Good morning, 

We asked readers yesterday if they consider themselves to be “grassroots activist.” No matter how you answer that question, you will probably find yourself – like me – agreeing with and appreciating the honest self-reflection and assessment of our fellow patriots.

Here is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Chinese Infiltration 🇨🇳
Confucius Institutes In Texas Higher Education

• Texas Scorecard’s Investigations Team has been tracking the influence Communist China is building in the Lone Star State. This week, the first in a series of stories is focused on the Chinese government’s infiltration of education – providing a glimpse at how China is bringing its unique form of totalitarianism and communism to the Lone Star State.
       
• Kristen Stanciu explains that while many of the Chinese-funded institutions and front groups she tracked have closed or rebranded in Texas, the investigation reveals what many have suspected for years: a money trail between American education and the Chinese government that is deeper and longer than appearances would suggest.
      
• In 2004, the Chinese Communist Party began infiltrating higher education in Texas, the U.S., and around the world with the innocuous sounding “Confucius Institute.” Using the name of an ancient Chinese philosopher as a Trojan Horse, the Confucius Institutes are tied deeply with the geopolitical aspirations of Beijing.
      
• In 2021, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed several pieces of legislation requiring colleges and universities to disclose any foreign grants greater than $50,000, a move which “effectively bans ‘Confucius Institutes’ from operating in Florida.”
     
• For many Texas schools and universities, the phase of signing black-and-white agreements to establish Confucius Institutes in universities has ended. But connections between Texas universities and high schools with institutions tied to the Chinese Communist Party still exist.
        
• Part II of the series will be released at noon today, looking more closely at the universities that have invited the Confucius Institute on campus, as well as the details of those deals.

Half-Million Got Away

• Since Oct. 1, 2021, at least 500,000 people have illegally entered the country and avoided arrest. Juliana Berg has the story.
      
• “The staggering increase in illegals crossing our border that we know nothing about is a serious threat to our communities. Biden’s open borders policies are taking their toll, and with increases like this, it’s clear things are only getting worse.” – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

Border Solutions

• In this week’s edition of his show, Luke Macias has a thoughtful conversation with former Virginia Attorney Ken Cuccinelli about solutions to the border crisis.
     
• Cuccinelli now works with the Center for Renewing America, where he has been at the forefront of describing the border crisis as an invasion. Find out more on the Luke Macias Show.

GOP Members Refuse To Condemn Conservative Lawmakers

• An attempt by Republican leadership in the Texas House of Representatives to formally censure three of their own members for supporting challengers to liberal incumbents failed on Tuesday. Brandon Waltens has the details.
      
• The vote by the Republican Caucus is considered by many to be a rebuke of the heavy-handed bullying by allies of House Speaker Dade Phelan. The chamber leadership was attempting to censure three House members – two of whom didn’t seek re-election – for supporting conservative challengers to liberal incumbents.
        
• “The Republican Caucus voted overwhelmingly against censure of members who shine a light on liberal members of the caucus.” – State Rep. Steve Toth

School District Isn’t Following Law To Protect Kids

• How many school districts are taking school safety seriously? If one Central Texas district is any indication, parents might want to start asking a lot of questions before classes start next month. Sydnie Henry reports a committee charged under law with protecting the safety of students hasn’t been properly meeting in the Round Rock ISD.
     
• The committee is required under law to meet once per semester (fall and spring) as well as once in the summer. State law stipulates the committee should include, among others, “the president of the district’s board of trustees” and “a member of the district’s board of trustees other than the president.” Yet when the RRISD committee met last week, the board president and trustee were nowhere to be seen.
      
• “How can parents have confidence that our students are safe in RRISD schools when the one committee assigned to keeping them safe is not meeting regularly and is not attended by the required members?” asked district parent Christie Slape.
     
• Slape has cause for concern. She found bond money, approved by voters in 2018 to address school safety issues, hasn’t been used for the purposes intended. She wants answers.
      
• Parents and taxpayers should contact their local school district for information on their local School Safety and Security Committee meetings, and ask what specifically is being done to protect Texas kids.

Wednesday Is Kambree Day!

• Kambree Nelson’s show is on 🔥!
     
• Her latest episode goes live at 5 p.m. today. She’ll be talking abortion (and life) politics with Elizabeth McClung.

Chaos In Austin’s Civil Rights Office

• A so-called “Office of Civil Rights,” created by the Austin City Council at the height of post-George Floyd mania, is collapsing on itself. Adam Cahn has the all-too-predictable details of what happens when bureaucracies go woke.
     
• The department’s director, Carol Johnson, has been placed on administrative leave following allegations she created a “hostile workplace environment. What did she do? She required employees to work in their offices.
     
• Ohhh, but she allegedly wasn’t showing up for work herself. Figures.
     
• Frankly, taxpayers would be better off if most bureaucrats simply didn’t show up…

And Finally…

• Please join me in wishing a very happy 18th birthday to my son! Seems like just yesterday he entered the world small and helpless, and now he’s heading out – big and strong – to make his mark. “Be strong and courageous.”

Y’All Answered

Yesterday, we asked readers if they consider themselves to be grassroots activists. Of those who responded, 87.95 percent answered “yes,” while 12.05 percent said “no.”

Interestingly, several of the people who said “no” did so because they see what they do – what most folks would consider “grassroots activists” – as nothing extraordinary, and simply fulfilling their basic duty as citizens!

• “God, country and truth. There are more of us than them.” – Nickki Cluck
      
• “With the drought of proper leadership, the grassroots are tinder for a flame of activity come this election season!” – Arthur Potter
   
• “I don’t think what we are doing here is activism, it is just doing our duty as patriotic citizens to try to know what’s going on, and making our voices heard.” – Louise Herrmann
      
• “An activist isn't just the person at a rally fighting the man, it's those activating change in their own spheres of influence – homes, churches, schools, and workplaces.” – Dawn Bentley
     
• “I consider myself to be a conservative grassroots activist.  If the Republican party purged the RINOs, I might consider identifying as a Republican.” – Jim Moyer
     
• “I want to help fight for our Freedom!” – Gene Klutts
      
• “I consider myself a conservative grassroots activist who fights for the first principles of liberty in Texas.  I have and will continue to work at the local, state and federal levels of government to fight for a government by the people, for the people rather than American Marxists and corrupt special interests in both parties.” – Dale Huls
      
• “A grassroots activist actively engages in activities that forward the cause such as letter writing campaigns, organize meetings to inform etc.” – Garry Ludwig
      
• “If it's believing in God, Country and the freedom to STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT when something​ is going awry – then I am a Grassroots Activist!” – Bill Calvert
      
• “Tough question... had to look at the realization of my lack of participation in politics. I am VERY conservative, and very opinionated as to my ideals; thus I feel I am grassroots. Although I regularly share memes on FB, and answer and reply to most of your surveys, I don't really consider that being an activist. I do vote every chance I get. So.... maybe?!” – Reid Davidson
     
• “If I was not before, I’m now a grassroots activist.” – Mark Juelg

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.