Voter Suppression Day Wrangle *update

Update 2 (8/27):

After months of resistance from #txDems, Texas Republicans' anti-voter bill passes the Texas House. This voter suppression bill will take effect on the 91st day following this session. The clock is ticking. The U.S. Senate must act. Full clip here: https://t.co/3VR0jXx341 #txlege pic.twitter.com/q4warZ6wmA

— Rafael Anchía (@RafaelAnchia) August 27, 2021

As a reminder to @TexasHDC, @RafaelAnchia and all of the quorum-restoring Dems...https://t.co/teNMl1eC1r #TXLege #SB1

— Forever in debt to your priceless advice. (@PDiddie) August 27, 2021

Gov. Abbott’s voter suppression bill will be signed into law, and the people in Washington who could do something about it don’t care about what happens here in Texas. #txlege

— Christopher Edmerson (@ChrisEdmerson) August 28, 2021

Hold the phone ...

A bipartisan amendment that was a collaboration btwn Republican @BriscoeCain and Democrat @BucyForTexas and sought to prevent innocent mistakes from being prosecuted as voter fraud is delaying the TX GOP priority elections bill.

Our story:https://t.co/7N11tLWVHM #txlege

— Taylor Goldenstein (@taygoldenstein) August 28, 2021

In refusing to accept House's changes, SB1 author @SenBryanHughes cites a @BriscoeCain amendment meant to address situations like Crystal Mason's, who was convicted of illegal voting though she has said she didn't know she was ineligible https://t.co/LYSxkjAw0A #txlege https://t.co/1aaGimjeTV

— Alexa Ura (@alexazura) August 28, 2021

I'll check back in tomorrow evening (with a fresh post).

Update 1:

#Breaking: It has been a long night on the Texas legislature, where moments ago we witnessed the nearly 50-page voting bill (#SB1) advance in the Texas House. #txlege https://t.co/JP0wZ3YCP9

— Acacia C (@acaciatree18) August 27, 2021

@TexasHDC, #SB1’s passage is not inevitable. Y’all have the power to stop it. We know it’s a fight, but y’all are fighters & we are counting on you to have the courage to not show up for the 3rd reading later today. Please don’t give up now. #txlege https://t.co/cQSGz8RY0K

— Texas Democrats with Disabilities (@TXDisabledDems) August 27, 2021

The #txlege will continue debate on #SB1 tomorrow morning at 11am. But there's still time before then to fight for equitable voting rights.

Contact your representatives NOW: https://t.co/KX5v72LncZ (@MOVE_texas) pic.twitter.com/03FugsBzhw

— Every Texan (@EveryTxn) August 27, 2021

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!
👉🏼Rep. Tracy King
👉🏼@RepLongoria
👉🏼@EddieLucioIII
👉🏼@moodyforelpaso
👉🏼@EddieMoralesJr
👉🏼@jamestalarico
👉🏼@TurnerForTX
👉🏼@RepWalle
👉🏼@ErinForYall

— Taylor Hogeland 🤠 (@TaylorHogeland) August 27, 2021

Original post:

The Texas House is set to take up the GOP-backed elections bill today (#sb1)

Its sponsor, Rep. Andrew Murr, has already pre-filed a lengthy amendment:https://t.co/Dd4GpHcKO6#txlege

— Allie Morris 🌟 (@MorrisReports) August 26, 2021

In some ways this would move the elections bill toward the Senate version. Reading through it after 11pm there are ways in which it's more moderate language. It would help me understand it better if they'd stop writing laws on how Texans can vote in the middle of the damn night https://t.co/f7RGfaCZjl

— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) August 26, 2021

Follow the action at the #TXLege hashtag or in my Tweet feed at the top right. In other news ...

I don’t have to. I live in Texas, @GovAbbott keeps bringing the 3rd world to us. This #txlege session is Middle East pic.twitter.com/tLzfF8cgEj

— Aunt is Stalking Me (@wendy_mcroberts) August 25, 2021

From constitutional carry to medical marijuana, 9 new Texas laws that take effect Sept. 1 https://t.co/god4NtPQ2k #txlege

— Kolten Parker (@KoltenParker) August 25, 2021

A long and controversial legislative session resulted in a mixed bag of criminal justice bills. Here’s a roundup of new criminal laws (or changes to existing laws) stemming from the 87th legislative session. https://t.co/vGh0Ar9aee#TxLege #87thLegislature @TBLScertified

— Varghese Summersett (@VersusTexas) August 23, 2021

Yes, the very bad is upon us, with the worst to come.

Keep in mind a six-week ban is slated to take effect in about a week (and even if that is temporarily halted) a ban on D&E, the safest, most common abortion procedure at 15wks will take effect Sept. 9. #sb4 #txlege #sb8 https://t.co/ZHJieVwVnT

— Mary Tuma (@TumaTime) August 23, 2021

On this travesty, there is considerable pushback.

Texas' 6-week abortion ban is set to go into effect on Sept 1st. It will also let strangers sue people who help someone get an abortion. We're shouting #BansOfOurBodies.

Join the protest: https://t.co/IUGJdMeWQw #txlege pic.twitter.com/527xZZFGhJ

— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) August 25, 2021

In Texas, ‘Reproductive Freedom Congregations’ catch on as new abortion law loomshttps://t.co/hXozXKFreN

— San Antonio Review (@SanAntoReview) August 26, 2021

Hah!!!
This anti-abortion whistleblowing site is being flooded with Shrek porn#reproductivejustice #sb8 #txlege #abortionrights https://t.co/Ue4EnkC6gf

— Rose Quartz and Moon Water (@starfishncoffee) August 26, 2021

Others, not so much.  And new dangers loom.

Businesses that don’t want handguns on their premises have to post at least two signs, in both English and Spanish: one for concealed carry and one for open carry.

Starting Sept. 1, they will have to post a third sign to exclude unlicensed carry. https://t.co/5ldrroph3e

— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) August 24, 2021

With a few political updates:

Attorney General Ken Paxton investigates Attorney General Ken Paxton to find that Attorney General Ken Paxton is not guilty of any wrongdoing. https://t.co/DIojnQoDgl

— Denton Left (@DentonLeft) August 24, 2021

Texas: Circling the Drain | ⁦@rossramsey⁩ ⁦⁦@TexasTribune⁩ #TxLege https://t.co/UJl9ex6pYC

— Rudy England (@RudyEngland) August 26, 2021

Nugent, a memorable surrogate from Abbott's 2014 campaign, backs one of his primary challengers seven years later > https://t.co/YzJmQQTiUL

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) August 24, 2021

Hah, new excuse for why you’re driving on the shoulder

“West told the officer that the reason she was driving this way “was because she was listening to her GPS,” the affidavit said.” https://t.co/Q0akEi83Uw

— SVSalon 🦕 (@SVSalon) August 24, 2021

Rick Perry’s pitch for COVID-zapping filtration devices in the halls of the Texas Capitol was a bit much https://t.co/wSCt9aTBAc

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) August 25, 2021

The former Bush advisor pledges to help Texas Democrats win in 2022—including, possibly, by putting his hat in the ring.https://t.co/whc5e3vIBZ+

— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) August 24, 2021

Dowd would be primarying Mike Collier if he takes the leap; another Republican turned Democrat.  Moldy Caucasian conservatives are about all Texas Dems are good for any longer, I guess.

Here's the latest from the southern border.

The Supreme Court says the Biden administration likely violated federal law in trying to end a Trump-era program that forces people to wait in Mexico while seeking asylum in the U.S. It’s not clear how many people will be affected by the ruling. https://t.co/KpcUpwiCOf

— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) August 25, 2021

Seven months after President Biden was sworn into office & still nobody seems to know what’s going on with 100+ land condemnation suits here in the #RGV, nor what appears to be new border wall construction.
My story here: https://t.co/HaWRDfqI0H

— Dina Arévalo (@PhotogDina) August 23, 2021

One thing's for sure:@GregAbbott_TX's border barrier along the Rio Grande, if it becomes reality, apparently will be built entirely on land upriver from Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr counties.

Read my story for details: https://t.co/xzkSAHoS1Q #txlege pic.twitter.com/0JUoUAJbyf

— Bob Garrett (@RobertTGarrett) August 25, 2021

Texas will literally close a food bank site in El Paso in order to free up Texas Natl Guard members to arrest people at the border.https://t.co/v5H0Cf4ygH

— Keri Blakinger (@keribla) August 24, 2021

Beginning my segment on the environment with an anniversary.

The worst of storms also brought out 8.3 million pounds of air pollution, killed 68 people, flooded more than 150,000 homes and wrecked Houstonians' mental health.

And four years later, Texas Republicans have done nothing to make coastal residents safer. #HurricaneHarvey https://t.co/mwStrgOoUb

— One Breath Partnership (@OneBreathHOU) August 25, 2021

With a new storm brewing and taking aim at the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast, keep in mind that personal responsibility is all you can count on in our headlong rush to "freedumb".  Take all necessary precautions now.

August 23. Five dead, 2 workers missing, 6 injured after a fire erupts in the Gulf of Mexico at a PEMEX offshore oil platform. The second massive failure at a PEMEX offshore oil platform in two months. Photo c/o @offshoreenergyt pic.twitter.com/fsiKtX2HTp

— Antonia Juhasz (@AntoniaJuhasz) August 25, 2021

Dear @POTUS, Texas fails to regulate #oilandgas flaring: 69-84% of methane flares are unpermitted.

To tackle the #climatecrisis, declare a climate emergency, reinstate the crude export ban, and have @EPA cut oil & gas methane pollution 65% by 2025.
https://t.co/PTi5SPaqRO pic.twitter.com/Z9fZc5PQVN

— Earthworks (@Earthworks) August 24, 2021

A well written article by @Jennifer_Hiller is still so applicable.

Iconic Rancher Sonny Fitzsimmons quoted in it, ran for Ag Commissioner, passed away recently.

Texas oil boom turns water into gold - #Lubbock Avalanche-Journal #txwater #txlege #EFT https://t.co/vhx92fTBvX pic.twitter.com/qFi6voxWuf

— Ed Cowsar (@EdCowsar) August 23, 2021

Transportation of high-level radioactive waste through Dallas-Fort Worth debated as #Texas special session agenda includes nuclear waste storage in Andrews County, @EmilyECaldwell writes. #txlege #radioactivewaste #nuclearwaste #NuclearEnergy #environment https://t.co/UqhICAoADv

— John Gravois (@Grav1) August 25, 2021

The #txlege took a third of the money TCEQ is supposed to give back to Texans to retire polluting cars and heavy-duty equipment and gave it to TxDOT to widen freeways.https://t.co/ftJkFeYhsD

— Allyn West (@allynwest) August 23, 2021

COVID, and then criminal justice news.

A reminder that Charles Schulz was ahead of the curve when it came to anti-vaxxers. This strip is from January 3, 1967. pic.twitter.com/C7eZDbVfys

— Luke Epplin (@LukeEpplin) July 22, 2021

We have an incredibly powerful antivaccine lobby here in Texas, including an antivaccine PAC (political action committee). Been going up against them for years, in the attached tweets I will provide some of my writings. They're a tough crowd and they gang tackle... https://t.co/AGSEvrulv8

— Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD (@PeterHotez) August 25, 2021

🧵👇🏽 Right now in Texas, roughly 60,000 human beings are locked up in local jails. About 2 in 3 (40k people) are not convicted. Most are locked up because they can’t afford a monetary payment. #SB6 will make this worse. Lawmakers must #fixsb6 by striking sections 6 and 7 #txlege pic.twitter.com/8zkwC8xxR4

— Texas Civil Rights Project (@TXCivilRights) August 25, 2021

THREAD: I've been studying media complicity in mass human caging for years, but this Houston Chronicle editorial demanding millions in cash for more prosecutors is among the worst I've seen. Some of this stuff will shock you. https://t.co/OGrG8pDK8R

— Alec Karakatsanis (@equalityAlec) August 23, 2021

A union update:

In the notoriously anti-labor Lone Star State, three recently unionized newsrooms are fighting for their first collective bargaining agreements, the contracts that will determine their future working conditions. https://t.co/CFNHliPXeb

— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) August 24, 2021

And two calm-me-downs.

Working hard on Vorticity 4…it’s coming along, but still probably weeks away from release. But here’s a scene of the Sudan, Texas tornado, one of the highlights of the year for me. Capturing the entire life cycle was amazing! @canonusa #txwx pic.twitter.com/rOfqyQV3Ee

— Mike Olbinski (@MikeOlbinski) August 25, 2021

Based on the diaries of Susanna Clark and Saviano’s 2016 book "Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark," the film tells the saga from Susanna’s point of view, with Academy Award-winner Sissy Spacek voicing Susanna’s narration. See the film at the Modern.

— The Modern (@themodernfw) August 23, 2021

Busting the Democrats' Quorum Break Wrangle

Lege back in session. Not without some bitterness.

Update (p.m.):

From this evening: More than a dozen Democrats return, signaling more assured end of quorum bust in the Texas House https://t.co/1fG3BSpFBo #txlege

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) August 24, 2021

Original (a.m.):

Texas House Democrats who weren't on the floor Thursday asked those there to fight the "questionable" roll call vote (via verification or strict enforcement – but no one did.@TMFtx: "It was an opportunity that was missed because there was a failure to act on it." #txlege

— Eva Ruth Moravec (@EvaRuth) August 20, 2021

Plot twist: it wasn’t just the TX GOP.

The Dems on the floor (& those that weren’t but were on the board👀) are now all complicit in this suppression session. #txlege https://t.co/qQ4Mll99sm

— Taylor Hogeland 🤠 (@TaylorHogeland) August 20, 2021

Couple House Ds being bit more explicit re: defectors
- Minjarez: "I will not be so foolish as to believe false
promises, or capitulate to those who would discriminate or disenfranchise"
- Ja.Johnson: "I’ll always put my ppl over any committee assignment or backroom deal" #txlege

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) August 20, 2021

Garnet Coleman shepherded an endorsement of Dennis Bonnen 4 speaker through the Dem Caucus in 2019, even attending a fundraiser @ a billionaire's home 4 Bonnen w/reps from a crosssection of terrible companies.

So returning 4 quorum is par 4 the course 4 him.#TXLege

— ((( Daniel J Cohen ))) (@mrdancohen) August 20, 2021

These are quite obviously not the developments you'll be reading on the various online mouthpieces of the Texas Democratic Party, although the Signal doesn't completely ignore the topic like Kuffner does.  And tap-dancing around the criticisms while playing both sides of the fence is ... well, mostly embarrassing.  (Hardest-working fellow you'll ever see who tries not to offend anybody and fails every time.)  Thus the dirty job nobody wants to do falls to this recovering Democrat.  I am, of course, more than happy to pick up the slack.

Let's begin, as we usually must, with the "Save Us Beto You're Our Only Hope" Caucus.

CLOSING IN ON LABOR DAY and no Democrat has either announced or hinted that he or she will run for governor next year.

State Rep. @JasmineFor100 Crockett says there's only one person who can spin up a viable campaign this quickly... pic.twitter.com/Ze8vVluUvG

— Jason Whitely (@JasonWhitely) August 22, 2021

O'Rourke is, as one reply there notes, waiting to see if the US Congress can pass the two voting bills -- the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act -- before he decides whether he will run.  And because Joe Manchin loves the filibuster more than he does democracy, the bills won't pass.  Correspondingly, I have laid heavy stakes on 'Hell No, Beto'.

The Donks will have some sacrificial lamb, as they always do, and they will trumpet that third or fourth option -- do I really need to post again that the Castro Bros don't run for something if there's the slightest chance they might not win? -- as their godsend, saviour, what TF ever.  The down-ballot nominees will have to row harder to pull the dead weight, and the ballast includes Mike Collier, who holds his own delusions of defeating Dan Patrick in a rematch.  Let's hope he can convince more Republicans to vote for him than last time, because that's his only chance.

All this is a crine ass shame because Joe Jaworski or Lee Merritt could legitimately defeat Ken Paxton without all these drags on the ticket.  It's possible the winner of their primary still could.  Only this contest, IMHO, has a decent chance of flipping at the statewide level in 2022.

You're best off sending a message that we need wholesale changes in Austin.

Surely this has nothing to do with the millions upon millions in campaign donations to members of the legislature both R+D, railroad commissioners, AG, Governor, State Judges etc etc https://t.co/0WpmLoo1i5

— Bexar County Greens 🌻💚 (@BexarGreensTX) August 20, 2021

We don’t need ‘more’ bridges. We need to maintain the ones we have.
Now, if you said ‘green rail’
I would let it slide.
👇vote for👇🌍
.@DelilahforTexas https://t.co/gcuypABUz0

— Ted Cruz Called the FBI on me (@theoneronin1312) August 22, 2021

GPTX calls for 2022 candidates! #Greentwitter @GreenPartyUS

Join us 8/28 for more info!https://t.co/eQo829Vnmo

— Green Party of Texas (@TXGreens) August 22, 2021

I foresee a return to a more active blogging schedule this week, so with COVID, environmental, and the usual topics bookmarked, I'll pause the serious stuff here and end today with the soothers.

Fort Worth had me out last night to capture 'New Stories: New Features' at Pioneer Tower in Will Rogers Memorial Center. The light show was put on by AURORA. #FortWorth #aurora #fortworth @FWPublicArt @WillRogersMC @VisitFortWorth pic.twitter.com/mlJRHbaahc

— Joseph Haubert (@josephhaubert) August 21, 2021

Stace at Dos Centavos honored journalist, poet, playwright, and cultural critic Gregg Barrios, who passed away suddenly last week.

As I noted last night, the legendary Tom T. Hall died. Tom wrote a great song called "The Great East Broadway Onion Championship of 1978 re: a night at Stubb's BBQ in Lubbock with Joe Ely and Stubbs himself in .. 1978. Here's a photo of C.B. Stubblefield, Joe Ely & Tom T. Hall. pic.twitter.com/8froN8Ium5

— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) August 21, 2021

Awesome new Texas music mural in Alpine 🤘 pic.twitter.com/6il1P6WBIx

— Travis Bubenik (@travisbubenik) August 21, 2021

Here's the story on the mural project.

We can’t get over how cute the baby horned lizards are experiencing sand for the first time 🥰🥰🥰 pic.twitter.com/JL057CV1KO

— San Antonio Zoological Society 🦏 (@SanAntonioZoo) August 21, 2021

Sunday Not Very Funnies

Famous Moments in History, Reimagined by Centrists (4 of 4) Leave no political cartoonist behind.