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Good morning,

This is the Texas Minute for Thursday, August 14, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Report: House Democrats Planning Return With the first special session winding down and the Texas House still without a quorum, ABC13 in Houston is reporting that House Democrats may be returning to work when the second special session is called. Brandon Waltens has the details [[link removed]].

The outlet says multiple sources confirmed Democrats plan to come back to the state, believing they have "accomplished their mission" by stalling the first special session.

Throwing cold water on the report, the Texas House Democrat Caucus issued a statement claiming its members "are still assessing their strategies going forward." A second statement from the caucus warned Republicans will "face the consequences we've released nationwide."

Caucus Chairman Gene Wu (D-Houston), who organized the quorum-bust, said he will soon be releasing his "demands for a second special session."

It's unclear what these demands might be .. or if even Mr. Wu knows what they will be. Circumventing Texas' Online Sports Betting Ban In apparent defiance of state law, an internet platform is providing an avenue for Texans to participate in online sports betting. Paige Feild reports [[link removed]] that while other states have been quick to take the company to court, Texas has not.

Kalshi is a platform allowing individuals to bet on political, economic, and cultural outcomes, among others. Maryland, Nevada, and New Jersey have sued Kalshi in federal court for breaking their state gambling laws. While illegal in Texas, the state has not taken any legal action against Kalshi.

The company argues [[link removed]] that because it treats events (including sports) as "contracts," it is only subject to the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The nonprofit advocacy group Texans Against Gambling has noted that the incoming chairman of the CFTC is a Kalshi board member. Paxton Secures Commitment from Kellogg’s To Eliminate Artificial Dyes Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that Kellogg’s will permanently remove artificial dyes from all of its cereals by the end of 2027. Sydnie Henry has the story [[link removed]].

Kellogg’s is the first major food manufacturer in the U.S. to legally commit to removing artificial food colorings from its cereals. This outcome follows a months-long investigation and negotiations between the A.G.'s office and the food giant, culminating in a legally binding Assurance of Voluntary Compliance.

The Texas attorney general’s office launched the investigation in February, following concerns that Kellogg’s continued to use artificial dyes—such as various blue, red, and yellow coloring agents—in American cereals even after removing them from products sold in Canada and Europe.

Paxton said pressure is building on other food manufacturers to formalize their own commitments to improve ingredient safety.

RELATED NEWS McKael Kirwin reports [[link removed]] that pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is being sued by Texas for allegedly offering illegal incentives to medical providers, violating the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act. On behalf of the state, Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking $1 million in monetary relief. His lawsuit alleges that the company participated in two illegal schemes that induced “medical providers to prescribe its most profitable drugs.”

A company spokesman told Texas Scorecard that Eli Lilly intends to "vigorously" fight the charges. Defiant Hidalgo Challenges Critics To Run Against Her After being censured by the Harris County Commissioners Court, County Judge Lina Hidalgo (D) is defiantly challenging critics to unseat her in the 2026 election. As Joseph Trimmer reports [[link removed]], the censure vote came after Hidalgo tried to push a property tax hike last week.

Several candidates have already accepted Hidalgo’s challenge. Democrats Annise Parker and Letitia Plummer have announced primary challenges, while Republicans Aliza Dutt, Marty Lancton, and Warren Howell are vying for the chance to take her on in the general election. NIXON: 'Texas Can Redraw Its Maps Anytime. And the Courts Agree.' In a special commentary, noted election integrity attorney Joe Nixon [[link removed]] explains how Democrats are misstating the rules around congressional redistricting. As he notes, the courts have affirmed that redistricting is inherently political, accountable to voters, and permissible at any point in the census cycle if legal requirements are met. 🔒 Support Texas Scorecard 🔒 [[link removed]] Number of the Day

91.7 million

Approximate number of boxes of Kellogg's Froot Loops sold in the United States each year.

[Source: Kiplinger [[link removed]]]

Quote-Unquote

"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet an enemy." – John Jay​

Today in History

On August 14, 1945, the official announcement was made of Japan's unconditional surrender. The formal surrender would not take place until Sept. 2.

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