Midland ISD Sues Over Recapture, the Doxing Judge Gets a Babysitter
Monitoring the Situation (8/11/26)
Midland is producing situations at a concerning rate. Here are a few we are monitoring for you.
Midland ISD Draws a Line Against Texas’ Recapture System
Midland ISD Trustee Intervenes in Judge Removal Case to Prevent Dismissal
New Secretary of State Fights Against Closed Primaries
Midland ISD Draws a Line Against Texas’ Recapture System
Midland ISD Board President Josh Guinn explained in a recent opinion piece why the board voted to sue the Texas Commissioner of Education over the state recapture system.
The Texas state recapture system is a school finance mechanism that requires property-wealthy school districts to remit local property tax revenues exceeding their state-determined funding entitlement to the state, which then redistributes those funds to support property-poor districts and promote greater equity in public education funding.
Guinn notes that the state sets the maximum tax rate Midland can charge and then takes roughly a quarter of every local property-tax dollar.
The district has already sent more than $1 billion to Austin according to Guinn.
“[Recapture] is a statewide property tax with the school district forced to act as the collection agent. The Texas Constitution forbids that. We are done pretending otherwise.”
- Josh Guinn
President, Midland ISD Board of Trustees
Guinn also highlights problems with charter partner IDEA Public Schools. After consecutive D ratings and failed negotiations, the board terminated the lease. IDEA later sued the district. Guinn states he anticipates a fourth D rating is likely.
You can read the full opinion piece here:
Asked about the article, Guinn told Current Revolt:
"The piece explains why I believe the current system has moved beyond equalization into extraction, how it affects local resources for Midland students, and the broader issues of local control and accountability that led to our decision."
Speaking of Midland…
Midland ISD Trustee Intervenes in Judge Removal Case to Prevent Dismissal
Midland ISD Trustee Brandon Hodges filed an intervention in the removal proceeding against Midland County Judge Terry Johnson citing the need to protect the case from procedural challenges.
Current Revolt has been covering this case extensively where Midland County Judge Terry Johnson doxed a Midland citizen by posting his social security number, date of birth, address, and driver’s license number on social media.
Hodges issued a press release regarding the intervention. In the release, he states he acted to prevent the dismissal on technical grounds related to District Attorney Glenn Harwood’s dual role as a District Attorney and resident-realtor.
“I am not going to let the Chapter 87 removal case against Midland County Judge Terry Johnson die on a procedural hit aimed at Glenn Harwood.”
- Brandon Hodges
Midland ISD Board of Trustees
Hodge’s full press release here:
Hodges also criticized potential delays and insider protections stating that elected officials “are not royalty” and that “the people of Midland County deserve a straight process and a real result.”
New Secretary of State Fights Against Closed Primaries
Robert Howden got the Secretary of State job about five minutes ago and he’s already fighting the Republican Party of Texas in federal court.
New Texas Secretary of State Robert Howden will maintain his predecessor’s opposition to the Republican Party of Texas’ lawsuit seeking to close the state’s GOP primaries.
Howden disclosed his position Monday in a court filing ordered by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who asked whether the newly appointed secretary would continue the legal positions taken under former Secretary of State Jane Nelson.
“The only thing that has changed in this case is the name of the defendant,” Howden’s filing states.
Howden confirmed that his office continues to oppose the Texas GOP’s requested consent judgment and still seeks dismissal of the lawsuit.
The Texas GOP sued in 2025, arguing that letting non-Republicans vote in its primary violates the party’s First Amendment rights. AG Paxton backs the suit. Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, and Texas House Speaker Burrows all say they support closing the primaries legislatively, someday, eventually. Any decade now.
Yeah, put Disaster Dusty, elected by the Democrats and RINOs on it. That'll make 'em quake in their boots. All DD needs is the pointy-toed cowboy boot up the kiester!!!