Texas Land Commissioner Explains Texas Plan To DOMINATE Rare Earth Minerals

Texas just quietly sat on one of the largest rare earth mineral deposits outside of China's control — and the state's Land Commissioner is the one turning it into cash for schools. Dawn Buckingham joins Garrett to explain how the General Land Office manages 13 million acres of Texas land, why that makes Texas the "tip of the spear" on energy, minerals, and border security, and what's really happening with the $450 million Alamo overhaul. Then Garrett runs the solo rundown: a $7.5 billion border security reimbursement finally landing at the Comptroller's Office, a voter registration glitch affecting thousands of Texans, and where the Abbott-Hinojosa and Paxton-Talarico races actually stand five weeks out.

Commissioner Buckingham breaks down how the GLO's mineral leases fund the Permanent School Fund, why she declared cartel-controlled islands in the Rio Grande part of Texas, and how "Mines to Magnets" is meant to end America's reliance on China for the minerals that power phones, jets, and the grid. Garrett also covers the ongoing GOP fight over Railroad Commission nominee Bo French and where the debate season stands for Senate and Governor.

**Topics discussed:**
- Dawn Buckingham's path from medical practice to Texas Senate to Land Commissioner
- What the General Land Office does and why it predates the state government
- The Permanent School Fund and its impact on Texas schools and property taxes
- The "Texas Engine" plan: energy, rare earth minerals, and produced water
- Breaking China's rare earth mineral monopoly with USA Rare Earth and El Paso Minerals
- The $450 million Alamo restoration and the new Visitor Center
- Big Bend border wall strategy and protecting state ranchland from contractors
- The Veterans Land Board's nursing homes, cemeteries, and mortgage program
- The Comptroller's Office, the $7.5 billion Operation Lone Star reimbursement, and staff shakeups
- A voter registration processing glitch affecting thousands of Texans
- Where the Abbott-Hinojosa and Paxton-Talarico races stand, and the fight over debates

**Guest:** Dawn Buckingham, MD — Texas Land Commissioner, former Texas State Senator. More info: dawnbuckingham.com

**Sources:**
- *Texas Tribune* — By Gabby Birenbaum — Sept. 18, 2026 — [Feds reimburse Texas for $7.5 billion in border spending, ending delay](https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/18/texas-border-money-reimburse-billions/)
- *Texas Tribune* — By Alejandro Serrano — Sept. 15, 2026 — [This Gen-Z politico is running the Texas comptroller's office](https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/15/texas-comptroller-shakeup-don-huffines-noah-betz/)
- *Texas Tribune* — Sept. 25, 2026 — [Texas' delayed voter applications highlight registration woes](https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/25/texas-voter-registration-delay-backlog-online-dps/)
- *Texas Tribune* — By Alex Nguyen — Sept. 13, 2026 — [Cornyn calls out Bo French over racist social media post](https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/13/bo-french-john-cornyn-republican-texas-railroad-commissioner-ut/)
- *The Washington Times* — Sept. 3, 2026 — [Ken Paxton turns down CNN debate offer in Senate race](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/3/ken-paxton-turns-cnn-debate-offer-senate-race/)

Chapters
0:00 Intro & Episode Preview
0:44 Meet Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham
2:57 GLO 101: History & Duties
7:32 Texas Engine: Power, Minerals & Water
13:21 Restoring the Alamo
19:44 Big Bend Border Wall Fight
23:53 Veterans Land Board
25:13 Comptroller Shakeup & $7.5B Border Check
29:14 178K Voter Registrations in Limbo
33:19 Horse Race & Debate Watch

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