Progress Texas Podcasts

Texas Democrats staged a walkout at the Texas Legislature on Sunday, killing voter suppression bill SB7 on what was effectively the last day of session. They showed some real fight! And along the way sent a message to the nation: we will not back down. We revisit this story and more as Diana Gomez moderates a special edition of the Progress Texas Happy Hour with two of our favorite Texas lawmakers: Representative Rafael Anchia of House District 103 (Dallas), and Senator Jose Menendez of District 26 (San Antonio). We'll hear their impressions of the just-completed regular Lege session, as well as important issues like abortion rights, marijuana policy reform, why they think it was the most contentious ever, and what to expect in future special sessions.

In the closing days before Sine Die - but not before a busy working holiday weekend - Senior Strategist Glenn Smith joins the regular Happy Hour crew as we reflect on what's been the most contentious and divisive Legislative session that any of us can remember. Also, one of the least productive sessions ever on important business for Texans, in particular putting Texas taxpayers on the hook for making energy companies whole, while doing nothing to prevent future energy disasters - the next of which may arrive as soon as this summer. We cover details on Progress Texas' efforts against dark money having a hand in writing Texas law, and the (very) thinly-veiled racism at the heart of both voter suppression and education censorship attempts by the GOP - the meanest, cruelest session in memory appears to be directly tied to The Big Lie.

Where is the Legislature on fixing our energy grid? https://progresstexas.org/blog/keep-lights-texas-we-need-change-power

Conservative org with ties to Trump & the Big Lie: https://progresstexas.org/blog/progress-texas-files-ethics-complaint-against-heritage-action-involvement-voter-suppression

Dark money group admits it had a hand in Texas voter suppression bills: https://progresstexas.org/blog/dark-money-group-admits-it-had-hand-texas-voter-suppression-bills

Texas made national news this week with Governor Abbott's unconstitutional six-week abortion ban. The Progress Texas team made our own national news with our statements fighting back, reminding people that Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land and that this law will lose in court. What happens next? Organizers are planning a Don't Mess With Texans' Abortions rally for Saturday May 29 - listen to hear how you can participate in person or online.

Speaking of the Governor, he has a challenger in Don Huffines - who doesn't think Abbott is conservative enough - plus new conflicts between House and Senate Republicans potentially give the more unified Democrats a competitive edge.

Texas Legislature’s proposed six-week abortion ban is unconstitutional: https://progresstexas.org/blog/texas-legislature%E2%80%99s-proposed-six-week-abortion-ban-unconstitutional

House bill to punish lobbyists accused of harassment gutted in Senate committee: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2021/05/20/house-bill-to-punish-lobbyists-accused-of-harassment-gutted-in-senate-committee/

Don't Mess With Texans' Abortion Rights Rally: https://fb.me/e/2pKYEPot9

Welcome back to the Happy Hour! It was yet another insane week at the Capitol, as important deadlines arrived on Thursday night. Some bad bills were "chubbed" to death, while others bills - good and bad - squeaked across the deadline. We run it all down for ya.

We've also got an update on some of this session's most extreme proposals such as court-appointed lawyers for fetuses, permitless carry, and voter suppression. And we finish it off with some good news: marijuana decriminalization. DO IT FOR WILLIE!

Rep. Harold Dutton uses trans kids as political pawn: https://progresstexas.org/blog/rep-harold-dutton-uses-trans-kids-political-pawn

Voter Suppression Bill SB 7: Where it’s been, where it’s at, and where it’s going: https://progresstexas.org/blog/voter-suppression-bill-sb-7-where-it%E2%80%99s-been-where-it%E2%80%99s-and-where-it%E2%80%99s-going

Broken promises: Texas Republicans abandon gun safety, pander to far-right: https://progresstexas.org/blog/broken-promises-texas-republicans-abandon-gun-safety-pander-far-right

Texas Marijuana Bills: Have they passed or gone up in smoke? https://progresstexas.org/blog/texas-marijuana-bills-have-they-passed-or-gone-smoke

Happy Hour time, and after last night and the last few weeks, do we ever need some happy! We ARE happy about the huge turnout and passion of all of our partners for progress here in Texas, including all the folks sporting beautiful shades of orange, and our hard-working Democratic lawmakers who are fighting the good fight. We find that the response to our common cause gives us renewed motivation to keep working hard for Texans. Still, the fight is grueling, and we've got Lege war stories from this week that we'll never forget, including the constant distortion of the rules and use of veiled racist "purity" language in voter suppression and abortion restriction bills by GOP leadership. The bad acting and misplaced priorities are astounding - and ever greater motivation to keep fighting against them.

Hey! It's Happy Hour time, and we're joined by our friend Emily Eby of the Texas Civil Rights Project! As we continue through the grueling process of the Lege, Diana and Wesley share the story of the nutso parliamentary gymnastics of Briscoe Cain on voter suppression bills on Thursday. Emily describes the danger of empowering poll watchers - clearly a GOP intimidation ploy, especially if combined with the permitless carrying of handguns. We also share our tips for overcoming the fear of public speaking, at a moment when it's so important for ALL Texans to courageously speak up on the dirty deeds being done at the Capitol on voting rights, abortion rights, redistricting and more.

Why is Briscoe Cain the worst? https://progresstexas.org/blog/republican-briscoe-cain-over-his-head

DOJ being asked to step in to monitor TX Elections Cmte: https://www.kxan.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2021/04/SB7_DOJ.pdf

Happy Hour time! With news of Matthew McConaughey polling ahead of Greg Abbott, and the candidacy of Caitlyn Jenner in California, we mull the question: Is a celebrity Governor something we could live with? Is that a better move than the rock stars the Democrats already have in the bullpen? Also, the guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin in the George Floyd case: what does the moment mean, and what's next for police reform in Texas? We also talk about the state budget, how the miss on Medicaid expansion by GOP lawmakers is disappointing but not surprising, and legislative threats against corporations that take a stand against Republican policies. Puzzling as the opposition can be, Progress Texas continues the fight - thanks for listening and joining us!

On Medicaid fail: https://progresstexas.org/blog/biden-republicans-stop-kicking-can-down-road-medicaid

On Texas police reform: https://progresstexas.org/blog/3-police-reform-bills-watch-texas-legislature

After an exhausting week, it's time for Happy Hour! The crew is proud to welcome Ash Hall of the Transgender Education Network of Texas, as we discuss the wide range of dirty deeds that GOP lawmakers have been up to at the Capitol. In particular two anti-trans bills, SB-29 and HB-4042, designed to force our trans student athletes to conform to teams that don't align with their gender identities, and inviting conflict for Texas with the NCAA and other business interests. Also HB-1399, which bans trans children in Texas from receiving gender affirming medical care. Meanwhile, women's reproductive rights are also under attack via multiple bills in both chambers - it seems the assault is coming from all directions. Wondering what you can do to help Progress Texas fight back? Give us a listen.

Discriminatory bills in Texas would deny rights to trans kids: https://progresstexas.org/blog/discriminatory-bills-texas-would-deny-rights-trans-kids

Diana testifies on HB 3760: https://progresstexas.org/video/diana-g%C3%B3mez-testifies-protect-abortion-care

Major brands send message: Voter suppression is bad for business: https://progresstexas.org/blog/major-brands-send-message-voter-suppression-bad-business

Demand Repbulicans stop attacking Abortion:  https://progresstexas.actionkit.com/sign/petition-demand-legislators-stop-attacking-abortion-care?source=actionpage

Demand Republicans stop attacking our Democracy: https://progresstexas.actionkit.com/sign/petition-demand-republicans-end-their-attack-on-our-voting-rights?source=actionpage

Happy Hour time! We welcome guest anchor Amanda Gnaedinger this week as we discuss the role of corporate America in our political discourse, as various companies begin to weigh in against voter suppression legislation in Texas. We also cover the economic peril our state is subjected to by reckless GOP lawmaking (see: Georgia). Wesley and Diana share "war stories" of the week at the Capitol, as the fight to preserve reproductive rights and healthcare in Texas continues - and, shout-outs for several of our valued partner orgs on the ground, joining forces in the ongoing battle for progress.

PETITION: DEMAND REPUBLICANS END THEIR ATTACK ON OUR VOTING RIGHTS

https://progresstexas.actionkit.com/sign/petition-demand-republicans-end-their-attack-on-our-voting-rights?source=actionpage&fbclid=IwAR0ZfLWsDbeXdxfMDEB2ks67eadLip3G-kbL81syOB8Urm8_DSqTNv7fyTs

https://progresstexas.org/blog/7-anti-abortion-bills-texas-senate-wasting-time-instead-bills-help-texans?fbclid=IwAR0gRQptbrwBMfuPjlFKc36wGefg7pMPdcHSjkDk4L25IFTFeTRKRkZH3T0

Another wild week at the Texas Capitol brings us stories of waiting 20 hours to testify against anti-abortion legislation, a Republican bill to appoint lawyers for fetuses (?!), and special guest Ashley Cheng of the podcast The Rabble shares a story about the first time she took her mom to vote. We've also got updates on how Texas companies such as American Airlines, Dell, and Southwest Airlines are taking public positions against voter suppression bills.