Good morning –

Readers overwhelmingly rejected the Democrats’ call for everyone to vote by mail in the July primary runoffs.

But first, here is today’s Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Thursday, March 26, 2020
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• Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is sounding the alarm on the economic impact the Lone Star State is suffering as a result of the Chinese coronavirus and governments ordering business closings in order to fight it. Cary Cheshire reports the comptroller predicts lawmakers are “going to have to use part of the Economic Stabilization Fund” to make up expected shortfalls. Likewise, the comptroller’s office has signaled the need for additional revenue – or spending cuts – so the state can meet its obligations.
       
• Hegar has said the state’s unemployment rate could be approaching 9 percent.
     
• Tax increases must be off the table. Republican legislators must commit instead to prioritizing tax relief as a way to most directly assist already over-burdened Texas families during a time of financial hardship.
       
• If you have ideas or suggestions about ways state and local government can reduce expenditures, we’d love to help you explore their feasibility. Send those ideas to: [email protected].
   
• Dallas County’s “shelter in place” order was issued by Democrat County Judge Clay Jenkins without input from, or the consent of, the four county commissioners. Robert Montoya reports those same commissioners are asking why... and also why Jenkins used a flawed infectious disease model on which to base his draconian mandate. 
     
• Taking a slightly different approach than others, Collin County has ordered residents to restrict their movements to contain the spread of the Chinese coronavirus – but is encouraging businesses to stay open if they can do so safely. Erin Anderson has the details.
       
• Meanwhile, the City of Allen has its first new mayor in more than two decades – though it is only temporary until the municipal elections in November. Former mayor Steve Terrell was forced to resign his post when he mounted a losing campaign against the incumbent conservative Collin County Commissioner Darrell Hale.
     
• The state’s largest population centers have forced businesses to shut down and Texans to stay home, thereby driving up unemployment. Darrell Frost wants to know if those same local officials will be cutting their own pay.
      
• “Politicians are notorious for making decisions that don’t directly affect them but have a drastic effect on their constituents. If millions of Texans are restricted from working and being forced to alter their routines, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that reductions in pay should be on the table for those responsible.” – Darrell Frost

• In yesterday’s Texas Minute I asked whether the Lone Star State should adopt the Democrats’ call for statewide vote-by-mail for the July primary runoff elections. The response? An overwhelming “No!”
     
• Only 6 percent of readers said they would want vote-by-mail, even if “just this once.”
       
• “Democrats have proven time and again that they are irresponsible with counting votes.  Why would we want to do anything they suggest?” – Ray H.
       
• Joseph G. said there was “too much voter fraud opportunity.” That was the same sentiment expressed by Fred M., who described it as a “bad precedent.”

• In this week’s Empower Texans staff Bible study, Jacob Asmussen led a discussion on one of the names of God: Jehovah Rapha, meaning “the God Who Heals.” Check out his lesson.

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