Good morning,

Do you agree with Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision not to involve the GOP-controlled Legislature as we enter the seventh month of the pandemic? That is the subject of today’s One Click Survey.

First, here’s the Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Wednesday, September 9, 2020
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• Texas is now entering its seventh month of the “emergency” declared by Gov. Greg Abbott in which he consolidated legislative-like powers into his office. It was a declaration he renewed for the sixth time this week, with little fanfare, after last week teasing that he might lift some of the restrictions he has levied on Texans.
      
• The governor is rumored to announce later this week the latest “next steps” he will be taking. Mr. Abbott has refused to respond to grassroots activists who want him to call a special session of the Legislature to address the Chinese coronavirus, rather than legislate through mandates.
      
• This means the Texas Legislature could have met – at his call – for six continuous special sessions of the constitutionally dictated 30-day periods.
     
• Greg Abbott has – functionally – made himself President of the Texas Senate, Speaker of the House, chair of every legislative committee, and a majority of one.

• Making its debut on Texas Scorecard’s podcast roster, the Liberty Cafe’s Bill Peacock explains why he will now vote for President Donald Trump after choosing not to in 2016.
   
• “I believe now more than ever that a vote for Trump in 2020 might be part of God’s means for restoring a God-fearing future for America.” – Bill Peacock

• With just weeks to decide who they will send to the Texas Senate next year, voters in Senate District 30 had their first chance to hear from all five Republicans vying to replace State Sen. Pat Fallon (R–Prosper) in representing their district, which sprawls across 14 mostly rural North Texas counties. Erin Anderson was on hand for a Parker County event in which activists vetted them all.
   
• On Aug. 22, Sen. Fallon announced his intention to resign from office in early January – in anticipation of winning the 4th Congressional District seat in November. A day later, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called an “emergency” special election for SD 30, which he set for September 29.   
   
• The SD 30 candidates include:
  -> Craig Carter, business owner
  -> Andy Hopper, consultant and farmer
  -> Shelley Luther, salon owner who defied Abbott’s business closure rules
  -> State Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster)
  -> Chris Watts, mayor of Denton

• In a new commentary, Direct Action Texas’ Daniel Greer explores the question of why local officials seeking to circumvent the legislative process and implement a wide range of voting changes—at the last minute—are being applauded by the media. Hint: it has to do with “who wants a secure, trustworthy election and who doesn’t.”
     
• “More people voting in elections, a noble aim, is worthless if a majority don’t trust the result.” – Daniel Greer

• Taxpayers in Tarrant County racked up a win yesterday, with their county commissioners backing down from the pay raise they considered giving themselves. Robert Montoya has the details.
   
• Late last week the president of the True Texas Project, Fran Rhodes, sent an open letter to commissioners urging them to “do the right thing” and not give themselves the raise. “Shame on anyone who votes for this pay increase! Shame on all of you for even suggesting it at a time like this,” she wrote.
   
• Citizens must, like Fran Rhodes, speak up if they expect to be heard.

• The City of Austin bills itself as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” but advocates say up to 70 percent of the music venues could be gone unless coronavirus restrictions issued by the leftwing city council are lifted soon. Jacob Asmussen has the story.
        
• “Of the 50-something venues in the city, there’s going to be five or 10 left after this,” said Steve Sternschein, co-owner of Empire Control Room and co-founder of the National Independent Venue Association.
     
• Elections have consequences. Austinites have voted for – or tolerated the election of – a far leftwing city council... and are suffering the results.

• In what might pass for political heresy, grassroots leader Troy Jackson doesn’t believe the fight for liberty is over in Dallas County. He believes citizens can make a big difference in their communities by following their passions and reaching one person at a time. Check out the profile Robert Montoya wrote of Mr. Jackson and his efforts.
     
• Fair Warning: Troy Jackson is going to inspire you to get more involved!
     
• “I don’t believe that any one area, any one person, is lost.” – Troy Jackson

ONE CLICK SURVEY

Should Gov. Abbott call the GOP-controlled Texas House and Senate into session for the purpose of addressing the ongoing coronavirus “emergency” in the Lone Star State?