Who Needs Democracy When You Have A Culture War

[Shell_Seas]

Texas Republicans spend the final days of session attacking books, the unhoused, and your wallet.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/who-needs-democracy-when-you-have



Yesterday, the Texas House met for over 16 hours, adjourning after 2:00 am, and then gaveling back in this morning at 10:00 am. With only six days left, it’s all about how much damage they can do to Texans before the clock winds down. As a lifelong Texan and self-proclaimed TX-Lege nerd, I can tell you a whole bunch. But you have to remember, while the Legislature is passing all kinds of unconstitutional bullshit, half of it won’t even stand up in court.

To give you an idea of how often their authoritarian laws get thrown out, let’s take a look back:

In 2021, a federal court invalidated a provision in SB1, the voter oppression bill, that restricted compensated canvassers from engaging in voter advocacy near mail-in ballots.

Last session, Republicans banned drag shows. A federal judge ruled this law unconstitutional.

The “Death Star Bill” from 2023 was thrown out, deemed unconstitutional. However, I think this one is still making its way through appeals courts.

Jared Patterson’s (R-HD106) book-burning bill was struck down in the 5th Circuit for being unconstitutional.

So, when you see some of the laws Republicans are passing this session, it’s easy to feel deflated and discouraged, but even if these laws pass, it’s vital to remember that the fight isn’t over. When Abbott signs them into law, that’s when groups like the ACLU and LULAC take them to court.

I bring this up because one of the bills that passed yesterday was the GOP’s latest book-burning iteration. SB13, also known as the “Book Ban 3.0” for those of us keeping count, passed the second reading in the House with an 87-57 vote.

[SARose]

1. And a whole MONTH of patriotism

Really?

But here in the real world:

An East Texas community grapples with school closures as education options shift
BY JESS HUFF
MAY 27, 2025

LUFKIN — Kurth Primary’s campus was quiet as parents pulled their cars into line to pick up their kids on Wednesday, the last day of school. The peace didn’t last long. As noon approached, teachers began helping kids to their parents' cars for the last time. Kids waved goodbye to their friends and teachers.

Wednesday wasn’t just the last day of the school year at Kurth. It was the last day, for the immediate future, the school will be open at all. The Lufkin Independent School District board earlier this year voted to close it and another school, Coston Elementary.

Snip

Lufkin ISD lost about 1,600 students to other nearby school districts and independent charter schools over 15 years. The district now faces more competition in the years ahead. The Texas Legislature in early May approved a private school voucher program that will allow families to use tax dollars to send their students to private schools.

Lufkin school leaders added that stagnant school funding from the state and a disproportionate staffing to student ratio made it nearly impossible to keep the schools open. As the end of yet another legislative session looms heavy over the state, financial support for public education again hangs in the balance.

Snip

More

Yep the plan all along - defund public schools.

🤬

[Shell_Seas]

3. It's going to get worse. While there was some funding passed this session, it isn't enough.

[J_William_Ryan]

2. And the same is true in other Republican-controlled states -

the same reckless, irresponsible culture war idiocy, the same contempt for sound governance and responsible public policy.