October 14, 2021

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REPUBLICAN GERRYMANDERING CONTINUES

Texas Republicans have gone all-in with partisan gerrymandering to both protect incumbents and preserve their mostly white minority rule in this round of redistricting.

The Legislature’s first map for Texas House of Representative districts was made public only on September 30, and this map (PLANH2316) passed the full House on October 12. It’s a radical departure from the current districts and may still change a bit, but likely not much. There may be grounds for a Federal voting rights lawsuit.

The general legal requirements for redistricting are that districts must have equal or nearly equal populations and be drawn in a manner that doesn’t deny or abridge the right to vote based on race, color, or language group. Further, the districts for the Texas House of Representatives must as much as possible be contained within a single county or include the entirety of a county if the county is small. Those are the only legal requirements, and within those minimal constraints the Republican-controlled legislature, in blatantly partisan gerrymandering, drew maps that maximize their partisan advantage. The only decision for them was either to be greedy and grab as many districts as possible in the short term but risk losing them in the long term, or to draw lopsided districts through cracking and packing that surrender a few districts to Democrats but give Republicans a longer-term advantage in other districts. For Collin County, they chose the latter.

Key points about this map:

1. There is a new “safe” Democratic district – HD70 moved from the McKinney area to Plano and Republicans packed as many Democrats as they could into it. In 2020 Biden won that district 55% - 44%, and it is likely a safe Democratic district.
2. The other districts are drawn to give a clear Republican advantage over Democratic voters based on the 2020 Presidential results, cracking Democratic areas among multiple districts.
3. The predominantly African American Douglass neighborhood in Plano just east of US 75 was split off from the rest of Plano and put into HD 33 with rural SE Collin and all of Rockwall County, lumping Plano’s historic Black community with rural, mostly white voters – likely illegal racial gerrymandering.

If House Republicans think that Collin County Democratic voters are going to be happy with a single “safe” district, they are mistaken. HD66 Rep. Matt Shaheen and HD67 Rep Jeff Leach, who have narrowly avoided defeat the last two cycles (Shaheen by less than 1% both years) have had their positions shored up by cracking blue precincts and extending their districts into more reliably red areas in northern Collin County, but Collin County Democrats have been working to flip the county for years – and we aren’t stopping now. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. Join us for our webinar on redistricting – details following this article.
2. Like and follow our CCDP Facebook Page for the remaining committee hearings open to public comment on redistricting proposals.
3. Become a Voter Deputy Registrar and help us to register more Collin County voters. Join our Collin VOTE Group on Facebook to find out more.

Finally, contact Senator Chuck Schumer and President Biden and ask them to work harder to pass the For the People Act out of the US Senate. It’s our best hope for ending this kind of partisan gerrymandering.

WHAT DO THE NEW MAPS MEAN FOR COLLIN COUNTY?

What do the new Texas House District, Texas Senate, and Congressional Districts mean for Collin County?

Do you want to see which districts you'll fit into now?

Are you thinking of running for office and want to know more about the district you would run in?

Join the Collin County Democratic Party as we dive into the maps and the numbers!

Special guest Genevieve Van Cleve - Political Director from All on the Line - will join the Executive Staff of the CCDP to discuss our paths in 2022. RSVP via the button below to receive the Zoom connection info!

When: Wednesday, October 20, 7 p.m.

Where: Virtual via Zoom

2021 ANN RICHARDS DINNER

Support ARD By Bidding In Our Online Auction!

Our 2021 Ann Richards Dinner Online Auction is open NOW through Saturday, October 16 at 10 p.m.

Don’t miss the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind items like tickets to see Stacey Abrams in person, experience Dick Hildenbrand’s Chuckwagon Dinner, enjoy a California dream vacation, and so much more!  

You don’t have to attend the 2021 Ann Richards Dinner to have access to the auction, so please share this with your friends and family! Bidders automatically receive alerts when someone else bids on the same item, so you never miss the chance to win!

With our coordinated campaign plan in place for a BLUE 2022, we promise to be good stewards of your donations. Win an amazing item at the online auction? Yes, please! Help Collin County turn blue in ‘22? Absolutely! It’s a Win-Win!

Can’t attend ARD, but still want to support the Collin County Democratic Party? You can still make a donation towards the Ann Richards Dinner here!

Visit our Ann Richards Dinner web page for details on the food, fun, and other information!

For the safety of everyone attending, only individuals fully vaccinated for COVID-19 should attend this in-person event. Face masks will be required for all venue staff and guests.

When: Saturday, October 16, 7-11 p.m.

Where: Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center, 7121 Bishop Rd, Plano

Thank you to our 2021 Ann Richards Dinner Sponsors!

Champagne Sponsor

Little Woods Capital Advisors LLC

Red Carpet Sponsor

democracytoolbox

THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS OF ANN RICHARDS SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS OF CCDP SPONSORS

TEXAS CONSTITUTIONAL ELECTION:

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

The State of Texas holds a Constitutional Election in November of odd years. These are necessary because there is no process for citizen-initiated amendments; the only way to change the state Constitution is through statewide voting on proposed amendments added by the state legislature. This year's Constitutional Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, with Early Voting starting on October 18.

Key Election Dates:

• Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received): Friday, October 22, 2021
• Early Voting: Monday, October 18, 2021 - Friday, October 29, 2021
• Election Day: Tuesday, November 2, 2021

If you are unregistered, it is too late to register to vote in this election. Please be sure to register as soon as possible so that you can take part in future elections. 

Following are the proposed amendments and the CCDP's recommended voting. Please be aware that these are recommendations from the CCDP Voting Rights Committee and do not necessarily represent the "official" position of the Texas Democratic Party. All votes are Yes or No. For detailed amendment information, please see our Constitutional Election 2021 page on our website.

Proposition No. 1 (HJR 143)

What it says: The constitutional amendment authorizing the professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to conduct charitable raffles at rodeo venues.”

Recommendation: Yes

Proposition No. 2 (HJR 99)

What it says: “The constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the county.”

Recommendation: Yes

Proposition No. 3 (SJR 27)

What it says: “The constitutional amendment to prohibit this state or a political subdivision of this state from prohibiting or limiting religious services of religious organizations.”

Recommendation: No

Proposition No. 4 (SJR 47)

What it says: “The constitutional amendment changing the eligibility requirements for a justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge.”

Recommendation: No

Proposition No. 5 (HJR 165)

What it says: “The constitutional amendment providing additional powers to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct with respect to candidates for judicial office.”

Recommendation: Yes

Proposition No. 6 (SJR 19)

What it says: “The constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain facilities to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visitation.”

Recommendation: Yes 

Proposition No. 7 (HJR 125)

What it says: “The constitutional amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a person who is disabled to receive a limitation on the school district ad valorem taxes on the spouse’s residence homestead if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the person’s death.”

Recommendation: Yes

Proposition No. 8 (SJR 35)

What it says: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.”

Recommendation: Yes

For more information, visit our Constitutional Election 2021 page.

Covid Update: Collin County has 126,354 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 1,297 more cases than I reported last week and 1,062 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 26 people gone in 1 week).

This isn’t over, not by a long shot. Whether people want to admit it or not, Covid is deeply affecting our schools. In Richardson, one of their secondary students remains in ICU, and last week, both a 16-year-old student and a staff member died from Covid. This is incredibly tragic and my heart goes out to their families. Is it any wonder that their school board defied Governor Abbott and implemented a mask mandate...

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Commissioner’s Court: The way the commissioners refuse to allow transparency in county governance never fails to amaze me. For example, the Turnover report was interesting as the turnover rates in 11 departments were quite high, especially when compared to 2020. The highest turnover rates were in Veterans Services (44.4%), Highway Patrol (66.7%), Emergency Management/Fire Marshall (52.2%), and the 219th District Court (36.4%). These seem like high rates of turnover which will affect services. I’d like to know why so many employees are leaving. Surely, this is something good managers would be concerned about yet the commissioners seem content ignoring it.

Their meetings have been pretty short of late, so the speakers are in the spotlight. If you haven’t been watching the videos, you really should because it’s worth watching the show! Chris Hill interrupted one speaker to tell her he couldn’t hear her but then refused to give her back the time he took away. I’ve noticed that he tends to interrupt women and people of color more often than he does white men. Based on this experience, here’s a pro tip: if any of the commissioners interrupt during your 3-minute speaking time, just keep talking. If they have questions or comments, they can wait until you’re done....

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Allen City Council: If you read my May 3, 2021, The Rally article, you know that the two new council members – Dave Cornette and Dave Shafer (the Daves) – are terrible. Both have engaged in criminal activity and have none of the knowledge or skills you’d want in a city council member. Neither has any business being the leader of a dog park (which Allen residents desperately want), much less sitting on a city council. However, here they are. Thanks, cowardly Republicans and low turn-out in municipal elections!

The Daves ran on a No New Revenue platform. The NNR law is purposefully complicated (I barely understand it myself) but what they took it to mean is that there should be no new taxes period. While some conservatives think that sounds great, what it truly means is that city services will suffer. For example, $1 million was shaved from street repair in the proposed 2021-2022 budget. It’s likely this will impact the east side the most. Allen likes to say they’re ONE ALLEN but they’re not. There is the more expensive west side and the east side, a difference you can see when driving from the east side to the west. The east side roads are plagued by potholes and huge dips which, thanks to NNR, probably won’t get repaired. There also will be cuts to city staff, including in the fire, police, communication, and fleet management departments...

(Read More)

Allen ISD Board of Trustees: The cyberattack on AISD last month hasn’t yet ended. Some staff members, students, and parents have received alarming calls and emails from the terrorists. They’re threatening to release personal information to the dark web if the district doesn’t pay their extortion demands. AISD has been advised not to pay; I don’t know if they could even if they wanted to. There are legal considerations for how they spend their funding and no budget includes payments to terrorists.

But if anyone deserves to be upset, it’s the leadership of AISD because of how badly they’re treating the families of students who just want to be safe. The group of parents of Allen ISD suing the district made the wise decision to drop their lawsuit from the eastern court (which would send their case to the horrific 5th Circuit) and instead join the lawsuit filed by the Unified Parents of FISD and others. Their case is being heard in the western federal court which means it will be heard by Robert Pitman, the same federal judge in Austin who suspended SB8, the terrible abortion law. In other words, they have more of a chance of being given a fair hearing in that court than they do with the 5th Circuit...

(Read More)

Plano ISD Board of Trustees: In their continuing efforts to take over school boards, several people showed up at the latest board meeting to protest books they’d like to see censored. While they said “removed from school libraries,” censorship is what they’re advocating. The particular books they were discussing involved sexual content but, across North Texas, conservative crazies are also targeting books promoting “critical race theory” (as if they even know what that means), positive depictions of LGBTQI+ people, and anything involving racism in general...

(Read More)

Healthcare Workers on the FRONT LINE Have been selected as the September 2021 PRECINCT CHAIRS of the MONTH

• Andrea Heston in McKinney #206
• Dr. Misty Hook in McKinney #203
• Sharon Stark in Frisco #117
• Dr. William Woodfin in McKinney #4
• Vickie Parker in Richardson #125
• Dr. Jeannie Curtis in Plano #123
• Dr. Morgan Carey in Celina #29
• Toby Yannacone-Smith in Wylie #27
• Rekha Shenoy in Plano #121

Whether they work in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, home healthcare, in person or virtual, retired or still working, our healthcare workers face daily threats. Caregiver stress, whether paid or unpaid, is a well-documented health risk factor. Their experiences have, undoubtedly, taken a toll on them. Yet, these individuals resist and persist not only as healthcare workers but also as PRECINCT CHAIRS for our Collin County Democratic Party. 

Our personal thanks to all of them for their perseverance and dedication. We recommend you all recognize these outstanding individuals who are helping to save lives in our community AND our democracy.

MCKINNEY AREA DEMOCRATS FRIDAY SOCIAL

The McKinney Area Democratic Club is inviting area progressives to the Wing Bucket for a social get-together. Complimentary appetizers will be served, and a cash bar is available. Please RSVP!

We encourage masks* (when not eating or drinking) and social distancing.

When: Friday, October 15, 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: Wingbucket, 3510 W. University Dr., McKinney, TX

*only vaccinated individuals should attend.

PLANO AREA DEMOCRATS OCTOBER VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR

This month we host an expert panel to discuss what everyone's talking about - CRT (what it is, and is not), what we should teach our kids about racism, US history, and how to be anti-racist. Do not miss this one!

Featuring our expert panel: Mia Mbroh, Community Connection 

Facilitator; Dayna Oscherwitz, Professor and Assistant Provost, Southern Methodist University; Antwuan Malone, Executive Director/YA Pastor, ELEVATE Young Adults; and Jamie Jackson, Vice-Chair, The Black Mom Collective.

When: Friday, October 22, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Where: Virtual, via Zoom. RSVP for Zoom details.

MADC MEMBER MEETING AND MEET & GREET

WITH MATTHEW DOWD

Join the McKinney Area Democratic Club for their member meeting, followed by a chance to meet Matthew Dowd, running to be the Democratic Candidate for Lt. Governor. All are welcome!

Weather permitting, we'll enjoy the large outdoor patio at WingBucket. Food and drinks are available for purchase. We encourage mask-wearing when not eating or drinking. You must be vaccinated to attend.

Many thanks to our co-hosts: Allen Area Democrats, Anna-Melissa Democrats, Collin County Young Democrats, Frisco Democrats, Plano Area Democrats, and Women Organizing Women Democrats.

When: Thursday, October 28, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Wing Bucket McKinney, 3510 W University Dr, McKinney

The CCDP physical office is closed until further notice for safety. Our office staff are, however, working for you from home and available by telephone at 972-578-1483 or contact us on the web at collindemocrats.org.

Check our Online Events!

Collin County Democratic Party (CCDP) | 972-578-1483 | www.collindemocrats.org © 2021

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