Here in Texas, we watch from afar as state after state after state embraces the therapeutic and financial benefits of marijuana decriminalization. Many of us have resigned ourselves to the idea that the Lone Star State is simply and probably permanently a no-fun zone - but, medical cannabis IS a reality here, though most of us don't realize the opportunity exists. We welcome Terrence Baugh of the medical cannabis company GoodBlend to the mic for an explanation of current policy in Texas, how YOU can reap the benefits, and what to expect from the future of pot policy here at home.

Learn more about GoodBlend at https://tx.goodblend.com/.

Thanks for listening! Please consider making a donation to help Progress Texas continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/donate.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

The fourth special session this year is stretching the patience of Texas lawmakers to the brink: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/08/texas-legislature-fourth-special-session/

Voter turnout was strong for an off-year election: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2023/110823.shtml

...Especially in North Texas: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2023/11/09/score-one-for-democracy-voter-turnout-in-north-texas-jumped/

...And what happens next with Prop 7? https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2023-11-08/texans-approved-billions-in-spending-on-power-plants-what-comes-next

...While two key Texas energy sector players announce their exits: https://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/2023/11/08/two-top-texas-electric-grid-regulators-are-resigning-at-a-critical-time/

...And even on a mild fall day, ERCOT worries about tight power supply: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/ercot-tight-grid-conditions-november-18478017.php

...And Texas petroleum producers are emitting huge amounts of methane: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/08/texas-methane-oil-and-gas-study-climate

An immigration enforcement-related high speed chase results in 8 deaths southwest of San Antonio: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/08/south-texas-highway-crash-migrants-smuggler-eight-dead

Sherman ISD's gender-strict theater policy is now affecting dozens of students: https://www.kxii.com/2023/11/08/more-students-lose-theater-roles-sherman-isd-gender-rule/

Tickets are on sale now for Progress Texas' Holiday Parties in Austin on December 1 (https://act.progresstexas.org/a/holidayparty23austin) and Dallas on December 6 (https://act.progresstexas.org/a/holidayparty23dallas) - come see us!

Thanks for listening! Please consider making a donation to help us continue our important work: https://progresstexas.org/donate.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Last night's election results yielded both great and not-so-great news regarding those 14 constitutional amendment propositions: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/07/us/elections/results-texas.html

Both of our endorsed candidates in Houston's local elections go to runoffs on December 9, including mayoral candidate Sheila Jackson Lee: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/07/houston-mayor-race-2024-results/

...And City Controller candidate Chris Hollins: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/houston-controller-election-results-18472540.php

...Meanwhile, great news across the country for progressives and abortion rights advocates: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/abortion-rights-center-tuesdays-ohio-virginia-elections-2023-11-07/

Governor Greg Abbott, as threatened and expected, has declared an unprecedented fourth special Legislative session to begin immediately: https://abc13.com/texas-house-adjourns-2023-third-special-session-without-passing-school-vouchers-or-border-security/14022769/

Ken Paxton sues the whistleblowers who landed him in impeachment: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2023/11/07/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-sues-whistleblowers-wins-temporary-halt-to-litigation/

...While Yelp pushes back on Paxton's attempt at censoring their content: https://www.courthousenews.com/yelp-accuses-texas-attorney-general-of-censorship-in-crisis-pregnancy-center-dispute/

Grim gun death statistics swirl around a Texas-related 2nd Amendment case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/11/07/record-deaths-in-texas-as-supreme-court-decides-whether-some-domestic-violence-perpetrators-can-have-guns/

A Republican candidate for the Granbury City Council has been arrested for possessing child pornography (and still got over 600 votes): https://www.huffpost.com/entry/texas-republican-child-abuse-arrest_n_654a6d6fe4b0e63c9dc124fe

A Longview man has pled guilty to two felony counts related to the January 6 insurrection: https://www.ktbs.com/news/east-texas/east-texas-man-who-claimed-government-plot-takes-plea-deal-in-jan-6-case/article_2a5e3d70-7e0b-11ee-956d-6b62cdaaeee4.html

A transgender student in Sherman has been banned from the leading male role in his school's production of Oklahoma!: https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4297925-trans-student-texas-kicked-out-of-lead-role-musical/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16994177821857&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Flgbtq%2F4297925-trans-student-texas-kicked-out-of-lead-role-musical%2F

That Lubbock marijuana decriminalization petition is set to be considered by the Lubbock City Council next Tuesday: https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/effort-to-decriminalize-marijuana-in-lubbock-heads-to-nov-14-hearing/

Thanks for listening and for VOTING! Please consider helping us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/donate.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Voter turnout is up for this off-cycle election in North Texas: https://www.keranews.org/government/2023-11-06/early-voting-doubled-in-north-texas-for-this-years-constitutional-amendment-election-heres-why

...But across the state, it's pretty typically dismal: https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/why-texas-constitutional-amendment-elections-historically-have-low-voter-turnout/

...Which reminds us to remind you to VOTE NO on Prop 7: https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2023-11-06/proposition-7-would-provide-billions-in-incentives-for-new-power-plants-in-texas

Meanwhile the third special session of the Legislature ends today: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2023/11/06/school-choice-could-head-to-fourth-session-deal-unclear/71442827007/

Katy ISD's policy requiring the outing of transgender students to their families likely violates state ethics code: https://houstonlanding.org/by-outing-19-students-to-their-parents-katy-isd-violated-texas-ethics-codes-for-educators/

...While book bans in Texas continue apace: https://dallasweekly.com/2023/11/amidst-growing-politicization-book-bans-become-increasingly-common-in-texas/

...And a Mexia teacher, convicted of election violations in 2020, finds her teaching license under attack: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/brunner-paxton-voter-fraud-license-18459837.php

A group of rental houses in Bell County, leased by the state to house foster kids, have descended into chaos: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/06/texas-foster-kids-cwop/

A gathering of right-wing fringe "eugenics" supporters is scheduled for the first weekend of December at the Line Hotel in Austin: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2023-11-03/the-eugenic-circus-comes-to-town/

Matt Rinaldi, chair of the Republican Party of Texas, intends to wield the outsized power the micro-minority of GOP primary voters to direct the party at large: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/matt-rinaldi-texas-gop/

Thanks for listening and DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TODAY! Find our popular voter guide and consider making a donation to help us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

As the end of the current special session looms tomorrow, Texas Republicans are continuing their press for private school vouchers: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/03/texas-house-school-vouchers-funding/

...While odious immigration reform bills appear to be on hold for the NEXT special session: https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2023-11-05/texas-lawmakers-put-the-brakes-on-sweeping-immigration-enforcement-bill-for-now

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will take up a lower court decision that eliminated a key avenue to confidential teen access to contraception today: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/06/texas-5th-circuit-kacmsaryk-birth-control/

GOP misinformation pushing for the passage of Prop 7 continues as Election Day approaches tomorrow - Progress Texas recommends a NO vote, as it does nothing to further climate change solutions: https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/proposition-7-pitched-solution-texas-creaky-18459263.php

Meet the Christian Nationalist crusader from Texas with decades of affiliation with the new Speaker of the House: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/03/david-barton-mike-johnson-texas-church-state-christianity/

Texas State University's president and head football coach jump into the San Marcos River in celebration of their football team's post-season eligibility: https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/texas-states-g-j-kinne-school-president-fulfill-promise-to-jump-into-river-after-clinching-bowl-eligibility/

And congratulations to Willie Nelson upon his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/willie-nelson-missy-elliott-george-michael-sheryl-crow-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/

Thanks for listening - and DON'T FORGET TO VOTE tomorrow! Grab our handy voter guide and consider making a donation to help us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

A dark money operation funded by Tim Dunn of Defend Texas Liberty is pushing against a desperately-needed school bond proposal in Midland: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/tim-dunn-move-midland-school-bond/

Moves made two decades ago to make certification to teach elementary school in Texas had the side effect of driving down wages: https://theconversation.com/texas-tried-to-fix-its-teacher-shortage-by-lowering-requirements-the-result-was-more-new-teachers-but-at-lower-salaries-213962

Changes to requirements for universities to achieve "R1" research institution status could benefit several Texas campuses: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/texas-research-universities-carnegie-tier-one/

The CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase warns Texas officials not to tarnish their business-friendly environment by interfering in the internal affairs of large financial firms: https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/jpmorgans-jamie-dimon-warns-business-friendly-texas-laws-wall-street-firms.amp

Still no apology from Senator John Cornyn for remarks found offensive by Native American groups: https://www.alternet.org/senate-republican/

Republican Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell Jr. finds himself in a scrape with a fringe "election fraud" activist: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/texas-election-worker-heart-attack-conspiracy-theory/

Arlington gets a national profile boost in the wake of the first Texas Rangers World Series championship: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/02/us/texas-rangers-world-series-arlington.html

Austin has become the biggest U.S. city to stop requiring parking minimums for new real estate projects: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/austin-minimum-parking-requirements-housing-shortage/

Harris County has been found to be officially the most ethnically-diverse county in Texas: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/2023/houston-population-ethnicity/

Lubbock city officials announce that a marijuana decriminalization proposal has been successfully forced to a vote by Freedom Act Lubbock: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/texas-activists-collected-enough-signatures-to-put-marijuana-decriminalization-on-another-local-ballot-lubbock-officials-announce/

Thanks for listening! Grab our handy voter guide and consider making a donation to help us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Running for office is a daunting decision - even more so for progressives in a state like Texas, where via gerrymandering and other tactics, Republicans have entrenched their power despite (and because of) their ever-dwindling popularity. Two North Texas Democrats - Francine Ly and Sam Eppler - have both risen to that challenge by running against U.S. House Rep. Beth Van Duyne, one of the worst MAGA types in Congress, and whose District 24 has been shored up for her base after her very narrow initial win. With just weeks remaining until the filing deadline, we hope our conversations with Francine and Sam will inspire YOU to find an office to run for, and personally join the fight for progress in Texas.

Learn more about Progress Texas and consider making a donation to help us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

That monumental deal on school vouchers announced a couple of days ago by Governor Greg Abbott has thus far failed to materialize at the Capitol:

While a timely op-ed by D/FW spiritual leaders gives even more insight on why vouchers are a bad idea for Texas:

...However, harsh anti-immigrant legislation is alive and well, and moving towards Abbott's desk: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2023/11/01/texas-senate-panel-oks-bill-creating-penalties-for-illegal-immigration/71409977007/

What's that smell? Donald Trump is back in Texas today: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2023/11/01/468393/trump-shows-solid-polling-lead-in-texas-ahead-of-his-latest-visit/

John Cornyn makes a dumb joke - and offends Native Americans across the country: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/cornyn-native-american-comment-18459825.php

...Which reminds me - it's Native American Heritage Month! https://progresstexas.org/nahm-celebrations-across-texas-2023

ERCOT plans protocol changes that will make it MORE likely that rolling blackouts will be implemented in emergency power demand situations: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-01/texas-grid-will-make-triggering-power-emergencies-easier

The top official in Loving County, the least-populated county in Texas, faces criminal charges for cattle rustling: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/texas-county-judge-skeet-jones-suspended-cattle-18462750.php

And congrats to the Texas Rangers, who broke a league-leading streak of NOT winning the World Series last night: https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/mlb/rangers/texas-rangers-world-series-parade-when-where-details/287-f2de72ec-322f-47df-9d6d-83edb3f5dbf4

Thanks for listening! Don't forget to VOTE - find out handy voting guide and consider supporting our work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

An announcement yesterday by Governor Greg Abbott on a voucher breakthrough is news to voucher opponents, whose positions have not changed, at least publicly: https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/abbott-school-voucher-deal-18459828.php

...Meanwhile a ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates by Texas business owners heads to Abbott's desk: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/texas-legislature-covid-vaccine-mandates-ban-bill/

...As does $1.5 billion for border walls and patrolling of the Colony Ridge neighborhood: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/texas-senate-senate-bill-6-border-wall-colony-ridge/

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico demands that Texas remove barriers erected on that state's border: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/vasquez-demands-texas-governor-remove-razor-wire-along-new-mexico-border/article_d8deb6d4-7804-11ee-a9fc-cbe4522fbbeb.html

Longtime Fort Worth U.S. Rep. Kay Granger is expected to announce her retirement this week: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/kay-granger-congress-texas-expected-stepping-down/

Reminders on why a NO vote on Prop 7 is vital for Texas progressives: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/texas-infrastructure-constitutional-amendments/

...And after you vote YES on Prop 14, head out to a Texas State Park on Sunday for free: https://www.orangeleader.com/2023/11/01/free-admission-to-texas-state-parks-on-sunday/

And, the Texas Rangers are one win away from their first-ever World Series title: https://krocnews.com/texas-rangers-need-one-more-for-world-series-crown/

Thanks for listening! Grab our handy voting guide and consider making a contribution to help us continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

After an eight-year delay, a trial date is set for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, indicted on securities fraud charges - April 15, 2024: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2023/10/30/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxtons-criminal-trial-set-for-april-15/

A federal judge has ordered federal border agents to stop cutting razor wire - notably, unless that razor wire threatens to hurt migrants: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/10/31/judge-texas-razor-wire-mexico-united-states-border/71387164007/

...While new immigration bills in process at the Capitol would transfer federal border authority to local "peace officers": https://www.texasobserver.org/immigration-local-police-border-hb-4/

That expletive-laden recording of U.S. Representative and Progress Texas-endorsed Houston mayoral candidate Sheila Jackson Lee came up in a debate at Texas Southern University: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/mayoral-debate-jackson-lee-audio-18453370.php

U.S. Representative Chip Roy of Austin (which is crazy) refuses to say whether he'll make any effort to avoid a federal government shutdown: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4283701-chip-roy-spars-fox-business-varney-government-shutdown/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16987086096865&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fhouse%2F4283701-chip-roy-spars-fox-business-varney-government-shutdown%2F

Four of sixteen new federally-funded maternal mortality research centers will be located in Texas: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/30/texas-maternal-health-center-mortality/

Texas Republicans have been even goofier than usual lately on Twitter: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/texas-republicans-tweets-are-batshit-crazy-this-week-17771366

And no surprise here, but Texas looms large nationally when it comes to new residents moving in from other states: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article281207018.html

Don't forget to vote! Early voting ends Friday, and election day is in one week, on Tuesday November 7. Grab our handy voter guide, and consider making a donation to help us continue our important work, at https://progresstexas.org/.