Good morning, 

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Modify your email preferences.

• A fight is brewing in the state Capitol to bring casinos to Texas, and the lieutenant governor says he’ll stop the effort before it even begins. Jacob Asmussen reports that despite past failures, big casino tycoons from out of state are working with Democrats to push gambling proposals through the legislature this year.
      
• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Tuesday that sports betting, casinos, and other gambling-related efforts don’t have a chance this year.

• With the House and Senate committees firmly established, Jeramy Kitchen reviews the prospects for the Texas GOP’s legislative priorities. 
   
• Because the partisan and ideological makeup of each committee helps determine the fate of bills making their way through the legislative process, Kitchen examined conservative rankings of members on the major committees most likely to receive “priority” legislation.

• Meanwhile, Brandon Waltens looks at the Democrat who has been tagged for the “No. 2 spot” running the Texas House.
     
• Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) has appointed El Paso Democrat Joe Moody to be speaker pro tempore. As prescribed by the rules of the Texas House, the speaker pro tempore position is given to a trusted lieutenant at the speaker’s pleasure. Moody also held the post in 2019 under the tenure of disgraced former Speaker Dennis Bonnen.
      
• An outspoken liberal since entering the Legislature in 2009, Mr. Moody has had a banner in his office accusing Republicans of racist intent for passing Senate Bill 4—the ban on sanctuary cities that passed during the 2017 regular session. He is also a longtime proponent of gun control and authored “red-flag” legislation that would allow courts to confiscate Texans’ guns.

• A survey of Texas’ classroom teachers finds they are concerned both with the quality of curriculum they’re teaching and whether they have enough time to prepare lessons according to state law requirements. Tera Collum has the details.
   
• A recurring sentiment found throughout the survey – which was sponsored by Teachers for Texas – was that school districts and the state are spending taxpayer money on frivolous ventures that don’t produce results.

• Texas Caregivers for Compromise says families are still encountering problems when attempting to visit their loved ones in nursing homes. As Robert Montoya reports, the organization wants the Texas Legislature to end emergency rules dictating families’ abilities to visit nursing home residents, set clear visitation policies now that Chinese coronavirus vaccines are available, and let the public have input in the policies.
      
• Last September citizens sued Gov. Greg Abbott for banning families from being with their loved ones in nursing homes. Days later, he restored visitation rights for much of the state, but attorney Warren Norred cautioned at the time that Abbott’s move wasn’t enough.

• A poll by Scott Rasmussen and reported by Ballotpedia finds 72 percent of voters “think political elites believe they are superior to everyday Americans.”
      
• This is probably best explained by our nation’s political elites’ words and actions every day telling Americans precisely that.

• Hayden Sparks writing at The Texan reports 253 illegal immigrants were taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in South Texas late last week. 
   
• “Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation.” – statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Your Federal & State Lawmakers