Good morning!

Yesterday we asked if incumbent Republican lawmakers should be held accountable in the GOP primary for the House decision not to penalize Democrat quorum-breakers… And y’all feel very strongly about it!

But first, we continue the countdown of the year’s top stories as selected by our Texas Minute readers.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Wednesday, December 29, 2021
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Background: On Monday, we highlighted the #10 and #9 stories dealing, respectively with children being forced to undergo gender transitions, and parents waking up to public schools’ woke agendas. Yesterday we focused on election integrity fights (#8), and Democrats going unpunished after breaking the constitutional quorum (#7).

#6… Legislators Refuse To Restrain Executive Powers

• Despite promises throughout 2020 by Republican lawmakers – and despite having multiple opportunities to do so – the Texas Legislature failed to address both executive overreach and mask mandates in 2021. Jeramy Kitchen recaps what was the #6 storyline in readers’ ranking of the year’s top ten.
     
• As lockdowns and mandates were implemented in response to COVID, lawmakers expressed concern in feeling generally helpless and unable to address many of their constituents’ concerns. This, of course, was because legislators were not convened in a legislative session at the time and only the governor possesses the authority constitutionally to convene the legislative body in interim periods.
     
• The Texas Senate was generally quick to pass legislation reforming the emergency powers of both the executive branch (the governor) and those of local governments. Legislation authored by Republican State Sen. Brian Birdwell (Granbury) passed the Senate, but was never even granted a hearing in the Texas House.

#5… Abbott Ignores GOP Call For Special Session

• Despite activists, organizations, lawmakers, and his own political party imploring him to do so, Gov. Greg Abbott has thus far refused to call a special session devoted to addressing vaccine mandates. Instead, the governor has cited his executive orders as sufficient – even as they have been ignored by state agencies and private companies alike.
     
• Readers said the governor’s refusal to call a special session dedicated to addressing vaccine mandates was the #5 story of 2021. 
      
• On August 25, Abbott issued an executive order relating to prohibiting vaccine mandates and vaccine passports subject to legislative action. Yet various state agencies, including the Texas Military Department and various divisions of both the University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems, have proceeded with implementing vaccine mandates.
   
• The Republican Party of Texas has officially implored the governor to call a special session on the issue, which has been endorsed by 26 GOP lawmakers.

Today in History 

On Dec. 29, 1845, the U.S. Congress approved the annexation of Texas. Several months earlier, the Republic of Texas’ citizens voted overwhelmingly in support of statehood. The transition from Republic to State was made official Feb. 19, 1846.

Y’All Answered

Yesterday we asked if incumbent GOP lawmakers should be held accountable in the primary for the House Republican leadership decision not to penalize Democrat quorum-breakers. Respondents overwhelmingly want incumbent Republicans held accountable for not penalizing Democrats: 99.2 percent saying “yes,” to just 0.8 answering “no.”

Here’s a sample of the responses…

• “I am beyond fed up with Republican leadership in Texas!  They have done very little for us.” – Laura Morton
   
• “I am getting tired of voting for Republicans who go to Austin and vote like RINOs.” – Eleanor Edmondson
   
• “The problem with accountability in Texas is there are too many ‘Conservatives’ who get distracted by the mainstream media. Fox News puts Texas on a pedestal for the masses while true Conservatives watch our great State wither away by the likes of Greg Abbott, Dade Phelan (pronounced ‘Felon’), and others.” – Zack Dunnam
   
• “This will happen again…and again, because there is no penalty or repercussion for those who willfully disrupted the people’s business! It appears that the quorum busting was a planned and calculated act that the majority of the GOP supported and continue to support.” – Susan Gibson
   
• “Yes, we absolutely should elect and expect Republicans to ensure Democrat (and RINO) accountability.  The Republican Establishment's ‘go along to get along’ conduct in Austin and D.C. is badly damaging our nation, our state and our communities. We pay a serious price for Democrat shenanigans. Enough!” – Robert Lee
   
• “Bi-partisanship is a phrase used by legislators to sellout our liberties, all ‘for the greater good’ of their own pocketbooks. Democrats never yield and cannot be trusted. In times such as these conservatives cannot yield.  Republicans must be held to account!” – Kent Parker
   
• “Accountability for those who blatantly ignore and disrespect the people is paramount!” – Bathsheba Campbell
   
• “I’m disgusted by the lack of lawfulness and accountability in Texas.” – Kim Moore
   
• “GOP lawmakers are incentivizing bad behavior if these actions have no consequences. Voters also have a responsibility to elect better legislators and call out 'bravo sierra' on these abuses of power.” – Thomas Camardo
   
• “The Republican ‘Leadership’ needs to know that those of us who voted them in are watching. We are sick & tired of them getting in & forgetting who got them there. Perhaps if there were consequences for their inaction, they'll be a little more inclined to actually dole out consequences to the Democrats.” – Mary Philio
   
• “Bipartisanship is highly overrated.  It has come to mean, for the media and Democrats, you have to agree with them.” – Patrick Bell
   
• “While failing to hold the obstructionist Democrats accountable may not necessarily be a reason to vote for a primary challenger, at the very least, they should be required to explain their positions.” – Greg Milner
   
• “Bipartisanship only works one way with Democrats: their way.  I believe many Republican members are Democrat plants, including the Speaker.” – Robert Poimbeauf
   
• “If they think we've forgotten, they are wrong.” – Joseph Tortorice

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