Good morning,

Elected members of the Texas Supreme Court now must decide if quorum-busting Democrats will be vacated from their seats. Yesterday, we asked readers about that—you'll find the results below.

This is the Texas Minute for Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Supreme Court Sets Month-Long Schedule on Quorum-Buster Lawsuits

• Late yesterday, the Supreme Court of Texas announced a briefing schedule in the efforts of Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton to have the seats of House Democrat caucus Chairman Gene Wu and a dozen other Democrats vacated.
       
• The schedule will have briefings taking place through the middle of September.

Houston Socialists Discuss Targeting ICE Operations

• During a volunteer orientation meeting hosted by the Party for Socialism and Liberation in partnership with Houston Leads, leftwing organizers outlined plans to establish a rapid response network against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Houston. Joseph Trimmer has the details. The meeting involved a dozen individuals seeking to organize volunteers who would counter ICE deportations, raids, and detentions.
      
• Organizers in Houston said they drew inspiration from VC Defensa, a group in Ventura County, California, which maintains a network of 500 active volunteers to disrupt federal law enforcement operations. The Houston group reported a membership of approximately 150 individuals and said it aims to expand to 500 members.
     
• Vivek Venkatraman, one of the event organizers, told the audience his goal was for "a long-term movement that fights back against deportations, raids, detention and all other forms of ... immigration-related terror."

DPS Launches Tip Line To Track Down Quorum-Busting Democrats

• According to House Speaker Dustin Burrows, the Department of Public Safety has "special agents deployed in every region of Texas" and dozens of officers deputized by the House are staking out lawmakers’ homes. And, as Brandon Waltens reports, they have set up a toll-free tip line to report sightings.
      
• On Monday afternoon, Burrows announced DPS' tip line (866-786-5972) can be used for information on the whereabouts of missing House members.
      

• Under House rules, he added, Democrats who are breaking quorum will be "held financially responsible" for every dollar spent trying to find them—"not the taxpayers."
      

• "You can go to another city, another state, even another time zone, but you cannot escape your responsibility to the people of Texas." – Dustin Burrows

Senate Committee Approves Measure Targeting Abortion Drug Distribution

• Yesterday, the Senate State Affairs Committee passed a measure targeting the distribution of abortifacient drugs and creating a civil penalty for violators. Addie Hovland has the story.
         
• The proposal, authored by State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), allows private individuals to file suit against violators and those intending to violate the law for civil penalties of at least $100,000 per violation. The law is also designed to apply to medical providers in other states.
            
• Hughes made clear that the proposal does not target the mother for the use of abortion drugs and procedures for medical emergencies, only manufacturers and distributors that are making them for illegal abortions.
       
• Similar legislation was passed during the regular legislative session by the Senate, but it did not receive approval in the House.

Texas State University System Regents Abolish Faculty Senates

• Faculty senates in the seven institutions under the Texas State University umbrella have been abolished by the Board of Regents, reports Adam Cahn. 
   
• The regents' action brings the Texas State system into compliance with legislation adopted earlier this year. It abolishes the practice of “shared governance” in the state's colleges and universities, while increasing the power of boards of regents over curricula and hiring decisions.
       
• TSU's regents are the first to take such an action. The other university systems, including Texas Tech, UNT, UT, and Texas A&M, are expected to do likewise in the coming weeks.
          
• Under the new law, university regents have the option to re-constitute faculty senates in a strictly advisory role.

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.

UPDATE: Judge Reverses Ruling, Forces Disclosure of Corporate Interests in Lottery Rigging Case

• Updating a previous story... Judge Melissa Andrews of Texas’ Business Court is now forcing the disclosure of hidden corporate interests allegedly involved in rigging the Texas Lottery. Travis Morgan reports on the change.
      
• The lawsuit arose from 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. Not only is Reed’s legal team asserting that he is entitled to the $95 million, but they are simultaneously attempting to expose a potential money laundering scheme.
   
• Reed wanted the judge to compel corporate disclosure, which would require Rook TX to identify “all individuals and entities” with a financial interest in the outcome of this case. Judge Andrews refused to force corporate disclosure, but has now reversed herself.
      
• Andrews is requiring disclosure to Reed's legal team but still shielding the list from the public.

Teacher Accused of Sex Abuse Resurfaces ... In Same School District

• Erin Anderson reports that an elementary teacher accused of sexually abusing a student at school nearly two years ago is now employed at the district's central office.
     
• In November 2023, a family in the Rockwall ISD accused Jamie Palmer of abusing their young son. Local investigators cleared her of wrongdoing, but many in the community have said that is because of her close ties to prominent city leaders. The family contends the investigation was a sham, with key evidence never collected.
      
• Palmer’s teaching certificate is currently valid and clear of any disciplinary notices.

Quote-Unquote

"We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."

– C.S. Lewis​

Y'All Answered

On Friday, Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the Supreme Court of Texas to declare vacant the seats of 13 Democrats who have “abandoned their duties” as members of the House.

Yesterday, we asked readers if they would be upset with the court's justices if they failed to do so. Nearly 91 percent of readers said they want the Democrats' seats vacated and would be disappointed if the justices did not make that happen, while 9.1 percent said they would not be.

Here is a sampling of feedback from folks after they clicked their answer. 

• “I’ll be more than upset if the Texas Supreme Court doesn’t vacate these seats. If you won’t show up to do the job, you’ve already quit—Texas just needs to make it official.” – Sharla Miles

• “Yes, the courts should remove the Democrats who are trying to interfere with Texas's ability to govern our State.  There should always be consequences for actions.” – Manuel Blanco

• “The Texas Supreme Court must side with the rule of law and vacate the Democrat seats.” – Merryl Redding

• “While on the surface I would applaud the justices confirming that the seats were abandoned, I shudder at the thought of removing legislators elected by their peers by a judge.” – Frank Bull

• “I would be extremely disappointed in our justice system if there is no accountability for those who we voted into office.” – Bathsheba Campbell

• “Yes, very upset. The Dems should be held accountable for desertion!” – Charles Edmonson

• “I wouldn't be upset, but disappointed. Justice needs to be done, that is what's at stake here.” – Ann Schoenewolf

• “I’m mad as hell that Democrats do whatever the hell they want to do and nothing happens to them.” – Jackey Clough

• “Intentionally not showing up for your job is sufficient reason for termination and removal from office. The Texas Supreme Court needs to make that reasonable ruling.” – Gene Glass

• “I fire people who don’t come to work.” – Dawn Sealy-Leonard    

• “I’ve always been under the impression that representatives work for us, so I would have to say YOU’RE FIRED!” – Randy Schroder    

• “This is precedent-setting, and all the blue states are watching. If Texas stands tough, it may give a state like California the courage to step up and do the same thing. I fear for Texas if this very bad behavior has no consequences.” – Sandra Grove

• “The Dems can take a vacation on their own dime …  and not come back.” – Jim Moyer

• “In the real world, if you refuse to show up for work, you will be terminated from your job. I think the Democrats that fail to show up should be fired.” – Annye King

• “How many threats are the governor, speaker, and attorney general going to make? The Dems don't respect idle threats. Put your money where your mouth is!” – Danny Burrows

The Directory of State and Federal Officials

Contact information, biographies, and campaign finances.

📧 If someone forwarded the Texas Minute to you, and you like what you see, it is easy to get on the list yourself!