The conversation on abortion rights and reproductive freedom in Texas has been freshly reinvigorated by the Texas Supreme Court's abject failure to protect pregnant Texans or even to provide guidance to Texas doctors facing pregnancy emergencies. We continue our six part series of conversations with influential Texas progressive women on this all-important issue, in this case gathering three guests, each for the first time: State Representative Gina Hinojosa has represented Austin in the Texas H...
Jun 02, 2024•35 min
Today, the Texas Supreme Court did what we all thought they would do: they left pregnant Texans and their doctors at the mercy of Ken Paxton and our state's ham-fisted, ill-considered and morally repugnant ban on abortion care. This update contains short statements from Progress Texas Executive Director Kathleen Thompson and Advocacy Manager Reagan Stone, plus an important and in-depth analysis by Progress Texas board member and Fort Worth-based civil rights attorney Jason Smith, our go-to for c...
May 31, 2024•13 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The conviction of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony counts yesterday brings out Republican outrage against our system of justice, and Democratic calls for decency: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/05/30/34-guilty-verdicts-for-trump-2-very-different-reactions-from-texas-republicans-democrats/ ...However, Trump's court loss could reinvigorate his support among Texas GOP voters who love outlaws: https://www.star-telegram....
May 31, 2024•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: A large group of state attorneys general is calling on the U.S. Justice Department to probe the murder of BLM protestor Garrett Foster and the pardoning of his killer, Daniel Perry, by Governor Abbott earlier this month: https://www.reuters.com/legal/federal-probe-urged-black-lives-matter-protest-killing-after-texas-pardon-2024-05-29/ A new investigation finds that Attorney General Ken Paxton has been stretching the limits of consumer prote...
May 30, 2024•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The Trump and Paxton-backed hard-right challenge to Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan fails by a very small margin, in a relatively empty win for the GOP's more reasonable wing: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-runoff-elections-2024/ ...Progress Texas endorsee Lauren Ashley Simmons scores a landslide win over incumbent State House Rep Shawn Thierry in Houston: https://www.fox26houston.com/news/texas-primary-election-runoff-lau...
May 29, 2024•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Today is ELECTION DAY for the Texas primary runoffs! If you haven't voted yet and have questions: https://govotetexas.org/ For an election that statistically very few Texans will actually show up for, there's a ton at stake: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/28/texas-election-primary-runoff/ ...The main theme of the runoff is the internal war being waged for the soul of the Texas Republican Party: https://www.economist.com/united-states/...
May 28, 2024•7 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Texas will see 100-degree temps over the Memorial Day weekend - ERCOT says they're ready: https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/texas-power-demand-break-may-record-heat-wave-friday-2024-05-23/ ...Should the AC stay on, get ready to pay up - Texas power costs are through the roof: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/23/texas-electricity-bill-help/ Is Ken Paxton under Federal investigation? Nobody seems to know, or is willing to pipe up: https:...
May 24, 2024•8 min
Today - May 24, 2024 - is the second anniversary of the horrific mass shooting incident at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, an instance of mass murder shocking both in its scale, and in the still-unbelievable display of incompetence that marked the botched response of multiple law enforcement agencies that day. Over the two years since, the Republican-dominated government of Texas has not only done nothing to address gun violence - they've gone out of their way to accelerate the prolifer...
May 24, 2024•35 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The families of the Robb Elementary shooting victims have announced a $2 million settlement with the City of Uvalde, and a series of lawsuits against involved law enforcement, including Texas DPS officers: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uvalde-school-shooting-settlement-texas-city-lawsuits/ ...Progress Texas provides an update in advance of tomorrow's second anniversary of that horrible day in Uvalde: https://progresstexas.org/blog/what-has-c...
May 23, 2024•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Another pregnant Texan in a traumatic miscarraige situation is denied care by doctors, eventually fainting to her bathroom floor from blood loss: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/texas-nightmare-miscarriage-abortion-ban-b2549017.html Ken Paxton files his 75th lawsuit against the Biden administration, this one against workplace protections for LGBTQ+ Texans: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/21/paxton-biden-eeoc-gender-id...
May 22, 2024•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The anticipated public forum held by the Texas Medical Board seeking to clarify rules governing abortion access exceptions in Texas did little but increase confusion: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/20/texas-medical-board-abortion-guidance/ ...Among those testifying was Kate Cox: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/kate-cox-tells-texas-medical-board-newly-proposed-rules-wont-help-clarify-abortion-law/287-4d342554-38fc-4e5c-a425-...
May 21, 2024•7 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The NRA Convention in Dallas saw heavy emphasis on voter activation among firearms enthusiasts: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/18/texas-nra-convention-trump-abbott-guns/ ...In his remarks, Donald Trump toyed with the notion of becoming a three-term President: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/19/trump-nra-convention-dallas ...A photo essay from the event: https://www.reuters.com/pictures/scenes-inside-annual-nra-con...
May 20, 2024•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: In a stunning conservative undermining of our state's criminal justice system, Governor Abbott has issued a full pardon for Daniel Perry, convicted last year of murdering Black Lives Matter protester and U.S. Air Force veteran Garrett Foster in Austin: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-governor-pardons-uber-driver-convicted-murdering-black-lives-matter-2024-05-16/ ...Multiple reactions from progressive sources: https://www.texastribune...
May 17, 2024•7 min
Last week, Progress Texas hosted our first ever Climate Justice Town Hall, where we discussed liquified natural gas (LNG) operations in Texas and the major health risks, environmental damages and harms to indigenous and lower income communities that have fallen victim to Big Oil and Gas’ commitment to profits over people. We learned a great deal from our experienced panelists: John Beard, CEO of Port Arthur Community Action Network, Elida Castillo, Texas Director of Chispa Texas, Emma Guevara, B...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Speaking at a tax-exempt (and thus presumably politically neutral) Houston church, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick espoused his view that Christianity should underpin Texas law: https://www.chron.com/culture/religion/article/dan-patrick-sermon-second-baptist-19455537.php Governor Greg Abbott appears to have fallen off the VP radar of Donald Trump: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/greg-abbott-donald-trump-vp-candidate-list-discussion Heat builds aro...
May 15, 2024•7 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Even as school districts across Texas are forced to cut jobs and close campuses under budget shortfalls, Governor Abbott continues to hold funding hostage to vouchers: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/05/13/texas-must-help-struggling-schools-with-special-session-on-funding-dems-say-to-abbott/ ...While Spectrum journalists discover that public school dollars have been subsidizing charter schools in Colorado - schools founded by...
May 14, 2024•7 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Lt. Governor Dan Patrick told a Christian talk show this weekend that he thinks Christian theology should provide the basis of government in Texas: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/05/13/lt-gov-dan-patrick-says-christianity-is-needed-more-than-ever-in-texas-politics/ Houston-area U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls is under investigation by the U.S. House Ethics Committee for apparantly paying himself rent from his campaign funds: https://www...
May 13, 2024•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Two former consultants for Laredo U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar appear ready to testify against him and his wife on federal corruption charges: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/09/henry-cuellar-political-consultants-plea-deal-guilty/ Republican U.S. Reps Ronny Jackson of Amarillo and Wesley Hunt of Houston are both under investigation by the House Ethics Committee: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/05/09/ethics-committee-investiga...
May 10, 2024•7 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Governor Greg Abbott has extended his orders to the TEA to defy new Federal guidelines on Title IX protecting LGBTQ students to administrators of state universities: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/greg-abbott-texas-universities-ignore-title-ix-revisions/3536397/ ...As Carroll ISD is asked by the U.S. Department of Education to address four claims by students about racial and homophobic harrassment endured in its schools: https...
May 09, 2024•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: New legal tactics allowing people who have sought abortion care out of state to be dragged into court increase the risks of engaging in sexual activity: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/5/7/2239233/-Texas-finds-new-way-to-punish-and-humiliate-anyone-who-tries-to-get-an-abortion ERCOT issues a "weather watch" due to hot weather and their own apparant failure to plan for ever hotter springs and summers: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/er...
May 08, 2024•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: A new attempt to legally target a Texas woman who sought abortion care in Colorado represents a new effort by abortion rights opponents to frighten Texans away from exercising their reproductive rights: https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/05/us/texas-abortion-collin-davis-colorado/index.html ...It remains LEGAL to seek abortion care out of state: https://www.jezebel.com/texas-man-is-trying-to-sue-ex-partner-for-wrongful-death-over-alleged-abortion ...
May 07, 2024•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Democratically-backed candidates for newly-created oversight positions with county tax appraisal did well in Saturday's election in Dallas County: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/lone-star-politics/texas-voters-elect-appraisal-board-members-denton-dallas-tarrant/3533277/ ...And in Travis County: https://www.kut.org/politics/2024-05-05/austin-travis-county-property-taxes-tcad-may-4-2024-election-results ...Molly Cook, featured on our po...
May 06, 2024•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Tomorrow, Saturday May 4, is Election Day for important municipal ballot items: Our bigger cities and counties have new oversight positions over tax appraisal districts to vote on: https://progresstexas.org/blog/why-you-should-care-about-may-appraisal-district-elections ...In Lubbock, local cannabis decriminalization is on the ballot: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/02/lubbock-texas-marijuana-election/ A UT Arlington lecturer was arres...
May 03, 2024•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: That new ATF rule requiring more background checks for gun purchases has been targeted by the state in a lawsuit: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-ken-paxton-sue-rule-background-check-private-gun-sale/3529691/ Police arrested 21 pro-Palestinian protestors at UT Dallas yesterday in what's become a familiar scene across the country: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/gaza-protest-encampment-university-texas-dallas/ ...The companies tha...
May 02, 2024•8 min
Welcome to the first of a monthly series of six discussions of reproductive freedom in Texas - the Republican trampling of that freedom, the dire threat that denial of basic human rights poses to women and pregnant people across our state, where the GOP is likely to go next should they gain power in November - and what YOU can do to stop them. Dallas State Rep. Julie Johnson - a Progress Texas endorsee in her outright primary win in her run for the U.S. House, can be found at https://juliejohnso...
May 02, 2024•31 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: 15 pro-Palestinian organizations have called for another protest today at UT Austin - could be the biggest crowd yet: https://youtu.be/9esCRGZWNJg?si=fxsazmgTnaDRgp6s ...Travis County DA Delia Garza pipes up that protest arrests are clogging the County's criminal justice system - and that the crackdowns are likely inviting more unrest: https://www.aol.com/news/ut-austin-palestine-protest-travis-182653693.ht ml The DEA is moving to reduce th...
May 01, 2024•10 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Law enforcement ratcheted up the rough treatment of protestors being arrested at UT Austin on Monday: https://www.kut.org/education/2024-04-29/ut-austin-protest-israel-hamas-war-palestinians ...Students harangued law enforcement about their failure at Uvalde: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/texas-students-protesting-war-gaza-question-troopers-failed-uvalde-response_n_662ffbe9e4b0eb5fda512ea5 ...A Slate writer provides a first-person account ...
Apr 30, 2024•10 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Austin Rep. Gina Hinojosa on WFAA's Inside Texas Politics: https://youtu.be/S471DfitaQk?si=70WK-VmY5gW4Ccen The state is now issuing permits for oil producers to dump millions of gallons of toxic "produced water" into Texas rivers and streams: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/29/texas-treated-produced-water-disposal-discharge-rivers/ ...New satellite studies show the ground itself in the Permian Basin sinking and rising with oil extra...
Apr 29, 2024•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Travis County Attorney Delia Garza's office will not prosecute any of the 46 trespassing cases resulting from Wednesday's police crackdown at UT Austin: https://thehill.com/homenews/4622384-texas-prosecutor-appeals-ruling-that-tossed-crystal-masons-voting-fraud-conviction/ ...UT president Jay Hartzell releases a second statement: https://www.reddit.com/r/UTAustin/s/dbZOyovi3n ...Similar scenes have unfolded at college campuses across the co...
Apr 26, 2024•8 min
The week started badly enough - with small-town Republicans taking advantage of a newly-modified state law that allowed them to threaten to replace popular Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza with a stooge of their choosing. Then it got worse, with a dramatic overplay of police force as administrators at UT Austin called in militarized DPS troopers to crush a pro-Palestinian protest. What do these attacks on small-D democracy by Greg Abbott's regime mean, both individually and as two part...
Apr 26, 2024•40 min
