Good morning!

The One Click Survey asks about your confidence in Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Phelan to prevent more Democrat obstructionism on election integrity reforms.

But first, here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Thursday, June 24, 2021
Modify your email preferences.

Limiting The Growth of Government 

• Capping the growth of state spending at the rate of population plus inflation has been a priority of conservatives for years. In the latest installment of Texas Scorecard’s Autopsy Reports on the 87th Legislative Session, Brandon Waltens looks at the importance of diligence in fighting for good public policy. 
   
• The fight for strengthening Texas’ constitutional spending limits didn’t begin this session. For years, citizens have fought to put a stronger limit in place. 
   
• This year, legislation by State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) finally made it through both chambers, to the governor, and now into law.
   
• The new limit will not take effect until the budget that will be crafted in 2023, and won’t apply to federal funds. Similarly exempt will be appropriations for “costs associated with recovery from a disaster declared by the governor,” as well as funds dedicated to tax relief.

• Republicans must not squander this historic opportunity. With the spending limit now in law, they should – immediately – act to direct all future surplus dollars to eliminating school property taxes.
       
• Limiting the growth of government is good, but significantly and meaningfully reducing the actual property tax burden on Texans is even better.

Testing Biden’s Impairment

• U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R–Amarillo) is calling on President Joe Biden to take a cognitive test. Thomas Warren has the details.
   
• In a letter to the president and his physician signed by 13 Members of Congress – including Texas Republicans Brian Babin (Woodville), Pat Fallon (Sherman), and Beth Van Duyne (Irving) – Dr. Jackson noted several instances in which he believed Biden had shown “mental decline and forgetfulness.”
     
• “I would argue that the American people don’t have that confidence in President Biden. When I was physician to President Donald J. Trump, the liberal media relentlessly pushed a narrative that he needed a cognitive test and that it should be the standard for anyone serving as Commander-in-Chief and Head of State. I administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test, and President Trump excelled. Given the precedent set and Biden’s clear mental impairment, I believe it is past time he undergo a cognitive test.” – Ronny Jackson

VP to El Paso on Friday 

• Politico is reporting that Vice President Kamala Harris will visit El Paso on Friday to (finally) visit the border after weeks of haranguing by Republicans like U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
   

• Translation: the Democrats’ internal polling shows that Harris and her sock puppet, Joe Biden, look bad for not having bothered to visit the border.

Christian Goes For Second Term

• Wayne Christian announced his bid for a second six-year term as a Republican on the Texas Railroad Commission. Comprised of three commissioners each elected statewide to staggered terms, the Railroad Commission – despite its name – has nothing to do with railroads. Instead, the agency oversees regulations for the oil and gas industry.
   
• “Over the course of my first term, I have seen Texas lead America closer to energy independence than we have been in over 50 years. Unfortunately, COVID-19 and the election of President Biden have shown us the fragility of that independence and the importance of having principled conservative leaders overseeing our energy policy,” said Christian in a media statement.
     
• No other candidates have announced against him for the 2022 election cycle.

Sterling City Bans Abortions

• In a unanimous vote of the city council, Sterling City – 70 miles southeast of Midland and 40 miles northwest of San Angelo – has become the 32nd city in the nation to pass an ordinance outlawing abortion within its city limits. Mark Lee Dickson writes about the local activism that led to the measure’s passage.

Has A ‘Techlash’ Arrived? 

• In a new commentary, Rachel Bovard explains how a series of antitrust measures aimed at Big Tech will test Republicans’ resolve to “address the dominant market power and potentially anti-competitive practices of the major Big Tech companies.
   
• “The ‘techlash,’ in other words, is finally more than just strongly worded letters, pointed questions with little follow-through, or made-for-YouTube chest-thumping at congressional hearings. It now has meaningful and bipartisan legislative form, with a guarantee of committee consideration.” – Rachel Bovard

ONE CLICK SURVEY

While we still don’t know officially what issues will be on the July 8 special legislative session that has been called by Gov. Greg Abbott, he previously indicated election integrity will be on the list. Democrats, meanwhile, have said they will seek to obstruct those reforms.

Are you confident Gov. Abbott and Speaker of the House Dade Phelan will prevent Democrats from obstructing election integrity reforms in a special session?

Once you’ve clicked an answer, reply to this email with any thoughts you’d like to share!