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Abortion, Beto, campaign, Congress, Dobbs v. Jackson, Elected Officials, GOP, Governor Abbott, Harris County, Independence, Midterms, money, My Body, My Choice, political coin, politics, Texas

Election Night Recap 2022- What Happens Next?

Election Night Recap 2022

Texas House Makeup in last three election cycles:

86th Session: 67 Democrats to 83 Republicans
87th Session: 67 Democrats to 82 Republicans
88th Session: 64 Democrats to 86 Republicans

What happens after the election?

We go to Caucus with other Democratic Members

We talk about what we are going to accomplish this session.

Why we failed in 2020 and why that mattered even more in 2022.

What we can and must do going forward.

Further Your Knowledge:
Read: Straight From the Heart
Watch: Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins
Wear: Richards

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni.

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campaign, Courtrooms, Elected Officials, GOP, Harris County, Independence, learn, Midterms, politics, SCOTUS

Tired of Crime? Vote for Republicans (Signs)

In this episode, we will talk about political campaign signs.

Signs, that read “Tired of Crime? Vote for Republican Judges.” This discussion will include why this is a fallacy and why it is being solicited as a possibility to change the levels of crime in Harris County.

We will talk about the Harris County Judicial Races.

Why are people being released on bail?

Can you politick from the pulpit if you are a church that receives a non-profit tax status from the IRS?

Further Your Knowledge:
Read: Get Bail, Leave Jail
Watch: When They See Us
Wear: Judge

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni.

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campaign, Courtrooms, Credit Cards, educate, Elected Officials, GOP, lobbyiests, money, political coin, politics, Texas, vendor bill

Vendor Bills Cost You Money

In this episode we talk about what vendor bills are and how they cost you money.

Vendor bills are legislation that is filed with either the Texas House or Texas Senate that create a fee in some form or fashion.

This fee might be an added tax or it might be a fee for a parenting class that is mandated in order for you to have your divorce finalized.

We discuss what they look like, how they effect you, and further thoughts for you to consider on the this matter.

Further Your Knowledge:
Read: How Money Works
Watch: In Debt We Trust
Wear: Money in Calling

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni.

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Abortion, Adoption, campaign, Dobbs v. Jackson, educate, Elected Officials, GOP, Governor Abbott, Healthcare, My Body, My Choice, politics, Pregnancy, Roe v. Wade, Sexual Assault

Pamphlets Are Useless as Diapers

In this episode we talk about the current talking points from Governor Abbott and other Republican Elected Officials in regards to the total abortion plan.  These individuals have offered up the idea of providing diapers and pamphlets in exchange to those seeking abortion.

We discuss:

In order to get diapers from charity groups you have to follow the following the guidelines:”

  • Must have photo ID
  • Must be receiving Medicaid
  • Present a Medicaid Award Letter
  • Attend an in-person appointment
  • Produce a birth certificate for your child
  • only 6 months 

      Check out: Houston Diaper Bank

  • Is someone is raped, will child support be offered?
  • How will a rapist in Texas pay for child support while in prison?

            Child Support Via the Court System
            Prison Systems that Provide Paid Labor

  • How can a single mom find housing in Texas?

             Vouchers, Affordable Housing Wait Times, and Information

  • Why hasn’t the Texas Department of Human Health Services released their annual report?

             Late Report


Further Your Knowledge:

Read: Love You Forever
Watch: Look Who’s Talking
Wear: Baby Mama

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni.

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Charter Schools, educate, GOP, learn, money, religion, School, School Choice, Texas

School Choice Creates Poverty

School Choice Creates Poverty

In this episode we are discuss what “school choice” is and how it directly correlates to poverty. 

School Choice is about school funding, and the unconstitutional idea of having the “money” follow the student versus the “money” following the constitution and into the public education system.

We talk about what happens when you take public school money out of public schools and why it’s bad for everyone.

It is imperative to understand that public education is not failing because of what is coming out, public education is failing because of what we are putting in.

Let’s “stop the steal” of public education dollars for for-profit schools.

Highlights:

  • School funding
  • Government assistance
  • High school diplomas
  • Education ranking
  • Education spending
  • Accountability

Read more:

Texas Constitutional Amendments May 2022 Election

Most educated states

Welfare assistance per state ranking

Texas lags in per-student funding : $9,606 per student

Texas ranks 38th in the nation on student spending.

Texas ranks 49th in the nation with  high school diplomas.

Texas ranks 39th in education as a whole.

TANF: Temporary Assistance Needy Families

In Hasidic Enclaves, Failing Schools Flush with Public Money

“But in 2019, the school, the Central United Talmudical Academy, agreed to give state standardized tests in reading and math to more than 1,000 students.

Every one of them failed.”

In regards to the Katy ISD Tax Rate Election (in Texas check your ballot for this vote in November).

Katy Tax Rate Election

“The November ballot would ask voters to ratify the M&O Tax Rate. The ballot language is set by state law and is unfortunately confusing.  Because the state has mandated that school districts reduce their M&O tax rates, Katy ISD would be asking its community to sustain the current tax rate. The ballot would read as follows:

  • “Would you vote for or against ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.3517 for Katy ISD for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 14.7% in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $65,281,305?”
  • WHAT THIS MEANS: A vote “FOR” means you are voting to sustain the current school district tax rate of $1.3517.”

Further your knowledge:
Read: San Antonio v. Rodriguez and the Pursuit of Equal Education
Watch: Good Will Hunting
Wear:  Public Education is a Civil Right

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni.

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Abortion, Annie's List, Congress, Dobbs v. Jackson, educate, Elected Officials, fit, GOP, Governor Abbott, Harris County, Healthcare, Independence, learn, My Body, My Choice, Pregnancy, Roe v. Wade, SCOTUS, Texas

Researching the Midterms

In this episode we will discuss what the midterms are and how you can research the candidates on the ballot.

What are the midterms?


Why are they important?
Read more: Abortion Rights

What is on the ballot?

Are you registered to vote?

Why each race matters?
Each race effects your life one way or another

How to research the candidates?
Check out the candidates websites, their endorsements, how much money they have raised and who donated to them. Research how they voted on certain bills and what legislation they have filed.

You can check out who is endorsed by which groups under these organizations:

Teacher Groups:
Texas AFT
Association of Texas Professional Educators

Union Groups:
Texas AFL/CIO

Gun Safety Groups
Moms Demand Action

Pro-Choice/Pro-Body Autonomy Groups
Emily’s List
Annie’s List

Planned Parenthood
Naral

League of Women Voters

Do you want term limits?

Who is funding the candidates?

Follow the money
Open Secrets

Further your knowledge:
Read: Midterm Economics
Watch: Primary Colors
Wear:  Your Voice Matters

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni.

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Abortion, Annie's List, Beto, campaign, Congress, Courtrooms, Dan Crenshaw, Dobbs v. Jackson, educate, Elected Officials, fit, GOP, Harris County, Healthcare, Independence, Mask, money, My Body, My Choice, politics, Pregnancy, religion, Robin Fulford, Roe v. Wade, SCOTUS, Sexual Assault, Texas

Interview: Robin Fulford Discusses her Texas Congressional Battle Against Dan Crenshaw

In this episode, we learn what motivated Robin Fulford to get Politically Fit.

What steps she took to become an organizer and how that path changed along the way.

Her steps to become a Precinct Chair. To level up and create the Democratic Club of the Woodlands, to now running for Texas Congressional District 2 against Dan Crenshaw.

Join us as we discuss her difficult journey not only as a woman, but as a Democratic candidate in Texas.

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni.

Find Robin here:
Fulford for Congress
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
Donate!

Further Your Knowledge:
Read: She Will Rise
Watch: Long Shot
Wear: Robin Gear

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Abortion, campaign, Courtrooms, Dobbs v. Jackson, educate, Elected Officials, GOP, Healthcare, Independence, learn, money, My Body, My Choice, politics, Pregnancy, Roe v. Wade, SCOTUS, Texas, Wizard of OZ

Lies, Tyranny, Bullies- Oh My Constitutional Amendments in Ruby Slippers

Let’s discuss the juxtaposition of the the political allegory in The Wizard of Oz and of today’s political themes.

In this episode, we will talk about Constitutional Amendments, why they matter and how we should vote for them.

  • Pinpoint the Lies and misinformation that is often presented with Constitutional Amendments
  • Identify the Tyranny that has taken place recently in our government
  • Highlight the Bullies in the Legislature and why we have to make our voices heard

We will have a little deep dive into our most recent Constitutional Amendments and what changes will come due to the these Amendments.

Finally discuss the battle women have been fighting to overturn the Tampon Tax and to help others overcome period poverty.

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni

Show Notes:

Legislative Reference Library

Period equity expands in Texas as Austin schools provide free pads and tampons

Meet the Texas teens taking on the state’s “tampon tax”

Further Your Knowledge:

Read: The Wizard of OZ

Watch: The Wizard of OZ

Wear: You have the Power

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Abortion, Beto, campaign, Courtrooms, Dobbs v. Jackson, educate, Elected Officials, fit, GOP, Governor Abbott, Independence, learn, My Body, My Choice, politics, Pomp and Circumstance, pray, Roe v. Wade, School, SCOTUS, Texas

Interview: How to Come Out as a Democrat in Texas

Yay! It’s our first interview! With politico operative Christopher Busby, a former Houston Young Republican President and former Log Cabin President.

Christopher is a current medical student and provides his insight on politics, how things have changed over the last several decades in Texas and why.

We will discuss what being a politico means, how he got into politics, why he left the Republican party and why so many others are as leaving the Republican Party as well.

Finally, why we should stay in our own lane when we are voting in the primary election and why you should vote for who you want as the candidate, not necessarily who you think will win.

Let’s dive in!

President Reagan vs. President Bush

President Reagan on Abortion

National Democrats Investing in GOP Campaigns

Further Your Knowledge:

Read: The Sociopath Next Door

Watch: The Hunt

Wear: Driving

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Money, Money, Money, Campaign Finance Money: How Does it Work?

Let’s discuss money.

 Campaign money.

How do you raise it?

The difference between Democratic campaign fundraising vs Republican campaign fundraising.

What is the money for?

Why do you need it?

Who are the big political donors in Texas?

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni

Links on the topics:

How two Texas megadonors have turbocharged the state’s far-right shift

George Soros

Human Rights Watch

Welcome to Texas, Cradle of American Theocracy

Meet Farris Wilks, Kingmaker of The Texas GOP

The Guardians Who Slumbereth, Not

The Power Issue: Tim Dunn is Pushing Texas Republicans into the Power of God

Two Texas Billionaires Pushing State to the Far Right Contributed About Two-Thirds of the Funding for Ted Cruz’s 2016 Super PACS, Reports CNN

Raise Your Hand Texas

Texas far-right conservatives spent millions to oust House GOP leaders, to little avail

Texas Ethics Commission

FEC Campaign Rules

Further your knowledge:

Read: Dark Money

Watch: Miss Sloane

Wear: Keep it Safe

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