Good morning!

Readers have some strong opinions about a Democrat's plan to give driver licenses to illegal aliens.

But first, here is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Texans Seek Help From Georgia

• Local officials and activists from Texas testified before the Georgia Senate’s Committee on Interstate Cooperation about the situation on the border. As Sydnie Henry reports, they requested resources to combat the ongoing southwest border invasion.
      

• State Rep. Bryan Slaton (R-Royse City) asked Georgia lawmakers to consider donating money to help fund the construction of the border wall, saying, “There are people all over the country that understand what’s happening and understand how important it is that we solve this problem.”
      
• “I don’t believe us Texans would be here if it wasn’t a dire situation,” said Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith.
      
• Terrell County Judge Dale Lynn Carruthers told Georgia senators that her county has 2,300 square miles of land and fewer than 1,000 residents. 
     
• “What we get in our community is not the people that are family units, because I’m directly in between two ports of entry. So, what we get in my county are high-speed pursuits,” explained Carruthers. “They come across the country at night, they cross our ranches, and they destroy a lot of property.”

Lawmakers Want A.G. Paxton To Investigate Dallas' Abortion Push

• Since Roe v. Wade was overturned last June, the Dallas City Council has been working to make their city a “sanctuary city for abortion.” Now, reports Emily Wilkerson, a coalition of Texas lawmakers are calling on the attorney general to step in.

     

• Last month, the city of Dallas’ Quality of Life, Arts, and Culture Committee voted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade with a resolution affirming the city’s support for “abortion care” for all. The Dallas City Council adopted that resolution earlier this month.

     

• State Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth) and 15 other state representatives have called on Attorney General Ken Paxton to review the memorandum to ensure the city cannot take further actions that would violate Texas state law.
      

• “The resolution advocates for a number of troubling items that we believe conflict with state law in regards to abortion,” explained Schatzline.

The Democrat In Charge Of Corrections

• Despite Texas Republicans rallying against placing Democrats in leadership positions in the state legislature, House Speaker Dade Phelan did so anyway. Sydnie Henry profiles the Democrat placed in charge of the House Committee on Corrections.
        

• State Rep. Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) has been a member of the Texas House since 2005, serving seven nonconsecutive terms. He has a history of making money off state contracts and actively opposing school choice efforts. Herrero has an "F" rating with Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, and he scored a 30 out of 100 with Texas Right to Life.
       

• On the other hand, Herrero has high ratings with leftist organizations.

       
• Democrats want to decriminalize illegal aliens, eliminate "mandatory minimums," abolish the death penalty, and for prisons to accommodate "LGBTQ+" lifestyles.
       
• Notably, Herrero was not one of 68 Democrats who busted quorum in 2021 to avoid passing election integrity legislation. At the time, however, he said he “fully supported” their efforts but had to stay behind due to “responsibilities in the district.”

Nikki Haley Is Running For President... Without Texans' Support

• Ending months of speculation, former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley announced her campaign for president of the United States in 2024. But, as Brandon Waltens reports, only 4 percent of Republican primary voters in Texas support her candidacy. 

      
• A poll from CWS Research finds the field is led by former President Donald Trump (36%), who is in a statistical tie with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (35%).
      
• But with 4 percent she is in fourth place in Texas, just behind former Vice President Mike Pence... who polls at 5 percent.

Boyd ISD Teacher Sent Nude Selfies To A Student

• After sending nude photos to a 15-year-old student, a substitute teacher in Boyd Independent School District was arrested and charged with improper relationship with a student and online solicitation, both felonies. Erin Anderson has the details.
     
• Kelcei Michelle Ferguson, 28, is the latest in a string of female educators accused of having illegal sexual contact with students and using social media to initiate criminal “relationships” with children entrusted to their care.
      
• “According to the investigative findings, the substitute teacher sent several nude ‘snaps’ to the student,” said Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin.

Apply Now!

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Y'All Answered

Democrats in the Texas House are once again pushing for illegal aliens to be eligible for driver licenses. They claim it will improve public safety and give them greater mobility options.

Yesterday, we asked if Texas Minute readers agree with this proposal. More than 96.5 percent of readers oppose the proposal, while 3.46 percent support it.

Here is a sampling of feedback from my inbox...

• “How are illegals gonna have the requisite documentation to get a DL to begin with?” – David Thomas
      

• “So let me get this right; illegals, people who have committed a crime come to a government office, present themselves and don’t get arrested? One of our lawmakers wants to give them a privilege of citizenship? Crazy.” – Jeffrey A. Mayer
     

• “Are we just ignoring the word ‘illegal’ and what it means?” – Linda Edmondson 
      

• “I voted yes, provided they can prove proof of insurance.” – Duane Murray
     

• “This is another attempt to mirror failed policy in California. This is the first step in treating illegal aliens like citizens. Don't California my Texas!” – Thomas Camardo
      

• “Driver license for illegals? How strongly can I word my answer? HELL NO! They are illegal aliens, not migrants or immigrants. They broke the law by entering the country illegally. Why should they be rewarded with a driver license? It’s a slippery slope…what would be next, amnesty? Voting rights?” – Angelika Hoeher 
     

• “Illegal aliens should be treated respectfully while we escort them back across the border, but that’s it. No privileges or freebies! This idea is simply more Democrat nonsense.” – Roxann Bilger
     

• “They're here, they should have to obey the laws. Driver licenses should show immigration/citizenship status and of course they should have to have the required insurance. My hunch is they'll get the license but it'll be indistinguishable from that of a U.S. citizen.” – Alan Higginbotham
      

• “Giving driver licenses to illegals; what could possibly go wrong? If they have a ‘driver’ license, shouldn’t they have a free car? If they have a free car, they will need free car insurance. Of course, they need free gas to go along with the free phones, food, education, and healthcare. Or maybe give them a card that identifies them as an illegal immigrant with their court date on it!” – Steve Sullivan
      

• “If the illegal invaders are allowed driver licenses, they will have a ticket to vote. Just DEPORT them.” – Gary Hunt
      

• “Illegal aliens should be sent back to the country of their origin.” – Mika Ryan
     

• “Any illegal alien that needs a driver license needs to get one from where they came from.  End of discussion.” – Jay Westfall
     

• “Driver licenses for illegals? The next thing you have is noncitizens voting! What form of ID do you think most of us use at the polls? Are there ANY benefits left for those of us who belong here?” – Diana Firestone
     

• “Giving illegal aliens a Texas driver license because they broke our laws is absurd. They did this in California which led to giving them rights to vote on state issues. The next push will be federal election.” – Landon Capozzi
     

• “I think if illegals are here, they should first become U.S. citizens, then they could get a driver license and vote.” – Anne Wells
     

• “Another ‘woke’ policy. Driver licenses are used for Voter ID. Illegal aliens shouldn't be allowed either privilege.” – Michael Bow
     

• “Save the debate on licenses and go ahead and deport them. They are here illegally…” – Zach Dunham
     

• “No! Motor voter laws will allow them to register to vote.” – Steve Jones
     

• “Giving illegal aliens driver licenses confers legitimacy to their residency in the U.S. And it would also allow them to vote (motor voter registration), and that is unacceptable.” – Kimery McKaskle
     

• “Yes, we should issue driver licenses to illegal aliens. We should test them to be sure they are safe to drive and at the end of the test we can deport them back to their country of origin.” – David Peters
     

• “The only thing illegal aliens should be issued is a one-way ticket back to where they came from.” – Bob Poimbeauf 
     

• “This issuing of driver license to illegal immigrants is a strategy to envelop illegals into the fabric of our society.  It is the same effort as giving them the right to vote, public money and welfare, educational assistance, and free healthcare. They are trying to ‘normalize’ illegals before the walls go back up. This must be stopped. Can't blame people for trying to improve their lives, but we don't exist as a country without borders. They must come legally and earn whatever rights are available here.” – Mike Hudgins
      

• “People who are violating the law by being in the U.S. should not get driver licenses or any other benefits from the government. They should be deported.” – Jerry Harben

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