Texas hold'em in Illinois
TOP TALKER
TEXAS TWO-STEP: Lone-Star Democrats are holed up in the Q Center, a high-security hotel and convention complex in St. Charles, operating under a strategy of both defiance and visibility.
The Texas statehouse Democrats left their state en masse to block the Republican-controlled legislature from passing a redrawn congressional map they believe would disenfranchise voters, particularly people of color.
Monday afternoon, they huddled in a hotel auditorium to watch the Texas House gavel in and then gavel out because they lacked a quorum — at least 100 members of the 150-seat chamber. Mission accomplished. But for how long?
'See my bags here. I'm prepared to be here for as long as it takes to make sure that we stop the redistricting this session, and we're going to feel our way through additional special sessions, if they're called by the governor,' state Rep. Rafael Anchia told your Playbook host before heading to his hotel Sunday.
The Texans plan on staying in Illinois until Aug. 19, when the state's special legislative session is up. The question is whether Gov. Greg Abbott will call another special session. It could bring the Democrats back to Illinois for another 30 days.
Fines and potential civil arrest warrants loom, though the Texas Dems we talked believe if they stick together they'll accomplish their goal of preventing a vote on GOP gerrymandered maps.
'Come and Take It,' Gene Wu, the state's House Democratic Caucus chair, told CNN, echoing a Texas rallying cry.
Party leaders are in close communication with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, according to a person close to the group. Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin will join the Texas legislators at a rally in Aurora today. And the group is lining up as many people and reporters to talk to as they can to ensure their message stays at the forefront of national attention.
Illinois Democrats are helping with that. Gov. JB Pritzker traveled to Boston on Monday for the National Conference of State Legislatures meeting, where he discussed redistricting in a private luncheon meeting and made time for the Texas Democrats who were in attendance. They will head to Illinois on Wednesday.
A few other Texas Democrats were in New York to confer with Kathy Hochul, who said she intends to follow President Donald Trump's blueprint for aggressive partisan redistricting. Pritzker and California Gavin Newsom have also hinted at making remap moves. In other words, two can play at this game.
In the western suburb of Warrenville, Illinois U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi hosted a Monday evening press conference with members of the Texas congressional delegation and the renegade Texas House Democrats. Kelly and Krishnamoorthi put aside their differences — they're running against one another in a Senate primary next year — to join the Texas group (though they stood on different sides of the podium).
The Texas state Democrats then headed to dinner with members of Congress.
Help from high places: An anonymous group of democracy advocates flew a plane over the Springfield Capitol on Monday with a banner that said 'mess with Texas.' Banners will also be flown over the blue state capitols of Albany, N.Y.; Annapolis, Md.; Augusta, Maine; Trenton, N.J.; and Sacramento, Calif., according to a spokesperson. Pic!
SIDE NOTE
Mayor Brandon Johnson said he 'fully supports' Gov. JB Pritzker's efforts to assist Texas Democrats trying to prevent 'MAGA Republicans from gerrymandering away Black and brown congressional districts,' according to a statement to Playbook. The mayor has called for Democrats from across the country to 'stand up in this moment to Trump's rising authoritarianism and Governor Pritzker is demonstrating real leadership by doing just that.'
Johnson issued the statement to clarify a comment at a press event Monday where the mayor said 'the South Side and the West Side could use that same level of energy' that Pritzker has shown on the redistricting fight. Johnson told Playbook he simply hopes Illinois state lawmakers would 'show the same type of urgency around funding our public school system as they do around national issues,' especially in light of a new report showing Chicago Public Schools is $1.6 billion underfunded.
RELATED
Texas Democrats hold the line from hotel rooms as Abbott promises arrests, by POLITICO's Adam Wren, Shia Kapos, Andrew Howard and Liz Crampton
On their first full day in Illinois, Texas Dems urge blue states to consider redrawing their own congressional maps, by the Tribune's Rick Pearson, Jeremy Gorner and Olivia Olander
Abbott's options to force a redistricting vote are more limited than they appear, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney
Schwarzenegger ready to fight Newsom on redistricting, by POLITICO's Will McCarthy
DuPage Democratic Party Chair Reid McCollum pledges to protect Texan lawmakers, by the Daily Herald's Russell Lissau
THE BUZZ
Chicago immigration judges fired by Trump White House call for transparency about their terminations: 'Jennifer Peyton and Carla Espinoza are among a group of dozens of judges who have been terminated without explanation since President Trump took office in January,' by the Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles.
If you are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@politico.com
WHERE'S JB
In Aurora for a rally with Texas Democrats
WHERE's BRANDON
In City Hall at 12:30 p.m. for his regular media availability
Where's Toni
At the Cook County Health Professional Building at noon to announce the Chicago Abortion Fund recipient
Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@politico.com
BUSINESS OF POLITICS
— WATCH for Congressman Jesús 'Chuy' García (IL-04) to launch his reelection campaign alongside a coalition of elected officials at the Pulaski Orange Line CTA Station today. They'll be collecting signatures on Day 1 of the 2026 election season.
— Holly Kim, the Lake County treasurer, has officially launched her campaign for Illinois State comptroller. 'Susana Mendoza, the current comptroller, has done an amazing job paying down the bill backing with the nine credit upgrades, and she is graciously not running for reelection. It matters who picks up that baton and runs with it,' Kim said in announcing her candidacy. Here's her launch video
— Top Illinois GOP donors are sitting out the upcoming primary: 'The party's internal divisions and lack of clear leadership have eroded confidence among those who traditionally fuel campaigns, leaving Republicans severely outmatched in both resources and organization,' the conservative Illinois Review reports.
— In the Senate race: Juliana Stratton's political campaign is beefing up staff: Loren Harris is political director after serving as state director for Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Allison Janowski is communications director. She was comms director at C-Strategies and worked on the Harris-Walz campaign. Justin Rodriguez is deputy field director after working as digital organizing director for the Maryland Democratic Party and before that on get-out-the-vote efforts in Wisconsin. And Prince Winbush III is political coordinator after also working for Wisconsin Democrats and on the Harris-Walz campaign.
— The money game: The LevelUp PAC that supports Juliana Stratton's U.S. Senate bid raised $398,166, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings. After deductions, the PAC has $203,451 cash on hand.
— State Sen. Darby Hills, a Republican from Barrington Hills, is running for election to the 26th District seat she's held since earlier this year. She was appointed to the seat after state Sen. Dan McConchie stepped down to head a nonprofit. 'Families are being stretched to the limit, and it's not OK,' Hills said in a statement. 'I went to Springfield to fight for real solutions because, for me, this is personal.' She'll face Democratic State Rep. Nabeela Syed in the must-watch race.
— Also in the state Senate: Arlington Heights trustee Carina Santa Maria is running for the seat held by Mark Walker, by the Daily Herald's Christopher Placek
— Paul Kendrick, who's running for 12th district state rep seat now held by Margaret Croke, has raised more than $50,00 from more than 100 donors, according to his team.
— Commissioner Josina Morita is running for a second term for Cook County Board's 13th District. She's endorsed by Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Morita is also running for 9th Congressional District State Central Committeeperson and is endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and 10 ward and township committeepersons and county chairs, according to her team. Morita won't be running for reelection for Niles Township Democratic committeeperson.
THE STATEWIDES
— State Rep. Curtis Tarver sees 'little appetite' for reinstating the School Finance Authority for funding and reforming Chicago Public Schools. After holding a hearing on the issue, Tarver issued a statement, saying, 'I understand there is little appetite, including myself, for a full takeover of CPS. Instead, we must work together on a realistic, collaborative path forward that pairs new investment with clear, student-centered reforms.' Here's his full comment.
— Aquifer protection, Chicago pension boost among more than 100 new laws: 'Lawmakers sent more than 400 bills to governor's desk during the spring session,' via Capitol News Illinois.
CHICAGO
— Pritzker's signature on police pension bill adds pressure for state bailout and city property tax hike: 'The bill will cost the city $60 million more in 2027, and by 2055, city pension payments will be $750 million higher than they are now. It adds one more big pressure point onto Mayor Brandon Johnson, who already has said he won't raise property taxes,' by the Sun-Times' Fran Spielman and Mitchell Armentrout.
— Police use of force is declining, according to U. of I. study, by WBEZ's Michael Puente
Reader Digest
We asked if you could keep one App on your phone, what would it be.
Brian Berg: 'The SiriusXM app because life would be unimaginable without access to Bruce Springsteen's E Street radio and Hall of Famer Tom Hamilton covering the Cleveland Guardians' baseball games.'
Chelsea Blink: 'Puzzazz. It's a crossword puzzle solving platform, kind of like NYT Games, but it lets you download puzzles from indie publishers to solve on your phone.'
Christopher Deutsch: 'I'm on Twitter Spaces a lot, so probably Twitter. I don't care what they say it's called now…it'll always be the Sears Tower.'
Kay Hatcher: 'I'm directionally challenged. Mapping apps have made me fearless.'
Kirsten Heindl: 'Libby! Gotta have my books.'
Charles Keller: 'Google Maps since I'll have to find my way to B&M stores without the Amazon app.'
Izzy King: 'YouTube - from deep dives to tutorials, I probably use the app every single day.'
Kevin Lampe: 'Grammarly fixes all typos. (This sentence was fixed.)'
Silas Leslie: 'Gmail (unfortunately).'
Jim Lyons: 'Apple Music.'
Emma Todd: 'MiniVAN (the canvassing app). You have to be ready to pound the pavement for petition signatures.'
NEXT QUESTION: Where's the best place in Illinois for Texas barbecue?
THE NATIONAL TAKE
— Trump and Schumer couldn't clinch a deal. Now a shutdown hangs in the balance, by POLITICO's Jordain Carney
— After BLS firing, Trump leaves clean-up job to successor, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton and Nick Niedzwiadek
— CBO: Republican megabill to cost $4.1T, due to higher borrowing costs, by POLITICO's Jennifer Scholtes
TRANSITIONS
— Noah Barger is joining the Information Technology Industry Council as a director of government affairs. Barger has worked for Congressman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) since 2017, and also served as a senior adviser to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, which Bost chairs. Barger previously worked for former Congressman Bob Dold (R-Ill.).
— Doug Rees has been named chief deputy attorney general of the Attorney General's Office. He replaces Brent Stratton, who is retiring after 20 years of service. Rees, who's been with the office since 2014, most recently was deputy attorney general over civil litigation. Cara Hendrickson is now executive deputy attorney general. She has been assistant chief deputy.
EVENTS
— Thursday: The Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance is holding its summer soirée, a Chicago-area real-estate networking event. Details here
TRIVIA
MONDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Nadine O'Leary for correctly answering that Sufjan Stevens wrote and sang a song about serial killer John Wayne Gacy on his 2005 double-album titled 'Come On! Feel the Illinoise!'
TODAY's QUESTION: What Steven Soderbergh movie was filmed at the Illini Country Club in Springfield? Email to: skapos@politico.com.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Jeanne Wrenn, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride (now a partner with Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres), Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres Senior Government Relations Director and former mayoral aide Maria Virginia Martinez, state Rep. Matt Hanson's Chief of Staff Mario Keane, MacArthur Foundation Program Officer Mariam Pera, Tipsy Cake founder Naomi Levine, journalist Jim O'Shea, comms consultant Stephan Benzkofer and Kinship marketing firm founder Chip Bouchard Vassil
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San Francisco Chronicle
12 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Republicans look to make a U-turn on federal commitment to electric vehicles for the Postal Service
WASHINGTON (AP) — A year after being lauded for its plan to replace thousands of aging, gas-powered mail trucks with a mostly electric fleet, the U.S. Postal Service is facing congressional attempts to strip billions in federal EV funding. In June, the Senate parliamentarian blocked a Republican proposal in a major tax-and-spending bill to sell off the agency's new electric vehicles and infrastructure and revoke remaining federal money. But efforts to halt the fleet's shift to clean energy continue in the name of cost savings. Donald Maston, president of the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association, said canceling the program now would have the opposite effect, squandering millions of dollars. 'I think it would be shortsighted for Congress to now suddenly decide they're going to try to go backwards and take the money away for the EVs or stop that process because that's just going to be a bunch of money on infrastructure that's been wasted," he said. Beyond that, many in the scientific community fear the government could pass on an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming when urgent action is needed. Electrified vehicles reduce emissions A 2022 University of Michigan study found the new electric postal vehicles could cut total greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 million tons over the predicted, cumulative 20-year lifetime of the trucks. That's a fraction of the more than 6,000 million metric tons emitted annually in the United States, said professor Gregory A. Keoleian, co-director of the university's Center for Sustainable Systems. But he said the push toward electric vehicles is critical and needs to accelerate, given the intensifying impacts of climate change. 'We're already falling short of goals for reducing emissions,' Keoleian said. 'We've been making progress, but the actions being taken or proposed will really reverse decarbonization progress that has been made to date.' Many GOP lawmakers share President Donald Trump's criticism of the Biden-era green energy push and say the Postal Service should stick to delivering mail. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said 'it didn't make sense for the Postal Service to invest so heavily in an all-electric force." She said she will pursue legislation to rescind what is left of the $3 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act allocated to help cover the $10 billion cost of new postal vehicles. Ernst has called the EV initiative a 'boondoggle' and "a textbook example of waste,' citing delays, high costs and concerns over cold-weather performance. 'You always evaluate the programs, see if they are working. But the rate at which the company that's providing those vehicles is able to produce them, they are so far behind schedule, they will never be able to fulfill that contract," Ernst said during a recent appearance at the Iowa State Fair, referring to Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Defense. 'For now,' she added, "gas-powered vehicles — use some ethanol in them — I think is wonderful.' Corn-based ethanol is a boon to Iowa's farmers, but the effort to reverse course has other Republican support. Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, a co-sponsor of the rollback effort, has said the EV order should be canceled because the project "has delivered nothing but delays, defective trucks, and skyrocketing costs.' The Postal Service maintains that the production delay of the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles, or NGDVs, was 'very modest" and not unexpected. 'The production quantity ramp-up was planned for and intended to be very gradual in the early months to allow time for potential modest production or supplier issues to be successfully resolved,' spokesperson Kim Frum said. EVs help in modernization effort The independent, self-funded federal agency, which is paid for mostly by postage and product sales, is in the middle of a $40 billion, 10-year modernization and financial stabilization plan. The EV effort had the full backing of Democratic President Joe Biden, who pledged to move toward an all-electric federal fleet of car and trucks. The 'Deliver for America' plan calls for modernizing the ground fleet, notably the Grumman Long Life Vehicle, which dates back to 1987 and is fuel-inefficient at 9 mpg. The vehicles are well past their projected 24-year lifespan and are prone to breakdowns and even fires. 'Our mechanics are miracle workers,' said Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union. 'The parts are not available. They fabricate them. They do the best they can.' The Postal Service announced in 2022 it would deploy at least 66,000 electric vehicles by 2028, including commercial off-the-shelf models, after years of deliberation and criticism it was moving too slowly to reduce emissions. By 2024, the agency was awarded a Presidential Sustainability Award for its efforts to electrify the largest fleet in the federal government. Building new postal trucks In 2021, Oshkosh Defense was awarded a contract for up to 165,000 battery electric and internal combustion engine Next Generation vehicles over 10 years. The first of the odd-looking trucks, with hoods resembling a duck's bill, began service in Georgia last year. Designed for greater package capacity, the trucks are equipped with airbags, blind-spot monitoring, collision sensors, 360-degree cameras and antilock brakes. There's also a new creature comfort: air conditioning. Douglas Lape, special assistant to the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers and a former carrier, is among numerous postal employees who have had a say in the new design. He marvels at how Oshkosh designed and built a new vehicle, transforming an old North Carolina warehouse into a factory along the way. 'I was in that building when it was nothing but shelving,' he said. 'And now, being a completely functioning plant where everything is built in-house — they press the bodies in there, they do all of the assembly — it's really amazing in my opinion.' Where things stand now The agency has so far ordered 51,500 NGDVs, including 35,000 battery-powered vehicles. To date, it has received 300 battery vehicles and 1,000 gas-powered ones. Former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in 2022 the agency expected to purchase chiefly zero-emissions delivery vehicles by 2026. It still needs some internal combustion engine vehicles that travel longer distances. Frum, the Postal Service spokesperson, said the planned NGDV purchases were "carefully considered from a business perspective' and are being deployed to routes and facilities where they will save money. The agency has also received more than 8,200 of 9,250 Ford E-Transit electric vehicles it has ordered, she said. Ernst said it's fine for the Postal Service to use EVs already purchased. 'But you know what? We need to be smart about the way we are providing services through the federal government,' she said. 'And that was not a smart move.' Postal vehicles, he said, have low average speeds and a high number of stops and starts that enable regenerative braking. Routes average under 30 miles and are known in advance, making planning easier. 'It's the perfect application for an electric vehicle," he said, 'and it's a particularly inefficient application for an internal combustion engine vehicle.'
CBS News
13 minutes ago
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Texas redistricting battle to start new phase with Democrats expected return to Capitol
For the second week, Republicans and Democrats have continued their showdown over new congressional maps in Texas, which will result in five new GOP-majority districts at the expense of Democrats. But the fight is about to enter a new phase on Monday, Aug. 18. Democrats who broke quorum and left Texas, killed the first special session, and didn't show up for the start of the second special session — many believe they will Monday. Speaker Dustin Burrows said House members must be at the Capitol at noon. Friday, Aug. 15, Burrows ended the first special session after the House once again fell short of a quorum, which requires 100 lawmakers to be present. The Senate ended its first special session, too, and then Governor Greg Abbott called for the start of the second special session, with the same agenda, to start a couple of hours later Friday, at noon. Democrats said they wanted to kill the first special session, which allowed them time to go to other states, such as California, where Governor Gavin Newsom said if Texas approves its new maps, California will do the same to neutralize any GOP gains. "We can't stand back and watch this democracy disappear district by district all across the country," Newsom said. "We are not bystanders in this world. We can shape the future." The difference there is that voters in California will have to approve it, something that won't happen in Texas. During an unrelated news conference on Friday, Aug. 15, CBS News Texas's Jack Fink asked Gov. Abbott about Newsom's plan. In an exclusive interview, Abbott spoke about his ongoing lawsuit to remove House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Wu from office and whether Republicans will try to increase the number of new GOP majority congressional seats to not just five, but as many as eight or more. Abbott said, " They are [Democrats] are required by the Texas Constitution to actually show up and cast votes on bills. That's what the Constitution requires. That's why I'm seeking to remove Gene Wu, because he's not fulfilling his constitutional duty." As for adding more seats, Abbott said, " In reference to the lawsuit, Wu shared his thoughts concerning Abbott and when Democrats will return. For the past couple of weeks, House Republicans have expressed frustration about Democrats breaking quorum. Representative Shelley Luther of Grayson County about the end of the first special session and what she wants to happen next with redistricting. For now, Republicans have proposed adding the same five GOP majority districts in Congress as they have before. Abbott has not added redistricting for State House seats, and he was asked about it. "Every strategy is at play... if we need to," said Abbott. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, of Dallas, said she's considering running in a different Congressional district in North Texas than the one she represents now. In North Texas now, there are three Democrats who serve in Congress, but under the new maps, there will only be two districts. That's because District 32, now represented by Democrat Julie Johnson, will become a Republican majority district and extend to East Texas. District 33, now represented by Democrat Marc Veasey, of Fort Worth, includes both Tarrant and Dallas Counties, but under the new maps, will only be in Dallas County. Crockett said she's considering running in the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District, because her home will be in that district, instead of the 30th District she represents now. Last week, Congressman Veasey and Congresswoman Johnson both said they are focused on the fight against the new maps first, and will then consider their options for re-election. A new poll shows mixed results about how Texans feel about the newly proposed Congressional maps. Regarding the five new GOP majority Congressional seats, the Emerson College poll of 1,000 registered voters in Texas found 36% support the new maps, while 38% oppose them, and 26% are unsure. But when asked if Republicans in Texas are entitled to five more seats, something President Trump said, 40% of those surveyed said they agreed, 38% disagreed, and 22% were neutral. Burrows signed civil arrest warrants against the Democrats who broke quorum. The new poll showed 41% agreed they should be arrested, 37% disagreed, and 22% were neutral. And in the bitter Republican primary for the Texas Senate race, the poll found 30% support for incumbent Senator John Cornyn, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton one point behind at 29%. Five percent said they want someone else, and 37% are undecided. Previous polls have shown Paxton leading Cornyn.
Epoch Times
15 minutes ago
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The Hunter Home From the Hill: Alvin York of Tennessee
In 458 B.C., faced by a military defeat at the hands of an Italian tribe, the Roman senate appointed a retired statesman, Cincinnatus, as dictator of Rome in hope of rescue. Legend has it that Cincinnatus left his plow in the fields of his farm to answer this summons. In less than three weeks, he defeated the enemy, gave up his powers as dictator, and returned to his estate, hailed as a model of Republican virtue. In 1783, George Washington astounded his contemporaries, including Britain's King George III, by resigning his commission and so giving up the immense power he held as general of the victorious army to return to his Virginia farm. For this act, he became known as the American Cincinnatus. In the rotunda of Virginia's state capitol in Richmond, visitors see a plow of marble as a part of Washington's statue, a nod to the ancient Roman.
