John Seago, the president of Texas Right to Life, said that "the Texas House is stalling life-saving measures while carving out time to celebrate the merchant of death."

Mayes Middleton Enters Race for Texas Attorney General

• Joining the open-seat 2026 GOP primary race for attorney general is State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston). The incumbent A.G., Ken Paxton, is leaving the office to challenge John Cornyn for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Brandon Waltens has more on the race to replace Paxton.
      
• Middleton is pitching himself as a conservative fighter ready to take the reins. Among legislative victories, Middleton includes leading the fight to ban biological men from competing in women’s collegiate sports, blocking taxpayer-funded lobbying, and restoring prayer in schools. He has also been key in border security efforts and opposing “job-killing green new deal policies.”
      
• The Galveston Republican has refused to take the legislative pension and other benefits and has pledged $10 million of his own money to jumpstart the statewide campaign.
      
• Last week, former U.S. Attorney John Bash announced his GOP bid for the Office of the Attorney General.

Fort Bend ISD Approves Policy That Affirms Students’ Biological Sex

• Michael Wilson reports that trustees in the Fort Bend Independent School District approved a policy this week designed to protect students from gender indoctrination through changes to curriculum, teacher responsibilities, and regulations governing athletics, bathrooms, and locker rooms.
   
• For students, the policy requires athletic participation to be based on biological sex. The policy also mandates that bathrooms and locker rooms remain designated exclusively for individuals of a single biological sex, preventing biological males from entering female facilities and vice versa.
     
• Under the new policy, teachers are prohibited from asking students for their preferred pronouns. Additionally, schools will be required to notify the parents of any student requesting name or pronoun changes that do not align with their biological sex.
       
• The policy also bars district staff from diagnosing gender dysphoria, reinforcing that the district is not to act as a healthcare provider for students without parental consent.

Quote-Unquote

"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is."

– Winston Churchill​

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