judgement scale and gavel in judge office
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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empty reading hall in library in daytime
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, 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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Carol M. Highsmith’s Texas Photograph
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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Coin: 'False' Shekel
Abortion, Adoption, campaign, Courtrooms, Dating Apps, Dobbs v. Jackson, Elected Officials, Healthcare, Independence, learn, My Body, My Choice, political coin, politics, pray, Pregnancy, religion, Roe v. Wade, SCOTUS, Sexual Assault, Texas

Show Me Your Papers! I Can’t – I was Adopted in Texas

I am adopted. As an adult, I am unable to get a copy of my original birth certificate in Texas, because of politics.

Everything in your life is affected by politics.  In this episode, we take a deep dive into the history of adoption records in the state of Texas and the nation. I will provide a little behind the scenes of being adopted, carrying this legislation, and how bills are assigned to certain committees. And most importantly, we will talk about political coin.

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni

Links on the topics:

Texas HB 2725

Texas HB 1386

CDC Hospital Delivery Statistics

DNA Testing Roadblocks for Adoption

Adoption Birth Mothers

Further your knowledge:

Read: The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade

Watch: Instant Family

Wear: Adoption Heart

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Cash Generator
campaign, Courtrooms, Credit Cards, educate, Elected Officials, fit, GOP, Independence, learn, money, politics, pray, religion, SCOTUS, Texas

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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Abortion, Courtrooms, Credit Cards, Dobbs v. Jackson, educate, Elected Officials, Healthcare, Independence, learn, music, My Body, My Choice, politics, Pregnancy, Roe v. Wade, Texas

Women Do You Like Having: Credit Cards, Birth Control, Access to Courtrooms, Running, Pregnancy Security in the Workplace: Oh How the Tides Have Changed

Oh How the Tides Have Changed

This episode is to highlight the many “rights” women fought for and won- less than 50 years ago.  Yet, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we need to be on high alert.  All rights are at risk and we cannot put our heads in the sand.

It is imperative to take action now. To be loud. To voice your concern.  

If we do not have autonomy over our own body, then what do we have?

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni

Further Your Knowledge:

Storytime: Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Showtime: RBG

Listen: Destiny’s Child #1s

Wear: When Injustice Becomes Law

Dangle: Dissent

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Beto, educate, Elected Officials, fit, Governor Abbott, learn, music, politics, Pomp and Circumstance, Texas

Choose Your Own Outcome of Pomp and Circumstance: Governor Abbott or Beto?

Have you ever seen a bunch of elected officials at a press conference and wondered what the point was of their speech?

Have you questioned if the speech had a purpose or if it was just for show?

Todays’ episode is for you!  We are going to dive into the behind the scenes of Pomp and Circumstance.

Are you into politics or does politics make you want to swipe left? Now, is the time to change your frame of mind. Let’s reinvest in our outlook and create a healthy relationship with politics. 

What does that mean?
 
It means getting to understand the mechanics of politics and how it affects every aspect of your life. From the moment you wake up in the morning, until the moment you lie your head down to go to sleep politics has been a part of your day, whether you knew it or not.
 
Politics shows up every day without fail. It’s time to empower yourself.  Refuse to be a passerby of politics.
 
Listen along and let’s figure out a way to learn about how politics affects your life and what you can do to ensure your voice is heard.

Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni

Further your knowledge:

Read and enjoy: Othello

Book suggestion: The World’s Great Speeches

Movie suggestion: The King’s Speech

Song of the Week: Pomp and Circumstance

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educate, fit, learn, music, politics

Slow Ride Into Politics

Welcome to Politically Fit! Our first episode is called Slow Ride into Politics, where we will help get you warmed up to become Politically Fit.  Whether you are a political passerby or a political policy wonk, we hope you will join us on this journey!
 
Politics affects every aspect of your life. Whether it’s the pothole you encounter on the way to work, the extra surcharge on your electricity bill, or your right to pass out water to people in the line to vote.

Politics is all around you. Every day. This podcast will help you to be politically fit, provide some behind-the-scenes secrets of what happens behind the doors of power, and how you can make your voice heard whether you are in the room or not. 
 
Hosted by Former Texas State Representative Gina Calanni.

Further your knowledge:

Book suggestion for this week: What You Should Know About Politics …But Don’t

Movie suggestion for this week: Long Shot

Song selection: Slow Ride

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