Good morning,

Readers have some very definite thoughts on the speakership of the Texas House. If only representatives checked in with their constituents as often as they do the Austin lobby…

Here is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

UPFRONT: Not An Actor… Yesterday’s Quote-Unquote section had an unfortunate typo in the person’s last name. The man who said “Official truth is not actual truth” was the late, great British philosopher and statesman Lord Acton. By way of apology, today’s quote is another bit of wisdom from Acton.

Scott Out, Nelson In As Texas Secretary of State

• No sooner had embattled Texas Secretary of State John Scott announced his resignation effective at the end of the year than Gov. Greg Abbott announced his replacement. Taking the helm will be former State Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), reports Brandon Waltens.
   
• The position is appointed by the governor but requires two-thirds approval of the Texas Senate. That hasn’t happened since 2017, with previous appointees David Whitley and Ruth Hughs being forced to resign at the end of the last two legislative sessions after failing to garner enough support.
      
• Nelson’s relationship with members of the chamber could mean an easier time gaining confirmation. While the office of Secretary of State includes a variety of functions, none are more visible – or have offered more pitfalls for previous appointees – than overseeing the state’s elections.
      
• “Voters expect fair elections with accurate, timely results, and I am committed to making that happen,” said Nelson. “Texans with all political views should have faith in our election system.”

Slaton Proposes House Rule to Eliminate Democrat Committee Chairs

• In a hearing of the House Administration Committee on Tuesday, State Rep. Bryan Slaton (R-Royse City) formally proposed a rule that would prohibit Democrats from receiving powerful committee chairmanships in the GOP-dominated chamber. That practice has allowed conservative priorities to be thwarted in the past, activists say. Sydnie Henry has the details.
     
• Slaton’s proposed rule would require leadership in the Texas House to appoint committee chairs from the majority party to each committee. “If the people of Texas vote to give a certain party control of the government to make laws, their wills should be honored,” said Slaton.
   
• In the March GOP primary, 81 percent of voters expressed support for this proposed change, and the Republican Party of Texas selected it as a legislative priority for the upcoming session.
      
• Other proposed changes to the rules include mechanisms to increase transparency, efficiency, and protections for conservative priority legislation when in committee.
      
• The committee itself is not taking a position on the proposed changes to the House Rules. Instead, State Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) will draft and introduce the rules governing the chamber for the coming legislative session, which members will have the opportunity to amend and vote on in the opening days of January.

Miller: Rural Texas Wants School Choice

• In a new commentary, Texas’ Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller explains why rural Texans want – and deserve – school choice.
   
• “During the 2022 Texas Republican primary, the platform plank most enthusiastically and overwhelmingly supported by rural voters was … school choice,” writes Miller. “To the shock of the Austin political class, nine out of 10 primary voters supported this proposition, and virtually every county in the state overwhelmingly supported it. Three quarters of the counties that voted in favor by 95 percent or higher have populations under 20,000. Of the 67 most supportive counties, 58 have populations under 100,000.”

Nothing Says Christmas… Like A Drag Show?

• An “all-ages” drag queen Christmas tour began traveling through the United States, and it is now in Texas. Soli Rice reports past performances from the tour have included demonic costumes, sets, and songs.
      
• There is nothing “family friendly” about these “all-ages” drag shows – they are purpose-built to make it easier for predators to groom children for sexual abuse.
     
• A Drag Queen Christmas has already been in Amarillo at the city’s tax-funded performance center. It will next be in El Paso, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, and then Dallas.

🎧 Salcedo On The Coming Investigations

• On the latest edition of the Salcedo Storm podcast, Chris Salcedo interviews U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) about the investigations into Democrat malfeasance expected to be launched when the GOP takes control of the U.S. House next month.
   
• Listen to the Salcedo Storm on Texas Scorecard, or find it anywhere you download podcasts!

Please join me in wishing a very happy birthday to my oldest daughter!

Y’All Answered

While the election of the Speaker of the Texas House – the third most powerful position in state government – is restricted only to the 150 members of the chamber, we asked whom readers would select if they could vote. Only two members (both Republicans) have announced their candidacy. In a secret vote during their caucus meeting last weekend, the House Republican Caucus chose to re-nominate the incumbent speaker, Dade Phelan.

Readers, though, overwhelmingly (91.5%) selected challenger Tony Tinderholt; 2.1% chose Phelan, while 6.4% want someone else.

Here’s a sampling from my inbox.

• “The fact that Dade Phelan has Democrats supporting him tells us all we need to know. He has been the stumbling block to getting Republican issues passed.” – Betty Bailey-Lucas
     

• “It is well past time to govern in the light of day. Stop these back-room, caucus ‘votes’ - making deals rather than working for the people that put you there!” – Roger Hall
    

• “The Matthew Dade Phelan Campaign donated $45,500 to Steve Toth.  How do you think Steve Toth voted?  Please check the donors to your representative.” – Jeanne Huryn
     

• “Jeff Leach received $65,150 from Mathew Dade Phelan. Do you suppose he felt obligated? Several conservative polling sites put Tinderholt ahead of Phelan. Phelan has failed to bring moral votes to the floor.” – Brent Shutt
     

• “The ‘leadership’ of Speaker Phelan’s has been an abysmal failure for conservative values. He obviously should have a ‘D’ attached to his name instead of an ‘R,’ the same going for those who voted for him. A severe case of RINO-virus here.” – Randy Miller
     

• “Dade Phelan is NOT a Republican – he isn’t even hiding his affiliation with the liberal left because he’s been empowered to go against everything conservatives hold dear in Texas.” – Cindy Kelley
     

• “We need to make a change in the Texas House.  It's well past time for conservative Republicans to take charge and be rid of moderate Republican speakers.” – Chuck Breedlove
     

• “Dade Phelan is not a Republican, but a member of the Uni-Party that is destroying our country (and Texas).” – Mika Ryan
    

• “We moved to Texas about 10 years ago for the state being conservative, not impressed so far. After last session, Phelan did nothing for Texas citizens. Phelan needs to go.” – Christopher Vizi
    

• “I have called my representative, Reggie Smith, every week for 5 weeks to voice my support for no more Democratic chairs and have heard NOTHING back! Because he's RINO, just like Phelan!” – Jay Trantham
      

• “Tony Tinderholt has a Fiscal Responsibility Index rating of 92%. Dade Phelan has a proven track record of undermining conservative priorities. No wonder Democrats are willing to vote for him. It's high time we get new leadership in the House.” – Thomas Camardo
     

• “Phelan has had his chance and has failed miserably! Yet again, we all need someone that will stand strong for what ‘we the people’ want!” – Nancy Wells
     

• “Why did the caucus feel they needed to meet in secret? Things that have to be done in secret are usually sinister in their intention.” – Rex Reeve
      

• “The Republicans in the House are not doing their job in representing their constituents! Why have a secret vote for the speaker? Nothing should be secret from Texans!” – John Patterson
     

• “I truly believe our government is out of control and they do not care about us. No matter what the majority wants, it seems they are going to do what they want or what is best for them. We need to figure out a way to remove them all and start over. We need a government that is for the people, and we the people need to push harder for what we want. It is a shame what our government has become; it is time for change.” – Brian Jesko
     

• “Tony Tinderholt would be a breath of fresh air in the new legislative session.” – Rick L. Perry
     

• “I voted for Tony because he is the only one who has clearly stated he wants the job. We certainly do not want to repeat the disastrous mistake we made on the national level by making unwise concessions to a left-of-center, ‘moderate’ RINO to run for speaker of the U. S. House (Paul Ryan) and have to suffer with the repeated defeat of the Republican agenda there.” – Patrick Bell
     

• “Dade is not a Republican, nor does he support the Republican platform. Dade goes and supports liberal causes, and if elected speaker for the next term, the Republicans will do nothing to oppose him.” – Danny Thompson
     

• “I would vote for ANYONE other than Phelan!! He is a terrible speaker. He even gives a fox a run for its money, as far as deceit and cunning go!” – Ronda Rice
      

• “‘Dud’ Phelan has already shown his RINO colors in the last session. There's no reason to expect him to become more conservative in this session.” – Steve Nulf
     

• “It’s time to literally act like Republicans ARE the majority in Texas! It’s time to vote out RINOs. It’s time for elected Republicans to act on behalf of their constituents.” – Jan Goria

CHECK YOUR INFORMATION