The Civics Lab

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In this second part of our episode, we discuss whether Texas is restricting or securing voting access.  Our discussion is with Chuck Devore, Texas Policy Foundation, Grace Chimene, League of Women Voters, Amy Stansbury, Austin Common.  Questions and comments are from those attending the recording, live on the St. Edward's University Campus with the Kozmetsky Center.  This podcast was funded by a Civics Engagement Grant from Pi Sigma Alpha.  

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In this episode, we discuss whether Texas is restricting or securing voting access.  Our discussion is with Chuck Devore, Texas Policy Foundation, Grace Chimene, League of Women Voters, Amy Stansbury, Austin Common.  Questions and comments are from those attending the recording, live on the St. Edward's University Campus with the Kozmetsky Center.  This podcast was funded by a Civics Engagement Grant from Pi Sigma Alpha.  Part 2 of this discussion will be released on November 11.  Stay tuned.

Song: Ontem, Artist: Ckhustomn

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Interview with Amy Stansbury, Austin Common  and Grace Chimene, with League of Women Voters Texas after the Kozmestky Center's panel on voting access in Texas. If you need help voting, go to vote411.org   Happy Voting!

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Before someone votes, they must first register to vote.  States across the country vary in how they register voters.  According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 42 states, plus DC have on-line voter registration to make it easier to register.  Texas does not allow on-line registration.  Why not?  We visit with Travis County (Austin, TX) Voter Registrar Bruce Elfant, and discuss the politics and hurdles of registering citizens to vote.  We discuss recent lawsuits by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Travis County and other urban counties in their attempt increase voter registration, why the state of Texas and several states have stopped using a national database to protect against voter registration fraud, and who benefits from a more restrictive voting registration process.

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In this episode, the Civics Lab team discusses the challenges of democracy with Legal Professor and ABC Legal Correspondent, Kim Wehle.  We discussed the current state of the United States Constitution, the role of voting, holding elected officials accountable, and the threats of tyranny and authoritarianism to our democractic norms.  The Civics Lab team is led by Dr. David Thomason (Director of the Kozmetsky Center at St. Edward's University, and St. Edward's University students Jacob Zivin, George Reyes, and Charlie Mossberger.  The podcast is brought to you by the Kozmetsky Center.  

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In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with State Representative Gene Wu.  Gene Wu is a Democrat representing District 137, located in West Houston. It was an enormous pleasure to talk with Gene about the current legislative session, and we hope you enjoy his honesty and clarity as much as we did!

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You may be asking, what is the Texas Land Commission?  Texas elects a Land Commissioner?  Why?  In this episode, we have Jay Kleberg in the Civics Lab studio to discuss why he is running for this statewide office and what makes this position important in the fight against climate change, education funding,  Veterans' healthcare, and protecting and expanding our access to public lands. 

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Civics Lab team members went to John P.  Ojeda Middle School, in Southeast Austin to discuss a project that teachers and students are collaborating to grow, market and finance the production of salsa.  Students and teachers have literally turned computer rooms into greenhouses and are applying the spirit of American entrepreneurship to address access to healthy foods.   Join in on this week's quick take!

Websites on what Austin is doing to address food insecurity:
https://www.austintexas.gov/content/austin-travis-county-food-policy-board

https://reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/0219788-central-texas-foodshed-assessment.html

https://www.austintexas.gov/page/food-system-research-reports

Del Valle ISD Link

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Join Michael Baumgartner and Esther Heymans as they attend and interview participants at the RevUP Texas (Register Educate Vote Use Your Power!) rally to promote voter registration and raising awareness of disability issues in Texas politics.  The Civics Lab team interviews Bob Kafka, organizer and advocate for RevUp.  Join them in this quick take!

RevUp! Texas:
https://www.revuptexas.org/

Twitter for RevUP:
REV UP Texas

@REVUP_Texas

Bob Kafka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKK7tIql9us

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We sat down for a casual conversation revolving around some of the biggest political stories of the week, and some that might have flown under your radar. Listen in as we discuss the January 6th hearings,  Beto's defamation lawsuit,  and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

•  Episode recorded on 3/8/22