TryingPeopleTX
tryingpeopletx.bsky.social
TryingPeopleTX
@tryingpeopletx.bsky.social
Dear Dems. This is a reminder that Donald Trump rescinded the ethics rules preventing gifts to executive branch employees.

Now would be a good time to propose legislation formalizing the prevention into a law

Time to do things that make him react to you.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump has canceled Biden's ethics rules. Critics call it the opposite of 'drain the swamp'
Donald Trump took office eight years ago pledging to “drain the swamp” of the dominance of Washington influence peddlers.
apnews.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Baller
The Trump DoJ lawyers pushing this stuff can’t be humiliated enough for my taste. So many people should spit at their feet that they need galoshes.
Another extraordinary exchange just now about "animus" in the court hearing on trasngender members of the military:
February 18, 2025 at 11:24 PM
So they have literally started closing libraries now?!
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02...
Update from Kate Selig
www.nytimes.com
February 18, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
February 9, 2025 at 4:47 AM
I keep asking myself that same question and coming to essentially the same conclusion. 🤯
"What do you think Republicans would say if George Soros was granted access to every Americans' private data?"

@raskin.house.gov: "That represents an obsolete mode of thinking, which is that the GOP members will act according to principles."
February 6, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
The offer to federal workers to resign and keep pay and benefits is a "scam," says Randy Erwin of the National Federation of Federal Employees.
'It's a bad deal': Union president warns federal workers against accepting offer
The offer to federal workers to resign and keep pay and benefits is a "scam," says Randy Erwin of the National Federation of Federal Employees. He warns the public will feel federal workforce cuts.
www.npr.org
February 5, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
An important follow up to his first post about how we're absolutely in the middle of a coup, @brockm.bsky.social explains how simply calling out the truth in the face of a bombardment of lies is critical. www.techdirt.com/2025/02/04/t...
To Stop The Coup, We Must Be Clear About The Truth: Two Plus Two Equals Four
In George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, the ultimate act of rebellion comes when Winston Smith insists that two plus two equals four, defying a system that demands he accept whatever re…
www.techdirt.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:21 PM
In some states, free tax filing is still available. Use this before they force people back into using Turbotax and other paid options. www.irs.gov/filing/irs-d...
IRS Direct File for free | Internal Revenue Service
Learn more about filing federal tax returns online – for free – directly with IRS.
www.irs.gov
February 5, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
Not true.

Musk deleted the 18F *Twitter* account, but staff are still working at GSA, for now.

Direct File service is still operational.

USDS built it with Treasury. civic-texts.ghost.io/direct-file-... 18F was barely involved.

Bessent said Direct File would continue working this season.
Direct File shows how civic tech can work for good
Good evening from Washington, where the news cycles are moving faster than rats on a hot tin roof. Thanks to all of the news subscribers over the weekend and everyone whose become a member since soft...
civic-texts.ghost.io
February 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
We just published a 3,000 word feature on Elon Musk's incursion into the federal government.

Gift link here: www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/u...
February 3, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
BREAKING NEWS: Research and basic information on subjects ranging from tuberculosis surveillance to adolescent health disappeared from federal health agency websites.
Trump administration purges websites across federal health agencies
Research and basic information on subjects ranging from tuberculosis surveillance to adolescent health disappeared from federal health agency websites.
www.npr.org
January 31, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Someone could make a killing right now selling shirts that say, "Aaron Sorkin gave me unrealistic expectations about American democracy."
January 26, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I had an epiphany at a live Wild Kratts show tonight. We need @oprah-winfrey.bsky.social , @melindagates.bsky.social , and @mackenzie45.bsky.social to form a terrific trio and save Sesame Street. How do we make this happen?
January 25, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
Texas’ suicide and crisis lifeline is struggling to meet demand, with thousands of calls abandoned monthly due to limited resources, according to reporting from the Texas Tribune.
Amid a $7 million deficit to Texas’ suicide hotline, thousands of calls are abandoned monthly
The state’s 988 suicide had the nation’s fifth highest rate of abandoned calls in August, the latest data available, amid a multi-million funding deficit that could worsen as federal dollars expire…
buff.ly
January 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
For SoCal friends,

Here is a list of resources for shelter, animal boarding, free items, and distribution hubs. These places can also use donations (e.g., food, water, masks, and blankets). Please consider donating if you can.

For more info, visit Instagram: mutualaidla
January 9, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
FEMA has issued a guide on how to apply for federal aid if you've been impacted by the wildfires.

Aid may include money for food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication, or even with basic home repairs and personal property losses. www.huffpost.com/entry/southe...
Impacted By The Fires? Here’s How To Apply For FEMA Assistance
www.huffpost.com
January 10, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by TryingPeopleTX
Should be an interesting session. Good breakdown via @texaspublicradio.bsky.social and @texasstandard.bsky.social
How does the Legislature work, and who is in the chamber? Here’s what you need to know for the next month.
The 89th Legislature kicks off on Jan. 14.
www.tpr.org
January 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
My most recently completed cross-stitch project:
January 7, 2025 at 6:33 PM