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Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Donald Trump's fixation on celebrity rejection has drawn his attention to Kamala Harris' October 2024 rally in Houston: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/trump-harris-houston-rally-beyonce-20334757.php
John Cornyn's polling numbers are vastly outpaced by challenger Ken Paxton's - leading to GOP fears of a toxic candidate in the general election: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/tensions-grow-new-poll-shows-senator-cornyn-trailing-attorney-general-paxton-republican-primary-u-s-senate/
Texas school districts are dismayed at the prospect of HB 2, having been worked over by the Senate, providing funds insufficient to help with their growing operational deficits: https://www.texasobserver.org/school-districts-senate-finance-plan/
After the fears surrounding the "Life Of The Mother Act" that it might surreptitiously resurrect old laws criminalizing women for seeking abortions, a pair of current bills would much more directly do so: https://couriertexas.com/dfw/2025/05/16/texas-abortion-trap/
Republicans are proposing that Texas history students continue using the outdated "B.C." and "A.D." timeline designations because, you know, religion: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-bc-ad-christianity/
We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer! Join us for a celebratory gathering in Dallas on Monday June 9: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/2025anniversary
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.
Thanks for listening! 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:
President Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis should be seen as a reminder of the importance of continued medical research investment: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/texas-lawmakers-joe-biden-20333919.php
HB 49, in the rush to completion at the end of the 89th Legislature, would protect oil companies from legal liability for damage caused by the use of produced water, which they wish to sell to farmers and dump in rivers: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-legislature-produced-water-legal-protections-oil-gas/?_bhlid=dd62e22f81d6a0713ef8d55fe4b382ab41846318
...See our podcast on produced water and why it's not a good option to shore up dwindling water supply in Texas: https://progresstexas.org/podcast/happy-hour-146-dark-water-how-texas-railroad-commission-threatens-our-future
To clarify on Friday's Daily Dispatch: while the "anti-squatter" bill HB 32 did die with the House deadline's arrival on Friday, its identical companion bill SB 38 is still in play - thus the rights of Texas renters are still in jeopardy: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BoDTqhf11/
School financing, the Texas Lottery, Dan Patrick's hemp ban and Greg Abbott's bail reform are all still on the table as Sine Die approaches in two weeks: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/05/19/5-things-to-watch-as-texas-legislative-session-nears-end/
ICE detention of suspected undocumented immigrants in El Paso has prompted a scathing report from Amnesty International: https://elpasomatters.org/2025/05/14/el-paso-ice-detention-center-human-rights-violations-amnesty-international/
Notorious right-wing crusading federal judge Matthew Kascmaryk has ruled that LGBTQ+ people are not protected from workplace harassment by the Civil Rights Act: https://truthout.org/articles/federal-judge-strikes-down-lgbtq-protections-against-workplace-discrimination/
Attorney General Ken Paxton has been hit with two lawsuits from five Texas district attorneys over new rules he wishes to use to pry into their prosecutorial records: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/16/texas-attorney-general-district-attorneys-lawsuits/
In a harbinger of things to come in Texas, Oklahoma schools see a new wave of conservative disinformation incorporated into lesson plans, including the study of "discrepancies" in the 2020 election: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/17/oklahoma-high-schools-election-conspiracy-theories
We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer! Join us for a celebratory gathering in Dallas on Monday June 9: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/2025anniversary
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Our weekly airing of the grievances is perhaps a little spicy this time because frankly, we're sweating our butts off. Lucky for Texas, renewable energy has carried the load keeping the AC on, but Republicans still hate it. A curious child marriage bill gets a curious House vote, which we'll explain. Ted Cruz wants to give babies a grand (thanks Ted!). And, the nerds of PT are fired up over Andor and the important political lessons it carries for progressive types these days. Have a great weekend, and may the schwartz be with you.
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:
The deadline for the Texas House to act on bills filed by its own members arrived at midnight last night - bills allowing landlords to more easily evict tenants, and improving conditions for kids in our juvenile justice system, are both DOA for this session: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/texas-house-deadline-winners-losers/
...Rep. John Bucy's consistent effort to establish online voter registration also didn't make the deadline, but it did get more attention than it has since he started pressing for it in 2019 - better luck next session: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/texas-online-voter-registration-bill/
...Rep. Terry Canales' bill to force Texas' prison system to install air conditioning remains in play: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/05/15/required-air-conditioning-for-state-run-prisons-advances-in-texas-house/
The Senate continues hearings on its version of HB 2, the public school funding bill, which by most measures falls even further short than the original did: https://communityimpact.com/houston/conroe-montgomery/texas-legislature/2025/05/15/texas-senate-panel-unveils-amended-version-of-8b-school-finance-proposal/
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the mother of a Black Texas man killed by a police officer in 2016, rejecting the "moment of the threat doctrine" used by lower courts to limit the factors considered in excessive force cases: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-revives-excessive-force-claim-deadly-houston-police-shoo-rcna199171
Despite dwindling water supplies, oil companies continue sucking up billions of gallons for their private use - and they're supported by current Texas law: https://www.fastcompany.com/91334609/texas-is-in-an-extreme-drought-and-oil-companies-are-using-billions-of-gallons-of-water
...Extreme heat also poses a serious threat to expectant mothers: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/texas-rising-temperatures-climate-change-pregnancy/3841533/
There's a big gun buyback session happening in El Paso on Saturday morning: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2025/05/13/el-paso-gun-buy-back-event-is-giving-up-to-200-to-turn-in-firearms/83595649007/
We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer! Join us for a celebratory gathering in Dallas on Monday June 9: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/2025anniversary
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson took part in a terrific celebration and fundraising event for the Texas Democratic Party hosted by the Funky East Dallas Democrats club - better known as The FEDDs - as they celebrated the rise of one of their founding members, Kendall Scudder, to the position of party chair! Kathleen asked important questions regarding recent progressive wins, how to keep the momentum going, and the plan to lead Texas Democrats out of the wilderness in 2026.
Learn more about The FEDDs at https://funkyeastdallasdemocrats.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:
The long-languishing HB 2, the promised "historic" public school finance proposal purported to offset concerns about the impact to public schools by private school vouchers, will be heard at the Capitol today after massive cuts by Senate Republicans - the increase to the basic allotment goes from about $500 to a paltry $55: https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/texas-school-funding-teacher-raise-20327616.php
...Watch for a fiery debate over the gutting of HB 2, just as hundreds of bills are crowding towards the finish line: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-public-school-funding-legislature/
Bail reform, a priority of sufficient importance to Governor Abbott to come with the threat of special sessions, advances in the Senate: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/texas-senate-constitutional-amendment-require-judges-deny-bond-felony-offenses-repeat-offenders/269-6c5c7ac8-e686-4fb7-a917-3299dad341e1
Corporate fat cats like Elon Musk get a break in a newly-signed law that will limit the ability for shareholders to sue those companies: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/greg-abbott-elon-musk-20327468.php
Booksellers, including Half Price Books, are warning that a new obscenity law will upend their businesses: https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-bookstores-obscene-bill-20327441.php
We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer! Join us for a celebratory gathering in Dallas on Monday June 9: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/2025anniversary
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.
Thanks for listening! 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 ERCOT dashboard shows that solar power was the primary source for Texas energy throughout the first day of this historic heat wave yesterday: https://www.ercot.com/gridmktinfo/dashboards
...Ironic that at the very same time, Republicans in Austin are doing all they can to undermine future renewable energy development: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/us/politics/renewable-energy-republicans.html
A great number of bills - some good, others not so good - are in danger of dying as the 89th Legislature winds down: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/05/13/texas-public-schools-dems-worry-time-running-out-as-finance-bill-languishing-in-senate/
...Including HB 2, having languished in committee for three weeks, and looking likely to be the victim of massive Senate cuts: https://x.com/scottbraddock/status/1922471412029079729?t=S3jx3uElUvMjYqSmbVpSHQ&s=03
...And a great many MAGA bills we'd just as soon see die, including abortion medication restrictions, book and DEI bans, the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and on and on: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-legislature-agenda-items-taxes-water-abortion/?_bhlid=12ea18a3d1b222f39cdd67563d86ca6f2783f5ed
Lubbock ISD stands to be gutted by the new voucher program, as many of its church-affiliated private schools are within range of the voucher amount: https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/education/2025/05/14/cost-of-lubbock-area-private-schools-with-texas-school-voucher-education-savings-account-program/83432786007/
The incoming bloody primary battle between Senator John Cornyn and Ken Paxton presents a rare opportunity for a steal, if the Democrats can elevate the right candidate: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/05/14/cornyn-paxton-texas-gop-primary-infighting-00346390
We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer! Join us for a celebratory gathering in Dallas on Monday June 9: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/2025anniversary
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.
Thanks for listening! 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:
All-time temperature records look likely to fall for both San Antonio and Austin as a dangerous and alarmingly early heat wave arrives: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/weather/article/dangerous-extreme-heat-texas-20323488.php
...Even those who are bullish about ERCOT's prospects with this heat wave are concerned about the many fossil fuel-powered plants that are offline for "normal" May maintenance: https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/texas-grid-ercot-spring-heat-wave-thermal-outages-20323306.php
...This kind of heat is no joke - it's important to take extra care and to check in on the elderly or otherwise vulnerable: https://www.statesman.com/story/weather/severe/2025/05/12/texas-heat-wave-extreme-temperatures-texas-weather-austin-san-antonio-houston-dallas/83578591007/
Crunch time arrives for bills in the 89th Legislature, as the drop dead moment arrives this week: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2025/05/12/520648/its-crunch-time-for-texas-house-bills-as-three-key-deadlines-hit-this-week/
The National Council of Nonprofits has issued a warning that draft tax legislation released by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee contains provisions that would allow Donald Trump to arbitrarily shut down non-profit media orgs including NPR, PBS...and Progress Texas: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/articles/nonprofits-under-threat-whats-house-tax-bill-and-how-you-can-help
We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer! Join us for a celebratory gathering in Dallas on Monday June 9: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/2025anniversary
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.
Thanks for listening! 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:
This week's mid-May heat wave is expected to shatter daily high temperature records - parts of Texas will be hotter than parts of the Sahara Desert between Tuesday and Thursday: https://www.expressnews.com/san-antonio-weather/forecast/article/heat-wave-south-texas-historic-temperatures-20320730.php
...ERCOT expects to keep up with power demand, which experts credit to expanded solar generation and battery storage capacity: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/texas-power-grid-demand-heat-wave-may-2025/285-c06738f9-374d-4b31-9416-4286467c0bce
Texas Republicans continue to up their game when it comes to hating on transgender Texans - a new bill will, in effect, erase them when it comes to state documents: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/10/texas-house-trans-bills-advance/
That bill outlawing the distribution of abortion drugs in Texas includes unprecedented legal language that would protect itself from being challenged in state courts: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/12/texas-abortion-pill-bill-state-court/
House Republicans' solution to threats of violence against election workers in Texas? Add more guns to the mix: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2025/05/09/texas-house-votes-to-allow-election-judges-armed-voting-sites/83501483007/
Democrats, once again, in disarry as the SDEC is set to vote on whether to remove Fort Bend County's party chair over allegations of irregular spending - as he himself investigates similar allegations against the prior chair: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/fort-bend/2025/05/09/520985/texas-democrats-to-consider-removal-of-fort-bend-county-party-chair-precinct-chairs-say/
We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer! Join us for a celebratory gathering in Dallas on Monday June 9: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/2025anniversary
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
We are proud to have been invited to host a terrific panel of Texas-based enviromental activists and advocates during the recent EarthX conference in Dallas! Advocacy Manager Reagan Stone welcomed representatives of Environment Texas, the Sunrise Movement, Public Citizen and the Environmental Defense Fund for a wide-ranging and enlightening discussion. Enjoy!
Thanks for listening! Learn more about how you can support Progress Texas and our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
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