Daily Dispatch 2/20/24: Primary Early Voting Begins Today, and More

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: New polling results as primary voting opens from UT Austin: https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/new-uttexas-politics-project-poll-primary-voting-begins-texans-see-crisis-border A pro-voucher campaign stop in Cleburne by Governor Greg Abbott is under-attended compared to an event the same day for the anti-voucher incumbent: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/state/texas-news/gov-greg-abbott-north-texas-campaign-against-fellow-republican-voted-no-voucher-proposal/287-ae6a0aa9-0915-4f75-8643-55c1eda032bf The Houston Chronicle endorses President Biden for re-election, somehow surprising MAGA types: https://www.newsweek.com/houston-chronicle-endorse-biden-texas-trump-maga-1871423 Public school supporters are reminded of the importance of primary voting: https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/education-public-voting-ballot-primaries-18667618.php Moderate San Antonio Republican Tony Gonzales is beset this primary round from his right: https://sanantonioreport.org/tony-gonzales-texas-gop-primary/ Also important in the primary, a vote for Bill Burch for Texas Railroad Commission: https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/texas-railroad-commission-election-2024-18676066.php Heartbreaking video covers a Texas woman's forced trip out of state to locate vitally-needed abortion care: https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/pregnant-texas-woman-travels-cross-country-abortion-care-107357968 A coalition of civil rights groups are spreading the word and organizing protests in regard to SB-4, the new immigration law set to take effect next month: https://www.ktep.org/ktep-news/2024-02-16/civil-rights-organizations-launch-statewide-know-your-rights-campaign-to-prepare-for-texas-immigration-law-sb4 A political veteran who has worked with both George W. Bush and Ann Richards writes on the Texas GOP's descent into the "MAGA abyss": https://www.vanityfair.com/news/how-did-texas-slip-into-the-maga-abyss Texas secessionist blowhards see attempts to connect the Texas power grid to national grids as an attack on their independence efforts: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-nationalists-rage-power-grid-plans-1871202 We celebrate Black History Month throughout February! Progress Texas has a full schedule of events to follow: ⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-african-american-arts-and-artisans-black-history-month⁠⁠ Thanks for listening! Progress Texas is seeking to add 29 new recurring donors during our February membership drive - we'd appreciate the support: ⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org/donate