txlege

On this week’s episode, State Representative James Talarico joins the program to discuss the recently concluded special sessions of the Texas Legislature. Representative Talarico discusses reports of atrocities committed by state troopers on the southern border, if Texans can be proud of the work of the Legislature, and what his political future looks like.

 

He's Deeply Religious and a Democrat. He Might Be the Next Big Thing in Texas Politics. (Politico): https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/06/16/james-talarico-texas-democrats-00101231

 

Intro/Outro Music: TAMAGOTCHI by ghouldeneye (soundcloud.com/ghouldeneye)

The next legislative session begins Jan. 10. Here's what school board members, administrators, and public school advocates need to know before it begins. 

Sign up for Texans for Strong Public Schools action alerts: https://bit.ly/39g1qS0 

Register to attend the Texas Federal Advocacy Conference, Feb. 6-7 in Washington, D.C., and the TASA/TASB Legislative Conference, Feb. 21 in Austin: https://bit.ly/3V5sSXn 

Texans helping their freezing communities every which way, fighting taxpayer-funded lobbying, and more on this week's episode of The Chase. The Chase | TPPF’s Andrew Brown and James Quintero, bring you everything you need to know about policies affecting you, your family, and your community.

What Happened? Former TX Rep. Jason Isaac, now Director of Life:Powered at TPPF, discusses putting the "Reliable" back in ERCOT and the root cause of the tragic blackouts this week and sources of mismanagement: poor public policies.   For more on the evolving situation visit www.thecannononline.com

Did you know that every 10 years, each state agency must go before the legislature and justify their existence?   Hear from TPPF's Derek Cohen, Ph.D. and today's guest, Vance Ginn, Ph.D., on which agencies are due for sun-shining, what the biannual revenue estimate is, and the path to a Conservative Texas Budget in the 87th legislative session.   For more on TPPF's Liberty Action Agenda, click here.

Our comeback is happening. Texans are returning to work, students are returning to schools, families are reestablishing routines. Join Andrew and James as they dive into the intersection of Governor Abbott's State of the Sate and TPPF's Legislative Action Agenda. Spoiler alert: there's a light at the end of the tunnel.   The Chase, hosted by TPPF's Andrew Brown and James Quintero, bringing you everything you need to know about policies affecting you, your family, and your community.

The 87th legislative session will be one for the history books given the unprecedented events of the past year. TPPF's Dr. Derek Cohen hosts this session's podcast, giving you insight into what is happening under the pink dome and how TPPF is working to Keep Texas Texan.

Lawmakers need to hear from charter school parents and caregivers like you! As the 87th Texas legislative session gets underway, experts from Choose to Succeed are offering free training sessions to help parents share their stories and forecast what may happen in the state capitol to advance education policy. Tom Torkelson, CEO of Choose to Succeed, joins us to talk about why it's important for us San Antonio Charter Moms to speak up, and to preview what to expect at the virtual advocacy events.

Project manager and software engineer Rick Kennedy is running for US House Representative for District 17 in Texas, in the 2020 Democratic primary. After decades working in tech, and after Trump was elected, Rick decided to run for office to try to solve difficult social problems and help end political divisiveness in the country. He joins the podcast to talk about his vision for universal pre-K, the costs of higher ed, rural internet, online disinformation, and more. Related to this episode: • Rick Kennedy’s campaign: https://rickkennedyforcongress.com/ • US House District 17: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_17th_congressional_district • Texas ranked 36th nationally in per-student education spending: https://www.texastribune.org/2018/05/15/texas-student-teacher-spending-average/ • Title 1 federal funding for schools: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/index.html • Accreditation of Marlin ISD in Texas: https://www.kxxv.com/news/local-news/tea-revokes-marlin-isd-accreditation-no-longer-recognized-as-public-school • The return on investment of early childhood education: https://www.impact.upenn.edu/our-analysis/opportunities-to-achieve-impact/early-childhood-toolkit/why-invest/what-is-the-return-on-investment/ • Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/two-years-after-the-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-who-are-the-winners-and-the-losers-2020-02-11 • Tips for protecting yourself from disinformation: https://www.snopes.com/news/2020/02/26/4-ways-to-protect-yourself-from-disinformation/ • HR1 We the People Act on gerrymandering and redistricting: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1/text • Voting information for Texas: https://www.votetexas.gov/ Subscribe and find more podcast information at: http://www.k12engineering.net. Support Pios Labs with regular donations on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pioslabs, or send one-time contributions by buying us coffee: https://ko-fi.com/pioslabs. Thanks to our donors and listeners for making the show possible. The K12 Engineering Education Podcast is a production of Pios Labs: http://www.pioslabs.com.

Texans across the state and across the political divide agree: public school funding needs fixing. What that means exactly, however, is tricky. In Part 1, Texas State Representative Donna Howard explains the school finance conundrum and its evolution over the years, along with some potential solutions floating around the legislature. In Part 2, political consultant Kolby Monnig argues that citizens must influence education laws by communicating with their representatives, and she demystifies that process. Lastly, in Part 3, educators, school support personnel, and unions rally for K-12 education reforms across the board. Related to this episode: • Representative Donna Howard: https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=48 • Donna Howard’s infographic on Texas school finance, on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texansforchange/photos/pcb.2262081777448971/2262081220782360/?type=3&theater • Liar’s affidavit: https://www.dontmesswithtaxes.com/2006/10/new_liars_affid.html • Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) “rainy day” fund: https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/2016/september/rainy-day.php • Texas Standard article on a first public proposal for how to reform school finance, from March 8th, 2019: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/03/08/texas-senate-files-its-version-school-finance-reform-bill/ • Kolby Monnig (@blueoceantx), Blue Ocean Consulting: https://blueoceantx.com/ • Copper pennies: https://www.texastribune.org/2011/03/31/how-to-navigate-texas-school-finance-system/ • Who Represents Me? https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home • Texas Teacher Retirement System: https://www.trs.texas.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx • Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/ • Rally for Texas education funding on March 11, 2019: https://www.statesman.com/news/20190311/hundreds-of-texas-teachers-rally-at-capitol-for-funding-against-merit-pay • Project Vida: https://www.pvida.net/ Subscribe and find more podcast information at: http://www.k12engineering.net. Support Pios Labs with regular donations on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pioslabs, or send one-time contributions by buying us coffee: https://ko-fi.com/pioslabs. Thanks to our donors and listeners for making the show possible. The K12 Engineering Education Podcast is a production of Pios Labs: http://www.pioslabs.com.

Educator Rachel and engineer Pius introduce Season 4 and brainstorm about what interests us in K-12 engineering education today. We talk about school finance reform, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and more. Related to this episode: • Lego programming: https://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/learn-to-program • Article on Facebook security breach in 2018: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/technology/facebook-hack-data-breach.html • Article on the Stuxnet virus applied to an Iranian power plant: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/06/01/154162121/as-the-worm-turns-cybersecurity-expert-tracks-blowback-from-stuxnet • AP CS Principles: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-computer-science-principles/course • Texas Legislative Sessions: http://www.tcdd.texas.gov/public-policy/texas-legislature/ • Article on how school finance works right now in Texas and “Robin Hood” funding: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/02/15/texas-school-funding-how-it-works/ • The Texas Permanent School Fund: https://tea.texas.gov/finance_and_grants/permanent_school_fund/ • SBOE = State Board of Education • Example food web in biology: https://cnx.org/contents/s8Hh0oOc@9.10:YevkaNFi@3/Energy-Flow-through-Ecosystems#fig-ch20_01_05 • TxDOT = Texas Department of Transportation: https://www.txdot.gov/ • Previous episode mentioning on improv for engineering: http://www.k12engineering.net/transcripts/ep9.html • Inside the Actor’s Studio: https://www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio • FERPA student privacy law: https://www.colorado.edu/registrar/students/records/ferpa • PLC = Professional Learning Community • Engineering Word Of The Day podcast: http://engineeringwordoftheday.com/ • Mozilla Foundation: https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/ • Elon Musk warns about climate change in 2015: https://www.inc.com/huffington-post/elon-musk-sounds-off-on-climate-change.html Subscribe and find more podcast information at: http://www.k12engineering.net. Support Pios Labs with regular donations on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pioslabs, or send one-time contributions by buying us coffee: https://ko-fi.com/pioslabs. Thanks to our donors and listeners for making the show possible. The K12 Engineering Education Podcast is a production of Pios Labs: http://www.pioslabs.com.

On Episode 3 of The Rabble, we explore our love-hate relationship with The Hunger Games-like presidential primary process. The shutdown was called off shortly after we recorded, but we discuss some shocking ways government workers were affected (and probably will be again in two weeks when the zombie of the shutdown comes back from the dead). Plus, we look at actions we can take to support the LGBTQ+ community in Texas. This week’s guest is long-time TX lege staffer and “Over the Lege” comedy show creator Stephanie Chiarello, who teaches us all about the bills and the bees (AKA where TX laws come from).

THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Stephanie Chiarello, longtime TX legislative staffer and creator of political comedy show “Over the Lege”

https://www.facebook.com/overthelege/

SH*T TO DO:

Create an account on the Texas Legislature Online site and set up “alerts” to follow bills related to issues you care about:
https://capitol.texas.gov/Home.aspx

How to track bills using the TLO site:
http://txlege.indivisible.blue/2017/03/16/how-to-track-bills-in-the-texas-legislature/

Follow @txlegebills on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TXLegeBills

Follow #TXlege on Twitter and Instagram

FOLLOW ROUSER:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RouserTX
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rousertx/
• Friday newsletter T-GIF: https://www.rousertx.com/tgif/

LINKS WE MENTIONED:

How agencies like the FBI are affected by the shutdown:
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/22/fbi-shutdown-report-1119526

Shutdowns reveal income inequality in government service:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/23/politics/the-shutdown-is-hurting-some-federal-workers/index.html

Where to donate resources for workers affected by the shutdown:
https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/
http://www.texasdiaperbank.org/

Find your local Indivisible group:
https://indivisible.org/

Senator John Cornyn’s district offices:
https://www.txdirectory.com/online/person/?id=17288&office=16865

Senator Ted Cruz’s district offices:
https://www.txdirectory.com/online/person/?id=44949&office=24898

“Stop Stupidity” Act to end government shutdowns:
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/426459-senate-dem-introduces-stop-stupidity-act-to-end-government-shutdowns

Who is running for president so far?
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/1/28/18187024/2020-us-presidential-election-who-is-running-democratic-primary

The Hunger Games (if you just emerged from a bunker):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games

Austin police looking for men suspected of brutally beating gay couple:
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/austin-police-looking-men-suspected-brutally-beating-gay-couple-n961616

Where to find information on joining a City of Austin board or commission (such as the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Board):
http://www.austintexas.gov/department/more-about-boards-and-commissions

What the Supreme Court’s transgender military ban means for trans people who want to serve:
https://www.vox.com/first-person/2019/1/24/18195975/trump-trans-military-ban-supreme-court-decision

“I fought for your right to hate me”:
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/11/09/this-veterans-selfie-sends-a-pretty-powerful-message/

Texas Democrats line up pro-LGBT bills:
https://outinsa.com/texas-democrats-line-up-pro-lgbt-bills-as-state-legislature-opening-day-arrives/

Rep. Joe Moody in his Biggie tie:
https://www.facebook.com/RouserTX/photos/a.950382661830330/1033109386890990/?type=3&theater

Stats on bills passed in TX lege:
https://lrl.texas.gov/sessions/billStatistics.cfm

"Over the Lege" political comedy show:
https://www.facebook.com/overthelege/

Texas legislature online website:
https://capitol.texas.gov/Home.aspx

How to track bills using the TLO site:
http://txlege.indivisible.blue/2017/03/16/how-to-track-bills-in-the-texas-legislature/

A great tool to see how a bill becomes a law; make sure to allow Adobe Flash to work (you click on each square and it gives more information) https://tlc.texas.gov/BillToLaw

Dawnna Dukes advocating for smoking:
http://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=38&clip_id=9606.
(It's at 3hrs 32 minutes in; amendment 27 is the amendment prohibiting smoking, her amendment is 28 saying no alcohol, etc.)

The bill that gives tax exemptions to feminine hygiene products for a limited period (bahahaha):
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB232

Hot air balloon hunting law:
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB3535

Major bills from the last legislative session:
https://apps.texastribune.org/85th-texas-legislature-major-bills/

Richie Butler & Project Unity will host Gospel Goes Classical at the Meyerson Center on February 7th. Pastor Butler discusses this powerful event and Shawn and Ryan discuss the opening of the Texas Legislative session and their trip to Austin for the swearing-in ceremony.