Progress Texas Podcasts

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Ep. 106 - DPS Troopers In Austin: What To Know About Texas' State Police May 06, 2023

Show notes

After a month of the heightened presence of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers in Austin, centered primarily on parts of the city that are home to a large percentage of Austin's non-white communities, concerns and questions are rising - and in parallel, the violent crackdown on transgender rights activists at the Texas State Capitol this week by DPS troopers may further illuminate the reality of the situation. We welcome two guests very close to the story: Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri, who has had a front row seat at Austin City Hall while all of this has unfolded, and prominent Austin-area criminal defense attorney and longtime progressive political activist Rick Cofer, who interacts with both DPS and APD officers on a daily basis, both join us for an intensive analysis. How does DPS differ - in both goals and culture - from municipal or county-level law enforcement agencies? What exactly is DPS's mission and method in Austin? How was the decision at the top levels of the city's leadership to bring them in reached? And, what happens next: when, and how, can this uncomfortable partnership come to a peaceful close?

By the way, as you'll hear in our conversation, the May "Prop A vs Prop B" election in Austin is directly related to today's topic. If you're listening on release day (Saturday May 6) - PLEASE get out and vote TODAY! Learn more at GoVoteTexas.org. You have until 7pm!

On Twitter: find CM Zo Qadri at https://twitter.com/ZoForAustin, and Rick Cofer at https://twitter.com/rickcofer.

And, if you appreciate our work and would like to help us continue, please consider making a donation: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate.

Ep. 105 - Humans Against Ted Cruz....And Sid Miller, Too Apr 29, 2023

Show notes

A double-header this week! For our first segment, we're joined by famed Texas progressive political commentator and consultant Ed Espinoza - until just recently, president of Progress Texas - for a look into the recent recordings made public of Ted Cruz discussing the Republican plot to overturn the election of Joe Biden and keep Donald Trump in office. Not just the usual Cruz pinata party this time - we discuss solid steps YOU can take to prevent another term for the oiliest Congressman in America. Also, there's probably never been a better time to grab some fresh Humans Against Ted Cruz gear! Link below.

And for our second segment, a discussion of the recently-instituted and blatantly transphobic dress code at the Texas Department of Agriculture, under the leadership of one of the Texas GOP's most colorful clowns, Sid Miller. We're joined by the writer who broke the story, Texas Observer Digital Director and genderqueer movement journalist Kit O'Connell, and Texas Stonewall Democrats president Jeff Strater for a discussion of the harm this new policy not only brings to LGBTQ+ employees of this taxpayer-funded office, but also the possibility of similar policies developing under bad precedent.

Latest on the "Cruz Tapes": Ted Cruz Fox News tapes are being handed over to the Justice Department for its Jan. 6 inquiry https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/ted-cruz-fox-news-tapes-handed-justice-department-17922681.php

Humans Against Ted Cruz: wear it proud! https://humansagainsttedcruz.com/

Kit's terrific Texas Observer piece: https://www.texasobserver.org/sid-miller-department-agriculture-dress-code-transgender/

And a follow-up...Ag Commissioner Sid Miller Doubles Down On Transphobic Dress Code: https://www.texasobserver.org/sid-miller-dress-code-transphobia-texas-agriculture/

Follow Texas Stonewall Democrats here: http://www.stonewalldemocrats.us/texas

AND, if you're picking up what we're putting down, please consider supporting Progress Texas with a donation! https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate

Ep. 104 - Sen. Roland Gutierrez Fights For The Lives Of Texas Kids Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

NOTE - We recommend listener discretion for this episode, which contains graphic details of the crime scene at Robb Elementary in Uvalde.

Senator Roland Gutierrez represents District 19 - a wide swath of South and West Texas, including Uvalde - and has been personally and continually immersed in the tragedy there since mere hours after the shooting began. Almost a year later, he's fighting to prevent future tragedies at the Capitol in Austin - and he's on the front lines against the heartless bulwark of gun-crazy conservatism that has taken our state government hostage. At this critical moment, as much as we'd all like to, we simply cannot look away from this horrifying problem. So, join us for a difficult but essential conversation with one of the true heroes of progressive Texas - we can't express how proud we are of Senator Roland Gutierrez.

From our Earth Day intro, the referenced video: https://twitter.com/ProgressTX/status/1648718142137352192?s=20

Follow Senator Gutierrez here: https://rolandfortexas.com/

Considering that we recorded our conversation on 4/20, please have a look at Senator Gutierrez's documentary on marijuana reform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFg6KWIM_Wg&t=2020s

And, if you're a regular listener, please consider helping us continue the fight: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate

Ep. 103 - Texas Vs. Texas Cities: The Struggle Over Local Control Apr 15, 2023

Show notes

Efforts by Republican legislators at the Capitol to undermine the authority of local elected officials in our major cities - for the most part, Democrats - is not a new story. But this year, what has commonly been seen as right-wing bluster is threatening very real consequences for the larger municipalities of Texas. State trooper presence alongside local police departments in urban areas, takeovers of local independent school districts, and the recent threat by Governor Greg Abbott to pardon convicted murderer Daniel Perry, whose victim was a progressive BLM protester, all provide examples of real and unwelcome encroachment by conservative (and mostly rural) State lawmakers upon the internal affairs of Texas' largest cities. Joining us to discuss all of this are Democratic Texas State Senator and former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, and Dallas City Council Member Adam Bazaldua.

Find Senator Eckhardt at https://saraheckhardt.com/, and Council Member Bazaldua at https://www.bazaldua4dallas.com/.

As always, we appreciate your support! Please consider helping us continue all of the important work we do at Progress Texas by making a donation at https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate.

Ep. 102 - Alliance For A Clean Texas Lobby Day: April 11 Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

Things move fast at the Texas Legislature - meaning, a lot of bad stuff can happen very quickly if advocates against the conservative agenda are not engaged - and environmental issues are certainly no exception. Joining us for a second episode this week is Luke Metzger, Executive Director for Environment Texas, with a rundown of the many issues and concerns at play, including new, nefarious trends in energy production in Texas, and an update on the upcoming Alliance For A Clean Texas Lobby Day, scheduled for the Texas State Capitol on Tuesday, April 11. Please plan to join us!

All about the Lobby Day, including your registration: https://actionnetwork.org/events/act-lobby-day

All about Environment Texas: https://environmentamerica.org/texas/

And - if you're a regular listener and would like to support us at Progress Texas (thank you!), go here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate

Ep. 101 - Inside The Republican War On LGBTQ+ Texans Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

It's near certain that one of YOUR family members, friends, co-workers or fellow church members is a member of the LGBTQ+ community - and right now, GOP lawmakers in the Texas Legislature are in the middle of a truly historic assault on their rights, with no sign of relent or restraint. What can we do to fight back? It turns out, quite a lot. We're proud to welcome back our friend Ricardo Martinez, CEO of Equality Texas, for an update on what has become a multi-session, multi-faceted and ever-escalating onslaught on an entire group of our state's citizens - seemingly, simply for existing.

Since we spoke with Ricardo on Tuesday, the Texas Senate passed a bill that would ban transgender care for minors, without exception for those in the midst of the lengthy and sensitive process: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2023/04/04/texas-legislature-senate-passes-ban-transgender-gender-affirming-care-minors/70080903007/

Learn more about and support Equality Texas: https://www.equalitytexas.org/

And, if you're finding the information you learn about on our podcast helpful, inspiring, or perhaps infuriating, please consider supporting our continued work here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate

Ep. 100! Celebrating with Steve Adler and James Aldrete Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

We've come a long way, baby! Hard to believe that we've made the 100 episode mark, and as we've said, we're also proud to say that over that time, we've grown the Progress Texas Happy Hour into one of the top 10% of all podcasts globally in listenership - which doesn't happen without YOU. And, we're also proud of the impact our organization has made since its founding - ample reason to invite two of our most esteemed alumni to look back in reflection, and to look forward in resolve. Founding board member Steve Adler was Mayor of Austin for two terms, concluding at the beginning of this year, and famed Texas political consultant James Aldrete was there from the beginning as well. Join us for a tour through the history and impact of Progress Texas, and an analysis of the job at hand as we move forward into Texas' progressive future.

Article on dismantling right-wing gun garbage: https://progresstexas.org/dismantling-5-right-wing-talking-points-guns

And, if you're picking up what we're putting down, we'd very much appreciate your support - as with the recent Texas Observer situation, our future depends very much on the support of our listeners and followers. THANK YOU for considering a donation: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate

Ep. 99 - The Branch Davidian Tragedy: What Trump Wants In Waco Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

We're in the midst of the 30th anniversary of one of the darkest moments in our state's recent history: the standoff at the Branch Davidian compount at Mount Carmel, just outside of Waco, which culminated in the deaths of dozens of men, women and children. This event captured the attention of the militant white supremacist movement then, and has served as a rallying cry for them ever since. Meanwhile, this weekend, former President Donald Trump is planning a rally at Waco in a blatant pledge of alignment with the paramilitary conspiracist fringe right, in an obvious move to rally them to his side. We've invited Lindsay Schubiner, Director of Programs for the Western States Center, to join us to recall the Branch Davidian tragedy, discuss its impact on the American right over the last 30 years, and ask the question: what are Donald Trump's real goals in connecting his campaign to Waco?

Learn more about the Western States Center here: https://www.westernstatescenter.org/

Learn more about the anniversary of the Mount Carmel event here: https://www.biography.com/crime/a43329362/the-siege-at-waco-firsthand-accounts

Thanks for listening to our podcast! If you enjoy what we're doing, we'd appreciate your support. Please make a donation here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate

Ep. 98 - LIVE at Unified Jam 2023! Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

We were proud to be invited to attend and roll tape on the second annual Unified Jam during SXSW in Austin, and this week's podcast includes portions of two of the day's panels. The first will be of interest to listeners who have considered jumping into the fray: "I Ran For Office - AMA", moderated by former Progress Texas Executive Director Ed Espinoza and featuring former Texas State House Representative and recent Austin Mayoral candidate Celia Israel, Austin City Council Members Paige Ellis and Zo Qadri, and recent Democratic candidate for Railroad Commissioner Luke Warford. The second updates the ongoing fight for reproductive justice in Texas: "Reclaiming Rights: Organizing in a Post-Roe World" was moderated by Cy White, managing editor of Austin Woman magazine and features former Texas State Senator, Deeds Not Words founder and current Planned Parenthood Texas Votes Senior Advisor Wendy Davis, Texas State Representative Donna Howard, former NARAL Pro-Choice America president and current Purpose president Ilyse Hogue, and Avow Executive Director Emily Martin. We had a great time, and hope you'll enjoy as well.

Learn more about Unified: https://www.joinunified.us/

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider supporting its future production with a donation: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate

Ep. 97 - Standing Up For Reproductive Rights with Wendy Davis and Austin Kaplan Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

The horror stories that were predicted by Texas Democrats - and ignored by Texas Republicans - have become reality. A growing number of Texas women have been left at death's doorstep as doctors in our state shy away from the threat of punishment for administering lifesaving medical care related to pregnancy. The first lawsuit representing plaintiffs who have been denied essential care due to Texas' cruel and vaguely-written new laws regarding abortion has been filed. Joining us this week to celebrate the brave plaintiffs, discuss the case, and evaluate what the future holds for the ongoing fight for reproductive freedom in Texas are former State Senator and abortion rights icon Wendy Davis - now Senior Advisor for Planned Parenthood Texas Votes - and Austin Kaplan, an Austin-based attorney and progressive activist, who is working on behalf of the plaintiffs. A heartbreaking listen this time, but one that needs to be heard - we cannot give up on the essential personal rights of Texans.

Watch the presser from the Texas State Capitol here: https://fb.watch/jaTIfZmVrV/

Learn more about Planned Parenthood Texas Votes' Lobby Day (Friday April 14) here: https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/lobby-day2023

Learn more about the Center for Reproductive Rights here: https://reproductiverights.org/maps/state/texas/

And if you're enjoying the podcast, please consider helping us continue to produce it here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate

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