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March 01, 2023

Texas Progressives talk COLAs and more

Off the Kuff looks at the latest bit of "Colin Allred for Senate" speculation.

SocraticGadfly offers his thoughts on the "Paxton Four," namely paying for their lawsuit settlement and related issues.

The state Permanent School Fund's bond guarantee program has hit its debt ceiling. That means that, unless the IRS raises that cap, or Congress acts to that end, school districts launching new bond programs will pay higher interest. I disagree with Tex-ass Congresscritters wanting the cap removed entirely.

Phelan and Strangeabbott want to expand Medicaid for new mothers. They also want to eliminate sales tax on things like diapers. Them seeing that the "red wave" didn't happen in Tex-ass any more than nationally, in large part because of abortion, is the reason why.

Why isn't the state's basic student allotment inflation-indexed? Donna Howard's bill, among those addressing a hike in the allotment, proposes that. At my day job, I've said that all sorts of federal and state programs, from the minimum wage to the homestead exemption, should all be COLAed.

Strangeabbott has cut a deal with one of his top political donors for a new section of his state border wall. Shock me.

How troublesome are far-right White Catholic activists to the body politic? Though not justifying FBI "tripwire" surveillance, the Observer is right: Said activists should shut up until they also condemn previous such actions against Muslims, Blacks, etc.

An interesting new exhibit at the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth, all about our modern digital world, is reviewed here. (I've walked by the Modern before, and seen what I could see from the outside and in the lobby, but never paid admission freight.)

Our fee-for-service private insurance health "care" industry is part of why med schools don't teach doctors nutritional medicine. Some schools and some recent grads are doing what they can; they may get help from the many companies that have self-funded insurance.

Whether for teacher retention or other reasons, the idea of a four-day school week is growing, and moving from smaller to larger school districts. (With smaller school districts, where teachers often double as bus drivers, in some cases, there is that added pressure.)

A history prof wants the state to officially establish a "truth and reconciliation commission" about the official violence, usually racist, or the Texas Rangers in centuries past. Idea's great; good luck with getting Danny Goeb to back it.

Chip Gaines bought Larry McMurtry's book store.

The 19th celebrates the legacy of the late Texas transgender activist Monica Roberts.

The Observer looks back at the portrayal of Houston in the movie classic Local Hero.

The Current lists seven weird movies shot in San Antonio that you're probably never heard of.

Your Local Epidemiologist takes a deeper look at the efficacy of masking.

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