To all Progressive Populist Democrats across the great state of Texas:
Below you will find the minutes from our State Convention Caucus.

Below you will find the minutes from our State Convention Caucus. I am pleased to announce the formation of a 26 member Steering Committee for our new Progressive Populist group, loyal and committed to getting the current Party slate elected in the fall but also commited to grassroots inclusion and reform of our Party to facilitate that inclusion. I am pleased to tell you that our Caucus received a very favorable article in the Houston Chronicle over the weekend of the Convention. The Steering Committee's task, open to any and all Democrats who consider themselves Progressive Populists, is to continue the work started by the Democrats of Texas and continued at the convention, including situating our people in positions with all campaigns and with Party officers to do our part toward victory, while also promulgating the "Working Principles" unanimously adopted at the Caucus. I will attach to this in the hope all can open and read. Contact me if you do not get. Their mission is to formalize the organization, chart the course of activity for the duration of this year and communicate the core values of progressive populism to all we work with in the party and campaigns to return our Party to these values.

Your participation is invited. Steering Committee members will be communicated to you via a separate Excel spread sheet tomorrow. Your contacts by region in the state, hopefully with their permission, include for the next few days: Anna Casey-North Texas. Ian Straus- South Texas/S.A.. Tim Mahoney-Austin/Central Texas. Mike Selvey-East Texas. Dave Evans-West Texas. Charlotte Cox-Houston/S.E. Texas. Thank you for making our presence felt on Rules, Nominations and Platform Committees. We made a difference, friends. We have much work to do ahead but we will prevail. Warm Regards To All and In Solidarity, Stan Merriman

Minutes of Progressive/Populist Caucus

The meeting was called to order Friday, June 14th at noon in the Pancho Villa room at the Hilton Camino Real Hotel, El Paso, Texas by temporary chair, Stan Merriman.

He outlined the agenda and David Van Os moved for adoption. It was seconded by Harriet Irby and adopted by all those in attendance. David Van Os nominated Stan Merriman for caucus chair, Joy Holland seconded and Stan was elected. Charlotte Cox nominated Julie Jackson Lusby for caucus secretary, Doug Peterson seconded and she was elected. A suspension of the rules to take up new business out of order was moved and seconded. The chair urged all at the caucus to run for positions on key committees, especially Resolutions and Platform. The group was also told that information concerning the make up of the Platform Committee was difficult to obtain from the Texas Democratic Party. Bruce Barrett, a former member of the State Democratic Executive Committee from Austin, shared that the Resolutions and Platform Committees were separate to make the platform more suitable for public consumption. It was also offered that the hard work that went into resolutions from voting precincts to senatorial district or county conventions and finally to state would end up in a closet or trash can. Members of the caucus committed themselves to righting this travesty. Van Os stated that the majority of the Democratic Party is progressive/populist and that if our message were known we would require the largest meeting room available. He also cited Jim Mattox in the SDEC Meeting on Thursday that the last state office holders elected (in 1988) were all progressives. It was remarked that the caucus was lacking in diversity but Joy Holland noted that there was a time conflict and that the Youth Caucus, Coalition of Black Democrats Luncheon and Native American Caucus were scheduled for the same time as the Progressive/Populist one. Candidate Mike Smith asked to address the group and was told by the chair that the caucus preferred that instead candidates listen to us. The caucus was reminded that the upcoming election is critical, that all should work for the Party and the candidates. Singled out for emphasis were Ron Kirk for Senator and Tony Sanchez for Governor. Anna Casey moved that a Voluntary Interim Steering Committee be established. It was seconded and passed. Sign up sheets were distributed.

Harriet Irby suggested that the Resolutions and Platforms Committees be linked. David Van Os made the point that Democratic Party officers and precinct chairs were bound to support its candidates or face removal. However, John Sharp refused to endorse the full slate or share the stage with Garry Mauro but has not been taken to task. It was suggested that the Rules Committee address this. The caucus resolved to follow up on the actions and voting records of candidates it supports. The candidates whose districts are considered ?safe? in that they face no serious challengers must also be held accountable for their campaign promises and actions in office. The caucus also reiterated their support for clean power.

The meeting adjourned at 1pm.