Daily Dispatch 8/9/24: Abbott Demands Immigrant Info From Texas Hospitals, and More

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: We were proud to be included in yesterday's celebration of the Texas Rangers' 2023 World Series victory with President Joe Biden at the White House: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40784277/biden-hosts-world-series-champion-rangers-white-house Governor Abbott has signed an executive order demanding information on undocumented people who seek medical care at Texas hospitals: https://abc13.com/post/texas-hospitals-ordered-inquire-patients-immigration-status/15162069/ An enormous scheduling backlog at Texas DPS's drivers license division is causing months-long appointment delays - and yet another obstacle to voting: https://www.nbcdfw.com/investigations/texas-dps-staffing-shortages-missed-appointments-massive-delays-getting-drivers-license/3616134/ Climate change is certain to continue pushing your insurance premiums skyward, as we're on track to set a new state record for natural disasters costing over $1 billion: https://www.lonestarlive.com/weather/2024/08/texas-on-track-for-record-breaking-year-of-billion-dollar-natural-disasters.html Texas civil rights groups continue pushing state school districts to modify their student dress codes to accommodate the CROWN Act, with varying success: https://www.texasaft.org/profession/know-your-rights/texas-aclu-finds-dress-codes-of-51-school-districts-violate-crown-act/ State election officials ignore the objections of the Texas Democratic Party and evidence of petition malfeasance, declaring that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has qualified to be on the November ballot in Texas: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/08/kennedy-texas-ballot-signatures-election-2024/ See Progress Texas' analysis of Project 2025, and what it will mean for Texas should it be enacted: https://progresstexas.org/blog/project-2025-vs-progress-2025 ...And a complete guide to Project 2025 from Media Matters: https://www.mediamatters.org/heritage-foundation/guide-project-2025-extreme-right-wing-agenda-next-republican-administration The deadline to register for the November election is October 7. Are you registered? Are you sure? ALL Texas voters should confirm their registration, right now: https://govotetexas.org/ Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work this election year at https://progresstexas.org.