Show an ad over header. AMP

I am the FIRST

New coalition forms to fight Republican legislature in Texas

Texas advocacy and political groups will launch a new coalition Monday to fight Republican efforts to change voting laws in their state and support Texans in need after the pandemic and last winter's paralyzing storm, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: While Democratic lawyers are fighting proposed or enacted changes in voting laws in battleground states, a grassroots response will be critical if the party and its backers hope to have any effects on the 2022 midterms and 2024 presidential election.


Driving the news: The Republican-controlled Texas state legislature will start a special session July 8, when its leaders are expected to take another crack at passing what advocates say would be one of the most restrictive voting bills in the country.

The "Texas for All" coalition trying to thwart that effort includes state-based groups like the Texas Freedom Network, Workers Defense Fund, Texas Organizing Project, Texas Civil Rights Project, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, the Texas Democratic Party and almost 30 others.

  • The launch includes a $2.5 million fund, most of which will be used for $1,000 direct grants for Texas households, including those still struggling after the power outage caused by the snow and ice storm this year.
  • "Texas for All stands together as allies and friends to take care of one another — because our government simply refuses to care for Texans," the coalition writes in its first letter, which addresses voter suppression efforts in the state.
  • Funds also will be used for digital ads and organizing tools targeting Gov. Greg Abbott and other state Republican leaders.

Between the lines: Many of these groups have already worked together to advocate for voting rights and other issues; now they're formalizing the alliance and plan to meet regularly.

  • They've also taken inspiration from coalitions elsewhere.
  • "Being able to come together and align our strategy really allows us to align our power, our ability to galvanize people, to reach more people together," Texas Freedom Network executive director Val Benavidez told Axios. "And I think that those are definitely things that we've seen in other states like Georgia."
  • Republican lawmakers passed a restrictive voting bill in Georgia this year.

Reality check: Advocates and Democrats have managed to slow-roll the passage of the bill that some say would make it harder for people of color to vote, and lawmakers' decision to boycott and block a vote last month was seen as an important victory.

  • But Texas Democrats have few options for stopping Republicans from ultimately passing the bill, and with the filibuster still intact in the U.S. Senate, they're unlikely to get help from Congress.

regular 4 post ff

infinite scroll 4 pff

Mark Warner emerges as moderates' dealmaker-in-chief

As Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain navigate the legislative minefield of the next few months, they'll often turn to a moderate Democrat who gets far less ink than Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) or Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.).

The big picture: Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) has become a pivotal player in the multi-trillion-dollar negotiations that will shape the Democrats' electoral prospects, Joe Biden's presidency and the future of the country.

Keep reading...Show less

Sha'Carri Richardson's weed suspension says a lot about mental health in sports

America's best shot for Olympic gold in the women's 100 meters won't be competing, after testing positive for marijuana.

Driving the news: U.S. favorite sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has been suspended after testing positive for marijuana that she said she used to cope with her biological mother's death, which had put her in "a state of emotional panic."

Keep reading...Show less

The rise of the anti-"woke" Democrat

A growing number of Democrats are ringing the alarm that their party sounds — and acts — too judgmental, too sensitive, too "woke" to large swaths of America. 

Why it matters: These Democrats warn that by jamming politically correct terms or new norms down the throats of voters, they risk exacerbating the cultural wars — and inadvertently helping Trumpian candidates. 

Keep reading...Show less

Insights

mail-copy

Get Goodhumans in your inbox

Most Read

More Stories