Good morning,

The legislature’s ban on Critical Race Theory in public education hasn’t stopped schools from sending employees (and taxpayer money) to CRT conferences… And you’ll find out what your fellow readers think about the 2022 race for attorney general.

All of that – and more – in the Texas Minute for Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Texas Lt. Gov. “Outraged” Over State Pensions

• The State of Texas invests billions of dollars through its public pension funds, racking up sizable shares in publicly traded companies. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is speaking out against one taxpayer-funded pension system working against Texas’ interests. Brandon Waltens has the story.
       
• At issue are reports that the Employees Retirement System of Texas is working with leftist activists to push extremist environmental policies that run specifically counter to the policy goals established by lawmakers.
     
• “I am outraged by news that the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) has voted by proxy for numerous shareholder resolutions that go against the spirit of laws passed by the 87th Texas Legislature,” said Patrick. “Moving forward, ERS has pledged to review and modify its voting policies with its voting proxy to address my concerns.”
      
• Just last month, Patrick suggested that Texas should remove its $93 million in investments in Disney following the company’s vocal opposition to anti-grooming legislation in Florida.

School Districts Sent Employees To CRT Conference

• Despite a state ban on teaching Critical Race Theory, Katy Drollinger reports four major school districts spent more than $26,000 on an education conference focused on the controversial teaching practice. And even the Texas Education Agency itself sent an employee to the three-day event.
      
• SXSW EDU is a liberal conference affiliated with the South by Southwest festival held in Austin every year. The various programming tracks are used by attendees to fulfill continuing education requirements. One of these tracks – Equity and Justice – centers around “addressing work championing equity, justice, access, diversity, and inclusion in education and beyond, including social and economic disparities, culturally responsive teaching, anti-racism practice, LGBTQ+ issues, and more to ensure equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.”
     
• The four school districts include Austin ISD, Fort Worth ISD, San Antonio ISD, and Round Rock ISD. All have experienced scandals, and at least three have been shown – through their own reporting – to be failing to educate pupils.
     
• Parents and taxpayers must decide if sacrificing students’ literacy and math skills for climate change and critical race theory is a worthy exchange.

SD 24 Runoff: Reyes and Flores

• Pete Flores and Raul Reyes are competing for the Republican nomination to represent Senate District 24, which covers a dozen Central Texas counties. Sydnie Henry reviews the race.
      
• Pete Flores previously served one session in the Texas Senate, having been elected in a special election and then defeated by a Democrat. He has raked in endorsements from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Ted Cruz, as well as from Gov. Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump, among others. Flores has raised more than a million dollars for his campaign.
       
• Raul Reyes is an Air Force veteran and small-business owner who sought a congressional seat in 2020. His endorsements run mostly from grassroots-oriented organizations, such as the True Texas Project, Grassroots America, Texas Eagle Forum, and Gun Owners of America, as well as Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. He has raised approximately $330,000 for his campaign.
   
• Check out the article to see how they stack up on various issues.

Fleck: Grabbing The ‘Whole Child’

• Public schools are failing to educate children because, Jennifer Fleck explains in a new commentary, the system has become infatuated with taking on the “whole child.” 
     
• “Teachers, for the most part, are great, but they are not called to babysit 3-year-olds in state-funded pre-K, provide mental health care, endure violent behavior, navigate sexual and gender orientation, teach to the test, balance competing directives from administration and parents, cultivate social justice warriors, collect private student data, etc.,” writes Fleck. “It’s too much to ask.”

Woolsey: Yes, Renters, You Pay Property Taxes

• Those thinking they are exempt from caring about property taxes because they rent an apartment don’t realize just how much the burden falls on their wallet, explains Chris Woolsey in a new commentary.
   
• “As rent continues to climb for Texans every year, understanding how property taxes contribute to your monthly bill is critical,” writes Woolsey. “Using the safest estimate for an example, if your rent is $1,800 each month, somewhere around $250-$350 of that rate is going toward property taxes.”

Yes, it is May the 4th… 

• For all my nerdy Star Wars friends, and especially my super-nerdy son and his friends… May the Fourth be with you!

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Y’All Answered

On the May 24 primary runoff ballot, Texas Republicans and Democrats are deciding who will get their respective party’s nomination to head the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. Yesterday, we asked who Texas Minute readers wanted as the next A.G.

Overwhelmingly, respondents chose Ken Paxton (95.87%), leaving George P. Bush (2.39%) just barely ahead of “a Democrat” (1.74%).

• “A choice between George P. & ‘a Democrat’ is redundant.” – Tara Souther
       
• “I did not endorse Ken in the primary, though I've endorsed him in every election before and call him a friend. … Ken is one of those rare politicians who is open to being held accountable and taking his lumps. He has my full support in the runoff. ” – Julie McCarty
      
• “If George P. Bush were named George P. Smith would he even be considered for Texas A.G.? Seriously, what has George P. Bush done to deserve the position?” – David Peters
       
• “The only reason Bush is running is because the elites are afraid of Paxton's winning record against the overreaching federal government. He scares them because he isn't under their control.” – Kimery McKaskle
     
• “Many object to George P. Bush either because of his heritage or his relatively minimal experience, but at least he has not abused his office as Paxton has been accused of doing. At least Bush is not suspected of securities fraud, as is the case with Paxton. Let's elect a new attorney general; one with a clean slate.” – David Holden
        
• “Paxton has had his troubles, but most every time, it has been found that the accusations were unfounded and politically motivated. In today's environment, I question the legitimacy of any accusations that are hurled against someone that is actually accomplishing things or is in some way ‘upsetting the apple cart.’ I think there is something going on that will be revealed in due time that will demonstrate that Paxton is not guilty and shine a bright light on his accusers.” – Roger Taylor
       
• “I detest political ‘dynasties.’ Cold day in hell before I’d vote for another Bush – especially one that is endorsed by unions.” – Cheryl Alexander
       
• “The only difference between a Democrat and George P. Bush is that one is telling you what they really are and the other is a RINO.” – David Demaree
        
• “Ken Paxton has served Texas well and represents the majority of Texans, conservative or otherwise. George P. Bush with his schemes to ruin the Alamo, and his RINO family, have not and do not.” – Madeleine Myers
      
• “After attempting to remove the Cenotaph from its place in San Antonio, Mr. Bush needs to return to private life and be reminded what it is to be Texan.” – William Potter
     
• “Ken has proven himself ready and capable of taking immediate action to defend the rights of Texas and of Texans against federal overreach and other encroachments.” – Gay Armstrong
      
• “When it comes to this race for Texas AG, I find it time to remember what our Texas forefathers said: ‘Remember The Alamo.’ One candidate tried his best to ruin and rewrite its history. He doesn’t deserve our support.” – Rick Goncher
      
• “Ken Paxton has been ‘swimming against the tide,’ fighting for what is right, and often standing nearly alone his entire public life. And he did it when it wasn’t cool. He’s one of the main reasons Texas is so well positioned on so many different issues.” – Robby Hurt
       

• “Lies have been perpetrated about these charges, and Texas voters are being deceived. Paxton wants his day in court to clear it up. Soros-sponsored DA’s are leading the effort to defeat Ken; we have to stop it!” – Kirk Lewis

Your Federal & State Lawmakers

The districts displayed here should reflect those recently redrawn by the Legislature. Though the new lines do not take representational effect until 2023, they will appear on the 2022 ballot. Please note that your incumbent legislator and/or district numbers may have changed.