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Texas Proposition 1: Right to Farm or Right to Harm?
August 14, 2023
Texas needs to address abuses by local governments that are harming farmers and reducing our ability to raise healthy food without giving agricultural operations a blank check to be bad neighbors. We can raise food in ways that don’t harm public health and safety, and it’s in all our best interests to do so.
In November, Texans will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment, HJR 126, that would enshrine the “right to farm” in the Texas constitution.
Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) opposes this amendment. While it sounds good and it will help some farmers who are struggling with unfair government regulations, the amendment goes much too far and will end up hurting both farmers and communities.
Texas GOP Passes Unanimous Resolution Calling For Special Legislative Session On Colony Ridge
By Spencer Lindquist | DailyWire.com
The Republican Party of Texas unanimously passed a resolution calling on Governor Greg Abbott to convene a special legislative session to address Colony Ridge, the massive housing development north of Houston that’s become a hub for illegal immigrants.
The resolution, which passed by a vote of 61-0, says a special legislative session must be convened in order to “prevent further settlement of illegal aliens in Colony Ridge and any other areas of Texas.” The power to call a special legislative session is with Abbott, who has already been urged by the state’s Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to do the same.
Texas GOP leadership nearly unanimously calls on Speaker Phelan to resign
By By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor,
In a nearly unanimous vote, the leaders of the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) approved a resolution Saturday calling on the speaker of the Texas House, Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, to resign.
At a quarterly meeting held in Corpus Christi, members of the RPT’s Senate Republican Executive Committee (SREC) voted 58-2 to approve a resolution condemning Phelan for pushing through a rushed impeachment vote of Attorney General Ken Paxton – and pressuring members to vote for it – as well as voting for it himself. The resolution also condemns him for appointing Democrats to chair key committees who blocked conservative bills.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Acquitted on Impeachment Charges
After beginning deliberation yesterday, the Texas Senate voted on Saturday to acquit Attorney General Ken Paxton on all charges.
While 21 votes, or two-thirds, were required to convict and remove Paxton from office on any single charge, none received a majority vote.
The only Republicans to join Democrats in voting for most of the impeachment charges were State Sen. Kelly Hancock (North Richland Hills) and Robert Nichols(Jacksonville).
The vote was a stark difference to the House’s impeachment vote in May, which passed 121-23, on 20 charges of misapplication of public resources, bribery, obstruction of justice, abuse of public trust, and disregard of official duties.
State Reps. Andrew Murr (R–Junction), Charlie Geren (R–Fort Worth), Jeff Leach(R–Plano), Morgan Meyer (R–Dallas), Briscoe Cain (R–Deer Park), Cody Vasut (R–Angleton), and David Spiller (R–Jacksboro) were the Republicans on the House Board of Managers who pushed for impeachment in the Senate.
Paxton has been temporarily suspended from office since the House’s impeachment vote in May.
Senate Prepares for Vote in Paxton Impeachment Trial
Both the prosecution and defense have rested their case in the Senate’s impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, signaling a coming conclusion to the procedure which has lasted for eight days.
On Wednesday night, Rusty Hardin—a lawyer for the prosecution—accidentally rested the House case early after interviewing a witness.
Thursday’s defense presentation was focused on several current employees of the Office of the Attorney General who provided perspective on the impeachment charges levied against Paxton. Austin Kinghorn, the associate deputy attorney general for legal counsel that replaced “whistleblower” Ryan Vassar, refuted claims that the office put together a “sham investigation” after a group of former employees went to the FBI and accused Ken Paxton of illegal activity.
Kinghorn, who read the report multiple times, said he saw nothing wrong with it. He said would have reported his concerns if he had. Grant Dorfman, the deputy first assistant attorney general, echoed that same sentiment.
At approximately 6 p.m., Tony Buzbee—a defense lawyer for Paxton—rested the defense.
Though rules agreed to by the Senate allowed both sides up to an hour to rebut evidence, they will instead move on to their closing statements.
Both sides will be given one hour to present closing arguments when the Senate reconvenes at 9 a.m. on Friday. Senators will then be given the opportunity to deliberate before making their decision. The prosecution needs 21 senators, or a two-thirds majority, to remove Paxton from office.
Impeachment Case Against Paxton Implodes As Witnesses Admit No Misdeeds
A week and a half into the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the case against the conservative fighter is falling apart in spectacular fashion.
Witness after witness, all called by the House Board of Managers, have testified under oath that they either have no direct evidence against the attorney general or explained that the articles of impeachment were simply untrue.
Former Aide’s Testimony Destroys Claim Paxton Received Granite Countertop Bribe
Brandon Waltens | September 13, 2023
As the clock ticks down in the Senate’s impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, another witness for the prosecution has undermined the allegations lobbed by the House.
This time, the subject was an alleged kitchen renovation at Paxton’s Austin home that House impeachment prosecutors say was funded by Nate Paul, a real estate developer that has been at the center of many of the charges against Paxton.
The renovation project, they allege, amounted to bribery and is spelled out in the tenth article of impeachment, with those seeking to impeach Paxton as well as leftist media reporting he received “granite countertops” in exchange for giving Paul favorable access to the Attorney General’s Office.
Photos provided by Paxton’s legal team, however, show there are no granite countertops. In fact, the kitchen renovation never happened.
Click the above image for information on Ken Paxton's Impeachment Trial
Watch the Impeachment Trial
Click on the link below for the videos of Ken Paxton’s Impeachment Trial.
Paxton Moves to Have ‘Illegal’ Testimony Excluded From Impeachment Trial
Brandon Waltens |
In the latest motion filed ahead of the impeachment trial in the Senate, Attorney General Ken Paxton is calling for illegal and unsworn testimony to be thrown out.
“By impeaching Ken Paxton, the House seeks to remove the sitting Attorney General of the State of Texas, a public servant who has been repeatedly elected by the people of Texas. It has been a century since the last such effort involving a state-wide official,” the motion states. “Given the gravity of these proceedings, Texans should expect that the architects behind this impeachment would have conducted their investigation accordingly, dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s. But the opposite is true.”
Comal County Passes Resolution in Support of Orange County’s Censure of Dade Phelan
On July 27, 2023, the Republican Party of Comal County, Texas adopted a resolution stating its full support of Republican Party of Orange County, Texas and all requested relief stated therein. Click here to see the Resolution.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton acquitted of fraud charges
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted of civil charges of securities fraud brought against him by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC says Paxton encouraged investors to give money in a misleading and unlawful way to McKinney-based Software company Servergy while serving as a state legislator.
In a 29-page ruling written by United States District Judge Amos Mazzant III, Mazzant acknowledged that Paxton “actively recruited investors” for Servergy without telling said investors that he would be profiting from commissions he would receive from their investments. However, the judge says that the action is only legally relevant if the undisclosed information “renders [a] statement false or misleading,”
Attorney General Ken Paxton Filed Motion to Challenge Three Jurors for Cause
On July 21, attorneys for Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a Motion to disqualify Senators Menedez, Gutierrez, and Johnson for cause in the upcoming trial in the Senate. Click here to see the Motion.
CHRIS BYRD Speaker at the July 2023 Meeting of the Republican Club of Comal County
Committeeman Chris Byrd was the guest speaker for the Republican Club of Comal County in New Braunfels. There was a great turnout for a great discussion on matters important to the constituents of Senate District 25 and the State of Texas.
Texas Withdraws from the Electronic Information Registration Center
On July 20, 2023, the State of Texas submitted its letter withdrawing from the Electronic Information Registration Center. Other states to have recently resigned from ERIC include Louisiana, who was first, as well as Alabama, Florida, West Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, Iowa and Virginia.
Thursday’s letter comes as the next step in that process after legislation allowing for the creation of a new Texas-based system (S.B. 1070) passed during the legislative session and was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in June.
Texas’ official exit date from ERIC will be Oct. 19, according to the letter. SB 1070 will go into effect Sept. 1.
Texas House, Senate chiefs announce $18B property tax relief plan. Here’s what’s proposed.
Hogan Gore. Published 07-10-23.
In a joint statement Monday morning, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan announced an agreement on a tax relief plan they say “will deliver the biggest property tax cut in Texas history,” ending a monthslong impasse that has had GOP leaders legislating and attacking one another on social media.
The proposal would allocate $18 billion for tax relief policies, with the bulk going toward school property tax compression. The compromise between the two legislative leaders will incorporate elements that senators and state representatives have fought for since the regular session began in January and through two called special sessions.
A $100,000 homestead exemption — a tax break that removes $100,000 from a home’s taxable value — has been a marquee issue for Patrick through this year’s legislative cycle and is included in the agreed-upon legislation filed Monday and expected to be passed by both chambers this week, according to the announcement.
Orange County GOP Voted to Censure Dade Phelan
The Orange County GOP voted 14-6 on July 13, 2023, to censure Dade Phelan on the grounds of appointing Democrats as committee chairs, among others. Orange is the largest county in Phelan’s district. Click here to see the Resolution.
Governor Abbott Renews Border Security Disaster Declaration In June 2023
June 11, 2023 | Austin, Texas | Proclamation
Click here to view the Border Security Disaster Declaration.
Governor Abbott Announces Second Special Session Agenda
Governor Greg Abbott today announced Special Session #2 and issued a proclamation identifying agenda items for the special session that begins at 3:00 PM today, Tuesday, June 27.
“We achieved a great deal during the 88th Legislative Session that I have signed into law, including laws to provide more than $5.1 billion for border security, hold rogue district attorneys accountable, and add $1.4 billion to make schools safer, but the job is not done,” said Governor Abbott. “I am bringing the Texas Legislature back for Special Session #2 to provide lasting property tax cuts for Texans. During the five-month regular session, the Texas House and Texas Senate both agreed on cutting school district property tax rates, while the House wanted to add appraisal caps and the Senate advocated for increased homestead exemptions.
Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial will begin Sept. 5, with his attendance required
Suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton will answer to 16 of 20 articles of impeachment at a trial to begin Sept. 5, the Texas Senate said Wednesday night after spending about 20 hours drafting the trial rules in private.
Paxton’s wife, Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, can attend, but she will not participate in deliberations or closed sessions when the Senate sits as a court of impeachment, according to the trial rules adopted without discussion Wednesday on a 25-3 vote.
The three votes in opposition included Angela Paxton and Sens. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, and Bob Hall, R-Edgewood.
The trial, which will be held in public, will begin with opening statements. Lawyers for the House impeachment managers will present evidence first, with cross-examination of witnesses allowed. Paxton’s lawyers will be allowed to present evidence and witnesses as well.
East Texas County 400 Miles from Border Declares Migrant-Crisis Disaster
COLDSPRING, Texas — Nearly 200 residents of rural San Jacinto County, Texas, watched as the commissioners’ court declared a border-crisis state of disaster. Following a mass murder and cartel-connected marijuana grow house bust, county residents had seen firsthand, the impact of the border crisis on their community.
Declaration of Local State of Disaster
Kinney County proclaimed a local state of disaster pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code claiming an imminent threat of disaster from the cartel orchestrated invasion on the border with Mexico.
Observations
OBSERVATIONS OF TEXAS GOVERNOR’S BORDER AUTHORITY
9. On November 15, 2022 Governor Abbott invoked the Invasion Clauses of the Texas and U.S. Constitutions and on the 16th, he wrote President Biden a letter citing the Biden “policy of an open-border” as the “sole cause of Texas having to invoke [its] constitutional authority to defend [itself]” under the State Self-Defense Clause to repel illegal border crossers and arrest criminals violative of Texas Law.
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