Good morning,

Democrats have done it again, fleeing the state to block legislative business. In the One Click Survey, we want to know what you think should be done.

This is the Texas Minute for Monday, August 4, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Special note: We are now taking nominations for the 2025 Conservative Leader Award. You'll find those details below.

House Democrats Bust Quorum, Flee to Illinois

• While the Texas House was scheduled to gavel in later today and take up congressional redistricting, Democrats have reportedly fled to Illinois. Their action, reports Brandon Waltens, is designed to disrupt the legislative process by denying the chamber its constitutionally mandated quorum for conducting business.
        
• At issue is a redrawing of the congressional lines that would, essentially, make Republicans competitive in five additional districts. As Erin Anderson reports, those lines—detailed in House Bill 4—were approved Saturday morning by the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting.
   
• Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to move to vacate the offices of any Democrats that don’t show up at 3 p.m. today, when the House is scheduled to convene.
      
• New House rules allow for fines of up to $500 per day per member to be levied. If the fines are issued, they would amount to around $1 million in total for the caucus over a 30-day period, which could be covered by deep-pocketed Democrat donors. Abbott has suggested that this kind of reimbursement could be treated as an illegal bribe.  
        
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom has accused the Texas Republicans of "trying to rig the election" through the redistricting process.
     
• While Democrats have attacked Texas Republicans for adding to their congressional strength, California's delegation is even more lopsided. In California, Republicans get 40 percent of the statewide vote but have for years been gerrymandered to just 20 percent of the congressional seats.

Judge Refuses To Expose Hidden Interests in Alleged Rigging of Texas Lottery

• Judge Melissa Andrews of the newly established Business Court has declined to require disclosure of hidden corporate interests allegedly involved in rigging the Texas Lottery. As Travis Morgan explains, this raises questions about whether the court prioritizes secrecy over accountability.
      
• At issue is Jerry Reed’s $7.5 million Lotto Texas jackpot in May 2023. One month prior, Rook TX—a New Jersey-based company—claimed a $95 million jackpot after allegedly misrepresenting its date of formation in violation of Texas law. It also engaged in what many consider a conspiracy to buy all the lottery number combinations. Reed’s legal team, while asserting he is entitled to that $95 million, is attempting to expose a potential money laundering scheme. He alleges Rook TX was only created “to hide the identity of the defendant-conspirators who rigged the lottery.”
       
• Judge Andrews decided last week that she was not going to force Rook TX to disclose “all individuals and entities” with financial interests in the company.
          
• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has described the Texas Lottery as “probably the biggest money laundering scheme in the country.”
      
• This decision comes in the Business Court’s infancy, as it began accepting cases in September 2024. Unlike the rest of Texas' judiciary, Business Court judges are appointed by the governor for two-year terms without a limit on how many terms they can serve.

Antitrust Lawsuit Against BlackRock, State Street, & Vanguard Moves Forward

• Attorney General Ken Paxton has scored a significant procedural win in his lawsuit against three of the world’s largest asset managers over allegations they conspired to manipulate U.S. energy markets by restricting coal production to advance environmental goals. Sydnie Henry has the report.
     
• Paxton’s lawsuit argues that BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard amassed large ownership stakes in major U.S. coal producers, giving them coalition-level power to pressure companies into halving their production by 2030 in line with radical environmental goals. The companies have denied the claims and sought to have the case dismissed.
     
• A federal district court judge is allowing the case to proceed under both Texas and federal antitrust laws, along with some state consumer protection statutes. This means Paxton’s office will now be able to move forward with discovery in the case, gathering documents and taking depositions.
       
• "I will continue fighting to protect Texas and defend America’s energy independence from this unlawful conspiracy." – Ken Paxton

Lina Hidalgo’s ‘Penny Tax’ Proposal Faces More Backlash From Commissioners

• Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has unveiled a proposal for a property tax increase—dubbed a “penny tax”—to preserve and expand county-funded early childhood programs formerly supported by federal COVID‑era relief. As Joseph Trimmer reports, the move has spurred sharp criticism from commissioners unprepared for the announcement.
      
• Three commissioners—Tom Ramsey, Adrian Garcia, and Lesley Briones—have criticized Hidalgo for publicizing the proposal via television rather than staff briefings. Garcia has called the plan a “half-baked idea” and stated that no comprehensive plan has been shared with commissioners.
        
• The tax hike would go before voters in November if approved by the Commissioners Court.

Republican Candidate Slammed for Donation to Democrat

• As the race heats up to replace outgoing State Rep. Dennis Paul in House District 129, one candidate is already under fire for a political contribution.
      
• Bob Mitchell, a newly announced candidate and former president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, is facing scrutiny from grassroots activists after it was revealed he donated to the late Democrat U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. The contribution was earmarked for the Democrat primary and lists Mitchell’s occupation and employer at the time as “Executive Director” of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, appearing to confirm his identity.
        
• Mitchell's opponent in the GOP primary, Scott Bowen, described the donation as "completely disqualifying."
       
• Despite the public record, Mitchell denied on Facebook that he donated to “anyone.”

Nominate a Grassroots Leader

• Other groups give baubles and plaques to politicians … Texas Scorecard honors grassroots activists with engraved swords! The annual Conservative Leader Award highlights the men and women of the grassroots who work to make the Lone Star State shine more brightly than ever.
      
• The award recipients are nominated by their peers—men and women who have seen them step up as citizen-leaders in their neighborhoods and communities.
          
• Learn more about the award and make a nomination! Nominations will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

Today In History

On August 4, 1790, Congress authorized the creation of what is today known as the U.S. Coast Guard. It was originally known as the “Revenue Marine” and then the “Revenue Cutter Service.” The current name came about in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service was merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service.  

Quote-Unquote

"Redistricting is one of the purest actions a legislative body can take." – John Engler​

One Click Survey

Democrats have fled Texas in an attempt to block new congressional boundaries that would make Republicans competitive in five additional districts. Gov. Greg Abbott says he will move to vacate the offices of any members that don’t show up today.

Do you think quorum-busting Democrats should be stripped of their office?

Once you’ve clicked an answer, reply to this email with any thoughts you’d like to share!

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