The poison pill

Big money interests from inside and outside Texas have found a new target this year: our biggest cities. 

We could debate what’s motivating this new attack, or why billionaires seem so hell-bent on destroying the rest of us. But, in the face of what’s effectively impending doom, we’ll get right to the point: We need your help. 

These extremists are using the ballot question process here in Texas to sow chaos and destruction, to gut city budgets, and leave millions of Texas families without crucial services.  

Their first target (of many, if we don’t stop this): The City of Dallas.

Dallas Ballot Propositions S, T, and U are a poison pill for the City of Dallas, and for all of us who live here. 

Like all truly evil incarnates, Propositions S, T, and U aren’t what they seem. While they claim to promote accountability and oversight, they’re actually deeply misguided and ill-intentioned changes that would weaken Dallas City’s ability to govern effectively.

(I know, we’re all shocked — a billionaire-backed proposal isn’t good for the rest of us? Never would have guessed).

But even more worrying than the deeply alarming consequences these three ballot propositions would have for the people of Dallas is that these initiatives are simply part of a larger playbook, aimed at ruining Texas cities for good. Make no mistake, they’ll be coming to a city nearest you… unless we can defeat them right now, in Dallas. 

Here’s what we need y’all to know:

• Proposition S — Gives residents license to sue the City of Dallas for perceived violations to the city charter, ordinances, or state law. 

If enacted, Proposition S would crack open a legal quagmire of epic proportions, opening the door for countless frivolous lawsuits the City of Dallas would then be forced to defend against, all at the taxpayers’ expense. We already have strong mechanisms in place to hold Texas city officials and City Halls accountable, and frankly Proposition S is preposterous. 

• Proposition T — Use a public survey to compensate or fire the City Manager

Of these three, Proposition T is the one the Dallas Morning News Editorial Board finds the most troubling, as it aims to centralize power and limit checks and balances within local government. If passed, the initiative would turn Dallas’ City Hall into a playground for lobbyists, big money developers, and special interests, while the rest of us suffer the consequences. 

• Proposition U — Mandates the hiring of hundreds of additional police officers

Proposition U isn’t even supported by Dallas’ police top brass — and for good reason. If passed, the proposition would strong-arm the city’s police department, effectively forcing them to hire unqualified recruits and rush them through training. It allocates half of the city's new revenue to improving police and fire pensions, would drain essential resources from critical services and projects across the city, and will erode the very foundations that make Dallas so attractive to hardworking Texas families. In short, Proposition U won’t make the City of Dallas any safer. 

Every single living former mayor of Dallas is opposed to these amendments, along with all 14 city council members who recognize the threats they pose to our city. And so is the absolute best Senator serving in the Texas Senate — Senator Nathan Johnson. 

Please join us in getting the word out: Vote NO on Propositions S, T, and U.

What the heck is a RINORAD?

RINORAD: Republican in Name Only, Really a Democrat. It’s the latest tag Republicans use against each other.

Nonsensical, of course.

Particularly these days, there’s a big difference between Democrats and Republicans.

Someone who’s really a Democrat would celebrate the achievements of Biden-Harris administration, like the taming of inflation and the growth of the economy and the rise of real wages, the renewed of bargaining power of organized labor, the reinvigoration of antitrust law and consumer protection, the return of major manufacturing to the United States, and a commitment to fortify our democracy.

Someone who’s really a Democrat would work to solve the migration and border crisis, not perpetuate it for political purposes;

Someone who’s really a Democrat would champion the renewable energy that has powered the Texas miracle, and would build a reliable, affordable, and sustainable grid that fully avails of all resources;

Someone who’s really a Democrat would expand Medicaid

Someone who’s really a Democrat would not even think about quitting on our public schools, shirking responsibility and misleading constituents with a voucher fairytale;

and

Someone who’s really a Democrat would not interfere with a woman’s right to control her own body and life – yes, that means a right to contraception, and the right to get an abortion.

Democrats, in fact, have led the way to some of the best policy achievements in Texas. Think what we could do if we flipped the whole state!

Meanwhile, huge changes are coming in every aspect of American life. No one knows exactly what the future holds, but we have to send our best people into office to help us prepare for it.

We can’t hope for RINORADs or RINOs or other mythical political creatures to prepare us for the future. Republicans lack vision. It seems they live in a black box where conformity is imposed and observed, and lapse into reason is punished with excommunication.

It’s up to us Democrats to lead during this time of change, where uncertainty makes opportunity to do good.

So let’s get to work. Sign up for a block walk or a phone bank, help deliver yard signs, volunteer to work the polls so we can have as many vote centers as possible, talk to friends, talk to strangers, poll great and remind voters to vote for EVERY Democrat on the ballot

NOW LETS GO WIN SOME ELECTIONS! 

Voter registration – the first step to victory

Quick reminder: today is the very last day to register to vote in the November election.

Tell your friends, co-workers, parents, adult children, students, teachers … actually, just tell everyone you know! It takes less than five minutes to register.

› Need to check your voter registration?

› Get registered before today's deadline, then start making your voting plan.

› If you aren't yet registered to vote, download, print, and mail back your voter registration application or register to vote in person.

There’s so much on the line this election.

Our choices will shape the future on critical issues that matter to all of us, such as: 

• Restoring reproductive freedom 

• Adequately funding public education 

• Building affordable housing 

• Expanding our healthcare system and strengthening the ACA 

• Investing in our infrastructure — roads, bridges, water, and parks 

• Passing essential gun safety measures, including background checks and red flag laws 

• Creating an economy that works for all Texans and their families 

But we can only make this progress when we all vote. 

So, make sure you're registered to vote and that your registration is up to date before the deadline. This election is too important for any of us to sit out.

Early voting in Texas begins on October 21st. To get even more information about early voting in Dallas County, click here.