
Progress Texas Podcasts
By Progress Texas
Daily Dispatch augments the Progress Texas Happy Hour, our longer-form conversation and interview podcast, which hosts a variety of diverse voices and newsmakers who are pushing progress forward in the Lone Star State. We recap the wild week in Texas politics. Grab a coldie and hang!


The Future is NOW: Conversations from the TYD + TCD 2025 Joint Convention in Austin
Last weekend, Progress Texas Digital Associate Haley Smith visited the welcome social for the Texas Young Democrats and Texas College Democrats Joint Convention in downtown Austin to talk with young, passionate leaders from across the state. Tune in for candid conversations, a pulse check on the grassroots movement, and inspiration from the young people leading the charge toward a more just and inclusive Texas.Thanks for listening! You can learn more about Progress Texas and support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org.

In Progress: This July 4th, What Does Patriotism REALLY Mean?
The news moves fast, y'all - between the time we recorded this on Thursday afternoon and posting time a couple of hours later, the U.S. House has passed what we've come to correctly call Donald Trump's Big Bullshit Bill - a truly historic heist of working class America for the richest in our country. As the elections of 2026 approach, it will be all-important not to let our fellow Texans who will be impacted - a great many of whom are Trump voters themselves - forget this moment. All the more important and appropriate, as we all prepare to celebrate Independence Day, to remind ourselves of what REAL patriotism is, and to spread that message as well.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Happy Hour 222 - Clean Energy Cuts Are Deeper Than You Might Expect, With German Ibanez
For a time that isn’t typical, we’re not bringing you the typical talking points. Herman Ibanez has 40 plus years of experience in clean energy. From developing green solutions for municipalities to multinational companies, we like to list him as a consultant on the good side of the revolving door. Either way you look at it, he has boundless knowledge surrounding ERCOT, energy regulation and investments, nuclear research, and federal spending.This week, we chatted about Trump's big horrid spending bill, wrongfully budgeted priorities expected to add trillions to our national debt. This bill definitely won’t help you. Your electric bill is going to keep going up, jobs will be lost, and we will further fall into the Trump Recession.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 7/3/25: On Verge Of 4th Of July, Trump's Big B.S. Bill On Verge Of Passing House, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
The U.S. House appears preparing to vote on Donald Trump's Big Bullshit Bill: https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-7-3-2025
...As of last night, Austin Democratic Congressman Lloyd Doggett was holding out hope that the bill could be stopped: https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/doggett-holding-out-hope-that-trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-could-fail-in-house
...Austin Republican Congressman Chip Roy, seemingly holding out over the massive impact to the national debt, seems likely pliable over additional benefit cuts: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/us/politics/trump-conservatives-bill.html
...Massive impacts on Texas, especially those in rural, Republican areas, appear to be landing on deaf GOP ears: https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2025-07-02/texas-trump-tax-big-beautiful-bill-congress-snap-medicaid
...The Texas clean energy sector, which just dodged a bullet with the end of the state legislative session, could be devastated by the bill: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/trump-budget-bill-wind-solar-ira-credits-20415094.php
Rumors are growing that recently-former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg is planning to run for Governor: https://quorumreport.com/quorum_report_daily_buzz_2025/chatter_growing_louder_out_of_san_antonio_that_for_buzziid32725.html
...Our recent talk in San Antonio with Mayor Ron and newly-elected Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones: https://progresstexas.org/podcast/special-live-pod-san-antonio-party-progress-mayor-ron-nirenberg-and-mayoral-candidate-gina
We should pay attention to lesser-known, upstart candidates too, including former astronaut Terry Virts of Houston, running for Senate: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/former-astronaut-terry-virts-talks-about-his-senate-run-trump-and-the-nasa-budget-in-exclusive-space-com-interview-video
...And East Texas farmer and firefighter Bobby Cole, running for Governor: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/greg-abbott-reelection-20415198.php
The upcoming special session appears likely to be characterized by growing tension between Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick over "Dan's Ban": https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-special-session-2025-thc-ban-greg-abbott-dan-patrick/285-982791df-6705-49fd-9d88-5ae09939b2ca
That expected lawsuit over the new law requiring the displaying of the Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms from the ACLU has arrived: https://www.kxan.com/video/aclu-files-suit-against-texas-ten-commandments-law-kxan-news-at-6-p-m/10859214/
Heading into the 4th of July weekend, Texas ranks terribly on a ranking of states based on patriotism: https://austin.culturemap.com/news/city-life/least-patriotic-states-texas-2025/
As the Progress Texas Summer Vacation series focuses on the Big Bend region, we learn that Donald Trump's undercutting of the National Park system is both politically and fiscally stupid: https://www.tpr.org/2025-06-23/as-visitors-flock-to-parks-deep-cuts-leave-rangers-and-wildlife-at-risk
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.

Happy Hour 221 - Only YOU Can Save Our National Parks, with Cristóbal López
As part of our larger “Progress Texas Summer Vacation" series, we reviewed the threats to our national parks with Cristóbal López, the National Parks Conservation Association’s Texas Field Representative. Our talk ranges from exacerbated staff shortages, to how Trump’s budget bill could create the largest public lands sale in modern history - so billionaires can cut you out of “America’s best idea” and keep the views to themselves.
Learn more about this ongoing work at https://www.npca.org/articles/9320-senate-committee-abandons-national-park-staff-in-reckless-budget-proposal, and at https://www.npca.org/articles/8858-new-order-threatens-park-service-s-efforts-to-protect-and-explore-american.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 7/2/25: OBBB Heads For House, Where Chip Roy Wants Even Deeper Cuts, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Trump's Big Bullshit Bill, passed by the Senate, now heads for the House, where part of the opposition is Texas Congressman Chip Roy - whose concerns about impacts to the national debt will likely lead to even deeper cuts for vulnerable Americans: https://www.tpr.org/government-politics/2025-07-02/why-texas-rep-chip-roy-broke-with-trump-on-the-gops-mega-bill
...Rural, red, Republican Texas is about to feel the full impact of the bill as the healthcare desert they already live in gets even worse: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/budget-bill-trump-medicaid-rural-hospitals-20402463.php
Senator John Cornyn - in major trouble in polling against Ken Paxton - has lost none of his fundraising prowess as he'll have at least $12 million to fend off his primary challenger: https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/07/01/congress/john-cornyn-fundraising-texas-senate-primary-ken-paxton-00434713
Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson weighs in on what Zohran Mamadani's success in NYC means for Texas: "young people are motivated if they’re turned on by a candidate": https://thebarbedwire.com/2025/07/01/politicians-texans-can-learn-zohran-mamdani/
...And we review that time in 2008 when Kathleen bested recently-declared Texas Senate candidate Leigh Wamsganss, who wanted Texans to ignore bad polling on then-VP candidate Sarah Palin: https://vimeo.com/27319160
Advocacy and Development Coordinator Tatum Owens has been travels in the Pacific Northwest, where she's experiencing firsthand the impact of Trump's budget cuts on our national parks: https://www.commoncause.org/fr/actes/tell-congress-stop-trumps-cuts-to-national-parks/
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.

Daily Dispatch 7/1/25: Cornyn, Cruz And Senate GOP Fighting Hard For Trump's B.S. Bill, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, naturally, are all in for Donald Trump's deeply unpopular Big Bullshit Bill: https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-7-1-2025
...It will have massive effects in Texas, both for SNAP recipients and the 15% of Texans who rely on Medicaid: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/how-could-changes-to-snap-and-medicaid-in-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-impact-texas/
...Elon Musk is up in arms about the cuts to electric vehicle subsidies in the bill, and Tesla stock took a dive this morning when Trump suggested DOGE have a look at Musk's federal take: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/01/tesla-shares-tumble-after-trump-says-doge-should-look-at-elon-musks-subsidies.html
...Don't cry for Elon though - the loss of USAID is projected to result in 14 million needless deaths globally by 2030: https://www.ft.com/content/945a0301-2bf5-4e0f-bdc4-f07f82891cb1
As expected, former Dallas Congressman Colin Allred has formally launched a run for the U.S. Senate: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/01/colin-allred-texas-us-senate-democrat-2026-cornyn-paxton/
A host of Texas GOP establishment biggies are calling for Tarrant County Republican Party Chair Bo French to resign over a recent bigoted tweet - but figures in the hard right lunatic fringe are rallying in support: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-republicans-tarrant-county-bo-french-social-media-poll-jews-muslims/
Progress Texas Summer Vacation! Advocacy Manager Reagan Stone paid a visit to the Alamo over the weekend: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/unesco-san-antonio-missions-nps-layoffs-20202390.php
...And Advocacy and Development Coordinator Tatum Owens has been traveling in the Pacific Northwest: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/research-restrooms-summer-staffing-crunch-hits-national-parks-after-trump-cuts-2025-06-08/
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.

Daily Dispatch 6/30/25: GOP Attacks On Working Class Give Texas Dems Hope For '26, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Donald Trump's continued press to establish an authoritarian regime, supported by his stacked Supreme Court, gives progressives all the more reason to rise and resist: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/us/supreme-court-trump-victories.html
...The Trump tax bill, on the verge of passing the Senate, provide even more reason for working Americans to make their opposition known: https://apnews.com/article/senate-bill-trump-tax-breaks-spending-cuts-549c2fdd47c1965007282b8461687bc9
...Seeing that opposing Trump is a fatal mistake for Senate Republicans, and living in fatal fear of a Ken Paxton primary, John Cornyn is now sucking up to the President with whom he has up till now maintained distance: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/30/john-cornyn-senate-texas-primary-republicans-trump-paxton/
...Who will the Democrats put up for Senate? Beto O'Rourke, James Talarico, Joaquin Castro and more gathered Friday night in San Antonio: https://www.tpr.org/government-politics/2025-06-29/who-will-texas-democrats-pick-to-be-their-nominee-to-run-for-u-s-senator...GOP toxicity in both D.C. and Texas are giving Dems hope for '26: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/30/why-democrats-are-excited-about-texas-real-this-time/
...Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz find themselves in an endorsement battle in the race for Texas Comptroller: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/06/30/hard-fought-2026-gop-primaries-could-reshuffle-texas-politics/
...Fort Worth State Rep. Nate Schatzline, just days after declaring a run for the Texas Senate, chickens out when a Patriot Mobile executive declares for the same seat: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article309578670.html
A capital murder charge brought against a North Texas man accused of slipping abortion-inducing drugs to his pregnant girlfriend represents a new move by anti-abortion activists to establish fetal personhood: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/30/texas-abortion-pill-capital-murder-charge-fetal-personhood/
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.

In Progress: A Mamdani Tsunami? What A Huge Progressive Win In NYC Means For Texas
On this week's download of frustration and triumph and frustration, the crew celebrates the win of Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral primary - which both portends the rising power of young progressive voters, and has also unleashed an amazing outpouring of panic from not only the far right, but also, strangely enough, some from the Democratic old guard. What gives? We talk about it, and more.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can join in our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 6/27/25: Who Will Take On Paxton For Senate? Top Dems Disagree, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Current and former aides to Attorney General Ken Paxton are in an all-out and tawdry legal battle over alleged obstruction during Paxton's 2023 impeachment, threatening to become a sideshow for Paxton's expected run for Senate next year: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/26/ken-paxton-impeachment-witness-tampering-former-employees/?_bhlid=1ce16d89f9b2653aa078b30c686107bc7fce03c7
...Top Democrats are lining up to face Paxton next year, as Congressman Joaquin Castro, former Congressmen Colin Allred and Beto O'Rourke, and Austin State Rep. James Talarico have begun talks to discuss the plan: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/06/26/democrats-allred-castro-orourke-talarico-meet-to-discuss-2026-options/
...O'Rourke, Talarico and Castro will all speak tonight at a Powered By People event in San Antonio: https://www.mobilize.us/poweredxpeople/event/798485/
Tarrant County Republican Party chairman Bo French, once again, displays his childish bigotry online - when will Fort Worth area Republicans tire of his embarrassing antics? https://www.sacurrent.com/news/north-texas-republican-party-shares-online-poll-asking-whether-jews-or-muslims-are-bigger-threat-37841913
The Trump administration is expanding its military footprint in Texas, endangering the right of Texans to enjoy outdoor spaces near the border: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/26/texas-military-zone-expansion-illegal-immigration/
...The Posse Comitatus Act is now being significantly strained in the Texas borderlands: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/06/g-s1-63778/military-border-zone-posse-comitatus-explained
Social Security is NOT doomed to insolvency - it could be made solid if the top 6% of American earners paid in the same rate as the rest of us: https://www.forbes.com/sites/eriksherman/2025/06/24/social-security-faces-cuts-even-though-theres-a-fix-for-its-problems/
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.

Guest Pod: Joe Jaworski's "Midterms" Show from KPFT-FM in Houston, with Beto O'Rourke
The second time we've run Joe Jaworski's "Midterms" political talk show hosted by KPFT-FM in Houston, where it runs every Tuesday morning, features a talk with former Congressman Beto O'Rourke! It was recorded just after Beto's swing through Texas on his tour of town hall meetings - since, of course, he's joined Senator Bernie Sanders and Austin Congressman Greg Casar and more for a similar run of rallies through the state.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can get involved in our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 6/26/25: Trump, Abbott, Paxton, Cornyn, and Cruz All Down In New Poll, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
New bi-monthy polling in Texas finds negativity growing against Republican leadership and policies, from Donald Trump to Governor Greg Abbott and on down the line: https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/june-2025-university-of-texas-texas-politics-project-poll-economic-concerns-drag-trump-s-job-approval-underwater-in-texas-while-most-texans-oppose-ban-on-thc-products-dividing-gop-leadership
...Also deep bipartisan disapproval for Dan's Ban of THC products, vetoed by Abbott and now central to an upcoming special session: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/25/texas-poll-voters-oppose-thc-ban-sb-3/
The special session will likely cover more than Dan's Ban - a massive water-pumping project in East Texas has led to calls to reform state laws that allow almost unlimited private water access: https://www.kltv.com/2025/06/26/east-texas-lawmaker-might-ask-gov-abbott-add-water-rights-special-session/
...So far, not much has been said about tackling redistricting in the special session - this one, anyway - which is good, because it's a terrible idea: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2025/06/26/texas-shouldnt-use-special-session-to-redraw-electoral-maps/
Trump's "big beautiful bill", if passed as written, would be the end of at least 15 rural hospitals across Texas: https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_on_rural_hospitals.pdf
The Texas oil industry has thus far ignored Trump's calls to expand pumping to offset his misadventures in Iran - unlike the dictatorships Trump admires, American oil producers are more beholden to their investors than to the Dear Leader: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/article/trump-oil-production-texas-20391839.php
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.

Special Live Pod: Congressman Adam Kinzinger And The "Roadmap To Winning" In Dallas
Former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger has become an influential player in Texas politics since moving his family to the Houston area after leaving the U.S. House in 2022. His vocal rejection of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, including his active involvement in Trump's second impeachment, has brought him into natural alliance with progressives across the country. Congressman Kinzinger recently took part in a forum with several recent Democratic winners of North Texas elections, organized by the Dallas County Democratic Party and held at Northaven United Methodist Church on June 17, and this podcast contains his remarks as well as an interview conducted by Congressman Kinzinger's fellow anti-Trump Republican and military veteran Michael Wood, in which the two explore the history and current nature of the MAGA movement, and strategies on how the rest of America should go about resisting it.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how to support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 6/25/25: Is Mamdani NYC Primary Win A Progressive Preview? And More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
The primary win of young Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamadani in the New York City mayoral election is being seen by some as a bellwether for the national Democratic party: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/nyregion/cuomo-mamdani-mayor-primary-nyc.html
...Also representing that wave, Austin Congressman Greg Casar has been sticking to economic messages over cultural issues on his recent tour with Bernie Sanders: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/25/greg-casar-midterms-2026-democrats-economic-populist-message/
...Also with the Democratic new guard is Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, who has once again been denied a leadership position by the Dem establishment, who tend to see her as "overzealous": https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/24/texas-jasmine-crockett-house-oversight-committee-ranking-democrat/?_bhlid=1766cdc79b48c2d325de759b7727d6aa2da63f9e
...Houston Congressman Al Green - not a young lawmaker but definitely a fiery one - has seen his move to impeach Donald Trump for his attack on Iran fail, once again at the hands of Democrats concerned about the middle: https://www.axios.com/2025/06/24/trump-impeachment-iran-democrats-al-green
East Texas rancher and firefighter Bobby Cole has launched a campaign for Governor as a Democrat, promising to support working Texans - and to legalize marijuana: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/bobby-cole-texas-governor-20391255.php
A migrant detention camp in El Paso is straining at the seams, part of a swelling number of people under ICE detention - much to the glee of the private prison industry: https://elpasomatters.org/2025/06/24/ice-detention-facility-el-paso/
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.

Happy Hour 220 - Inside The Texas State Board Of Education
Today marks the beginning of a three day conference of the Texas State Board of Education in Austin. The quarterly meet ups set policies and standards for Texas public schools. That includes curriculum, adopting instructional materials, establishing graduation requirements, and managing the permanent school fund.
As the SBOE is one of our lesser known state elected bodies, we brought you District 3 State Board of Education Member, Marisa Perez-Diaz, the most senior Democrat, who represents San Antonio and South Texas, to give us an insider’s view of the most important matters on the agenda. We’re also joined by friend and ally Rocio Fierro Perez, Political Director with the Texas Freedom Network, who shares context to the ongoing fights safeguarding separations between church and state and vital funds that support our neighborhood schools.
Learn more about Marisa Perez-Diaz at https://sboe.texas.gov/state-board-of-education/sboe-board-members/sboe-member-district-3.
Learn more about Rocio Fierro Perez and Texas Freedom Network at https://tfn.org/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 6/24/25: Not So Cool After All - Abbott Vetoes Funding For Low Income Kids' Meals, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
In the only budget item from the 89th Legislature he vetoed, Governor Abbott has nixed Texas' participation in the federal Summer EBT program, designed to keep lower-income kids fed during summer months: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-gov-greg-abbott-vetoes-summer-lunch-program-for-low-income-kids-37817843
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is fully hysterical over Abbott's ban of Dan's Ban - he's accusing the hemp industry of connections to cartels and terrorists, and claiming that stoned people are walking in front of trains: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/lt-gov-dan-patrick-criticize-texas-gov-greg-abbott-vetoes-bill-banning-thc/
...The Texas hemp industry, having dodged a bullet, are voicing their enthusaism for additional regulation: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/texas-hemp-regulations-age-restriction-enforcement-thc-sb-3/
...All this drama over THC products in Texas could be for nothing, as there's potentially a federal ban in the works: https://themarijuanaherald.com/2025/06/u-s-house-committee-ban-hemp-thc/
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit challenging SB 12, signed over the weekend by Governor Abbott - it represents a further ban of DEI policies and practi ces in Texas school districts: https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/the-aclu-sues-texas-to-block-new-parental-rights-law
Colin Allred, Beto O'Rourke, James Talarico and all other Democrats thinking about running for the U.S. Senate have been beaten to the announcement punch by retired astronaut Terry Virts of Houston: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/us/terry-virts-john-cornyn-senate-texas.html
...While Houston State Senator Joan Huffman joins a growing field of Republicans running for Attorney General: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/joan-huffman-texas-attorney-general-republican-primary-2026/
Correction from Monday: Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders didn't make the Amarillo "Fighting Oligarchy" tour stop in Amarillo, as he was called back to D.C. over Trump's attack on Iran - but Beto O'Rourke and Congressman Greg Casar addressed a big gathering there: https://www.newschannel10.com/2025/06/23/fighting-oligarchy-tour-stops-amarillo-sparks-dialogue-war-wealth-issues/
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.

Daily Dispatch 6/23/25: Texas Dems Oppose Iran Attack, Abbott Vetoes THC Ban, and More
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
The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.
Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.

THANK YOU To Our 15th Anniversary Party Attendees and Donors!
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/.

Happy Hour 219 - Clayton Tucker Announces Run For Agriculture Commissioner!
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/.

In Progress: No Kings, New Movies, and Ted Vs. Tucker
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/.

Daily Dispatch 6/20/25: Will Governor Abbott Destroy The Texas THC Industry This Weekend? And More
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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Daily Dispatch 6/19/25: Happy Juneteenth! Texas Lawmakers Weigh In On Middle East Conflict, and More
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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Daily Dispatch 6/18/25: Elon Musk And Alex Jones Defend Minnesota Murderer, and More
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 Hour 218 - The Fight for Pride: How Community Keeps Us Going
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/.

Daily Dispatch 6/17/25: "Texas Miracle" Is A Disaster For Working Texans And Immigrants, And More
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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Daily Dispatch 6/16/25: Progressives Across Texas And America Celebrate Success Of No Kings Weekend, and More
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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Happy Hour 217 - Recapping The 89th Lege With Austin State Senator Sarah Eckhardt
We enjoyed a visit with one of our favorite regulars, Austin State Senator Sarah Eckhardt, to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly (not necessarily in that order) of the recently-concluded 89th Texas Legislature. There was plenty to lament and plenty to commit to repairing later - but there were also tactical wins for Democrats, and some good legislation passed as well.
Learn more about Senator Eckhardt at https://www.saraheckhardt.com/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 6/13/25: Texas Braces For Mass Protests Amid Greg Abbott's Militaristic "Surge", And More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Over 5,000 Texas National Guard troops and 2,000 Texas DPS officers, including special agents and Texas Rangers, have been deployed across the state by Governor Greg Abbott in advance of Saturday's "No Kings" rallies: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/11/greg-abbott-texas-national-guard-immigration-raid-protests/
...Austin Mayor Kirk Watson decries that Governor Abbott would choose to unnecessarily "militarize the streets of the capitol city of the state of Texas": https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/12/abbott-to-surge-dps-troopers-national-guard-soldiers-across-texas/84170911007/
...D/FW will see rallies and protests in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Denton, Arlington, Fort Worth, Flower Mound and more: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2025/06/12/more-than-5000-texas-national-guard-2000-dps-troopers-deployed-ahead-of-protests/
...The Houston area will also see several No Kings events on Saturday, including Conroe, Katy, Sugar Land, League City, Kingwood and more: https://www.khou.com/article/newhttps://www.khou.com/article/news/local/lulac-activist-weekend-protest-gov-abbott-national-guard-dps-rangers-no-kings/285-d7817d8b-96af-4014-a7fb-ce12126e84cfs/local/lulac-activist-weekend-protest-gov-abbott-national-guard-dps-rangers-no-kings/285-d7817d8b-96af-4014-a7fb-ce12126e84cf
...Houston Mayor John Whitmire dismisses a letter from Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt worrying about planned riots, calling it "just not relevant to our city and our society": https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2025/06/11/523752/mayor-whitmire-rebuffs-republican-congressmans-letter-claiming-riots-are-planned-in-houston/
...San Antonio's tendency towards peaceful civic gatherings is emphasized in an op-ed as National Guard troops move in: https://www.expressnews.com/columnist/elaine-ayala/article/ayala-san-antonio-ice-protests-texas-guardsmen-20373889.php
...Why support independent media? CBS News, covering building ICE-related unrest in Texas, includes a soundbite from yesterday's Kristi Noem press conference - but omits the part where California Senator Alex Padilla is assaulted by Noem's security officers: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/growing-protests-against-ice-operations-in-texas-and-other-states/
...On the very same day, the U.S. House voted to claw back $1.1 billion in public media funding, overriding a united Democrated delegation who remain down three votes due to vacancies, including the former seat of Houston's Sylvester Turner: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/12/g-s1-72223/public-media-funding-up-in-the-air-as-house-prepares-to-vote-on-claw-backs
...U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzales of south Texas is one of the 74 Democrats taking heat for voting in favor of a House resolution expressing gratitude for ICE's recent work: https://www.axios.com/2025/06/10/dems-splinter-on-ice-hill-leaders
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Daily Dispatch 6/12/25: As Protests Build, Abbott Greenlights Broader Police Use Of "Less Lethal" Weapons
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Governor Abbott promises a militaristic response to protests in Texas, including those on Saturday coinciding with Donald Trump's military birthday parade: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/abbott-puts-texas-national-guard-dps-troopers-in-place-for-planned-protests-we-are-not-intimidated-no-kings-group-says/
...National Guard troops, deployed to San Antonio by Governor Abbott to confront protestors, ended up playing Uno instead: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/ice-protests-la-trump-deportation-policy-live-updates-rcna211981
...Interesting timing as Governor Abbott signs into law a bill granting broad leeway to law enforcement officers to use "less lethal" weapons like rubber bullets and tear gas, if they "reasonably believe" they are warranted: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/state/texas-news/texas-gov-greg-abbott-signs-bill-law-officers-use-less-lethal-weapons/287-1206098d-3578-4594-9912-2c644efd8a5a
A veto from Governor Abbott on SB 3, the sweeping ban on THC-based products in Texas, appears to remain a possibility: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/greg-abbott-thc-ban-veto-20372298.php
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Daily Dispatch 6/11/25: Governor Abbott Activates National Guard Ahead Of No Kings Protests, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Governor Greg Abbott has activated the National Guard to establish a presence countering the anti-ICE protests that have been happening this week in our major cities, in particular targeting one expected today in San Antonio: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/10/us/la-protests-marines-ice-trump
...The reaction from Trump is more about his birthday than public safety or immigration: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-birthday-military-parade-protest-threat-b2767425.html
...Sending troops against protestors is a sign of the inherent weakness of Trump's position, and will do nothing to slow protests down: https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-los-angeles-protests-no-kings-day-resistance-rcna212080
Calling a special session to redraw Texas' congressional district map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections could be awkward for Governor Abbott, considering there's an ongoing court battle over the LAST time they did this happening in El Paso right now: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas-take/article/trump-white-house-congressional-districts-20370864.php
...There is also apparently considerable hesitation among the Texas congressional delegation about the scheme, amid fear that GOP strength could be over-extended: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/11/texas-congress-midcycle-redistricting-trump-republicans/?_bhlid=4f23c6982f6d92d560aa7198cda0ebfb18f5f87f
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Daily Dispatch 6/10/25: Ahead Of Midterms, Republicans Plot To Redraw Election Maps, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Much like the recent GOP power grab at the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, the Texas Republican congressional delegation has begun discussing plans to redraw Texas' electoral maps to stave off defeat in the 2026 midterms: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/texas-redistricting-congress-house-republicans-midterms/
Civic unrest over ICE tactics and Trump's crackdown on protests continued last night in Dallas: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dallas-immigration-advocates-rally-ongoing-raids/
...And also in Austin, where tear gas canisters were fired: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/austin-protest-immigration-customs-enforcement/
...Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis says that tear gas was deployed by Texas DPS troopers: https://www.statesman.com/picture-gallery/news/2025/06/09/austin-protest-ice-immigration-raids-los-angeles-la-riots-photos/84122861007/
More ICE ambushes of immigrants leaving court hearings yesterday, in Houston: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/houston-immigration-court-arrests-ice-agents-20368949.php
The Collin County Democratic Party is organizing a protest at State Senator Angela Paxton's office later this month: https://www.mobilize.us/collindemocrats/event/798800/
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Daily Dispatch 6/9/25: Trump's L.A. Crackdown Will Inspire Greater Resistance At Saturday's No Kings Rallies, and More
The Trump regime cracks down on anti-ICE protestors in Los Angeles: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj93d3r0zz0o
...California Governor Gavin Newsome: "This is about authoritarian tendencies. This about command and control. This is about power": https://t.co/uuAiHzYiIo
(https://x.com/Acyn/status/1931914095382683742?t=0lQ3pMrV8fm2BgTsRdCUfw&s=03
...Houston Congressman Al Green: https://x.com/RepAlGreen/status/1931854998792483178?t=Hch52bcXItXUxhnB663h5Q&s=03
...Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett: https://x.com/RepJasmine/status/1931765398464278764?t=uecU2-aFLGLqskq7CdNCuw&s=03
...San Antonio Congresman Joaquin Castro: https://x.com/JoaquinCastrotx/status/1931850211707818119?t=pgmCz58LyIIHwUNnm5TSjw&s=03
...Robert Reich writes that "we are witnessing the first stages of a Trump police state": https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/09/trump-police-state-robert-reich
...While Texas normally resists federal control, the current state government is in close lockstep with Trump: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/texas-doj-undocumented-tuition-courts-friendly-lawsuit-paxton/?_bhlid=903e7fc1680827506b8a6fbc8da6f56a70ef7d2f
...As Governor Abbott prepares to sign a law that will force all Texas sheriff's departments to enter collaborative agreements with ICE: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/gov-abbott-to-sign-bill-into-law-requiring-county-jails-to-work-with-ice/
...More on those agreements with Francesca D'Annunzio of the Texas Observer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-hour-212-a-giant-ice-army-how-local-police-in/id1552998795?i=1000705993353
...All of this leads into Saturday's No Kings Day rallies and protests, dozens of which dot the entire range of Texas: https://www.nokings.org/
Runoff elections across Texas this weekend confirm a progressive resurgence, including Gina Ortiz Jones' win for San Antonio mayor: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/07/san-antonio-mayor-gina-ortiz-jones/
...Other wins confirm that Republicans in Texas "don't own the cities anymore": https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/texas-runoff-results-prove-the-tide?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1220969&post_id=165491676&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=33j12m&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
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In Progress: Big Bull In Cowtown As MAGA Rewrites The Rules, and More
We're joined on our weekly airing of the grievances by Progress Texas board member Jason Smith, who's also a Fort Worth civil rights attorney who has had a front row seat to the blatant, racist power grab being executed by the Republican-dominated Tarrant County Commissioners Court, via which a premature redistricting effort is on the verge of successfully drawing one of the two Democrats on that court out of the picture - a game plan to which Republicans nationwide, as they watch their popularity among the electorate fade, are lately more commonly resorting. Fort Worth and Tarrant County are considered political belweathers for the rest of Texas, and this situation is no different.
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Daily Dispatch 6/6/25: Musk/Trump Spat Shows Why Billionaires And Politics Don't Mix, And More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
The very public breakup of Donald Trump and Elon Musk is a great example of the dangers our country faces when big decisions are made by impulsive, egotistical billionaires: https://www.wsj.com/politics/elon-musk-trump-fight-gop-bill-c2e0be66?mod=WSJ_home_mediumtopper_pos_1
State Rep. Jolanda Jones has announced a run for the U.S. House seat representing Houston's 18th Congressional District: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/05/jolanda-jones-sylvester-turner-congress-texas-legislature/
In spite of billions spend in a militarized effort to repel and round up undocumented migrants, Texas will once again pass on requiring businesses to verify the citizenship of their new hires: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/05/texas-e-verify-requirements-immigration/
...A migrant woman charged with a Trump-trumped-up charge of trespassing on a military zone has been acquitted of that charge, in its first courtroom trial: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/05/texas-el-paso-trial-immigration-military-zone/
We're continuing to follow the Tarrant County redistricting story, including a deep dive later today on our In Progress podcast: https://progresstexas.org/blog/racist-republicans-can%E2%80%99t-win-without-changing-rules
We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary! 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.

Special Live Pod: Kerrville Town Hall with Kendall Scudder!
We were invited to join newly-elected Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder earlier this week in beautiful Kerrville for a town hall with the Kerr County Democrats - it was a well-attended, productive and enjoyable meeting, in which we all learned about the common needs and goals of rural and urban progressive folks across the Lone Star State, and how those two worlds can come together in advantageous ways as we lead up to the 2025 and 2026 elections.
Learn more about the Kerr County Democratic Party at https://kerrcountydemocrats.org/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 6/5/25: Texas School Funding Is Too Little, Too Late - And More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Governor Abbott signs HB2, the public school funding bill, into law - but it falls well short of really getting our schools square with their expenses: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/04/texas-public-education-schools-funding-bill-explained/
...Insufficient funding is part of the broader GOP game plan lately, as the Trump adminstration slashes all kinds of federal funding for Texas: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2025-06-06/the-texas-legislative-session-is-over-heres-the-elephant-in-the-room/
As Pride Month begins, so begins the unpacking of an unprecedented amount of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation from the 89th session: https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-lege-2025-anti-lgbtq-bills-passed/
...The mayor of Taylor has angered his constituents by withholding a proclamation of Pride Month, upsetting an established tradition: https://www.chron.com/news/article/taylor-texas-pride-month-20358869.php
...And D/FW wonders, why haven't the Texas Rangers gotten with the program as all 29 other MLB teams have, and set a home game in June for Pride Night? https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/mlb/2025/06/04/texas-rangers-pride-night-2025-mlb-pride-month/84009747007/
As expected, the first lawsuit against the new, heavily-gerrymandered district map adopted by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court earlier this week has arrived: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article307903175.html
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.

Daily Dispatch 6/4/25: More Texas Police Abusing License Plate Tracking System, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
On the heels of the Johnson County Sheriff's Department's abuse of ALPR license plate tracking systems to follow a Texas woman who had self-managed an abortion, the Austin Police Department has also been taking liberties with the new technology: https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2025-06-03/emails-reveal-improper-use-by-apd-of-license-plate-reader-program/
Two months after ICE arrested almost 50 people at a Hays County rental house on suspicion of Venezuelan gang affiliation, none have been formally charged, while their identities and whereabouts remain secret - they've effectively been disappeared: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/04/texas-immigration-raid-hays-county-austin-venezuelan-gang/
...Meanwhile the effects of both Donald Trump's immigration policies and his reckless slinging about of tariffs are impacting the restaurant and hospitality sectors in Texas, among others: https://www.keranews.org/business-economy/2025-06-04/tariffs-immigration-policy-texas-restaurants
The Tarrant County Commissioners Court voted on party lines yesterday to make one of its voting precints - the only represented by a Black commissioner - more Republican-friendly, as MAGA State Rep Tony Tinderholt announces a run for that seat: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/06/03/tarrant-county-commissioners-vote-3-2-to-redistrict-adopting-more-republican-friendly-map/
..."This wasn’t a coincidence. It was a coordinated political hit job, plain and simple": https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/the-conservation-of-white-supremacy
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.

Daily Dispatch 6/3/25: The 89th Legislature Was A Right Wing Playground, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
The end of the 89th Texas Legislature represents the beginning of the analysis of the damage done. From the Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/texas-legislature-ends-session-republican-agenda/?_bhlid=f3bc5066045403914b35bcc5884d32ca437e86bf
...From WFAA in Dallas: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/look-at-bills-abbott-will-consider-signing-as-89th-texas-legislative-session-ends/287-e1651721-06f3-40df-b388-1b978d7785fb
...From Axios Texas: https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/06/02/texas-legislature-vouchers-thc-ban-school-finance
...Rep. Gene Wu's appearance on CBS Texas: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/video/democratic-texas-lawmaker-criticizes-bills-passed-as-legislative-session-ends-democrats-are-enraged/
Texas' status as a renewable energy leader is safe for now as three bills that sought to undercut that industry failed to survive the session: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/politics/the-quiet-demise-of-texas-anti-renewables-legislation
We will have 17 constitutional amendments to vote on this November: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_2025_ballot_measures
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.

Daily Dispatch 6/2/25: As Sine Die Arrives, Progressives Start To Survey The Damage, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
An impressive takedown of Texas GOP Senators goes viral: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/texan-goes-viral-for-calling-out-legislators-over-anti-trans-bill_n_68388fa8e4b06ff5140d4a4b
As Sine Die arrives - along with the beginning of Pride Month - Texas Republicans have sent Senate Bill 12, a bill outlawing LGBTQ+ clubs in Texas schools, to the Governor: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/31/texas-house-tempers-flare-gay-club-ban/
...Fort Worth Rep. Nicole Collier wonders if they'll come for Black and Latino groups next: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article307626896.html
A great many bills die with the end of Sine Die, including a bunch that progressives are glad to see go away, for now: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/texas-legislature-bills-killed-20349702.php
The Trump administration announced the cancellation of over $1 billion in federal clean energy initiatives in Texas on Friday: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2025/05/30/522760/federal-government-cancels-over-1-billion-in-texas-clean-energy-projects/
Worries build about the use of license plate reading technology to track and harrass people leaving Texas to acquire abortion care: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/31/a-dystopian-surveillance-fear-has-become-reality-in-texas
Worry is also building that CEO's at financial and tech companies have not been forthcoming about the decimation of entry-level jobs by AI - and politicians have been sleepwalking into this disaster as well: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/ai-jobs-white-collar-unemployment-anthropic
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.

Happy Hour 216 - Rise, Rural Progressives! Meet The 134 PAC
The 134 PAC, an organized group of progressives and Democrats from the vast expanse of rural, Republican-dominated Texas, has a plan to convert those folks into the unified, activated voting bloc that they should be through unity with their urban compatriots and mobilization of a proper, statewide resistance to MAGA rule in Texas.
Both Progress Texas Podcasting Director Chris Mosser and Advocacy Manager Reagan Stone will be participating in the 134 PAC's upcoming Rural Texas Summit in Bastrop, where a terrific lineup of speakers and panels will address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in our continued push to turn Texas blue. We're joined for a preview by Carla Schoonover Porter and Steve Bridges of the organization, and our good friend Nancy Thompson of Mothers Against Greg Abbott, who will participate on Saturday.
Learn more about 134 PAC and their upcoming event at https://www.the134pac.org/.
Learn more about Mothers Against Greg Abbott at https://mothersagainstgregabbott.com/.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

In Progress: Dan's Ban, Dead Bills, Musk Dips, and Sine Die
The weekly kvetching session comes as the last days of the 89th session play out like a slow-motion train wreck. Dan Patrick makes massive ass at a truly bizarre (and entirely unnecessary) press conference, Elon Musk bows out in disgrace in D.C., and Texas Republicans make sure wild-eyed whackjobs can keep their guns.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 5/30/25: Federal Data Shows Trump Regime Lied About Venezuelan Deportees, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
A Texas Tribune/Propublica investigation reveals that the Trump administration lied repeatedly about the criminal backgrounds of the 238 Venezuelan migrants they sent to a prison in El Salvador from Texas last March: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/30/trump-el-salvador-deportees-criminal-convictions-cecot-venezuela/
...While pictures of children in zip-tie handcuffs emerge from a San Antonio immigration court: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/migrant-kids-zip-tied-20351707.php
A North Texas sheriff has been caught using a national license plate database to try to track the location of a Texas woman who had self-managed an abortion: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/texas-abortion-license-plate-camera-b2760411.html
As Elon Musk does all he can to rehab his ruinous public image, the new city administrator of Starbase in South Texas is warning property owners that they may soon no longer control what they do with their property: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/musk-s-spacex-town-in-texas-warns-residents-they-may-lose-right-to-continue-using-their-property/ar-AA1FJsdy
International attention for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, which concludes that Dan's Ban on THC while Patrick accepts thousands from alcohol lobbyists officially makes him a "hypocrite": https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/hypocritical-texas-leader-lauds-thc-35309266
The Founding Fathers were fascinated by the emerging technology of vaccines - and would likely be confused as Texas supports anti-vax views while also fighting a measles outbreak: https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a64919440/texas-measles-oklahoma-schools-montana-lab/
The ACLU and other orgs advocating for the separation of church and state have announced plans for a lawsuit they'll drop when Governor Abbott signs the new "Ten Commandments" bill into law: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/civil-rights-groups-to-sue-texas-over-ten-commandments-bill/
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.

Happy Hour 215 - Progressive Wave Continues Into Runoff Elections
A pattern emerged this May Election season for D/FW, Houston, Austin, and more: voters turned out for progressive candidates and issues, to stomp out bigotry and book bans. For this episode, we’re featuring several candidates from across the state who want to ride that wave through the Runoff Elections, with early voting from May 27 to June 3, and Election Day on June 7: we're joined for this talk by San Antonio City Council Member Dr. Sukh Kaur, runoff candidates Ric Galvan and Kelly Ann Gonzalez, and Rowlett City Council candidate John P. Bowers. Don’t forget to show up for these high-impact, but low-turnout elections!
Learn more about the incumbent candidate for San Antonio City Council—District 1, Dr. Sukh Kaur: https://www.vote4sukh.com/
Learn more about one of two progressive candidates for San Antonio City Council—District 6, Ric Galvan: https://www.votericford6.com/
...and the other, Kelly Ann Gonzalez: https://www.votekellyann.com/
Learn more about candidate for Rowlett City Council—Place 6, John P. Bowers: https://bowersforrowlett.com/
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 5/29/25: Abbott Politicizes The Tragic Death Of A Texas Teen, And More
Governor Abbott weighs in on a tragic accidental death at Grapevine Lake, calling for the death penalty against the Venezuelan national alleged to have caused it: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/ava-moore-daikerlyn-alejandra-gonzalez-grapevine-20349012.php
Elon Musk is apparently out of the Trump cadre, after critizicing the "big beautiful bill" and its certain massive bloating of the national debt: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/elon-musk-leaving-trump-administration-white-house-official-confirms-2025-05-29/
...Which, by the way, represents a very direct $1.1 trillion transfer from the poorest Americans to the richest Americans: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-catherine-rampell.html
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's press conference on THC products - in which he claimed they cause insanity, lied about their THC content, and then tossed them into the crowd - was a complete clown show: https://www.austinchronicle.com/columns/2025-05-30/thc-ban-imminent-as-texas-house-approves-prohibition-amendment/
...Much more sane, but still quite stingy, are the proposed expansions to the Texas Compassionate Use Program: https://themarijuanaherald.com/2025/05/texas-governor-to-sign-major-medical-marijuana-expansion-bill-into-law/
Legislation to undercut renewable energy expansion appears to be dead in the water: https://electrek.co/2025/05/28/texas-just-shot-its-wind-solar-boom-in-the-foot-on-purpose/
...While a bill allowing expedited approval for home solar gear is headed for the Governor: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/05/28/texas-legislature-passes-bill-to-expedite-solar-energy-storage-permitting/
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.

Daily Dispatch 5/28/25: Texas Dems In D.C. Ready To Take On Trump, And More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Dallas U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett promises a counter to Donald Trump should Democrats retake the House in 2026: https://www.latintimes.com/rep-jasmine-crockett-says-dems-will-investigate-trump-if-they-reclaim-house-midterms-well-do-583793
...Meanwhile, Austin U.S. Congressman Greg Casar is talking about an investigation into connection between Trump's international tariff negotiations and Elon Musk's companies: https://bsky.app/profile/calltoactivism.bsky.social/post/3lpshelshks2m
Two new laws expanding the investigatory powers of the Texas Attorney General may give Ken Paxton an opportunity to disrupt elections and target nonprofits assisting migrants in the year leading up to his primary challenge to John Cornyn: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5320455-texas-attorney-general-electoral-powers/
A new law that would restrict political protests on Texas college campuses curiously follows 2019 legislation Republicans insisted upon to allow conservative political events in every corner of those same campuses: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/texas-universities-protests-free-speech/
Another new law would forbid "red flag laws" in Texas, preventing law enforcement from taking guns away from people who have made threats against others or are otherwise a danger to themselves or others: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/texas-anti-red-flag-law-senate-bill-1362/
Another new law would give insurance companies and lawsuit defendants new opportunities to avoid compensating people injured due to negligence: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/injury-medical-lawsuits-texas-senate-bill-30/285-80288d6f-d5ce-45c3-80e3-0f3f1509894b
Another new law seeks to define men and women by their reproductive organs - it's really just another step in the continued marginalization of trans people in Texas: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/28/texas-trans-biological-sex-state-documents-bill/
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.

Daily Dispatch 5/27/25 - Texas GOP Breaks Sabbath To Force 10 Commandments Into Classrooms, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
Austin Rep. James Talarico scored the viral moment of the holiday weekend at the Lege, with a gotcha on Republican Rep. Candy Noble regarding her violation of the Sabbath in order to force the Ten Commandments into Texas classrooms: https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/26/ten-commandments-bill-texas-tiktok/
Hemp industry advocates are pleading with Governor Abbott to veto the THC ban bill, which will undercut an $8 billion business in one fell swoop: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-thc-hemp-ban-abbott-dan-patrick/
...Medical cannabis advocates are also up in arms as the scope of our already-stingy Texas Compassionate Use Program or TCUP is further narrowed by Republicans: https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/thc-ban-medical-marijuana-20344051.php
Governor Abbott is also poised to sign a new law that, in the midst of a measles outbreak, will make it easier for Texas parents to opt their kids out of vaccinations: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-vaccine-form-download/
In a session relatively quiet on guns, Texas Republicans have identified city and county gun buyback programs as something they can't tolerate: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/26/texas-gun-buyback-program-ban/
Apple CEO Tim Cook is imploring Governor Abbott to veto HB 186, the ban on minors from using social media, citing privacy concerns for all of us: https://digitalmarketreports.com/news/39676/apple-ceo-urged-texas-governor-to-drop-online-child-safety-bill/
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.

Happy Hour 214: Your Right To Vote In 2026 Is Under Threat Now
Advocacy Manager Reagan Stone reviews two bills that threaten your voting rights: the Texas version of the SAVE Act and the “Use it or lose it” bills! Joined by Vote Riders’ Vicente Martinez to discuss SB 16, Texas’ SAVE Act introduces new, incessant barriers to register to vote—requiring proof of citizenship to register. And from the National Coalition for Voting Rights, Robin Lederer and Dr. Andrea Barreiro discuss the “Use it or lose it bills,” or SB 396/HB 4253—as well as the soon to be published study on these bills' actions and their correlation to disproportionately disenfranchising marginalized Texans.
Learn more about Vote Riders: https://www.voteriders.org/
Learn more about the National Coalition for Voting Rights: https://www.ncvr.org/
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

In Progress: No Weed For Thee After Dan's Ban, While GOP Shortchanges The Kids...Again
Our weekly decompression session comes in the closing days of the Texas Legislature - when all the bad stuff we've fought against for months tends to happen anyway. Looked for a minute there like we might make a sensible move on cannabis - but noooo. And Sam has an idea that might make us all feel better about Republicans refusing once again to give Texas public schools and teachers what they need to get their jobs done.
Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Daily Dispatch 5/23/25: School Funding - And School Prayer - Both Pass At The Capitol, and More
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:
As the line against the Trump agenda falls in the U.S. House, do Democrats have an age problem? https://newrepublic.com/post/195617/republicans-pass-tax-bill-democrat-deaths
...Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder issues a statement on the Trump tax bill: https://www.texasdemocrats.org/media/breaking-house-republicans-pass-trumps-billionaire-benefitting-bill-that-screws-the-working-class
HB 2, after a compromise between the Senate's stingy $55 increase in the basic allotment and an additional $500 million in funding to appease the House, tentatively passed the Senate yesterday: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/05/23/texas-senate-tentatively-approves-sweeping-school-finance-teacher-pay-bill/
...This overdue increase in funding is welcome, but not all Democratic lawmakers are impressed, including House Minority Leader Gene Wu: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-house-senate-public-school-finance-deal/
...Nor is everyone impressed with the now-successful GOP effort to pass prayer periods in Texas public schools, which was helped to the finish line by several Democrats: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/22/texas-school-prayer-period-house-approval/
Dan's Ban - the determined effort towards a blanket ban on THC products in Texas by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick - spells disaster for a great many Texas hemp businesses: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/22/texas-hemp-products-00366346
...There's still hope for an expansion of Texas' Compassionate Use Program, or TCUP, in HB 46: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/12/texas-marijunia-medical-chronic-pain-crohns-cancer-glaucoma-ptsd/
The much-discussed "anti-squatting" bill, SB 38 - which in effect would allow Texas landlords to evict tenants with little due process in many cases - is set to be heard on the House floor today: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/2025/squatting-bill-evictions/
This Memorial Day weekend, let's all refocus on celebrating the Americans who gave their lives in the battle against fascism and authoritarianism - and recommit ourselves to stopping them today: https://www.dispatch.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2025/05/22/trump-bone-spurs-military-service-heroes-memorial-day/83743104007/
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.