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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Dallas. Written by Michael Mooney, Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi and Tasha Tsiaperas.

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Inside the Methodist Church divide in Texas

Decades of discord in the United Methodist Church have reached a tipping point.

News

Why downtown McKinney has so many tiny doors

Dozens of tiny doors are on display, with more in the works.

Texas economy draws outsiders, keeps natives

Texans are the most likely to stay in their home state compared to natives of other states.

What other cities can learn from car-dependent Dallas

North Texas' car-centricity affects low-income families the most.

Transit

Dallas City Council passes biggest budget yet

The mayor and four other council members voted against the budget.

The Dallas City Council voted 10-5 this week to approve a record $4.6 billion city budget, despite a push by the mayor and four other council members to give residents a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bigger property tax cut" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/08/23/dallas-property-tax-budget-mayor" data-vars-content-id="449cd121-9f51-4013-a374-4879a9ad26b6" data-vars-headline="Dallas City Council passes biggest budget yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/08/23/dallas-property-tax-budget-mayor" target="_self">bigger property tax cut</a>.Why it matters: Even with the new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property tax rate of 73.57 cents per $100 valuation " data-vars-click-url="https://dallascityhall.com/government/citymanager/Documents/FY%2022-23%20Memos/Final%20Steps%20to%20Adopt%20the%20FY%202023-24%20Budget%20on%20September%2020.pdf" data-vars-content-id="449cd121-9f51-4013-a374-4879a9ad26b6" data-vars-headline="Dallas City Council passes biggest budget yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dallascityhall.com/government/citymanager/Documents/FY%2022-23%20Memos/Final%20Steps%20to%20Adopt%20the%20FY%202023-24%20Budget%20on%20September%2020.pdf" target="_blank">property tax rate of 73.57 cents per $100 valuation </a>— a 1-cent reduction — homeowners are still likely to see a larger tax bill because of increasing property values. Dallas&#x27; rate is higher than that of neighboring cities.

Illustration of Dallas City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Texas ban on gender-affirming care for minors takes effect

Senate Bill 14 makes Texas the largest state to ban transgender health care for minors.

The Texas Supreme Court is allowing a state law banning gender-affirming care for minors to take effect Friday after lifting a lower court&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="temporary injunction Thursday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/31/texas-supreme-court-trans-gender-affirming-care" data-vars-content-id="1628438b-f06f-498f-8133-94e8686db75d" data-vars-headline="Texas ban on gender-affirming care for minors takes effect" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/31/texas-supreme-court-trans-gender-affirming-care" target="_self">temporary injunction Thursday</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate Bill 14" data-vars-click-url="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&amp;Bill=SB14" data-vars-content-id="1628438b-f06f-498f-8133-94e8686db75d" data-vars-headline="Texas ban on gender-affirming care for minors takes effect" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&amp;Bill=SB14" target="_blank">Senate Bill 14</a> makes Texas the largest state to ban transgender health care for minors.

A photo of protesters in the Texas capitol 

New Texas laws take effect Sept. 1

More than 750 new laws affect everything from public education to drag shows.

More than 750 new laws passed by the Texas Legislature will take effect Friday, impacting everything from public education and transportation to health care and drag shows.Why it matters: The most high-profile laws passed this year address social issues popular among conservatives, including restrictions on medical care for transgender minors, limitations on trans athletes, bills targeting drag shows, and new regulations for social media companies.

Illustration of the Texas State Capitol with lines radiating from it.

Investigators prepare for Ken Paxton's impeachment trial

Property purchases from Hawaii to Florida are reportedly being examined.

Politics

Property purchases from Hawaii to Florida are reportedly among the many transactions that investigators are examining to prepare for the September impeachment trial of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.Why it matters: Paxton is the third state official in Texas history to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="impeached" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/27/texas-ag-ken-paxton-impeached" data-vars-content-id="35bba240-e4a7-4531-b2a7-5c019f3e37bc" data-vars-headline="Investigators prepare for Ken Paxton&#x27;s impeachment trial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/27/texas-ag-ken-paxton-impeached" target="_self">impeached</a>. His future as an elected official now rests with the Texas Senate.

Ken Paxton of Texas standing in front of a building wearing a suit.

Dallas surgeon Brian Williams is running for Congress

Brian Williams wants to help curb gun violence.

A trauma surgeon who rose to prominence after treating Dallas police officers ambushed by a sniper in 2016 is running for Democrat Rep. Colin Allred&#x27;s seat in Congress.Why it matters: Brian Williams, an Air Force veteran who completed his medical residency at Harvard before working at Parkland Memorial Hospital, has a story and a message that could take him a long way in American politics.

The best and worst legislators from North Texas

Several North Texas legislators landed on Texas Monthly's list of the best and worst lawmakers of 2023.

Several North Texas legislators landed on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Monthly&#x27;s list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-best-and-worst-legislators-2023/#holland" data-vars-content-id="6357b244-c406-482e-a37c-7ecb605167fa" data-vars-headline="The best and worst legislators from North Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-best-and-worst-legislators-2023/#holland" target="_blank">Texas Monthly&#x27;s list</a> of the best and worst lawmakers of 2023 for their work during the state&#x27;s legislative session.The intrigue: The most noteworthy incidents in this year&#x27;s regular legislative session involved two notable North Texans — the attorney general&#x27;s impeachment and Rep. Bryan Slaton&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expulsion from the House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/09/bryan-slaton-expel-house-vote/" data-vars-content-id="6357b244-c406-482e-a37c-7ecb605167fa" data-vars-headline="The best and worst legislators from North Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/09/bryan-slaton-expel-house-vote/" target="_blank">expulsion from the House</a>.

Paxton impeachment trial rife with possible conflicts of interest

The Texas Senate, where the attorney general's impeachment trial will be held, has become a tangled web of potential conflicts of interest.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2022/03/31/texas-dan-patrick-professors-fired-critical-race-theory" data-vars-content-id="29bc0b3b-df46-4884-be9e-e906fe231714" data-vars-headline="Paxton impeachment trial rife with possible conflicts of interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2022/03/31/texas-dan-patrick-professors-fired-critical-race-theory" target="_self">Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick</a> has promised that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/27/texas-ag-ken-paxton-impeached" data-vars-content-id="29bc0b3b-df46-4884-be9e-e906fe231714" data-vars-headline="Paxton impeachment trial rife with possible conflicts of interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/27/texas-ag-ken-paxton-impeached" target="_self">Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton</a> will be treated fairly in his upcoming impeachment trial — which Patrick will oversee — but the state Senate, where the trial will be held, has become a tangled web of potential conflicts of interest.The latest: The Senate convened this week to discuss the rules for the trial, during which senators will determine whether Paxton is permanently removed from office.Why it matters: Paxton owes $125,000 in outstanding campaign loans to Patrick, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Chronicle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/paxton-loan-impeachment-conflicts-18149779.php" data-vars-content-id="29bc0b3b-df46-4884-be9e-e906fe231714" data-vars-headline="Paxton impeachment trial rife with possible conflicts of interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/paxton-loan-impeachment-conflicts-18149779.php" target="_blank">Houston Chronicle</a>, and at least three senators could have conflicts of interest.Flashback: The GOP-dominated Texas House voted 121-23 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to impeach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/26/ken-paxton-texas-attorney-general-impeachment" data-vars-content-id="29bc0b3b-df46-4884-be9e-e906fe231714" data-vars-headline="Paxton impeachment trial rife with possible conflicts of interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/26/ken-paxton-texas-attorney-general-impeachment" target="_self">to impeach</a> Paxton last month, a historic decision that immediately removed him from office.Context: There are 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats in the Senate. At least two-thirds of voting senators would need to convict to remove Paxton.What&#x27;s happening: The attorney general&#x27;s wife, Sen. Angela Paxton, a Collin County Republican who chairs the Republican caucus, released a statement Monday saying, &quot;I will carry out my duties,&quot; but she hasn&#x27;t commented on whether she will recuse herself.<ul><li>Angela Paxton also owes $600,000 to her husband’s campaign, per the Chronicle.</li><li>Ken Paxton is accused of recruiting Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Mineola Republican, to unwittingly request a legal opinion from the AG&#x27;s office that would benefit Paxton&#x27;s friend and political donor Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor.</li><li>The articles of impeachment also allege that Paxton benefited when Paul employed a woman with whom Paxton was having an affair. That woman is a former Senate aide — entangling yet another, unnamed, senator, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Tribune" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/01/ken-paxton-impeach-texas-senate/" data-vars-content-id="29bc0b3b-df46-4884-be9e-e906fe231714" data-vars-headline="Paxton impeachment trial rife with possible conflicts of interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/01/ken-paxton-impeach-texas-senate/" target="_blank">Texas Tribune</a>.</li></ul>State of play: Most senators have refrained from commenting publicly on the allegations against Paxton. Patrick has compared himself to a judge in a traditional courtroom, telling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WFAA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wfaa.com/video/news/local/texas/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-comments-on-possibility-of-ken-paxton-impeachment-trial/287-b624bc9f-a282-4096-a6c4-939b674870e1" data-vars-content-id="29bc0b3b-df46-4884-be9e-e906fe231714" data-vars-headline="Paxton impeachment trial rife with possible conflicts of interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wfaa.com/video/news/local/texas/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-comments-on-possibility-of-ken-paxton-impeachment-trial/287-b624bc9f-a282-4096-a6c4-939b674870e1" target="_blank">WFAA</a>, &quot;We will all be responsible as any juror would be.&quot;What they&#x27;re saying: Jeremi Suri, a professor of public affairs and history at the University of Texas at Austin, told the Chronicle that Paxton owing Patrick money &quot;is a conflict, and it would not be acceptable in a normal judicial proceeding, but an impeachment is abnormal.”The other side: Paxton has denied all wrongdoing, though earlier this year he agreed to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$3.3 million settlement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/11/ken-paxton-texas-employee-settlement-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="29bc0b3b-df46-4884-be9e-e906fe231714" data-vars-headline="Paxton impeachment trial rife with possible conflicts of interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/11/ken-paxton-texas-employee-settlement-lawsuit" target="_self">$3.3 million settlement</a> with four whistleblowers, former lieutenants in his office.Between the lines: A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Politics Project Poll" data-vars-click-url="https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/new-uttexas-politics-project-poll-half-texas-voters-say-impeachment-suspended-attorney-general" data-vars-content-id="29bc0b3b-df46-4884-be9e-e906fe231714" data-vars-headline="Paxton impeachment trial rife with possible conflicts of interest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/new-uttexas-politics-project-poll-half-texas-voters-say-impeachment-suspended-attorney-general" target="_blank">Texas Politics Project Poll</a> found that 50% of Texans believe Paxton&#x27;s impeachment was justified, while 17% said it wasn&#x27;t. The rest said they don&#x27;t have an opinion.What we&#x27;re watching: The impeachment trial is expected to start in August.

Ken Paxton, wearing a blue suit with a light blue tie, standing in front of a building with several Greek columns

Production companies may get more money in Texas after all

The spending plan includes a big upgrade for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program.

Texas lawmakers didn&#x27;t overhaul the state&#x27;s incentives for filming this legislative session, but they did significantly expand the program&#x27;s funding in the 2024-2025 budget.Driving the news: The spending plan, which awaits Gov. Greg Abbott&#x27;s approval, includes $200 million in funding for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) — a big upgrade from the current budget&#x27;s $45 million.

A photo of Matthew McConaughey with his Oscar

Dan Patrick defies Abbott on property taxes

After eight years in their respective offices, this is the first time the governor and lieutenant governor have publicly disagreed on an issue, Patrick said.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said this week that the Texas Senate won&#x27;t pass the property tax-relief bill supported by Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan, insisting that the House proposal doesn&#x27;t cut taxes enough for most homeowners.Why it matters: After eight years in their respective offices, this is the first time the governor and lieutenant governor, both Republicans, have publicly disagreed on an issue, Patrick said at a press conference.

A photo of Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in front of American flags.

How Ron DeSantis has outshined Greg Abbott

Texas has long been considered the nation's flagship for conservative policies, but that's not the case anymore.

Florida Gov. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ron DeSantis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/24/ron-desantis-florida-governor-us-president-2024" data-vars-content-id="0bf759c2-127b-41b2-ae4b-a0a3b12af189" data-vars-headline="How Ron DeSantis has outshined Greg Abbott" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/24/ron-desantis-florida-governor-us-president-2024" target="_self">Ron DeSantis</a> has become the de facto conservative culture war leader — ahead of Texas Gov. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Greg Abbott" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/05/10/texas-mass-shootings-greg-abbott" data-vars-content-id="0bf759c2-127b-41b2-ae4b-a0a3b12af189" data-vars-headline="How Ron DeSantis has outshined Greg Abbott" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/05/10/texas-mass-shootings-greg-abbott" target="_self">Greg Abbott</a> — despite similar priorities and policies.Driving the news: DeSantis is on a three-day <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fundraising tour of Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox4news.com/news/ron-desantis-texas-trip" data-vars-content-id="0bf759c2-127b-41b2-ae4b-a0a3b12af189" data-vars-headline="How Ron DeSantis has outshined Greg Abbott" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox4news.com/news/ron-desantis-texas-trip" target="_blank">fundraising tour of Texas</a>, with stops in Midland, Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston and Austin.

Politics 🇺🇸