Good morning,

I had an editor who once said you shouldn’t ask a question unless you’re ready to hear the answers. And, wow, yesterday’s question about access to the Texas Capitol during the 2021 legislative session got a lot of answers!

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Thursday, August 27, 2020

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Gov. Greg Abbott is being urged by a Republican state senator to revoke his unilateral executive orders issued in response to the Chinese coronavirus, reports Brandon Waltens [[link removed]]. The governor’s executive orders have shuttered businesses and forced mandates on citizens, notes State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood). So far all these orders have been made without input from the elected members of the Texas Legislature.

“The current solution strategy, because it is based on unsubstantiated fear, is worse than the COVID-19 disease.” – State Sen. Bob Hall

Citizens concerned about executive overreach are encouraged to contact their lawmakers ahead of the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January. You can call your state representative and state senator by calling the Capitol switchboard, 512-463-4630. Dallas taxpayers scored a major win yesterday, when the Dallas City Council – acting under pressure from citizen activists – voted unanimously to reject a special development deal for the son of Democrat State Sen. Royce West.

Sen. West’s son was pushing for a special deal that would allow him to build soccer fields under and along a stretch of Interstate 345 located in Dallas’ Deep Ellum district. Neither he nor his father – a long-serving member of the Texas Legislature – had been able to address how the project received a greenlight from the Texas Department of Transportation.

Gee... I wonder how...

“Politicians who use their influence to enrich their family members smacks of nepotism and graft,” grassroots leader Susan Fountain told Texas Scorecard. From the Sour Grapes File comes this news from the 13th Congressional District of Texas...

Outgoing Texas GOP U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry won’t commit to supporting President Donald Trump for re-election this November. Thomas Warren reports [[link removed]] that the Republican congressman expressed skepticism about President Trump’s popularity in rural Texas.

Of course, Thornberry’s comments come a month after voters in CD 13 rejected his handpicked successor in the Republican runoff (former lobbyist Josh Winegarner), siding instead with the Trump endorsed candidate – Dr. Ronny Jackson.

It would seem maybe Mr. Thornberry doesn’t know his neighbors as well as he thinks... Number of the Day

95.9%

Percentage of Texas Minute readers who think the Texas Capitol should be open to the public in 2021 – standing in direct contradiction to legislators using fear of the coronavirus as a way to restrict access.

What Readers Said...

A sample of responses I received to yesterday’s question:

“The Texas Constitution is VERY clear... Sessions of the Legislature, except the Senate meeting in executive session, shall be open to the public.” – Rowland G. of Travis County

“Pretty convenient way to limit those pesky constituents who come to Austin to observe them at work & hold them accountable. It is incumbent on them to develop protocols for the people to have access but yet keep all involved relatively safe.” – Toni F. of Smith County

“So, the Legislature wants to do the People’s business, but they don't want the People to see what they're doing? No opportunity for corruption there!???” – Greg M. of Harris County

“The Capitol should be open. Texas is an open and forthright honest state. Hide nothing. The taxpayers pay you and elected you.” – Linda E. of Travis County

“It’s the people’s house! No restrictions!” – Marty R. of Collin County

“Open to the Public not just special interest.” – Lynette L. of Tom Green County Quote-Unquote

“I do not believe that the solution to our problem is simply to elect the right people. The important thing is to establish a political climate of opinion which will make it politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right thing. Unless it is politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right thing, the right people will not do the right thing either, or if they try, they will shortly be out of office.”

– Milton Friedman​

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PO Box 12862, Odessa TX 79768 Produced by Michael Quinn Sullivan and Brandon Waltens, the Texas Minute is a quick look at the news and info of the day that we find interesting, and hope you do as well. It is delivered weekday morning (though we'll probably take the occasional break for holidays and whatnot).

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