Progress Texas Podcasts

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Happy Hour 135: Inside The Endless Voucher Fight Nov 14, 2023

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Governor Abbott, so far, has held true to his threat to keep the Texas Legislature in Austin - in many cases, hundreds of miles away from their homes, families, jobs and businesses - until they finally cave on multiple decades of resistance to school vouchers. We're proud to be joined by two lawmakers with a front row seat to Abbott's charade: Senator Sarah Eckhardt of Austin and Rep. James Talarico of Round Rock share their perspectives on why vouchers are bad for Texas, who's really behind Abbott's relentless campaign for them, and what the likely eventual outcome may be.

Find Senator Sarah Eckhardt at https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=14, and Representative James Talarico at https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=50.

Thanks for listening - and we'd love to meet YOU in person at one of our two upcoming 2023 Holiday Parties! Details and tickets at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 11/14/23: Winter Is Coming - And ERCOT Is NOT Ready. And More Nov 14, 2023

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

A national energy analysis shows that ERCOT remains vulnerable to natural gas-related outages in freezing weather as winter approaches: https://www.kvue.com/article/weather/texas-grid-conditions-this-winter/269-d0171aff-35e8-44b9-b259-10b69c8e9153#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16998983290299&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kvue.com%2Farticle%2Fweather%2Ftexas-grid-conditions-this-winter%2F269-d0171aff-35e8-44b9-b259-10b69c8e9153

Joe Manchin's exit makes defeating Ted Cruz next year more a necessity than a luxury: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2023/11/13/with-losses-looming-elsewhere-national-democrats-target-ted-cruz-in-texas/

...Democratic candidate Colin Allred makes his case to replace Cruz: https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/allred-on-senate-run-we-cant-afford-six-more-years-of-ted-cruz

A big win in Sherman as the local ISD reverses a policy that upended a student production of Oklahoma! over gender roles: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2023/11/13/sherman-isd-transgender-student-school-board-meeting/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16999456040093&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dallasnews.com%2Fnews%2Feducation%2F2023%2F11%2F13%2Fsherman-isd-transgender-student-school-board-meeting%2F

...While a new investigation reveals a vast network of conservative PACs working to take over school boards statewide: https://www.texasobserver.org/school-board-pacs-consultants-right-wing/

Texans with compromised health are now more at risk due to a new law preventing employers from requiring COVID vaccines: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/13/texas-disabled-covid-vaccine-ban/

Demographic, economic and political change paints an interesting picture of Texas' future: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/us/texas-identity-population-politics-future.html

Thanks for listening! Grab your tickets for our upcoming Austin and Dallas holiday parties, and consider making a donation to support our important work, at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 11/13/23: Vouchers Inch Forward As Abbott Threatens Endless Sessions, and More Nov 13, 2023

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

A bill including private school vouchers was approved in committee on Friday and is likely to see a full vote on the House floor: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/10/texas-house-vote-committee-school-vouchers/

Abbott's stubbornness on vouchers is related to his national political ambitions: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2023/11/10/texas-gov-greg-abbott-thrust-in-middle-of-gop-infighting-hampering-school-choice-agenda/

School safety funding advanced on Friday as well: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/10/texas-house-school-safety-funding/

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio warns against GOP rhetoric threatening military action at the border: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/10/joaquin-castro-latinos-republicans/

A Republican election loser loses again in court and will not get an election do-over: https://apnews.com/article/election-lawsuit-texas-harris-county-67dc7dc3055c684fed1349060de69d6f

Sherman ISD backs down on its anti-trans theater policy - but also wants its theater department to perform a children's version of Oklahoma!: https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/texas-trans-student-oklahoma-18485660.php

A conservative Tyler bishop is removed from his post by Pope Francis, likely over his public critiques of the pontiff: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/11/world/europe/pope-francis-joseph-strickland.html

Thanks for listening! Find your tickets to our Austin and Dallas holiday parties and consider making a donation to help us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 11/10/23: GOP Pushes Hard On Vouchers And Immigration, and More Nov 10, 2023

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

"Texas Republican Civil War" continues into the fourth "special" session: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/texas-republican-civil-war-in-new-phase-with-fourth-special-session-17847543

...While private school voucher opponents, for now, are unswayed: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/09/texas-house-vouchers-education/

...And the financial aspects of voucher programs appear ever more unsustainable: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2023/11/09/texas-school-choice-proposal-could-cost-2b-by-2028/

Meanwhile hateful new border security measures - again - proceed through the session: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/texas-committee-advances-controversial-immigration-enforcement-bill/

...And that deadly high-speed chase that took eight lives on Wednesday highlights the public hazards posed by Operation Lone Star: https://apnews.com/article/texas-immigration-border-pursuits-dfa9e4c89631033e27acd0447a32a0af

A Dallas Morning News op-ed makes good points about the folly of Sherman ISD's gender policy regarding school plays - but Progress Texas does NOT agree with their assertions regarding gender affirming care: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2023/11/10/trans-student-in-sherman-is-not-a-threat/

New details emerge on the departure of a Texas energy grid watchdog: https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2023-11-09/ercot-texas-power-grid-watchdog

Progress Texas endorsee for Houston Mayor Shiela Jackson Lee scores the endorsement of outgoing Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2023/11/09/houston-mayor-endorses-jackson-lee-

A security guard at an Allen elementary school, present due to new state law, leaves his firearm behind in a school bathroom: https://www.kwtx.com/2023/11/09/security-guard-leaves-gun-unattended-north-texas-elementary-school/

Colin Allred chides Lubbock County over its abortion travel ban: https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/11/09/colin-allred-laws-banning-texas-women-driving-other-states-un-american/71519977007/

San Antonio's City Council approves the largest municipal solar project in Texas: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/11/09/san-antonio-city-council-approves-largest-municipal-solar-project-in-texas/

Austin's City Council approves a full property tax exemption for approved child care centers: https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/austin-city-council-makes-history-by-eliminating-property-taxes-for-childcare-providers

Tickets are on sale for our 2023 Holiday Parties! Grab your tickets at https://progresstexas.org/.

Happy Hour 134: How YOU Can Benefit From Medical Marijuana In Texas - Now Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

Here in Texas, we watch from afar as state after state after state embraces the therapeutic and financial benefits of marijuana decriminalization. Many of us have resigned ourselves to the idea that the Lone Star State is simply and probably permanently a no-fun zone - but, medical cannabis IS a reality here, though most of us don't realize the opportunity exists. We welcome Terrence Baugh of the medical cannabis company GoodBlend to the mic for an explanation of current policy in Texas, how YOU can reap the benefits, and what to expect from the future of pot policy here at home.

Learn more about GoodBlend at https://tx.goodblend.com/.

Thanks for listening! Please consider making a donation to help Progress Texas continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/donate.

Daily Dispatch 11/9/23: Fourth Special Session Frays Lawmaker Nerves, and More Nov 09, 2023

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

The fourth special session this year is stretching the patience of Texas lawmakers to the brink: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/08/texas-legislature-fourth-special-session/

Voter turnout was strong for an off-year election: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2023/110823.shtml

...Especially in North Texas: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2023/11/09/score-one-for-democracy-voter-turnout-in-north-texas-jumped/

...And what happens next with Prop 7? https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2023-11-08/texans-approved-billions-in-spending-on-power-plants-what-comes-next

...While two key Texas energy sector players announce their exits: https://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/2023/11/08/two-top-texas-electric-grid-regulators-are-resigning-at-a-critical-time/

...And even on a mild fall day, ERCOT worries about tight power supply: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/ercot-tight-grid-conditions-november-18478017.php

...And Texas petroleum producers are emitting huge amounts of methane: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/08/texas-methane-oil-and-gas-study-climate

An immigration enforcement-related high speed chase results in 8 deaths southwest of San Antonio: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/08/south-texas-highway-crash-migrants-smuggler-eight-dead

Sherman ISD's gender-strict theater policy is now affecting dozens of students: https://www.kxii.com/2023/11/08/more-students-lose-theater-roles-sherman-isd-gender-rule/

Tickets are on sale now for Progress Texas' Holiday Parties in Austin on December 1 (https://act.progresstexas.org/a/holidayparty23austin) and Dallas on December 6 (https://act.progresstexas.org/a/holidayparty23dallas) - come see us!

Thanks for listening! Please consider making a donation to help us continue our important work: https://progresstexas.org/donate.

Daily Dispatch 11/8/23: Good News and Bad News On Election Results, and More Nov 08, 2023

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Last night's election results yielded both great and not-so-great news regarding those 14 constitutional amendment propositions: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/07/us/elections/results-texas.html

Both of our endorsed candidates in Houston's local elections go to runoffs on December 9, including mayoral candidate Sheila Jackson Lee: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/07/houston-mayor-race-2024-results/

...And City Controller candidate Chris Hollins: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/houston-controller-election-results-18472540.php

...Meanwhile, great news across the country for progressives and abortion rights advocates: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/abortion-rights-center-tuesdays-ohio-virginia-elections-2023-11-07/

Governor Greg Abbott, as threatened and expected, has declared an unprecedented fourth special Legislative session to begin immediately: https://abc13.com/texas-house-adjourns-2023-third-special-session-without-passing-school-vouchers-or-border-security/14022769/

Ken Paxton sues the whistleblowers who landed him in impeachment: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2023/11/07/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-sues-whistleblowers-wins-temporary-halt-to-litigation/

...While Yelp pushes back on Paxton's attempt at censoring their content: https://www.courthousenews.com/yelp-accuses-texas-attorney-general-of-censorship-in-crisis-pregnancy-center-dispute/

Grim gun death statistics swirl around a Texas-related 2nd Amendment case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/11/07/record-deaths-in-texas-as-supreme-court-decides-whether-some-domestic-violence-perpetrators-can-have-guns/

A Republican candidate for the Granbury City Council has been arrested for possessing child pornography (and still got over 600 votes): https://www.huffpost.com/entry/texas-republican-child-abuse-arrest_n_654a6d6fe4b0e63c9dc124fe

A Longview man has pled guilty to two felony counts related to the January 6 insurrection: https://www.ktbs.com/news/east-texas/east-texas-man-who-claimed-government-plot-takes-plea-deal-in-jan-6-case/article_2a5e3d70-7e0b-11ee-956d-6b62cdaaeee4.html

A transgender student in Sherman has been banned from the leading male role in his school's production of Oklahoma!: https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4297925-trans-student-texas-kicked-out-of-lead-role-musical/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16994177821857&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Flgbtq%2F4297925-trans-student-texas-kicked-out-of-lead-role-musical%2F

That Lubbock marijuana decriminalization petition is set to be considered by the Lubbock City Council next Tuesday: https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/effort-to-decriminalize-marijuana-in-lubbock-heads-to-nov-14-hearing/

Thanks for listening and for VOTING! Please consider helping us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/donate.

Daily Dispatch 11/7/23: Let's Vote People! And More Nov 07, 2023

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Voter turnout is up for this off-cycle election in North Texas: https://www.keranews.org/government/2023-11-06/early-voting-doubled-in-north-texas-for-this-years-constitutional-amendment-election-heres-why

...But across the state, it's pretty typically dismal: https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/why-texas-constitutional-amendment-elections-historically-have-low-voter-turnout/

...Which reminds us to remind you to VOTE NO on Prop 7: https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2023-11-06/proposition-7-would-provide-billions-in-incentives-for-new-power-plants-in-texas

Meanwhile the third special session of the Legislature ends today: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2023/11/06/school-choice-could-head-to-fourth-session-deal-unclear/71442827007/

Katy ISD's policy requiring the outing of transgender students to their families likely violates state ethics code: https://houstonlanding.org/by-outing-19-students-to-their-parents-katy-isd-violated-texas-ethics-codes-for-educators/

...While book bans in Texas continue apace: https://dallasweekly.com/2023/11/amidst-growing-politicization-book-bans-become-increasingly-common-in-texas/

...And a Mexia teacher, convicted of election violations in 2020, finds her teaching license under attack: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/brunner-paxton-voter-fraud-license-18459837.php

A group of rental houses in Bell County, leased by the state to house foster kids, have descended into chaos: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/06/texas-foster-kids-cwop/

A gathering of right-wing fringe "eugenics" supporters is scheduled for the first weekend of December at the Line Hotel in Austin: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2023-11-03/the-eugenic-circus-comes-to-town/

Matt Rinaldi, chair of the Republican Party of Texas, intends to wield the outsized power the micro-minority of GOP primary voters to direct the party at large: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/matt-rinaldi-texas-gop/

Thanks for listening and DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TODAY! Find our popular voter guide and consider making a donation to help us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 11/6/23: Texas GOP Pushes Vouchers To End of Special Session, and More Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

As the end of the current special session looms tomorrow, Texas Republicans are continuing their press for private school vouchers: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/03/texas-house-school-vouchers-funding/

...While odious immigration reform bills appear to be on hold for the NEXT special session: https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2023-11-05/texas-lawmakers-put-the-brakes-on-sweeping-immigration-enforcement-bill-for-now

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will take up a lower court decision that eliminated a key avenue to confidential teen access to contraception today: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/06/texas-5th-circuit-kacmsaryk-birth-control/

GOP misinformation pushing for the passage of Prop 7 continues as Election Day approaches tomorrow - Progress Texas recommends a NO vote, as it does nothing to further climate change solutions: https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/proposition-7-pitched-solution-texas-creaky-18459263.php

Meet the Christian Nationalist crusader from Texas with decades of affiliation with the new Speaker of the House: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/03/david-barton-mike-johnson-texas-church-state-christianity/

Texas State University's president and head football coach jump into the San Marcos River in celebration of their football team's post-season eligibility: https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/texas-states-g-j-kinne-school-president-fulfill-promise-to-jump-into-river-after-clinching-bowl-eligibility/

And congratulations to Willie Nelson upon his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/willie-nelson-missy-elliott-george-michael-sheryl-crow-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/

Thanks for listening - and DON'T FORGET TO VOTE tomorrow! Grab our handy voter guide and consider making a donation to help us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 11/3/23: Dark Money Threatens Midland School Bond Election, and More Nov 03, 2023

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

A dark money operation funded by Tim Dunn of Defend Texas Liberty is pushing against a desperately-needed school bond proposal in Midland: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/tim-dunn-move-midland-school-bond/

Moves made two decades ago to make certification to teach elementary school in Texas had the side effect of driving down wages: https://theconversation.com/texas-tried-to-fix-its-teacher-shortage-by-lowering-requirements-the-result-was-more-new-teachers-but-at-lower-salaries-213962

Changes to requirements for universities to achieve "R1" research institution status could benefit several Texas campuses: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/texas-research-universities-carnegie-tier-one/

The CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase warns Texas officials not to tarnish their business-friendly environment by interfering in the internal affairs of large financial firms: https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/jpmorgans-jamie-dimon-warns-business-friendly-texas-laws-wall-street-firms.amp

Still no apology from Senator John Cornyn for remarks found offensive by Native American groups: https://www.alternet.org/senate-republican/

Republican Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell Jr. finds himself in a scrape with a fringe "election fraud" activist: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/texas-election-worker-heart-attack-conspiracy-theory/

Arlington gets a national profile boost in the wake of the first Texas Rangers World Series championship: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/02/us/texas-rangers-world-series-arlington.html

Austin has become the biggest U.S. city to stop requiring parking minimums for new real estate projects: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/austin-minimum-parking-requirements-housing-shortage/

Harris County has been found to be officially the most ethnically-diverse county in Texas: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/2023/houston-population-ethnicity/

Lubbock city officials announce that a marijuana decriminalization proposal has been successfully forced to a vote by Freedom Act Lubbock: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/texas-activists-collected-enough-signatures-to-put-marijuana-decriminalization-on-another-local-ballot-lubbock-officials-announce/

Thanks for listening! Grab our handy voter guide and consider making a donation to help us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.

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