Good morning –

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Wednesday, November 20, 2019
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• The results of the 2019 legislative session have been labeled “purple” by grassroots activists, while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said he was “frustrated” conservative priorities were not adopted. That led to citizens around the state to create the Lone Star Agenda – 11 reforms strongly supported by Texans that have been ignored by the crony culture in Austin.
      
• Brandon Waltens reports a growing number of state representatives have committed to the Lone Star Agenda and the call for a special session to deliver real results for citizens. According to JoAnn Fleming, an organizer of the Lone Star Agenda, State Reps. James White (R–Hillister), Jared Patterson (R–Frisco), and Scott Sanford (R-McKinney) are among those now supporting the Lone Star Agenda and calling for a special session to implement it.
      
• They join others in supporting the agenda, including State Sen. Bob Hall (R–Edgewood), and State Reps. Jonathan Stickland (R–Bedford), Kyle Biedermann (R–Fredericksburg), Tony Tinderholt (R–Arlington), and Steve Toth (R–The Woodlands).
      
• “Advancing meaningful legislation to protect and advance the liberties of Texans is always a welcome opportunity. Therefore, I support the Lone Star Agenda and call for these advancements in a special session, and in all future legislative sessions.” – Facebook post by State Rep. Scott Sanford
      
• A scandal-plagued local government agency helmed by the son of U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) is refusing to follow recommended reforms for the redevelopment scheme known as Panther Island. Robert Montoya reports the $1.17 billion redevelopment project has been mired in scandals and cost-overruns since its inception in 2003. It received a windfall of money under the Obama Administration, which was halted by the Trump Administration in the face of growing recognition that the project has been wildly mismanaged by the congresswoman’s son, J.D. Granger.
     
• Mr. Granger and his accomplice Jim Oliver, general manager of the Tarrant Regional Water District, appear determined to keep control of the boondoggle no matter the cost to the taxpayers.
     
• Midland taxpayers aren’t yet off the hook for more debt, reports Matt Stringer. A Midland ISD bond measure that narrowly failed by 25 votes in early November will undergo a recount called for by the bond’s supporters.

• Baby Tinslee, whose plight has garnered national attention, is safe for now. Texas Right to Life reports “Baby Tinslee Lewis, the 9-month-old at the center of a 10-day dispute with Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, will be protected until December 10, 2019. The family’s lawyers, provided by Texas Right to Life, and Cook Children’s agreed to extend the temporary restraining order, allowing our patient advocacy team more time to secure a transfer.”

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