Good morning,

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Tuesday, December 3, 2019
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• In Case You Missed It: The Democratic Party of Texas got their hands on the Texas GOP’s communications strategy document for the 2020 elections last week. No, it wasn’t a midnight break-in or computer hack... the document was handed to the Democrats by a careless Republican Party staffer who emailed it to them! Brandon Waltens has the details.
     
• Among the tidbits from the previously confidential document? GOP officials are expressing angst over the impact ending straight-ticket voting will have on the 2020 election. That was a policy-change promoted in 2017 by Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Republican lawmakers let straight-ticket voting continue through 2018 – a gubernatorial election year – but set the option to end in 2020.
     
• The Tarrant Regional Water District has paid taxpayer money to a company that is nowhere to be found. Robert Montoya reports on the deepening mystery surrounding a multi-million dollar ad campaign with a shadowy company that doesn’t seem to exist.
      
• Montoya visited the addresses for RO Two Media but discovered only empty offices; the company name was nowhere to be found, even on the building’s directory of tenants. 
      
• A whole trail of scandals and questions continues to follow TRWD’s handling of taxpayer money: earlier this year they were caught blowing $41,000 of taxpayer dollars on giving water accessories to elementary school students. They are also at the epicenter of the billion dollar Panther Island boondoggle, a massive and failing redevelopment plan overseen by the son of U.S. Rep Kay Granger.

• The city of Mercedes, Texas, spent $65,000 of the taxpayers’ money on a Christmas tree. David Vasquez reports the city also purchased two custom street signs for the tree and imported them from France for $27,000! The city manager told a local newspaper he is hopeful the $107,000 expense is “going to be a beacon of inspiration that will strengthen one’s spirituality once they see it and reflect upon the intent of the season.”
     
• Who knew beacons of inspiration were so expensive?
      
• You won’t be surprised to learn the Mercedes City Council refused to cut property taxes this year, which probably would have been a lot more inspirational for most residents.
     
• I don’t usually do “product plugs,” but I have to tell you about Texas-based Patriot Mobile. While AT&T and other “big cellular” companies fund rabid leftwing causes, Patriot Mobile is unapologetically conservative, contributing to conservative causes in Texas and around the country. They are a real alternative to “big mobile.” I’ve begun making the switch, and couldn’t be happier with their service.
       
• The dirty little secret is every mobile phone company uses the exact same towers – the coverage is almost indistinguishable. You can probably save a few bucks switching to Patriot Mobile, but more important than that is knowing you’re doing business with a company that shares your values!