Great info, as always. I do depend on you for Texas insight. I’m stuck in Parker County and everyone who “represents” me is a Republican ☹️. But I’m working & fighting.
Sincere question for Dem party, from a former Republican, now independent, who volunteers many hours a week, particularly in voter registration and on campaigns…
I have considered volunteering to be a precinct chair, and some precinct chairs have asked me to throw my hat in the ring. The job seems all consuming to me, when I read the description. Then when I look at the list of precinct chair spots, a huge percentage are vacant. Maybe the scope of the job is the reason?
It seems to me that one of the party’s goals might be to restructure some of this to meet people where they are?
Or maybe this is being done, and I just am unaware of it.
This party stuff is all new to me, and again I am finding plenty to do without the party commitment, but it seems like everything flows through the PC, and if that is unfilled…who picks it up?
Hi Cathy, You could do the work with ease I think. You know I have been doing a lot in my precinct over the past few years and finally put my name in for mine this fall because it needs to be done. I have convinced a few to assume the role. You know our TDP Chair, Kendall Scudder became one at 18. The real key I think is to find those who will help you.
Cathy - not suggesting you be a slacker because you are the opposite of that, but PCs are all over the map as far as how much they do or don’t do. Anything you can do is helpful!
Nobody picks it up. That means there is no connection to the issues--door knocking and meeting people is critical-and you will begin to find allies willing to pitch in. I became a PC last year a few weeks before the 2024 election--I quickly became connected to wise like-minded people. I have been learning the issues and how I can impact my precinct. Little by little you can help turn people around by educating them. The underrepresented precincts are of great concern because they don't get as much access to information. Do it! Respond if you ever want to chat.
Great article. You have taught me more than I learned in law school about how the law in Texas works. And we can’t fix it all. I can be thankful that in my little corner of the world we are doing the work, and it showed. I worked the pills for 2 weeks and received volunteers. I am giving a presentation today on the impact of redistricting on our black and brown communities. Like I said in 2024, when I get despondent, go knock on another door.
Postsricpt: Those private prisons in Texas can be filled with white supremacist militia members, and right wing extremist traitors just as easily as foreign national immigrants and political opponents. The danger of using a sword on the people is that it cuts both ways, depending on who is holding it.
Thank you for pointing out what Texans should all know by now; the Legislature and their billionaire puppet masters must be watched like hawks. I have another item from the "horse has already left the barn" category. Senate Bill 8.
I've been trying to closely watch what ICE is up to in Texas, and it appears that they are planning to build a huge federally funded private prison and transportation network here, subsidizing local law enforcement to do the dirty work for them, according to Wired. Here's a summary of the Wired article, because it's behind a paywall:
In June, the Texas legislature passed Senate Bill 8, requiring any sheriff who runs a jail to seek a 287(g) agreement with ICE. The law aims to create “uniformity and cooperation among all counties.” Abbot signed the bill on June 20. It is scheduled to take effect at the start of the new year.
ICE envisions 254 transport hubs statewide—one for each Texas county—each staffed continuously by two armed contractor personnel. A shadow logistics network would be built on agreements with local police departments under the 287(g) program. These once symbolic gestures of cooperation are today a pipeline for real-time biometric checks and arrest notifications. Transportation is merely the next logical step.
For ICE, it will create a closed loop: Local authorities apprehend immigrants. Private contractors deliver them to either a local jail (paid to house detainees) or a detention site run by a private corporation. The plan even specifies that contractors must maintain their own dispatch and command-and-control systems to manage movements statewide.
ICE is all but extricating itself from the process—becoming little more than an overseer that sets routes, response times, and reporting standards—while effectively turning immigration enforcement into a service industry; a continuous, privatized, and largely unseen system capable of moving detainees hundreds of miles overnight while operating without direct federal presence. *End*
Needless to say, the federal contractors in this system have no accountability whatsoever, and could kill, injure, rape, traffic, and steal from victims without limitation, as we've been seeing in other parts of the country. This same privatized system, including the newly stood up ICE dentention centers and black sites in Texas, could be used for political prisoners, as Trump has been threatening since he ordered the regime to consider Democrats to be "domestic terrorists."
Excellent point about the fight being before it’s on the ballot but can you help me understand why the blowout victory on all 17? 😩 Did dems not vote? Did dems vote yes because they didn’t understand the amendments? I thought with the backlash it would show up as no votes on their wish list of bs.
The RPoTX counts on Dems not voting in off-year Nov. elections, when only Rep. party activists vote in large numbers. Even May off-year would be higher turnout due to local elections such as school board, city council, etc.
Thank you for breaking these issues down so eloquently, Michelle. You are right that the problem began before the 89th Legislature began. "Interim" committees had been meeting for months--the voucher scam and anti DEI crap was laid out long ago. Very early in the session the Education committee bulldozed all their bullshit bills and the lone two dems on the committee could do nothing but watch things burn. When Sen. West asked Creighton why certain sanctions would be placed on public and not private school teachers, Creighton replied, "We're going to start with this and see how it goes. We can revisit it in the interim." Dems were slaughtered--The right got everything they wanted and still pushed for more. So, YES, it begins with our vote for the legislature. Too many Texans have no idea what it means to do their research.
Great info, as always. I do depend on you for Texas insight. I’m stuck in Parker County and everyone who “represents” me is a Republican ☹️. But I’m working & fighting.
You have some people working super hard in Parker county right now.
Absolutely! We are small but mighty!
Sincere question for Dem party, from a former Republican, now independent, who volunteers many hours a week, particularly in voter registration and on campaigns…
I have considered volunteering to be a precinct chair, and some precinct chairs have asked me to throw my hat in the ring. The job seems all consuming to me, when I read the description. Then when I look at the list of precinct chair spots, a huge percentage are vacant. Maybe the scope of the job is the reason?
It seems to me that one of the party’s goals might be to restructure some of this to meet people where they are?
Or maybe this is being done, and I just am unaware of it.
This party stuff is all new to me, and again I am finding plenty to do without the party commitment, but it seems like everything flows through the PC, and if that is unfilled…who picks it up?
Hi Cathy, You could do the work with ease I think. You know I have been doing a lot in my precinct over the past few years and finally put my name in for mine this fall because it needs to be done. I have convinced a few to assume the role. You know our TDP Chair, Kendall Scudder became one at 18. The real key I think is to find those who will help you.
Oh and I forgot that we were told the County Party does not expect us to do as many hours as we all thought, for whatever that means.
Cathy - not suggesting you be a slacker because you are the opposite of that, but PCs are all over the map as far as how much they do or don’t do. Anything you can do is helpful!
You would be great. Happy to help you navigate the process.
Nobody picks it up. That means there is no connection to the issues--door knocking and meeting people is critical-and you will begin to find allies willing to pitch in. I became a PC last year a few weeks before the 2024 election--I quickly became connected to wise like-minded people. I have been learning the issues and how I can impact my precinct. Little by little you can help turn people around by educating them. The underrepresented precincts are of great concern because they don't get as much access to information. Do it! Respond if you ever want to chat.
Great article. You have taught me more than I learned in law school about how the law in Texas works. And we can’t fix it all. I can be thankful that in my little corner of the world we are doing the work, and it showed. I worked the pills for 2 weeks and received volunteers. I am giving a presentation today on the impact of redistricting on our black and brown communities. Like I said in 2024, when I get despondent, go knock on another door.
Postsricpt: Those private prisons in Texas can be filled with white supremacist militia members, and right wing extremist traitors just as easily as foreign national immigrants and political opponents. The danger of using a sword on the people is that it cuts both ways, depending on who is holding it.
Right. What goes around, comes around.
Michelle, thanks for reminding us that we should have killed a bunch of these back during the session.
Thank you for pointing out what Texans should all know by now; the Legislature and their billionaire puppet masters must be watched like hawks. I have another item from the "horse has already left the barn" category. Senate Bill 8.
I've been trying to closely watch what ICE is up to in Texas, and it appears that they are planning to build a huge federally funded private prison and transportation network here, subsidizing local law enforcement to do the dirty work for them, according to Wired. Here's a summary of the Wired article, because it's behind a paywall:
In June, the Texas legislature passed Senate Bill 8, requiring any sheriff who runs a jail to seek a 287(g) agreement with ICE. The law aims to create “uniformity and cooperation among all counties.” Abbot signed the bill on June 20. It is scheduled to take effect at the start of the new year.
ICE envisions 254 transport hubs statewide—one for each Texas county—each staffed continuously by two armed contractor personnel. A shadow logistics network would be built on agreements with local police departments under the 287(g) program. These once symbolic gestures of cooperation are today a pipeline for real-time biometric checks and arrest notifications. Transportation is merely the next logical step.
For ICE, it will create a closed loop: Local authorities apprehend immigrants. Private contractors deliver them to either a local jail (paid to house detainees) or a detention site run by a private corporation. The plan even specifies that contractors must maintain their own dispatch and command-and-control systems to manage movements statewide.
ICE is all but extricating itself from the process—becoming little more than an overseer that sets routes, response times, and reporting standards—while effectively turning immigration enforcement into a service industry; a continuous, privatized, and largely unseen system capable of moving detainees hundreds of miles overnight while operating without direct federal presence. *End*
Needless to say, the federal contractors in this system have no accountability whatsoever, and could kill, injure, rape, traffic, and steal from victims without limitation, as we've been seeing in other parts of the country. This same privatized system, including the newly stood up ICE dentention centers and black sites in Texas, could be used for political prisoners, as Trump has been threatening since he ordered the regime to consider Democrats to be "domestic terrorists."
This is one of the reasons why our votes for state representatives, governor etc. are extremely important.
Excellent point about the fight being before it’s on the ballot but can you help me understand why the blowout victory on all 17? 😩 Did dems not vote? Did dems vote yes because they didn’t understand the amendments? I thought with the backlash it would show up as no votes on their wish list of bs.
I think a lot of people didn’t understand them, didn’t research or read them until they got the voting booth.
The RPoTX counts on Dems not voting in off-year Nov. elections, when only Rep. party activists vote in large numbers. Even May off-year would be higher turnout due to local elections such as school board, city council, etc.
Great article for me to share out. Thank you!
Thank you, Michelle! Wish I'd finished posted this before midnight. Great stuff!!!
Thank you for breaking these issues down so eloquently, Michelle. You are right that the problem began before the 89th Legislature began. "Interim" committees had been meeting for months--the voucher scam and anti DEI crap was laid out long ago. Very early in the session the Education committee bulldozed all their bullshit bills and the lone two dems on the committee could do nothing but watch things burn. When Sen. West asked Creighton why certain sanctions would be placed on public and not private school teachers, Creighton replied, "We're going to start with this and see how it goes. We can revisit it in the interim." Dems were slaughtered--The right got everything they wanted and still pushed for more. So, YES, it begins with our vote for the legislature. Too many Texans have no idea what it means to do their research.