Good morning,

Y’all definitely had some thoughts regarding the Chinese Communist Party and their frontmen owning land in the Lone Star State. Find the results, and news from around the state, in today’s Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan
Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 

More Counties Declare Invasion

• More and more counties across the state are issuing disaster declarations regarding the border crisis. They are imploring Gov. Greg Abbott to use his constitutional authority to declare an invasion of the state. Sydnie Henry has the details.
     
• Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 allows governors to declare invasions and take action. Ken Cuccinelli, senior fellow for the Center for Renewing America, explained at a conference last week that the Biden administration is certain to oppose any such efforts. This means any state whose governor takes such an action will need the support of lawmakers.
     
• Arizona’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake has already promised that an invasion declaration would be her first act as governor.
     
• There are now 28 Texas counties officially urging Gov. Abbott to declare an invasion. Those include: Clay, Jack, Hunt, Montague, Hood, Kinney, Goliad, Terrell, Parker, Wise, Edwards, Atascosa, Presidio, Tyler, Live Oak, Rockwall, Johnson, Wilson, Hardin, Chambers, Ellis, Orange, Liberty, Throckmorton, Madison, Jasper, Van Zandt, and Wichita.

🇨🇳 Chinese Infiltration of Texas: Commerce 🔊

• The new season of our EXPOSED podcast is launching this week, focusing on the Chinese Infiltration of Texas. Episodes 1, 2, and 3 launched earlier this week, and episode four is available right now. You can find it on our website, or get EXPOSED on your favorite podcasting platform.
      

• Facing economic troubles at home, and fearing the collapse of their own economy, the CCP has engaged in what one expert calls "debt diplomacy" – getting public and private sector actors here in debt to China. This episode explores how the CCP regularly flaunts our laws while playing fast and loose with the truth in their financial dealings.
       

• The season concludes tomorrow with episode five, in which we will examine the question of what can be done about the Chinese infiltration of Texas.

DEM-Run New York Ends COVID ‘Emergency’ Before Texas

• Facing a surprisingly competitive general election against Republican Lee Zeldin, New York’s Democrat Governor Kathy Hocul announced on Monday she would not renew her state’s COVID emergency orders. This means, reports Adam Cahn, New York stopped operating under the COVID “emergency” before Texas.

     
• The Lone Star State first began operating under Gov. Greg Abbott’s COVID-19 emergency orders on March 13, 2020. The governor has renewed the emergency status each month since, with the current order set to expire next week.
     
• According to the National Academy for State Health Policy, 38 states have ended their COVID emergency declarations.

Twitter Silences Huffines For Calling Out Pedophiles

• Former State Sen. Don Huffines (R-Dallas) has been locked out of Twitter after referring to performers at a drag show for young children as “groomers.” Brandon Waltens has the details.
     
• Huffines shared a video showing children—including a 15-month-old—attending a recent “all-ages” drag show. Men dressed like women in revealing outfits were shown taking cash tips from the kids in a strip club-esque display.
     
• “This is called grooming and it must stop,” wrote Huffines on the social media platform.
     
• Twitter has locked Huffines’ account until he agrees to delete the tweet.

Yet Another Drag Show Targets Kids

• Last weekend, San Marcos Texas Pride hosted its ninth annual “pride festival.” The event featured an “all-ages” drag show in front of the Hays County courthouse. Katy Drollinger has the story.
     
• Roughhouse Brewing organized the show targeting kids. The brewery also sponsored a “Trans Exclusive Youth Pageant.”
     
• Texas Family Project President Chris Hopper called for more legislation protecting children from sexualization and indoctrination.

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Quote-Unquote

“Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream —
‘Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.”

– Francis Scott Key​
“Defence of Fort M'Henry”

Y’All Answered

In yesterday’s One Click Survey, we asked readers if the Communist Chinese government, or entities associated with the Chinese Communist Party, should be allowed to own land in Texas. 

Just 1.45 percent said the CCP and its associated entities should be allowed to own land here, while 98.55 percent believe the Chinese communists should be forbidden from owning Texas properties.

Here’s a sampling of the replies I received in my inbox…

• “Texans should restrict the sale of land to U.S. citizens only and prospective buyers should be thoroughly vetted and should be required to disclose any ties or business dealings with foreign companies.” – Cynthia Wills
     

• “Allowing the Chinese government or any other country, who is an avowed enemy of America, to own American property is like letting the fox in the hen house. How absurd! We are letting them infiltrate every part of our culture. We, as a nation, are slowly committing suicide and loading the gun that will bring about our demise.” – Don Hathorn
     

• “Not just no, but ‘HELL NO!’” – Cheryl Alexander
      

• “I don't see the difference between a hostile foreign power buying American real estate and occupying it by invasion. How did we let this happen?” – Mark Juelg
      

• “Would you let a rattlesnake sleep in bed with you?” – Nancy Wood
     

• “The U.S. was founded on principles that include capitalism. We cannot, in good faith, prohibit ownership of property based on nationality. Thousands, if not millions, of foreign corporations operate offices in the U.S. from property they own. Nothing says we cannot keep a close eye on foreign-owned operations, but we cannot prohibit those operations nor would doing so be good for our economy.” – David Holden
      

• “The short answer: absolutely not. However, with eternal property taxes in Texas, do any of us own property in this state?” – Zach Dunnam
      

• “Although I don’t want CCP to buy land in the USA, I’m not sure that it is constitutional to deny them that right.” – Barbara McClure
     

• “Talk about giving the enemy a foothold…” – Ken Bintliff
     

• “Why should China or any communist country be allowed to own land in Texas or anywhere in the US?” – Marilyn Harris
     

• “Strict reciprocity must be the basis for any interactions. We cannot own Chinese land. The CCP cannot own our land.” – H. J. Bronson
     

• “I don’t think ANY other country should own USA land, but especially not the Chinese Communist Party or its frontmen.” – Kathy Powe
     

• “What is the difference between the Chinese and scores of Mexican Army officers owning land in America? At least those are paying for it through a purchase, whereas the cartels are just taking control over huge plots of soil, not only at the border, but within our inner cities, given permission by the lack of enforcement of laws by the current administration policies.” – Patrick Bell
     

• “As someone trying to hang onto the family ranch, I understand a landowner’s temptation to want to cash in to the highest bidder.  However, we MUST vet deeply any entity who might want our land for reasons potentially contrary to the interests of Americans and, particularly, Texans.” – Kim Brittain 
     

• “No! No! No! No foreign nation or political organization or foreign citizen should own land inside our borders! Our Founders must be whirling in their graves.” – Gay Armstrong
     

• “Would we have sold land to the Japanese or Nazis during WWII?  The answer is obvious. They were trying to destroy us. So are the Chinese communists.” – Rick Goncher
      

• “Will the CCP allow conservatives into China to teach against the CCP and why it is so detrimental to our security and freedoms? I think not!! Therefore, you have your answer! No foreign entity should be allowed to buy any property in any nation!” – Cindy Kelley

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.