James Talarico emphasizes the importance of respect, outreach, and connection in politics, and encourages people to take time to center themselves and bridge generational divides.
Category: Local
Posted inWho Owns South Dallas?
Dallas City Council Approves Cornerstone to Host Verizon Cell Tower in Historic District
The City Council voted to approve a controversial Specific Use Permit allowing a 90-foot Verizon cell tower to be built in the historic South Boulevard Park Row district, despite the objections of local homeowners and the lack of required studies.
Posted inTexas Tribune
Dallas County Republicans Drop Hand-Counting Ballots, Citing Worker Shortage
Dallas County Republicans have decided against hand-counting ballots in the upcoming March primary, while Democrats in Dallas and Williamson counties will be required to cast ballots at assigned neighborhood polling places instead of countywide voting sites, which could potentially disenfranchise voters.
Posted inReal Estate
Dallas Housing Summit Highlights Need for Preservation and Tenant Protection
The 2nd Annual Housing Summit in Dallas brought together non-profits, policy analysts, architects, developers, and civil servants to discuss housing issues and propose solutions, including tax freezes, streamlined permitting, and a community fund to support grassroots organizations.
Posted inTexas Tribune
Dallas County Sues Trump Administration over $70 Million Public Health Fund Clawback
Dallas County has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the clawback of $70 million in public health funds, arguing that the demand was illegal and the funds were intended to address the effects of the pandemic and prepare for future public health crises.
Posted inPolitics
New Launch Alert: Dallas Weekly and The EDvocate Debut Dallas Streets and Seats
Dallas Weekly and The EDvocate Group have partnered to create a new model of civic engagement that prioritizes participatory action research, parent-as-teacher approaches, and equitable community engagement to increase voter turnout and ensure that the voices of Dallas residents are heard in decision-making.
Posted inWho Owns South Dallas?
South Dallas Residents Urged to Reclaim Future with Proposed Public Improvement District
South Dallas is facing a critical moment in its history, and Scottie Smith, II believes that the neighborhood can reclaim its future by controlling the financial tools that shape redevelopment, such as the proposed Public Improvement District (PID).
Posted inOpinion
The $25 Million Mistake: Why Dallas Must Reject ICE’s 287(g) Deal — And the Politics Behind It
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has proposed a $25 million offer from ICE to enroll the Dallas Police Department in the 287(g) program, which would allow local police officers to enforce immigration laws, sparking backlash from Council Members and potentially undermining trust between the police and the community.
Posted inLocal
Dallas Councilmembers Accuse Colleagues of Violating Texas Open Meetings Act
District 7 Councilmember Adam Bazaldua and District 9 Councilmember Paula Blackmon accused four members of the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act by convening without public notice or access, while District 3 Councilmember Zarin D. Gracey defended his participation in the disputed meeting.
Posted inPolitics
Texas Democracy Lies on Redrawn Lines
Tarrant County Commissioners Court voted to eliminate over 100 Election Day polling locations and slash early voting sites, which critics say is a direct attack on Black, Latino, and college-age voters, while Rep. Venton Jones argues that the new congressional maps are the most racially gerrymandered since the Voting Rights Act of 1965.