Good morning –

Battle lines are being formed in the Texas Legislature over giving the taxpayers’ money to “woke” corporations. Sound off in the One Click Survey.

Here is the Texas Minute for Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Texas House Of Groomers?

• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is taking aim at the handouts and benefits large corporations – like Disney – get from the state coffers even as they push a hard-left agenda in public schools. In recent weeks, Disney’s leadership announced its corporate opposition to a new Florida law cracking down on school practices used by child molesters and other predators, which is known as “grooming.”
      

• Speaking at the Lone Star Legislative Summit in Nacogdoches late last week, House Speaker Phelan—seen by many as a trusted ally of Gov. Greg Abbott—took aim at Patrick’s agenda. He reportedly told the audience of lobbyists that his chamber won’t engage in such debates, focusing instead on “serious” issues.
      
• Phelan might want to tell the other members of the House that the sexual exploitation of children isn’t “serious”…
      

• State Rep. Gary Gates (R–Richmond) sent a letter last week to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in support of Florida’s new anti-grooming law. He pledged to file similar legislation in Texas. His announcement was greeted with support from the House Freedom Caucus, of which Gates is a member. Texas GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi also gave Gates’ action a thumbs up.

       
• Perhaps the House Republican caucus will be fine with their speaker turning a blind eye to Disney’s support (with Texas taxpayer funds!) of sexual grooming… but it might be a harder political sell around the state’s kitchen tables. Heading into November, House Republicans will be forced to explain the nuances between Phelan’s position and that of Democrats rather than draw a clear, bold distinction.

• A lot of Republicans in the Legislature like to see just how close they can get to talking, and legislating, like Democrats without having to change parties.

Parental Rights In Education…

• Texas Scorecard asked GOP candidates in the May 24 runoff elections whether they support protecting children from harmful ideologies permeating classrooms.
      
• Those who answered said some really interesting things.
        
• Those who refused to answer are, by their silence, also saying interesting things…

Cruz Endorses Olcott

• As the May runoff election creeps up, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has endorsed conservative activist Mike Olcott over incumbent Rep. Glenn Rogers (R-Mineral Wells).
      
• “I’m proud to endorse Mike Olcott for Texas House District 60. Mike is a conservative who has walked the walk for years. He will fight every day to secure the border and he is a tireless champion for Texas. I hope my fellow conservatives join me in supporting his campaign.” – Ted Cruz
       
• This represents a high-profile split for Cruz from his former boss, Gov. Abbott, who endorsed Rogers in the race.

Abbott Candidate For Texas House Pushes Amnesty

• Gov. Greg Abbott’s candidate for the Texas House District 19 runoff has been a proponent of amnesty – allowing illegal aliens to remain in the country. Sydnie Henry has the story.
      
• “I implore our leaders to work with those who, though illegally here, but have shown no other criminal actions a reasonable way to earn lawful citizenship,” wrote Justin Berry on social media as far back as 2019.
      
• His runoff opponent, Ellen Troxclair, calls the position “troubling.” She told Texas Scorecard, “Our state and country are under attack, and border security is one of the most urgent issues we are facing. … We cannot afford to elect a pro-amnesty ‘Republican’ to the Texas House of Representatives.”
      

• Notably, Troxclair herself was endorsed by the pro-amnesty organization Americans for Prosperity. She previously told Texas Scorecard that she would reject the endorsement of Americans for Prosperity after confirming their stance on amnesty. As of publication, Troxclair has not confirmed whether or not she ultimately rejected the group’s support.

But Public Education Is About The Kids, Right?

• Dozens of Texas public school superintendents are taking home super-size salaries, according to newly released data from the Texas Education Agency. Erin Anderson has the story.

     
• The state agency report shows six school districts’ top administrators are receiving more than $400,000 in base pay for the 2021-22 school year. Another 55 superintendents are paid at least $300,000.
       

• “Public school enrollment is on the decline statewide, student outcomes are abysmal, and taxpayers are struggling to get by. If anything, superintendent pay should be trending down to better match realities on the ground,” observed James Quintero of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
      

• The lucrative salaries are supplemented by benefits like insurance; pension contributions; and allowances for cars, phones, and housing. They often include hefty retention bonuses as well.
     

• And then there are the unofficial perks… Like the Grand Prairie ISD superintendent spending $160,000 in taxpayer money on home remodeling while failing to notice the school district’s CFO had embezzled $600,000 in cash.
        

• “Our school administrators need some accountability, and our public schools need to learn some fiscal responsibility.” – Tim Hardin, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.

ONE CLICK SURVEY

House Speaker Dade Phelan does not think taxpayers care about the state investing government resources in “woke” companies, and says his chamber will focus on “kitchen table” issues. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Texas’ dollars should not be put under the control of “woke” corporate boards.

What do the folks around your kitchen table think?

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