Reviewing the 2019 legislative session outcomes.

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Today's Texas Minute brings together the autopsy reports conducted on the 2019 legislative session’s outcomes – the good, the bad, and the ugly. The series was overseen by Cary Cheshire and Brandon Waltens.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Monday, August 5, 2019

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Ending Forced Annexation [[link removed]]: In a clear-cut conservative win, lawmakers and grassroots activists working together succeeded in extending property rights protection to all Texans.

Spending Limits [[link removed]]: For years Texas Republicans have campaigned on the popular idea of limiting the growth of government. Yet as the case has been for several sessions running, the measure was passed by the Texas Senate but never even given a hearing in the House.

Protecting Free Markets [[link removed]]: With cities routinely hyper-regulating businesses, Texans expected lawmakers would tackle out-of-control local government. Measures doing so passed out of the Senate, but were killed by the Texas House leadership.

Stopping A Tax Hike [[link removed]]: One man cannot make a difference? No one told State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, whose commitment to real tax relief also ended a rash scheme to raise taxes on 75 percent of Texans.

Taxpayer-funded Lobbying [[link removed]]: A ban on the repugnant practice of local governments using tax dollars to lobby against their own residents interests made it through the Senate but was killed on the House floor.

Monuments and Memorials [[link removed]]: While Senators moved to provide protection to historic monuments and memorials, the effort was stymied in the Texas House.

2nd Amendment [[link removed]]: Despite calls for Texans to enjoy the same gun rights as those in most other states, bills doing so went nowhere.

Pro-Life [[link removed]]: While other states rushed to pass big life-saving legislation this spring, Texas did not. Neither the “abolish abortion” nor the “heartbeat bill” were received a vote in either chamber. Meanwhile, PreNDA – the “Pre-Born Non-Discrimination Act” – passed the Senate but was killed by House leadership. What made it?

Election Integrity [[link removed]]: From mail-in ballot fraud to noncitizens voting to the use of public resources subsidizing campaigns, Texas faces a wide range of issues undermining the integrity of our elections. (Daniel Greer of Direct Action Texas, which focuses on election issues, presented this report.) ​

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​ MARK YOUR CALENDAR! September 12, 2019: The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus and the Israel Allies Foundation will be honoring the work and achievements of Odessa’s C.R. “Dick” Saulsbury in strengthening the relationship between Jews and Christians in the 21st century, and the closest relationship that has ever existed between the United States and Israel. The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the Midland County Horseshoe Pavilion. Learn more by emailing: [email protected].

December 7, 2019: The Conservative Leaders Gala will take place in Irving. This annual event honors the grassroots leaders who have been fighting for liberty on the front lines of Texas politics. More information coming mid-week! Number of the Day

456

Number of days until the 2020 General Election.

[Source: calendar]

Today in History

On August 5, 1861, Abraham Lincoln imposed the first income tax on the American people to pay for the Civil War. It was repealed in 1871. The modern income tax was imposed by a constitutional amendment ratified in 1913.

Quote-Unquote

“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.”

– Albert Einstein

Your State Lawmakers

Governor of Texas

Greg Abbott - R

(512) 463-2000

Lt. Governor of Texas

Dan Patrick - R

(512) 463-0001

Texas Senate, District

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Texas House, District

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Texas Scorecard & Texans for Fiscal Responsibility

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PO Box 36875 | Houston, TX 77236 The Texas Minute is a quick look at the news and info of the day that we find interesting, and hope you do as well. It is produced on week days and distributed at 6 a.m. (though I'll probably take the occasional break for holidays and whatnot). Like [link removed] Tweet [link removed] Forward [link removed] Unsubscribe [link removed]