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Talarico demanded that José Garza’s opponent “renounce Republican money” —then accepted over $50,000 from a Republican billionaire’s PAC the next day
Stories in a couple of national media outlets recently tried to paint rising young Texas Democratic star James Talarico as a hypocrite, saying he has slammed the role of billionaires in funding Texas politicians, but himself accepted $59,000 from a PAC associated with...
Doggett Will Step Aside If Redistricting Map Holds – Plus City Budget Wrap-Up
There was some really big news not long after out last story about Texas mid-decade redistricting. First, Congressman Greg Casar made clear, through surrogates, that he plans to run for the seat currently held by Lloyd Doggett. Republican mapmakers merged the Austin...
Doggett Message to Casar: Two (Democratic) Districts Are Better Than One
Texas House Democrats are still on the lam, but the glory is beginning to fade. It hasn’t helped that some in the national media have pointed out to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker that his state — where most fleeing Democrats are hiding out — is very gerrymandered...
Cowboying-Up in Chicago – Texas Democrats on the Lam
Things were really looking up for Texas Democrats. Sure, Donald Trump is President and Democrats haven’t won a statewide election since 1994. But, hope springs eternal. Texas Democrats have been pumped up recently because Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton...
Austin Firefighters Union Blames Austin Fire Chief for Deaths in Kerr County — And Generates Right Wing Attacks On Chief
Last week we discussed how Republican anti-government, anti-tax, anti-regulation ideology contributed to the July 4 flooding tragedy in Kerr County. In an upcoming segment we will look at how that ideology played out earlier this year at the Texas Legislature. Plus,...
Despite Uncertainty in Media Reports, Council Appears Set on Tax Rate Election Path
Some local media have suggested that a Tax Rate Election (TRE) may occur for the 2025-26 City of Austin budget. Recent Council activity indicates it's all but decided. The Audit and Finance Committee meeting on July 22nd, along with the City Council Message Board...
True Stories
Legislature Adjourns – Greg Abbott Gets Meaner – States’ Rights Trumps Local Control
This week’s good news is that the Texas Legislature adjourned. The bad news is that they will be coming back later this year.
Abbott Defends Rights of the Unborn – The Born, Not so Much
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is looking out for the unborn, but he’s not quite as enthusiastic about protecting the already born, at least not all of them.
Giving the Anti-Strong Mayor Campaign Its Due – A Ray of Good News About Barton Creek – Another Major Zoning Case In East Austin
The Independent gives the stong mayor campaign its due; office towers proposed at former East Austin tank farm site, good news on Barton Creek, but a tragedy in the local environmental community.
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