Good morning, 

What are you thankful for this year? Send me a couple sentences letting me know; I’ll use as many as I can in Thursday’s special edition of the Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Tuesday, November 24, 2020
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• Personally, I’m thankful for courageous pastors like Steve Riggle of the Houston-area’s Grace Church. He has been standing firm for the Gospel by standing up against the would-be tyrants using “public health” as an excuse to undermine our constitutional rights. 
      
• Pastor Riggle is organizing “Sing It Louder” to combat politicians’ restrictions on movement, assembly, and worship. He’s rallying Americans to gather on Sunday, Dec. 6, at city halls and courthouses to sing Christmas carols. Learn more on his website.
       
• Steve Riggle’s premise is simple: When the politicians want us silent, we should sing all the louder. To which I say: Amen!

• I’m also thankful for the example of guys like A.J. Ares, who understand that winning a fight requires standing up and speaking out.
      
• As Brandon Waltens reports, Llano High School junior A.J. Ares had signatures from 20 percent of the student body wanting to start a chapter of the national organization Turning Point USA. When Principal Scott Patrick said no, Ares refused to be sidelined or silenced. 
     
• With activists from the Llano Tea Party backing him up, and getting legal support from the Florida-based Liberty Council, Ares fought back. The school was forced to back down last week and is now allowing the club to be formed.

• Are you willing to fight the good fight? I hope so, because your free speech rights are under assault in Texas.
    

• The State of Texas has taken the position that any Texan who asks too many questions of legislators is subject to legal attack.
    

• In fact, the Texas Legislature through the speech regulators at the Texas (Un)Ethics Commission have decided that even a single communication – which any particular legislator dislikes – can trigger enforcement of the state’s opaque “ethics” laws. And once accused, you have to prove yourself innocent. 
    

• Let’s be clear: the Austin establishment wants to silence you.
     

• Grassroots activists shouldn’t be required to hire lobbyists or pay a $750 fee to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to “petition” the government. Yet right now that’s the de facto policy of the Texas Legislature and the speech regulators at the Texas (Un)Ethics Commission. 
     

• The Legislature has weaponized state law against the grassroots, while enabling the Austin lobbyists – many of whom work for government bodies against the citizens. Through statute and agency rule, lobbyists working for multinational corporations and local governments can spend millions of dollars personally benefiting politicians without any real disclosure. Yet citizens can be threatened with fines (and even criminal) penalties if they have the temerity to exercise their First Amendment rights.
     

• Will your state representative and state senator continue siding with the Austin lobby racket, or will they stand with the right of citizens to speak out? Are you sure? Have you spoken with them to know for sure?
     

• Now, more than ever, citizens must stand up, speak out, and be willing to fight back.

• On Monday, Nov. 30, the Legislative Budget Board will give Texans an early indication of whether lawmakers will responsibly address the state budget or engage in gimmickry to grow the size of government. How so? The LBB will meet to set the “constitutional limit” on the budget.
      
• In light of Texas’ economy, lawmakers should be cutting spending.
        
• Who is on the Legislative Budget Board? The members are: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, outgoing House Speaker Dennis Bonnen (R-Lake Jackson), State Sens. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills), Joan Huffman (R-Houston), Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood), and State Reps. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake), Mary González (D-San Elizario), and Oscar Longoria (D-Mission). 

• Lubbock continues to be ground zero for pro-life Texans, where activists are fighting valiantly to protect the unborn. In the latest episode of the Luke Macias Show, Luke shares the testimony of Shonda McCay Rodriguez, a woman who was attacked by Mayor Dan Pope for challenging the city’s narrative.

• In a new commentary, Marla Closen writes that liberty is collapsing around us because too few citizens are choosing to speak out.
   
• “If we continue to accept the gradual elimination of our liberties, we accept an authoritarian government planned for us by others.” – Marla Closen

• End 2020 on a great note by attending the Conservative Leaders Gala on Saturday, Dec. 5! This is the event for grassroots activists... because it is where grassroots activists are honored for fighting the good fight for a stronger Texas.
       
• So get your tickets now and join us for dinner on Saturday, Dec. 5!

Your State Lawmakers