Good morning,

Today I reflect on the unexpected joy found in an empty field.  

But first, here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Friday, December 13, 2019
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• After the Texas Legislature passed a law requiring local governments to disclose their contracts with taxpayer-funded lobbyists, State Rep. Mayes Middleton (R–Wallisville) is telling local governments it’s time to put up. Literally. Brandon Waltens reports Middleton’s office sent letters to every city, county, and school district in the state of Texas, requesting they post the newly-required taxpayer-funded lobbying disclosures on their website and send them to his office. 
      

• The Texas Municipal League, one of the state’s biggest taxpayer-funded lobbying organizations, sent a memo to its members urging them to treat Middleton’s letter as an open records request and release all contracts since 2010. They did not, however, respond to his request that they place the information on their websites.
   

• Middleton says the backlash just highlights the “immoral nature of taxpayer-funded lobbying.”
         

• If you were unable to make it to the 2019 Conservative Leaders Gala — or if you were there and want to hear it again — this week’s edition of Texas Scorecard Radio features Torch of Freedom Award winner Don Huffines’ rousing speech. Also, Tony McDonald chats with Brandon Waltens and Cary Cheshire about the shape of the 2020 elections as defined by the ballot filings.
     
• Despite a history of supporting left-wing Democrats and wanting to upend a pro-taxpayer city council in North Texas, Robert Montoya reports on the curious run of Colleyville resident Vanessa Steinkam for precinct chair in Tarrant County’s Republican Party.
      
• In a new commentary, District Judge Patricia Baca Bennett writes that using simple techniques to get out the vote can make all the difference in an election.
      
• Luke Macias reflects on “the obscure standard” of what kind of conduct Gov. Greg Abbott considers appropriate in considering his reactions to the cases of disgraced House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and State Reps. Rick Miller (R) and Poncho Nevarez (D).
     

• State law prohibits governmental entities from using taxpayer funds to campaign or electioneer for or against ballot measures, but Matt Stringer reports that records are just now being revealed that show the Midland Independent School District spent nearly $60,000 of taxpayer funds on election activities residents argue is unethical, at best, in promoting a massive $569 million bond election. As a result, the school district’s material just barely stopped short of expressly advocating for the bond.

Friday Reflection

One doesn’t usually get excited about an empty field. Now, the idea of what might go there can – a crop if you are a farmer, a new residential development or office park if you are a contractor. But an empty field?

Not a chance. We just drive by without a second glance.

Yet just outside Bethlehem is a field long-recognized as the place where 2,000 years ago shepherds were watching their flock at night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

– Luke 2:9-14, King James version

While Texans like to celebrate our farmers and our rural heritage, shepherds weren’t the toast of society in ancient Israel. Often dirty, coarse men, they definitely weren’t the polite company of the well-heeled pals of the Roman puppet King Herod.

Those shepherds didn’t start their evening watch expecting to be the recipients of such a message any more than their contemporaries (or any of us) would have expected them to have been. Scripture doesn’t record the reaction of the people of Bethlehem when the shepherds came dashing into town; I suspect it was somewhat incredulous.

The shepherds weren’t expecting to see an angelic host of God any more than the sleepy residents of Bethlehem were expecting the shepherds. And none were expecting to see the Messiah. But that’s how God works.

Glad tidings of peace don’t come when we expect it, but when (and how) God knows we need it. Wherever we are, let us be hopefully listening!

Your Federal & State Lawmakers