Hey there — Greg here with the latest edition of Regulated Discourse. Thanks for reading.

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Quotable

Sunday, November 5

Border Bill No-Go. The Senate gaveled in and then right back out on Sunday afternoon. It had previously intended to take up the amended House border security bill, but took no action.

“We did our part.” Speaker Phelan put the failure to pass a border bill on the Senate.

Monday, November 6

“Phelan fails to deliver again.” Lt. Gov. Patrick responded to Phelan’s accusations.

Electioneer Much? After Sen. Bettencourt raised concerns about electioneering at Fort Bend ISD, Ken Paxton warned against the practice.

Who Says You Can’t Go Home. The House warned members not to go home in light of an incoming special session proclamation from Gov. Abbott.

Fountains of Youth. The Texas Young Republican Federation sued the Young Republicans of Texas over name infringement. The suit is part of a larger divide within the Texas GOP.

Blame the Lawyers! Claiming a recent bill “inadvertently struck” a key election law provision, New Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French asked Gov. Abbott for help with the 2024 primary election. Sen. Drew Springer, the author of the cited bill, acknowledged the issue and, much to my own chagrin, blamed the lawyers.

Tuesday, November 7

Election Day! For a full slate of returns check here or here.

May the Fourth be with you. The Legislature gaveled out of the third special session and, after just a few hours, gaveled right back in for the fourth. Read Gov. Abbott’s call here. Not included: the polling place issue raised by GOP Chair Bo French in Tarrant County.

Border Unity! The House and Senate announced agreement on illegal entry and border funding legislation.

A Little Spending Money. Because our legislature is meant to be part-time, Legislators earn only $7,200 per year in salary. But each day of any regular or special session, regardless of attendance, they are entitled to a $221 per diem. After a regular and four special sessions (not including impeachment activity), that’s 260 per diem days this year. Which comes out to $57,460 per member and roughly $10.4 million total.

Geriatric Revolt. Every constitutional proposition passed except Prop. 13, which would have increased the mandatory retirement age for judges from 75 to 79. I confess I don’t get this one. It means that Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, 74, cannot run for reelection. Yet Dan Patrick, who will turn 75 before his current term expires, can. Seems fair to make a retirement mandate equal across branches, especially considering that judges in Texas are also elected officials.

Make Press Releases Brief Again! Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker ended speculation that she might jump into the race for retiring U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s seat using a press release format I can get behind.

Paxton Pause. Even though the Texas Supreme Court already unpaused the whistleblower case against Ken Paxton, a Burnet County Judge re-paused it.

Wednesday, November 8

New Indictment Just Dropped. Federal prosecutors added new charges to Nate Paul’s indictment.

Take that Apathy! Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced a record turnout for a constitutional amendment election of 14.4%. The highest since 2005. Nice work everyone!

Chemical Plant Explosion. Very scary video of a massive chemical plant explosion in Shepherd, TX just outside of Houston. Sure we will learn more in the days to come.

Public School Funding: “An Axiom in Political Science”