A public feud between a Frisco-based state lawmaker and a local school superintendent over sexually explicit books in students’ libraries heated up this week. On Thursday, State Rep. Jared Patterson (R–Frisco) wrote an open letter criticizing Frisco Independent School...
In a signal to school officials statewide, Texas lawmakers sent a letter commending Granbury Independent School District for “courageous leadership” in addressing sexually explicit books found in their local campus libraries. They also encouraged district officials to...
UPDATED April 9, 2022. Frisco parents are fuming over sexually explicit books found in their local school libraries after district officials assured them “each book is reviewed.” It turns out those reviews come from third-party publications, not the district officials...
Responding to a state lawmaker’s inquiry about how sexually explicit books ended up in Texas school libraries, a bookseller acknowledged they don’t review the books they sell and said local school boards are responsible for any “inappropriate” books made available to...
When COVID closures prompted parents across Texas to take a closer look at what their kids read in school, many were shocked at what they found: books with sexually explicit content and images that clearly fit the definition of obscenity. Parents were also appalled...
Less than two months away from the Republican primary, Texas Right to Life has released their legislative scorecard for incumbent politicians. “The Pro-Life Scorecard is the most effective way for Pro-Life Texans to evaluate if their elected officials adequately...
Most Tuesday mornings, the Texas Minute—our weekday email publication—includes the One-Click Survey. It’s almost always a question about policy or politics, oftentimes tinged with a bit of humor. We ask readers to not only “click” an answer, but to then reply with...
A state lawmaker shakeup is coming to Denton County next year. Voters in the North Texas county will fill at least three, and possibly four, open state legislative seats in 2022. Earlier this month, longtime State Sen. Jane Nelson (R–Flower Mound) announced she will...
This article was updated to include a statement by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. On Monday, State Sen. Jane Nelson announced that she will not seek re-election to the Texas Senate. Nelson currently represents Texas Senate District 12, which includes parts of Denton and...
A father who is fighting to stop his ex-wife from subjecting his son to genital mutilation surgery says the Republican leadership in the Texas House refuses to support legislation ending the practice. Jeff Younger has made headlines for his years-long fight to protect...
Update: State Sen. Larry Taylor (R–Friendswood) and State Rep. Lyle Larson (R–San Antonio) confirmed to the Dallas Morning News that they were among the lawmakers in attendance. While citizens are being told to stay home and contend with shutdowns and mandates in...
NOTE: Since this article was published, yet another Republican –Geanie Morrison of Victoria – reportedly filed for the speakership. It has been updated. What GOP insiders hoped would be a quiet race for Speaker of the Texas House got suddenly heated on Thursday, with...
As the government-ordered shutdowns in response to the Chinese coronavirus continue to devastate Texas families and businesses, there has been a predictable parade of lawmakers washing their hands of any blame—alleging they were tied from the start of the pandemic....
First-term State Rep. Jared Patterson of Frisco defeated challenger James Trombley in the March 3 Republican primary for Texas House District 106 in eastern Denton County. Patterson won the GOP nomination with 76 percent of the vote. Patterson was the only Republican...
One of just 11 Republican primary challenges to an incumbent state lawmaker this year is taking place in North Texas between two candidates both claiming to be the most conservative. First-term State Rep. Jared Patterson of Frisco is facing challenger James Trombley...
Despite not running for re-election himself, disgraced Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen is staying in the political game—and using his campaign war chest to help fund colleagues in the Texas legislature. After an audio recording revealed Bonnen, along with State Rep....
Dear Reader, I want to share with you our New Year’s Resolutions at Empower Texans. Communications experts say you should never repeat an accusation that is made against you. I hold to that as a good practice, but let me this one time repeat the accusation many in the...
I have been a loyal donor and supporter of State Rep. Jared Patterson (R–Frisco) since he first ran for state representative in 2014. Unfortunately, his performance in his first session this past spring revealed that he wasn’t prepared for the pressure that comes from...
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...
The list of lawmakers supporting the Lone Star Agenda, a package of conservative reforms to be passed during a special session, is continuing to grow. The platform of policies is intended to unite voters ahead of the 2020 elections, and several more legislators have...
