... The Texas Minute ...

Read this in a browser. [link removed]

Good morning,

With filing underway for spots on the Texas primary ballots, today's One Click Survey looks at the race for comptroller.

This is the Texas Minute for Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Lawsuit Seeks To Strike Down ‘Anti-Christian’ Restrictions in State Work-Study Programs Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a new lawsuit seeking to dismantle three state-run higher-education programs he says unconstitutionally discriminate against religious students and faith-based organizations. As Brandon Waltens notes [[link removed]], the lawsuit is notable because Paxton is effectively taking a state agency to court.

At issue are three programs administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Paxton alleges the programs contain “nonsectarian” restrictions that violate the First Amendment and improperly bar Christian ministries and religious students from participating in taxpayer-funded benefits.

Paxton argues these restrictions amount to a “wholesale exclusion” of otherwise qualified students and enterprises based solely on their religious character—something recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent has repeatedly condemned.

Alumni Group Sounds the Alarm on College Athletics Deal A group representing alumni and school trustees is urging the governing boards at Big Ten universities to halt a proposed $2.4 billion private equity deal between the conference and UC Investments, the investment branch of the University of California system. Daniel Greer has the details [[link removed]].

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni is raising concerns about transparency and oversight, calling for university regents and trustees to block any final vote on the transaction until their boards are fully informed and authorize participation. The widely reported transaction, proposed earlier this month, would see UC Investments acquire a 10 percent equity stake in a newly created business entity, Big Ten Enterprises.

The arrangement is designed to extend the conference’s “grant of rights,” effectively binding universities into the conference through 2046.

ACTA argues that the institutions' governing boards, not athletic directors, presidents, or chancellors, should hold final authority over any future transactions involving the monetization of university assets—including sports deals. Boeing Sued in Texas Court for Downplaying Danger of Aircraft Boeing is being sued in Texas for assuring pilots that its 737 MAX aircraft did not require specialized training. Travis Morgan explains the status of the lawsuit [[link removed]] brought by the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Pilots Association after the aircraft was grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Boeing began delivering the 737 MAX model of jetliners in 2017, marketing it as more fuel efficient than previous iterations. Southwest pilots agreed to fly the MAX aircraft based upon Boeing’s assertions that no further training was required.

Shortly after airlines started flying them, two MAX planes crashed within months of each other. Nearly 400 people were killed. Both crashes were reportedly caused by a new flight-stabilizing feature, which pilots had not been trained on.

The pilots argue they were "fraudulently induced" by Boeing to fly the plane. When the FAA grounded the 737 MAX, Southwest had to cancel hundreds of flights and caused SWAPA pilots to lose wages. Oncor Pushes $33 Billion Power Project Expansion Paige Feild reports [[link removed]] that Oncor, the largest energy delivery company in Texas, played a pivotal role in transforming a regional reliability project into a statewide mega-expansion. Critics believe it will drive up Texans’ energy bills while benefiting the company financially.

Without legislative or public consent, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas approved the project in August. It is expected to cost an estimated $200 per year for the average residential consumer in most parts of the state.

Using legislation passed in 2023 to strengthen only the grid in West Texas, records show the project was expanded at the behest of Oncor and others. Houston Mayor Defends Police Coordination With ICE After previously denying significant involvement, Houston Mayor John Whitmire admitted last week that the city's police department had been cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Michael Wilson has the story [[link removed]].

Whitmire defended the involvement as limited cooperation necessary to avoid "counterproductive" federal intervention.

The mayor said that when Houston police are conducting traffic stops or even making arrests during sting operations, individuals are not asked about their immigration status. 'Microtransit' As Mission Creep Across the state, microtransit firms are popping up and replacing fixed bus networks. But as Charles Blain explores in the latest edition of Texas Tomorrow [[link removed]], they might not be all they are made out to be. Today In History

On Nov. 17, 1835, residents of Cincinnati, Ohio, inspired by the Texans' fight for independence, began raising funds to purchase two cannons for the cause. They were shipped down the Mississippi and arrived in Texas in April, just in time for the Battle of San Jacinto.

Number of the Day

24,831

The population of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1830; roughly the same as the entirety of Texas at the time.

[Source: Boston University [[link removed]]; Texas State Library & Archives Commission [[link removed].]]

Quote-Unquote

"A good accountant is a good poet. He appreciates the true value of things."

– Robert Frost​

One Click Survey

Filing for the 2026 primary nominating contests is underway, continuing through Dec. 8. Among the statewide races on the 2026 ballot will be the open race for state comptroller. The candidates include:

If the election were held today, which of the declared GOP candidates would you support?

Christi Craddick [[link removed]] Kelly Hancock [[link removed]] Don Huffines [[link removed]]

Once you’ve clicked an answer, reply to this email with any thoughts you’d like to share!

Directory of Your Current U.S. & Texas Officials [[link removed]]

This information is automatically inserted based on the mailing address you provide to us. If you'd like to update your contact information, please visit our subscriber portal [[link removed]].

​ U.S. Senator [[link removed]]

John Cornyn - R

(202) 224-2934

U.S. Senator [[link removed]]

Ted Cruz - R

(202) 224-5922

Governor of Texas [[link removed]]

Greg Abbott - R

(512) 463-2000

Lt. Governor [[link removed]]

Dan Patrick - R

(512) 463-0001

Attorney General [[link removed]]

Ken Paxton – R

(512) 463-2100

Acting Comptroller

Kelly Hancock – R

(512) 463-4600

Land Commissioner [[link removed]]

Dawn Buckingham – R

(512) 463-5001

Commissioner of Agriculture [[link removed]]

Sid Miller – R

(512) 463-7476

Railroad Commissioners [[link removed]]

Wayne Christian – R

Christi Craddick – R

Jim Wright – R

(512) 463-7158

State Board of Education [[link removed]], District

Update your address ( )

Main (512) 463-9007

U.S. House [[link removed]], District

Update your address ()

Congressional Switchboard (202) 225-3121

Texas Senate [[link removed]], District

Update your address ()

Capitol Switchboard (512) 463-4630

Texas House [[link removed]], District

Update your address ()

Capitol Switchboard (512) 463-4630

Speaker of the Texas House [[link removed]]

Dustin Burrows (R)

(512) 463-1000

📧 [[link removed]] If someone forwarded the Texas Minute to you, and you like what you see, it is easy to get on the list yourself [[link removed]]!

Update Your Subscription Profile [[link removed]] 🔒 Support 🔒 [[link removed]]

A product of Texas Scorecard

www.TexasScorecard.com

(888) 410-1836

PO Box 248, Leander, TX 78646

Presented by Texas Scorecard, the Texas Minute is a quick look at the first news of the Lone Star State so citizens can be well informed and effectively engaged. It is available weekday mornings in your inbox!

This message was originally sent to:

John xxxxxx |

Be sure to put “ [[link removed]]” on your safe-senders whitelist.

If you ever stop receiving our emails, it might be because someone to whom you forwarded the email unintentionally removed you from the list. No worries; it is easy enough to reactivate your subscription immediately by visiting:

[link removed]

Before you click the link below... If someone forwarded this email to you, please don’t! Clicking the link will end the subscription of [email protected].
Unsubscribe [link removed]