Progress Texas Podcasts

Latest Episodes:

Daily Dispatch 2/7/24: Texas GOP U.S. Reps Fail To Impeach Mayorkas, and More Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Despite the full support of Texas Representatives, the Republican majority in the U.S. House falls short of impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/06/mayorkas-impeachment-vote-fail/

...Partly thanks to a heroic vote by Texas Rep. Al Green, who had escaped his hospital bed to cast a decisive vote establishing a 215-215 tie: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/us/politics/al-green-mayorkas-impeachment.html

...While Republicans flail over the border, dangerous elements are heeding their calls for violence: https://talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things-stand/texas-gopers-border-cosplay-becomes-target-for-violent-extremists-and-grifters

...And that "God's Army" thing turned out little more than a lame Trump merch market: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2024/02/05/take-back-border-convoy-texas-republican-immigration-invasion-act/72451333007/

...Still, Texas Republicans are fully bought in on Trump's con job: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/06/texas-republicans-donald-trump-endorse/

...A new state law increasing minimum prison sentences for human trafficking is unlikely to make a difference: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/06/texas-human-smuggling-law-minimum-sentence/

Two Texas companies are found at the root of AI-constructed robocalls featuring a cloned Joe Biden voice: https://www.axios.com/2024/02/07/new-hampshire-fake-robocall-ai-biden-voice-texas

Actual charges related to law enforcement failures in Uvalde appear unlikely: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/07/uvalde-shooting-grand-jury/

Two studies cited by an Amarillo judge in his attacks on the abortion drug mifepristone have been found unsound and pulled by their publisher: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-publisher-retracts-studies-cited-by-texas-judge-suspending-abortion-pills-2024-02-06/

That disgusting produced water spill in Crane County has been plugged after a month-long, over-two-million-dollar effort: https://www.marfapublicradio.org/environment/2024-02-05/state-spends-millions-to-plug-massive-well-leak-in-the-oil-fields-of-crane-county

A great three-part documentary series on Black non-profit leaders in Texas to check out for Black History Month: https://www.nbcdfw.com/discover-black-heritage/for-oak-cliff-founder-featured-in-documentary-series-highlighting-black-ceos-in-dallas/3453820/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17072784338930&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcdfw.com%2Fdiscover-black-heritage%2Ffor-oak-cliff-founder-featured-in-documentary-series-highlighting-black-ceos-in-dallas%2F3453820%2F

Thanks for listening! Progress Texas is seeking to add 29 new recurring donors during our February membership drive - we'd appreciate the support: https://progresstexas.org/donate

Daily Dispatch 2/6/24: Climate Advocates Urge Texas Congressional Support On LNG Limits, and More Feb 06, 2024

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

A diverse group of environmental advocates and frontline communities have signed on to an open letter urging Texas progressives in the U.S. House to oppose a resolution allowing for liquid natural gas expansion: https://progresstexas.org/blog/good-step-pausing-lng-export-approvals-next-step-combat-climate-crisis-texas

A new deal on federal border policy finds Democrats running to face Ted Cruz in the fall election divided: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/05/texas-reaction-border-deal-ukraine-israel/

Governor Abbott is limiting his filter for endorsements in Texas House races to the single issue of school vouchers: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article285090707.html

...While deep-red South Dakota sees a voucher scheme go down in flames: https://www.keloland.com/news/capitol-news-bureau/house-panel-blocks-plan-for-7400-education-vouchers/

...And Texas public schools slide ever further behind in funding: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/education/2024/02/05/education-texas-public-school-funding-lowest-inflation-adjusted-state-local-since-2020/72154083007/

...And student orgs at UT face financial problems due to the closure of DEI offices: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/education/university-of-texas/dei-backlash-texas-student-organizations-asking-for-funding/269-f231ff3c-613e-4784-b62f-bac5b5bd5914

A Republican lawmaker thinks Ken Paxton, facing building legal challenges, may be a flight risk: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/yall-itics/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-flight-risk-says-gop-republican-lawmaker/287-023487d1-3836-48df-8ec2-c8638dc265a2

Black History Month is underway! Progress Texas has a full schedule of events to follow: https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-african-american-arts-and-artisans-black-history-month

Progress Texas is seeking to add 29 new recurring donors during our February membership drive - we'd appreciate the support: https://progresstexas.org/donate

Daily Dispatch 2/5/22: Religious Zealotry And Racial Hate On Display At Texas Border, and More Feb 05, 2024

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Today is the last day to register to vote in the March primary! Get it done: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2024/02/05/monday-is-last-day-to-register-to-vote-in-march-5-texas-primary-election/

All about voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/

Governor Abbott, gathered at Eagle Pass with 13 other Republican governors, pledges to expand the border territory his Operation Lone Star is excluding from access by federal Border Patrol personnel: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/04/us/texas-border-abbott-governors.html

...While U.S. House Democrats from Texas respond to Abbott's obvious theatrics and warn of the dangers of stirring racial angst: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4447607-texas-democrats-accuse-abbott-of-inciting-potential-border-violence/

...On Friday, Eagle Pass community leaders demanded that visitors respect the cultural diversity of their region: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-border-convoy-slammed-eagle-pass-community-leaders-ahead-rally-1866598

...Demands largely ignored by the "Take Our Border Back" rally nearby on Saturday, which devolved into a racist Trump rally complete with religious zealotry and anti-Semitic conspiracy speeches: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-looms-over-texas-border-rally-targeting-illegal-immigration-2024-02-03/

...By the way, turns out Shelby Park was named for a Confederate general who fled to Mexico at the end of the Civil War: https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/01/us/shelby-park-texas-border-history-cec/index.html

Texas secessionist groups are denying their obvious parroting of Russian rhetoric: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-independence-group-denies-russian-support-1866798

...While misinformation about the Texas border standoff is circulating in China: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68185317

We look forward to a talk this week with Gina Ortiz Jones, heading up the Find Out PAC dedicated to opposing three Texas Supreme Court justices up for re-election: https://youtu.be/08ihlSOEmMU?si=bOjAHZ6hKN6Z-cv2

...Pregnant women trapped in abusive relationships are uniquely imperiled by Texas' abortion ban: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/sewing-texas-abortion-ban-heightens-danger-women-18637853.php

The Democrats running to replace Colin Allred in the U.S. House are mostly in consensus on key progressive issues: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/02/02/north-texas-candidates-for-congress-differ-on-best-approach-for-democrats/

Black History Month is underway! Progress Texas has a full schedule of events to follow: https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-african-american-arts-and-artisans-black-history-month

Progress Texas is seeking to add 29 new recurring donors during our February membership drive - we'd appreciate the support: https://progresstexas.org/donate

Daily Dispatch 2/2/24: On Border, GOP Wants Cake - And To Eat It Too, and More Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Houston Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw is confused at his party's blocking of the very border reforms they claim to want: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2024/02/01/dan-crenshaw-potential-border-reform-bill-sot-raju-ip-vpx.cnn

That "God's Army" gathering in Dripping Springs was nowhere near "massive": https://nypost.com/2024/02/01/news/patriots-gather-for-massive-rally-at-texas-border/

...Experts say this convoy has already been overrun by "Great Replacement" conspiracy theorists: https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/extremism-disinformation/2024/02/01/proud-boys-other-far-right-groups-use-texas-convoy-as-rallying-cry/

...Nikki Haley walks back her obviously ignorant position on Texas secession: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/02/opinion/haley-abbott-secession-texas.html

...Even the ultra-conservative and unpredictable U.S. Supreme Court is unlikely to go along with secession: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-secession-movement-abbott-border-security/

Is Ted Cruz really winning with Texas millennials? https://www.newsweek.com/ted-cruz-winning-texas-millennials-1866176

...U.S. Rep. Colin Allred continues dominating fundraising: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/01/colin-allred-ted-crus-roland-gutierrez/

That produced water spill in Crane County continues to flow - an update is coming on the Progress Texas Happy Hour: https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/west-texas-water-leak-oil-field-railroad-commission-no-fly-zone/

We send out condolences to beloved volunteer and activist Ernest Walker of Dallas: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/longtime-dallas-activist-dies-leaves-legacy-of-service/287-aad9658f-b54d-487d-9f95-27436bb86a27

Black History Month starts today! Progress Texas has a full schedule of events to follow: https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-african-american-arts-and-artisans-black-history-month

The deadline to register for the March primary is this Monday, February 5: https://govotetexas.org/

Early Giving is underway for this year's Amplify Austin non-profit and charity fundraiser, and is a great way to support Progress Texas: https://www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/progress-texas-institute

Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 2/1/24: Progress Texas Endorses Roland Gutierrez for U.S. Senate, and More Feb 01, 2024

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

We're proud to announce that we are endorsing Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez to face Ted Cruz in the race for our state's junior seat in the U.S. Senate: https://rolandfortexas.com/

Republican craziness over the border includes the supposedly-moderate (and essentially hopeless) Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley: https://nypost.com/2024/01/31/news/nikki-haley-claims-texas-has-the-right-to-secede-from-us-thats-their-decision-to-make/

...While the more obviously crazy U.S. Rep. Chip Roy compares the recent 5-4 SCOTUS call in favor of federal immigration jurisdiction to the infamous Dred Scott decision: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4438115-chip-roy-dred-scott-supreme-court-border-ruling/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17067202796298&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fhouse%2F4438115-chip-roy-dred-scott-supreme-court-border-ruling%2F

...What does the law actually say about a federal takeover of state national guard troops? It's as clear as mud: https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/can-the-federal-government-take-control-of-the-texas-national-guard-governor-greg-abbott-supreme-court-razor-wire-ruling-president-biden-armed-forces-migrants-immigration-border-security

...Meanwhile, the residents of Eagle Pass just want their town back: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/01/slatest-news-politics-newsletter-eagle-pass-texas.html

...As more crazy is inbound, if that goofy truck convoy doesn't implode before it gets here: https://www.businessinsider.com/gods-army-take-our-border-back-convoy-texas-slashed-tires-2024-1

...And older conservatives calling for secession don't appear to have carefully considered their Medicare and Social Security benefits: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-secession-union-medicare-benefits-1865428

Ken Paxton is suing several Texas cities over their local ordinances deprioritizing marijuana enforcement: https://www.kut.org/austin/2024-01-31/attorney-general-ken-paxton-austin-san-marcos-marijuana-possession-ordinances

Black History Month starts today! Progress Texas has a full schedule of events to follow: https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-african-american-arts-and-artisans-black-history-month

The deadline to register for the March primary is this Monday, February 5: https://govotetexas.org/

Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 1/31/24: Despair, Death and Disinformation at the Texas Border, and More Jan 31, 2024

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

No progress reported on the standoff between Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden on federal access to the border: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/texas-refuses-budge-in-border-standoff-with-biden

Eagle Pass firefighters talk about the trauma of recovering so many drowned migrants from the Rio Grande lately: https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2024/01/30/eagle-pass-texas-migrant-surge-border-immigration-contd-orig-lr-ag-ak.cnn

Christian voters, in particular, should be wary of stunts like the "God's Army" truck convoy: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/gods-army-texas-border-christian-nationalism-rcna136279

Ken Paxton gets a pass - for now - on being deposed tomorrow in the whistleblower case against him: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/video/texas-supreme-court-pauses-depositions-in-paxton-whistleblower-case/

...Donald Trump appears to have persuaded the Texas Supreme Court to stay the deposition order: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/30/ken-paxton-texas-supreme-court-whistleblowers/

...Trump has also joined Paxton in backing a hard-right primary challenger to House Speaker Dade Phelan: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-endorsement-texas-house-speaker-rcna136440

...While an Abbott-backed candidate in the special election to fill the House seat for District 2 is narrowly defeated by an opponent backed by more moderate GOP types: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/lone-star-politics/jill-dutton-wins-race-to-fill-seat-vacated-by-expelled-member/3448714/

The Democratic judge who will preside over Ken Paxton's felony securities fraud trial in Houston this spring is relatively inexperienced: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/second-year-texas-judge-takes-on-long-awaited-ken-paxton-trial

The Texas Supreme Court hears arguments that the PUC overstepped its bounds during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri disaster in ordering ERCOT to hold energy prices at maximum: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-power-2021-winter-storm-supreme-court/269-83efc0b3-72af-48b8-93f0-a131bc4a8662

...And also arguments against SB-14, the new state law outlawing gender-affirming care for trans youth: https://www.fox4news.com/news/senate-bill-14-texas-supreme-court-hearing

Studies show that liberal Twitter users are willing to back down from disproven positions, while conservative users will double down on debunked ideas: https://www.psypost.org/2022/11/liberals-produce-more-tweets-about-important-events-conservatives-are-more-likely-to-share-rumors-64245

...Speaking of which, recently-circulating video of tanks rolling across a desert highway are NOT in fact Texas troops after a federal surrender: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-tanks-border-biden-abbott-video-1865325

The deadline to register for the March primary is this Monday, February 5: https://www.fox26houston.com/news/texas-2024-primary-deadline-approaching-to-register-to-vote-in-march-primary

Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 1/30/24: America Awaits Biden Move In Texas Dispute, and More Jan 30, 2024

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

The standoff between Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden continues: https://www.kens5.com/video/news/special-reports/at-the-border/273-ded0a575-7d5c-4ec3-8465-7d701b45e7f3

...Historic parallels to the situation include Eisenhower '57 and Kennedy '63: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/01/29/immigration-border-texas-trump/

...Should legal solutions in the Congress not work out, Biden faces a difficult call: https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/if-border-bill-fails-time-for-biden-to-take-control-of-texas-border-says-writer-203146309828

...U.S. Reps Joaquin Castro and Greg Casar implore Biden to act: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-governor-reveals-plan-counter-biden-taking-over-national-guard-1865108

...The Supreme Court itself is complicit in Abbott's defiance: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/01/greg-abbott-texas-border-stunt-supreme-court/677267/

...The solvency of the U.S. Constitution itself may be at risk: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-01-29/opinion-heres-whats-at-stake-in-texas-dispute-with-the-federal-government-over-the-border

...Convoys of Abbott supporters promise "peaceful demonstration", but bad actors abound: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/01/29/texas-border-supreme-court-migrants-abbott/

...LULAC issues a statement of warning to its members to be vigilant for racist violence: https://thehill.com/latino/4436050-texas-abbott-border-latino-immigration/

...Not even Republican Dade Phelan is immune from the effects of reckless rhetoric from the right: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/29/texas-house-speaker-dade-phelan-threat/

And in some GOOD news - Texas set a new record for solar power last weekend: https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2024-01-29/texas-just-broke-a-record-for-how-much-power-it-got-from-the-sun

Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 1/29/24: Trump, Russia Celebrate Abbott's Border Crisis, and More Jan 29, 2024

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

The standoff between Texas and the Biden Administration is verging on unprecedented - outside of the leadup to the American Civil War: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-refuses-federal-agents-access-shelby-park-eagle-pass-border/

...Governor Abbott's legal position parallels those asserted by Confederate states as they left the Union, all thoroughly debunked: https://www.thedailybeast.com/texas-border-stunt-is-based-on-a-confederate-legal-theory

...It also relies on the patently absurd equivalency comparing migrants seeking work to an invading foreign army: https://www.cato.org/blog/explaining-border-standoff-between-texas-federal-government

...Houston State Rep. Gene Wu suggests that Abbott follow the law, just as he asks pregnant rape victims to do: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/inside-politics/texas-politics/gene-wu-texas-us-mexico-border-razor-wire-supreme-court-scotus-ruling/287-bcbf2a26-52a6-4933-8cde-6a795952f767

...While Donald Trump claps with glee and eggs Abbott on: https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-immigration-texas-border-mexico-f2c1f03d902734521ab6e23f02ed9fa3

...And Russia looks on with interest, hoping the Texas border crisis will end American interest in and aid for Ukraine: https://www.newsweek.com/russia-state-tv-texas-border-control-greg-abbott-joe-biden-donald-trump-1864605

...While an Indian source points out that footage covering the "Army Of God" truck convoy is actually that of a COVID convoy from 2022: https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-convoy-heading-towards-texas-for-border-control-no-this-video-is-from-2022-2494924-2024-01-29

What may end up the only debate between Democratic hopefuls to challenge Ted Cruz in November was held yesterday: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/28/texas-senate-democratic-debate/

...Listen in its entirety here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-hour-143-the-u-s-senate-texas-democratic/id1552998795?i=1000643297735

Ken Paxton hassles another out-of-state clinic for the private medical records of trans kids, this one in Georgia: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/26/texas-attorney-general-trans-documents-georgia-ken-paxton/

Snopes finds that yes - Norwegians really do use the word "Texas" as slang for insane, chaotic situations: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/texas-slang-crazy-norway/

Thanks for listening! Discover our web store and other ways to support our ongoing mission at https://progresstexas.org/.

Happy Hour 143: The U.S. Senate Texas Democratic Primary Debate Jan 28, 2024

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Just hours ago, in what may end up the only full debate featuring the top contenders, the Democratic hopefuls to face Ted Cruz for Texas' junior U.S. Senate seat in November faced off in a live debate. Thanks to the Texas AFL/CIO for allowing us to capture this very important conversation during their annual COPE Convention in Austin, which is presented here in its entirety.

Learn more about the Texas AFL/CIO and all the incredible work they do for hardworking Texans statewide at https://texasaflcio.org/.

Thanks for listening! Hit our web store and learn about other ways to support our ongoing mission at Progress Texas at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 1/26/24: Trump Calls For Civil War In Texas, and More Jan 26, 2024

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Former President and presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump has issued a call for "all willing states" to send their national guards to Texas to confront federal personnel alongside Operation Lone Star: https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-calls-for-all-willing-states-to-deploy-national-guard-troops-to-texas

...While 25 Republican Governors - representing half the states - weigh in in favor of Abbott and Trump: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13009037/governors-Texas-border-dispute-security.html

...And Republicans, sensing a favorable election angle, have no intention of actually trying to solve the border problem: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/immoral-republicans-rebuke-efforts-kill-immigration-deal-help-trump-rcna135732

The Biden Administration delights environmental advocates with a delay for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) approvals: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-new-natural-gas-export-terminals-pause-consideration/

...Statement from the White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/26/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-decision-to-pause-pending-approvals-of-liquefied-natural-gas-exports/

...While Texas industry admits to releasing tons of extra pollution in "upset emissions" during the recent cold snap: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/26/texas-pollution-emissions-cold-weather-upsets/

A sharp uptick in rape-related pregnancies has occurred since the near-total ban on abortion in Texas began: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/health/article/texas-sees-estimated-26k-pregnancies-rape-18625692.php

A retiring Texas Senator who voted to acquit Ken Paxton in last year's impeachment trial thinks that impeachment deserves a second look: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/ken-paxton-second-impeachment-trial-called-for-by-republican-who-voted-to-acquit/269-2c712e20-e21c-41a3-9312-09c10da51769

A popular scholarship for undocumented students at UT has unexpectedly fallen to the new DEI ban: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/01/25/ut-eliminates-scholarship-program-for-undocumented-students-following-texas-dei-ban/

Most Texans no longer have to have their cars inspected annually, except for those in high-population counties - and we're all still paying for inspections anyway: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/watchdog/2024/01/24/the-ins-and-outs-of-the-confusing-texas-car-inspection-law-with-the-help-of-readers/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17062495253053&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dallasnews.com%2Fnews%2Fwatchdog%2F2024%2F01%2F24%2Fthe-ins-and-outs-of-the-confusing-texas-car-inspection-law-with-the-help-of-readers%2F

Share with your less-wonky friends - Why Are Texas Primaries Important? https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/simplified/article/why-texas-primaries-are-important-18605476.php

This weekend, a debate in the Dallas area between Texas Democrats seeking office in the U.S. House and Texas Senate: https://www.mobilize.us/richardsonareademocrats/event/598402/

...And the Dems looking to face Ted Cruz in the U.S. Senate race: https://texasaflcio.org/news/cope-convention-host-first-us-senate-debate

Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our work at https://progresstexas.org/.

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