We recap the wild week in Texas politics. Grab a coldie and hang! Learn more about us at ProgressTexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The initial draft version of the Texas Democratic Party platform - to be debated and modified during this week's convention in Corpus Christi - covers a broad variety of topic areas, providing a launchpad for what promises to be a spirited session. The final version, as of the conclusion of the session, should be posted here: https://www.texasdemocrats.org/platformA harrowing story from Round Rock shows that Texas women facing problematic pregnancies are still subject to severe health risks due to the reluctance of doctors to treat them under our state's abortion laws: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/22/texas-miscarriage-abortion-ban-hospital-complaint/No surprise here - FEC filings show that, as suspected, money flowing through "Lead Left PAC" into the campaign of flawed Democratic candidate Maureen Galindo - and others like her across the country - originated with a conservative financial source: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/21/fec-republican-meddling-democratic-primaries-00969281Progress Texas is the official media partner of the 2026 Texas Democraic Convention in Corpus Christi: https://www.texasdemocraticconvention.com...And, we're co-hosting a warmup happy hour on Thursday June 25 at The Goldfish with the Texas Progressive Caucus: https://www.texasprogressivecaucus.org/2026_convention_happy_hourProgress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
All of us at Progress Texas are packing gear for this week's Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi, which is promising to be a terrific time amidst a highly encouraging year for progressive folks across Texas! And we're proud to welcome back Chair Kendall Scudder for a quick preview of what to expect. Progress Texas is the official media partner of the convention this year - stay tuned for loads of updates on the proceedings.Learn more about the 2026 Texas Democratic Convention at https://www.texasdemocraticconvention.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:Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico is calling on Attorney General and Republican nominee Ken Paxton to release the files regarding the light sentence delivered to admitted child molestor Adam Hoffman: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/18/texas-senate-james-talarico-ken-paxton-sex-abuse-plea-deal/...Hoffman's attorney also represents Nate Paul, a central figure in Ken Paxton's prior scandals and imbeachment: https://www.kwtx.com/2026/06/18/release-hoffman-files-james-talarico-calls-paxton-release-details-adam-hoffman-plea-deal/...Our plugged-in audience knows most of this, but here's a fresh review of Ken Paxton's long history of controversies: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/22/texas-ken-paxton-james-talarico-senate-election-scandals/The Texas State Board of Education faces two votes this week that will elevate Christian doctrine and scale back diverse voices in school curriculum: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/22/texas-ken-paxton-james-talarico-senate-election-scandals/...A Houston rabbi says the way the religious material is arranged presents a terrible conflation of context which implies to young readers that the Holocaust was a punishment by God of Jewish people: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/texas-schools-bible-curriculum-22311891.phpA unanimous Texas Supreme Court decision wipes away a years-long effort by local environmental groups in South Texas to preserve constitutional access to Boca Chica beach, in favor of allowing SpaceX to shut it down for launches: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/20/texas-spacex-musk-beach-environmentalistsProgress Texas is the official media partner of the 2026 Texas Democraic Convention in Corpus Christi: https://www.texasdemocraticconvention.com...And, we're co-hosting a warmup happy hour on Thursday June 25 at The Goldfish with the Texas Progressive Caucus: https://www.texasprogressivecaucus.org/2026_convention_happy_hourProgress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
We enjoyed a live recording session this last Saturday at La Palapa Mexican restaurant in Austin with our friends and supporters the Northeast Travis County Democrats (or NETCo!) for a deep dive on how environmental issues will interface with the upcoming election - in particular, how the impacts of AI data centers threaten our water, farmland, energy and more - and we also introduce to much of the state a potential data center near the Dog's Head stretch of the Colorado River in East Austin. At Progress Texas, we encourage YOU to find and join the local club that serves your neighborhood or the issue area you are most concerned about.Learn more about the NETCo Dems at https://www.netcodems.com/.Learn more about the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club at https://www.sierraclub.org/texas.Learn more about Public Citizen at https://www.citizen.org/tags/texas/.Learn more about SolarAustin at https://solaraustin.org/.Learn more about the Save Our Springs Alliance at https://www.sosalliance.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
The Texas Republican Convention in Houston last weekend set brand new standards for regressive, stupid, bigoted and just straight up bad policy ideas. The bar has been set low for the Democrats, who convene next weekend in Corpus Christi - though in all the ways that matter, it's all on the line this year for the Dems. We unpack the GOP event and look forward to the Democratic event - of which Progress Texas is proudly the official media partner!Learn more about the Texas Democratic Convention at https://www.texasdemocraticconvention.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:Here's hoping you have a chance to recharge for the resistance tomorrow, on Juneteenth - it's important for all of us to understand the history behind the holiday: https://www.history.com/articles/juneteenth-emancipation-proclamation-texasLocal officials in Presidio have sued the Trump adminstration over border construction plans they say will compromise essential flood control infrastructure in their community: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/17/texas-border-wall-presidio-county-lawsuit-big-bend/Senator Ted Cruz is on the guest list of a secret society co-founded by Peter Thiel focusing on "Navigating WWIII", "Battlefield Technologies", and "How's Your Sex Life" - while also providing an elite matchmaking service: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/new-report-outs-ted-cruz-as-member-of-peter-thiel-led-secret-society/Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke at UT Austin recently on his book calling for Republicans to resist Trumpian populism - but couldn't bring himself to recommending against voting for Ken Paxton: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/pence-says-gop-needs-to-rediscover-its-conscience/Progress Texas is the official media partner of the 2026 Texas Democraic Convention in Corpus Christi: https://www.texasdemocraticconvention.com...And, we're co-hosting a warmup happy hour on Thursday June 25 at The Goldfish with the Texas Progressive Caucus: https://www.texasprogressivecaucus.org/2026_convention_happy_hourWe're hosting a live podcast taping on the environmental issues facing Texas this election year with the Northeast Travis County Democrats on Saturday June 20 at 12 noon at La Palapa in northeast Austin: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1RgQFygbpY/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
It's Pride Month, and here at Progress Texas we remember that pride is not just a parade, it's a movement: and it takes resources! Joined by the leading statewide LGBTQ+ community foundation, the Texas Pride Community Foundation's Chief Community Impact Officer, Robert Salcido Jr., discusses the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ community centers and grassroots organizations amid unrelenting attacks on queer Texans. We talked about exciting projects boosting community support, HIV/AIDS healthcare access and stigmatization, plus a breakdown on Texas policy and homophobic, transphobic culture wars.Learn more about the Texas Pride Community Foundation at https://texaspridecf.org/what-we-do/.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:At a moment of dire environmental and cost of living threats against everyday Texans, Ken Paxton has challenged James Talarico to a BBQ eating contest: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/06/17/paxton-talarico-senate-campaign-texas-barbecue/90568148007/Data centers make strange bedfellows as outgoing Republican Ag Commissioner Sid Miller plays nice with Democratic Ag Commissioner nominee Clayton Tucker: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/data-center-midterms-sid-miller-22291600.phpGovernor Abbott pipes up in support of a group of gay-hating San Francisco Giants players, bragging that the Texas Rangers don't do Pride Night: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/greg-abbott-san-francisco-giants-pride-22308180.phpProgress Texas is the official media partner of the 2026 Texas Democraic Convention in Corpus Christi, and we're co-hosting a warmup happy hour on Thursday June 25 at The Goldfish: https://www.texasprogressivecaucus.org/2026_convention_happy_hourWe're hosting a live podcast taping on the environmental issues facing Texas this election year with the Northeast Travis County Democrats on Saturday June 20 at 12 noon at La Palapa in northeast Austin: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1RgQFygbpY/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The Lieutenant Governor is by most measures the most powerful office in Texas' state government structure. With full control over the agenda of the state Senate, nothing gets through our legislative process without the Lt. Governor's approval - so, placing a Democrat in that position would signal a fundamental change in the Legislature's ongoing and intolerable reality.Austin State Rep. Vikki Goodwin has been running for this critical office for the better part of a year - and Progress Texas has proudly endorsed her as a highly experienced and dedicated pro who would be perfect to help turn things around in Texas. The James Talarico race is important of course, and getting a lot of attention - but Rep. Goodwin's race (and that of State Rep. Gina Hinojosa for Governor) are of even more dire and direct impact in Austin, and are thus worth the attention of Texas voters looking for change.Learn more about Rep. Goodwin's campaign at https://www.vikkigoodwin.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:During last weekend's Texas Republican Convention, party leaders made it clear: Muslims are not welcome in their caucus, and as far as they're concerned, Muslims aren't welcome in Texas: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/15/texas-republican-party-convention-muslims-sharia-law/...We talked to the Reverend Mara Richards Bim of Dallas about the aggressive nature of Christian elements within Republican politics these days: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-hour-290-understanding-christian-nationalism/id1552998795?i=1000772854312The continued MAGAfication of UT Austin continues with the firing of Debbit Hiott, general manager of KUT radio, who had recently tangled with UT brass over their interference with a radio station festival: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/15/debbie-hiott-kut-fired-ut-austin-festival/Right wing erosion of our K-12 schools continues too: the Texas State Board of Education is about to vote on a new statewide reading index for third graders that includes Bible stories like Jonah And The Whale: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/state-board-to-consider-more-christianity-in-classrooms/...We need more local school board reform like Cy-Fair ISD has enjoyed lately: https://progresstexas.org/podcast/special-live-pod-new-cy-fair-isd-board-members-life-after-magaWe're excited to see you in Dallas TONIGHT for our 16th anniversary celebration ! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
At a moment when the Texas Republican Party is directly writing the destruction of the separation of church and state into their party platform, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is announcing that Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico is "going to hell" because of his progressive Christian leanings, the current political conflict in Texas could rightly be defined as the Christian Nationalists against...well, against the rest of us.Joining us to discuss this intensifying divide and to examine point by point how to counter your MAGA uncle's critiques of James Talarico's spiritual positions is the Reverand Mara Richards Bim, Justice & Advocacy Fellow at Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas. Learn more about Rev. Bim at https://www.mararichardsbim.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:Attempts to inspire unity at the Texas Republican Convention appear insufficient to mask the division among the GOP faithful, as the hardest of hardline elements take full control: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/14/texas-gop-convention-houston-2026/...Lt. Governor Dan Patrick told the crowd that James Talarico is "going to hell": https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/12/dan-patrick-james-talarico-go-to-hell-texas-senate-gop-convention/...Page the Elephant sure wasn't havin' it: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/elephant-gop-convention-houston-22303184.phpMeanwhile in San Antonio, speakers at a women's Turning Point USA event advocated for women to willingly give up their right to vote: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/at-turning-point-usa-conference-women-offer-away-their-right-to-vote/Rejecting a candidate espousing Islamophobia, Frisco voters have selected a more moderate mayor who had urged a lowering of the temperature: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/13/us/frisco-texas-mayor-election-mark-hill.htmlA judge in Massachusetts has rejected Ken Paxton's lawsuit against ActBlue, seeing it as political retaliation and a likely First Amendment violation: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5920896-texas-ken-paxton-actblue-fundraising-lawsuit-halted/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Between the Texas data center boom - and Corpus Christi on track to become the first modern city to run completely dry - access to fresh water is a top ticket item for Texans this election year, and also going into the next Legislative session in 2027. Dr. Evgenia Spears, Water Program Coordinator for the Lone Star Sierra Club, joins us for a deep dive on the real state of our state's water supply - and in particular, how seawater desalination fits in as a possible solution. Turns out, even as desal is frequently framed as a panacea, it comes with tremendous costs, significant risks, and ethical dilemmas, especially surrounding access: is all of this about water for people, or is it for industry? It's hard to imagine a more important or existential conversation.Learn more about Dr. Spears and her colleagues at the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter at https://www.sierraclub.org/texas.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
We've enjoyed getting to know veteran, intelligence expert and proud family man Kevin Burge this election season - he was one of the SIX Progress Texas runoff endorsees to secure his Democratic nomination - and in Kevin's case, by a whopping and record-setting 78%. Kevin Burge is now running hard in TX-24 (much of the northern section of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex) to replace MAGA darling and zero-results Republican Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne.Learn more about Kevin and his career from our talk with him back in April at https://progresstexas.org/podcast/happy-hour-257-dfw-congressional-candidate-and-pt-endorsee-kevin-burge.Learn more about and support Kevin's campaign for Congress at https://www.burgeforcongress.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:As the Texas Republican Convention continues in Houston, the party's traditionalist wing is showing signs of resistance against the MAGA takeover of the GOP, including former Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/06/11/former-gop-official-says-he-won-t-vote-for-paxton-in-ad...And Senator John Cornyn: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/us/john-cornyn-interview-trump.html...And longtime GOP operative and attorney George Hittner: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/1978-governor-primary-paxton-hill-briscoe-hittner-22299741.phpRyan Seiders, one of the co-founders of YETI, is a co-owner of a huge ranch in the Big Bend that has been cooperating with federal efforts to build border walls in that sensitive region of Texas: https://www.marfapublicradio.org/news/2026-06-11/yeti-co-founder-among-owners-of-west-texas-ranch-facilitating-border-wall-constructionWe're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
When we talk about the basic American right of a trial by a "jury of our peers" - what exactly does that mean? And, do we believe that Karmelo Anthony received such a trial - one he was due by Constitutional right? We discuss.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:Leaving out Black jurors undermined the "perceived fairness" of the Karmelo Anthony trial: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/karmelo-anthony-trial-black-jurors-22296375.php...Anthony's attorneys have moved quickly to appeal - basing their case on "peremptory strikes" of three Black jurors by the state: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-06-10/karmelo-anthony-appeals-collin-county-murder-conviction-austin-metcalf-race-criminal-justice-black-frisco-track-meet-stabbing...They will likely base their case on the hich they say violates the SCOTUS case Batson v. Kentucky: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/educational-activities/sixth-amendment-activities/batson-v-kentucky-and-jeb-v-alabama/facts-and-case-summary-batson-v-kentuckyThe Texas Republican Party Convention is underway in Houston, where party leaders are preaching party unity - just as they've put up their most radical set of nominees ever after a brutal primary: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/11/texas-gop-convention-2026-houston-abbott-burrows-unity/A proposed ban on border wall construction in the Big Bend region has failed on party lines: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/10/texas-big-bend-national-park-border-wall-ban-house-vote-henry-cuellar/...The Trump administration has also dispensed with a wide range of environmental regulations related to border security in the Big Bend border region: https://www.marfapublicradio.org/news/2026-06-08/trump-administration-will-bypass-environmental-laws-for-border-project-in-big-bend-national-parkWe're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Who knew that so many of the most dire threats facing Texas lately - both the encroachment of big tech corporate data centers looking to suck up all our water AND power, and the New World screwworm fly, looking to wreak havoc on not only livestock farmers, but pet owners too - run straight through the office of the Texas Agriculture Commissioner? Clayton Tucker is the Democratic nominee for that position, and he's got ideas on how to tackle both of those Texas-sized problems, and lots more.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 help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The Karmelo Anthony trial - regardless of the verdict - displays the inequities that are hard-wired into our justice system for the Black community: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/85-years-of-american-justice...The right-wing agitators outside the building during the trial are only the latest example of escalating racial tension in Frisco and Collin County: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/06/09/texas-city-was-already-struggling-with-racial-divisions-then-came-bitter-murder-trial/ A new AI deepfake ad attacking James Talarico is evidence of the desperation the right wing is experiencing, even this early in the final run to November: https://newrepublic.com/post/211578/maga-group-ai-generated-ad-james-talaricoRepublican-dominated rural counties, like Caldwell south of Austin, have been left defenseless against AI data center developers by the very Republicans they have elected to power, who stripped local officials of regulatory control: https://www.texasobserver.org/data-center-boom-rural-gop-local-control/ We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. 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:Not only are they a burden on our water, power, farmland and peace and quiet - massive AI data centers have become the most expensive area of corporate welfare in Texas, and soon across the country: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/08/texas-data-centers-sales-tax-break-billion-dollars/...The Dallas, Austin, Houston and Permian Basin areas have become hotbeds for data center development - but that's just the beginning: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/ercot-grid-data-centers-22286592.php...Early resistance at the county level has thus far been no match for tech company lawyers: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/05/texas-hill-county-moratorium-rescinded-data-centers/Dan Cogdell, for almost a decade a member of Ken Paxton's legal team, has defected and endorsed James Talarico in his run for Senate: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/08/texas-ken-paxton-impeachment-lawyer-dan-cogdell-james-talarico-endorsement-senate/...Cogdell has not only served as Paxton's lawyer, he's been a prolific fundraiser for him: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5914758-paxton-talarico-texas-senate-race/Donald Trump definitely pooped the party for the New York Knicks last night at Madison Square Garden, as the Spurs took Game 3 of the NBA Finals: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/nyregion/knicks-spurs-game-3-trump.htmlAfter years of trashing the politics of the NBA, Donald Trump will attempt to use the stage of Game 3 of the NBA Finals to his own political advantage tonight: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/08/trump-nba-knicks-spurs-finals-madison-square-garden/90403963007/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
One might be forgiven for having assumed that Ken Paxton is the most offensive and least-qualified Republican nominee for statewide office in Texas this cycle, and there's certainly a strong arguement for that position. But, definitely in the running for that title is Bo French, the completely unqualified and even more unhinged nominee for Texas Railroad Commission.Luckily, the Democrats have fielded the direct opposite in the energy sector and oilfield expert - and Houston-area State Representative - Jon Rosenthal, who is by leaps and bounds more qualified for the job, and will be a compelling choice even for Republicans, provided they have even a limited understanding of the importance of the Texas energy industry and the vital role the Texas Railroad Commission plays in its proper management.Learn more about State Rep. Jon Rosenthal at https://jonrosenthaltx.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:There are direct links between Elon Musk's DOGE program-slashing and the beginning new world screwworm outbreak in Texas: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/06/04/screwworm-in-texas-cattle-could-drive-up-beef-prices-after-doge-axed-prevention-efforts/...The Trump USDA is also holding back on an effective early-response technique, further increasing the odds of a wider outbreak in Texas: https://www.claytontuckertx.com/screwworm?utm_campaign=screwworm_3&utm_medium=email&utm_source=chtThe sudden departure of Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson opens the door for significant systemic disruption for the November midterm election: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/08/texas-2026-midterm-new-secretary-of-state-election-officials/...The timing allows Governor Greg Abbott to appoint a new Secretary of State without Senate confirmation - an official who would have the power to wreak partisan havoc this fall: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1656687958876485After years of trashing the politics of the NBA, Donald Trump will attempt to use the stage of Game 3 of the NBA Finals to his own political advantage tonight: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/08/trump-nba-knicks-spurs-finals-madison-square-garden/90403963007/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The runoff for the Democratic nomination for Harris County Judge was difficult to predict - and Progress Texas endorsee Dr. Letitia Plummer defied a lot of predictions in her win! Now a nominee this November to be the top elected official in a county with a bigger population than half of these United States, Dr. Plummer details her vision for the future of Texas' largest and most diverse urban center.Learn more about Dr. Letitia Plummer in her prior podcast appearance: https://progresstexas.org/podcast/happy-hour-279-dr-letitia-plummer-candidate-harris-county-judgeLearn how to support Dr. Plummer's campaign at https://www.drletitiaplummer.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:Dallas' annual Pride parade moves from Fair Park to Downtown Dallas tomorrow - marking a needed elevation of visibility for the LGBTQ+ community at a moment of intense targeting by right-wing elements: https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/dallas-pride-parade-marches-on-for-lgbtq-rights-40681705/As entertaining as it would have been for progressives, it turns out that CBS News is not planning to replace Anderson Cooper with Joe Rogan: https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/cbs-news-denies-joe-rogan-60-minutes-bari-weiss/A new indoctrination center focused on the "Objectivism" philosophy of Ayn Rand, planned for the West Campus neighborhood near UT Austin, is the direct antithesis to the creative collaboration that Austin's culture is built from: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/austin-will-soon-have-a-30-million-ayn-rand-indoctrination-center-near-ut-campus/Unsatisfied with the "Death Star" law that undermines the local governing authority of Texas' large and mostly Democratically-led cities, Republican lawmakers want to give the Texas AG's office the right to fine cities for failing to rewrite their local codes around it: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/04/texas-death-star-bill-update/Dallas and Houston are both looking to suffer an economic flop with the FIFA World Cup - expensive tickets and hotel rooms and a chilling atmosphere for foreign travelers have led to a severe underperformance of bookings: https://www.newsweek.com/world-cup-host-cities-hotels-tickets-struggling-unsold-12003833We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
In a two-part discussion this week, on the first In Progress of Pride 2026, we note how Texas GOP types have targeted our LGBTQ+ friends this election year - from ripping out crosswalks, to suing Big Gay Swim Days, to forcing Texas Children's Hospital into a ridiculous "detransitioning" clinic. And, we note that Scott Pelley - the Texas native and veteran CBS News journalist fired for standing up to his new MAGA bosses - is and shall always be a complete badass. Thank you Scott for your courage and character.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:Having campaigned for more mainstream candidates during the primary, Texas Republican officials from Governor Greg Abbott down the line are now embracing the MAGA fringe nominees they were opposing just days ago: https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2026-06-04/bo-french-texas-railroad-commission-oil-gas-election-republicanERCOT officials have begun streamlining the approval process for new data centers to plug into the state grid, making it easier for the biggest, thirstiest and power-hungriest projects to sail through: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2026/06/02/553505/ercot-votes-to-streamline-process-for-data-centers-looking-to-join-the-power-grid/Frisco is rapidly becoming ground zero for the Islamophobic culture war at the center of Republican election messaging - its mayoral race has become a de-facto referendum on the issue: https://tx3dnews.com/friscos-runoff-is-about-more-than-who-becomes-mayor/...A confrontation developed at Frisco City Hall on Tuesday as armed counter-protestors provoked by a "Rally Against Rednecks" announced on social media assembled: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/article/frisco-protest-flier-draws-counter-protesters-22286166.php...Progress Texas has signed on to an open letter against the Republican amplification of anti-Islamic sentiment in Texas: https://progresstexas.org/blog/open-letter-islamophobiaEnvironment Texas is calling on concerned voters to voice their opposition to the selling off of public lands, currently being considered by the U.S. Senate: https://tinyurl.com/3kpp37xpWe're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. 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 unexpected and sudden resignation of Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson - the top election official in the state, just four months before the midterm - is intensifying doubts about the stability and integrity of those elections in Texas: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/us/texas-top-election-official-resigns.html...Governor Greg Abbott is focusing his election resources not on defending his own weak record, but propping up flawed extremist candidates who prevailed in the primary: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/greg-abbott-james-talarico-midterms-22281013.php...Republican notables are not consistently on board, especially when it comes to Ken Paxton: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/06/02/texas-republicans-split-on-paxtons-us-senate-run/90297060007/...Progressives looking forward to divorce court drama between Paxton and his estranged wife, Senator Angela Paxton, will miss out on that spectacle - their divorce trial has been cancelled: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/ken-angela-paxton-divorce-trial-canceled-22287653.phpCurrent (but outgoing) Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is splitting a bill with Clayton Tucker, the Democratic nominee for that same office, on the dangers of data centers: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/02/sid-miller-clayton-tucker-texas-data-center-forum/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning:That video of Governor Greg Abbott claiming that "the most important thing about barbecue is sauce" is not an AI deepfake - he actually said that on camera at a Washington, D.C. restaurant in 2015: https://progresstexas.org/blog/governor-abbott-declares-most-important-thing-about-texas-barbecue-sauceAs their goofy attacks on James Talarico continue to fall short, the flailing MAGA media are now targeting his church: https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/republicans-attack-james-talarico-church...And they might be disappointed to learn that Talarico's assertion that "God is non-binary" is actually supported by scripture: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/james-talarico-god-nonbinary-bible/Ken Paxton continues weaponizing the Texas AG's office against LGBTQ+ folks for his own political gain - for one example, his lawsuit against Denton's "Big Gay Swim": https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/denton-sued-by-texas-over-upcoming-big-gay-swim-day-at-city-pool/...And for another, the continued undermining of Texas Children's Hospital with a forced "detransition clinic": https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/01/texas-children-hospital-transgender-detransition-clinic/With the takeover of the Republican statewide midterm ticket by hardcore MAGA types, more moderate and traditional Republicans now represent a critical swing demographic: https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-gop-runoff-results-2026/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. 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 family fortune of Republican State Senator and Attorney General nominee Mayes Middleton, who sank $16 million of his own money into his primary campaign against Chip Roy, is found to have originated via African slave labor: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/blood-money-the-slave-fortune-behind...However, one needn't delve into history to see the racism at the root of today's Republican Party: https://thehill.com/opinion/5902141-trump-racist-attacks-black-community/Attacks on James Talarico's "manliness" are an indicator of the desperation being experienced by the GOP at present: https://19thnews.org/2026/05/texas-senate-race-manliness-testosterone/...And are right out of the "incel playbook": https://www.wired.com/story/gop-attacks-on-james-talarico-incel-handbook/...And are hilariously demonstrated by the Travis County Republican Party's panic over "Talarico moles" on their social media: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HijxZhV1z/...And are understandable, considering recent polling showing a three-point advantage for Talarico over Ken Paxton: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/talarico-leads-paxton-by-3-points-in-texas-senate-race-post-runoff-poll/amp/The Dallas progressive advocacy community is mourning the death of longtime politico Sylvia Collins, who was among the three people killed last Thursday in an Oak Cliff apartment building explosion: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/article/oak-cliff-vigil-honors-victims-clyde-apartments-22282715.phpWe're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Texas is projected to become the leading data center hub and market by 2030. Whatever your concerns—whether it's about growing AI demand, the power grid being overburdened, you don't want hundreds of diesel generators in your backyard, you don't want to subsidize the richest companies in the world, or you don't want communities waning water supplies to be wasted—it's top of mind for most Texans. To break down the big tech boom, we are joined in this two-part pod by Public Citizen Clean Energy Advocate DeeDee Belmares, Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Series (TEJAS) Staff Member Cain Trevino, and Austin Chronicle Staff Writer Sammie Seamon.Learn more about Public Citizen at https://www.citizen.org/tags/texas/.Learn more about TEJAS at https://www.tejasbarrios.org/.See Sammie Seamon's article on data centers in the Austin Chronicle at https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/how-data-centers-are-eating-up-rural-texas/.See a map of proposed and current data centers in Texas at https://ft.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=fdb7678fb2e345eb8b0a3a49971240c4General resources on data centers: https://docs.google.com/document/d/143tA8XVh7de9MD2GBiKQ3BcMFqeonlqx7EsoIy_olfQ/edit?tab=t.kiqp4d9nyakbGrab your very own “Fuck social media, marry free press, kill AI” merch here: https://austin-chronicle.mybigcommerce.com/f-ck-marry-kill-shirt/ 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:Following the TEA's rejection of Austin ISD plans to avoid a state takeover, that dreaded result appears imminent: https://austincurrent.org/2026/05/28/austin-isd-1882-partnership-denied/The James Talarico campaign raked in a cool $3 million in just the first day after Ken Paxton secured the Republican nomination for Senate: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/james-talarico-raises-3-million-vs-ken-paxton-22280470.php...Talarico scores a major publication endorsement from the Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/endorsements/article/james-talarico-general-election-endorsement-paxton-22277380.php...The Talarico campaign can be seen as a referendum on religion: the true following of the teachings of Jesus, versus the distortion and weaponization of those teachings: https://www.vox.com/politics/490105/talarico-paxton-texas-christian-religious-senate-election-primary-nationalism-love-presbyterian-baptist...Progress Texas is covering tonight's "The People Vs. Ken Paxton" tour stop in San Antonio - it will continue through Leander and Plano over the next few days: https://www.mobilize.us/talaricofortexas/?show_all_events=true&tag_ids=31975We note the passing of Tim Mahoney, longtime Austin Democratic activist and leader of the Northeast Travis County Democrats: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1295658979423829&id=100069392161525&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=QfyIh80jq591d1PA#We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Many out in punditville are calling the ignominious defeat of old guard Senator John Cornyn by MAGA miscreant Ken Paxton "the death of the Republican Party" - but what does that mean exactly? We take a deep dive on the final 2026 midterm battle lines in Texas, and the possible path forward for Democratic nominee James Talarico - turns out we, too, are Talafreakoes.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:James Talarico's general election campaign for Senate kicked off last night with the first of a series of events: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/politics/ken-paxton-james-talarico-texas-senate-race.html...The Cook Political Report, upon the nomination of Ken Paxton, has shifted the Texas Senate race from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican": https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5896436-texas-senate-race-rating-shift/...Paxton's flaws are numerous and evident as the general phase begins: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/five-ways-paxtons-big-win-texas-could-backfire-trump-2026-05-27/...Alongside Paxton as a byproduct of the MAGA hijacking of the Republican Party is the nomination of Bo French for Texas Railroad Commission - a position he's not even talking about as he campaigns, instead leaning into his trademark strain of bigotry: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/27/texas-republican-regulator-runoff-00935971The ownership of Buc-ee's is the target of a federal lawsuit alleging that they wrongfully failed to accommodate - and eventually fired - an employee suffering from a severe autoimmune disease: https://www.statesman.com/business/article/bucees-lawsuit-disability-texas-eeoc-22278759.phpWe're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
We enjoyed immensely a gathering last week at the super fun Creekwood Grill in Cypress for a live podcast taping with Kendra Camarena, Lesley Guilmart, and Dr. Cleveland Lane Jr, the three freshly-elected members of the Cy-Fair School Board who have re-established a balance of responsibility and pro-public education priorities on that board, to the great benefit of the students and families served by the district.Thanks to the sponsors whose support allowed us to make the event FREE for our great big crowd of attendees: Hon. Lesley Briones, Shaun Finnie, and Odus Evbagharu.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 results are largely in from yesterday's 2026 midterm primary runoff: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-primary-runoff-results-2026/...The marquee result: Ken Paxton defeats Senator John Cornyn, clarifying the race for Democratic nominee James Talarico and largely spelling the end of the old Republican guard: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/texas-republicans-ken-paxton-primary-aftermath.html...The contestants for Texas Attorney General are settled: State Senators Nathan Johnson and Mayes Middleton will face off in November: https://www.wfaa.com/video/news/politics/mayes-middleton-defeats-chip-roy-in-the-race-for-the-republican-nomination-for-texas-ag/287-16caae24-a3d9-48d4-bc15-a5fa43e00d28...Progress Texas endorsee Vikki Goodwin wins the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor: https://www.kens5.com/article/news/politics/vikki-goodwin-democratic-nomination-texas-lieutenant-governor/269-2bc3a65a-878b-47fa-a62c-a69634378530...Progress Texas endorsee Congressman Christian Menefee defeats fellow Congressman Al Green for the CD 18 nomination: https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/rep-christian-menefee-wins-democratic-primary-18th-house-133331048...Former Congressman Colin Allred defeats Congresswoman Julie Johnson in CD 33: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/texas-democratic-primary-allred-johnson.html...Progress Texas endorsee Kevin Burge wins in CD 24 and will now face Republican Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne: https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/grapevine-colleyville-southlake/election/2026/05/26/burge-wins-over-ware-in-house-district-24-democratic-primary-runoff-race/...Progress Texas endorsee Johnny Garcia tops the problematic Maureen Galindo in CD 35: https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/maureen-galindo-johnny-garcia-runoff-results-22272960.php...Progress Texas endorsee and Dallas State Rep. Venton Jones coasts to victory: https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/state-rep-venton-jones-fends-off-democratic-primary-runoff-challenge-for-texas-house/article_30837405-1903-47c0-9441-c0bfb56b7b96.html...Progress Texas endorsee and former Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer scores a huge upset, narrowly defeating former Houston Mayor Annise Parker for the nomination for Harris County Judge: https://www.chron.com/politics/article/harris-county-judge-runoff-22277801.phpWe're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. 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:Election Day is here for the 2026 midterm primary runoff - that record turnout in March has dwindled significantly for Democrats, but remains strong for voters in the Republican runoff, powered by the Cornyn/Paxton bloodbath: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-to-expect-in-the-texas-us-senate-republican-primary-runoff...A final Quantus Insights poll shows that Ken Paxton's advantage over John Cornyn has grown to nearly ten points: https://www.newsweek.com/ken-paxtons-chances-of-beating-john-cornyn-on-eve-of-senate-runoff-poll-11990938...The Cornyn/Paxton fight has led to $109 million in ad spending, most of it dedicated to worshiping Donald Trump: https://apnews.com/article/texas-senate-paxton-cornyn-trump-election-00cc96aa8db7fb1844f4ce8d39629f53...That worship continues even as Trump's disapproval numbers have hit a new all-time high: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-approval-rating-iran-groceries-b2983270.html...Republican candidates have saved a little room in their advertising to keep hatin' on Muslim Texans: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/26/texas-senate-runoff-anti-muslim-adYour last chance to vote in the primary runoff is today! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. 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:On this last day of early voting in the runoff, a tour through the reasons Texas is notorious for bad voter turnout - and several good ideas to fix that are presented in the new Party Politics show from Houston Public Media: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/shows/party-politics/2026/03/20/546612/why-texans-dont-vote-and-what-could-change-that/Texas Republican Party Chair Abraham George is begging Ken Paxton and John Cornyn to knock off their all-out blood battle - but the damage to Republican voter unity is probably already done: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/texas-gop-chair-wants-john-cornyn-ken-paxton-22270714.phpThe NAACP has launched an "Out Of Bounds" campaign, encouraging Black athletes to use their outsized influence over Southern colleges - including Texas and Texas A&M - to oppose the marginalization of Black voters in the South: https://www.statesman.com/sports/college/article/texas-texas-am-naacp-sec-boycott-22270162.phpMassive damage is being done to Texas public schools by the private school voucher scam, the immigration crackdown and more - a massive enrollment drop impacted the just-completed school year, and with it, state funding: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/05/21/texas-public-school-enrollment-drops-by-more-than-76k-students-with-hispanic-students-accounting-for-most-of-decline/...Nationally, voucher programs are becoming, as predicted, a public subsidy for wealthy families whose kids were already attending private schools: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/headway/school-choice-movement-vouchers-education.htmlEarly voting in the primary runoff ends after today! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
As early voting winds down and Election Day looms on Tuesday in the 2026 Democratic Party runoff in Texas, we stole a few brief moments with Congressman Christian Menefee, endorsee of our board here at Progress Texas in his run to keep the job he won in a special election just a few short months ago to fill an almost-year-long vacancy cruelly engineered by Governor Greg Abbott after the untimely passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner. Congressman Menefee faces fellow Congressman Al Green in the runoff for the Democratic nomination to fill the next two-year term for Houston's CD 18.Learn more about Congressman Menefee and his campaign at https://christianmenefee.com/.
Both the Trump endorsement of Ken Paxton and the CD 35 Democratic runoff shenanigans this week provide examples of what could eventually happen when toxic candidates end up on the ballot - and how that toxicity can be weaponized across the aisle. Fort Worth attorney and Progress Texas board member Jason Smith is back for a deep dive on gross voting options as the 2026 primary runoff winds down - don't forget to vote, and vote carefully!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:A Guatemalan woman, denied a critical surgery by her ICE captors, has become the latest symbol of the cruelty of the Trump immigration enforcement machine: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/doctors-say-woman-in-texas-ice-detention-center-urgently-requires-surgery-shes-being-denied/...An ICE arrest in the parking lot of a San Antonio voting location has prompted warnings against immigration enforcement visibility near the polls - an unacceptable combination for the November midterms: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/san-antonio-news/ice-conducts-enforcement-action-at-san-antonio-voting-location-witnesses-say/Officials in Sinton, Texas - near Corpus Christi - are being accused of hoarding water for data centers as the regional water supply drops to a dangerous low: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/19052026/corpus-christi-emergency-water-supply-delays/Another endorsement for CD 35 congressional candidate Johnny Garcia - and another condemnation of his antisemitic, conspiracist Democratic runoff opponent Maureen Galindo - comes from the editorial board at the Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/endorsements/article/johnny-garcia-maureen-galindo-antisemitism-texas-22269254.php...Our recent visit with Johnny Garcia: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-hour-282-johnny-garcia-progress-texas-endorsed/id1552998795?i=1000768641904Early voting in the primary runoff has begun! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. 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:Donald Trump's endorsement of Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in the Republican runoff for Senate has sent shockwaves through the GOP elite: https://apnews.com/article/trump-texas-senate-endorsement-paxton-cornyn-adb4c7213fc2d0db0b29d0ab65d49384...Paxton's manipulation of Trump appears to have paid off handsomely: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/19/politics/ken-paxton-donald-trump-endorsement-john-cornyn...Senate Republicans are now deeply concerned about hanging on to their majority: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/oh-boy-republican-senators-recoil-at-trump-endorsement-in-texas-race-worry-it-could-give-dems-the-senate/...Paxton is seen as a liability not only in Texas but nationally, as defending that Senate seat will require a massive investment in what has been considered a safe state for the GOP: https://www.notus.org/campaigns/trump-paxton-endorsement-cornyn-senate-2026-republican-majorityIn CD 35, the Democratic runoff has made national news as candidate Maureen Galindo has spouted wild anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, effectively killing her own credibility: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/house-democratic-texas-candidate-maureen-galindo-antisemitic-comments-rcna346022...Galindo's campaign has also been raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars from "Lead Left PAC", which is suspected of being a conservative funding operation designed to elevate an inferior Democratic candidate for the general election: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/democratic-candidate-pledges-to-convert-ice-jail-into-prison-for-american-zionists-that-will-also-be-castration-processing-center/...The San Antonio Jewish Federation has condemned Galindo's campaign: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/politics-and-elections/house-candidate-maureen-galindo-pledges-to-send-american-zionists-to-internment-camp/Early voting in the primary runoff has begun! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Yes, it's rare for Progress Texas' board to issue an endorsement in a Democratic runoff after early voting has already begun - but the situation in CD 35, situated on the eastern range of the San Antonio area, is a bona fide emergency. Not only is there a strong candidate in lifelong law enforcement professional Johnny Garcia, but his opponent Maureen Galindo - yes, a Democrat - has proven herself a highly flawed option, while Republican money to the tune of almost $1 million has flowed into her campaign. Why would Republicans want Galindo to win this badly? Because they know she can't beat them in November. The state and the nation needs to know about Johnny Garcia and what's at stake in this race - thus, our endorsement, and this chance to get to know him.Learn more about Johnny Garcia and his run for Congress at https://www.votejohnnygarcia.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:Our board at Progress Texas has issued a late endorsement for Johnny Garcia, running in the primary runoff in South Texas' CD 35 against Maureen Galindo, whose campaign has been marred by a broad variety of rhetorical missteps: https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/antisemitism-congressional-election-22260523.phpNew polling shows higher favorability ratings for James Talarico than either Senator John Cornyn or Ken Paxton - but the November race against either a toss-up: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/poll-shows-texas-senate-race-toss-up-cornyn-and-paxton-vie-for-gop-nod/287-3e6e6e91-af0b-4f44-9be2-431654e07184Paxton's office continues its bungling of high-profile cases with an extremely light sentence imposed upon an admitted child molester in Waco: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/19/ken-paxton-waco-plea-deal-child-sex-abuse-texas-attorney-general/...While sex offenders are sliding, Paxton is ramping up his attacks on Muslim schools: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-05-18/texas-ag-ken-paxton-sues-texam-university-alleging-illegal-degree-programs-and-deceptive-branding...And piling on with the Trump DOJ with a highly dubious legal action against the Southern Poverty Law Center: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5884347-texas-investigates-splc-funding/Meanwhile the hard-right media - clearly on Team Paxton - are making hay of Cornyn's prior support of Islamic Relief USA, a purely humanitaritan charity, simply on the basis of their Muslim affiliation: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/05/18/report-cornyn-funded-islamic-group-linked-planned-texas-muslim-community/An Austin Chick-Fil-A franchisee - part of a chain known for closing on Sunday's to uphold a Christian religious veneer - is being sued for refusing to honor the religious rights of one of its own managers: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/chick-fil-a-austin-texas-lawsuit-saturday-sabbath/269-e84e7adc-debb-4051-a1d7-a3fca50bb84dEarly voting in the primary runoff has begun! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/We're excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Time to vote, y'all! Early voting in the 2026 primary runoff is underway as of today (Monday 5/18), and the board at Progress Texas has picked Democrat Kevin Burge as one of our endorsees in this crucial midterm election. We welcome Kevin back for a runoff update - you can also hear our earlier conversation, which presents a deeper dive on his extensive background in government, the military and intelligence sectors at https://progresstexas.org/podcast/happy-hour-257-dfw-congressional-candidate-and-pt-endorsee-kevin-burge.Learn more about Kevin's campaign at https://www.burgeforcongress.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:Early voting in the 2026 primary runoffs has begun, continuing through Friday, and culminating in Election Day on Tuesday May 26th. Progress Texas has made several endorsements in the runoff: https://progresstexas.org/blog/progress-texas-endorsements-may-primary-runoffsGovernor Abbott's push for the Texas Supreme Court to remove Houston Rep. Gene Wu and other State House Democrats from office over the summer quorum break has failed: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/15/texas-supreme-court-gene-wu-greg-abbott-redistricting-map-quorum-break/...Abbott's campaign team, apparently fearing the threat posed by Democratic nominee and State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, has starting digging for dirt - specifically, photos of Hinojosa as a teenager at pool parties in the Valley: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/gov-abbotts-top-strategist-seeks-underage-photos-of-gina-hinojosa-as-he-tries-to-dig-up-dirt/Ken Paxton and the Trump DOJ have succeeded in forcing Texas Children's Hospital in Houston to establish a "detransition" clinic: https://apnews.com/article/genderaffirming-care-minors-texas-hospital-29f0f2d157395cb6a70f53ba29c36b5b...The settlement also requires Texas Children's to fire five "ideologically-motivated" doctors: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/paxton-forces-texas-hospital-to-open-detransition-clinic-as-part-of-settlement-40674995/Early voting in the primary runoff has begun! See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Among the important statewide races still in primary runoff mode is the contest for the Democratic nomination to replace the highly toxic and ethically bankrupt Ken Paxton. Of the two candidates remaining - Dallas State Senator Nathan Johnson and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski - only Jaworski has successfully undergone the process of becoming a Progress Texas Certified Progressive. We've been following Joe's extensive and tireless statewide campaign for months, and we're proud to have him back to catch up on the eve of the runoff election.Learn more about Joe Jaworski and his campaign for Texas Attorney General at https://www.jaworskifortexas.com/.We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Through sheer determination, Ken Paxton and the state of Texas overcame a federal court stay of execution and put to death Edward Busby in Huntsville last night - a man that multiple experts agreed was intellectually disabled. Both the Trump SCOTUS and Texas' Republican leadership, in their zeal to achieve our 600th state-sanctioned killing in the modern era, demonstrate the callous indifference regarding human dignity and equal justice of the Republican regime - and also demonstrate why progressives must work even harder for long-overdue change.Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/14/texas-600-execution-edward-busby-death-penalty/Runoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
This week's roundtable discussion was recorded prior to the U.S. Supreme Court's last minute clearing of the execution of Edward Busby, at a moment when we were hopeful that the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals staying of his execution, based on finding that he is intellectually disabled, would be honored. Sadly, it was not. Capital punishment is a stain upon civilization, and we explain that position in today's talk.We also discuss the political power of Black NCAA athletes in the South - specifically, those attending colleges in the SEC - and how those young Americans might find themselves agents of needed change at a moment when the rights they have been granted through years of struggle are being curtailed. See the opinion of HBCU sports analyst Steven Gaither:https://hbcugameday.com/2026/05/12/sec-boycott-calls-lane-kiffin-interview-creating-needed-discussions/.We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Despite orders from the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to suspend the scheduled execution of Edward Busby, state officials are still trying to kill him today: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/after-having-his-execution-halted-edward-busby-awaits-supreme-court-ruling/Governor Abbott is attempting a novel legal maneuver claiming that State Rep. Gene Wu's leadership of last summer's quorum break constitutes abdication of his office - he's asking the Texas Supreme Court to thus forcibly remove Wu from office: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/state/article/gene-wu-greg-abbott-lawsuit-22235273.phpTexas Super Bowl viewers led the nation in complaining to the FCC about the "decency" of Bad Bunny's record-breaking halftime show - no indecency or violations were found: https://www.expressnews.com/news/texas/article/texans-filed-most-complaints-bad-bunny-halftime-22257755.phpAn HBCU-specific sports writer argues that Black SEC football players do possess collective political power relevant to the undermining of Black voters in the South via aggressive redistricting allowed by the SCOTUS Callais decision: https://hbcugameday.com/2026/05/12/sec-boycott-calls-lane-kiffin-interview-creating-needed-discussions/Runoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. 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 Barack Obama joined Democratic nominees James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa yesterday at The Taco Joint in East Austin to fire up progressive voters in Texas: https://www.statesman.com/news/politics/article/barack-obama-austin-james-talarico-tacos-22255610.php...Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders has been added to the speakers at this year's Texas Democratic Party Convention in Corpus Christi: https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/local/texas-political-conventions-expected-to-bring-economic-boost-to-corpus-christi-houston/503-df597b38-cba9-4a1f-bbd3-387be68204acThe conservative Ragnar Research Parners find that high-propensity Republican voters in Texas, especially in the suburbs, are abandoning the party in droves: https://x.com/ragnarresearch/status/2053943231818117219?s=20An extensive and damning expose on the Southern Baptist Convention details its years-long resistance to reforming internal policy that allows for the unfettered sexual abuse of its young, vulnerable members: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/quiet-collapse-southern-baptist-convention/Runoff elections are coming up, with early voting starting on May 18 and Election Day on May 26. See a convenient form to see who will be on YOUR runoff ballot from the Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-may-2026-primary-runoff-ballot/Lots more on voting in Texas: https://govotetexas.org/We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE. Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Our board has chosen to endorse former Houston City Council Member and longtime healthcare entrepreneur Dr. Letitia Plummer in her run for Harris County Judge. Dr. Plummer comes from a long line of Houston area civic leaders, and the Progress Texas board believes she is the right choice for the Democratic nomination for this key position of leadership in Texas' most-populous county.Check out our joint live podcast with the Asian Texans For Justice Action Fund from last fall, featuring Dr. Plummer alongside Houston State Rep. and Minority Leader Gene Wu: https://progresstexas.org/podcast/special-live-pod-asian-texans-and-2026-power-shiftLearn more about Dr. Plummer's campaign at https://www.drletitiaplummer.com/.We have TWO live events on the calendar! The first is in Houston on Wednesday May 20, when we'll record a live podcast with the newly-elected members of the Cy-Fair ISD board to discuss the undoing of MAGA damage to that district. Space is limited! Please RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/cypressisdpodcastWe're also excited to see you in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
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