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Chair: Ginger Blair
Deputy Chair: Kimberly Valdez
Secretary: Carmen McZeal
Treasurer: Natalie Ward
Sergeant At Arms: Marc Meyer
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Click on the Contribute button to help turn Montgomery County Blue!
Please consider becoming a sustaining member at $10 per month (or more!).
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Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters
704 N. Thompson St. #195
Conroe, Texas 77301
936-703-5841
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Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters Hours
Hours of operation: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Monday through Friday
Due to the continuing spread of COVID, our policy now is for staff and visitors to comply with social distancing guidelines and masks are optional. To reach us, call MCDP headquarters at 936-703-5841 or email office@mcdptx.org. For urgent matters outside of office hours, please text 713-256-1420 or email chair@mcdptx.org.
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May 15, 2023 Newsletter
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)
Heritage Month
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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:
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
From TDC - Talking Points on several issues
Volunteer to Help Your Precinct
Report on MomForce Legislative Day in Austin
Election Recap
2024 Starts Now
Final Friday Speaker Series
Democratic Dames Dining for Democracy - May 24th
4th of July - Parade Planning has Started!
County Non-Profit Spotlight - CASA - Child Advocates of Montgomery County
Democratic Party Events Around the County
School Board Meeting Reports
Legislative Update
Training, Education and Activism Resources for Democrats
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.
no later than 3 days before publication.
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Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month is observed annually in May to celebrate the contributions that generations of AAPIs have made to American history, society, and culture. Click here for more information that has been curated by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) to educate the public about AAPIs and celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month.
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Weekly Talking Points 5/3/23
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Texas Democrats vehemently oppose Republicans’ school voucher program, and we will do everything in our power this Legislative Session to stop it in its tracks – and ensure all Texas kids are able to receive the education they deserve.
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Volunteer to Help Your Precinct!
Please contact us to talk about what is involved in being a Precinct Chair or in helping your Precinct Chair. There is a lot of support for Precinct Chairs and that support is getting stronger. You will not be going it alone; but you will make a huge difference in our County, State and Nation.
To talk with someone about how you can help, email office@mcdptx.org or call Headquarters at 936-703-5841.
If you are ready to apply for a Precinct Chair vacancy, please download, print, and complete this application form, and submit it to us by U.S. mail, email as an attachment to office@mcdptx.org, or drop it off in person at 704 N. Thompson St. #195, Conroe, TX 77301. If you have never visited Headquarters, it would be great to meet you!
You may find out whether your Precinct has a Chair and who your Precinct Chair is by going to the Secretary of State website. Or contact us and we'll let you know!
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On May 4th, five Montgomery County Moms - Erin Mulholland, Bea Rouse, Linda Moore, Nikki Murray, and I - attended MomForce Day at the Capitol organized and hosted by Mothers Against Greg Abbott (aka MAGA the Good). I am proud to say that we were the largest contingent from any other county or organization in attendance! I’m sure all you Star Wars fans get the name as associated with the date!
This event was very well organized and attended. A little about MAGA the Good. They have been a State PAC but have had so much success, including outside of Texas, that they are soon rebranding to be Moms for Democracy and will become a Federal PAC. Learn more here.
The day included hearing from several Democratic Senators and Representatives; training about issues, bills, and how to approach representatives and staffers; and several hours spent meeting with both Democratic and Republication legislators. The Capitol was buzzing with activity and both chambers were in session and actively working. Each team of 2-3 was assigned a wing of offices to visit – some Democrats and some Republications. Visits to Democrats involved thanking them, encouraging them to fight harder, and giving a cookie! Visits to Republications involved discussing 2-3 bills on which each team decided to focus. There was a flyer we handed to each office – click here to see it.
The Democratic staffers were very grateful for the positive feedback. For the most part the Republicans were receptive, and our team actually had some great discussions with some of the staffers. Representative Tony Tinderholt’s office was closed to visitors, but we knocked and ultimately had the door closed in our face.
The following legislators met with us prior to our office visits and provided valuable information about the tone, challenges, and issues of this session. We were very appreciative of the time they took out of their very busy day.
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Representative John Bryant
Representative Suleman Lalani
Representative Ron Reynolds
There was some disturbing information shared with us by these legislators. I’m going to share some of what struck me.
- “Government is corrupt” is the #1 most effective phrase to suppress voting. Stop saying it! Instead say to anyone that says this (especially as a reason for not voting):
- Government belongs to the people
- We will take our own government back
- Participate in government by voting
- Hold your representatives accountable
- Texas is the least insured State in the Nation. Medicaid expansion has been shown to provide a 9 to 1 return on investment for states that have accepted it. Texas is only one of 10 states that has refused it.
- Public school funding in Texas hasn’t increased in 10 years. There was an increase in 2019 but all those funds went to Charter Schools.
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Texas is 43rd in the Nation in public school funding. If the current budget surplus was used for public schools, we would move to 25th.
- We are #1 in the Nation for mass shootings.
- Texas is the most dangerous state in the Nation for construction workers due to lack of safety laws and workers’ compensation issues.
- The consensus was the Democrats will walk away from this session with little to nothing; which means the citizens of Texas will too.
- Republicans are not focused on issues that impact Texas citizens – they are only focused on flashpoint social issues to keep the base riled up and create fear and lack of confidence in our government.
- The House Democratic Caucus isn’t as unified as they could be – some Democratic Representatives have not voted in line with the party. And some are going for small wins by proposing inconsequential bills to be able to say they got something done. But the real issues are the big things – guns, reproductive rights, voting rights, criminal justice, insurance, health care, public schools and more – and often they are not fighting hard or loud enough.
- Holding your Representatives and Senators accountable – regardless of whether they are Democrats or Republicans – is critical.
Call them. Write them letters. Visit their local offices.
I came away from Austin feeling optimistic and pleased that there are strong determined people fighting for our Democracy; but concerned that they are so outnumbered. They are also tired and are fighting every day all day. I am convinced all our representatives in the legislature need to hear from us frequently about what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong. I was surprised by how many Republican staffers listened to our talking points with interest and some of it seemed like points they had not considered before.
After that full and eye-opening day, a full day of working at the polls which had an abysmal turnout, and yet another Texas mass shooting, I’m full of rage. I’m more determined than ever to fight and organize. And I am losing patience with those who don’t vote, are not informed and educated, don’t help financially, don’t volunteer, or simply don’t take responsibility to do any part to protect our Democracy. This Nation's Democracy truly is at stake right now. Lamenting and complaining will not work. We must all do something – no excuses. Will you join me? Will you do just one more thing?
Submitted by,
Charlotte Riser Harris
Sustaining Member
Communications Committee Member
Media Committee Member
Blue Magnolia Precinct Coordinator
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A Brief Report on the
May 2, 2023, Joint Elections
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Election Day for May 6th turned out a grand total of 3,389 voters or only 2.37% of the total registered voters in the county. And while that is an admittedly dismal number of voters it is important to know that this particular election, in May of odd-numbered years, is a date set aside for local political subdivisions, such as cities, school district, water districts, and other special districts, to have their regular general elections just for members of those particular governing bodies. That means that the total number of eligible registered voters is far far lower than the total number of registered voters overall.
For instance, newly developing MUD Districts, at certain stages of home build out, may only have a total of 2 registered voters that are eligible to vote. In future years, there may be 1,000 or more voters in that location as homes are built and occupied. Another example is the City of Cleveland. Only 1 of our 111 precincts is within that portion of the City of Cleveland that is also within the boundaries of the County of Montgomery so the total number of eligible registered voters within that rural area of the County is very small indeed.
Another factor that also impacts voter turnout in these small jurisdictions is voting location. The overall number of early voting locations is reduced as a matter of efficiency and cost savings. And again, on election day, the regular voting locations that are typically within each precinct, are further reduced in number and combined with other precincts for efficiency and cost savings. And while that all makes good “business” sense, it does make it harder for democracy to function as intended, as a weary and determined voter may drive around for a while, searching for exactly the right place to cast his or her lone vote on election day.
But do not fret. This is actually an improvement. Until a few years ago, these small jurisdictions did not necessarily have to hold their elections on the same day in May. MUD Districts may have voted in July, Road Districts in September, EMS Districts and College Districts in April. At least the day for voting for all these similar jurisdictions has been consolidated and combined into a couple of dates in the calendar year and the weary and determined voter only has to remember a couple of dates for voting and the locations can be combined.
So, in spite of our State’s voting processes, how did Democrats fare? We mustered Alternate Election Judges for 14 of the 17 locations requested. We had volunteers and Precinct Chairs texting GET OUT THE VOTE messages all over the County in precincts where there were candidates. And all of the 6 brave candidates who identified themselves as Democrats in these non-partisan races were successful in their races. That, my friends is progress.
We just have to persevere!
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The Life and Times of the Ukrainian People during this War
As Told Thru the Eyes of Three Activists
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Gala Korolyk
Final Friday Speaker -- May 26, 2023
6:30 p.m.
This month’s Final Friday Speaker is Gala Korolyk. She was born and raised in Ukraine and lived there until she was 24. She holds a master’s degree in Foreign Languages and British and American literature from Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian University in Western Ukraine. When the Iron Curtain fell, she immigrated to Mexico where she learned Spanish and completed a master’s degree in education and taught at the University of Monterrey.
Ms. Korolyk arrived in the USA in 2004 where she continues her passion for teaching foreign languages. In her 25-year journey as an immigrant, she has been able to return home almost every summer to renew her Ukrainian identity and take inspiration from her roots, her culture, and her people.
She became an advocate and volunteer for her country at the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2014 and has redoubled her volunteer efforts since the massive invasion by Russia on February 22, 2022, by joining her friends who call themselves the “Gypsies." These three friends, Rusian Gorovyi, Roman Goorzhiy, and Olena Nechaeva travel to the war zones and visit completely demolished towns helping people who have survived by providing them with basic needs such as food, medication, and supplies in general.
Her presentation on Final Friday, which will include videos, is based on what her friends have witnessed and the documentaries they filmed during their visits. The stories they tell are about people who can’t be witnesses anymore because they have been killed by Russian occupying forces or they are stories by those who have managed to survive and are determined to “stay strong and invincible."
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Our Final Friday Social and Speakers Program is held the last Friday of the month at Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters, 704 N. Thompson St, Suite 195, Conroe, Texas, 77301. You may also watch it on Zoom.
The link to watch virtually is highlighted in blue below. You may also watch on Facebook Live.
Topic: The Life and Times of the Ukrainian People during this War
As Told Thru the Eyes of Three Activists
Time: Friday, May 26, 2023, 6:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 858 7409 0628
Passcode: 41243
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4th of July Parade
Volunteer Recruitment
Can you believe it's time to start planning for the July 4th parade? MCDP has always had a strong presence at this community parade; and 2023 will be no different!
Please consider working on the July 4th Parade Committee. Reach out to Kim at deputychair@mcdptx.org or 714-600-0545 to get more information and to join the planning fun!
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County Non-Profit Spotlight
Each month in 2023, we will share information about non-profit resources in Montgomery County in hopes that those in need receive assistance and to make everyone aware of the great resources in our county.
This month we feature:
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CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County embraces diversity and inclusion, and recognizes our responsibility to foster an open, welcoming environment where the youth we serve, volunteers, and staff of all backgrounds and identities can be their authentic selves. We value the benefits that arise from diverse experiences and are committed to providing training and programs that expose some to new knowledge while supporting others as they connect to their identities. We also strive to acknowledge the complexity of intersecting identities by respecting the uniqueness of each individual.
When a family is in crisis and becomes involved in the child welfare system, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer to advocate for the child. That volunteer is called a Court Appointed Special Advocate®, or CASA.
Advocates provide valuable information to the judge and others involved in the case to help ensure a child’s best interest is being met.
CASA volunteers stay by a child’s side throughout the case, advocating first for reunification when safe and possible.
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Democratic Party Events Around the County
psst: you're missing a lot of fun if you aren't joining us!!
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Blue Magnolia
On Wednesday May 10th ten brave souls and several kids braved the weather to meet for our monthly evening social at Unity Park in Magnolia. We had a potluck dinner, shared wonderful food, and had lively discussions!
We are finding that our local efforts to organize the 10 Magnolia Precincts to support and share resources is paying off! We are reaching more like-minded neighbors and the members in our private Facebook group are growing quickly. If any Precinct Chairs are interested in creating a local group of precincts, we are happy to share information and provide support. There's a lot of momentum and excitement out here in the west end of the county!!
Join us each month on the 2nd Wednesday at 5:30 pm or the 4th Wednesday (note new day) at 10 am. Follow us on Facebook or join our private Facebook Group to keep up with what we're doing and where! |
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The Women of MCDP were impactful in our community and had a great time while playing "Volunteer Bingo", and celebrated these successes at an end of the month potluck party hosted at Keefer Grace's home.
Even though that event is over, the bingo card is a great resource for ways to be involved year round.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we will be shining a light on the stigma, self-care, boundaries, and more for our meeting to be held June 4th from 2-5 at Christie Moran's home in Montgomery. We will be enlightened on our journeys by our speaker, Joni Comeaux, LPC, LCDC. RSVP on the Facebook page or email womensoutreach@mcdptx.org
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School Board Meeting Reports
As you may have heard we are recruiting volunteers to attend Montgomery County school board meetings to provide support of Boards that are fighting for our public schools' very existence and to report on items of interest.
Did you know there are nine ISDs in Montgomery County? They are Cleveland, Conroe, New Caney, Magnolia, Montgomery, Richards, Splendora, Tomball, and Willis. Would you consider attending meetings? If so, CLICK HERE to complete the form and Stephanie will reach out to you. To read an article about how our school district leaders feel about the vouchers being considered by our State Legislators READ THIS. |
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Legislative Update!
By Fritz Houston
MCDP Intern
Fritz has become a valuable member of the MCDP Team and regularly will be contributing to our newsletter about happenings in the Texas Legislature. Watch this space for new developments.
The Texas Legislature is rounding up its final weeks before it ends and we can finally see what bills are likely to pass this season. And on both sides, the answer is very few important ones. What usually is a time for speedy votes to force through legislation before a deadline, night after night the legislature has been killing bills left and right by leaving them to committees or swamping them in amendment votes.
This legislature was heavily expected to be one of the most productive with an absurd surplus that could be used to fund Texas. This dream has fallen flat though, due to Republican infighting between suburban and rural republicans on how money should be spent, how to reduce property taxes, and how best to handle public education. Not to mention countless protests against the blatant anti-LGBTQ and anti-Public Education bills. These fights could’ve been an opening for Democrats to make progress in these areas, but the fights haven’t kept the Republicans disunified enough to consider working with their colleagues across the aisle.
The legislature ends May 29th. This leaves 14 days for the legislature to try to come to an agreement and vote to make any of the changes that they promise to their voters. Only time will tell if they will be able to figure out how to work together and for the sake of Texas let’s hope that these hostile bills are stopped while those which will improve our lives are able to move forward.
Fritz Houston
MCDP Intern
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Training, Education and Activism Resources
Sign up now!!
The Campaign for Our Shared Future fights for equitable, anti-racist programs, practices, and policies that sustain schools and ensure opportunity for every child and a brighter future for us all. There are great talking points provided on this website.
Red Wine and Blue - Red Wine & Blue provides everything women need to successfully organize in their communities and beyond.
The States Project - We fuel majority-making campaigns for state lawmakers who will defend our democracy, safeguard our individual freedoms and improve lives.
Texas Freedom Network - The 2023 Texas Legislative Session is here! Join us in letting our state’s leadership know that we will continue fighting for our freedoms today, tomorrow, and forever. Click here to get in the fight!
National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC) has virtual training opportunities for all Democrats. Go to https://traindemocrats.org/events/ to sign up for any of their trainings.
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JOE and KAMALA'S CORNER !
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Lots of new and great items to show your commitment to Democracy and support MCDPTX!
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Event Calendar - For more details, click on the image and follow link to the MCDPTX.org website; click on the date to view event.
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Other Groups & Community Events: |
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Come early and enjoy the food at MoCo Food Hall. We meet in the upstairs room to the right. This group is a followup to the study of the 1619 Project. We are utilizing The White Allies Handbook for discussion |
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DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF THE WOODLANDS
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
6:30 – 8pm CST
Thank you for your continued advocacy and support to our Democratic values. There are many ways — big and small — that you can support your community and our local Democratic Club. Come to the upcoming meetings to find ways you can get involved. We are meeting on: Wednesday, March 29th Wednesday, April 19th Wednesday, May 17th These meetings will be held at the South County Community Center starting at 6:30pm.https://www.mobilize.us/hcdp/event/556405/
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Democrats and Progressives of Montgomery County
Wednesday Evening Meetup
May 24, 6:00 pm
3091 College Park Dr #290 · The Woodlands, TX
Morning Breakfast MEETUP
Saturday, June 10, 9:00 am
11133 Interstate 45 S · Conroe, TX
Hosted by Karen Cavanagh
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CAN YOU ATTEND?
The Woodlands Pride - Talking With Pride Summit 2023
Sat, Jun 10th 2023 at 8:00 AM CDT · By The Woodlands Pride
The Woodlands Pride is excited to present its inaugural summit, Talking with Pride, on June 10th, 2023. During the Summit, you will hear from various speakers and panels discussing mental health, small business, advocacy, and more pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community.
The all-day event begins at 8:30 a.m. at Sam Houston State University – The Woodlands Center, 3380 College Park Dr., Conroe, TX 77384, with ticket prices ranging from $100 for adults and $50 for those under 22.
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Paid for by the Montgomery County Texas Democratic Party, www.mcdptx.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. |
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