Good morning,

Question of the day: How do you feel about your tax money being used to lure out-of-state businesses to Texas? Answer the One Click Survey and send me a reply with your thoughts.

But first, here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

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With 67 Democrats in the House almost assuredly in opposition to the omnibus Election Integrity measure, Jeramy Kitchen reports [[link removed]] they would theoretically need to convince just nine GOP members to side with them in killing the Republican Party of Texas’ top priority.

This is why it is significant that Texas-based companies like American Airlines and Dell are trying to kill House Bill 6. These companies are collaborating with Democrats against Republicans.

As of late Monday afternoon, there are still 20 Republican House members who are not signed [[link removed]] on as co-authors to H.B. 6: The list of those Republican lawmakers who have not yet signed on includes State Reps. Steve Allison [[link removed]] (San Antonio), Ernest Bailes [[link removed]] (Shepherd), Angie Chen Button [[link removed]] (Garland), David Cook [[link removed]] (Crowley), Tom Craddick [[link removed]] (Midland), Drew Darby [[link removed]] (San Angelo), John Frullo [[link removed]] (Lubbock), Gary Gates [[link removed]] (Rosenberg), Charlie Geren [[link removed]] (Fort Worth), Dan Huberty [[link removed]] (Humble), Todd Hunter [[link removed]] (Corpus Christi), Kyle Kacal [[link removed]] (College Station), Ken King [[link removed]] (Canadian), John Kuempel [[link removed]] (Seguin), Lyle Larson [[link removed]] (San Antonio), Morgan Meyer [[link removed]] (Dallas), Four Price [[link removed]] (Amarillo), John Raney [[link removed]] (Bryan), John Smithee [[link removed]] (Amarillo), and Gary VanDeaver [[link removed]] (New Boston).

With just 48 days left, House Bill 6 will likely be on the calendar to be considered by the overall House of Representatives in the next few weeks. Democrats and their cronies are busily demagoguing against any election reforms, but as Erin Anderson reports [[link removed]] Republicans hold all the legislative power in managing the outcomes of the legislative session.

“Our biggest hurdles at this point in the session are the games played with the clock.” – Jill Glover [[link removed]] The central Texas city of Round Rock’s mask mandate will be ending on April 22. Jacob Asmussen reports [[link removed]] the city council action came after feedback from citizens that real-world evidence has revealed it’s time for the government mask orders to stop.

The council’s original mandate, decreed in June of last year, forced every citizen over the age of 10 to wear a face covering “in public places when adequate social distancing is not possible” and required all businesses to post signs of the law. Those who disobeyed could be hit with expensive fines.

“The current mask ordinance is actively stifling the rights of the business owners who do not support this mandate and feel as if their health and well-being is being negatively impacted by wearing a mask for an extended length of time at work.” – Kara Hazen [[link removed]] With no debate, and under cover of the innocuous “local and consent” calendar, the Texas House on Friday expanded the ability of local governments to enter into contingent fee contracts with law firms to shake down their constituents [[link removed]] for unpaid taxes and fees.

Tony McDonald explains [[link removed]] in a new commentary how lawmakers hide important legislation in plain sight, such as House Bill 1428 by State Rep. Dan Huberty (R–Houston). The only witness for the bill in committee was an attorney with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, “a national law firm with a practice dedicated to the collection of delinquent government receivables.”

“Like the Roman tax collectors from biblical times, who personally profited off the taxes they collected for the empire, Linebarger’s use of contingent fee contracts means they profit directly from the collection of taxes for their government clients. Every time they shake more money out of a taxpayer, a significant slice of that collection goes straight into their pockets. And their profits are staggering; the firm reports annual revenue north of $300 million.” – Tony McDonald [[link removed]] While Fort Worth mayoral candidate Brian Byrd is competing against Ann Zadeh—one of the most liberal city council members—both have worked together to hike Fort Worth homeowners’ tax bills, while giving a sweetheart deal to a developer for a high-rise in Zadeh’s district. Robert Montoya has the details [[link removed]]. ONE CLICK SURVEY

Should out-of-state companies be given Texas taxpayers’ money for the purpose of expanding or re-locating their operations in the Lone Star State?

Yes [[link removed]]

... or ...

No [[link removed]] Number of the Day

48

Number of days remaining in the 87th Session of the Texas Legislature.

[Source: Texas Constitution; calendar]

Today In History

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743.

Quote-Unquote

“Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.”

– Thomas Jefferson​

Your State & Federal 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

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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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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