The stagnant leadership of the Texas Democratic Party is hindering us from progress.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/revisiting-the-anchor-holding-texas


We’ve hit our second Sine Die for the year, an impeachment looming, and the State Party has remained primarily absent/quiet for the year. Recently, my good friend Olivia Julianna posted a Twitter thread I’d like to share with you.

She makes a lot of good points, and it’s time we revisit the biggest anchor holding Texas down and preventing us from flipping the state.

A few months ago, I was invited to an online event to hear Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa discuss the 2024 Strategy. So naturally, I accepted, optimistic that perhaps there would be something he would say to give me hope to show that he recognizes this state’s challenges and plans to do something different than in our previous election losses.

It’s taken me a while to tell you what I learned because there is no way to paint a pretty picture. I’ve written and scrapped this article twice already.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's pilot UBI program will help build a resilient society in a rapidly changing world.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/lina-hidalgos-vision-anti-poverty


As our world hurtles toward an era defined by the explosion of automation and robotics, there is a growing realization that many people in our society are ill-prepared to face the transformative challenges ahead. The rapid advancement of technology has the potential to revolutionize industries, redefine job markets, and fundamentally alter the way we live and work. Yet, some are either unaware or cannot grasp this impending reality.

Progressive champion Lina Hidalgo announced a pilot Universal Basic Income (UBI) program for 1,600 families in Harris County yesterday.


This will make the second UBI pilot program to launch in Texas. Austin’s UBI pilot program sends monthly checks of $1,000 to 85 needy households at risk of losing their homes to insulate low-income residents from Austin’s increasingly expensive housing market and prevent more people from becoming homeless.

District Attorney Mark Gonzalez made headlines for believing in fairness, now one GOP group is attacking him for it.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/nueces-county-extremist-group-is


Mark Gonzalez made national news after being elected District Attorney in Nueces County in 2017 for his unique ideals. Gonzalez is a self-proclaimed “Mexican Biker lawyer with tattoos” who ran on restoring fairness in the legal system. He recognized the inequities in the justice system when he was arrested for a DUI at 19. Gonzalez didn’t have a lawyer and was sentenced fairly, but the white guy next to him in court, who could afford a private lawyer, got the same charge dismissed by the same judge. He vowed to become an attorney after that.

After becoming the District Attorney, he didn’t go after low-level theft or drug charges. Before Roe v. Wade was overturned, he proclaimed he wouldn’t go after abortion cases. And he made news again when he tried to withdraw a death warrant after he announced that the death penalty was unethical. Gonzalez is a man of principle. When I spoke with him this morning, he talked of fairness.

“Not everyone starts from the same point in life,” he told me. “Prosecuting low-level thefts and low-level drug cases isn’t fair and equitable. Sometimes one night in jail is enough to change a person’s life.”

The people in Nueces County loved him. So in 2020, when the county voted +3 points for Trump, they also voted to re-elect their Democratic DA.

The Republican Civil War heats up as Dade Phelan and Dan Patrick battle for the title of "Top Dog."

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/a-feast-of-political-absurdity-texas



Yesterday marked the grand kickoff of the 88th (1) special session, and it was quite the spectacle. Imagine Lt. Governor Dan Patrick strutting onto the stage of a Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) forum, accompanied by Sherry Sylvester, Abbott’s chosen champion of the “whitewash brush” technique for the 1836 Project. Sylvester, notorious for her disdain towards diversity, must have been thrilled. But the real show began when Dan Patrick unleashed his wrath upon poor Dade Phelan, tearing him apart like a piñata at a hyperactive kid’s birthday party.

Oh boy, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick had a moment to vent, and it was quite the spectacle. He kicked off his complaints by proclaiming, “I’m just so tired of all this dysfunction in the House! Those pesky ‘points of order’ that crush our beloved ‘good’ legislation.” He continued his tirade, grumbling about the House’s snail-like pace and their knack for killing bills. It’s like he was the conductor of the whine train, choo-chooing away.

But here’s the funny part: Patrick seems to have forgotten the delightful concept called the legislative process. You know, that thing that prevents the one-party rule from turning Texas into an authoritarian circus?

Ah, sweet irony. So, let’s raise a toast to checks and balances and hope Dan Patrick finds a way to appreciate the wonders of democracy and a well-functioning legislature—cheers to legislative chaos, or as some may call it, democracy in action.

Greg Abbott's motto: If I don't get my way, I'll force the legislators to work until I do.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/king-abbott-calls-a-special-session


Just as we were all ready to breathe a sigh of relief that the legislature had concluded this year. The King of Texas, Greg Abbott, said, “Not so fast.” Last night he called a special session for 30 days, effective immediately. Both chambers will gavel in today and begin their work on more oppressive legislation to hurt hard-working Texans.

Money, Power, and Ideology: Understanding the Texas GOP's clash of factions.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/slaton-paxton-and-the-republican



Over the last several days, as the political heads and national news discuss Paxton’s impeachment, there are questions (mostly from Democrats) that keep popping up.

Why now?

Did Republicans suddenly get a conscience?

Did the GOP now find out about Paxton’s crimes?

None of that. It’s all about the Republican Civil War currently happening in Texas.

Misconduct, misuse of office, bribery, and unethical conduct were all terms used during the House Investigation Committee meeting.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/a-breakdown-of-ken-paxtons-alleged



This week, it’s possible articles of impeachment will be filed against Attorney General Ken Paxton. Whether the House will vote to impeach and the Senate votes to convict remains to be seen. However, after yesterday’s House General Investigating Committee’s (GIC) public hearing, we should expect to see the articles filed as soon as today. So let’s get into it.

The GIC has been investigating Paxton over the last two months and the settlement of $3.3 million related to a lawsuit involving General Paxton and terminated employees. The settlement was made before approval from the Texas legislature and obligated taxpayers to pay the amount; however, it has not been paid out yet.

When the allegations occurred, the House Committee inquired into the settlement, focusing on the evidence and policies of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in 2020. The investigation was carried out by six highly experienced lawyers and investigators with backgrounds in criminal law and public integrity, Erin Epley, Therese Boose, Mark Donnelly, Donna Cameron, Dan McAnulty, and Brian Benken.

The investigation was opened after Paxton asked the legislature to pay his $3.3 million settlement on his whistle-blower case.

Several caught-on-video moments seeming show multiple Republicans completely hammered.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/do-republicans-in-the-texas-house



During the last session, Republican Dan Huberty was arrested for a DWI after a car accident. Early in this session, Republican Charles Schwertner was arrested for drunk driving. Republicans have been arrested during the last few legislative sessions for driving under the influence.

The legislature only meets for 140 days every two years. During that time, they often work long and stressful days. So no one would blame them for throwing back a few cold ones after a 15-hour day in the Capitol. However, driving under the influence should never be okay. Moreso, legislating while inebriated should, at the very least, be frowned upon.

Over the last month, as I’ve been watching our elected officials, I’ve noticed interesting behavior.

Texas House Republicans' attack on DEI unveils a racist agenda threatening decades of progress.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/beyond-political-games-understanding

The potential for political change is in our hands. All it will take is the unleashing of the power of the people.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/demographics-democracy-and-determination


Yesterday a friend told me about Texas’s political situation, “It feels so hopeless.” The legislature only meets once every two years, and with less than two weeks left of this session, we’re currently being hit with a barrage of bad legislation aimed at hurting the most vulnerable among us. It can be disheartening to witness the rapid enactment of harmful measures in moments like these, leaving a sense of frustration and powerlessness in their wake.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I promise it’s not a train. One of my favorite quotes by Martin Luther King Jr. is, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

These trying times may make it seem like progress is stagnant or regressive, but history has shown that change is constant and inevitable. The resilience and determination of those fighting for justice throughout the ages have consistently propelled us forward. It is important to remember that setbacks and obstacles often catalyze renewed activism and unity. While the current wave of harmful legislation may cause frustration and concern, it also mobilizes communities to organize, resist, and strive for a better future.