Monday, April 28, 2025
Sunday, April 27, 2025
From the Texas Tribune regarding recent election legislation in the Texas Leg.
The Bill would amend the Texas Election Code.
Subject Areas:
- Elections--Administration.
- Elections--Election Officers.
- Elections--Registration & Suffrage.
Democratic lawmakers and Texas voters spent nearly four hours at a legislative hearing Thursday demanding to know how a GOP-backed bill to require citizenship proof from voters would work, and warning that it could disenfranchise eligible Texans.
. . . House Bill 5337 goes further than the laws and proposals in some other states, in that it would apply retroactively to already-registered voters in Texas, not just new applicants. Texas has more than 18 million registered voters.
Officials with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office told lawmakers Thursday that they estimate around 500,000 currently registered voters who don’t have a driver’s license number or Social Security number in their voter registration record would have to provide proof of citizenship.
- HB 5337.
- SB 16.
The federal courts have blocked similar laws due to allegations these amount to voter suppression.
- Court blocks Arizona’s laws requiring proof of citizenship to vote for president.
See also:
- Texas lawmakers consider barring counties from mailing unsolicited voter registration forms.
- Verifying hand-counted ballots in Texas elections may be easier under GOP bill.
- Republican lawmakers revive effort to give attorney general more power to prosecute election crimes.
- Texas countywide voting bill would allow fewer polling sites.
- Some Texas lawmakers want to ban countywide voting on Election Day. Local officials are pushing back.
ATOTP: Fighting for Transparency: How Houston Is Hiding Critical Street Redesign Records
For our look at municipal government.
As well as the availability of information.
- Click here for the article.
These are the requests mentioned in the article:
1. Request for the 11th Street Safety Study — Withheld Per Attorney General
2. Request for Communications About Heights Boulevard Barrier Removal — Sent to Attorney General
3. Request for Austin Street Redesign and Removal Documents — Sent to Attorney General
4. Request for Mayor Whitmire’s Communications — Sent to Attorney General
5. Request for Fire Department Feedback Used to Justify Removals — 10-Day Letter Sent to Attorney General
6. Request for Community Feedback and Repaving Costs for Austin Street — Sent to Attorney General
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Friday, April 25, 2025
From the Texas Tribune: Abbott signs first bill of session into law, creating a Texas DOGE
The Bill is SB 14: click here to check it out on TLO.
The bill will amend the Texas Government Code.
It emerged from a report from the Governor’s Small Business Freedom Council.
Here are the other bills signed by the governor so far this session.
- Click here for the article.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed the first law of this year’s legislative session, a bill creating a new regulation-cutting agency inspired by Elon Musk’s federal Department of Government Efficiency.
Senate Bill 14, which passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan supermajorities, establishes the “Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office” at a cost of $22.8 million over the next five years.
Abbott signed the bill with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dustin Burrows and the bill’s sponsors — Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, and Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford — by his side.
“The fewer regulations we have, the more efficient they are, the easier they are to understand — is going to help Texas business and economy continue to boom, which is why I'm excited this is the first bill that is being signed,” Burrows said.
With five weeks left in the biennial legislative session, SB 14 is the first bill to reach Abbott’s desk. The Senate and House have each passed other priority measures — including a school voucher program that Patrick put on a glide path last week when he endorsed the House’s proposal — but some, like the budget, differ slightly across chambers and still require final approval before they can go to the governor.
Links 4/25/25
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rough_Riders
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March%E2%80%93April_2025_United_States_attacks_in_Yemen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_Coast
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/umpteenth
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/subpoena
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/a-reporter-s-notes-of-the-april-23-perkins-coie-hearing
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/us/politics/trump-judges-marshals-threats.html
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/04/25/us/trump-news
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Dear CHatGPT: How Can a U.S. President Abuse Executive Power?
1. Obstruction of Justice
- Interfering with investigations, particularly those involving themselves or close allies.
- Firing officials (like FBI directors or inspectors general) who are investigating wrongdoing.
2. Using Government Resources for Personal or Political Gain
- Pressuring foreign governments to take actions that benefit the president politically (e.g., digging up dirt on a political opponent).
- Misusing government funds or assets for campaign purposes or personal enrichment.
3. Violating the Constitution or Laws
- Ignoring court rulings or refusing to comply with lawful subpoenas.
- Declaring emergencies to bypass Congress and redirect funds or implement policies that would otherwise not be approved.
4. Undermining Democratic Institutions
- Attacking the legitimacy of elections without evidence.
- Using federal agencies (like the DOJ, IRS, or DHS) to target political opponents or critics.
5. Pardoning Allies for Corrupt Purposes
- Issuing pardons to friends or associates involved in crimes related to the president’s own actions, possibly to keep them from testifying.
6. Censoring or Controlling Information
- Intimidating the press or manipulating public information through propaganda or misinformation.
- Preventing whistleblowers from coming forward or retaliating against them.
Checks on Presidential Power
While the U.S. president holds significant authority, checks and balances exist:
- Congress can investigate, defund initiatives, or impeach.
- Courts can block unlawful actions.
- The media and public play watchdog roles.
- Elections serve as ultimate accountability.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Bills related to Special Districts
Special Districts & Authorities--Hospital
Special Districts & Authorities--Miscellaneous
Special Districts & Authorities--Municipal Utility Districts
Special Districts & Authorities--Navigation & Ports
Special Districts & Authorities--River Authorities
Special Districts & Authorities--Soil & Water Conservation
Special Districts & Authorities--Water & Utility
Special Districts & Authorities--Water Control Improve Dist.
For GOVT 2306 - 4/23/25
- Texas Senate approves bill that could reshape how history and race are taught in state universities.
Senate Bill 37 passed despite Democrats raising concerns it could lead to a faculty brain drain, self-censorship or lawsuits against the state.
“I’ve got constituents reaching out to me saying this is the death of higher ed,” said Sen. Molly Cook, a Democrat from Houston, during discussion to give the bill initial approval Tuesday.
Democrats also criticized the bill’s author, Republican Sen. Brandon Creighton, for not giving them enough time to review a 13-page amendment he filed shortly before the Tuesday vote was taken. Creighton ultimately agreed to give them 10 minutes to read it. The amendment added that universities would be required to either end or revise degree programs if the state determines the programs do not offer a return on investment for students.
- Click here for Senate Bill 37.
- In historic first, Texas House approves private school voucher program.
The Texas House gave final approval Thursday to a bill that would create a $1 billion private school voucher program, crossing a historic milestone and bringing Gov. Greg Abbott’s top legislative priority closer than ever to reaching his desk.
The lower chamber signed off on its voucher proposal, Senate Bill 2, on an 86-61 vote. Every present Democrat voted against the bill. They were joined by two Republicans — far short of the bipartisan coalitions that in previous legislative sessions consistently blocked proposals to let Texans use taxpayer money to pay for their children’s private schooling.
. . . The initial vote came more than 10 hours after the chamber gave preliminary approval to its sweeping $7.7 billion school funding package, which would give local districts more money per student and raise teacher salaries. House Bill 2, which received final passage Thursday on a 142-5 vote, also aims to improve the quality of special education services by allocating funding based on the individual needs of children with disabilities.
- Click here for Senate Bill 2.
- Click here for House Bill 2.
- Election officials wary of shift to Texas’ centralized voter-registration system.
An effort to force all of Texas’ 254 counties onto the state’s central system for managing voter registration has some election officials concerned about the system’s history of technical problems, its capacity to handle larger volumes of data and the potential for new security risks.
Thirty-two Texas counties, including some of the state’s largest, currently use private vendors for software to handle voter registration and election management tasks. The software helps counties manage information including voters’ addresses, voting history, registration applications, images of signatures for verification, images of mail-ballot envelopes and other personal data.
Pending legislation, Senate Bill 2382, would require counties to exclusively use the state’s system, called Texas Election Administration Management, or TEAM. Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Republican from Houston, filed the bill after many counties last year faced a surprise surcharge from one of the private vendors, Votec.
Click here for Senate Bill 2382.
- Why Texas Republicans are trying to rein in high home prices and rents.
For decades, Texas benefited from relatively low home prices and rents, a key component of the state’s ability to lure new residents and employers from more expensive parts of the country.
Now, Texas Republicans find themselves trying to rein in the state’s high housing costs — before it’s too late.
The state’s top Republicans have shown increasing alarm as high housing costs have put homeownership out-of-reach for an increasing number of Texas families, especially young ones. GOP leaders have pointed to figures from Texas Realtors that show the typical homebuyer is getting older. The median age of a Texas homebuyer was 48 in 2020. Last year, it was 58.
. . . There’s political urgency for Republicans to deal with housing affordability. They are increasingly aware that Texans view the state’s high housing costs as a considerable problem. A poll last year showed some 90% of Texans view housing affordability as a problem where they live — an agreement that transcends party lines and whether people live in a big city, suburb or rural town.
Click here for Senate Bill 15.
Monday, April 21, 2025
From THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS: Harvard v. HHS
Hardvard sues the national government in oprder to reinstate their funding.
- Click here for it.
COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
- Dear ChatGPT: What is a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief?
A Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief is a legal document that someone (called the plaintiff) files in court to:
- Injunctive Relief – Ask the court to order someone (usually the defendant) to either:
- - Stop doing something (a prohibitory injunction), or
- - Start doing something (a mandatory injunction).
For more:
- Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over $2.2 Billion Funding Freeze.
- President and Fellows of Harvard College v. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Harvard sues Trump administration over efforts to ‘gain control of academic decision-making’
From Wikipedia: Foreign interventions by the United States
For our look at military policy.
- Click here.
The United States government has been involved in numerous interventions in foreign countries throughout its history. The U.S. has engaged in nearly 400 military interventions between 1776 and 2023, with half of these operations occurring since 1950 and over 25% occurring in the post-Cold War period. Common objectives of U.S. foreign interventions have revolved around economic opportunity, social protection, protection of U.S. citizens and diplomats, territorial expansion, fomenting regime change, nation-building, and enforcing international law.
A closer look at the four listed justifications:
territorial expansion:
. . . the expansion of political, economic, cultural, media, and military influence beyond the boundaries of the United States. Depending on the commentator, it may include imperialism through outright military conquest; military protection; gunboat diplomacy; unequal treaties; subsidization of preferred factions; regime change; economic or diplomatic support; or economic penetration through private companies, potentially followed by diplomatic or forceful intervention when those interests are threatened.
fomenting regime change:
. . . the partly forcible or coercive replacement of one government regime with another. Regime change may replace all or part of the state's most critical leadership system, administrative apparatus, or bureaucracy. Regime change may occur through domestic processes, such as revolution, coup, or reconstruction of government following state failure or civil war. It can also be imposed on a country by foreign actors through invasion, overt or covert interventions, or coercive diplomacy. Regime change may entail the construction of new institutions, the restoration of old institutions, and the promotion of new ideologies.
According to a dataset by Alexander Downes, 120 leaders were removed through foreign-imposed regime change between 1816 and 2011.
nation-building:
. . . constructing or structuring a national identity using the power of the state. Nation-building aims at the unification of the people within the state so that it remains politically stable and viable. According to Harris Mylonas, "Legitimate authority in modern national states is connected to popular rule, to majorities. Nation-building is the process through which these majorities are constructed." In Mylonas's framework, "state elites employ three nation-building policies: accommodation, assimilation, and exclusion."
enforcing international law.
. . . the set of rules, norms, legal customs and standards that states and other actors feel an obligation to, and generally do, obey in their mutual relations. In international relations, actors are simply the individuals and collective entities, such as states, international organizations, and non-state groups, which can make behavioral choices, whether lawful or unlawful. Rules are formal, typically written expectations that outline required behavior, while norms are informal, often unwritten guidelines about appropriate behavior that are shaped by custom and social practice. It establishes norms for states across a broad range of domains, including war and diplomacy, economic relations, and human rights.
From Wikipedia: Territorial Evolution of the United States
For GOVT 2305:
- Click here.
The United States of America was formed after thirteen British colonies in North America declared independence from the British Empire on July 4, 1776. In the Lee Resolution, passed by the Second Continental Congress two days prior, the colonies resolved that they were free and independent states. The union was formalized in the Articles of Confederation, which came into force on March 1, 1781, after being ratified by all 13 states. Their independence was recognized by Great Britain in the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which concluded the American Revolutionary War. This effectively doubled the size of the colonies, now able to stretch west past the Proclamation Line to the Mississippi River. This land was organized into territories and then states, though there remained some conflict with the sea-to-sea grants claimed by some of the original colonies. In time, these grants were ceded to the federal government.
etc . . .
You Tube: Territorial History of the USA: Every Month for 400 Years.
You Tube: The History of the United States: Every Year.
Unequal Treatment before the Law
Given the US's background as a British colony, what privileges were given to the elite?
Dear ChatGPT: In British history, what were the legal privileges of peers or nobility
In British history, peers—members of the nobility—had specific legal privileges that set them apart from commoners. These privileges were tied to their status in the peerage, the formal hierarchy of titles: Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron (plus equivalents in Scotland and Ireland).
Here’s a breakdown of the legal privileges peers enjoyed historically:
1. Right to Sit in the House of Lords
- Until the House of Lords Act 1999, hereditary peers had the automatic right to sit in the House of Lords, the upper chamber of Parliament.
- Life peers (created after 1958) still retain this right.
- Gave them direct influence over legislation, governance, and the judicial system (since the Lords used to act as Britain’s highest court).
2. Trial by Peers
- If a peer was accused of treason or felony, they had the right to be tried in the House of Lords or by fellow peers.
- This was seen as protection against unfair trials by commoners.
- Example: In 1792, Lord George Gordon was tried for treason by his peers.
- Abolished in 1948.
3. Access to the Sovereign and Court
- Peers had personal access to the monarch and a right to attend court functions.
- Held ceremonial roles in coronations and state occasions.
- Some had hereditary offices (e.g., Earl Marshal, Lord Great Chamberlain).
4. Freedom from Arrest in Civil Cases
- Peers had limited immunity from arrest in civil cases (e.g., debt).
- This didn’t apply to criminal cases.
- Intended to prevent harassment or interruption of their parliamentary duties.
- Eventually became obsolete.
5. Exemption from Jury Service
- Peers were exempt from serving on juries.
- Partly because they were already expected to sit in judgment in the House of Lords (when it acted as a court of law).
6. Entitlement to Certain Honors and Precedence
- Peers ranked above all commoners in official order of precedence.
- They had the right to certain forms of address ("Your Grace," "My Lord") and heraldic privileges (coats of arms, coronets).
- Could only be judged as dishonorable by equals (a social and legal concept).
7. Control of Manorial Courts (Earlier Periods)
- In medieval and early modern times, many peers held manorial or feudal courts, where they exercised judicial authority over tenants.
- This faded with centralization of royal courts in the 17th century.
Dear ChatGPT: In British history, what was a gentleman? what special privileges did a gentleman have?
In British history, a gentleman was a man of a certain social class and moral standing, typically someone who belonged to the landed gentry or upper middle class and who lived off income from land, investments, or a profession—rather than manual labor. The concept evolved over centuries, but there were consistent expectations tied to wealth, education, manners, and honor.
Origins and Evolution
- Medieval roots: Originally, a gentleman was someone who was entitled to bear arms but was not of noble rank (like a knight without a title). This made them part of the gentry, a class below the nobility but above commoners.
- Tudor and Stuart periods: The term became more formalized. Heralds and court officials regulated who could use the title, especially in relation to coats of arms.
- 18th–19th centuries: Being a gentleman came to include wealth, manners, and leisure. You could be a gentleman by birth, behavior, or profession (e.g. clergyman, barrister).
Privileges of a Gentleman
While not legal privileges like those of peers or nobility, gentlemen enjoyed social and practical advantages:
Social Respectability
- Held a higher place in society and were treated with deference by lower classes.
- Could participate in the "polite society"—social events, clubs, and gatherings that excluded tradesmen or laborers.
Education and Opportunity
- Had access to elite education (e.g. Oxford, Cambridge, public schools like Eton).
- More likely to secure positions in the church, military, law, and civil service.
Legal and Political Influence
- Could serve as justices of the peace, Members of Parliament, or local magistrates.
- Often held manorial rights over land and tenants.
Honor Culture
- Their word was taken seriously—honor and reputation mattered deeply.
- Could issue or accept duels to defend reputation (especially in the 18th century).
Freedom from Labor
- Gentlemen did not do manual work—doing so could strip someone of the title in a social sense.
- Income came from land, rents, investments, or salaried but "gentlemanly" professions.
Could You Become a Gentleman?
Yes, particularly by:
- Acquiring land or a coat of arms.
- Attending the right schools or entering a prestigious profession.
- Marrying into the right family.
But people who became rich through trade or industry were often looked down on—unless they adopted the manners and lifestyle of a gentleman.
Dear ChatGPT: What privileges did elites in Colonial America have?
Elites in colonial America—wealthy landowners, merchants, and high-ranking officials—enjoyed a wide range of privileges that set them apart from the majority of the population. Here’s a breakdown of their advantages:
1. Political Power
- Voting and Office-Holding: Property requirements limited political participation to wealthy men, so elites were usually the only ones who could vote or hold office.
- Control of Colonial Governments: Many elites were appointed to influential colonial councils, or elected to colonial assemblies where they shaped laws and policies.
2. Economic Control
- Land Ownership: Elites owned vast tracts of land, which was the main source of wealth and status, especially in Southern colonies.
- Slavery: Wealthy planters benefited from enslaved labor, especially in the South, where large plantations depended on enslaved Africans for agricultural work.
- Trade and Commerce: In the North, merchant elites controlled shipping, banking, and international trade routes, particularly in port cities like Boston and Philadelphia.
3. Social Prestige
- Education: Elite families could afford private tutors or send their children to Europe or colonial colleges (like Harvard or William & Mary).
- Leisure and Culture: They had time for arts, social clubs, fine dining, and other forms of high culture that poorer colonists couldn’t access.
- Marriage and Family Ties: Elites often intermarried to consolidate wealth and power, creating a small, tightly knit upper class.
4. Legal Advantages
- Preferential Treatment: Elite colonists often received lighter punishments in court or could influence judges and juries.
- Inheritance Laws: Primogeniture (especially in the South) allowed estates to be passed down intact to the eldest son, keeping wealth concentrated in elite families.
Would you like to dive deeper into a specific region, like New England vs. the South? The elite classes functioned quite differently depending on where you were.
From the New York Times 4/21/25
- Trump Raised $239 Million for Inauguration, More Than Doubling His Own Record.
- Law Firms Made Deals With Trump. Now He Wants More From Them.
- Trump Aides Close State Dept. Office on Foreign Disinformation.
Dear ChatGPT . . .
Hopefully this maes sense of
Question #1: What is the history of the unitary executive theory?
The unitary executive theory is a constitutional theory about the scope of presidential power in the United States. It argues that the President has the power to control the entire executive branch absolutely, without interference from Congress or the courts in areas where the Constitution gives the executive authority.
Founding Era (Late 18th Century)
The theory is rooted in Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which vests "the executive Power" in a single President.
Alexander Hamilton was an early proponent, especially in Federalist No. 70, where he argued for a strong, energetic executive.
The early debates centered on removal power—whether the President could remove executive officials without Senate approval. This issue was hotly contested in 1789 during the "Decision of 1789," which many later interpreters took as affirming presidential control over executive officers.
19th Century
Practice was mixed. Some presidents (like Andrew Jackson) asserted strong executive control, while others deferred more to Congress.
The Tenure of Office Act (1867), passed over President Andrew Johnson’s veto, tried to limit presidential removal power, leading to Johnson’s impeachment—this highlighted tensions over executive control.
The Supreme Court was mostly quiet on the theory, but the seeds were planted for later disputes.
20th Century
In Myers v. United States (1926), the Supreme Court sided with a strong view of presidential removal power, invalidating a law requiring Senate approval to remove a postmaster.
But in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935), the Court limited that power, distinguishing between purely executive officers and those in independent regulatory commissions (like the FTC).
The New Deal era saw Congress create many independent agencies, weakening the idea of a single, unitary executive.
Still, presidents like FDR and Reagan supported more centralized control over the executive branch.
Modern Developments (1980s–Present)
The theory gained prominence during the Reagan administration, when legal scholars like Steven Calabresi and Christopher Yoo gave it intellectual heft.
It became a centerpiece of conservative constitutional theory, especially through the Federalist Society.
In Morrison v. Olson (1988), the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of independent counsels, rejecting a strong unitary executive view. Justice Scalia’s lone dissent, however, became a landmark defense of the theory.
The theory resurfaced in:
George W. Bush’s administration, particularly in signing statements and national security matters post-9/11.
The Trump administration, which openly embraced broad executive powers, especially regarding the DOJ and removal of officials.
Recent Supreme Court Cases
Free Enterprise Fund v. PCAOB (2010): Court struck down dual layers of for-cause removal protections, bolstering the unitary executive theory.
Seila Law v. CFPB (2020): Invalidated restrictions on removing the CFPB director, affirming the President’s removal power over single-headed agencies.
Collins v. Yellen (2021): Reaffirmed the Seila Law ruling, continuing the trend toward a stronger executive.
Summary of Key Ideas
Strong View: President must have full control over executive officials, including firing them at will.
Moderate View: Some independence for agencies is okay, especially for quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial functions.
Weak View: The President's control can be limited by Congress creating independent agencies.
Question #2:
Does the president have full control over all executive decisions?
The short answer is: not exactly. While the President is the head of the executive branch and has a lot of power, there are constitutional, legal, and practical limits to that control.
Let’s break it down:
What the President can control:
Top-level executive officers: The President appoints (with Senate approval) and can often remove Cabinet secretaries and agency heads.
Executive orders and directives: The President can issue orders to federal agencies to implement policies (as long as they don’t violate existing law).
Military and foreign policy: As Commander-in-Chief, the President has wide discretion over military operations and diplomacy.
Prosecution priorities: Through the Attorney General and DOJ, the President can set enforcement priorities (though not specific cases).
What the President can’t fully control:
1. Independent agencies
Agencies like the Federal Reserve, FTC, or SEC have leaders who are often protected from at-will removal.
Their independence is meant to insulate them from political pressure.
Courts have sometimes upheld these protections (e.g., Humphrey’s Executor), though this is evolving (see Seila Law and Collins v. Yellen).
2. Civil service protections
Most federal employees are career civil servants, not political appointees.
They’re protected from firing without cause, which limits the President’s control over lower-level decisions.
3. Congressional statutes
Congress can delegate authority to agencies and limit how that power is used.
The President can’t override these laws unless they’re ruled unconstitutional or changed by Congress.
4. Judicial review
Courts can strike down executive actions that violate the Constitution or federal law.
Example: Trump’s attempt to add a citizenship question to the census was blocked by the Supreme Court (Dept. of Commerce v. New York).
5. Budgetary controls
Congress holds the power of the purse, so the President can't fund programs without congressional approval.
What it really comes down to:
The unitary executive theory argues for strong presidential control, but even under that view, the President's power is not unlimited. In practice, it’s a balancing act between:
The Constitution’s grant of executive power,
Congress’s ability to structure the bureaucracy, and
The courts’ interpretation of those powers and limits.
Friday, April 18, 2025
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Questions presented before the Supreme Court
- OK Charter School Board v. Drummond.
This Court has "repeatedly held that a State violates the Free Exercise Clause
when it excludes religious observers from otherwise available public benefits." Carson
as next friend of O. C. v. Makin, 596 U.S. 767, 778 (2022). Three times, the Court has
applied that principle to strike down "state efforts to withhold otherwise available public
benefits from religious organizations." Id. at 778-79 (citing Trinity Lutheran Church of
Columbia, Inc. v. Comer, 582 U.S. 449 (2017); Espinoza v. Mont. Dep't of Revenue,
591 U.S. 464 (2020)).
Contrary to those precedents, the Oklahoma Supreme Court held that a state can
exclude privately owned and operated religious charter schools from its charter-school
program by enforcing state-law bans on "sectarian" and religiously affiliated charter
schools. The court also held that a charter school engages in state action for
constitutional purposes when it contracts with the state to provide publicly funded
education. These rulings implicate an entrenched circuit split and present two questions
for review:
1. Whether the academic and pedagogical choices of a privately owned and run
school constitute state action simply because it contracts with the state to offer a free
educational option for interested students.
2. Whether a state violates the Free Exercise Clause by excluding privately run
religious schools from the state's charter-school program solely because the schools are
religious, or whether a state can justify such an exclusion by invoking anti-establishment
interests that go further than the Establishment Clause requires.
- St. Isidore of Seville Sch. v. Drummond.
This Court has repeatedly held that the Free Exercise Clause prohibits a state
from denying generally available benefits to a school solely because it is religious. That
principle should have resolved this case. Petitioner is a private religious institution. It
seeks to partake in the benefits of Oklahoma's charter school program. But the court
below invalidated Petitioner's contract with the charter school board. The court
disregarded this Court's Free Exercise precedents because, in its view, Petitioner had
become an arm of the government by virtue of that contract. It thus held that the
Establishment Clause and Oklahoma laws aimed at creating "a complete separation of
church and state" compelled the court to deny Petitioner-on religious grounds-the
benefits created by Oklahoma's Charter Schools Act.
The questions presented are:
1. Whether the academic and pedagogical choices of a privately owned and run
school constitute state action simply because it contracts with the state to offer a free
educational option for interested students.
2. Whether a state violates the Free Exercise Clause by excluding privately run
religious schools from the state's charter school program solely because the schools are
religious, or whether a state can justify such an exclusion by invoking anti-establishment
interests that go further than the Establishment Clause requires.
Dear ChatGPT: What is a Gulag?
Commentators are using the term "gulag" to refer to the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador.
I don't if this is an approporiate use of the term, or if it is, but what does it refer to?
Here's what ChatGPT tells me:
A gulag was a system of forced labor camps established and run by the Soviet Union, particularly under Joseph Stalin in the mid-20th century. The word "GULAG" is actually an acronym for "Glavnoe Upravlenie Lagerei" (Главное управление лагерей), which translates to "Main Camp Administration."
- Purpose: They were used to imprison political dissidents, criminals, intellectuals, or even ordinary citizens accused of minor offenses. Many people ended up there after unfair trials or no trial at all.
- Conditions: Harsh. Prisoners faced extreme cold, hard labor, malnutrition, abuse, and high mortality rates.
- Labor: Prisoners worked in mining, logging, construction, or factory work—often in remote, brutal areas like Siberia.
- Scale: Millions were imprisoned in the gulag system, especially from the 1930s through the 1950s.
The gulags are now widely viewed as a symbol of totalitarian repression and are often referenced in discussions about human rights abuses.
|
Another question: How many gulags did the Soviets operate?
The exact number of gulags varied over time, but here’s a solid breakdown:
Estimated Number of Gulag Camps
- The Soviet Union operated hundreds of individual camp complexes, with thousands of sub-camps spread across the country.
- At its peak in the early 1950s, there were about 476 main camp complexes.
- Within those, there were thousands of smaller camp units or outposts—some estimates put the total number of camp locations at over 30,000 throughout the entire gulag system.
How many people were imprisoned?
- From 1929 to 1953, it's estimated that 18 million people passed through the gulag system.
- Of those, around 1.5 to 2 million people died due to starvation, overwork, harsh weather, and execution.
The system wasn't just about incarceration—it was designed to extract labor from prisoners under extreme conditions, often in remote, resource-rich areas like Siberia, Kazakhstan, and the Arctic.
Catching up on Trump's Attacks on the Judiciary
- In Showdowns With the Courts, Trump Is Increasingly Combative.
The Trump administration’s compliance with court orders started with foot-dragging, moved to semantic gymnastics and has now arrived at the cusp of outright defiance.
But Exhibit A in what legal scholars say is a deeply worrisome and escalating trend is the administration’s combative response to the Supreme Court’s ruling last week in the case of a Salvadoran immigrant. The administration deported the immigrant, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, to El Salvador despite a 2019 ruling from an immigration judge specifically and directly prohibiting that very thing. . . .
- The Constitutional Crisis Is Here.
. . . This rhetorical game the administration is playing, where it pretends it lacks the power to ask for Abrego Garcia to be returned while Bukele pretends he doesn’t have the power to return him, is an expression of obvious contempt for the Supreme Court—and for the rule of law. The administration is maintaining that it has the power to send armed agents of the state to grab someone off the street and then, without a shred of due process, deport them to a Gulag in a foreign country and leave them there forever. The crucial point here is that the administration’s logic means that it could do the same to American citizens—after all, if deporting someone under a protective order to a Gulag without so much as a hearing is a “foreign policy” matter with which no court may interfere, then the citizenship of the condemned person doesn’t matter.
Trump is already contemplating the possibility of deporting citizens. Aside from numerous public statements to that effect, Trump told Bukele, in an exchange posted on Bukele’s X feed, “Homegrowns are next. The homegrowns. You gotta build about five more places.” Loud laughter filled the Oval Office.
Catching up on Trump's Attacks on Private Higher Education
- Trump May Seek Judicial Oversight of Columbia, Potentially for Years.
- What to Know as Trump Freezes Federal Funds for Harvard and Other Universities.
- Why Harvard Decided to Fight Trump.
- Read the Trump Administration’s Letter to Harvard.
- Trump Administration Will Freeze $2 Billion After Harvard Refuses Demands.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Monday, April 14, 2025
https://www.transparencyusa.org/tx/contributor/steven-alvis?cycle=2015-to-now&page=1
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/columnists/sarnoff/article/Developer-builds-family-camp-for-the-6854872.php
https://www.houstonoaks.com/story/owners
https://younginvincibles.org/our-story/
https://www.txdot.gov/about/leadership/texas-transportation-commission/steven-alvis.html
https://www.alvin-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2296/Campaign-Finance-Report-2025-Seth-Carrasco?bidId=
https://texasblockchaincouncil.org/
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB365
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Education--Driver Education & Training
Education--General
Education--Higher--Admission & Attendance
Education--Higher--Athletics
Education--Higher--Faculty
Education--Higher--Finance
Education--Higher--General
Education--Higher--Health Institutions
Education--Higher--Institutions & Programs
Education--Higher--Private Schools
Education--Higher--State Coordination
Education--Higher--Student Fees
Education--Higher--Student Financial Aid
Education--Higher--Textbooks
Education--Higher--Tuition
Education--Junior College Districts
Education--Nonpublic Schools--Vocational/Avocational
Education--Primary & Secondary--Accountability
Education--Primary & Secondary--Admission & Attendance
Education--Primary & Secondary--Charter Schools
Education--Primary & Secondary--Curriculum
Education--Primary & Secondary--Discipline
Education--Primary & Secondary--Extracurricular Activities
Education--Primary & Secondary--Facilities
Education--Primary & Secondary--Finance
Education--Primary & Secondary--General
Education--Primary & Secondary--Home Schooling
Education--Primary & Secondary--Other School Personnel
Education--Primary & Secondary--Private
Education--Primary & Secondary--Special
Education--Primary & Secondary--Teachers
Education--Primary & Secondary--Testing
Education--Primary & Secondary--Textbooks
Education--Primary & Secondary--Virtual Education
Education--Primary & Secondary--Vocational
Education--Rural
Education--School Districts
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act
- Wikipedia: The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.
- Analysis.
- Campaign Legal Center: What You Need to Know About the SAVE Act.
- Bipartisan Policy Center: Five Things to Know About the SAVE Act.
Some info for the May 3rd Local Elections
From the Brazoria County Clerk:
- Current Election Information.
- Precinct Maps.
- Sample Ballots.
- City of Alvin: May 3, 2025 General Election.
- Alvin ISD: Trustee Election 2025.
- City of Pearland: 2025 GENERAL ELECTION.
- Pearland ISD: Election Information.
Three questions about intellectual property for ChatGPT
Specifically the consequences of one of the enumerated powers granted to Congress:
- To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.
- - click here for more.
- - click here for more on intellectual property.
Question 1: What items were patented in the United States between 1800 and 1810?
ChatGPT said:
Between 1800 and 1810, the United States Patent Office granted several patents for various inventions. Notable examples include:
Benjamin Tyler's Water Wheel (1800): Tyler patented a new type of horizontal water wheel, termed the "wry fly," which anticipated many features of later turbines. Wikipedia
Mary Dixon Kies' Straw-Weaving Technique (1809): Kies received a patent for a method of weaving straw with silk and thread to create durable and cost-effective hats. Wikipedia
David Melville's Gas Lighting Apparatus (1810): Melville patented an apparatus that produced gas from coal, leading to the development of gas lighting. Wikipedia
Additionally, the first financial patent in the U.S. was granted to Jacob Perkins in 1799 for a method of detecting counterfeit notes. Wikipedia
It's important to note that due to the Patent Office fire in 1836, many early patent records were lost, and only about 2,600 copies have been recovered. Wikipedia+3Patent Librarian's Notebook+3Wikipedia+3
Question 2: What items were copyrighted United States between 1790 and 1810?
ChatGPT said:
Between 1790 and 1810, the United States established its federal copyright system, leading to the registration of various works under the Copyright Act of 1790. This act granted authors the exclusive right to print, reprint, publish, and vend their works for a term of fourteen years, with the possibility of renewal for another fourteen years if the author was still alive. Association of Research Libraries+2Wikipedia+2U.S. Copyright Office+2
Notable works copyrighted during this period include:
"The Kentucky Volunteer" (1794): A song composed by Raynor Taylor with lyrics by "a Lady of Philadelphia." It holds the distinction of being the first musical composition copyrighted under the new U.S. Constitution. Wikipedia
"The Philadelphia Spelling Book" (1790): Authored by John Barry, this educational book was the first work registered under the 1790 federal copyright law. history.copyright.gov+2U.S. Copyright Office+2U.S. Copyright Office+2
Additionally, the Copyright Act of 1790 was amended in 1802 to extend protection to etchings and to introduce the requirement of including a copyright notice on copies of works. Wikipedia
While specific records of all copyrighted works from this era are limited, these examples highlight the early efforts to protect intellectual property in the United States.
Question 3: When was Webster's Dictionary copyrighted?
ChatGPT said:
Noah Webster's most famous work, "An American Dictionary of the English Language," was first copyrighted in 1828. This dictionary was a landmark in American lexicography and helped standardize American English spelling and usage.
Before that, Webster had already published and copyrighted several influential works:
"The American Spelling Book" (originally titled The First Part of the Grammatical Institute of the English Language) — First published and copyrighted in 1783, this was widely used in American schools and became known as the "Blue-Backed Speller."
"A Grammatical Institute of the English Language" — The series, including grammar and reader components, was copyrighted in the 1780s and was foundational in early American education.
So while his famous dictionary came in 1828, Webster had been securing copyrights for educational and linguistic works starting as early as 1783. Want a breakdown of how the 1828 dictionary differed from British versions like Samuel Johnson’s?
Friday, April 11, 2025
Judiciary Act of 1801, also called the Midnight Judges Act
Judiciary Act of 1802, repealed the 1801 Act
Judiciary Act of 1866, gradually reduced circuit and Supreme Court seats
Judiciary Act of 1867, also called the Habeas Corpus Act of 1867.
Judiciary Act of 1869, also called the Circuit Judges Act of 1869
Judiciary Act of 1891, also called the Evarts Act or the Circuit Courts of Appeals Act
Judiciary Act of 1925, also called the Certiorari Act or the Judges' Bill
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Dear ChatGPT: What items were patented in the United States between 1790 and 1800?
Between 1790 and 1800, the United States issued a number of patents, primarily for inventions that focused on practical applications, including machinery, tools, and methods for manufacturing. The U.S. Patent System was established in 1790 under the Patent Act of 1790, and during this period, patents were issued for a variety of innovations. Some notable items patented in the United States between 1790 and 1800 include:
-
The Water Frame (1790) – One of the first patents issued was for a machine to spin cotton, granted to Samuel Slater, who is often referred to as the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution."
-
The Improvement in Sails (1791) – John Fitch, who is best known for his work on steamboats, patented a method of improving sails for boats.
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The Glass Making Machine (1792) – David Rittenhouse, an astronomer and inventor, patented an improvement in glass-making techniques.
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The Screw (1795) – A significant development in manufacturing tools, Elijah Craig patented a machine to produce screws.
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The Cotton Gin (1794) – Eli Whitney famously patented the cotton gin, which revolutionized cotton production in the South by making it easier to separate cotton fibers from seeds. This invention is one of the most significant from this time period and had a lasting impact on American industry.
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The Improved Method of Constructing a Flour Mill (1796) – Oliver Evans patented a system for automated flour mills, which used a series of mechanical steps to move grain through the milling process, making it more efficient.
-
The Steam Engine (1798) – John Stevens was granted a patent for improvements to steam engines, which were essential in the development of later steam-powered machinery.
-
The Bicycle Pedal Mechanism (1795) – Robert R. H. Clark patented a form of pedal-powered mechanical device, which some see as a precursor to the modern bicycle.
The patents granted during this period were a reflection of the early industrialization of the United States, and the inventions focused heavily on improving manufacturing and production processes.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Dear CHatGPT: What is the History of Taxation in the United States?
Colonial Era to Early U.S. (1600s–1700s)
- Colonial Taxes: Colonists paid taxes to local governments and sometimes to the British crown. These included property taxes, import duties, and poll taxes.
- Taxation Without Representation: British-imposed taxes like the Stamp Act (1765) and Tea Act (1773) led to widespread protest, fueling the American Revolution.
Post-Independence and Constitution Era (Late 1700s–1800s)
- Articles of Confederation: The federal government had no power to tax directly—only states could levy taxes.
- U.S. Constitution (1787): Gave Congress the power to levy taxes. Initially, the federal government mainly raised revenue through tariffs (taxes on imports) and excise taxes (like the whiskey tax).
Early Federal Taxes and Rebellions
- Whiskey Rebellion (1791–1794): A protest against a federal excise tax on whiskey; it tested the strength of the new federal government.
- Tariffs Dominate: For most of the 19th century, tariffs and excise taxes were the primary federal revenue sources.
Civil War and Income Tax (1861–1872)
- First Income Tax (1861): To fund the Civil War, the Union introduced a temporary income tax.
- Repealed in 1872: After the war, the income tax was repealed, and tariffs once again became the main revenue source.
Push for a Permanent Income Tax
- Pollock v. Farmers’ Loan & Trust (1895): Supreme Court struck down a federal income tax as unconstitutional.
- 16th Amendment (1913): Ratified to allow Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states. This was a turning point.
Modern Tax System Begins (1913–Present)
- Revenue Act of 1913: Re-established the federal income tax with low rates for most.
- World War I and II: Income taxes expanded massively to fund the wars, especially WWII. Withholding from paychecks was introduced in 1943.
- Social Security Act (1935): Introduced payroll taxes for Social Security.
Post-War and Reagan Era Reforms
- High Tax Rates: Top marginal tax rates were above 90% in the 1950s.
- Reagan Tax Cuts (1981 & 1986): Significant tax reform reduced rates and simplified the tax code.
Recent Developments
- Bush Tax Cuts (2001, 2003): Lowered income and capital gains taxes.
- Obama-Era Changes (Affordable Care Act): Included tax provisions like the individual mandate penalty.
- Trump Tax Cuts (2017 - TCJA): Lowered corporate tax rates and adjusted individual tax brackets.
Today the U.S. tax system includes:
- Individual income tax (progressive)
- Corporate income tax
- Payroll taxes (for Social Security and Medicare)
- Excise taxes, estate taxes, and various state/local taxes (sales, property, etc.)
Security from Foreign Invasion: Tren de Aragua
The character of such a government ought to secure, first, against foreign invasion; secondly, against dissensions between members of the Union, or seditions in particular States; thirdly, to procure to the several States various blessings of which an isolated situation was incapable; fourthly, it should be able to defend itself against encroachment; and fifthly, to be paramount to the State Constitutions. - Day by Day Summary: Tuesday May 29.
Dear ChatGPT: How many times has the United States been invaded?
The United States has been invaded only a few times in its history, especially compared to many other nations. Here are the notable instances:
- War of 1812: The British Empire invaded the U.S. during the War of 1812. British forces burned Washington, D.C., including the White House and the Capitol, but they were repelled in other parts of the country, especially at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.
- Mexican-American War (1846-1848): While this war began as a territorial dispute, parts of what is now the U.S. Southwest were invaded by Mexican forces. In response, the U.S. pushed into Mexico and eventually captured Mexico City.
- Confederate Invasions during the Civil War (1861-1865): The Confederacy invaded Northern states several times during the Civil War, most notably during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. However, the Confederacy's efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and they were repelled by Union forces.
- Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941): Though not an invasion of the continental U.S., the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was a military strike on American soil. It led to the U.S. entering World War II.
Aside from these events, there haven't been major invasions of the U.S. mainland. While there have been skirmishes, border disputes, and other conflicts, the U.S. has largely been isolated from large-scale invasions.
- What is the Alien Enemies Act?
- National Archives: Alien and Sedition Acts (1798).
- 50 USC Ch. 3: ALIEN ENEMIES.
- CRS: The Alien Enemy Act: History and Potential Use to Remove Members of International Criminal Cartels.
- What is Tren de Aragua?
- White House Executive Order: Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of The United States by Tren De Aragua.
- NPR: U.S. deports hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador, despite court order.
- NPR: Federal judge blocks Trump's plan to target 'alien enemies' for deportation.
HB 1501: Relating to a study of the feasibility of using seawater desalination processes in Texas.
Texas Legislature: Bills By Subject: General Subject Index: Education--Junior College Districts.
HB 4443: Relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of a pilot program to train workers for careers in energy-efficient technologies.
Bill would ban most edible THC products.
What is "police power?"
ChatGPT:
Police power refers to the authority of a government, typically the state, to regulate behavior and enforce order within its jurisdiction. This power is exercised to protect and promote the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community.
In the United States, police power is a concept derived from the state's inherent authority under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. Police power allows states to pass laws and regulations related to a wide range of issues, including zoning, public health, criminal law, environmental protection, and licensing.
Examples of police power in action include:
-
Health regulations: Enforcing laws related to sanitation, vaccinations, and quarantines to prevent the spread of disease.
-
Criminal law: Making and enforcing laws that prevent criminal behavior and ensure public safety.
-
Land use and zoning: Regulating the way property can be used (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial zones) to ensure orderly development and protect the environment.
-
Public safety measures: Enacting laws related to traffic, fire safety, and building codes to prevent accidents and promote safety.
While police power is broad, it is still subject to constitutional limitations. For instance, it cannot infringe on fundamental rights or be exercised in a way that is overly broad or arbitrary. Courts may review laws and regulations enacted under police power to ensure they meet constitutional standards.
LII: Police Power.
Wikipedia: Police Power.
Cato Institute: State Police Powers and the Constitution.
H.B. No. 641 - relating to digital citizenship instruction in public schools.
| 89R2265 AMF-D | ||
| By: González of El Paso | H.B. No. 641 | |
| relating to digital citizenship instruction in public schools. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Section 28.002(z), Education Code, is amended to | ||
| read as follows: | ||
| (z) The State Board of Education by rule shall require each | ||
| school district to incorporate instruction in digital citizenship | ||
| into the district's curriculum, including information regarding | ||
| the potential criminal consequences of cyberbullying, and require | ||
| students enrolled in grade level six to complete instruction in | ||
| digital citizenship as part of the district's social studies | ||
| curriculum. In this subsection: | ||
| (1) "Cyberbullying" has the meaning assigned by | ||
| Section 37.0832. | ||
| (2) "Digital citizenship" means the standards of | ||
| appropriate, responsible, and healthy online behavior, including: | ||
| (A) media literacy and the ability to identify | ||
| credible sources of information, including by analyzing content | ||
| created or modified by generative artificial intelligence | ||
| technology, and to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act on | ||
| all forms of digital communication; | ||
| (B) digital ethics, etiquette, respectful | ||
| discourse with people who have differing opinions, safety, | ||
| security, digital footprint, and the identification of rhetoric | ||
| that incites violence based on a person's race, religion, or | ||
| political affiliation; and | ||
| (C) cyberbullying prevention and response. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 | ||
| school year. | ||
| SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
| a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
| provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
| Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
| Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
Texas Legislature Online: HB 641.
Dear ChatGPT: What is digital citizenship?
Digital citizenship refers to the responsible use of technology and the internet. It involves understanding and practicing appropriate behavior, online safety, ethics, and engagement in the digital world. Being a good digital citizen means being respectful, kind, and aware of how your actions online affect others and the digital environment.
Key components of digital citizenship include:
-
Digital Etiquette: Understanding and practicing appropriate online behavior, such as using respectful language, avoiding cyberbullying, and being mindful of others' privacy.
-
Digital Security: Protecting personal information, using strong passwords, and being cautious about sharing details online to avoid identity theft or scams.
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Digital Literacy: Understanding how to use technology and navigate digital tools effectively, such as being able to critically evaluate information found online.
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Digital Rights and Responsibilities: Recognizing and respecting the rights of others in the digital space, such as intellectual property and freedom of expression, while also understanding the responsibilities that come with those rights.
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Digital Health and Wellness: Balancing screen time with offline activities and being aware of the impact of technology on mental and physical well-being.
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Digital Law: Understanding and abiding by the legal implications of digital actions, such as copyright laws, online harassment laws, and respecting the terms of service of websites and platforms.
In essence, digital citizenship promotes a positive, safe, and responsible online community.