Progress Texas Podcasts

Who’s running for Governor? We're entering the orbit of our next election cycle, still without a big-name Democrat declared. Considering the stakes, this is concerning for sure. We expect some word from Beto O'Rourke on whether he'll run - and notably, we still lack any women candidates in major races, which is surprising considering the terrific talent among Texas Democratic women. And at the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, we'd also love to see our Latinx powerhouse players jump in, especially considering recent Census data - people of color in general. Also, believe it or not, here comes ANOTHER special Lege session, with redistricting as the main event, presenting yet another opportunity for the Texas GOP to further cement its illegitimate advantage via gerrymandering and the negating of the power of our major cities and underserved communities. And, GOP antics around COVID continue - seemingly ANYTHING to avoid masks and vaccines - "freedom" at the expense of the safety and freedom of ALL Texans...almost NONE of whom are especially jazzed about the direction of the state.

Proud to present, as a special edition of the Happy Hour, a panel of some of the most incredible women representing the progressive movement in Texas for a discussion of the draconian new abortion restriction enacted last week in Texas: SB8. Texas Blue Action Executive Director Lana Hansen moderates a truly amazing group: State Senator Wendy Davis, Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas, Democratic nominee and Register@Vote founder Julie Oliver, Blue Action Founder and President Carrie Collier Brown, Blue Action Dems Board Member Michelle Moon-Reinhardt, The Honor Roll founder Kate Donaho, and Common Cause organizer and activist Katya Ehresman. What does SB8 really mean, is it likely to survive judicial review, how did it come to pass, and how can Texans fight back? Join the discussion AND the fight today.

What a week. Texas makes national news in perhaps the worst possible way - with the enacting of the most repressive restriction upon abortion since Roe v Wade, effectively suspending that almost 50-year precedent in Texas. The new law is confusing - because it is DESIGNED to confuse us, intimidate us, and further divide us. Meanwhile, get ready to see a lot more guns on a lot more hips across Texas as permitless carry also goes into effect this week. And, Texas teachers are now forbidden from discussing race and diversity in our public schools, putting our kids at an educational disadvantage and our state on a regressive developmental path. All of this seems crazy, until one considers it's all designed to please the GOP's far right, primary-voting base - at the rest of our expense. The Texas Crazy Meter is well into the red - join us as we try to sort it all out.

Joining the crew this week, our good friend and Planned Parenthood Texas Votes Executive Director Dyana Limon-Mercado, who's the perfect authority at a moment when Senate Bill 8 is set to essentially outlaw most abortions in the state as of September 1. What's in the new law, what's still legal, what's not, and what's next? Also - Texas House Democrats score at least a partial walkout victory as the U.S. House passes the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. How might it upend the plans of the Texas GOP to disenfranchise thousands of Texas voters, and what stands in the way of the Act becoming law? We discuss all this and more, including how YOU can join the fight, on this week's Progress Texas Happy Hour.  

Saatvik is back! And we welcome Progress Texas Development Associate Brett Isaacs to the Happy Hour for the first time as well. As the whole country watches, Governor Greg Abbott's ban on masking mandates - and the Texas Supreme Court's support of his orders - have met a wall of opposition by Texas families and urban school districts. Turns out, treating children as political pawns isn't especially appealing to most Texans - listen for a way to help Progress Texas fight back. Plus, new U.S. Census data shows an ever greater increase in diversity across America and Texas, which is important to note as redistricting approaches, and good reason for Democratic strategists to renew their efforts to connect with this growing range of Texas voters effectively. And finally, the fall of Afghanistan is bringing refugees to our shores, many of whom are seeking safety in our state - listen to find out how you can help make them welcome.

Over 300 Afghans are coming to Texas and it's beautiful to see. Volunteer: https://www.rstx.org/make-an-impact/volunteer.html

Producer Chris Mosser sits in for Saatvik again with Ed, Diana and Wesley as we dedicate most of this week's Happy Hour to an unhappy subject: the return of high COVID-19 numbers in Texas, compounded by Governor Abbott's apparent plan to make it as deadly as possible - not only for his own voters, but for the children of Texas, many of whom still cannot be vaccinated. What should Texas parents do? What should the mayors of Texas cities do? We're in the midst of a crisis of our own making, it seems - join the Progress Texas crew as we try to make sense of it all.

State Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos joins us this week live from Washington, D.C. as Texas House Dems advocate for voting rights legislation at the federal level. Ed, Wesley and pinch host Chris Mosser ask for an update on how the D.C. Dems are holding up, her take on the national press, the attention from the U.S. Congress they've gained, what's at stake - and what's coming next.

We're joined from D.C. by Texas State Reps Erin Zwiener and Gene Wu, who are among the Democrats who have once again broken quorum in the House to hold the line against GOP voting rights suppression - a brave move that is not without personal sacrifice and peril, and is also part of the defense of much more than just Texas voters - voting rights across our country are at stake. This is all a very big deal - we get down to what the real battle is all about.

As Governor Abbott's special session kicks off, the Happy Hour crew assembles to discuss the agenda - to start, what's NOT on the list: energy reform, COVID vaccinations, and expansion of Medicaid are nowhere to be found. And, what IS on it: Abbott's hostage-taking via his defunding of the Legislature's employees, new restrictions on abortion rights, and reacting to the Democratic walkout with another push for wholesale voter suppression. Once again, Texas progressives are called to action and encouraged to take inspiration from this challenge - listen for details on how to join us!

Our last Happy Hour for awhile - Saatvik is back! - as we continue our celebration of Pride Month through June, with a brief history of the celebration, and a recap of how LGBTQ issues shook out in the recently-concluded Lege session. We also go over what Texas lawmakers did (and didn't do) to prepare for our state's next energy emergency, possibly as early as this summer. And, even in one of the worst sessions ever, there were positive moments too - including the Democratic walkout to undermine SB7. And what's next? Glenn gives us the skinny on special sessions and how they work - they're almost certainly coming this year. Plus, what happens with Governor Abbott's petty threat to defund the legislature, including members of his own party?

Pride Across Texas: https://progresstexas.org/blog/pride-celebrations-across-texas-2021

Best and Worst of the TX Lege: https://progresstexas.org/blog/10-best-worst-moments-2021-texas-legislative-session

Republican State Legislatures are winning the war on American Democracy: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/republican-voting-rights-democracy_n_60ba544ee4b04b216be68ce6

The Texas Legislature hits the dimmer switch on real electric grid reform: https://progresstexas.org/blog/texas-legislature-hits-dimmer-switch-real-electric-grid-reform