Good morning, 

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Brandon Waltens 

Thursday, July 2, 2020
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• It’s the beginning of another month, which as of late has meant another report from the comptroller’s office showing a decline in sales tax collection in Texas compared to last year.
   

• On Tuesday, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said state sales tax revenue totaled $2.67 billion in June, 6.5 percent less than in June 2019. Sales taxes remitted to the state in June consist mostly of taxes collected by businesses in May.
   

• The state’s other taxes—including the motor vehicle sales tax, motor fuel tax, and hotel occupancy tax—were all down significantly as well, as they have been for the past several months, pointing again towards a significant budget deficit when the state legislature returns in January.
   
• Now is the time for government agencies to start making cuts.

• In election news, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz announced his support for Raul Reyes, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and businessman campaigning for Texas’ Congressional District 23, a geographically sweeping district stretching from San Antonio to just outside El Paso. The district has been a target for Democrats for years.
   
• The seat is currently held by retiring U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, whose voting record makes him the most liberal Texas Republican in Congress. Hurd has endorsed Reyes' opponent, Tony Gonzales, to replace him. 
   
• “We need to send conservative warriors to defeat Nancy Pelosi’s agenda and show some of our Republicans what a backbone is. That’s why I’m supporting retired Col. Raul Reyes for Congress." –U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
   
• Early voting in the primary runoff elections is ongoing through July 10, with Election Day on July 14. 

• As mask mandates are passed by local governments across the state, Democrat Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins isn't satisfied—instead, he is promoting a mask mandate across the state ... and nationwide.
   
• Robert Montoya writes that Jenkins is also calling for a ban on going to bowling alleys, arcades, concerts, movie theaters, public pools, concerts, and participating in “group youth sports.”
   
• Meanwhile, for the second time in two weeks, Denton County decided against mandating face masks, choosing instead to encourage residents to voluntarily wear face coverings and take other precautions where appropriate to help prevent the spread of the Chinese coronavirus. Erin Anderson has the details.

• The Republican Party of Texas' executive committee is set to consider moving their state convention—scheduled for July 13-18 in Houston—to online instead.
   
• The State Republican Executive Committee is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting tonight to consider a contingency plan.

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