Texas Progressives talk budget, Trump, arts

The Texas House Approprirations Committee'ss proposed budget is a mixed bag. At least it said no to what is indeed a slush fund, his disaster and economic-development accounts. That said, things like CPRIT (John Sharp's slush fund) needs to be eliminated if it still gets money, and more. It's also disgusting to have "thoughts, prayers and a counseling site" for Uvalde but nothing to fund a red flag law, let alone just passing a red flag law.

Special investigations director quits Family and Protective Services, blisters lack of funding stretching back nearly two decades. Guess House Appropriations didn't get the memo.

Of note: Danny Goeb was with Trump in Waco Saturday; Strangeabbott was not. Also present? At least one conspiracy theorist who apparently believes Jeffrey Epstein is still alive. At the Monthly, Dan Solomon asks "Why Waco" while ignoring, as the Trib reports in the link immediately above, that Goeb chose Waco, not Trump. Of course, the Trib didn't ask Goeb "why Waco," and Goeb would have known this was the 30th anniversary.

Abortion funds are paying for assistance again after a federal injunction.

A group of West Texas A&M students are suing their prez for cancelling a drag show. FIRE, to its credit, is representing them.

Off the Kuff looks over the 2022 State House election numbers to see what happened last year and where the action may be in the near future.

SocraticGadfly goes to his second blog, on philosophy, the arts and related issues, and takes a look at the Dallas Museum's launch of seeking $175 million for a major expansion.

The Observer once again makes me shake my head, something happening with more and more frequency. This time, it's the claim that TEA's takeover of Houston ISD is the Trojan horse to privatization. As I said on Twitter, if so, then Marlin ISD parents are wondering where their Trojan horse has been for half a decade. The story also, after an initial disclaimer that magnet schools aren't charters, acts like Mickey Leland basically is a charter re Wheatley's struggles.

The Observer redeems itself with an interview with Andrew Gonzales, who moved from burnt-out Austin ISD teacher to Austin ISD school board member.

Border/Lines talks about the latest in Biden immigration police and the death of two Ill Eagles on that train near Uvalde. 

Friend Skeptophilia talks about the book bans (and image bans) in Floridah.

Joe Costello explains how money and banking actually work.

Globally, let's talk not just peak oil but peak fossil fuels.