Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Latest on Donald Trump's attack on nuclear facilities in Iran: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/us/politics/trump-iran-decision-strikes.html

...Responses from Texas Democratic U.S. Reps Lloyd Doggett, Greg Casar, Lizzie Fletcher, and Sylvia Garcia: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-lawmakers-leaders-trump-iran/285-32881e5e-89ce-49ef-bd91-2795e3151ad6

...Rep. Joaquin Castro: https://x.com/JoaquinCastrotx/status/1936625247827984825?t=W3viAqQkePA_BDDbdUMCzw&s=03

...Rep. Julie Johnson: https://x.com/RepJasmine/status/1936589516283978011?t=oUJBI0mTXCogRIoPwFoGmw&s=03

...Eight things to know about Trump's Iran attack, from Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy: https://www.chrismurphyct.com/p/8-things-you-should-know-about-trumps?utm_campaign=post&triedRedirect=true

Governor Abbott has vetoed SB 3, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's THC ban: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/22/texas-thc-ban-bill-greg-abbott-veto-senate-bill-3/?_bhlid=4937622fa4afb7b6d628185df1035b9f2279d7b7

...Abbott has called a special session for a re-do on hemp regulation, and a revisiting of six other bills he vetoed: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/22/texas-governor-greg-abbott-special-session-veto-bills-thc-ban/

...Abbott signed into law SB 10, the forcing of the display of the Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms, which is certain to face aggressive legal resistance: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/06/21/gov-abbott-signs-ten-commandments-bill-mandating-displays-in-texas-classrooms/

...He also signed into law SB 11, which will allow local school boards to mandate prayer time in their districts: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/05/22/prayer-period-in-texas-public-schools-expected-to-reach-gov-abbott-for-approval/

...And Abbott signed HB 229, the "Women's Bill Of Rights" that amounts to an erasure of trans Texans into law on Friday: https://klewtv.com/news/nation-world/gov-abbott-signs-womens-bill-of-rights-which-opponents-call-an-attack-on-trans-texans

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Hard to believe that our 15th Anniversary shindig in Dallas was just under two weeks ago - so much is happening, and so quickly, that time is really flying by. Podcasting Director Chris Mosser works the room when we gather our friends together to check in on how they feel about our work at Progress Texas, and this pod presents a bunch of our favorite Texans - whom we thank with all of our hearts for their dedication to progress, and their support of our organization.

Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

We’re excited to be one of the first to bring to you a discussion with newly-announced Democratic candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Clayton Tucker. He’s a rancher, president of the Texas Progressive Caucus, and works as a fair trade organizer, fighting corporations that use international trade policy to rig the rules against working people and ship jobs overseas. You might already know him as one of Texas’ architects in framing policy around working families and quality services that help people like you. Of course, when referring to the most scandalous of our statewide officials—there’s no one better to shine light on and frankly dig in on, than Republican Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. Here's Clayton's take on how he would refocus the office on the farmer, ranchers, and children it was meant to serve.

Learn more about Clayton Tucker and his campaign at https://www.claytontuckertx.com/.

Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Our weekly blowing off of the proverbial steam covers the afterglow of the glorious No Kings weekend, Governor Abbott's deadline to sign legislation or get off the pot on Sunday, our worst fears about exactly WHO these masked ICE agents actually are, and more.

Have a great weekend and thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas at https://progresstexas.org/.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Despite the risks, opposition within his party, and terrible optics, it's looking like Governor Greg Abbott may cave to Donald Trump and call a special legislative session for a rare mid-decade redistricting session: https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/20/politics/redistricting-texas-ohio-republicans-house

Sunday marks the deadline for Governor Greg Abbott to sign bills into law. On the THC ban, will he choose personal freedom - or a nanny state in Texas? https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/greg-abbott-texas-thc-ban/

...Texas Longhorns football legend Ricky Williams calls on "my friend Greg Abbott to please veto this bill": https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/texas-thc-ban-ricky-williams-greg-abbott/269-4cba052f-589d-4728-aae9-f1aeb7e477e5

...Even right wing media in Texas acknowledges the strong bipartisan opposition to Dan's Ban: https://thetexan.news/issues/social-issues-life-family/trump-polling-firm-finds-bipartisan-opposition-to-banning-thc-products-in-texas/article_9f5b1478-7bc7-499a-8b07-6d5bb04eea48.html

Sunday is also the deadline for Abbott to sign, or not, two bills representing a significant encroachment of Christian religious dogma into Texas public schools: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/religion/2025/06/19/524438/bills-on-religion-in-public-schools-await-gov-greg-abbotts-signature-as-sunday-deadline-looms/

The Bernie Sanders "Fighting Oligarchy" tour hits McAllen tonight and both Amarillo and Fort Worth on Sunday, where Bernie will be joined by Congressman Greg Casar and former Congressman Beto O'Rourke: https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/bernie-sanders-fighting-oligarchy-tour-texas-stops-20378303.php

...We presented the Austin stop of this same tour last October: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-pod-mount-rushmore-of-progressives-rally-at/id1552998795?i=1000671582577

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

This Juneteenth, we renew our commitment to the liberation of and equity for our neighbors, regardless of their race, who they love, or where they came from: https://progresstexas.org/blog/protest-pride-and-progress-where-and-how-show-summer

...We honor Texas icon Opal Lee, who was instrumental in establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2025/06/19/opal-lee-grandmother-of-juneteenth-2025-fort-worth-texas-native/84252660007/

...A new documentary on Dallas' Pan African Connection Bookstore makes a great watch in celebration of Juneteenth - there's a screening in Dallas on Sunday, see the link for tickets: https://www.keranews.org/arts-culture/2025-06-19/for-juneteenth-this-new-doc-honors-the-legacy-of-dallas-pan-african-connection-bookstore

...An Arlington man has filed a lawsuit against Ace Hardware, claiming that on Juneteenth of 2023, a manager of a store where he was employed hung a noose in the business - and that he was fired when he complained about it to HR: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/arlington/article308874235.html

A massive explosion at the SpaceX launch facility last night during a test of the Starship vehicle sheds even more doubt on that rocket's reliability: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/19/spacexs-starship-explodes-during-routine-test-in-texas.html

...Texas Democratic state lawmakers have asked Tesla to delay its planned launch of robotaxi service in Austin until September, when a new state law governing autonomous vehicles will take effect: https://electrek.co/2025/06/18/tesla-asked-delay-robotaxi-launch-in-austin-texas-lawmakers/

Texas Democrats in the U.S. House weigh in on the escalating situation in the Middle East, including El Paso's Rep. Veronica Escobar: https://x.com/RepEscobar/status/1935096698805923940

...Dallas' Rep. Julie Johnson: https://x.com/juliejohnsonTX/status/1933668457838751976

...San Antonio's Rep. Joaquin Castro: https://x.com/JoaquinCastrotx/status/1935496879271252250

...Harris County's Rep. Sylvia Garcia: https://x.com/RepSylviaGarcia/status/1935448751323132089

...Austin's Rep. Greg Casar: https://x.com/RepCasar/status/1933334585376715266

...Austin's. Rep. Lloyd Doggett: https://x.com/RepLloydDoggett/status/1935176565710623107

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Tucker Carlson appears to goad Senator Ted Cruz into prematurely revealing Trump administration military cooperation with Israel against Iran: https://x.com/allenanalysis/status/1935143824340160884?s=46

Both Elon Musk and Alex Jones have posted lies online about the murderer of Minnesota State Senator Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark: https://www.wired.com/story/psyop-far-right-conspiracy-theories-minnesota-shooting/

...That murderer completed a two-year degree in Practical Theology at Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas in 1990: https://www.chron.com/culture/religion/article/vance-boelter-texas-bible-college-alum-20381262.php

Another of those over 230 Venezualan migrants deemed to be gang members and sent to a death prison in El Salvador appears to have been railroaded with no evidence: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/18/texas-dps-venezuelan-el-salvador-tren-de-aragua-deportation/?_bhlid=087a12052bedb182c313704a8a2748627734c725

Texas officials have quietly given up on their border wall project, having built only about 8% of it at a cost of over 3 billion taxpayer dollars: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/texas-border-wall-funding-ends-abbott-trump/

The Travis County Commissioners Court has unanimously passed a resolution calling for the humane and just treatment of immigrants by federal forces: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/travis-county/travis-county-passes-resolution-for-constitutional-humane-treatment-of-immigrants/

Multiple James Beard Award winners from Texas tell their own immigration stories during their acceptance speeches: https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/james-beard-awards-winners-2025/

Austin FC fans became the second fanbase in MLS to unfurl a banner condemning aggressive ICE tactics at a home match on Saturday night, as manager Nico Estevez calls for a more reasonable approach: https://mlsmultiplex.com/what-austin-fc-s-nico-estevez-said-about-ice-immigration-enforcement-01jxt307aczn

The No Kings protests across the country have been confirmed as the largest in American history: https://www.thedailybeast.com/data-guru-g-elliott-morris-says-up-to-6-million-people-attended-no-kings-anti-donald-trump-protests/

Progress Texas sends our best wishes to the iconic "Grandmother Of Juneteenth" Opal Lee, who is recovering at home from a medical issue and will not take part in the Walk Of Freedom event this year: https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/opal-lee-wont-lead-annual-juneteenth-march-this-year-due-to-health-issues/501-201dbbc5-c13a-4340-a584-425b537dd659

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Happy Pride Month! Digital Associate Haley Smith is joined by Avery Belyeu of the Montrose Center and Miriam Laeky of Equality Texas for a Pride Month conversation that centers hope, solidarity, and the power of community. As queer and trans Texans face unprecedented legislative attacks, this episode shifts the spotlight to the people leading the fight for equality across the state.  From unpacking the latest legal challenges to sharing real-world strategies for community-building and sustainability, this episode is a reminder that joy is resistance — and that coming together is about more than just surviving, it's about creating something worth fighting for.

Learn more about the Montrose Center: https://montrosecenter.org/.

Learn more about Equality Texas: https://equalitytexas.org/.

Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/. 

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Amid the business and population boom of Texas, it now takes $90k per year for individual workers and $200k per year for families of four to live here comfortably - way up from just one year ago: https://ktrh.iheart.com/featured/houston-texas-news/content/2025-06-16-the-cost-of-living-comfortably-in-texas-is-on-the-rise/

...At the same time, Texas now leads the nation in workplace deaths - also a function of the "Texas Miracle" as frenzied competition leads to neglect of workplace safety standards: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2025/06/16/workplace-fatalities-safety-texas-fatal-work-injuries-deaths-most-us-states-osha-2024/84185938007/

...It's a bad time to get hurt at work - the Trump administration is clawing back another $119 million in unspent COVID funding for public health from Texas: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/12/texas-dshs-public-health-funding-cuts/

...The restaurant industry is hurting as well, as employment challenges and the flow of diners have both been negatively impacted by the spread of ICE raids: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/video/texas-restaurants-face-labor-shortages-amid-immigration-crackdown-industry-praises-trumps-pause-on-1/

...The desert north and west of El Paso, over the time since that city began cooperating with Operation Lone Star, has become a deathtrap for migrants: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/16/texas-operation-lone-star-border-el-paso-deaths-migrants-new-mexico/

Tarrant County Judge and staunch, longtime LGBTQ+ rights opponent Tim O'Hare has blocked the placement of a historical marker commemorating a queer hangout in Fort Worth that was unjustly raided in 2009: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/fort-worth-texas-lgbtq-history-marker-20379741.php

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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

After great worry about how the No Kings events would go on Saturday, there's relief and celebration on Monday as generally, things went quite peacefully and productively indeed: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/14/texas-protests-anti-trump-immigration-no-kings/?_bhlid=5ac4797cc26960c9770e89ecd115fa763f69b1c3

There was a very low degree of violence or law enforcement friction at all of the dozens of No Kings events across the state: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/no-kings-protest-20376197.php

How much did Governor Abbott spend activating an estimated 7,000 Texas National Guard members and extra DPS officers? Compared to Trump's activation in California, it could approach $200 million: https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2025/06/10/pentagon-says-deploying-marines-and-national-guard-to-la-will-cost-134-million/

With No Kings and the 89th Legislature (hopefully) in the rear view mirror, it's time to start focusing on the upcoming elections in Texas over the next two Novembers: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/16/texas-democrats-candidates-2026-midterms-senate-governor/

Happening tomorrow, Tuesday June 17: an online seminar on the state of the gun violence crisis in Texas hosted by Texas Gun Sense: https://txgunsense.org/calendar/?fbclid=PAAaYtK2VIS9GAOrM5k7dO3b40IebC4WxhEU6eHLviGVqWBA8oDLmmnWOMlbk&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

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