Good morning, 

Yes, today is April 1 – but the sick joke the Chinese coronavirus has played on the world hasn’t yet finished so I decided not to engage in any tomfoolery.

Instead, we’re launching a recipe contest. Yes, seriously.

But first, here is today’s Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Wednesday, April 1, 2020
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• At a press conference yesterday, Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled a new coronavirus-related executive order encouraging Texans to “limit personal interactions” through April 30. Brandon Waltens reports that while Abbott’s order is specifically not a statewide “stay-at-home” mandate, it does offer guidance on what constitutes an “essential” sector.
   
• Specifically, churches are now deemed “essential” services and allowed to operate provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines. This new guidance from Abbott will supersede more strict regulations from some localities that have explicitly banned religious services.
     
• Additionally, Abbott’s new order keeps Texas schools closed until at least May 4.
     
• Speaking of which... Many families are struggling under the new “school at home” orders – trying to understand how to order their days and help their kids. Fortunately, the nice folks at the Texas Home School Coalition know a thing or two about the challenges. They have established a new website providing families with tips and ideas about how to successfully educate at home.
       
• Check out their website: coronavirushomeschooling.com.
      
• Around the state some Texans are experiencing short-term shortages of basic home goods associated with the coronavirus outbreak and economic downturn. Robert Montoya writes about Bryan Kaeser’s efforts to provide for needs in his local community. Even though his Mudhook Bar and Kitchen just opened in November, Kaeser has been giving away hundreds of burgers and fries to area school district students, donating vinyl gloves to the local police department, and setting up a makeshift market at their storefront to offer all kinds of groceries and household supplies for pickup or delivery.
             
• Meanwhile, Montoya has continued his investigations into the controversial decision earlier this year by North Texas judges to remove all Child Protective Services cases from a conservative colleague’s court. It turns out the Tarrant County chapter of the taxpayer-funded non-profit entity Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates, also known as CASA, not only joined in attacking conservative judge Alex Kim but has close ties with CPS-the government body allegedly moving against him. 
     
• Interestingly, CASA’s local CEO, Don Binnicker, was fiercely supportive of Kim’s 2018 Democrat opponent – going so far as to allow the Democrat to address a gathering of CASA volunteers but not Kim.
     
• In a new commentary, Chris McNutt of Texas Gun Rights points out some law-abiding Texans are finding it nearly impossible to get fingerprinted and make application for a License to Carry. McNutt’s organization is calling on Gov. Abbott to issue an executive order waiving the LTC requirements so citizens can protect themselves without worrying about a delayed state permit.

• THIS IS NO JOKE! The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals put a “stay” on the pro-abortion ruling of an Austin-based federal judge.
     
• As you will recall, Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order banning all medically unnecessary procedures during the coronavirus emergency. Texas’ attorney general, then, ruled the order included abortions. The abortion industry asked U..S. District Judge Lee Yeakel to say the ban didn’t apply to them. As a long time abortion advocate, Yeakel – who was appointed to the bench by George W. Bush – gave them what they wanted. A.G. Ken Paxton wasted no time getting the matter before the 5th Circuit, which immediately put Yeakel’s ruling on hold. That means, for now anyway, abortion clinics must follow the same rules as every other medical provider in the state.
     
• The Amarillo City Council voted unanimously to postpone the city’s May bond election due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas Warren has the details.

• Usually you can find Cary Cheshire reviewing candidate questionnaires and digging into campaign finance reports, but the vice president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility is right now looking to make some culinary endorsements. With folks looking to brush up on their cooking skills during the stay-at-home orders, he hopes you will be willing to help out.
       

• Between now and 5 p.m. Friday (April 3), submit your favorite original or family dessert recipe to [email protected] for review.
       

• Over the weekend and coming week, members of the Texas Scorecard and Empower Texans staff will prepare then review selected recipes in the “Life” section of our news site.
          

• Exceptional entries will receive a modest prize and the knowledge that they shared something sweet with thousands of Texans.

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