Subject: Flurries of Activities in the Legislature!

From	Fran's Friday Message <[email protected]>
Subject	Flurries of Activities in the Legislature!
Date	April 18, 2025 12:16 PM

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Week 14: 89th Texas Legislature

**NOTE: This week's message is really long because there has been so much =
happening! This is the abridged version. If you want all the nitty gritty=
dirty details, click here.

Dear Friends,

Our Capitol warriors had a productive day on Tuesday. Here=E2=80=99s what w=
e accomplished:

delivered a white paper to 88 Reps on an idea Wes Virdell has to make the s=
chool choice bill more palatable

registered in support of 9 bills in committee hearings today

wrote and delivered postcards to the 8 Senators on Health & Human Services,=
encouraging them to pass Lizzy's Bill favorably out of committee.=20

Wrote postcards to the Senate Health & Human Services committee asking them=
to move SB2119 =E2=80=93 which they did!=20

Thanks to everyone who helped with the work. We finished early, which was=
a nice surprise, and got home before dinner time!

THIS WEEK-House

Several interesting things happened in the House this week.

BUDGET=E2=80=93 After passing the House Budget last week, several grassroot=
s champions made Motions to Instruct. What is that? I asked Tony McDonald=
to explain:(click the link above to see his explanation)

The following motions to instruct were made and approved =E2=80=93 mostly b=
e a vote of 80 something to 50 something:

Increase property tax relief to at least $10B ( Tony Tinderholt )

Ensure Ken Paxton receives his back pay following his acquittal on the sham=
impeachment (Mitch Little )

Require state funded hospitals and jails to report how much illegal immigra=
nts are costing (Mike Olcott )

Defunding the Lottery ( Andy Hopper )

Ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used to teach =E2=80=9Cgender affirm=
ing=E2=80=9D nonsense. ( Brent Money)

This vote on the budget is just the House version. The conference committe=
e will now take up the 2 budget versions and come up with a final budget fo=
r the full body of each chamber to vote on. Unfortunately, the House membe=
rs of the Conference Committee are 2 Democrats, and 3 of the weakest Republ=
icans in the House. I=E2=80=99d like to extend a big thank you to the repr=
esentatives who put these things on the record with these motions, after th=
e budget maneuvering by House leadership.

SCHOOL FUNDING: The House passed HB2, the school funding bill, which gives=
nearly $8 billion to schools for various things. It increases the basic a=
llotment (which schools have been screaming for) but most of the bill invol=
ves setting up new programs or expanding existing programs, all of which ta=
ke additional money and additional staff at the TEA. TEA grows stronger an=
d bigger (and scarier) every time they pass one of these bills.

SCHOOL CHOICE: SB2 passed the House in the wee hours of the morning on Thr=
usday. It=E2=80=99s been amended several times, so now will go back to the=
Senate to see if they concur with the amendments. If not, it will go to c=
onference committee. The unofficial vote total was 86 to 63.

OTHER HOUSE STUFF THIS WEEK: (click link above for details)

ABOUT HB2197 =E2=80=93 THE EQUAL PROTECTION FOR THE UNBORN BILL

On Wednesday, I sent a message asking you to call Rep. Smithee=E2=80=99s of=
fice about scheduling a hearing for HB2197, the equal protection for the un=
born bill. Many of you made those calls =E2=80=93 Thank you for that! But=
we soon discovered that the bill had been re-assigned to a hastily organiz=
ed sub committee called the Sub Committee on New Offenses and Charges, chai=
red by Rep. A.J.Louderback. =20

It was back and forth for a while, but we've just learned that HB2197 IS SC=
HEDULED FOR HEARING ON TUESDAY 4/22! And =E2=80=93 it=E2=80=99s in the ori=
ginal committee, chaired by Smithee. That=E2=80=99s a good thing! Get the=
re if you can to testify. Thanks to everyone who made calls and sent email=
s.

THIS WEEK =E2=80=93 Senate

The Senate has been super busy at all levels! Biggest news is that SB2119 =
and SB407 =E2=80=93 Fondly known as =E2=80=9CLizzy=E2=80=99s Bills=E2=80=9D=
have both passed out of the Senate Committee and are headed to the floor f=
or a full vote. Thanks to everyone who helped promote these bills so that =
our Lizzy McCarty and thousands of other students can pursue the career of =
their choice.

OTHER SENATE STUFF THIS WEEK: (click link above for details)

=20

WHERE=E2=80=99S THE RELIEF?

If you know me, you know that numbers and budgets and math and such make my=
brain hurt. So, I=E2=80=99m not going to comment on the supposed $51 bill=
ion in property tax relief that legislators are bragging about, except to s=
ay =E2=80=9CIT=E2=80=99S A BIG FAT LIE!=E2=80=9D. I=E2=80=99m going to let=
Bill Peacock do it, in his excellent commentary called Excellent Thought. =
And it truly is excellent thought. Read it and weep right here. Spoiler =
alert - there is no relief!

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

=20

I=E2=80=99d like to brag for a minute on Texas Scorecard, TTP, and YOU! Sc=
orecard has produced this excellent analysis of priorities from 11 groups, =
and TTP is one of them. It=E2=80=99s an honor and privilege to be grouped =
with these patriot warriors. (with 3 exceptions =E2=80=93 the list include=
s the Speaker, Lt Gov., and Governor). But I digress! The analysis looked=
at over 100 priority items and identified key issues that received widespr=
ead support from all groups. It=E2=80=99s called the Consensus Priorities =
Project. YOU guys helped establish these priorities either at RPT Conventi=
on or by your involvement in TTP or other grassroots groups. YOU guys are =
awesome!

=20

TTP=E2=80=99s priorities are included in all but 4 of the issues covered. =
The Consensus Priorities Project also identifies key legislation that accom=
plishes the priority issue, and includes a chart showing the progress of ea=
ch of the bills through the process. It=E2=80=99s just an excellent tool, =
and I hope you will take advantage of it, and while you=E2=80=99re at it, s=
how some love and appreciation to Texas Scorecard staff.

=20

NEXT WEEK

=20

We=E2=80=99re going to have a busy day on Tuesday! An important bill in the=
Border Security Priority will be heard in Senate Education Committee. It =
is SB1798 by Middleton, which would ban in-state tuition for illegal aliens=
. We need as many people as possible to testify. Don=E2=80=99t be afraid!=
And reach out if you need help. It=E2=80=99s time we end this ridiculous=
practice and focus our efforts on Texans, not illegal aliens. The Committ=
ee meets after the Senate adjourns for the day, so testimony may go late. =
Just be prepared for that possibility.

=20

SB324, the bill that would mandate use of E Verify for legal status is also=
in committee on Tuesday. This one is Business & Commerce, and it meets at=
8:00 am. Need people to testify!

=20

HB2197, the equal protection for the unborn will be heard in the Criminal J=
urisprudence Committee on Tuesday at 10:00 am. Please testify on this one!

=20

Beyond testimony, we will have plenty of bills to register for or against a=
t the Kiosks, as always, and we will need to contact various committee memb=
ers above moving bills through the process, and we may deliver some more po=
sition papers.

=20

MEET UP

Let=E2=80=99s meet Tuesday the 22nd, in the Seal Court (Extension level 2) =
at 10:00. I=E2=80=99ll have paperwork and assignments for everyone. Pleas=
e let me know if you=E2=80=99re coming =E2=80=93 it really helps me prepare=
and not have wasted papers. Just pop me an email =E2=80=93 fran@truetexas=
project.com

=20

If you want to carpool from DFW area =E2=80=93 Email me!

=20

WHAT YOU CAN DO FROM HOME

=20

1) Use the On-Line comment form to comment on House bills:

=20

HB3219 =E2=80=93 allow ivermectin etc. w/out prescription scheduled for hea=
ring in Pub Health 4/21 (SUPPORT)

[link removed]

HB3743 =E2=80=93 Reduce Mgmt. to Staff ratios in state agencies =E2=80=93 i=
n DOGE 4/23 (SUPPORT)

[link removed]

HB4555 =E2=80=93 Right to Repair =E2=80=93 in Trade Workforce & Econ Develo=
pment 4/223 (SUPPORT)

[link removed]

HB2197 =E2=80=93 equal protection for the unborn =E2=80=93 in Criminal Juri=
sprudence 4/22

[link removed]

2) Call and/or Email Members of the Senate Education K-16 Committee, for su=
pport of SB798 to end in state tuition for illegals. The link will give yo=
u phone numbers of their offices. The email addresses are always firstname=
[email protected]

3) Pray for everyone!

That's it for this week! Sorry it's such a long one, but there's just a lo=
t going on. It's going to be that way for the rest of the session. After =
doing nothing for 5 weeks, the House is going to have to hustle. May 12 i=
s the last day for House committees to report House bills out, and May 15 i=
s the last day for House to consider 2nd reading of House bills. Yikes!

Be safe and stay engaged!

Fran Rhodes, President.

[email protected]

=20

SAVE THE DATES!

Tuesday Apr 29 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 6 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol - PLUS Bus from Cypress/Brenham=
(final bus for this session)

Bus Registrations can be found on the TTP Website

Tuesday May 13 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 20 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 27 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

=20

Our weekly visits to the Capitol focus on legislation, but the primary work=
is training up people to continuously be engaged in government. Every wee=
k, we have new people who have never done it before and are happy to learn.=
We are training up an army of grassroots activists, but we need your help=
to do it. Can you chip in?

DONATE

=20

=20

True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our movement. =20
TrueTexasProject.com

=20

=20

To update your profile with a new email address, satellite location, or oth=
er details, or to adjust your recurring donations, please click here.
BONUS TIP: remove the "unsubscribe" line at the bottom of your email before=
you forward it! Otherwise the recipient may unsubscribe YOU!

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adding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Marg=
in: 0; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"=
>=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sa=
ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word-break: break-word; o=
verflow-wrap: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: =
24px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 24px; padding-bottom: 12px;">=
<p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-w=
eight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: =
12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href=
=3D"[link removed]
8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/-fuFlr9bPjj2EfOd7VtMv--CGgPJSZG_h0OF4ndnL6M=
=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; =
padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><img style=3D"outline: non=
e; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%;=
clear: both; float: none; text-align: center; border: none; display: block=
; width: 750px; height: auto;" src=3D"[link removed]
com/neon/resource/truetexasproject/images/TTP%20Email%20Header(1).png" alt =
width=3D"750" height=3D"263"></a>[Are these emails too small? Is half of it clipped=
? At the very top of this email, click the link that says "see it online". =
It will open in normal size and with full content!]</th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
; background-color: #ffffff;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sa=
ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word-break: break-word; o=
verflow-wrap: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: =
24px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 12px;">=
<p class=3D"MsoNormal align-center" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: a=
rial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin:=
0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: =
10px; text-align: center;">Week 14: 89th Texas Legislature=
 <p class=3D"MsoNormal align-center" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fami=
ly: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bot=
tom: 10px; text-align: center;">**NOTE:  This week's message i=
s really long because there has been so much happening!  This is the a=
bridged version.  If you want all the nitty gritty dirty details, <a t=
itle=3D"click here" href=3D"[link removed]
k-link/PkhVoX5sO4Tfbq7DR8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/-fuFlr9bPjj2EfOd7VtMv=
-nXQIsUlnwPHqvPdXBkaKk=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"colo=
r: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-a=
lign: left; line-height: 1.5;">click here</a>. <p class=3D"Mso=
Normal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; f=
ont-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-s=
ize: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Dea=
r Friends, <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fami=
ly: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom=
: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Our Capitol warriors had a productive day on Tuesday. Here=E2=80=99s wh=
at we accomplished:=20
<ul style=3D"list-style-position: inside; Margin: 0 0 10px 0=
; padding: 0 0 0 10px;">=20
<li class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"display: list-item; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; overflo=
w-wrap: break-word; list-style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; l=
ine-height: normal;">delivered a white paper to 88 Reps on an idea Wes Virdell has to ma=
ke the school choice bill more palatable</li>=20
<li class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"display: list-item; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; overflo=
w-wrap: break-word; list-style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; l=
ine-height: normal;">registered in support of 9 bills in committee hearings today=
</li>=20
<li class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"display: list-item; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; overflo=
w-wrap: break-word; list-style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; l=
ine-height: normal;">wrote and delivered postcards to the 8 Senators on Health & Hum=
an Services, encouraging them to pass Lizzy's Bill favorably out of committ=
ee. </li>=20
<li class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"display: list-item; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; overflo=
w-wrap: break-word; list-style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; l=
ine-height: normal;">Wrote postcards to the Senate Health & Human Services committee=
asking them to move SB2119 =E2=80=93 which they did! </li>=20
</ul> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; fon=
t-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin:=
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-=
bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"> Thanks to everyone who helped with the work.  We finis=
hed early, which was a nice surprise, and got home before dinner time!</spa=
n> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: aria=
l,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0;=
text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; =
Margin-bottom: 10px;">THIS WEEK-House <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"=
color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; =
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-h=
eight: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Several interesting things happened in the Hou=
se this week. <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144;=
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; mar=
gin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">BUDGET=E2=80=93 After passing the House Budget last week, sever=
al grassroots champions made Motions to Instruct.=
  What is that?  I asked Tony McDonald to explain:(cli=
ck the link above to see his explanation) <p class=3D"MsoNoSpaci=
ng" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-=
weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size:=
12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">The following motions to instruct=
were made and approved =E2=80=93 mostly be a vote of 80 something to 50 so=
mething:=20
<ul style=3D"list-style-position: inside; Margin: 0 0 10px 0=
; padding: 0 0 0 10px;">=20
<li class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"display: list-item; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; overflo=
w-wrap: break-word; list-style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; l=
ine-height: normal;">Increase property tax relief to at least $10B ( Tony Tinderholt )</=
span></li>=20
<li class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"display: list-item; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; overflo=
w-wrap: break-word; list-style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; l=
ine-height: normal;">Ensure Ken Paxton receives his back pay following his acquittal on =
the sham impeachment (Mitch Little )</li>=20
<li class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"display: list-item; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; overflo=
w-wrap: break-word; list-style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; l=
ine-height: normal;">Require state funded hospitals and jails to report how much illegal=
immigrants are costing (Mike Olcott )</li>=20
<li class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"display: list-item; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; overflo=
w-wrap: break-word; list-style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; l=
ine-height: normal;">Defunding the Lottery ( Andy Hopper )</li>=20
<li class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"display: list-item; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; overflo=
w-wrap: break-word; list-style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; l=
ine-height: normal;">Ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used to teach =E2=80=9Cgende=
r affirming=E2=80=9D nonsense. ( Brent Money)</li>=20
</ul> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; fon=
t-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin:=
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-=
bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">This vote on the budget is just the House version.  The conference committee will now take up=
the 2 budget versions and come up with a final budget for the full body of=
each chamber to vote on.  U=
nfortunately, the House members of the Conference Committee are 2 Democrats=
, and 3 of the weakest Republicans in the House.  I=E2=80=99d like to extend a big thank you to the rep=
resentatives who put these things on the record with these motions, after t=
he budget maneuvering by House leadership. <p class=3D"MsoNoSpac=
ing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font=
-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size=
: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><stron=
g>SCHOOL FUNDING</s=
trong>:  The House passed HB2, the school funding bill=
, which gives nearly $8 billion to schools for various things.  It increases the basic allotment (whi=
ch schools have been screaming for) but most of the bill involves setting u=
p new programs or expanding existing programs, all of which take additional=
money and additional staff at the TEA.&=
nbsp; TEA grows stronger and bigger (and scarier) every time they pa=
ss one of these bills. <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color:=
#3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; paddin=
g: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height:=
1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">SCHOOL CHOICE:&nbsp=
; SB2 passed the House in the wee hours of the morning on Thrusday.<=
span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">  It=E2=80=99s been amended s=
everal times, so now will go back to the Senate to see if they concur with =
the amendments.  If not, it =
will go to conference committee.  <=
/span>The unofficial vote total was 86 to 63. <p class=3D"MsoNoS=
pacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; f=
ont-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-s=
ize: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><st=
rong>OTHER HOUSE STUFF THI=
S WEEK: (click link above for details) <p class=3D"MsoN=
oSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><=
strong>ABOUT<a title=3D" H=
B2197 " href=3D"[link removed]
X5sO4Tfbq7DR8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/-fuFlr9bPjj2EfOd7VtMvwHmEVTVejXvs=
ddO1GdHObs=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; =
text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; =
line-height: 1.5;"> HB2197 </a> =E2=80=93 THE EQUAL PROTECTION FOR THE=
UNBORN BILL <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: =
#3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding=
: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: =
1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">On Wednesday, I sent a message asking you to call Rep=
. Smithee=E2=80=99s office about scheduling a hearing for HB2197, the equal=
protection for the unborn bill.  <=
/span>Many of you made those calls =E2=80=93 Thank you for that!  But we soon discovered that the bill =
had been re-assigned to a hastily organized sub committee called the Sub Co=
mmittee on New Offenses and Charges, chaired by Rep. A.J.Louderback.  <p class=3D"MsoNoSpac=
ing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font=
-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size=
: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">It was back and forth for a whil=
e, but we've just learned that HB2197 IS SCHEDULED FOR HEARING ON TUESDAY 4/22!  And =E2=80=93 it=E2=80=99s in the original =
committee, chaired by Smithee.  That=E2=80=99s =
a good thing!  Get there if =
you can to testify.  Thanks =
to everyone who made calls and sent emails. <p class=3D"MsoNoSpa=
cing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fon=
t-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-siz=
e: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><stro=
ng>THIS WEEK =E2=80=93 Sen=
ate <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; =
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; marg=
in: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; marg=
in-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">The Senate has been super busy at all levels!  Biggest news is that SB2119 and SB407 =E2=
=80=93 Fondly known as =E2=80=9CLizzy=E2=80=99s Bills=E2=80=9D have both pa=
ssed out of the Senate Committee and are headed to the floor for a full vot=
e.  Thanks to everyone who h=
elped promote these bills so that our Lizzy McCarty and thousands of other =
students can pursue the career of their choice. <p class=3D"MsoN=
oSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><=
strong>OTHER SENATE STUFF =
THIS WEEK:  (click link above for details) <p clas=
s=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-=
serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left=
; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: no=
rmal;"> <=
br> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font=
-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: =
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-b=
ottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">WHERE=E2=80=99S THE RELIEF? <p class=
=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,san=
s-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: =
10px;">If you know me, you=
know that numbers and budgets and math and such make my brain hurt.  So, I=E2=80=99m not going to comm=
ent on the supposed $51 billion in property tax relief that legislators are=
bragging about, except to say =E2=80=9CIT=E2=80=99S A BIG FAT LIE!=
=E2=80=9D.  I=E2=80=
=99m going to let Bill Peacock do it, in his excellent commentary called Ex=
cellent Thought.  And it tru=
ly is excellent thought.  <a=
href=3D"[link removed]
bq7DR8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/-fuFlr9bPjj2EfOd7VtMv7H6QXH2LolTXzb_hDNB=
AYw=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inheri=
t; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">Read it and weep right =
here</a>.  Spoiler alert - there is no relief! <p class=3D"=
MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fon=
t-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;=
">POI=
NT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">  <p =
class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,s=
ans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height=
: normal;">I=
=E2=80=99d like to brag for a minute on Texas Scorecard, TTP, and YOU!<span=
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">  Scorecard has produced this exc=
ellent analysis of priorities from 11 groups, and TTP is one of them.  It=E2=80=99s an honor and privil=
ege to be grouped with these patriot warriors.  (with 3 exceptions =E2=80=93 the list includes the Spea=
ker, Lt Gov., and Governor).  </spa=
n>But I digress!  The analys=
is looked at over 100 priority items and identified key issues that receive=
d widespread support from all groups.&nb=
sp; It=E2=80=99s called the <a href=3D"[link removed]
ails/tracking/click-link/PkhVoX5sO4Tfbq7DR8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/-fu=
Flr9bPjj2EfOd7VtMvwTNglexDNWTBy-6JzoEdPU=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-=
decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-=
height: 1.5;">Consensus Priorities Project.</a>  YOU guys helped establish these priorities either at R=
PT Convention or by your involvement in TTP or other grassroots groups.<spa=
n style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">  YOU guys are awesome!</=
p> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helve=
tica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-a=
lign: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-=
height: normal;">  <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-=
family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0=
; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin=
-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">TTP=E2=80=99s priorities are included in all but 4 o=
f the issues covered.  The C=
onsensus Priorities Project also identifies key legislation that accomplish=
es the priority issue, and includes a chart showing the progress of each of=
the bills through the process.  </=
span>It=E2=80=99s just an excellent tool, and I hope you will take advantag=
e of it, and while you=E2=80=99re at it, show some love and appreciation to=
Texas Scorecard staff. <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #=
3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding:=
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom:=
10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">  <p class=3D"MsoNormal=
" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-we=
ight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 1=
2pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;"><strong=
>NEXT WEEK</s=
pan> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fami=
ly: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bot=
tom: 0in; line-height: normal;">  <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color:=
#3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; paddin=
g: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-botto=
m: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">We=E2=80=99re going to have a busy da=
y on Tuesday! An important bill in the Border Security Priority will be hea=
rd in Senate Education Committee.  =
It is SB1798 by Middleton, which would ban in-state tuition for ille=
gal aliens.  We need as many=
people as possible to testify.  Don=E2=80=99t be afraid!  And reach out if you need help.  It=E2=80=99s time we end this ridiculous practice =
and focus our efforts on Texans, not illegal aliens.  The Committee meets after the Senate adjourns for=
the day, so testimony may go late.&nbsp=
; Just be prepared for that possibility. <p class=3D"MsoN=
ormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fo=
nt-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-si=
ze: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Tim=
es New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </=
p> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helve=
tica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-a=
lign: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-=
height: normal;">SB324, the bill that would mandate use of E Verify for legal status is =
also in committee on Tuesday.  </sp=
an>This one is Business & Commerce, and it meets at 8:00 am. &nbsp=
; Need people to testify! <p class=3D"MsoNormal=
" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-we=
ight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 1=
2pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">  <p=
class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,=
sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-heigh=
t: normal;">H=
B2197, the equal protection for the unborn will be heard in the Criminal Ju=
risprudence Committee on Tuesday at 10:00 am.  Please testify =
on this one! <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c=
4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0=
; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 1=
0px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">  <p class=3D"MsoNormal" =
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weig=
ht: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">Beyond testimony, we w=
ill have plenty of bills to register for or against at the Kiosks, as alway=
s, and we will need to contact various committee members above moving bills=
through the process, and we may deliver some more position papers.<=
/p> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helv=
etica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-=
align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line=
-height: normal;">  <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font=
-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: =
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margi=
n-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">MEET UP <p class=3D"Mso=
Normal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; f=
ont-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-s=
ize: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;"><=
span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Ti=
mes New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Let=E2=80=99s =
meet Tuesday the 22nd, in the Seal Court (Extension level 2) at =
10:00.  I=E2=80=99ll have pa=
perwork and assignments for everyone.&nb=
sp; Please let me know if you=E2=80=99re coming =E2=80=93 it really =
helps me prepare and not have wasted papers.  Just pop me an email =E2=80=93 <a href=3D"mailto:fran@tru=
etexasproject.com" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-wei=
ght: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">fran@truetex=
asproject.com</a> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144=
; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; ma=
rgin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px;=
margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">  <p class=3D"MsoNormal" styl=
e=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: =
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; M=
argin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">If you want to carpool f=
rom DFW area =E2=80=93 Email me! <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D=
"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400;=
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">  <p class=3D"=
MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fon=
t-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;=
">WHA=
T YOU CAN DO FROM HOME <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"=
color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; =
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin=
-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;">  <p class=3D"M=
soNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;"=
>1) U=
se the On-Line comment form to comment on House bills: =
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetic=
a,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-alig=
n: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 0in; line-hei=
ght: normal;">  <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-=
family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0=
; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bo=
ttom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">HB3219 =E2=80=93 allow ivermectin etc. w/out prescription scheduled=
for hearing in Pub Health 4/21 (SUPPORT) <p class=3D"MsoNoSpaci=
ng" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-=
weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size:=
12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href=3D"[link removed]
.com/emails/tracking/click-link/PkhVoX5sO4Tfbq7DR8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=
=3D/aAABjY9bvpDdc7gE1g7qdAEuvcTVeRdIiQU47PUKDoE=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9=
; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left=
; line-height: 1.5;">[link removed]</a></sp=
an> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0=
; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;=
Margin-bottom: 10px;">HB3=
743 =E2=80=93 Reduce Mgmt. to Staff ratios in state agencies =E2=80=93 in D=
OGE 4/23  (SUPPORT)</=
p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,he=
lvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; tex=
t-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Marg=
in-bottom: 10px;"><a href=
=3D"[link removed]
8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/aAABjY9bvpDdc7gE1g7qdJfn6vVL3L_EH3UHp2ZCq64=
=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; =
padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">[link removed]
as.gov/home?c=3Dc233</a> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"colo=
r: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padd=
ing: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-heigh=
t: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">HB4555 =E2=80=93 Right to Repair =E2=80=93 in Trad=
e Workforce & Econ Development 4/223 (SUPPORT) <p class=3D"M=
soNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-ser=
if; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; f=
ont-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;=
"><a href=3D"[link removed]
eonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/PkhVoX5sO4Tfbq7DR8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWk=
poQF9JEwA=3D/aAABjY9bvpDdc7gE1g7qdK_arFicJSt4HRe4oT0-_nI=3D" style=3D"color=
: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-al=
ign: left; line-height: 1.5;">[link removed]
3</a> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fa=
mily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; =
Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bott=
om: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">HB2197 =E2=80=93 equal protection for the unborn =E2=80=93 in Crimina=
l Jurisprudence 4/22 <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #=
3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding:=
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1=
.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href=3D"[link removed]
click-link/PkhVoX5sO4Tfbq7DR8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/aAABjY9bvpDdc7gE1=
g7qdDhuJl7-FpulY7ewNmCMSyM=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: no=
ne; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">=
[link removed]</a> <p class=3D"M=
soNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-ser=
if; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; f=
ont-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;=
">2) Call and/or E=
mail Members of the <a href=3D"[link removed]
ing/click-link/PkhVoX5sO4Tfbq7DR8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/aAABjY9bvpDdc=
7gE1g7qdLtQJ_kpyt8lTH5f1GYHcZE=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration=
: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.=
5;">Senate Education K-16</a> Committee, for support of SB798 to end in state tuition=
for illegals.  The link wil=
l give you phone numbers of their offices.  The email addresses are always <a href=3D"mailto:firstname.=
[email protected]" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; =
font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">firs=
[email protected]</a> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" st=
yle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight=
: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt;=
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span=
style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">3)  Pray for everyone! <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"=
color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; =
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-h=
eight: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">That's it for this week!  Sorry it's such=
a long one, but there's just a lot going on.  It's going to be that w=
ay for the rest of the session.  After doing nothing for 5 weeks, the =
House is going to have to hustle.   May 12 is the last day for House c=
ommittees to report House bills out, and May 15 is the last day for House t=
o consider 2nd reading of House bills.  Yikes! <p class=3D"=
MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fon=
t-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">=
Be safe and stay engaged! <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c414=
4; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; m=
argin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; m=
argin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Fran Rhodes, President. <p cl=
ass=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,san=
s-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: =
10px;"><a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:fran@truetexas=
project.com" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; te=
xt-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; li=
ne-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing=
" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-we=
ight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 1=
2pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"> </p=
> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; te=
xt-align: center;" align=3D"center">SAVE THE DATES! <p=
class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,=
sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; line-hei=
ght: normal;">Tuesday Apr 29 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol <p=
class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,=
sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; line-hei=
ght: normal;">Tuesday May 6 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol - PLUS=
 Bus from Cypress/Brenham  (final bus for this session)</span=
> <p class=3D"MsoNormal align-center" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; M=
argin: 0; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; line-=
height: normal; text-align: center;">Bus Registrations can be fo=
und on the <a title=3D"TTP Website" href=3D"[link removed]
ls/tracking/click-link/PkhVoX5sO4Tfbq7DR8IejOp3wFoXXXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/aAABj=
Y9bvpDdc7gE1g7qdMZUM5sKiUH8u0sV0zr0vHo=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopene=
r" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; pa=
dding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">TTP Website</a></sp=
an> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,=
helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; t=
ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt=
; line-height: normal;">Tuesday May 13 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol</sp=
an> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,=
helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; t=
ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt=
; line-height: normal;">Tuesday May 20 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol</sp=
an> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,=
helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; t=
ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt=
; line-height: normal;">Tuesday May 27 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol</sp=
an> <p class=3D"MsoNormal align-center" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; lin=
e-height: normal; text-align: center;">  <p class=3D"MsoNormal ali=
gn-center" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; Marg=
in-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; line-height: normal; text-align: cen=
ter;">Our weekly visits to the Capitol focus on legislation, but=
the primary work is training up people to continuously be engaged in gover=
nment.  Every week, we have new people who have never done it before a=
nd are happy to learn.  We are training up an army of grassroots activ=
ists, but we need your help to do it.  Can you chip in?=20
<table class=3D"button expanded email-button mceNonEditable"=
style=3D"border-spacing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0; vertica=
l-align: top; text-align: left; max-width: 100%; margin: 0; Margin: 0; widt=
h: 100%;">=20
<tbody>=20
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: =
left;">=20
<td style=3D"word-break: normal; overflow-wrap: break-wor=
d; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-s=
erif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left;=
font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; border-collapse: collapse;">=20
<table class=3D"mceNonEditable" style=3D"border-spacing:=
0; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align:=
left; max-width: 100%; width: 100%;">=20
<tbody>=20
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-ali=
gn: left;">=20
<td style=3D"word-break: normal; overflow-wrap: break=
-word; vertical-align: top; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; paddin=
g: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; color: #fefefe; border-collapse: collapse; font=
-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 28px; text-align: center;"> <p =
class=3D"titan__email-button-container" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-famil=
y: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Mar=
gin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align:=
center; margin-bottom: 0;"><a class=3D"titan__email-button mceEditable" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; tex=
t-decoration: none; border: 0 solid #2199e8; padding-left: 0; padding-right=
: 0; border-top: solid 8px #282968; border-bottom: solid 8px #282968; borde=
r-left: solid 18px #282968; border-right: solid 18px #282968; color: #fffff=
f; display: inline-block; background-color: #282968; width: auto; border-ra=
dius: 0; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 28px; text-align: =
center; padding: unset; margin-bottom: 0;" title=3D"DONATE" href=3D"https:/=
/api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/PkhVoX5sO4Tfbq7DR8IejOp3wFoX=
XXYdWkpoQF9JEwA=3D/aAABjY9bvpDdc7gE1g7qdMNfPCcbdBZPFl91nkDtHB0=3D" target=
=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" data-bgcolor=3D"#282968" data-bordercolor=3D"#=
282968" data-textcolor=3D"#FFFFFF" data-url=3D"[link removed]
/donate/" data-text=3D"DONATE" data-borderradius=3D"0" data-btnsize=3D"auto=
" data-textalign=3D"center">DONATE</a> </td>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>=20
</table> </td>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>=20
</table> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; fon=
t-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin:=
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-=
bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"> </th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row end-row-footer" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; =
border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; b=
ackground-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sa=
ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word-break: break-word; o=
verflow-wrap: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: =
24px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 24px;">=
<p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-w=
eight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height:=
1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">  <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; fo=
nt-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin=
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Week 14: 89th Texas Legislature

**NOTE: This week's message is really long because there has been so much happening! This is the abridged version. If you want all the nitty gritty dirty details, click here.

Dear Friends,

Our Capitol warriors had a productive day on Tuesday. Here’s what we accomplished:

delivered a white paper to 88 Reps on an idea Wes Virdell has to make the school choice bill more palatable

registered in support of 9 bills in committee hearings today

wrote and delivered postcards to the 8 Senators on Health & Human Services, encouraging them to pass Lizzy's Bill favorably out of committee.

Wrote postcards to the Senate Health & Human Services committee asking them to move SB2119 – which they did!

Thanks to everyone who helped with the work. We finished early, which was a nice surprise, and got home before dinner time!

THIS WEEK-House

Several interesting things happened in the House this week.

BUDGET– After passing the House Budget last week, several grassroots champions made Motions to Instruct. What is that? I asked Tony McDonald to explain:(click the link above to see his explanation)

The following motions to instruct were made and approved – mostly be a vote of 80 something to 50 something:

Increase property tax relief to at least $10B ( Tony Tinderholt )

Ensure Ken Paxton receives his back pay following his acquittal on the sham impeachment (Mitch Little )

Require state funded hospitals and jails to report how much illegal immigrants are costing (Mike Olcott )

Defunding the Lottery ( Andy Hopper )

Ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used to teach “gender affirming” nonsense. ( Brent Money)

This vote on the budget is just the House version. The conference committee will now take up the 2 budget versions and come up with a final budget for the full body of each chamber to vote on. Unfortunately, the House members of the Conference Committee are 2 Democrats, and 3 of the weakest Republicans in the House. I’d like to extend a big thank you to the representatives who put these things on the record with these motions, after the budget maneuvering by House leadership.

SCHOOL FUNDING: The House passed HB2, the school funding bill, which gives nearly $8 billion to schools for various things. It increases the basic allotment (which schools have been screaming for) but most of the bill involves setting up new programs or expanding existing programs, all of which take additional money and additional staff at the TEA. TEA grows stronger and bigger (and scarier) every time they pass one of these bills.

SCHOOL CHOICE: SB2 passed the House in the wee hours of the morning on Thrusday. It’s been amended several times, so now will go back to the Senate to see if they concur with the amendments. If not, it will go to conference committee. The unofficial vote total was 86 to 63.

OTHER HOUSE STUFF THIS WEEK: (click link above for details)

ABOUT HB2197 – THE EQUAL PROTECTION FOR THE UNBORN BILL

On Wednesday, I sent a message asking you to call Rep. Smithee’s office about scheduling a hearing for HB2197, the equal protection for the unborn bill. Many of you made those calls – Thank you for that! But we soon discovered that the bill had been re-assigned to a hastily organized sub committee called the Sub Committee on New Offenses and Charges, chaired by Rep. A.J.Louderback.

It was back and forth for a while, but we've just learned that HB2197 IS SCHEDULED FOR HEARING ON TUESDAY 4/22! And – it’s in the original committee, chaired by Smithee. That’s a good thing! Get there if you can to testify. Thanks to everyone who made calls and sent emails.

THIS WEEK – Senate

The Senate has been super busy at all levels! Biggest news is that SB2119 and SB407 – Fondly known as “Lizzy’s Bills” have both passed out of the Senate Committee and are headed to the floor for a full vote. Thanks to everyone who helped promote these bills so that our Lizzy McCarty and thousands of other students can pursue the career of their choice.

OTHER SENATE STUFF THIS WEEK: (click link above for details)

WHERE’S THE RELIEF?

If you know me, you know that numbers and budgets and math and such make my brain hurt. So, I’m not going to comment on the supposed $51 billion in property tax relief that legislators are bragging about, except to say “IT’S A BIG FAT LIE!”. I’m going to let Bill Peacock do it, in his excellent commentary called Excellent Thought. And it truly is excellent thought. Read it and weep right here. Spoiler alert - there is no relief!

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

I’d like to brag for a minute on Texas Scorecard, TTP, and YOU! Scorecard has produced this excellent analysis of priorities from 11 groups, and TTP is one of them. It’s an honor and privilege to be grouped with these patriot warriors. (with 3 exceptions – the list includes the Speaker, Lt Gov., and Governor). But I digress! The analysis looked at over 100 priority items and identified key issues that received widespread support from all groups. It’s called the Consensus Priorities Project. YOU guys helped establish these priorities either at RPT Convention or by your involvement in TTP or other grassroots groups. YOU guys are awesome!

TTP’s priorities are included in all but 4 of the issues covered. The Consensus Priorities Project also identifies key legislation that accomplishes the priority issue, and includes a chart showing the progress of each of the bills through the process. It’s just an excellent tool, and I hope you will take advantage of it, and while you’re at it, show some love and appreciation to Texas Scorecard staff.

NEXT WEEK

We’re going to have a busy day on Tuesday! An important bill in the Border Security Priority will be heard in Senate Education Committee. It is SB1798 by Middleton, which would ban in-state tuition for illegal aliens. We need as many people as possible to testify. Don’t be afraid! And reach out if you need help. It’s time we end this ridiculous practice and focus our efforts on Texans, not illegal aliens. The Committee meets after the Senate adjourns for the day, so testimony may go late. Just be prepared for that possibility.

SB324, the bill that would mandate use of E Verify for legal status is also in committee on Tuesday. This one is Business & Commerce, and it meets at 8:00 am. Need people to testify!

HB2197, the equal protection for the unborn will be heard in the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Tuesday at 10:00 am. Please testify on this one!

Beyond testimony, we will have plenty of bills to register for or against at the Kiosks, as always, and we will need to contact various committee members above moving bills through the process, and we may deliver some more position papers.

MEET UP

Let’s meet Tuesday the 22nd, in the Seal Court (Extension level 2) at 10:00. I’ll have paperwork and assignments for everyone. Please let me know if you’re coming – it really helps me prepare and not have wasted papers. Just pop me an email – [email protected]

If you want to carpool from DFW area – Email me!

WHAT YOU CAN DO FROM HOME

1) Use the On-Line comment form to comment on House bills:

HB3219 – allow ivermectin etc. w/out prescription scheduled for hearing in Pub Health 4/21 (SUPPORT)

[link removed]

HB3743 – Reduce Mgmt. to Staff ratios in state agencies – in DOGE 4/23 (SUPPORT)

[link removed]

HB4555 – Right to Repair – in Trade Workforce & Econ Development 4/223 (SUPPORT)

[link removed]

HB2197 – equal protection for the unborn – in Criminal Jurisprudence 4/22

[link removed]

2) Call and/or Email Members of the Senate Education K-16 Committee, for support of SB798 to end in state tuition for illegals. The link will give you phone numbers of their offices. The email addresses are always [email protected]

3) Pray for everyone!

That's it for this week! Sorry it's such a long one, but there's just a lot going on. It's going to be that way for the rest of the session. After doing nothing for 5 weeks, the House is going to have to hustle. May 12 is the last day for House committees to report House bills out, and May 15 is the last day for House to consider 2nd reading of House bills. Yikes!

Be safe and stay engaged!

Fran Rhodes, President.

[email protected]

SAVE THE DATES!

Tuesday Apr 29 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 6 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol - PLUS Bus from Cypress/Brenham (final bus for this session)

Bus Registrations can be found on the TTP Website

Tuesday May 13 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 20 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 27 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Our weekly visits to the Capitol focus on legislation, but the primary work is training up people to continuously be engaged in government. Every week, we have new people who have never done it before and are happy to learn. We are training up an army of grassroots activists, but we need your help to do it. Can you chip in?

DONATE

True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our movement.
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