Navigating the Crossroads: Federal Cuts, School Vouchers, and Bell County's Future

Fresh from Washington DC's corridors of power, Commissioner Louie Minor delivers sobering news about federal funding cuts that will directly impact Bell County residents. The $100 million Chaparral Road widening project in South Killeen has become a casualty of pre-shutdown budget negotiations, with all community project funding requests for fiscal year 2025 eliminated nationwide.

During his attendance at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference, Minor met with congressional representatives and their staff to advocate for county priorities. What he discovered was troubling - not only were Democratic representatives uncertain about upcoming policy changes, but many Republican lawmakers seemed equally in the dark about initiatives that would significantly affect local governments.

The podcast offers a rare window into the disconnect between federal decision-makers and the communities they impact. "The costs have to go somewhere," Minor explains, noting that anticipated cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will likely force more residents to seek county services for healthcare and food assistance, further straining local resources.

State politics also features prominently as Minor shares audio from a heated town hall meeting where constituents challenged Representative Brad Buckley on the controversial school voucher bill. "Let us vote!" residents demanded, questioning why such a fundamental change to education funding wouldn't be put before Texas voters.

In a more personal political battle, Minor addresses a bill recently filed by State Representative Hillary Hickland that would prohibit displaying any flags other than official U.S., state, or local government flags in government buildings - legislation seemingly targeted at the rainbow-colored flags in Minor's courthouse office. With characteristic frankness, he questions the bill's prospects while confirming his intention to run for re-election.

For anyone seeking to understand how national politics filters down to affect everyday lives in Bell County, this episode offers essential listening from a commissioner determined to keep residents informed about the forces shaping their community's future.

Transcript

Copy

Commissioner's Court Agenda Preview

Speaker 1 0:03

Welcome .

Speaker 1 0:05

You're listening to the Louie Miner Show . I'm your host , bell County . Commissioner Louie Miner . We are back from NACO , the National Association of Counties 2025 Legislative Conference , and there'll be more on that later on in the show . But let's go ahead and get started with our agenda for Monday . Now , monday is not the first or third Monday of the month , which that is where our new meetings , our meeting times have gone to . But we did not have a meeting last week because we did not have a quorum . So they have a special . They called a special meeting for Monday , I guess , to get us caught up . Anyways , first thing on the agenda is the invocation . Then we have the Pledge of Allegiance consent agenda items we have let's see items we have . Let's see . Consider the approval of the minutes for february 18th 2025 . Meeting of the commissioner's court . We have personnel budget amendments , claims , accounts , payable , payroll , restitution , jury pay . Then we have a considerate request submitted by the district attorney to allow for two additional week overlap for the retirement of their existing office supervisor . G-n-s-c-l-e-d-5-n-r-1-3-5-5 86 cents to upgrade the county's voice over internet protocol voip phone system to the Sheriff's Office . That's everything for the consent agenda . Sheriff's Office . That's everything for the consent agenda . County engineer . Items consider and approve final plat of Moffitt Water Supply Edition being a two acre one lot one block subdivision located within Bell County , precinct 3 . Then consider and approve final plat of Winkler Plot being 1.29 acres one lot one block subdivision located in Bell County , precinct 3 . Item C Consider and approve the final plat of Mockingbird acres being a 67.669 acre 14 lot one block subdivision located in Bell County , precinct 3 . And then , item D consider and approve the replat of Shore Shores 8 , hood section subdivision , replat being .2386 acres one lot one block subdivision located within Bell County , precinct 1 . Let's see , located within Bell County , precinct 1 . Let's see . Then we have consider ratifying action taken by the Bell County judge to terminate an interlocal agreement between Burnett County for inmate housing guaranteed bed space . B . Consider authorizing the county judge to enter into a contract with Burnett County for inmate housing as an as-needed basis for a rate of $80 per inmate per day . C . Consider authorizing the county judge to sign a FY 2025 increased law enforcement contract with amendment of solicitation . Modification of contract solicitation number W1926G25Q0008 between the Bell County Sheriff's Office and the US Army Corps of Engineers engineers for Stillhouse Lake Hollow Recreation Area , effective from May 17 , 2025 to September 7 , 2025 . And then D . Consider authorizing the county judge to sign a FY 2025 increased law enforcement contract and amendment of solicitation modification and contract number W9126G25Q008 between the Bell County Sheriff's Office and the US Army Corps of Engineers for Belton Lake Area Recreation Area , effective May 4 , 2025 to September 20 , 2025 . 4th to 2025 to September 20th 2025 . E . Consider using vacancy funds from the District Attorney's Office FY 2025 budget to funding adding a District Staff Attorney position as an overhire for the remainder of the fiscal year . F . Consider authorizing district attorney to add an additional investigator position as a group step 314-08 . G . Consider extension of an order restricting outdoor burn ban . Item F consider canceling the contract and PO 292605 between Bell County and Neal Architecture Group , signed November 8th 2021 for the design of the Temple Annex and authorized the county judge to enter into a contract with Garcia Architects for the design of the Temple Annex at a cost not to exceed $332,000 . Then we have item E closed session section 551.076 , deliberation about deployment or specification implementation of security personnel or

Speaker 1 6:39

devices . Juvenile probation department . That is everything for our agenda . Now let's go to the workshop . Bear with me Reports and updates from county offices and departments . Capital improvement projects . We have update on jail expansion clean annex diversion center renovations FY 2025 CIP Plan . Then we have Discuss the Texas Incident Support Task Force with Texas Division of Emergency Management Representatives . Then we have Fire Marshal Discuss Fire Marshal Compensationhal compensation and certification stipends . Third item is discuss technology services request to reclassify a vacant program analyst three , moving this position to an accountant assistant position . And then finally discuss FY 2026 community project funding requests . And then that is it for the morning . And then in the afternoon of the 10th we have our budget kickoff . So that is everything that we're going to be talking about

Speaker 1 8:15

tomorrow . You have a couple of things for meetings March 14th 2025 , 3 pm Retirement reception for Adela Gomez she worked in the district attorney's office and then we have April 2nd at 11 am , ribbon cutting for the Chillingham Project that is a solar farm . And then on the 9th we have Central Texas Community Health Summit , connecting the dots at UMHB . And then on the 26th we have the county auction surplus items . And that is everything , at least for now . There is a CUC meeting coming up , that's Conference of Urban Counties , but I think we'll be good there . That is everything for your agenda and your workshop for the Bell County Commissioner's Court , march 10th

Speaker 1 9:14

2025 . So , as I said at the beginning of the show that I was at the National Association of Counties 2025 Legislative

National Association of Counties Conference

Speaker 1 9:26

Conference in Washington

Speaker 1 9:27

DC . We get together from all over the country elected officials and staff , county commissioners , county judges , county executives , supervisors they have all kind of

Speaker 1 9:42

names . Even in Louisiana they have have , I think they're called police jurors , something like that . So , yeah , but anyways , um , get together , we vote on our policies and and what we want , what we're looking for uh and partnering help uh from the federal government , and then we go out and talk to our legislators . And so I did that last year first time . Doing it , learned a lot , went this year and I really enjoyed doing that , working with other elected officials and going to talk to members of Congress , and it's definitely an art that you have to learn how to do that , because most of the times you're meeting with the staff , you don't meet with the member because they're busy doing something , but every now and then you do get to meet that staff or that Congress man or woman , and so it's always an honor to get their time for that , because they're getting pulled at a lot of places . But I want to play a little clip from the National Association of Counties highlight reel that they had for the 2025 conference , just so you kind of understand what all this involves .

Speaker 2 11:13

In general session remarks . At the 2025 NACO Legislative Conference , members of President Trump's Cabinet and speakers from both chambers of Congress recognized the crucial role counties play in the intergovernmental partnership .

Speaker 3 11:25

Thanks for inviting me , thanks for allowing me to be here and speak to you a little bit .

Speaker 4 11:30

That's why we're all in this business right . Let's solve problems that improved people's lives . In my time in public service and I am Oregon's longest serving member to be coming up I have never enjoyed more working with NACO . You all are the gold standard for grassroots involvement . I can't hear you , because you deserve more .

Speaker 5 12:04

You are the gold standard for getting people involved in government , To every county commissioner , every judge , every board member , every sheriff , every fire chief , every public health and safety leader here today . The work you do is so close to my heart . I am proud to be among you . I am proud to fight this fight alongside you .

Speaker 4 12:24

Whether you serve at the federal level or the local level or the state level , we're all about people . We are all in the people business . Our issues may be a little bit different , but we're there to serve the people .

Speaker 2 12:37

County leaders departed the general session to participate in a county advocacy day of action , energized by the words of these speakers and empowered to make the case for county policy priorities .

Speaker 1 12:50

There's your little clip of what we do at NACO . Typically what we do is we NACO , typically what we . What we do is we get there before the weekend , meet over the weekend , go over all the stuff , vote on all the things that we want , all the policies that we're going to advocate for , and then that Monday and Tuesday we'll go and and advocate to our local legislators and then obviously other ones . So I met with Representative Pfluger's staff . This is actually the first time , because I've been to DC two times and both times that I did go , I was able to meet with Representative Pfluger's staff or Representative Pfluger , but this time he wasn't available . Keep in mind that we're about to shut down the government on the 14th of March because we may not have funded the government . So that's what they're working on over there for that . So whenever I got back I met with the paper . I talked to the paper and they wrote an article and I don't think they understood what I was trying to say . They kind of did . But the headline is Chaparral Road Funding Cutoff by Federal Government , says county commissioner . So it was never funded to begin with . We just submitted an application requesting grant money for assistance for it . So yeah , we were never funded for it . We're actually in line to get funding for it . That's what we're trying to do . But they said definitely all the community project requests for this year are not going to be funded and that we need to reapply pretty much just change the dates on everything we applied for for 2025 , and then that we'll be able to do it again for 26 . So I'll read the article real quick what the paper said .

Speaker 1 15:06

The Chaparral Road widening project in South Killeen is apparently

Chaparral Road Funding Situation

Speaker 1 15:11

a casualty of a potential government shutdown next week , as Bell County Commissioner Louie Minor D Killeen told the Herald that it was one of the 15 community projects submitted by August Pfluger that was axed . There were community projects funding requests submitted by every local congressman that were eliminated due to a continuing resolution , with the request as part of the efforts to keep the government open , miner said . Pfluger , a Republican , represents Texas's 11th congressional district , extends from Killeen to far west Texas . The federal government is slated to shut down March 14th unless a deal can be reached over funding for the government . Shut down March 14th unless a deal can be reached over funding for the government . Miner also said he is close to certain that the Ranciere Extension in North Killeen would likely be another casualty . They asked us to resubmit for the fiscal year 2026, . Miner said the Chaparral project is not expected to start until late 2029 . The total cost of the project is $100 million . Miner said the majority of the project relies on federal grants . The Killeen Metropolitan Planning Organization was supposed to provide $12 million but said last month that that funding was under review at the federal level . Last month that that funding was under review at the federal level . Miner recently returned from a trip to DC where he met with federal officials and congressional representatives as part of the National Association of Counties . Between March 1st and March 4th about 2,000 other county leaders from across the country were present .

Speaker 1 16:53

Miner says some of these cuts were a result of the change of administration and that the current climate of the federal government I think it's $4 trillion in tax cuts that they want to do . Miner's referring to Trump's administration . They have to cut it from somewhere . So Miner also said that these cuts , bonds are likely going to lose their tax exempt status , making the $155 million new city hall bond that the city is pushing for more expensive . He said it still needs to pass . That's a cost that's going to get passed to property tax owners , minor said . Hopefully they'll listen and not approve that part . Miner also warned that cuts to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , or SNAP , will likely be passed on to the county as well , because residents will have to seek out food banks and other counties for indigent health care . The costs have to go somewhere , he said . So yes , all those things are true .

Speaker 1 18:01

Like I said , the actual funding for Chaparral Road , you know it's kind of in the weeds . So we requested money and we're hoping to get money . Now , the fact that we requested money and we're hoping to get money , now the fact that we requested money , doesn't mean we're necessarily going to get it . That happens all the time that you know agencies , counties , governments they'll ask for money and never get it . But this is one that they we keep on pushing for , pushing for because it's needed and that hopefully one day we'll get funded . But definitely 0% of any funding requests are going to get funded for 2025 . That is 100% certain . So now what we're going to have to do and you heard , whenever I was going through everything for the workshop that was something that we discussed , that we're going to discuss on the workshops that that funding is gone , any funding requests that we're anticipating for 2025 , it's dead in the water . So we'll see what happens and what we're going to do and if the government will be open .

Speaker 1 19:23

I mean , this administration has been going full blast . Just , you know , there there's a picture with Elon Musk in that chainsaw and he's supposed to be slashing government . Well , that's true , that's what he's doing . But slashing government and the way that they're doing it primarily , as at least right now , with firing federal employees those are people . Those are people , those are voters . Those are people and their families that have depended on those jobs . I used to be a federal employee and there was some safety and security with getting a federal job Highly coveted to get a federal job and something that you wore with pride that , hey , I'm a federal employee , I'm working for the American people and yeah , that's not the case anymore . So that's about all the craziness I want to cover .

Speaker 1 20:38

In DC , we met with Republicans and we met with Democratic staff and legislators over there and I fully expected and understand that the Democratic representatives didn't know what was going on . They had a fingers-cross mentality . Well , let's hope this , let's hope that , but I get it that they're not in power , so of course they're going to be left out of the conversation . What I was surprised is that the Republican representatives were equally unaware of issues that are going to be affecting us , and that really surprised me . I was really shocked that Republicans were unsure too , at least the rank and file ones that we spoke to . I'm sure probably the upper leadership probably has an idea of where they're trying to steer the boat . But yeah

School Voucher Bill Town Hall

Speaker 1 21:53

, the rank and file , the staff members that hadn't trickled down , and it was obvious because there was not a lot of senior staff that participated at NACO . Last year , whenever I came , president Biden came and spoke to us , but yeah , that wasn't happening .

Speaker 1 22:14

But anyways , more to follow . There's plenty of craziness going on in DC , but there's also plenty of crazy going on here in Texas , where you have a legislature in session . So the voucher bill is is uh raging on there and I went to uh Brad Buckley . He had a a um town hall here locally and uh , so I'll I'll play a little little bit of it just so you can hear uh how it was , uh how the local uh citizens were taking his voucher bill .

Speaker 2 23:06

Okay , let's be honest we're gonna stay behind .

Speaker 5 23:10

And anyone who has questions to ask .

Speaker 6 23:12

I nobody's names are on them .

Speaker 5 23:13

Okay , so I have one . Are you part of Project 2025 ? Cuz I'm not happy with this crap that's going on what I'm not part of Project 2025 . Excuse me what Cuz ? That's what it is , yeah .

Speaker 6 23:29

I have no idea about project 2025 . Yes , Mr Harris .

Speaker 3 23:36

I appreciate the explanation . The question I had asked was on the bottom of the file was regarding the ability of Texas to vote on this . Several years ago , you know , we voted on the proposition just to allow state police dogs to get given to their handles . You know we voted on the proposition just to allow state police dogs to get given to their animals . So why would we not be able to vote as texans on the proposition we're going to change through the fundamental finances ?

Speaker 6 23:56

yes , let us vote . Let us vote well . I I think the constitution is clear that we have to provide a fair public system of education and this is public funding of education and I feel like it doesn't need a constitutional amendment .

Speaker 6 24:16

And it's important and to note we're not on the bloody edge here . There are 31 other states that have some form of school choice and what we found is that public schools do better typically and that you find that they're able to have multiple options for parents . It is a lie . We are beyond our time here . I'll be happy to stay behind and have a conversation with anybody that would like to talk and I appreciate you being here .

Speaker 6 24:50

This is our contact information here . If you need anything , you can reach out and I'd be happy to talk to you . Thank you .

Speaker 1 24:57

So you heard it was very heated . I think he attended a up in Palestine . He attended another town hall and I think it was scheduled to go for two hours and it didn't even go that . There were a lot of people yelling and screaming . So he's feeling the heat . He did say and I don't know if I caught it on my video or not that when they asked about voting for it he was like well , the people did vote for it , they voted for it in the Republican primary and I'm sorry that's not the majority of people in Texas .

Speaker 1 25:35

So you know , that was a very good question brought up by Mr Erie , who is a property tax hawk , and I mean , yeah , I mean , and I mean , yeah , I mean it's crazy what they're trying to do with public school . You know I am an avid listener to podcasts and one of the podcasts that I was listening to , the teacher retirement system of Texas will be actuarially unsound . Now that should be scary for a lot of people , especially our teachers , that teachers that are working teachers or that are retired , that you know my sister , she's a school counselor , so I'm sure she's in the teacher retirement system and yeah , I mean , that's scary stuff , scary stuff that they're playing with , and you know just that . Only okay , say , 100,000 people are going to access that , when we have millions and millions of kids in school and they're only , you know , giving a billion dollars , $1 billion , to 100,000 kids that are going to benefit the wealthy kids that are going to benefit the wealthy . So let's , let's hope that we could keep the pressure on them and that that doesn't happen .

State Representative's Flag Bill Controversy

Speaker 1 27:16

But you know , we have two , two representatives , and if you remember , I talked to you the other week cause I put a press release out and it was in the paper of Representative Hicklin , who is just totally offended , clutching her pearls from a pride flag that I have in the courthouse , and she had mentioned that she was going to be filing a bill to end that practice , that she was going to be filing a bill to end that practice , and she has , lo and behold , true to her word , she filed it . So let's look at what it says .

Speaker 1 28:00

This is well . First of all , let me read the statement that she put on Facebook . It might even read a couple of the comments . Now this is on her page , her , her , her page . Uh , hick , hillary Hicklin for Texas , and she actually tagged me in it . Bell County , commissioner , precinct for Louie minor . And this was posted on March 7th at 15.03 .

Speaker 1 28:31

Yesterday I filed HB 3990 to establish a clear policy for flags flown in our government buildings . This ensures that our taxpayer-funded offices do not serve as a platform for political activism for political activism . This policy was supported at the national level by the Trump administration and it's time Texas follows suit . Our government building should reflect unity , tradition and respect for our states and nations . Let's keep Texas strong , respect our flags , texas values , blah , blah , blah . So that's what she said , and let's look at the remarks . Obviously this is her campaign page , so there's probably going to be a lot of people that are going to be in support .

Speaker 1 29:31

But reading through it , I heard there were some interesting comments on it . Let me see . Here goes , thank you . The last thing I care to see when I'm driving by the courthouse or walk into a school as a flag advertising what type of sex people have . Completely inappropriate and bizarre to display sexual preferences in a taxpayer-funded business or school environment . Let's see . Bell County Republican Party .

Speaker 1 30:13

Six Flags is not a government entity . I don't know what that is supposed to be for . Rock on . Yes , thank you . Take it down and take it home with you . You'd appreciate it more when you're driving than we do driving by the courthouse . Oh , this is the one that I wanted to .

Speaker 1 30:33

Someone said what about historic US flags , flags for the purpose of teaching about other nations ? The six flags of Texas , mia , pow flags need some massaging ? Someone said yes , so does this include the Texas and US flags that are rainbow-colored , like Lois Minor has displayed in his office window at the courthouse ? Technically they are US and Texas flags , but he said he could display , but they are not the right colors . And let's see what Ms Hicklin replied to that . I just reread and saw that you have the right colors , awesome . And then she said 100% . Then someone put you seem to be threatening the person you are targeting . Not real discreet , there are . You Seems to have enough experience being a mean girl . That's about it . It's a shame that you are teaching children to ignore the freedoms we have come to cherish . And then hi , I feel a bit out of the loop . I'd like to know more . What other flags were regularly flown on those buildings ? Is this a preventative bill ? Thank you , but yeah , so I mean , it's kind of like all over the place . She doesn't like my flag which they're not there for her . And anyways , that is . Let's read the bill . Let's see what the bill says that she is sponsoring , that she authored . Authored . So this is it .

Speaker 1 32:27

By Hicklin , hb number 3990 , a bill to be entitled and act relating to the display of flags of a building owned or operated by a state , a municipality or a county , be it enacted by the legislature of the state of Texas . Section 1 , subtitle E . Title 10 , government code is amending by adding chapter 2207 to read as follows Chapter 2207 , display of flags . .001 , applicability . This chapter applies to a building owned or operated by this state , a municipality or a county . 2207.002 defines that this chapter display means to exhibit in a place or an object where a person visiting or employed at a building may see the object and then display a flag . 003 . A building may not display , and this state or a municipality or county may not permit an employee , agent or volunteer to display any flag other than the United States flag , the state flag or the official flag of a municipality or county . The United States flag or state flag displayed at a building at which this chapter applies must be an official flag in the official colors and may not be

Speaker 1 34:10

altered . Section 2, . This act takes effect September 1st 2025 . So that's it . That's her bill . To me it seems poorly written . There's a lot of questions that can be put on this , so we'll have to see . I'll be surprised if it gets a committee hearing or not , and yeah , so good luck with

Speaker 1 34:49

that . Representative Hicklin , I'm sure , with all your 30-something bills . Let me see . Let me see how many bills you filed yeah , 36 . I'll be very surprised if any of them , any of them . Yeah , so good luck . I'm sure you're going to be a one and done because , um , I'm pretty sure Hugh shine is going to come after you again and you won't have the governor to protect you this time because he's going to have his voucher bill , so he ain't going to care and you're going to be all by your lonesome and I think , uh , hugh is going to take great pleasure in in beating you next election cycle . So he took one out , one crazy woman that we had before , uh , miss Molly white , and I'm sure , when people see all the BS that you're doing down at the Capitol , that your days are numbered . So , either with that , with Hugh coming after you , or with Jennifer Lee , who's going to run against you again

Gerrymandering and Future Elections

Speaker 1 36:17

, with Jennifer Lee who's going to run against you again , or maybe even Commissioner Minor , and his federal lawsuit that he has with the state of Texas over the house lines here in Bell County , the state house lines . I had a phone call last Sunday , sunday , and now that case is moving . I think they're going to be setting up a hearing date here pretty soon , the end of this month or maybe next month where it is going to go to trial and I might have to fly to El Paso and testify . And I'm excited for that Because it is

Speaker 1 37:00

obvious . Obvious that Bell County's state house seats were gerrymandered by race , deluded the black and brown vote in Killeen , if you remember the first map that the state did pretty much , did what you should have done cut the county in half and you had an east side and a west side . But because Representative Buckley has never won Killeen , he's always lost Killeen , he would have lost his seat and they couldn't have that , could they ? So what did they do ? They redid the map . They took some of Hugh Shine's districts , precincts and gave them to Buckley , and I think that's probably why Hugh Shine lost his primary , because these were new voters he's never had before . They didn't know Hugh Shine . They didn't know him so there was no loyalty to him , and I think Harker Heights was a big problem for Hugh because he never represented Harker Heights

Speaker 1 38:28

before . So anyways , you know we're already talking about 2026 . By the end of this year , you're going to be you , I mean me candidates will be filing to run for re-election and , yes , secret's out of the bag , I am running for re-election . I enjoy serving the people of Precinct 4 , of Killeen , of Bell County , and I look forward to continue serving as your county commissioner . Now I think there'll be some contested seats on the Republican side , on the Democratic side , and I'm a political animal . I love politics , I love seeing people go out and make their case to the people and ultimately it's going to be the people that decide who they want representing

Speaker 1 39:33

them . So , if you want , if you listen to this podcast , you know I was at a convention in College Station and I was talking to another commissioner and he used to be a radio sports announcer and I told him I said hey , you know I got a podcast . I've been doing a podcast since right before I took office . You know I got a podcast . I've been doing a podcast since right before I took office and that was like at the beginning of the convention , of the conference and then maybe a day or two later I saw him and he was like hey , I listened to your podcast , I like what you're doing . I might have to start a podcast , but I've already heard it a couple of times in several conventions , even several political functions that I've been to , that people need to do more podcasts . We need to have more of our messaging going out there into the world , into the universe , our messaging going out there into the world , into the universe , than on the right , because right now there's just a lot of Republicans out there that took advantage of

Speaker 1 40:45

this . But I have like 60-something episodes . I've been doing this for three years now For your listening pleasure . Three years worth of content now , that's out there and the going-ons of Bell County and what we're doing . So I appreciate you for listening . Support the podcast , support my re-election . I'm going to put information in the show notes . So if you're interested in supporting the podcast , supporting my reelection , go donate . You know campaigns are not cheap and we're starting early . So go and donate , support , contribute and I will talk to y'all next week . We'll be you next time .