Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up

The Texas Progressive Alliance still has a dozen or so Republican responses to the SOTU it needs to get through as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff takes a look at campaign finance reports for Harris County legislative and countywide candidates.

Horwitz at Texpatriate laments the loss of Algebra II as a High school graduation requirement.

In light of some of the more ridiculous back-and-forth between Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott and their campaigns — not to mention James O’Keefe and his clandestine, altered video — PDiddie at Brains and Eggs asks: “Is it insensitive to say that Abbott is ‘running’ for governor?”

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wants you to scream in horror over the Republican war on women. All Republican candidates for Lieutenant Governor are FOR keeping a brain dead woman with a severely abnormal fetus on life support against her family’s wishes.

This week, McBlogger has some advice for the Davis Campaign, the press and all the Democratic activists who are eager for a win this year.

Neil at All People Have Value wrote about the slate of Green Party candidates running in Texas in 2014. All People Have Value is part of NeilAquino.com.

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And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

Nonsequiteuse scoffs at the notion that Texas may turn into California.

Texas Redistricting updates us on the proposed fixes to the Voting Rights Act and other election law news.

John Coby names Randy Weber the frontrunner to replace Steve Stockman as the craziest Congressman from Southeast Texas.

Texas Clean Air Matters reports on the longrunning legal battle between Texas and the EPA over clean air regulations.

The Lunch Tray alerts us to potential changes to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Randy Bear examines the reasoning behind various LGBT groups’ non-endorsement of Wendy Davis in the Democratic primary for Governor.

Greg Wythe has the data to analyze the actual impact of Texas’ voter ID law in Harris County.

BOR asks why the Texas Medical Association supports candidates who oppose their own stated positions, and gets a non-responsive answer from them.

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Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up

The Texas Progressive Alliance is ready to delete the phrase “polar vortex” from its vocabulary as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff presents interviews with Reps. Alma Allen and Carol Alvarado, as well as with challenger Azuwuike Okorafor.

Horwitz at Texpatriate discusses the least crazy Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate, Jerry Patterson.

Eye On Williamson on the race for Congress in TX-31. Tea party Congressman John Carter has some serious competition in 2014, Get To Know Louie Minor – Democrat For Congress in District 31.

It’s a new year for everyone and everything, including the Affordable Care Act. Despite endless, Republicans were unable to stop its arrival in Texas. Though as Texas Leftist found out, they were able to weaken the law, and endanger Texas hospitals in the process.

PDiddie at Brains and Eggs summarizes a blistering week in Texas politics.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme says watch out for the energized young, Democratic voters emerging in the Valley.

Neil at All People Have Value wrote about how the government in Ukraine has used people’s cell phones to track down and send messages to individuals taking part in anti-government protests. Neil says folks are mistaken if they think our own government won’t do the same to intimidate people taking part in lawful protests in the U.S. All People Have Value is part of NeilAquino.com.

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And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

Juanita offers some advice to Dan Patrick and Jared Woodfill.

Texas Vox reports on the opening of the southern half of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Lunch Tray continues its advocacy against chicken that has been processed in China being served in school lunchrooms.

Grits rounds up some coverage of Court of Criminal Appeals races.

The Texas Green Report checks in on the earthquakes in Azle and Reno.

Mean Green Cougar Red attended a presentation on the proposed high speed rail line between Houston and Dallas.

Nonsequiteuse thinks Greg Abbott is applying for the wrong job.

Progress Texas and Unfair Park gather some of the more colorful reactions to recent stories about Wendy Davis.

Finally, Ileen Haddad tells you everything you need to know about surviving the winter in Austin.

Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up

The Texas Progressive Alliance thinks America doesn’t look a day over 235 as it brings you this weeks blog roundup.

Off the Kuff notes that we are now up to six school finance lawsuits.

BossKitty at TruthHugger sings back to the choir, you know that small loud minority willing to sacrifice everybody else to satisfy their selfish rhetoric. Op Ed: Crazy Weather Really A Liberal Conspiracy?

Now that the Affordable Care Act has cleared the Supreme Court hurdle, when will uninsured Texans begin to get health insurance? WCNews at Eye on Williamson says that it’s up to the Texas GOP, What health care choices will the Texas GOP make?

The NAACP opened their national convention in Houston this week, and with Joe Biden and Mitt Romney on the speaker’s list, it promises to be newsworthy. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has a media credential and will be filing reports from the scene.

Neil at Texas Liberal blogged about Danny Glover coming to Houston on behalf of Houton janitors looking for a modest raise.

Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up

The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes the United States a happy 235th birthday as it brings you this holiday week roundup.

Off the Kuff took a look at changes in turnout in Congressional districts between 2006 and 2010.

After much chaos the GOP-led Texas Lege finally adjourned this week. WCNews at Eye On Williamson says that what we got is what happens When fools rule.

How does “Tommy Lee Jones, United States Senator from Texas” sound? It’s still a possibility, according to the recent news collected by PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is already sick of Rick Perry’s presidential run what with the propaganda and a**hattery.

Neil at Texas Liberal noted that despite all the talk in Texas about how the federal government is bad, the State of Texas is taking disaster aid from Washington to help manage wildfires and drought.

Texas Update! We Are In A Severe Drought Situation! ACT LIKE IT STUPID!!!!!

The majority of Texas is in a drought situation. Everything from severe to extreme. I am stunned that in most areas affected by the drought we are still under voluntary water restrictions. Are we waiting till we have no water???? I ride the buss around town and see people watering their lawns, sprinklers running in graveyards, and watching business hose down their sidewalks.  I have only one thing to say to this. WHAT THE FUCK?????

Governor Perry had a state pray for rain day that didn’t do a damn thing about the drought but has he spoken up and asked all counties to go to drastic water conservation plans???? Of course not. It wouldn’t look good for his aspirations to run for President. Have any of the other elected officials demanded strict water conservation? No! They keep waiting for the Water Management Departments in each area to piss off homeowner associations and the general public.

It is time for Texans to take this situation in hand and act like adults. call your mayor, your city council and you water management and ask them to declare stricter water conservation programs. This is necessary for our state!!!!

I have lived through severe droughts not only here in Texas but in North Carolina where I grew up. I will share a few of the things I know about conserving water. Some you have heard before but I bet quite a few will not only be new but shock you just a little.:)

• Stop Washing Your Car!!! Who cares how dirty your car is when we might not have water to drink?
• Stop Watering Your Lawn. I know you love that green lawn that you have to sweat like hell to water and cut but get a fucking grip. Status doesn’t count for crap if you have no water to drink.
• Put a Brick in The Tank of Your Toilet. Your toilet will still flush everything away but the amount of water saved will be significant. If you don’t have a brick, buy one or pick a large stone from your garden.
• Take Shorter Showers. No longer can you afford to stand in a long soaking shower. I love them as much as anyone but reality is reality.Even better, wet yourself down, cut off the water, soap up and clean yourself, and then turn water on to rinse. You can get shower heads with a feature to be able to stop water flow or you can do it straight from the shower controls.
• Stop Using Dishwashers Wash your dishes in the sink. Only fill the water high enough to wash and then rinse all at one time after washing instead of each piece one at a time.
• Only Wash Full Loads of Clothes Washing one or two pieces of clothing because you want to wear it that evening is stupid!!!! Find something else to wear and get over it.

The next suggestions are ones that I have seen used in the past and are great for those with small vegetable and flower gardens, hanging and potted plants outside you don’t want to lose.

• Close the Drain While Showering  The water in the tub can be used to water gardens and flowers. Scope it out with pots, pans, or water pitchers. Then take it outside and pour on the plants you are trying to save. Means you might need to give up the antibacterial soaps but you really don’t need them anyway. This goes for folks taking baths as well. Clean is Clean!
• Save The Water From Washing And Rinsing Dishes Here again you need to switch to regular soap instead of antibacterial but how nasty is your kitchen anyway? Scope out the water the same way and water your flowers.
• Check for Leaks Check all faucets and pipes for leaks and repair them.
• Grow a Beard. Budweiser had a campaign going for men not to shave from May 17th through June 5th to save a million gallons of water. Well, I think we need to do it in Texas while this drought is going on. I hate growing a beard because mine is all gray, makes me look older and is hot but to save water, I’m willing. Get an electric shave and use that if you have to shave. I think I will invest in a good one when I can.

This next suggestion is going to sound really gross but it does work. This was one they used at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill back when I was a teenager.

• If  It Is Yellow, Let It Mellow. If It Is Brown, Flush It Down sounds gross but it saves water. Also quit using your toilet as a trashcan or ashtray. Flushing the toilet to get rid of tissue when you blow your nose or as an ashtray to put out cigarettes or whatever you are smoking is nuts and wastes lots of water.

This video gives another great idea for saving water.

Pee in the shower!!!!

Remember this is a natural disaster and we have to do our part. This will not be solved by someone else. We have to do out part. Start Conserving Now!!!!!

Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up

No matter what the Lege chooses to do, the Texas Progressive Alliance is ready for summer as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff suggests that maybe a Rick Perry Presidential campaign might not be such a bad thing after all.

The demise of the ‘sanctuary cities’ bill in the closing days of the Texas Legislature’s 82nd session represents a “strategic victory” for Rick Perry, according to Mark Jones at Rice University’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs also notes, in other news, that a Blue Angels-like formation of flying pigs is circling the state capital.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wants to know why Bill Gates is helping republicans destroy our public education system. Could it be all of that potential revenue from computerized curricula?

The Texas Ledge-The Gift That Keeps On Giving has sunk to a new low. refinish69 is stunned that the budget appropriation for the homeless situation in Texas has been cut to ZERO!!!

This week at Left of College Station, Teddy asks the question who is the Texas Public Policy Foundation? Then he takes a look at the power, influence, and money at work on the Board of Directors on the TPPF, and the man behind the so-called “breakthrough solutions,” Jeff Sandefer.

McBlogger takes a look at the compromises Speaker Straus had to make to the Teabaggers and their allies, compromises that will more than likely return Texas to recession.

Neil at Texas Liberal noted that Democratic Houston Mayor Annise Parker has proposed a city budget that is balanaced on the backs of city workers and on citizens of Houston who are most in need of city services.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson has an update on What’s been happening in Williamson County.

Don’t Touch My Junk Bill Filed in Texas

Don't Touch My Junk!!!!

The Texas Ledge just keeps on giving. Republican State Representative David Simpson has filed a bill to make it a crime if a TSA agent touches your junk during a search.  This law would also affect DPS and any local police department. At first, he wanted to make it listed as sexual assault. It will now be listed as official oppression.

 

 

Hey Buddy.

Admittedly, David Simpson is kind of cute but I doubt TSA wants to grab his junk.  He might have to worry about Governor Perry but that is another story.

Thank you for wasting Tax Payers Money and Time!!!!

Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up

The Texas Progressive Alliance would like to thank the Academy for this week’s blog roundup.

Off the Kuff published an interview with Chris Barbic, founder and CEO of the YES Prep charter schools, which included a discussion of what the looming budget cuts will do to charter schools.

Doing My Part For The Left is having a greeting card event. Refinish69 thinks it is time to Send Republican Senators and Representatives a Greeting Card to thank them for the work they are doing.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson points out that the he GOP’s wish is coming true – the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, Plutocracy, or the 30 year class war on working and middle class Americans.

Nat-Wu analyzes the Tucson shootings and the guns on campus bill before the Texas legislature.

From Bay Area Houston: “Teabaggers are the most dangerous, ignorant, disrespectful bunch of people on the planet.”

No one fails quite like Mucous.

The Texas Cloverleaf speaks out against concealed firearms on Texas campuses.

Public Citizen’s TexasVox asks who the real sacred cows are in the Texas and Federal budget, replying that the obvious answer are the corporate welfare queens making profits off fossil fuel subsidies.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme calls out the Dallas Morning News for siding with the Koch brothers against hard working people.

Lightseeker over at TexasKaos thinks he knows what game the Republicans are playing at and what the Democrats are trying in reply. Check out Shock and Awe and The Democratic Strategy Going Forward.

Redistricting endangers several Texas House representatives, Democratic as well as Republican. The mapmakers may need long knives instead of sharpened pencils (since we can all do maps online now). PDiddie at Brains and Eggs summarizes the opening of “negotiations”.

Neil at Texas Liberal discussed the fact that he will soon be taking an airplane trip.

Texas Progressive Weekly Round Up

The Texas Progressive Alliance celebrates the MLK Day holiday as it brings you this week’s blog roundup.

Off the Kuff wrote about Governor Perry’s sanctuary scam and what it says about his priorities.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes that Perry and his merry band of republicans play to the Tea Party/corporate polluters while the EPA starts doing its job.

Lightseeker over at TexasKaos offers some ideas on how you can become a civility warrior, starting today. Hint: think leading with good values and standing up for what you want among your friends and colleagues. Check out: ow to inject civility when Uncle Joe Starts channeling Glen Beck.

This week, McBlogger takes a look at No Labels.

Letters From Texas published a powerful guest editorial from Jeff Rotkoff, on the issue of tea partiers’ claims that America is a tyrant state.

Bay Area Houston has a Perfect Picture of Palin, but not for children.

At Capitol Annex, Vince takes a look at the potential contenders for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s seat now that her retirement has thrown the doors wide open for the 2012 primary.After a two-part investigation last year on one town’s air quality problems WhosPlayin was happy to report that the Town of Flower Mound is increasing the scope and frequency of its air quality monitoring program as complaints continue by neighbors of natural gas facilities. A Lewisville neighborhood group facing gas well development in residential neighborhoods quickly followed suit, announcing increased testing and testing for sulfur compounds.

On the scene for the 82nd legislative session’s opening day, PDiddie managed to defy the Capitol’s tech support department with laptop connectivity issues, and then quickly ran his Android’s battery down Tweeting. Still, he managed a Brains and Eggs post about the day 24 hours after the fact.

TXsharon catches the Big Gas Mafia telling the truth. Gas does migrate up from the formation and it does so in a big way. Read about it on Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

After reading a Texas Tea party blogger who had just attended a Tea Party meeting, Neil at Texas Liberal wrote about the Tea Party vision of America. Will English-only require a federal language bereaucracy? Will deportation of all undocumented person mean government raids in our homes? Does the Ten Commandments posted every public building mean that Christianity can’t thrive without government support? Will repeal of Healthcare Reform allow insurance companies to once again cancel policies of people who get sick?

TexasVox reviews the showdown over greenhouse gas permits at an EPA public meeting in Dallas on Friday where over 100 local residents showed up to support the EPA and the Clean Air Act, demanding action on climate change because Rick Perry and TCEQ refuse to follow federal law.

George at The Texas Blue had been taking some time off post-election… but the reaction to events in Arizona finally pissed him off enough to write. (And just in time for the new legislative session!)

Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up

The Texas Progressive Alliance is keeping all of the victims of the Arizona shooting in its thoughts as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Refinish69 at Doing My Part for the Left has misgivings about the border patrol shooting teenagers because they are throwing rocks. The hate mongering expressed in the Immigration bills for the 82nd Texas Legislature will only add fuel to the fire.

Off the Kuff writes about the upcoming legislative battle over class size limits.

Bay Area Houston gives the bird back to the Harris County GOP. (With video.)

Hydraulic fracturing brings PEAK WATER to the Eagle Ford Shale as residents find their water tables dropping. A resident found Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS and contacted TXsharon about their flammable water.

This week on Left of College Station, Teddy covers Texas Congressional District 17’s new Republican congressman Bill Flores’ first days on the job in Congress. Also, as the 82nd Texas Legislature prepares to gavel into session facing a possible $25 billion budget shortfall, Teddy asks what’s the matter with Texas?

BossKitty at TruthHugger is watching, with amazement, current events unfolding after the Arizona Tragedy. The venom being spewed by extreme groups toward the victims and praise for the shooter is absolutely incredible. BossKitty tries to unravel the reasons these events are now mainstream in this country. Wounded America On Life Support – Op Ed.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme sees the republican priority – cronies, cronies, cronies.

nytexan at BlueBloggin looks at who we have become Arizona Shooting, Political Discord and Americans Disrespect. American should be ashamed of what we have become, gun toting, hate mongering Neanderthals. We are continually pointing fingers at each other, continually shouting, continually spewing incorrect information, continually exhibiting disrespect. This has now become a national pastime.

Neil at Texas Liberal posted the fourth annual version of his Martin Luther King Reading & Reference List. It is the best such reference on the web.

Texas is not like Arizona, PDiddie at Brains and Eggs observes. In Texas we don’t arrest people for looking “illegal”, or let Medicaid patients die because the governor doesn’t want to pay the bill, or shoot Congresswomen in front of supermarkets. Yet.

WhosPlayin is disgusted by a City Council that refused to table a vote on 12 gas wells and a wastewater facility when the operator submitted a weaselly P.R. document instead of a real emissions reduction plan. It’s time to replace some councilmen, because one is an illiterate fool, and the other is unethical enough to push an ordinance backed by his employer.

After the Texas Eagle Forum weighed in on the House Speaker’s race, Letters From Texas weighed in on the shenanigans of the Texas Eagle Forum.

Over at TexasKaos, libbyshaw, has a reality pill for Rick Perry and his minions. Check out The Great Texas Failure: A Smoke and Mirrors Economy.

TexasVox has a complete rundown of last week’s vote to allow the nation’s radioactive waste to come to Texas. Long story short? We got screwed.