#TXLEGE: Business as usual under Joe Straus....

"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Proverbs 29:1

Texans for Public Justice is a very far left outfit that claims to be a public interest watchdog organization, but usually puts out politically motivated hatchet jobs on conservative members of state government.  For example, they were the original driving force behind the politically motivated prosecutions of Rick Perry and Ken Paxton.  But, much like a stopped clock being right twice a day, this recent report on the lobby activity by Straus committee chairs who left after last session is spot on:

#TXLEGE: Straus Lobby Farm Club by Cahnman on Scribd

Huberty extends middle finger to GOP Platform....

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage."
2 Peter 2:19

House public education chairman Dan Huberty spoke with the trib yesterday.  We actually thought the event was going to be Thursday morning thus we didn't attend...which is killing us because we wanted to ask him about superintendent salaries.  Huberty's remarks speak for themselves:



Highlights:

• "I've worked the last 20 years to get here."
• Author's Note: Dude, you should be more ambitious.

• School finance fix will take multiple sessions.

• Long discussion of Robin Hood...but it's not going away any time soon.

• Parental education choice: "Can we move on to the next question."
• "I believe so, yes" in reference to question about whether or not its dead.

• Socialized education has "an accountability system."
• Something something "no accountability, no taxpayer responsibility."
• Author's Note: Deliberately obfuscates the fact that accountability in the marketplace comes from the fact that parents can choose to obtain services from a new provider.

• Blah, blah, blah...MOAR SPENDING!!!

• Something something 5.3 million children....something something "fix" the current socialized education system before exploring any sort of creative solution.

• Long discussion of STAAR tests.  Huberty is not a fan.  Duly noted that Huberty wants to impose arbitrary government "accountability" standards on parental choice while gutting accountability for the existing socialized education system.

• "Your responsibility as a chairman is to protect your membership" from taking a public position on an issue about which the voters care.

• "I think that the [socialized education] system we have has produced fruitful results."

RUNOFF ENDORSEMENT: Dawn Buckingham for SD-24!!!

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

In SD-24, we supported Brent Mayes in the first round.  Obviously, that didn't pan out.  Backing Dawn Buckingham in the runoff is an easy choice.

On Primary election day we worked the same polling location as Dawn.  Over the course of a ten hour day, we had an extended opportunity to get to know her.  We discussed the ups and downs of the campaign, and the state of both Texas and the world.  It was a very reassuring conversation.  While we don't have permission to reveal the details, suffice to say Dawn Buckingham's views on the Federal Reserve system warm our heart.

But let's address the 800 pound gorilla in the room: TMA.  There's no denying that Dawn Buckingham has a long history with the Texas Medical Association.  That history was our dealbreaker issue in the first round.  As part of that history, she's also made campaign donations to several bad elected officials.  We've asked her about it several times, and that history was a major topic during the primary day conversation we mentioned above.  Dawn has always stated that, as a conservative, she thought she could be more effective working to change TMA from the inside than throwing rocks from the outside.  We don't particularly agree with that logic, but we understand it and accept it in this one case.

That being said, no discussion of the Texas Medical Association and the SD-24 race would be complete without discussing Dawn's opponent: Susan King.  While Dawn has certainly worked with TMA over the years, Susan King's husband ran TMA during the last legislative session.  In addition, Susan King is a well documented liberal who currently serves as a Joe Straus committee chair in the Texas House.  In other words, both candidates in this race have ties to TMA, but one is a Joe Straus lieutenant while the other has a pretty big liberty streak.

Speaking of Dawn Buckingham's liberty streak, earlier today she appeared at a Texas Tribune event.  At that event, she gave strong answers on religious liberty and the second amendment.  On religious liberty, she spoke in support of protections similar to those recently passed in North Carolina.  She also told us after the event that she doesn't buy this silly notion that protecting religious liberty is bad for business.  On the second amendment, she turned a gotcha question into an unprompted opportunity to voice her support for constitutional carry!!!

On education, Dawn voiced support for school choice while Susan King has been endorsed by Jimmie Don Aycock; we will also point out that we have Dawn on record as being willing to vote against the next round of bad UT regents.

Considering the candidates, this one's an easy choice: Dawn Buckingham for SD 24!!!

------

Watch Dawn's TribTalk below:

Takeaways From Straus' Interim Charges

"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Proverbs 29:1

Joe Straus released a list of 243 interim charges on Wednesday morning; having finally reviewed them, some thoughts:

• Dan Patrick and Jeff Judson are living rent-free in his head:  The most important aspect of these interim charges is that they were released in the first place.  Dan Patrick released his STRONG conservative interim platform a month ago while Judson has been hammering him for weeks about his failure to act following the Planned Parenthood expose.  Clearly, Straus felt he needed to respond.

• Priorities: Straus' interim charges fall under three categories: Lobby priorities, "Wide-consensus" priorities, and Conservative priorities; in our estimation, 38% of them were lobby priorities, 51% were wide-consensus, and 11% were conservative.

• Protecting Byron Cook: State affairs received ten interim charges.  Four address conservative issues: economic collapse preparation, Planned Parenthood, illegal immigration, and union dues.  Cook has already called a hearing over illegal immigration on December 10th and we expect similar show hearings throughout campaign season.

• LOTS of action for lame duck chairmen:  Jimmie Don Aycock, John Otto, and Jim Keffer are all retiring. Nonetheless Appropriations, Public Ed. and Natural Resources got 37 combined. charges.  The overwhelming majority of those charges are bad.
• Jim Keffer getting nine interim charges related to water...what could POSSIBLY go wrong (ditto Aycock)?!?

• Appropriations, Charge 3: "Examine Texas constitutional spending limits compared to limits utilized in other states, evaluate their effectiveness in maintaining fiscal discipline, and recommend potential modifications, if needed."
• Remember what John Otto did to SB 9 last session

• Appropriations, Charge 16: "Evaluate the effectiveness of the Department of Public Safety’s use of funds appropriated during the 84th legislative session for border security operations. Examine existing data and reporting on border security metrics, and recommend improvements to ensure the availability of accurate information in considering sustaining or increasing border security funds."
• Expect a report full of cheap-labor-lobby/Democrat talking points about the 'effectiveness' of border security efforts without any mention of the Federal 'catch-and-release' program.

• Business and Industry, Charge 3: "Evaluate how Texas can support shared economy growth in the state. Determine how the state can ensure customer security and satisfaction as well as consumer protections without enacting burdensome regulations. Additionally, study the effects of a growing portion of the state's workforce seeking full-time vs. supplemental part-time employment with related technology-based businesses. Analyze recent debate and legal precedent regarding the classification of these employees."
• The fact that Straus doesn't use commonly accepted nomenclature to describe the sharing economy illustrates he doesn't understand it (which one would expect from someone who describes the economy the same way as Obama).

• Criminal Jurisprudence, Charge 3: "Examine the use of asset forfeiture in this state, including data reporting on forfeiture actions and procedures from seizure through forfeiture in both contested and uncontested cases. Make recommendations for improving these systems that balance law enforcement needs, private property rights, and government transparency."
• Expect a report full of cop-lobbyist talking points about some sort of "vital law enforcement program"

• Economic and Small Business Development, Charge 2: "Evaluate what local governments are doing to attract businesses to their communities and examine ways the state can leverage these practices and provide support. Include ways to improve local economic development programs to ensure a continued return on investment for taxpayers. In addition, study the authority, financial accountability, and types of statutorily allowed expenditures of economic development corporations. Provide analysis of 4A and 4B sales tax programs and determine if they are still meeting their intended purpose effectively."
• Taxpayer funded lobbyists and assorted rent-seekers LOVE this one!!!

• Economic and Small Business Development, Charge 8: "Examine partnerships between higher education institutions, public school districts, and workforce that promote postsecondary readiness. Provide coordination recommendations to ensure vocational, career, and technical education programs are more accessible. Determine the most effective ways to invest in these partnerships and programs to direct at-risk students to stable career paths. Examine current rules and laws limiting employers from providing meaningful internships, apprenticeships, and other opportunities. Consider new methods to finance workforce training programs and associated assets in high schools and postsecondary schools, including ways to reduce or eliminate these costs and options to incentivize businesses to invest in training equipment for schools. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Public Education)"
• This WREAKS of Common Core.

• Elections, Charge 1: "Examine the petition process for addressing local ordinances, the time necessary to prepare a petition, the collection of signatures, and the enforcement of local standards required for a petition to be valid. Make necessary recommendations to clarify the petition process to ensure accountability."
• Between the Arlington Red Light Camera ban, the Houston Bathroom ordinance, and the San Marcos fluoride ban citizens around Texas have used the petition process to thwart the schemes of insiders and rent-seekers; insiders and rent-seekers don't like that.

• Energy Resources, Charge 3: "Study current renewable energy regulations in Texas in order to more effectively balance federal, state and local regulations. Review the rights of Texas landowners who receive royalties, operating fees or monthly production payments to ensure fairness. Explore opportunities to maximize existing wind infrastructure toward the promotion of additional renewable energy development such as co-location for generation and transmission. In addition, consider policy solutions to incentivize colocation of simultaneous surface electricity and mineral energy production."
• Straus ACTUALLY did an interim charge over 'renewable energy'; we could stop there....

• Government Transparency and Operation, Charge 3: "Study issues related to access to public information held outside of the custody or control of the governmental body by current or former officers or employees. Assess whether the Public Information Act's procedures for response to repetitious or redundant public information requests adequately protect small governmental bodies from the financial burdens imposed by such requests."
• NOTHING good can come from this.

• Higher Education, Charge 3: "Study the affordability and accessibility of undergraduate college education in Texas, including a focus on middle-class students. Analyze the cost of attendance and tuition rates, comparing Texas institutions to their national peers. Review the availability and effectiveness of financial aid programs, and analyze student debt and default rates. Study and recommend ways to promote timely and cost efficient graduation."
• A source points out this charge is ingenuously worded to look like the leadership actually cares about middle class families, but is carefully littered with UT politburo buzz words.
• Define "Middle Class."
• Define "National Peers."

• Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence, Charge 2: "Examine whether family law statutes and those affecting the parent-child relationship provide sufficient guidance to Texas judges as to the appropriate application of foreign law. Consider whether additional statutory provisions regarding application of foreign law could provide useful guidance while preserving judges' ability to consider the circumstances of each case and not needlessly prolonging litigation."
• This means American Laws for American Courts; expect a report filled with Steve Bresnen's talking points.

• Juvenile Justice and Family Issues, Change 6: "Examine the Texas Family Code’s treatment of grandparents in the parent-child relationship, including Chapters 32, 34, 153, 161, and 162 and suggest any changes that may be useful to address the growing population of grandparents and the best interests of Texas children and families."
• Given the anti-Parental Authority sentiment in the legislature, anything involving grandparents and the 'family code' makes us nervous.

• Land and Resource Management, Charge 4: "Examine current regulatory authority available to municipalities in their extraterritorial jurisdiction. Study current annexation policies in Texas. Make necessary legislative recommendations to ensure a proper balance between development, municipal regulations, and the needs of citizens in Texas."
• Normally this would make us nervous, but annexation is so TOXIC in Bexar county that something good might come of it.

• Licensing and Administrative Procedure, Charge 1: "Identify all occupations licensed by the state to determine if they are necessary for public safety and health. Determine if any criminal penalties associated with licensure are unnecessarily punitive, recommend methods to improve reciprocity with other states, and determine if a mandatory certification program could be used in lieu of mandatory licensure."
• Expect a report recommending watered-down half measures that do little to impact the relevant rent-seekers.

• Licensing and Administrative Procedure, Charge 3: "Explore the increasing incidence of powdered alcohol, its impact on underage drinking, and regulations in other states that have appropriately addressed the various impacts of the product."
• If he's bringing this one back, then Charlie Geren's getting paid.

• Natural Resources, Charge 4: "Evaluate the progress of seawater desalination projects near the Texas coast as a means of increasing water supplies and reducing strain on existing supplies, building on the work of the Joint Interim Committee to Study Water Desalination (83rd session). Examine the viability of the use of public-private partnerships and of methods by which the state might facilitate such a project."
• Todd Hunter's payday.

• Public Education, Charge 8: "Study ways to increase parental choice in education, and review the successes and failures of school choice programs in other states. Examine the benefits and costs of implementing such a program in Texas. Recommend whether an expansion of school choice in Texas is needed, and suggest ways to ensure that any school receiving public support is held accountable for its academic and financial performance."
• Expect a report full of pro-government school propaganda (esp. concerning 'rural school districts') to confuse the debate when the Senate reports.

• Transportation, Charge 2: "Examine the current framework for designating a project as a tolled road. Consider ways to reduce or eliminate the role of tolled roads in providing congestion relief given recent transportation funding measures approved by the Legislature."
• Another charge designed to confuse the issue with the Senate.

• Ways and Means, Charge 1: "Review aspects of the property tax system that contribute to rising property tax levies and taxpayer dissatisfaction. Examine whether the current system allows taxpayers meaningful participation in determining local property tax rates. Explore changes to the appraisal process that could improve the accuracy of appraisals."
• Another charge designed to confuse the issue with the Senate.

• Ways and Means, Charge 2: "Assess the impact of a repeal of the franchise tax on the state's economy and on revenue stability for state government. The assessment should include a dynamic analysis of the economic impact."
• Another charge designed to confuse the issue with the Senate.

Bottom Line: Business as usual.

Joe Straus' HILARIOUS New Website

"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Proverbs 29:1

It's not a secret that the "leadership" of the Texas House of Representatives pretends to be conservative during election season, but Joe Straus' new campaign website is an impressive collection of half-truths, revisionist history, and taking credit for the accomplishments of others (primarily Rick Perry and Dan Patrick) even by their standards.

[Author's Note: You can read our report card for this past legislative session here.]

Economic Issues, what he claims:

Economic Issues, what really happened:

• Spending: The 2013 budget, which was the one over which Straus had greatest influence, was a disaster.  The 2011 budget was "balanced" via gimmicks..  The 2015 budget was 100% due to Dan Patrick.

• Taxes: In 2015, Dan Patrick came into office with a mandate to reduce property taxes.  In an attempt to derail property tax relief, Joe Straus and House "leadership" came up with a screwy plan to cut a sales tax no one is complaining about.  Patrick held his ground and Straus caved.

• "The Spending Cap": The current 'spending cap' in the Texas budget is a joke.  Under Straus, attempts to create a spending cap with teeth have died 3 sessions in a row.  This claim is akin to a 6 year old bragging about a participation trophy.

• Rainy Day Fund: Most of the money that goes into the rainy day fund come from "severance taxes" that result from Oil and Natural Gas extraction.  During the early part of this decade, Texas was blessed by a shale energy boom that filled state coffers.  Straus, meanwhile, attempted to raid the rainy day fund several times and did so successfully on....

• Water: ...a "water infrastructure development bank" more accurately described as a slush fund.  This was an idea originally proposed by Franklin Roosevelt and most recently championed by the former Democrat Governor of Pennsylvania Fast Eddie Rendell.  Franklin Roosevelt and Fast Eddie Rendell aren't exactly conservative heroes.

Education Issues, what he claims:

Education Issues, what really happened:

• "Expanding School Choice": This claim is laughable, Joe Straus and his handpicked education committee chairman Jimmie Don Aycock are the primary obstacles to meaningful school choice.

• A through F grades for schools: Dan Patrick's idea that Straus couldn't stop.

• "Improving Higher Education": LOL, Joe Straus is one of the worst offenders in the abuses of power we've seen at U.T.  Joe Straus drove the Wallace Hall impeachment.  But at least he spent a lot of money and created a new slush fund for them last session.

Border Issues, what he claims:

Border Issues, what really happened:

• While none of Texas' "leaders" (except the outnumbered Dan Patrick) have covered themselves in glory on border issues, Straus has habitually been one of the worst offenders.  In 2014, when Rick Perry belatedly sent DPS to the border, Straus dragged his feet.  Straus later attempted to play games with the funding.  The final 'border security' package that passed the #TXLEGE did little more than spend money.

• The interstate compact for border security passed the Texas Senate then died in the Texas House.

• Suffice to say, efforts to end subsidized tuition for illegal aliens and sanctuary cities went nowhere.

"Conservative Values," what he claims:

[Author's note: The fact that Straus links unrelated issues like Election Integrity, Life, and the Second Amendment under "Conservative Values" illustrates the disdain he has for all three.]

"Conservative Values," what really happened:

• Life: Whatever his shortcomings on other issues, Rick Perry was a warrior for life.  In 2011, Perry made the Sonogram bill an emergency item.  In 2013, Rick Perry called multiple special sessions to pass the bill that ultimately became HB 2.  In 2015, absent Gubernatorial leadership, 8 pro-life bills died in the Texas House and the 2 that did pass felt like pulling teeth.  The only reason the Texas House has done anything to protect innocent human life is because the politics of the issue have become so one-sided.

• Second Amendment: Considering his role in illegally squelching the debate over constitutional carry, this claim is particularly galling.  No one denies that the Texas Legislature passed a watered down version of licensed open carry.  Unfortunately, more meaningful pro-Second Amendment legislation languished.

• Voter ID: Another 2011 Rick Perry emergency item.

• Religious Liberty: Straus doesn't even discuss it, but it's worth mentioning that House leadership squelched numerous pro-Religious Liberty bills this past session.

Bottom Line: The fact that Joe Straus had to build his campaign website around half-truths, revisionist history, and taking credit for the accomplishments of others tells you everything you need to know about his record.

Texas Senate Democrats More Conservative than House Republicans

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

[Author's Note: Senate D's are in Blue; House R's are in Red.]

Fun with Empower Texans' scorecard:

• Sen. Eddie Lucio (60). (***)

• Rep. Marsha Farney (59).

• Rep. John Kuempel (59). (*)

• Rep. Lyle Larson (59).

• Rep. Geanie Morrison (58). (*)

• Rep. Gilbert Pena (58).

• Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock (57). (*)

• Rep. Drew Darby (57). (*)

• Rep. Ken King (56).

• Sen. Chuy Hinojosa (55).

• Rep. J.M. Lozano (53). (*)

• Rep. Sarah Davis (52). (**)

• Rep. J.D. Sheffield (51).

• Sen. Carlos Uresti (50).

-----

* -- Straus Committee Chair

(**) -- Sarah Davis chaired a Subcomittee of the Appropriations committee; furthermore, Straus appointed her to the budget conference committee.

(***) -- Eddie Lucio is one of only two D committee chairs in the Senate.

Meet the Super Liberal Education Bill that Passed Straus' House

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Ephesians 5:11

"Community schools" are a euphemism for all in one social service centers that cover the cradle component of 'cradle to grave.'  We attended a government school lobby event early in the 84th session where they were discussed extensively.  Our own (Democrat) state rep, Eddie Rodriguez, was carrying the bill.

The idea sounded so far-fetched that, to be honest, we forgot about it.  Earlier today, on a whim, we decided to see which bills Eddie Rodrigez managed to pass.  What we discovered was shocking.

The Texas House, under Joe Straus' leadership, actually passed the community schools bill (HB 1891); making matters worse, Jimmie Don Aycock (Straus handpicked education committee chairman) was a co-author on the bill.

How the vote went down:

HB 1891 ON THIRD READING
(by E. Rodriguez, Farney, S. Turner, VanDeaver, and Aycock)
HB 1891, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to Texas community schools.
HB 1891 was passed by (Record 1151): 69 Yeas, 52 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Allen; Alonzo; Alvarado; Anderson, C.; Aycock; Bernal; Blanco; Canales; Coleman; Collier; Cyrier; Darby; Davis, S.; Davis, Y.; Deshotel; Dutton; Faircloth; Farias; Farney; Farrar; Frank; Giddings; Gonzales; Gonzalez; Guerra; Guillen; Gutierrez; Harless; Hernandez; Howard; Huberty; Isaac; Israel; Johnson; King, S.; King, T.; Klick; Lozano; Lucio; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; McClendon; Minjarez; Moody; Morrison; Mun˜oz; Naishtat; Neva´rez; Oliveira; Pen˜a; Pickett; Raymond; Rodriguez, E.; Rodriguez, J.; Romero; Rose; Schofield; Sheets; Sheffield; Stephenson; Thompson, S.; Turner, C.; Turner, S.; VanDeaver; Vo; White, J.; Workman; Wu; Zerwas.

Nays — Anderson, R.; Bell; Bohac; Bonnen, D.; Bonnen, G.; Burns; Burrows; Button; Capriglione; Craddick; Dale; Elkins; Fletcher; Flynn; Galindo; Geren; Goldman; Kacal; Keffer; Keough; Koop; Krause; Landgraf; Larson; Leach; Metcalf; Meyer; Miller, D.; Miller, R.; Murphy; Murr; Paul; Phelan; Phillips; Price; Riddle; Rinaldi; Sanford; Schaefer; Shaheen; Simmons; Simpson; Smith; Spitzer; Springer; Stickland; Tinderholt; Turner, E.S.; Villalba; White, M.; Wray; Zedler.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker; Clardy; Kuempel(C).

Absent, Excused — Anchia; Cook; Dukes; Fallon; Frullo; Herrero; King, K.; King, P.; Laubenberg; Longoria; Ma´rquez; Miles; Otto; Raney; Reynolds; Smithee; Thompson, E.; Walle.

Absent — Ashby; Burkett; Crownover; Hughes; Hunter; Paddie; Parker;Schubert.

[Author's Note: Emphasis added to highlight how Republican members in close proximity to Travis County voted.]

Even Charlie Geren voted against this flaming bag of junk.

Bottom Line: The Senate rightfully killed this bill, but for a 'community schools' bill to pass the Texas House in the first place tells you everything you need to know about Texas House leadership.

Jimmie Don Aycock: Good Riddance!!!

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous."
Proverbs 13:22

Earlier this morning, in a personal privilege speech shortly before they broke for sine die, Jimmie Don Aycock announced his retirement from the Texas Legislature.

Long a voice for the government school lobby, as Joe Straus' hand-picked public education committee chairman, Aycock squashed school choice and any other meaningful education reforms the past several sessions.

Aycock perpetuated the rural economy where the school district is often the largest employer in the area; this failed model has led to population decline in Texas' rural areas while the rest of the state has boomed.

In addition, Aycock allowed his lobbyist daughter to bring business before the committee over which he presided.

Jimmie Don Aycock will not be missed.

Pro-Life Legislators: Persecuted

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5

This week's update brings us big news:



Highlights:

• Reached an agreement with Drew Springer on HB 3074.
• Tan Parker helped with negotiations.

• Matt Schaefer amendment would have closed a loophole allowing abortions against disabled children.

• One allegedly pro-life representative quipped: "You're not a real man."

• If pro-life bills were making it through the regular process, it wouldn't be necessary to use amendments.

• J.D. Scheffield: Babies with disabilities must be "dealt with."

• Straus committee chairs who voted to allow the Abortion of children with disabilities:
• Jimmie Don Aycock: (512) 463-0684
• Sarah Davis: (512) 463-0389
• John Zerwas: (512) 463-0657

Texas House hearing School Choice bill Tuesday

"Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life."
Proverbs 4:13

From the meeting notice for tomorrow's Texas House Public Education committee hearing;

HB 1796 Bohac | et al.

Relating to public school choice, including school campus information, student transfers, the public education grant program, and the transportation allotment.

The hearing is scheduled to commence at 2pm or upon final adjournment

First Amendment Tuesday: Week 5

"and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,"
Ephesians 6:12

Life, Liberty, and Property coalition held this fifth "First Amendment Tuesday" this morning:

Michael Quinn Sullivan (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• State of the state today.

• Abbott's transportation plan.

• Significant Tax Relief.

• Constitutional spending limits.

• Whole section on the border.

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):

Highlights:

• Committees will post hearings 5 days in advance.

• Guests in the gallery must maintain decorum.

• Friday is the deadline to file bills if you want them to have a realistic chance of passing.

• Don't buy stuff for state employees.

• Began to discuss amendment process.

Emily Horne (Texas Right to Life):

Highlights:

• Online registration for or against bills.

• You only get a few minutes to testify, plan in advance.

David Walls (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• Faith and Family day next Tuesday.

• CWA has a dinner Monday night.

• Briefing in Capitol auditorium with Abbott.

• Rally w/ Patrick.

• Legislative Guide is almost ready.

• HB 623 (Bell) -- Would defund rogue county clerks from issuing homosexual "marriage" licenses.
• Current laws don't have teeth.

Jeremy Newman (Texas Homeschool Coalition):

Highlights:

• Tim Tebow bill designed for rural areas.

• Aycock killed the bill last session.

• Expect bills to sail through Senate.

• Homeschool leagues frequently don't offer access to the same scholarship opportunities.

• Parental Rights Restoration Act
• Amends "Grandparents access statute." re: Single Parents
• Single parents are frequently targeted when there's bad blood.
• The goal is to make them go bankrupt fighting.
• "Family law" groups are primary opposition.
• Last session, parents testified on good bill; lawyers testified on bad bills.

Michael Quinn Sullivan; Part 2:

Highlights:

• Abbott endorsed Patrick's position re: DPS on border.

• Straus refused to fund border operations past March last year.

Straus Blusters Nervously

"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Proverbs 29:1

[Author's Note: Readers who are unfamiliar with reading body language can read a decent primer for how to discern nervousness here.]

Joe Straus gave a fascinating interview at U.T. last week.  In the interview, Straus made his typical promises to thwart the will of Texas' voters, but displayed a nervousness we haven't seen previously.  He clearly knows his days are numbered:



Highlights:

• "For me, the agenda doesn't change a whole lot from session to session."
• Author's note: WOW, if that one soundbite doesn't epitomize everything wrong with legacy GOP crony-insiderdom, we don't know what does.
• "...and I don't think it has in the Texas House either."

• "Start the list with public education...."
• If that's not a Democrat line, we don't know what is.

• Praises Aycock's clandestine committee.

• Wants the lege to "get in front of the courts" on school finance.

• "I don't have any indication that there's been a major shift away from...." House's previous stance on school choice.

• Nervously sips water at 8:07; plays with hands at 8:15.

• "I haven't really asked" re: in-state tuition.
• Uses Rick Perry as political cover.
• Says illegals "played by the rules" which has to qualify as one of the most laughable statements of all time.

• "You can't just legislate based on campaign slogans."
• Translation: It's ok to lie to voters to get elected, but you can't actually implement the agenda you campaigned on.

• Nervous body language at 11:08.

• Facetouch at 11:48.

• "Demand hasn't dropped off for Higher Education" re: Tuition dereg repeal.

• "Research in Higher education."

• Gigantic FU to Abbott and Patrick starting at 19:00.

• Crony "Debt relief."
• Translation: Pay down credit card balances without reforming the spending practices that got us into this situation in the first place.

• Nervous gulp at 22:08

• Straus pleas for measuring the effectiveness of border spending would ring a lot less hollow if he applied that standard to any other issue.

• "Detail oriented" leadership.

• Even on licensed open carry: "Details matter."

• BiPartisanship: "That's a good thing."

• "If you  work within the system we've created the last few years, you can get a lot done by being positive and productive and...umm...working with other people."
• Name one conservative issue (besides pro-life, where Rick Perry put his foot down) where this approach has yielded results at any point in Straus' tenure.

• Answer on breakfasts was very revealing.

• Borderline endorsement of Abbott's U.T. nominees.

• Henson's comment at 47:35 is the ultimate insider "tell."

Jimmie Don Aycock's Conflicted School Choice Interests

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

What?!?  Joe Straus committee chairs having incestious relationships with special interests under the purview of their committee?!?  Perish the thought:

Potential Public Education Committee appointment raises conflict of interest against school choice

....

Despite strong public support, school choice will once more find vigorous opposition in the newly convened Texas Legislature. Conflicts over ideology, motivations–financial and professional–and even academic achievement are to be expected.

One relationship that could ruffle some feathers if Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, is again appointed chair of the House Public Education Committee is the one between him and his daughter, Michelle Smith, a prominent education lobbyist.

The public education industry presents formidable, often taxpayer-funded, opposition to many issues including school choice – and lobbyists are an important piece of that effort.

Since 2010, Michelle Smith has worked for Hillco Partners, a firm identified in a 2011 Texas Monthly article as “at the top of the lobby pyramid” since its 1998 launch. Up until this legislative session, Smith listed Raise Your Hand Texas among numerous other education establishment clients. Founded and well-funded by HEB’s Charles Butt, this education policy and advocacy organization is known as a staunch defender of public education and is specifically against school vouchers.

Smith is currently executive director of Fast Growth School Coalition, an organization whose stated mission is “to educate others about the impacts that rapidly expanding communities have on school districts.” FGSC wants more, not less, public dollars for its public school membership. School choice is seen to threaten not only existing, but also future funding.

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For Smith, being Aycock’s daughter or a known education lobbyist has hardly been a secret. That other lawmakers are unaware of this relationship and the conflict posed defies credibility. And the Texas Legislature, when inclined, is no stranger to questioning the motivations of legislators or their lobbyist daughters.

Wikipedia defines a conflict of interest as: "a set of circumstances that creates a risk that professional judgement or actions regarding a primary interest will be unduly influenced by a secondary interest."  Clearly, the financial relationship between Chairman Aycock's daughter and the government 'education' industry is a 'secondary interest' that could 'unduly influence' the Texas House Public Education committee.  Give this incestuous relationship, shouldn't Chairman Aycock recuse himself from school choice bills?!?

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Update: Earlier this morning, this author asked Chairman Aycock about this issue at a Texas Tribune event; to his credit, JDA said he would recuse himself in the event any bill effecting his daughter's lobby clients came before his committee.