Good morning!

For today’s One Click Survey, we’re asking why those who are wearing masks continue to do so.

But first, here is the Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Thursday, March 18, 2021

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Several of you experienced problems with the new Texas Directory [[link removed]]. Looks like all those bugs have been squashed, so I hope you’ll give it another try [[link removed]] with my apologies!

Facing imminent threat of a federal takeover of elections by Democrats in D.C., Republican state lawmakers have filed bills to “decouple” Texas’ elections from federal contests. Erin Anderson reports [[link removed]] on measures authored by Republicans Jacey Jetton [[link removed]] (Sugar Land) and Mike Schofield [[link removed]] (Katy).

The federal measure known as H.R. 1 is a top Democrat priority that seeks to transform how American elections are run by federally mandating a left-wing litany of lax voting processes. The bill would seize power from state legislatures and lock in DC-mandated voting rules similar to those that created chaos in 2020. Having already passed the Democrat-run U.S. House, the measure is now in the hands of the U.S. Senate, which has a 50-50 party split.

“Given how poorly the federal government manages many other agencies, I have no confidence in their ability to oversee elections across the country.” – Jacey Jetton [[link removed]] As the Biden Administration loosens border security, Texas is cracking down on human trafficking related to illegal border crossings. Jeramy Kitchen has the story [[link removed]].

Gov. Greg Abbott announced yesterday an expansion of Operation Lone Star, a project overseen by the Texas Department of Public Safety dealing with illegal border activity.

“President Biden’s reckless open border policies have created a humanitarian crisis that is enriching the cartels, smugglers, and human traffickers who often prey on and abuse unaccompanied minors.” – Gov. Abbott [[link removed]] Policy analyst Bill Peacock explains [[link removed]] that the Public Utility Commission had no authority – or even a good reason – to hike Texas electricity prices during the February storm. This is merely par for the course at the PUC, he adds.

“For much of the last decade, seemingly no regulation, no subsidy was beyond the PUC’s consideration for what once had been the most competitive and successful electricity market in the world.” – Bill Peacock [[link removed]] Speaking of Bill Peacock... be sure to check out the latest edition of his podcast The Liberty Cafe [[link removed]]. He discusses how our faith should influence our thinking about public policy. After a marathon meeting filled with hours of public testimony earlier this week, Jacob Asmussen reports [[link removed]] the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs approved seven pro-life bills that could eventually enact numerous protections for Texas children.

“We have to admit Texas is behind. This bill will protect the lives of our most precious Texans starting at the moment that little heart is beating,” said Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), an author of Senate Bill 8, in describing the marquee measure.

Nearly 53,000 Texans’ lives were ended by abortion in 2017, according to the latest state data. The legislative package will now head to the full Senate chamber for debate; if passed, the measures will be forwarded to the Texas House for consideration. A company that has proposed a “bullet train” to connect passengers from Dallas to Houston has had to overcome a number of political obstacles lately, reports Michael Swirsky [[link removed]]. Those have ranged from eminent domain authority to fiscal feasibility, but now some are questioning the outsized strain “Texas Central” could place on the state’s power grid.

Data presented by The Texan indicates the proposed train would consume enough electricity each day equivalent to powering nearly every home in El Paso.

Despite rural opposition and other concerns, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has nonetheless given the venture [[link removed]] his “full support.” In addition to a mask mandate on city property, Farmer’s Branch is mandating citizens show proof of receiving a coronavirus vaccination in order to use the city’s “active senior center” that offers exercise and computer classes, arts and crafts, and other services. Robert Montoya reports [[link removed]] that one council member has explained there are “no exceptions” for the vaccine mandate, not even on religious or medical grounds.

The city’s requirement would seem to run afoul of Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent executive order regarding the kinds of restrictions local governments can impose. ONE CLICK SURVEY

If you are still wearing a mask... are you doing so because you believe:

It protects you and those around you. [[link removed]] It is required to wear one. [[link removed]] It makes those around you comfortable. [[link removed]] Today In History

On March 18, 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act – but the discord it caused did lasting damage to the relationship between the British rulers and American colonists.

Quote-Unquote

“Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.”

– Ronald Reagan​

Your Texas Directory [[link removed]]

​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

Attorney General

Ken Paxton – R

(512) 463-2100

Comptroller

Glenn Hegar – R

(512) 463-4600

Land Commissioner

George Bush – R

(512) 463-5001

Commissioner of Agriculture

Sid Miller – R

(512) 463-7476

Railroad Commissioners

Wayne Christian – R

Christy Craddick – R

Jim Wright – R

(512) 463-7158

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Texas Senate, District

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PO Box 248, Leander, TX 78646 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).

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