Good morning,

We're looking to order some "giveaway" hats and would like your opinion on which style to get. Yes, I'm asking for fashion tips.

You'll find the selection at the conclusion of today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 

Abbott Slams DHS Secretary Mayorkas for Comments in Guatemala

• Gov. Greg Abbott laid into U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during an appearance this week on Fox 4. Luca Cacciatore has the details.
     
• Mayorkas was impeached in February by the U.S. House. Recently, the DHS secretary went to Guatemala, where he criticized Texas' efforts to stop illegal aliens from crossing the border.
     
• Abbott explained that because the Biden administration is not doing its job, Texas must "step up" and "deter anybody from entering the country illegally, then to detain anybody who does enter illegally, and to build border barriers."
       
• Since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has recorded more than 5.4 million illegal border crossers and at least 1.5 million “got-aways”—those detected but not apprehended.

Available Now!

HUBRIS: The Texas Kingmakers

• They protect the practice of giving committee chairmanships to Democrats in the GOP-dominated Texas House. They were behind the push to get rid of the Attorney General of Texas. They have quietly weakened pro-life laws and undermined reforms designed to protect children from abuse. Who are they?
      
• This new documentary won't be released to the public until later this morning.

Texas Public Education is a Magnet for Illegal Aliens

• Numerous studies have demonstrated the toll that illegal aliens are having on public education. Daniel Greer explains how a recent fake story on social media demonstrates the real-world problem posed by the "magnet" of government schools in attracting illegal aliens to Texas.
      

• The Republican Party of Texas platform calls for action both in the form of the abolishment of in-state tuition for illegal aliens in higher education and for proof of legal residency to enroll in public school.

Faculty Group ‘Shocked’ by UT Termination Letters to DEI Staff

• As UT-Austin works to come into compliance with Senate Bill 17—a state law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion offices on taxpayer-funded college campuses—a leftist faculty group is complaining that DEI employees were “shocked” by formal termination letters. Adam Cahn has the story.
       
• As reported earlier this month, UT Austin President Jay Hartzell announced the university would disband its “division of campus and community engagement.” Now, formal termination letters have been sent to staff.
      
• The UT chapter of the leftwing “American Association of University Professors” has issued a scathing attack on the dismissals claiming they happened "without warning and came as a complete shock"... despite the law passing nearly a year ago and being widely discussed before taking effect in January.

Reading Isn't Fundamental to Victoria Library Mission?

• Volunteers who serve on the Victoria Public Library Advisory Board are raising concerns about a new library mission statement that omits "reading" and “literacy.” Erin Anderson reports that the Victoria city manager is attacking concerns as “political posturing” and directing his staff to cut off all communications with Library Advisory Board members.
       
• The Victoria Public Library is operated jointly by the city and county of Victoria. The 11-member Library Advisory Board develops library policies and acts as a liaison between city and county government officials.
      
• Previously, the library's mission was to encourage "a love of reading and commitment to literacy."
      
• The new mission is "to enhance our community’s wellbeing by providing a welcoming space that prioritizes improving access and technology, fostering strong community support, inspiring personal development, and serving as a reliable anchor for our diverse community."

Georgetown ISD Puts Billion Dollar Bond on May Ballot

• Local property taxpayers already owe more than $951 million in bond debt in Georgetown Independent School District, but Emily Medeiros reports that officials there want votes to increase that burden by another billion dollars in May.
   
• The bonds proposed would use taxpayer dollars to purchase new school buses, renovate classrooms, construct new schools, and repair athletic facilities. Despite school officials saying the package will cost $649 million, local taxpayers will actually be burdened with more than $1.2 billion in debt when interest is included.
     
• Early voting for local elections around the state runs from April 22-30. Election Day is Saturday, May 4.

Today In History

On April 17, 1871, the Texas Legislature created the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and allocated $75,000 for the construction of buildings for the state's first public institution of higher education. The institution would later be renamed Texas A&M University.

Quote-Unquote

"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid."

– Dwight D. Eisenhower​

Help Us Pick A Hat!

We want to order some giveaway hats and have four designs; the staff is no help—have you seen how we dress?

Click on your favorite design to cast a vote for which hat you think we should order. (The winning selection will be revealed at the Texas Scorecard booth during the 2024 GOP state convention!)