October 1, 2023

Newsletter

Please note: our newsletters contain a lot of links to make viewing the source easier - just click on images or linked text to explore

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Banned Books Week - Oct 1 - 7
• TDP Talking Points - SAVE, NDTC Training, Boot Vouchers Rally
• Sign up to be a Poll Worker
• Friday Night Football
• Laura Jones Fundraiser - October 7th
• Pride Festival - Volunteer with us!
• Conroe ISD Bond Proposals
• Be Prepared - Election Information
• Key Voting Dates
• Precinct Chair Application Process
• Legislative Update - Constitutional Amendments 7 - 9 (of 14)
• Democratic Party Events Around the County
• Fiestas Patrias Festival Recap
• A Just Dessert!
• Election Countdown Calendar
• Joe and Kamala's Corner (click on an image to open)
• Tweets (click on an image to open)
• Blue Store - Show Your Commitment to Democracy!
• Democratic Party Calendar of Upcoming Events
• Other Groups and Community Events

This newsletter is published on or about the 1st and the 15th of every month.

Email content for consideration to communications@mcdptx.org

no later than 3 days before publication.

Banned Books Week

October 1 - 7, 2023

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Typically (but not always) held during the last week of September, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. 

https://bannedbooksweek.org/about/

The Biden/Harris Administration is fighting for YOUR student debt relief

Through the SAVE program, millions of Texans are eligible for reduced student debt repayments – some as low as $0 per month. 

Apply TODAY: txdem.co/SAVE

Click here for more information on Boot Vouchers 2023 Rally

If you are interested in car pooling to this event contact Erin at

erin.magathegood@gmail.com

The upcoming election cycle is fast approaching, with Early Voting starting the week of October 23, 2023, and Election Day on November 7, 2023. Once again, we are reaching out to request your commitment to serve. Please complete the Montgomery County Democratic Party Poll Worker Form by clicking this link - https://forms.gle/7Z9YsSd54YNwV93x6. Submit your form by clicking the submit button at the bottom of the page.

Please also reach out to Ann Milton, Elections Coordinator at electionscoordinator@mcdptx.org for questions and more information.

Calling All Friday Night Football Fans!

Are you there for your kids? Are you there for your hometown?

If you firmly believe that school spirit and pride in your local community is good for your children, your family, and your hometown (big or small), then please join us in a show of support for our local schools. We have a plan.

YOU CAN BECOME A FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SUPER FAN!

YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO GET OUT OF YOUR CAR!

Call 936-704-5841, email OFFICE@mcdptx.org

VOTE YES on SCHOOL BONDS and

NO on SCHOOL VOUCHERS!

On October 7th, please attend Laura Jones' Fundraising Concert! Laura is always here for us and she needs our support too. If you cannot go to her event, please contribute to her campaign. 

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ttaylorevent

Laura Jones for Congress TX 08

https://laura4tx.com/

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Sat, Oct 21st, 2023, at 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM CDT

Town Green Park

2099 Lake Robbins Dr

The Woodlands TX, 77380

Join the fun! Volunteers needed to:

Help set-up our booths

Be a Greeter

Be a Voter Registrar

Give out Stickers and Freebies

Help take-down our booths

CALL 936-703-5841 OR EMAIL

OFFICE@MCDPTX.ORG

 SPREAD SOME JOY!

Conroe ISD Growth Triggers Bond Proposals

At their Special Board Meeting on August 1, 2023, the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to put four propositions on the November 7th ballot for a bond referendum. The projects comprising Bond 2023 were identified by a Bond Planning Committee comprised of 148 community members, parents, students, business owners, and employees.   The bond proposals are a result of the rapidly increasing growth in the Conroe ISD area, a growth pattern that is now mirrored in all areas of the County.

For over a decade, Conroe ISD grew at the rate of 1,500 students per year, but over the last two years, CISD has averaged over 3,000 students per year and that rate is expected to continue. By the 2023 – 2024 school year the district is projected to have over 73,000 students spread over 348 square miles, in 70 campuses, making it the 9^th largest independent school district in Texas and the 60^th largest in the nation.  If all four bond propositions are approved, the plan will add 8 new schools, add to 3 existing campuses, and renovate 5 schools,  while still being able to lower the tax rate. 

Research shows that our booming County will only continue to grow and be attractive to future families and employers if we have a strong public education system. The Democratic Party strongly supports public education. 

Be a voter. Be a supporter of our public schools. 

GET OUT THE VOTE on November 7^th

For more information go to https://www.conroeisd.net/bond/ 

Get Out The Vote this November 7, 2023

It's that time again. Voting is our right and our strength. Here are some tools to help you get ready.

Check your Registration Status on the Secretary of State website.

The deadline to register to vote in this election is October 10. If you have moved since you last voted or registered you should also update your address at this time. You may do this on line at Montgomery County Election Central. If you submit changes less than 30 days prior to an election, you must vote at your current polling location.

Address Change on line

Go to montgomeryvotes.org to see the Voting Schedules for early voting and for election day. If you vote on election day, your must vote at your precinct's designated location.

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with what is on your ballot. You may view and download your sample ballot by looking up your registration status and clicking on "Sample Ballot."

What is on the ballot for Texas? Fourteen proposed Constitutional Amendments, and if you live in Conroe ISD, a major school funding bond.

State Constitutional Amendments may be viewed on your sample ballot or on the SOS website here. The Texas League of Women Voters has posted some excellent explainer videos on YouTube.

For information on the CISD School Bond click here.

For information on how you can help get the bond passed go to Community for Conroe ISD’s Future.

Thank you for being an informed Texas Voter. If you need help with voting, want to volunteer, or have any questions, don't hesitate to call the Montgomery County Democratic Party Headquarters at 936-703-5841.

Submitted By Carol Ortiz

Chair, Precinct 86

Precinct Chair and County Chair Application Process Begins

September 12 - December 11th

Applications for precinct chairs will be accepted starting September 12^th and must be turned in no later than December 11^th at 5 pm. Every two years precinct chairs must apply for the term that begins after the primary or runoff and lasts until after the next primary. If two or more apply for the same precinct, then they are listed on the primary ballot in that precinct.  If only one person applies in a precinct, then they are elected without being on the ballot. 

The County Chair is elected for the same term and is listed on the ballot in all precincts. 

Remember the applications must be notarized. Most banks have a notary and do not charge for the service.  You must be present with a valid ID and sign the notary's book. 

Click here to download the application, fill it out, get it notarized and turn in to the office.

Hope to see you next year as a Precinct Chair continuing to fight for our Democracy!

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION ELECTION

On November 7, 2023, all registered voters in Texas will vote on 14 constitutional amendments. Since the legislature only meets in odd numbered years, any constitutional amendments they pass must be voted on by citizens in November of that year. I will be providing additional information on each them in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.

For additional information, including the pros and cons of each go to:

League of Women Voters Texas

Voter Guide and Videos of the Pros and Cons of the 14 Constitutional Amendments

Proposition 7 - “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.”

A constitutional amendment to establish the Texas energy fund. The Texas energy fund would be a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund, administered by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) or its successor. Money in the Texas energy fund could be used, without further appropriation, only by PUC or its successor to provide loans and grants to finance or incentivize the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities necessary to ensure the reliability or adequacy of an electric power grid in the state. The proposed amendment would require PUC to allocate money from the fund for loans and grants to eligible projects for electric generating facilities that serve as backup power sources and in each region of the state that is part of an electric power grid in proportion to that region’s load share. The Texas energy fund would consist of: (1) money credited, appropriated, or transferred to the fund by or as authorized by the legislature; (2) revenue that the legislature dedicates for deposit to the fund; (3) the returns received from the investment of the money in the fund; and (4) gifts, grants, and donations contributed to the fund. The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows:

Proposition 8 - “The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”

A constitutional amendment to create the broadband infrastructure fund. The broadband infrastructure fund would be a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund, administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller). Money from the fund could be used, without further appropriation, only for the expansion of access to and adoption of broadband and telecommunications services. The broadband infrastructure fund would consist of: (1) money transferred or deposited to the fund by the Texas Constitution, general law, or the General Appropriations Act; (2) revenue that the legislature by general law dedicates for deposit to the fund; (3) investment earnings and interest earned on money in the fund; and (4) gifts, grants, and donations to the fund. The proposed amendment would authorize the Comptroller to transfer money from the broadband infrastructure fund to another fund as provided by general law, and the state agency that administers the fund to which any money is transferred could use the money without further appropriation only for the expansion of access to and adoption of broadband and telecommunications services. The broadband infrastructure fund would expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended by adoption of a joint resolution of the legislature. Immediately before the expiration of the fund, the Comptroller would be required to transfer any unexpended and unobligated balance remaining in the broadband infrastructure fund to the general revenue fund.

Proposition 9 - “The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.” 

A constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide a cost-of- living adjustment to eligible annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). The proposed amendment also would authorize the legislature to appropriate money from the general revenue fund to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to pay the cost-of-living adjustment.



Submitted by

Betty McInturff

Chair, Precinct 12

Blue Magnolia

In addition to our monthly morning and evening socials, Blue Magnolia was at the Magnolia Fall Festival on September 23 and at Magnolia's Stroll Through the Renaissance Event on September 30.

At the Fall Festival, Ernie Halsell, VDR, registered voters! And at our booth Diana Walker and Charlotte Harris passed out information about the upcoming election, provided copies of County Health Department's Community Resource Guide and signed up several to receive newsletters and volunteer! And Laura Jones joined us!

Fiestas Patrias Festival on September 17th a HUGE Success



Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month

On September 17, 2023 Montgomery County Democratic Party hosted a Fiestas Patrias Festival as a community event in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.  The celebration was held at Heritage Place Park in Conroe, Texas.   

The Festival included Folklorico dancers, Mariachi bands, kids activities, food trucks, speakers, voter registration, vendors, and booths providing information from several non-profit organizations. Several hundred people came by to join the fun, celebrate the Latino culture, and learn about Fiestas Patrias and Montgomery County non-profit resources. 

Originally celebrated in Mexico first as its independence day, and later among people of Mexican descent in Texas and the Southwestern and Western regions of the United States, Fiestas Patrias has evolved into not just a single holiday, but a group of holidays translated to mean “Patriotic Holidays.” Almost all Latin American countries, following Mexico's example, celebrate Fiestas Patrias in one form or another; the majority celebrating independence from Spain or Portugal.

Almost 200 years before the Pilgrims landed on the East Coast people of Spanish and Mexican descent have lived in the territory from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean and from Canada to Chile in South America. While the region has since split across many countries, Latinos still continue to celebrate their original cultural and linguistic celebrations just as the Irish, Scots, Germans, Italians, and others, continue to do across this great nation.  

A Just Dessert!

This is a picture of the best treat a person could ever bring to a group of hard working Democratic Volunteers on a busy afternoon at Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters!  

It cheered us up, made us laugh, and tasted like sweet revenge!

Courtesy of Erin

Chapter Lead for Montgomery Chapter of

Mothers Against Greg Abbott

Recurring meetings, and related events



OCT 5 - LWV: CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE, 11:30am, 8000 Research Forest Dr.

OCT 7 - RALLY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, south Capitol steps, Austin

OCT 10 - LS GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION BOARD, 6:00pm, 655 Conroe Park N 77303

OCT 10 - VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION

OCT 17 - CONROE ISD BOARD, 6:00pm, 3205 W. Davis Street, Conroe 77304

OCT 20 - LWV: HELP PREPARE VOTER GUIDES, 10:30am, 8125 Ashlane Way, 77382

OCT 21 - WOODLANDS PRIDE FESTIVAL, 11:00am to 5:00pm, Woodlands Town Green Park

Democrats and Progressives of Montgomery County

Morning Breakfast MEETUP

Saturday, October 14, 9:00 am

The Whistle Stop Cafe

11133 Interstate 45 S · Conroe, TX

Hosted by Karen Cavanagh

RSVP