Shell_Seas
Shell_Seas's JournalA Candid Conversation About Democratic Politics In Texas
Reckoning with the reality.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/a-candid-conversation-about-democratic
The SDEC (State Democratic Executive Committee) will vote on the next Chair of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) on Saturday (3/29). Based on everything I’ve heard, I believe the SDEC intends to elect Kendall Scudder. If Scudder can do the job and whip the party into shape, great. We’re all sick of Texas Democrats failing in this state, and our expectations need to be high.
I’ve had reservations about Scudder due to his involvement with the TDP during a time when it was struggling, and because many on the SDEC seemed more loyal to him out of personal friendships rather than seriously considering other candidates. But because I have reservations, that doesn’t mean that Scudder would do a lousy job. I only want Democrats to stop losing.
In recent weeks, there has been much concern about whether Scudder was even eligible to be Chair based on his position with the Dallas Central Appraisal. Earlier this week, he resigned from that position. Now, there is no question about whether he is eligible. His resignation also indicates that the SDEC is likely to pick him.
For the record, I think several of the Chair candidates are perfectly capable and would do a good job in the position, but it’s hard to beat out personal loyalty.
Brent Money "Both-Sided" WHAT? Plus, Senate Passes Budget
Rape culture, budget lies, and the cost of not voting.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/brent-money-both-sided-what-plus
During a hearing on a bill to strengthen Texas’ sexual assault laws, Rep. Brent Money (R-HD02) took a detour into “both sides” territory, suggesting that, sure, rape is bad, but so is being accused of rape. Consent, he claimed, is “murky,” especially at frat parties, where apparently sexual assault is just a misunderstood rite of passage.
Yes, that actually happened. Here’s the clip:
HB324 is a straightforward, long-overdue update to Texas’ sexual assault statute. It centers consent. Not vibes, not frat house folklore. Actual, affirmative, verbal or clearly communicated consent. The bill clarifies that sexual activity is without consent if the person is unconscious, physically unable to resist, intoxicated to the point of incapacity, or unaware that the assault is even happening.
It also spells out that consent can be withdrawn, and if someone keeps going after that point, that’s not a misunderstanding. It’s sexual assault.
The Texas Fossil Fuel Fan Club Meets Again
Inside the Legislature’s latest love letter to big oil.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/the-texas-fossil-fuel-fan-club-meets
Due to climate change, between 40% and 70% of all Earth’s species could become extinct within the next 100 years. We already know that 97% of the world’s scientists agree on climate change, while the fossil fuel industry pays off the remaining 3%. Yet, if you listen to the Republicans in the Texas Legislature, you’d think we aren’t in a crisis. Instead of actively working to prevent the extinction of the human race, the GOP seems hellbent on accelerating it.
And nothing screams “we care about the planet” like HB2890, a proposal from Rep. Jared Patterson to form a Gulf Coast interstate compact to protect liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Patterson opened his remarks by gushing over LNG’s $44 billion contribution to GDP and the thousands of jobs it supposedly supports. He warned that Biden’s temporary pause on LNG exports devastated Texas, as if the administration had banned brisket and bluebonnets.
But that’s what it’s all about with these guys. Profit over people, always.
Methane leaks from natural gas infrastructure are a major contributor to global warming, and exporting LNG only increases emissions through the energy-intensive liquefaction and transport processes.
The Myth Of Fiscal Conservatism in Texas
The long-term consequences of short-sighted budgeting.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/day-51-the-myth-of-fiscal-conservatism
*snip*
Over the last month(ish), I’ve watched hours and hours of Legislative hearings, clipping and summarizing them for you. From those hearings, there are certain facts we all know to be true, the biggest being that the Texas State Government underfunds every government agency. Because of that underfunding, government agencies are struggling. They have a hard time retaining employees. They are working on 40- and 50-year-old computer systems. And they aren’t keeping up with the demands of the population.
This is why the DOGE Committee is so interesting. The idea is that they will find waste, fraud, or abuse to cut and save us all money. But you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip.
We probably all have opinions on programs the Republican government can axe, like Operation Lone Star or taxpayer-funded fake pregnancy centers. Still, knowing how Republicans operate, they’ll likely be looking for ways to cut education, healthcare, or much-needed services for marginalized communities.
Despite the Republican hype about being “fiscally Conservative,” the Texas GOP is anything but that. That’s why I wanted to first talk about Every Texan’s testimony.
Their testimony showed how Texas’s chronic underfunding of state agencies has led to “crisis-level” workforce turnover. When you can’t keep state employees because their wages are stuck in a decade-long freeze, the cost of constantly hiring and training new staff outweighs any so-called savings from budget cuts. It’s simple math (unless you’re a Republican legislator), in which case math is optional.
When Standing Up Is The Only Option: Lessons From Al Green
School funding, state religion, and the need for real resistance.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/when-standing-up-is-the-only-option
Texas Democrats aren’t your run-of-the-mill, performative, tweet-and-retreat politicians. They’re built Texas tough, forged in the fires of a state where fighting for progressive values feels like riding into a hurricane on a bull. When Congressman Al Green (D-TX09) stood up during Trump’s State of the Union address, shouting, “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid,” until the sergeant at arms physically removed him from the chamber, he wasn’t just making a scene. He was delivering precisely what Democratic voters are starving for.
In a time when too many elected officials offer only polished press releases and safe soundbites, Texas Democrats show grit, determination, and a willingness to throw political punches. Texas Democrats fight back.
The Texas Democratic Party needs to communicate this message. Prove to Texas voters that they won’t be pushovers and yes-men like some of the softies from other states. Maybe they’re starting to get it:
Along with several other members of Congress, Jasmine Crockett (D-TX30) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX16) walked out of Trump’s speech. However, we only know this because they told us (or the media reported it). These are acts of resistance. But what Congressman Green did was much more impactful.
Democratic voters want to see Democrats in Congress fighting back, like Al Green did last night. Green showed courage. Green showed a spine.
Food Fascism And The GOP's War On Poor People's Plates
Billionaires say no more cookies for you, peasants!
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/day-43-food-fascism-and-the-gops
Only yesterday morning, we discussed “Healthy Tomorrow for Texas.” By the afternoon, Lois Kolkhorst (R-SD18), joined by several other Republicans, held a press conference to discuss how they plan to make Texas healthy again. But, WOW, their press conference was totally unhinged.
On its face, it seems like a great idea, and there are aspects of this initiative that even leftists will support, like improving food labels. However, as the press conference went on, it became clear that it was much more complex than that.
It all started with a simple premise: Kolkhorst discussed the links between diet, chronic diseases, and cancer. You know, food is medicine. That sort of thing. Something that most of us already know.
Kolkhorst highlighted her bill, SB25, which will:
Improve Texas school’s P.E. curriculum.
Mandate a nutrition curriculum.
Creates the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee.
Improve food labels.
Who Can Fix the Texas Democratic Party?
Why this Chair race matters more than you think.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/who-can-fix-the-texas-democratic
As we watch the systematic dismantling of democracy unfold in Washington, the stakes for Texas have never been higher. The far-right’s grip on power tightens, voting rights remain under siege, and the erosion of civil liberties accelerates with every passing day. While national politics dominate headlines, the battle for the future of Texas is just as critical.
The next chair of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) won’t just inherit a political organization. They’ll inherit a fight for the very soul of the state. With Republicans hell-bent on consolidating their control, the job of pushing Texas toward a bluer, more progressive future will require bold leadership, relentless organizing, and a vision strong enough to meet the moment.
The latest TDP Chair forum happened last week in Houston. You can see it below (it starts at about 17 minutes in).
Voucher Victory For Senate Republicans, But House Showdown Awaits
Dan Patrick’s voucher scheme crusade advances, but House obstacles remain.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/day-22-voucher-victory-for-senate
It shouldn’t surprise you that the voucher scheme passed in the Senate last night after an eight-hour debate. As Lt. Governor Dan Patrick pointed out, this was the sixth time vouchers have made it out of the Senate.
The bill, SB2, as it stands, is awful. Senator Brandon Creighton (R-SD04) refused to take any Democratic amendments to the bill that would have given it more transparency and fairness. Listen to Senator Sarah Eckhardt’s (D-SD14) closing statement pointing out how SB2 primarily benefits white, wealthier families and exacerbates segregation in education and how private schools receiving public funds will not be held to the same standards as public schools.
Knowing they were outnumbered and couldn’t stop the bill, Senate Democrats genuinely tried to soften it and make it less harmful to Texas families. For example, Senator José Menéndez (D-SD26) introduced an amendment to provide accommodations for students with disabilities. Republicans voted against it straight down party lines:
Brent Money Bill To Criminalize Birth Control, Classify Abortion As Homicide
Texas Republicans push new bill granting zygotes full legal protection.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/breaking-brent-money-bill-to-criminalize
In their latest crusade to control reproductive rights, Republican House Rep. Brent Money (R-HD02) introduced a bill that would redefine life as beginning at fertilization. On the surface, he’s marketing this bill as a “protection for unborn children.” However, hidden in the legal jargon is a sweeping redefinition that could criminalize commonly used birth control methods like IUDs, emergency contraception (Plan B), and even IVF.
This bill doesn’t just aim to ban abortion. It also threatens access to reproductive healthcare under the guise of granting embryos full legal rights. If passed, this law could open the door to criminal charges for those using or providing birth control that might interfere with implantation. Texas Republicans seem determined to outdo themselves in their assault on personal freedom and bodily autonomy.
What does the bill say?
HB2197 asserts that unborn children are human beings with complete legal protection from the moment of fertilization. It amends various sections of the Texas Penal Code and Civil Practice and Remedies Code to equate crimes against zygotes and embryos with crimes against living individuals.
Not only that, it repeals existing laws that provide exceptions for abortion-related acts and allows broad prosecution of offenses involving embryos.
The Far-Right Freak Show: Day 10 Of The Texas Lege
Democrats outsmart the right while Tim Dunn’s minions self-destruct.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/the-far-right-freak-show-day-10-of
-snip-
Everything seemed to go smoothly for the first House debate until Jared Patterson (R-HD106) called the previous question. Then, it was a complete comedy show.
Calling the previous question means that Patterson got (at least) 25 signatures to allow the House to vote on ending the debate and then going straight to voting on the rules. However, the far right wanted to add to and debate amendments, further limiting Democrats in the legislative process. By calling the previous questions, all of those amendments and debates were dead.
This infuriated them. Representative Mike Schofield (R-HD132) took to the front mic and threatened the rest of the body, saying, “If you do this to us, we’re going to do it to you back.”
Yep, the first House floor debate in the 89th Legislative session included threats from one Republican faction to another.
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