Good morning!

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Modify your email preferences [[link removed]].

In what has become a monthly reminder of the serious effects of continuous economic shutdowns in response to the Chinese coronavirus, Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced on Tuesday [[link removed]] that sales tax collections in November were down 6.3 percent from 2019. In a heated battle for a North Texas State Senate seat, Gov. Greg Abbott is endorsing in the special election against a salon owner who was sent to jail as a result of his shutdown orders. Brandon Waltens has the story [[link removed]].

The special election in Senate District 30 runoff pits State Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) against political newcomer Shelley Luther. She made national headlines this year when she opened up her Dallas hair salon in defiance of state and local shutdown orders. As a result, she spent two days in jail and became the face of Texans’ growing frustration with politicians who had enacted stay-at-home orders, mandates, and shutdowns. After the Supreme Court of Texas ordered Luther’s release, the governor removed jail as a punishment for violating his mandate and allowed hair salons and barber shops to reopen.

In his endorsement, Abbott said: “Drew will work on behalf of North Texans to grow the economy, secure our border, and defend our Texas values.”

The governor’s endorsement of Springer came as little surprise to anyone, especially Shelley Luther.

“The entire Austin swamp knows I can’t be bought. They know I will serve Senate District 30 without any strings attached, and it terrifies them.” – Shelley Luther In a new commentary, Edward Rhetta and Maria Garcia explore [[link removed]] the significance of the Latino vote in the 2020 election.

“Latino voters went to the polls and finally voted for something different. If heavily Latino, deep-blue south Texas can see such a shift, perhaps the urban centers are next.” – Edward Rhetta and Maria Garcia [[link removed]] Yesterday’s Texas Minute asked readers about legislation being proposed by Democrats to legalize and tax marijuana as a way to raise revenues for the Lone Star State.

By a three-to-one margin – 77.8 percent to 22.2 percent – readers disapproved of the idea.

Texas GOP Chairman Allen West told me: “I have never smoked cigarettes, cigars, consumed alcohol, and certainly never used illegal drugs my entire life. Therefore, you should be able to ascertain my position on the issue of making a hallucinogenic drug legal. I enjoy the endorphin rush I get six days out of the week doing a 3.5 to 5 mile run and workout. Why do we want to promote legalization of a dangerous drug in Texas which is by all means a gateway to harder illegal drugs?” Y’all Answered

A sampling of the responses from yesterday’s One Click Survey.

“The issue is not more revenue. This issue is the elected representatives and Governor that can not make a decision by saying ‘No’ to spending increases. We could have all the money in the world, but if we can not stop spending it like it is an endless water faucet we will never fix the State's budget or our personal budgets.” – Greg R. of Lubbock

“Legalizing marijuana may increase revenues a bit in the short term, but it brings with it increased crime, increased homelessness, and increased mental health issues, all of which require revenue to combat. Seems like a losing proposition to me.” – Greg M. of Deer Park

“Marijuana should be legalized, but not for the purpose of raising revenue. It should be legalized because of the consistent failure of prohibition on so many levels. And no, I don't partake, nor do I intend to should it be legalized.” – David V. of Fort Worth

“Politicians can’t resist taxing anything. Remember back in the day when legalized gambling swept the country? All that money was going to pour into the school systems, thus reducing property taxes. Legalizing marijuana will only create additional problems that taxpayers will be forced to pay for.” – Chris C. of Spring

“The Democrats have already legalized rioting and chaos so legal weed doesn't surprise me.” – Ray H. of Kaufman

“Legalized marijuana in Texas would be one of the tipping points to leave the state.” - Susan T. of Dallas

“Politicians always give us the story that legalizing sin is a revenue source to help with the budget, but it really means more money they can use to create more government.” – Curly B. of Humble

“I sure wish your survey had had an option to ‘legalize and not tax’ cannabis products. It's the right thing to do, from a truly conservative standpoint.” – Neville N. of Lucas

“On the marijuana issue, if we legalize it, then how can we say that bringing drugs across the border is illegal?” – Marianne D. of Houston

“I don’t believe pot should be legalized, but I do think it should be decriminalized. The dems want it in the ballot in a presidential election in order to bring out the young vote.” – Rod D. of Weatherford

“Marijuana should be legal, not as a way to raise government revenue but simply because we all have the right to make decisions for ourselves. Legal alcohol but illegal marijuana is the height of hypocrisy.” – David H. of Houston

Number of the Day

$2.98 Billion

Total sales tax revenues collected by the State of Texas this November.

[Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts [[link removed]]]

Quote-Unquote

“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15.”

– Ronald Reagan​

Your Federal & State Lawmakers

U.S. Senator

John Cornyn - R

(202) 224-2934

U.S. Senator

Ted Cruz - R

(202) 224-5922

Governor of Texas

Greg Abbott - R

(512) 463-2000

Lt. Governor

Dan Patrick - R

(512) 463-0001

U.S. House, District

Update your address so we can show your congressman [[link removed]] -



Texas Senate, District

Update your address so we can show your state senator [[link removed]] -



Texas House, District

Update your address so we can display your state rep [[link removed]] -



Something not right?

Make sure we have your address right [[link removed]]!

REMINDER: These are the incumbent officeholders. Any changes resulting from the election will be made once the new individual takes office.

Manage / Update Your Email Preferences [[link removed]] Request A Speaker [[link removed]] Contribute [[link removed]] A product of Texas Scorecard

www.TexasScorecard.com

(888) 410-1836

PO Box 248, Leander, TX 78646

PO Box 700981, Dallas, TX 75370

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 we find interesting, and hope you do as well. It is delivered weekday mornings (though we'll take the occasional break for holidays and whatnot).

This message was originally sent to:

John xxxxxx |

If you ever stop receiving our emails, it might be because someone unintentionally removed you from the list. No worries; it is easy enough to reactivate your subscription immediately on our website.

[link removed]

Before you click the link below... If someone forwarded this email to you, clicking the link will end the subscription of [email protected]. Unsubscribe [link removed]