Good morning,
Should tax money for education “follow the student”? That’s a question GOP voters will be asked on the March 1 primary ballot, and it is the question we’re asking in the One Click Survey.
Let us know what you think at the end of today's Texas Minute!
– Michael Quinn Sullivan
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
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New Conservative Ratings Reflect Lackluster Legislature
- The Young Conservatives of Texas have released their legislative ratings for the most recent legislative session, revealing a disconnect between conservative voters and the lawmakers representing them. Brandon Waltens reports on the results of the 24th consecutive rating of state lawmakers by YCT.
- YCT’s ratings were based off a selection of 55 votes in the House and 50 votes in the Senate, covering issues such as school choice, banning taxpayer-funded lobbying, limiting abortion, eliminating corporate welfare, and more. Despite the GOP holding commanding majorities in both chambers, the average rating in the House was a 48, while the average in the Senate was 57.
- In the House, two lawmakers tied for the top title, with State Reps. Steve Toth (R–The Woodlands) and Mayes Middleton (R–Wallisville) both receiving perfect scores of 100. The lowest scoring Republican in the House was State Rep. Kyle
Kacal (R–College Station), who earned a 47.
- In the Senate, State Sen. Bob Hall (R–Edgewood) earned the top score of 94, while State Sen. Kel Seliger (R–Amarillo) was the lowest scoring Republican in the chamber.
Texas Military To Troops: Don’t Talk To Press
- Amid recent problems plaguing the Texas Military Department — including reported unsanitary working conditions, continual pay delays, and suicides related to the “Operation Lone Star” mission at the Texas-Mexico border — their commander and chief executive officer has told struggling troops to think twice about sharing the issues with the public. Jacob Asmussen has the details.
- Last weekend, as troops’ frustrations continued and the problem has been exposed in the media and by political challengers to Gov. Abbott, Texas Military Department Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris sent an email to soldiers and airman urging them not to answer questions.
- Texas Scorecard has previously reported — and is continuing to investigate — a situation at the Texas Military Department where officials have not promptly paid Texas National Guard troops deployed at the southern border as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s operations.
- “I’ve had one soldier who went 42 days without pay. He was finally paid on October 11, but they’re saying that this next round of pay could be not until after November,” a source within the TNG told Texas Scorecard in October.
Lt. Col Allen West, former Republican Party of Texas chairman and current Republican candidate for governor, criticized the operation’s ultimate commander: Abbott. “This falls squarely on the shoulders of the person that ordered the commencement of Operation Lone Star and that’s you, Gov. Abbott,” said West.
Outlawing Abortion In Lindale
- Since June 2019, 39 cities around Texas have passed ordinances outlawing abortion in their jurisdictions. The residents of Lindale hope their city will soon join that list.
- Over the objection of their “conservative” city council, citizens activists in Lindale – located north of Tyler – are pushing for a ballot initiative as allowed under the city charter. Mark Lee Dickson has the details.
Quote-Unquote“If free markets weren't so damn efficient, they could never have survived, because they have so many enemies and so few friends.” – Milton Friedman |
Number of the Day
34
Number of days until early voting begins – on February 14 – for the March 1, 2022, primary elections.
[Source: calendar]
ONE CLICK SURVEY
The March 1, 2022, GOP Primary ballot will feature a series of policy-related non-binding questions placed there by the State Republican Executive Committee. One of those questions focuses on funding education. How will you vote?
“Texas parents and guardians should have the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student.”
Once you’ve clicked an answer, reply to this email with any thoughts you’d like to share!
Today In History
On Jan. 11, 1908, the Grand Canyon was designated a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt.
