Good morning, 

This is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Texas Democrats Fundraising for Another Quorum Break

• As redistricting hearings continue taking place in the Texas Legislature, a new report reveals that Democrats are already preparing to flee the state … again. Brandon Waltens has the latest.
        
• According to a leftwing news blog, House Democrats are privately raising funds from major donors to finance another quorum break. This would be a repeat of their 2021 walkout in which they left for Washington, D.C. in an unsuccessful effort to block election integrity legislation. This time, their goal would be to block congressional redistricting.
      
• If Democrats leave the state to block the Legislature from conducting business, they would face $500-per-day fines under current House rules passed in 2023. That rule change came after there were no consequences for the 2021 quorum breakers. Reportedly, deep-pocketed Democrat donors are pledging to cover those fines, removing a key deterrent and emboldening Democrats who might otherwise hesitate.
       
• Democrats would need just over $1 million per month to sustain a walkout, a large amount on its own but small compared to money raised by Democrat donors and organizations.

Glazed and Confused: Shipley Do-Nuts Sold to California Firm

• In a move that’s getting a not-so-sweet reaction from many Texans, the Houston-based doughnut merchant Shipley Do-Nuts will be moving ownership to the West Coast. 
      
• Established in 1936, Shipley has been sold to a California private equity firm.
       
• With more than 375 locations in 14 states, Shipley bills itself as the nation’s largest doughnut and kolache brand. The deal is reminiscent of the 2019 sale of Texas-staple fast food joint Whataburger to a Chicago investment group, a move that sparked a backlash that still simmers.
      
• For now, the company says the doughnuts will remain the same. Many Texans, though, are left wondering how many more local institutions will be dunked into the out-of-state private equity pipeline.

Parents Push Back on Schools’ New Phone-Free Policies

• In response to legislation enacted earlier this year, school districts across Texas are adopting new policies restricting students’ use of cell phones and other personal communication devices during the school day. But as Erin Anderson reports, some parents think the restrictions go too far.
      
• At issue has been growing concerns from teachers and others about classroom disruptions and distractions caused by the devices.
     
• The new law requires all Texas school districts to set policies that will prohibit students from using personal electronic communication devices “from bell to bell,” while allowing local officials to decide how the restrictions are implemented. Districts are not required to adopt HB 1481-compliant policies until September, but many wanted new rules in place when school starts in August.
      
• In some school districts, the use of personal devices is not permitted at any time between the start and end of the instructional day–including passing periods, lunch, electives, and privilege periods. In others, the restrictions apply only during class time.
      
• Some parents worry the rules being implemented have less to do with instructional distraction than preventing "students from documenting problematic issues on campus."

RELATED EDUCATION NEWS

• The law, spearheaded by State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney), came about after parents expressed concerns about school libraries having inappropriate content accessible to young children. 

Two Houston-Area Planned Parenthood Clinics Announce Closure

• Addie Hovland reports that Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast is closing two of its six Houston area clinics. Oversight of the other four will be transferred to Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas.
      
• One of these former abortuaries, which opened in 2010, was the largest such facility in the Western Hemisphere—killing 10,000 babies per year. It was also one of the facilities exposed for selling aborted baby body parts in undercover recordings released by pro-life activist David Daleiden.
      
• "Every time an abortion facility closes, it’s a powerful reminder that the Pro-Life movement is making progress," said Kimberlyn Schwartz of Texas Right to Life. 

Harris County Polling Signals Tight Races Ahead

• A majority of Harris County residents believe the community is heading in the wrong direction, with deep concerns and partisan divides shaping pivotal local and congressional races. Joseph Trimmer has the details.
      
• According to a poll conducted by the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, 57 percent said Harris County is on the wrong track. Top concerns include crime, poor street conditions, and flooding.
      
• Meanwhile, nearly a third of the voters in congressional district 18—made vacant by the death of Sylvester Turner—are undecided about the candidates running in the November special election. 

Quote-Unquote

"Schools teach exactly what they are intended to teach and they do it well: how to be a good Egyptian and remain in your place in the pyramid."

– John Taylor Gatto​

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