Author: Laura Bray

Progressive Views: The Grid Ain’t Fixed
ERCOT / Issues

Progressive Views: The Grid Ain’t Fixed

The record-setting temperatures this summer stressed the grid nearly to the breaking point several times. ERCOT, the agency responsible for operating the power grid, issued several “conservation alerts” over the past three months, with one episode of “emergency operations” that warned of possible rolling blackouts. Fortunately, the grid remained operational and no blackouts were needed, but it was a close run thing. A grid that can’t properly respond to Texas summer heat is not a grid that is fixed. Despite the grid’s reliance on solar, wind, and battery power, “The Legislature excluded solar, wind and battery storage from property tax benefits passed through the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation Act in May. The new law provides 10-year reductions on school taxes to new business developments including oil and natural gas,” according to the Texas Tribune. If the Legislature were serious about fixing the grid instead of lining the pockets of their donors, they would have included solar, wind, and battery power in their bill. Fortunately, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (which all Republican members of the Texas Congressional delegation voted against) will provide “$60.6 million from the federal government to help utilities strengthen infrastructure on the state’s electricity grid. The U.S. Department of Energy announced that it will award the funds so that Texas’ power grid might better withstand extreme weather events,” according to the Texas Tribune.

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September 24, 2023
Progressive Views: More Direct Flights to SAT, Please
Issues / Local

Progressive Views: More Direct Flights to SAT, Please

Getting a direct flight from the San Antonio Airport (SAT) to Reagan National in DC is a “massive priority”, says Ted Cruz, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The main obstacles to a direct flight are FAA rules that restrict the number of flights into Reagan and the distance of the flight. Exceptions must be sought to both rules in order to establish a flight, and it’s long past time for such an exception to be granted to SAT. SAT recently broke ground on a five-year, $2.5 billion expansion that will include a new Terminal C (which will be larger than the current Terminals A and B combined and add 17 new gates), a much-needed renovation of the outdated Terminal A, and upgrades to the airfield and roadway. Currently, SAT has 10 million passengers a year, an average of 25,000 a day. These improvements will accommodate a projected growth to 15 million passengers per year over the next twenty years. A news release in August from SAT stated, “SAT made history in July with more than one million passengers flying in and out of the airport.” It's high time for SAT to amp up its game and obtain more nonstops, which will benefit anyone who travels.

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August 26, 2023
Progressive Views: Hot Enough for You? Climate Change is Here
Action / Climate Change / Issues / National

Progressive Views: Hot Enough for You? Climate Change is Here

The average temperature across the U.S. in July 2023 was 2.1 degrees above normal, “with July 2023 ranking as the 11th-hottest July in the 129-year climate record.” NOAA also said that “July 3, 4 and 5 all consecutively broke records as the Earth’s hottest day since scientists began recording in 1979.” Despite warming temperatures, “Leading energy companies are intent on…expanding fossil fuel production and insisting that there is no alternative. While governments will need to lead the way to making significant adjustments to mitigate climate change, we can all make personal changes to reduce our environmental impact.

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August 16, 2023
Progressive Views: Make Voting Easier, Not Harder
Vote going in ballot box
Action / Issues / Vote

Progressive Views: Make Voting Easier, Not Harder

The Texas Legislature closed its regular session this year without passing measures that would make voting in Texas easier. Texas ranks 46th in “ease of voting,” according to a study in the “Election Law Journal.” Four ways to address are" online voter registration, no-excuse absentee voting, mail-in ballot application simplification, and accept more kinds of photo IDs.

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July 5, 2023
Progressive Views: The 88th TxLege Is A Wrap (Sort Of)
Image by Ruben Reyes is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
House / Issues / State

Progressive Views: The 88th TxLege Is A Wrap (Sort Of)

Article discusses the results of the 88th Texas Legislature with school vouchers still unpassed and HB 12 and HB 2390 as victories and disappointments such as HB 2744 and HB 3995. Governor Abbott has vowed to call multiple special sessions to pass many critical items. KCDP plans to keep a close eye on bills introduced in these sessions.

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June 12, 2023
Progressive Views: Two TxLege Bills to Oppose
Image by CQF-Avocat is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Action / Issues / Kendall County / Local / Vote

Progressive Views: Two TxLege Bills to Oppose

SB. 990 would eliminate the very popular countywide voting program, which allows a voter to vote at any polling place in the county in which they’re registered. HB 2127 would bar cities and counties from regulating entire industries and professions already controlled by eight state codes (Agriculture, Business & Commerce, Finance, Insurance, Labor, Natural Resources, Occupations, and Property). It's another blatant attack on the power of cities and counties to govern their own residents.

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May 15, 2023
Progressive Views: Support HB 3995/Upcoming Election
Image by cottonbro studio is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Action / Issues / Kendall County / Local / Vote

Progressive Views: Support HB 3995/Upcoming Election

The bill protects our military readiness and military operations at Joint Base San Antonio--Camp Bullis, which is essential to protect the nation. These local control provisions are necessary to accomplish the mission to protect Camp Bullis. Residents of City of Boerne (CoB) and City of Fair Oaks Ranch (FOR) have a municipal election on the horizon. Early voting starts this Monday. Election Day is Saturday, May 6.

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May 13, 2023
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