The Texas Report 3/22

March 22, 2023

Happy Wednesday!

Governor Greg Abbott

Written by: Jay Williamson

Statewide News Round-Up

Governor Greg Abbott has paid to bus "school choice" advocates from across the state to the Texas Capitol. In messages posted by Texas Insider Scott Braddock, Abbott paid for buses to pick up the advocates and lodging expenses. These advocates participated in a rally outside the Capitol yesterday with the Governor and various other politicians. One observer estimated around 200 people in attendance at the rally. (More from Scott Braddock) (Abbott Press Release)

During his speech in front of the Capitol, Abbott outlined some of his priorities and encouraged the advocates to "call your state senator, call your state representative, and let them know you support school choice in the state of Texas." Abbott raised concerns from many parents and teachers "about what is being taught in classrooms today, and our schools are for education, not indoctrination." Some of the people in attendance at "Parent Empowerment Day" included Senators Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), and Kevin Sparks (R-Midland); Representatives James Frank (Wichita Falls), Brian Harrison (R-Waxahachie), and Steve Toth (R-Spring); Texas Public Policy Foundation Campaign Director Mandy Drogin; San Jacinto Christian Academy Superintendent Roxanne Cheek; and other state and legislative leaders. (Abbott addressing the rally)

Tuesday evening, Abbott made another stop on his "Parental Empowerment Tour" at Cypress Christian School outside of Houston. (Official Speech)

Today the Senate Education Committee will be hearing proposals by various legislators for the creation of Education Savings Accounts (vouchers). Chairman Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) is the sponsor of the Lt. Governor priority bill, and Senators Middleton, Bettencourt, and Paxton (R-McKinney) each have bills they'll be laying out.

This is important because should some of these bills pass, Texas will see a fundamental shift in the way it funds our public education institutions.

In a poll paid for by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), "55% of respondents said they were less likely to support vouchers knowing that the proposals would give private schools, not parents, the right to choose" which students to accept. TASB president said, "Creating a voucher program that would harm rural communities to benefit children in urban and suburban areas isn't a Texas value." The poll also founds that:

  • 70% of respondents reported a positive impression of the educators in their district.

  • 56% think the state should provide more funding to public schools.

  • When ranking education priorities for elected leaders, school safety was number one on the list. (TASB poll)

The Texas Education Agency (T.E.A.) hosted its first public meeting following the takeover of Houston Independent School District (HISD). T.E.A. Deputy Commissioner Alejandro Delgado led the discussion and was quickly interrupted by numerous audience members shouting questions at him. Delgado said that the agency had received 138 applications for the state-appointed board of managers, which will replace the elected school board, and they're looking to appoint local Houstonians that reflect the diversity of HISD. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) was in attendance and reaffirmed that she and other local leaders are opposed to the takeover. She wants to ensure that Morath is in attendance for all the community meetings to answer the public's questions. (More here)

The West Texas, A&M University President, canceled a student drag show saying it degrades women and the performances are "derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny." Some students and First Amendment lawyers rejected those claims and said the cancellation violates the student's constitutional rights and state law protects free speech on college campuses. In a letter obtained by Amarillo news site, MyHighPlains.com, President Wendler said that the event was organized to raise money for the Trevor Project, which works to reduce suicides in the LGBTQ community. Wendler noted that as a "noble cause" but argued that the shows "stereotype women in cartoon-like extremes for the amusement of others and discriminate against womanhood." (Letter) (Learn More Here) Students plan to protest on campus every day this week, and in a statement, by student Signe Elder they said, "Drag is not dangerous or discriminatory, it is a celebration and expression of individual."

Thursday, The Senate State Affairs committee will be hearing a proposal by Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) that would classify drag shows as "sexually oriented performances" and make it illegal for businesses to allow attendees younger than eighteen. (S.B. 12)

The House State Affairs Committee is taking up major legalization of gambling proposals today. House Bill (H.B.) 1942 by Representative Jeff Leach (R-Plano) would legalize sports gambling, and House Joint Resolution (H.J.R.) 155 by Representative Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) would authorize sports gambling and various resort-style casino destinations across the state. These are two very prominent House members, and their early support and bill hearing should reflect positively on the likelihood of the legislation being voted out of the House.

These are two very prominent House members, and their early support and bill hearing should reflect positively on the likelihood of the legislation being voted out of the House. The Conservative Freedom Caucus, however, has already come out against these proposals stating, "This is corporate welfare at its worst by giving special privileges to existing wealthy and woke professional sports and gambling businesses. This isn't a free market, and not worth the harm to families in Texas that comes from gambling addiction." (Press Release) It will be interesting to watch if the majority Republican party is split on the proposals because for any joint resolution to pass the chamber, it requires a 2/3 vote since it impacts the Texas Constitution.

Voters would ultimately have to decide if they wanted to support legalizing gambling, as it amends the Constitution and can only be approved by Texas voters.

Both chambers have begun moving their priority property tax relief legislation. In the Senate, the legislation will soon come up and be voted out of the chamber, while the House passed the bill 10-1 out of the Ways & Means Committee just this week. Both chambers have differing beliefs on how to best address property taxes, and there will likely be significant bartering between the two houses to find a suitable agreement.

REMINDER

Former President Donald Trump is supposed to hold the first rally of his 2024 campaign in Waco this Saturday, March 25. The former president's team announced that the rally would be at the Waco Regional Airport. According to a recent C.W.S. Research poll in a hypothetical 2024 Texas Republican primary, Trump leads with 43% of the likely voters compared to Ron DeSantis at 27% and Nikki Haley at 5%. (More here) The event will begin with guest speakers at 2:00 p.m. and conclude with remarks by Trump at 5:00 p.m. (More here) It will be interesting to see which Texas politicians endorse the former president, as some have already thrown their support to Desantis, like U.S. Representative Chip Roy (R-Austin).

This is may be impacted by the potential indictment and arrest of the former president, who said last Saturday he expected to be Tuesday (yesterday). (More here)

According to February polling from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, 56% of Republicans said Trump should run again. (Polling data)

Committee schedule for next week:

Wednesday - Senate Health & Human Services, Education, Natural Resources & Economic Development, and the Finance Committee. House Agriculture & Livestock, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, Land & Resource Management, Licensing & Administrative Procedures, Pensions, Investments & Financial Services, County Affairs, Juvenile Justice & Family Issues, State Affairs, and Transportation.

Thursday - Senate Business & Commerce, Border Security Redistricting, State Affairs, and the Subcommittee on Higher Education. House Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Health Care Reform (Select), Defense & Veterans' Affairs, Elections, Environmental Regulation, and Appropriations.

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