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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Austin-area Republican Congressman and candidate for attorney general Chip Roy has introduced McCarthy-esque new legislation that would allow political ideology and religion to be used as reasons for deportation, de-naturalization and exclusion of immigrants: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5840389-chip-roy-mamdani-act/
...Meanwhile Ken Paxton, still in office for now, has filed a lawsuit against the Democratic and progressive fundraising platform ActBlue, just in time for the midterms: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/20/ken-paxton-act-blue-democratic-fundraising/
Corpus Christi is running dry - but Abilene is also in trouble, and once again it's due to big business overrunning the citizenry: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/abilene-is-paying-the-price-for-texas
Dallas attorney and longtime Democratic politico Domingo Garcia has had his voter registration cancelled, because he's dead - except, he's not: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1409716660904246
The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/
We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcast
We're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.
Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
The Texas Medical Board has reprimanded the doctors involved in the deaths of Neveah Crain and Porsha Ngumezi, both of whom were denied critical care as their doctors tried to accommodate Texas' ban on abortion: https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/17/health/texas-medical-board-pregnant-women-propublica
...Meanwhile a California doctor targeted by a state law against sending abortion medication into Texas has filed his own lawsuit, countering that the law is unconstitutional: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/texas-abortion-drug-bounty-hunter-law-is-unconstitutional-california-doctor-says-2026-04-17/
Texas transplant Elon Musk has been summoned to Paris, France, to answer charges that the Grok AI built into X (which we still call Twitter) has been deliberately programmed to crank out child sex and Holocaust denial material: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/elon-musk-grok-x-france-b2960831.html
Early voting in the May 2 local elections starts today, including that $845 million bond package in Fort Worth: https://fortworthreport.org/election-central/
The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/
We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcast
We're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.
Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
With the primary defeat of Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw in the Houston area's 2nd Congressional District, and the ascent to the Republican nomination by the much more radically-MAGA State Rep. Steve Toth, a potential blue flip is most definitely in the offing - in a district that the Trump-ordered redistricting of Texas made just a bit less secure for the GOP. Longtime energy sector businessman (and immigrant! He's from Canada) Shaun Finnie has secured the Democratic nomination, and joined us to talk about this rapidly-changing district and how he believes he can win in November.
Learn more about Shaun Finnie and his campaign at https://shaunfinnieforcongress.com/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Governor Greg Abbott has expanded his threat of public safety defunding over local police policies regarding ICE beyond Houston, to Dallas and Austin: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/16/texas-greg-abbott-ice-houston-dallas-austin-ice-immigration/
...Abbott has extended his deadline to Wednesday, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire has delayed a vote to repeal the ICE ordinance: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/whitmire-abbott-council-ice-vote-22206835.php
...Advocacy leaders across Texas are backing the constitutionality of these policies and encouraging local electeds to hold strong: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/immigration/2026/04/15/549172/houston-police-ice-policy-greg-abbott-mayor-john-whitmire/
Michelle Davis at Lone Star Left provides a deep dive into the current complexities on the political left in Texas, and what will need to happen for success in November: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/yet-another-hasan-piker-think-piece
The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/
We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcast
We're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.
Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The strongarming of Houston by Governor Greg Abbott, who is threatening to withdraw $110 million in first responder funding over the city's policy limiting the Houston Police Department's interactions with ICE, is the latest example of state-level politics interfering with the right of Texas cities to run themselves as they see fit. With Abbott running the state government like a Death Star, maybe he shouldn't be surprised to see Texas' major cities slipping through his fingers.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
A major fight has developed between Houston Mayor John Whitmire - who wants to preserve $110 million in state funding by obey Governor Greg Abbott's orders to dump a new city ordinance limiting Houston police coordination with ICE - and members of the Houston City Council, who want Whitmire to fight back: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/houston-city-council-consider-repealing-new-ice-22205556.php
...Council Members including Abbie Kamin, Tiffany Thomas and Tarsha Jackson say the constitutional rights of Houstonians are worth fighting for - while Whitmire says legally, it's a lost cause: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/houston-city-council-immigration-ordinance/285-311511a3-25cd-4e10-acba-c2576a1b8149
Dallas Republican Party Chair Allen West has quit his post ahead of a no-confidence vote provoked by his decision to return to countywide voting in the upcoming runoff, after the party's call to require precinct voting locations in the March primary led to chaos: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/dallas-county-gop-chair-allen-west-steps-down-amid-voting-controversy/4010885/
Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico leads the nation in Q1 fundraising with an eye-popping $27 million haul, mostly from grassroots, individual donations of $100 or less: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/state/article/talarico-announces-27-million-fundraising-first-22207662.php
A judge has decided that Jim Davis, president of UT Austin, will have to face a retaliation lawsuit from a student his administration suspended over a pro-Palestine on-campus protest: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/ut-austin-president-must-face-pro-palestine-protesters-suit
The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/
We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcast
We're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.
Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Progress Texas was proud to join our allies at Environment Texas recently for a terrific discussion on clean energy and its intersection with the beautiful, varied and treasured ecologies of our state at the wonderful Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in south Austin.
In this second of two parts, we present a lawmaker’s perspective on the state of clean energy in Texas from Driftwood State Representative Erin Zwiener; a panel discussion on smart siting, stewardship, implementation and industry best practices with Texas Conservation Alliance Executive Director Grahame Jones, National Wildlife Federation Gulf of Mexico Campaign Manager Stacy Ortego, American Farmland Trust Texas Smart Solar Specialist Garrett Bader, Apex Clean Energy Manager of State Affairs Laura Merten, and Ørsted North America Head of Government Affairs and Market Strategy Susan Sloan; and concluded by a review of attendee table discussions by Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter Director David Cortez.
Learn more about Environment Texas at https://environmentamerica.org/texas/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico unveils his plan to raise taxes on billionaires by eliminating luxury deductions and closing the "carried interest loophole": https://www.sacurrent.com/news/democratic-u-s-senate-hopeful-james-talarico-unveils-plan-to-tax-billionaires/
...While Governor Greg Abbott is planning to force through the 2027 legislative session a property tax reform plan that will further undermine public school funding: https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/greg-abbott-property-tax-plan-texas-homeowners-appraisal-caps-school-taxes-gina-hinojosa-election-debate-tax-reform/273-9ccf7fc9-dbc5-4785-97ea-cd5fa9212c85
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, as chair of Donald Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, says that the constitution doesn't guarantee a separation between church and state: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-dan-patrick-no-separation-church-state-constitution
A Turning Point USA-pitched live event in San Antonio, supposedly about female empowerment, is actually about female submission and subjugation: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/san-antonio-news/analysis-erika-kirks-leadership-conference-in-san-antonio-is-a-bastardization-of-feminism/
The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/
We're excited to see YOU in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.
Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Texas Republican electeds are uniformly silent at Donald Trump's shocking self-comparison to Jesus Christ over the weekend - however, as of yesterday, the Texas Democratic Party hasn't said much either: https://www.chron.com/news/article/trump-jesus-pope-texas-22203753.php
West Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales has announced he's stepping down over multiple sexual harassment accusations - Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell of California is out in similar circumstances, leading to speculation on special elections in both states: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/us/texas-representative-tony-gonzales-resigns.html
...Both of the current nominees for that seat would be expected to join a special election for CD 23: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/13/texas-tony-gonzales-resigning-congress-sexual-misconduct-affair-staffer-eric-swalwell/
...Let's flash back to 2018, when Governor Abbott called a special election to replace Blake Farenthold less than three months after he quit: https://x.com/jaspscherer/status/2043834809588346897?s=20
Dallas Congresswoman Julie Johnson has introduced legislation designed to prevent a replay of voter confusion that played out during the March primary: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-04-14/roughly-30-000-redirected-dallas-county-voters-in-election-mess-leads-to-congressional-talk-on-voter-suppression-julie-johnson
Governor Abbott is threatening to yank back $110 million in first-responder funding from Houston over that city's ordinance limiting police cooperation with ICE: https://www.chron.com/politics/article/houston-mayor-ice-funding-abbott-22204794.php
...Houston City Council Member Abby Kamin notes that in making this move, Governor Abbott is effectively "defunding the police": https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/whitmire-abbott-ice-policy-22204589.php
The Texas Tribune has published a search tool to find out who will be on your primary runoff ballot: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/
We're excited to see YOU in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026
Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.
Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Progress Texas was proud to join our allies at Environment Texas recently for a terrific discussion on clean energy and its intersection with the beautiful, varied and treasured ecologies of our state at the wonderful Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in south Austin.
In this first of two parts: a welcome statement from Andy Sansom, former Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; an update on the current state of clean energy in Texas from Dr. Michael Webber, Professor and expert in the field at UT Austin; and a panel discussion on the alignment of conservation and energy goals in Texas with Conservation Director of the Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter Cyrus Reed, Vice President of the Advanced Power Alliance Judd Messer, Executive Director of the Texas Solar and Storage Association Mark Stover, and Audubon Texas Vice President and Executive Director Lisa Gonzalez.
Stay tuned for part 2, coming on Wednesday.
Learn more about Environment Texas at https://environmentamerica.org/texas/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
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