Good morning, 

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Wednesday, August 19, 2020
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• Flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the disgraced outgoing House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Gov. Greg Abbott yesterday announced his plan to contend with cities making cuts to their police department budgets. Abbott proposes to freeze property tax revenue for any city that defunds the police. Erin Anderson and Brandon Waltens have the details.
       
• Yes, seriously. That’s the punishment?! Remember: conservative lawmakers and grassroots activists have long sought a property tax revenue freeze as a way to get a handle on Texas’ overwhelming property tax burden. And the governor considers it a punishment?
         
• “Does the Gov want to provide an incentive for voters to support defunding police by tying it to a property tax freeze? This is a weird approach.” – Former GOP State Rep. Matt Rinaldi
      
• At a minimum, the policy proposal is ill-defined. This was pointed out by Charles Blain, the director of Urban Reform, an organization dedicated to promoting free-market ideas to urban areas. “Is there a definition of ‘defund’? Are cities not able to reduce PD budgets at all, even if warranted? ... What about a city with a steadily low crime rate and vacant PD positions. Can they not cut those positions therefore cutting their budget?”

• Parents in a North Texas suburb have confronted their local school board with allegations a controversial plan promoting leftist policies – such as the “LGBTQ+” agenda – is being implemented despite citizen opposition and the board delaying approval. Robert Montoya reports Carroll Independent School District is considering a plan that would divide students against each other by tracking those accused of committing “microaggressions” and discrimination.
       
• Carroll ISD has an appropriately Moaist name for their scheme: the Cultural Competency Action Plan.

• ​Corey A. DeAngelis of the Reason Foundation yesterday tweeted some interesting data points about actual education spending versus public perception:

• This is not unexpected; there is a media machine dedicated to convincing us there is a perpetual “funding crisis” in public schools. How much more is needed? More! Every time we turn around, Republicans and Democrats alike brag about inefficiently pumping more and more money into school bureaucracies. It reveals that the politicians and public school bureaucrats care more about employing – and enriching – adults than actually educating children. Why do we even have public education?
       
• “A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.” – Article 7, Section 1, Texas Constitution

• Each year at the Conservative Leaders Gala, men and women who truly shine in the conservative movement as grassroots leaders are recognized for their work. These are individuals who don’t hold elected office or seek the spotlight; instead, they diligently work to make Texas a stronger, better place to live.
    
• Once the nominees are reviewed, awardees will be selected. At the Gala, the awardees will be presented an engraved cavalry sword, signifying their leadership in the cause of liberty.
    
• Nominations are now OPEN! Remember, this is only a nomination, and must be received no later than 5:00pm on Monday, October 5.

• Please join me in wishing a very happy birthday to my brother-in-law, Torrey, as he serves our nation as a commander in the U.S. Coast Guard!

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