September 2022, Fast & Furious & More To Do!
The beginning of Fall has Team Hinojosa in full Election/Session prep mode. It’s busy times and with stakes this high our plan is to “leave it all on the field.” In this month’s newsletter, Team Hinojosa has captured some highlights from September and some upcoming opportunities.
Celebrating Labor Day All Month Long
Team Hinojosa is proud of the unionization efforts happening in HD 49 this year: Ascension Seton Nurses, Alamo Drafthouse, VIA 313 employees, Starbucks, and more! Learn more about your right to unionize here.
Rep. Hinojosa has long been a supporter of your right to unionize. This past month, she met with major labor organizations here in Texas to talk about their priorities for next session.
She also helped kick off the Annual AFL-CIO’s Women’s Summit. As the opening keynote, she highlighted the importance of women in this movement and their ability to get stuff done!
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
Taking care of our mental health is essential for our overall wellness. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, so Team Hinojosa wants to make sure you know there are resources out there if you feel overwhelmed. While suicide is a taboo topic in many of our communities, please know that you are not alone. There are people who can help.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Sept. 15-Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
In honor of the start of Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day, we took some time to honor a few inspiring women who have made a mark in Texas History. Irma Rangel was elected as the first Hispanic woman to the Texas Legislature and the first woman elected chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.
Jovita Idár was a journalist, educator and an advocate for a woman’s right to vote. She used her writing to fight against racism and inequality and champion the cause of Mexican Americans. Idár believed that access to education could uplift the poor on both sides of the border.
Our own 2022 Democratic Nominee for Attorney General, Rochelle Garza, is a 5th generation Texan from the borderland. When elected, she will become the state's first Latina AG and will fight to properly represent the interests of all Texans.
Apply for NASA Texas High School Aerospace Scholars ProgramTexas High School Aerospace Scholars is an authentic STEM learning experience for Texas high school juniors to engage with NASA’s missions and become the next generation of explorers. HAS is a year-long commitment for Texas high school juniors which starts in the fall with a four-month online learning experience related to space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics
Learn more and apply by Thursday, October 20th here.
Nominate an Outstanding TeacherIn 2023, Humanities Texas will present a total of fifteen awards to exceptional Texas K–12 humanities teachers in three different categories:
Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award
This award recognizes the exemplary contributions of teachers of humanities subjects in elementary, middle, and high schools across Texas. The top candidate will receive the James F. Veninga Outstanding Teaching of Humanities Award, an award established to honor James F. Veninga, Humanities Texas executive director emeritus, for his twenty-three years of extraordinary contributions to the state council and to the public humanities. (12 recipients)
Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the teaching of Texas history at the primary and secondary levels. This award was established in memory of Linden Heck Howell, former chair of the Humanities Texas Board of Directors, as a lasting tribute to her service to the organization and her commitment to the study of Texas history. (1 recipient)
Award for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching
This award recognizes exemplary contributions of early-career humanities teachers in Texas who have completed three or fewer years of teaching. (2 recipients)
Learn more and nominate by December 9th here.
Additionally, H-E-B is seeking nominations for their Excellence in Teacher Awards. You can nominate multiple educators throughout the nomination period, and there are multiple award categories, including: Teacher, Principal, School District, School Board, and Early Childhood Center. Learn more and nominate by October 17th here.
Just this Month
On September 6th, Rep. Hinojosa joined her Travis County colleagues for a rally for Beto for Texas at the Long Center. The crowd was energizing, as we push through the final months of this election!
On September 9th, Rep. Hinojosa paid her respects to peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty who were honored at the Star of Texas Awards. Our office is thinking about the members of the Austin Police Department, Senior Police Officer Andrew Lewis Traylor and Officer Jon Riordan, who were honored.
On September 10th, Rep. Hinojosa helped kick off the Hyde Park Super Precinct’s Saturday Canvass! Rep. Hinojosa plans on being out in the streets, knocking on doors, until Election Day! Want to join her and others? Find an opportunity here.
On September 12th, Rep. Hinojosa joined women’s health providers from across Texas to talk about the current state of women’s health. We’re so thankful to these providers for working through challenges to help women access the care they need. Looking forward to working on solutions next session.
On September 17th, Rep. Hinojosa starred in “Over the Lege” a political comedy show based entirely on the Texas Legislature.
On September 20th, Team Hinojosa traveled across HD 49 for our “Fuel for Democracy Tour” to register voters and talk to them about the issues on the ballot for National Voter Registration Day! Turn out was great at all three stops (Radio Coffee & Beer, ACC Rio Grande, and Black Star Co-Op) where the team registered voters!
September 22nd kicked off the Texas Tribune Festival. Throughout the weekend, guests were able to hear from great political minds like Hillary Clinton, Chris Bosh, Kari Blakinger, and a multitude of Texas leaders.
On September 27th, Rep. Hinojosa joined Rep. Goodwin, Rep. Howard, and Rep. Talarico at the Westminster Democratic Study Group.
On September 28th, Rep. Hinojosa participated in Austin Education Fund’s “Principal for a Day,” where she joined International High School’s Principal Leticia Vega to learn about this great AISD school.
Later that evening, Rep. Hinojosa had the honor of introducing long-time community leader and assistant DA, Bianca Garcia (soon-to-be County Court at Law Judge #3) who received the Capital Area Progressive Democrats, Kick Ass Award. Congratulations to the Honorable Lora Livingston who received the Emma S. Barrientos Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Honorable Greg Casar, and Selena Xie who also received the KickAss Awards!
On September 29th, Rep. Hinojosa joined supporters of reproductive rights at the Planned Parenthood Austin Annual Event. It was inspiring to hear from rising activists like Olivia Julianna with Gen Z for Change.
Coming Up
Election Season is Upon Us! Make sure you know these important dates in order to participate in the democratic process!
Registering to Vote
October 11th - Deadline to register to vote
Application for Vote by Mail
October 14th - PRIORITY deadline for Application for Vote By Mail Ballot
October 28th - FINAL deadline for Application for Vote by Mail Ballot
Voting in Person
October 24th - First day of early voting
November 4th - Last day of early voting
November 8th - Election Day
Voting by Mail
November 8th - Return Vote by Mail Ballot
Austin City Limits Music Festival is happening October 7th - 9th and October 14th - 17th. In addition, AISD will have an early release day on October 7th and a school holiday on October 14th.
Mark your calendars for Rep. Hinojosa’s Re-Election Fundraiser on Saturday, October 22nd from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at Easy Tiger on South Lamar! More info will be sent soon.
As always, we’d like to encourage you to remain engaged and to reach out to us with any additional questions or concerns you may have at District49.Hinojosa@House.Texas.Gov. Remember—we work for you!
- Team Hinojosa