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March 27, 2023      5:18 PM

Passions run high in Texas House and Senate hearings on drag shows, gender affirming care for youth

In hearings last week and today, legislators in the Texas House and Senate heard arguments for and against bills creating restrictions for drag shows as well as cracking down on gender affirming health care for youth. The hearing on Senate Bills 12 and 1601 in Senate State Affairs focused on questions about what constitutes a drag performance and where they can take place. The House Public Health Committee hearing on HB 1686 by Insurance Chairman Dr. Tom Oliverson questioned the science of health care for transgender youth. Chair Stephanie Klick said that on the Oliverson proposal, she’d allow for testimony to continue until midnight tonight.

SB 12 by State Affairs Chairman Bryan Hughes would ban any “a sexually oriented performance” in public where children are present. SB 1601 would deny state funding to libraries where so-called “drag time story hours” occur.

Supporters of the bills, including Dr. Steve Hotze, some pastors, and representatives from the socially conservative group Texas Values, argued the legislation would prevent children from exposure to highly sexualized experiences.

But opponents outnumbered supporters by far in both hearings.

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By James Russell

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March 27, 2023      9:10 AM

Updated: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee announces for mayor of Houston

As we first reported this morning, the chatter is getting louder out of H-Town, where sources indicated that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee over the weekend told attendees at a closed-door event that she is indeed running for mayor. Her remarks have now been confirmed.

As you know, the field for mayor is already crowded and includes Sen. John Whitmire, Chris Hollins, Amanda Edwards, Gilbert Garcia, Robert Gallegos, Lee Caplan, and others.

Developing…

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March 25, 2023      2:26 PM

Rep. Harold Dutton resigns from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus

Subscribers can download a copy of his resignation letter.

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March 24, 2023      12:50 PM

Astroturf: During session, school voucher lobby is campaigning in GOP districts with mail pieces, block walking

It appears many Republican senators have seen mail pieces in their districts demanding a vote on vouchers; the speaker’s district has been block walked by the same group complaining about Democratic chairs, attacking local public schools, and demanding “school choice”

A group that appears to be pretty well financed is targeting GOP Texas Senate districts with mail pieces promoting school vouchers as championed by Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. They’re also campaigning heavily against Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan on the issue.

The group, Young Americans for Liberty, is telling GOP voters to call their senators including Pete Flores, Angela Paxton, and Tan Parker and tell them to “force a vote on school choice.”

Who is behind Young Americans for Liberty?

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By Scott Braddock

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March 24, 2023      12:00 PM

In honor of Michele Kronberg, Quorum Report teams with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fight blood cancer

"So many of our friends and loved ones have struggled with these diseases,” Mr. Kronberg said. “I could not be more pleased that Scott is helping lead this year’s effort to continue fighting these diseases and hope that you will join us in the effort to end this scourge once and for all.”

As you may know, the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is deeply personal to us at Quorum Report. Harvey Kronberg's wife, Michele Kronberg, passed away suddenly in 2017 after a leukemia diagnosis. To say it was devastating would be an understatement. That's why when I was asked to help raise money to fight blood cancers this year, the choice was clear.

We are doing this.

“Although it was not the direct cause of my sweet Michele’s passing, it was definitely contributory to her leaving me way too soon," Mr. Kronberg said. "So many of our friends and loved ones have struggled with these diseases. I could not be more pleased that Scott is helping lead this year’s effort to continue fighting these diseases and hope that you will join us in the effort to end this scourge once and for all.”

This year, I am proud to participate in the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Visionaries of the Year campaign as a team member, working to make the largest impact possible for LLS's mission. Every dollar you give helps in the fight.

Click here to donate. Depending on your browser, you may have to right click and open in a new tab.

Thank you so much -SB

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March 23, 2023      1:59 PM

Austin Federal Judge Lee Yeakel to retire in May

From Law.com:

U.S. District Judge Earl Leroy “Lee” Yeakel III of the Western District of Texas-Austin Division has given notice of his intent to retire after nearly 20 years of service. Yeakel, 78, informed President Joe Biden and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. that he intends to retire from the office on May 1.

Yeakel was nominated by President George W. Bush and was confirmed in less than three months by the Senate on July 28, 2003, receiving his commission the next day. Yeakel is known for his defenses of abortion rights. In 2013 he ruled that abortion restrictions enacted by the state were unconstitutional in the case of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. Most of his orders in that case were overturned at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In 2014, Yeakel ruled that the state’s abortion restrictions imposed an undue burden upon women seeking pre-viability abortions. His rulings were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016.

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March 23, 2023      1:44 PM

After a gun amendment was ruled not germane by Patrick, the Texas Senate votes with Patrick 29 to 2 in a rare appeal of the ruling of the Chair

The amendment by Sen. Gutierrez dealing with online gun sales was found by Patrick to not be germane to a bill that the author says is aimed at cracking down on the use of bots to purchase goods online

There was some unscripted drama on the floor of the Texas Senate Thursday afternoon after Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, tried to attach a gun policy amendment to a bill that the author says is aimed at cracking down on the use of bots to purchase goods online.

It led to a rare appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

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By Scott Braddock

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March 22, 2023      4:13 PM

Texas House Democratic leader sees opportunity for leverage because many GOP priorities require supermajority support

"I cannot emphasize enough that these votes are a rare and powerful opportunity that we have not had in past sessions and will not have in future sessions," HDC Chair Martinez Fischer wrote

As Texas Republican leaders work to pass priorities that will require two-thirds votes of both the House and Senate – like increasing the homestead exemption as pushed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick or capping property appraisals as preferred by Speaker Dade PhelanHouse Democratic Caucus Chairman Trey Martinez Fischer argues an opportunity exists for legislators in his party to create serious leverage in other discussions.

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By Scott Braddock

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March 22, 2023      2:37 PM

Facing some conservative pushback, Chair Leach begins the uphill climb to legalize sports betting in Texas

Chair Leach and gaming companies point out $7 billion in illegal sports bets are already placed in Texas annually; groups like Texas Values and the Southern Baptist Convention argue "The more you legalize something, the more you have of it”

Facing strong but respectful disagreement from social conservatives including Southern Baptists, Texas House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jeff Leach on Wednesday laid out his proposed legislation to legalize sports betting in House State Affairs.

Of course, it didn’t take long for certain conservative groups to weigh in against the effort which would take a state constitutional amendment and the required two-thirds votes of both the House and Senate that go along with this kind of change. This past weekend, it became perhaps clearer than ever just how hard supermajority support would be to achieve when the Texas House Freedom Caucus reiterated the group’s opposition to any expansion of gambling whether it is in the form of sports betting, casinos, or anything else.

“This is corporate welfare at its worst by giving special privileges to existing wealthy and woke professional sports and gambling businesses,” the caucus said. “This isn’t a free market, and not worth the harm to families in Texas that comes from gambling addiction.” Setting aside the silly language about “woke” sports franchises, that’s a baker’s dozen of House Republicans declaring they are hard “no” votes on gambling.

But on Wednesday, Chairman Leach looked undeterred.

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By Scott Braddock

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March 22, 2023      11:18 AM

DMN: Office of the Attorney General argues whistleblowers should have known settlement funding could take years to approve

“Solicitor General Judd Stone told the Supreme Court it’s not the agency’s fault that lawmakers may not fund the $3.3 million settlement this year”

The story from Dallas Morning News reporter Lauren McGaughy

The Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says a group of whistleblowers who sued the agency should have known it could take years to get legislative approval to fund their proposed settlement.

In a response filed with the Supreme Court of Texas on Monday, Solicitor General Judd Stone argued it’s not the agency’s fault that lawmakers may not fund the $3.3 million settlement this year and accused the four whistleblowers of “coordinating with the media” to influence the negotiations. “Respondents knew and should have known that such approval would likely be controversial and could take at least one additional legislative session,” Stone wrote. “Respondents also should have known that large settlements or judgments can lead to disputes.”

“Nevertheless, respondents agreed to a binding [settlement] ‘contingent upon all necessary approvals for funding’ without a timing provision,” he added.

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March 21, 2023      3:24 PM

Paltry showing at Abbott's Texas Capitol school voucher rally

Law enforcement on scene estimated roughly 200 in attendance; former Gov. Perry is now a spokesman for parental empowerment but stops short of endorsing vouchers, TASB poll shows the more people hear about vouchers, the less they like ‘em

One day ahead of what's sure to be a marathon Texas Senate hearing on the school voucher proposal backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a new poll shows that the "more Texans learn about voucher programs, the less likely they are to support them."

The Texas Association of School Boards released the poll on the same day Gov. Greg Abbott headlined a pro-voucher rally on the north steps of the Texas Capitol. Despite organizers’ efforts to bus people in from San Antonio and Houston, law enforcement on the scene estimated that about 200 people were in attendance in weather that could be described as barely inclement.

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By Scott Braddock

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March 20, 2023      7:39 PM

Texas House leadership clashes with social media giants in push to make online experiences safer for children

Rep. Slawson pushes House priority bill to crack down on algorithms that can be “most addictive to the developing minds of children.” But the parent company of Facebook argues there are “lots of algorithms that we use to keep young people safe on our platforms”

Therapists, teachers, mental health professionals, and representatives from social media companies lined up Monday in front of the Select Youth Health and Safety Committee to discuss Rep. Shelby Slawson’s House Bill 18 – the leadership’s priority bill on safety of children online.

Also known as the Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, the bill is designed to protect youth from what advocates describe as dangerous algorithms.

“In the new scope of online social interaction, the very worst elements of society have taken root,” Rep. Slawson said in her layout. “And the kids in our state have seen increased rates of self-harm, suicide, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and other mental health issues.”

What's worse, Slawson said, is that platforms collect vast amounts of data while giving parents little recourse to intervene.

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By James Russell

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March 20, 2023      5:53 PM

Lawmakers delve into thorny issues surrounding vaccine requirements

The Texas House Public Health Committee on Monday took up several bills targeting vaccine requirements and a bill commissioning a study of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As you can imagine, each was contentious in its own way.

The bipartisan House Bill 44 by Rep. Valoree Swanson would kick doctors off Medicaid if they refused to see patients based on their vaccination status. But Republican and Democratic committee members remained skeptical, concerned that the intent was anti-vaccination and could upend vaccinations.

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By James Russell

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March 20, 2023      1:10 PM

Amid reports Gov. Abbott will pay to bus school voucher activists to the capitol, Texas Association of School Boards pushes back on privatization efforts

“The real agenda is community censorship to make it easier to sabotage — and privatize — our public schools.”

As Gov. Greg Abbott prepares this week to reportedly pay for bus loads of “school choice” activists to descend on the Texas Capitol, the head of the Texas Association of School Boards on Monday sought to rally school board members from across the state against the voucher proposal set to be heard in a Senate committee.

In an open letter to school board members across all 254 counties, TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell wrote that attacks on public schools have reached an apex and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

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By Scott Braddock

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March 20, 2023      11:28 AM

Ways and Means votes out House Bill 2, property taxes

Rep. Chris Turner was the lone "no" vote

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