Democrats have a plan to turn Texas blue. What’s the GOP doing?

Good morning!

Democrats have a plan to take over Texas. I reflect on the need for real rest. And we dish up some ice cream.

Also, when you have time this morning I invite you to find out what House Speaker Dennis Bonnen asked me to do [[link removed]]... and what he promised in exchange.

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Friday, July 26, 2019

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Texas Democrats have their eyes on taking over Texas, and a newly released plan lays out how they aim to finally turn Texas blue. Brandon Waltens reports [[link removed]] the Democrats’ campaign plan could spell trouble for the Republican Party of Texas, which is coming off of a state legislative session in which none of their legislative priorities were passed.

Texas Democrats say they will invest in increasing mail-in ballots, voter registration, and party-led training and resources to help candidates down the ballot.

What, exactly, is the GOP plan to save Texas? Where is Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan? The Democrats are coming and the Republicans are...?

With Congress poised to begin its month-long August break, some congressional Republicans can go home with a record demonstrating a commitment to fight for conservative principles. Others might have some explaining to do. Three U.S. Representatives from Texas have perfect conservative ratings [[link removed]], according to FreedomWorks. They are: Michael Cloud (Congressional District 27), Lance Gooden (CD 5), and Chip Roy (CD 21). Five more Republicans—Ron Wright (CD 6), Van Taylor (CD 3), Randy Weber (CD 14), Kenny Marchant (CD 24), and Louie Gohmert (CD 1)—have ratings in the 90s.

At the other end of the spectrum [[link removed]], Will Hurd (CD 23) is the only Republican rated under 50 percent. Hurd’s 39 percent rating with FreedomWorks makes him the fourth most liberal Republican in the entire GOP. His mid-year rating with FreedomWorks puts him closer to the Democrats’ scores than the Texas GOP average.

For the first time in almost a decade, the City of Plano is not raising property taxes. Erin Anderson reports [[link removed]] the city council plans to adopt a budget based on the “effective” tax rate—also called the “no new taxes” rate because it collects the same amount of property tax revenue overall from the same properties taxed the previous year.

Later today, Cary Cheshire will publish a report at TexasScorecard.com [[link removed]] on the ignoble death of “constitutional carry” – the big gun-rights initiative of the Republican Party of Texas.

Saturday will by the 15th birthday of my over-six-foot son. Happy birthday, Q! Friday Reflection

Where do you go to recharge? Where’s your base of operations?

Walking through the ruins of the city of Capernaum last year, I thought about home. Nothing about it reminded me of my home, but because it was Jesus’ hometown during the years of his public ministry – that time stretching from his baptism in the Jordon by John the Baptist through his resurrection three years later – I couldn’t help but think about where I hang my hat.

When our Empower Texans group arrived, we were the only ones there. It had been raining that morning and the air was cool. Right there is what’s widely understood to be the home of Peter the Apostle. Just steps from that is where the synagogue at which Jesus taught and worshipped stood – though the remains of the synagogue you see are of one built over the site of Jesus’ place of worship.

More importantly, Capernaum was Jesus’ base of operations. Think about that; the Son of God sometimes needed a break, a place to collect His thoughts, and this is apparently where he went. That’s not to recommend the ruins of Capernaum as a retreat center. Indeed, Capernaum was cursed by Jesus in Matthew 11 because its people were unrepentant. Yet this is also the city where a paralyzed man was lowered through a roof by his friends so he could be healed by Jesus.

Capernaum was a complicated place, which makes it fittingly human.

Fighting for liberty, for self-governance... even just working to get by... can be incredibly taxing. We like to tell ourselves we don’t need a break, that our passion can power us through.

And then there is Capernaum. And then there is Jesus.

There is no evidence Jesus owned a home in Capernaum; he probably stayed with Peter’s family and others when there.

Where’s your base, your place of rest? George Washington had Mount Vernon. Thomas Jefferson had Monticello. I have a leather recliner with a side table for my coffee mug.

Jesus taught and healed people in Capernaum, Washington worked the fields of Mount Vernon. (I binge watch Criminal Minds and draft the Texas Minute on my recliner.)

The point is that everyone needs a place to go – not a comic book “fortress of solitude,” but a place to collect themselves. When God created the universe, Scriptures say He took a day of rest (I contend He did that in Texas, but some so-called theologians disagree). Each of us need that, also. A day and a place.

Find a place to rest. You deserve it. You need it. We all do.

Thursday Question, Friday Answers

Yesterday I asked about your favorite flavor of Blue Bell ice cream. Here’s a tasty sampling that might convince you to head to the grocery store.*

Kathleen Wells suggests Pecan Praline, a choice echoed by our own Cary Cheshire.Alan Dalley reaches for Tin Roof: “Chocolate covered peanuts in a vanilla ice cream with fudge ripples throughout. What's not to love?” Just save some for Glenn DuPont.Don Keener makes a good case for “Old Fashioned Vanilla! It can go on just about any desert or eaten by itself. Also it reminds me of the homemade ice cream I churned years ago.”Rod Dixon cheers on the Cookie Two Step, while Steve Nulf is a fan of Blackberry Cobbler.

* I’ll take the blame for blown diets.

Quote-Unquote

“Whenever there is a proposal for a tax cut, media pundits demand to know how you are going to pay for it. But when there are proposals for more spending on social programs, those same pundits are strangely silent.”

– Thomas Sowell​

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Dan Patrick - R

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Texas Scorecard & Texans for Fiscal Responsibility

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PO Box 36875 | Houston, TX 77236 The Texas Minute is a quick look at the news and info of the day that we find interesting, and hope you do as well. It is produced on week days and distributed at 6 a.m. (though I'll probably take the occasional break for holidays and whatnot). Like [link removed] Tweet [link removed] Forward [link removed] Unsubscribe [link removed]