Not a single Republican, not in the House nor the Senate, voted for the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion bill that was passed by the House several weeks ago and was delayed in the Senate by ridiculous stunts like Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin forcing Senate aides to read the entire bill aloud, to an empty Senate chamber. But President Biden has managed to get this massive bill through Congress after less than two months in office; the Senate version passed in the House on March 10 and will be signed into law by President Biden probably by the time you read this newsletter.

The American Rescue Plan is a bill that is critical to the American people. Senator Bernie Sanders wrote on Twitter, "What we did is write and pass a bill to address the crises facing the American people, not the wealthy and large corporations. The result is the most significant piece of legislation to benefit the working class in many years." Included in the bill is "money for vaccines, schools, small businesses and anti-poverty programs such as an expanded child tax credit that would mean new monthly payments to many parents." Unlike previous COVID relief packages passed by the previous Republican Senate, the ARP focuses on individuals and small businesses, rather than corporations, which received the bulk of Republican-passed relief packages.

The bill is not everything that Democrats wanted; it is missing an increase to the minimum wage, and the individual payments were reduced from $2,000 to $1,400. And fewer people will get payments, with the threshold being dropped from $100,000 to $80,000 for individuals, and from $200,000 to $160,000 for couples filing jointly. But overall this bill will make a tremendous difference for millions of Americans including Texans, and for many, could mean the difference between food on the table at home, or being out on the street after being evicted. The fact that zero, none, not a single Republican (including Congressman Van Taylor, and Senators John Cornyn and Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz) supported this bill speaks volumes about the contempt that Republicans view so many Americans with.

And we want to remind all of our Collin County Democratic activists: Americans got this bill because Georgia Democratic voters, with help from us and other Democratic activists around the country, flipped two Senate seats in January. Collin County Democrats donated, phone-banked, and text-banked to help get out the vote in Georgia! Activism works, GOTV works, and when we work together, we can make change happen!

The American Rescue Plan now heads back to the House where it is expected to quickly pass, after which it will be sent to President Biden to be signed into law.

Reference: Here's What's In The American Rescue Plan As It Heads Toward Final Passage (via NPR)

Collin College: The free-speech situation continues to get worse. Having effectively fired two female faculty members (by not renewing their contract for the next school year), the College has now fired a third female professor, Dr. Lora Burnett. She’s the professor HD67 Rep. Jeff Leach inquired about and was taunting on Twitter about being fired before she even was (did he know something she didn’t?). Since his pestering was during Winter Storm Uri, one may question why he didn’t have anything else to do. Evidently, Rep. Leach still had electricity and internet service. I’m also wondering if harassing professors for exercising their Constitutional right to free speech is part of his job description or if he was abusing his power. The cited reasons for Dr. Burnett’s dismissal were “insubordination” and criticisms of colleagues but we all know the real reason. College President H. Neil Matkin enjoys ruling Collin College as his personal fiefdom and doesn’t tolerate dissent, especially from women.

Why the Trustees seem fine with Matkin running amok is the real mystery. So far, Collin College has suffered several negative national stories, has been named one of the “10 Worst Colleges for Free Speech” by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, endured numerous angry emails and speeches from students, educators, and community members at every Board meeting, and endured a protest by dozens of free speech advocates that received significant press coverage. Despite all this, Board chair J. Robert Collins inexplicably said, “I don’t think it’s damaging our reputation.” Does he live in the real world? People are angry and the remaining (for now) Collin professors – the very people students pay to learn from – are living in a culture of fear and intimidation, the very opposite of what education is supposed to be. Several professors asked proxies to read statements from them during the meetings while others refused to keep their cameras on during a Zoom Board of Trustee candidate forum for fear of reprisal.

This is no way to run a college. The ramifications of this will soon cause a disruption in donations, student satisfaction, and faculty recruitment and retention if it hasn’t already. Why is Matkin worth all of this chaos? What benefit could he possibly bring that merits both his large bonus and significant negative disruption to the quality of their educational offerings? If the current Trustees can’t rein him in, it’s time to vote in new Trustees who will. We have just the people: Misty Irby, Helen Chang, and Jacoby Stewart.

Want to help report on our local government? Join the Liberal Women's Action Network (also open to men, of course!) on Facebook!

Running Blue will return as a one-issue, Collin County elections update on Tuesday, April 13. We'll include information about the Collin Count municipal races, profiles of the endorsed candidates, and information about voting. Watch for it, you don't want to miss it!

If you are on the distribution list for The Rally, no worries; you’ll get Running Blue. If you are a candidate or campaign staffer and want to run a story about your campaign or candidate, please use the CCDP Publicity Request form to submit notices and articles. The deadline for Running Blue is Saturday, April 10 at 5 p.m. (Texas Time!)

Check out the Running Blue archives from last year!”

The forum will be moderated by Scott Coleman.

PISD Place 3 Nancy Humphrey*

PISD Place 6 Jeri Chambers*

District 104 (Dallas) and Vice Chair, Elections Committee

Learn more, provide your input, and ask your questions.

When: Monday, March 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom--participate using your phone or computer.

Contact: [email protected] or 307-314-ABLE (2253)

The Texas Legislature is currently in its 87th session. Have you wondered how you can effect real change during this brief time? Learn how to use and lift the power of your voice to lobby and advocate for a cause that you care about!

In an informational session during our March 18 General Member Meeting, we’ll teach you:

Where do you fall? Maybe you’re a casual change maker, or perhaps you’re finally ready to make some big waves? Either way, you're welcome to join us at this informational session.

Our service project will be the Douglass Visions Committee, Inc. a non-profit community development organization that started in 1990 to assist and enhance the Douglass Community of Plano.

Join us before the meeting for a mixer from 6:45-7 p.m. so members can speak with candidates on the May 1 ballot.

The CCDP physical office is closed until further notice for safety. Our office staff are, however, working for you from home and available by telephone at 972-578-1483 or contact us on the web at collindemocrats.org