Good morning, 

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Wednesday, December 4, 2019
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• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott rushed yesterday to strip his endorsement from State Rep. Rick Miller following statements the Sugar Land Republican made in a newspaper interview about his Asian-American primary opponent. Distasteful? Yes. But, as Cary Cheshire writes, Miller’s record as a legislator alone was enough for taxpayers to pursue alternative representation.
       
• They won’t have the chance. Late yesterday afternoon Rick Miller ended his re-election bid saying he did not want to be a “distraction” in 2020. 
     
• Eyebrows were raised at how swiftly Abbott moved to ditch Miller after refusing to criticize lawmakers for far more egregious – unethical and even illegal – actions this fall. Former Republican State Sen. Konni Burton tweeted: “I'm trying to figure out the standard... things happened today in the #txlege, but the Speaker blatantly & habitually lying to members & a quid pro quo doesn't reach the standard for a reaction? And a Dem House member being caught & charged w/cocaine possession doesn't either? 🤷🏽‍♀️”
      
• Wondering the same thing here, ma’am. It’s almost like Gov. Abbott is more concerned with being invited on national cable news shows than he is producing real conservative results for Texas’ grassroots.
      
• A Texas family got a big win yesterday. The case of Drake Pardo horrified the state an nation, when the young boy was taken from his family by the state’s Child Protective Services under allegations that parents were medically abusing him despite any evidence. As Destin Sensky reports, a Kaufman County judge signed a dismissal agreement between CPS and the Pardo family – ending what has been called an “egregious miscarriage of justice.”
     
• In July, Texas Scorecard carried a three-part commentary authored by State Sen. Bob Hall (R–Edgewood), detailing CPS’s heavy-handed overreach in the case. The Pardo resides in the district he represents in northeast Texas.
      
• “This horrific travesty against this innocent family is symptomatic of the problems with CPS. How many more innocent children and families will have to suffer at the hands of CPS before the legislature acts?” – Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition
      
• Remember Robert Francis O’Rourke? After being rejected for the U.S. Senate and unceremoniously booted from the Democratic presidential contest, ol’ “Beto” is now urging his gun-grabbing followers to send in cash to turn the Texas House blue. Get the story from Brandon Waltens.
      
• Speaking of people who will never be in the U.S. Senate... Earlier this week, Dallas-area State Sen. Royce West, who is currently running for Democrats’ U.S. Senate nomination, dodged questions regarding his son’s proposal to build soccer fields on taxpayer property in the city of Dallas. Robert Montoya has the details.
          
• In a new commentary, Rachel Bovard praises “The Genius of Trump’s Terrorist Designation for Mexican Cartels.” She correctly reasons that border security will not be fully addressed until the Mexican state itself is a reliable partner in fighting the cartels.
      
• “More than 250,000 people have been killed in cartel violence since 2006, according to the Mexican government. Around 40,000 people remain missing.” – Rachel Bovard
     
• Despite growing concerns from citizens, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price is asking Gov. Abbott to continue allowing refugees into the Lone Star State. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring the federal government to seek the consent of state and local governments before resettling refugees in their jurisdictions. Price has sent a letter asking Abbott to continue granting such consent. Robert Montoya has the details.

• A Gonzales County commissioner is in hot water after state officials accused him of illegally dumping municipal waste on county property. As Shelby Hinna reports, Commissioner Kevin La Fleur is ironically listed as one of the area’s local officials who is committed to combating illegal dumping.
      
• Do as I say, not as a I do...
   
• On the other hand, Kelly Paulsen is a great example of someone who does what she says. Check out her encouraging story of practical activism. Liberty needs each of us to step up, put down the keyboard, and get involved!

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