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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 2h

“We took the freedom of speech away…” — President Donald Trump

Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 5h

But real leadership shows up in the receipts: did they push through a policy, pass a bill, set up a program, or even build something like a working group or committee that actually exists and makes a difference?

Talking is easy. Doing is harder.
The “doing” is where accountability lives.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 5h

One way to measure whether an elected official is doing their job is simple: can you point to something they’ve done?

Not just what they’ve said, but what they’ve actually delivered.

There’s nothing wrong with giving speeches, posting statements, or showing up to advocate—that’s part of the gig.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 18h

Since I forgot to put this here, and it’s doing its thing on the other apps…

Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 18h

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

If we’re serious about reducing traffic, cutting emissions, and making downtown more accessible, the last thing we should be doing is slowing down the one system that moves efficiently through the city.

Now, the only thing the Red Line’s got a front row seat to—is a whole lot of brake lights.

Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

It’s a small change that makes a big difference—especially for those who rely on public transit to get to work, school, or medical appointments.

And honestly, it sends the wrong message about Houston’s priorities.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

For reasons still not clearly explained, METRO trains are now being forced to wait at intersections, while cars get the right of way.

So instead of moving people through the city quickly, the train is now crawling, making what should be a five-minute ride feel like a scenic tour through traffic.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

Back when the rail first launched in 2004, it used a system called traffic signal preemption, meaning that when a train approached an intersection, the lights would automatically turn green to let it glide through—faster, safer, and more efficient.

But not anymore.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

What used to be one of the quickest ways to get across Downtown Houston has basically turned into the same experience as walking.

Riders on Houston METRO’s Red Line have been dealing with noticeable delays ever since the city changed how the traffic lights are timed.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

For those who aren’t chronically online or plugged into the transit wonk corner of Twitter—here’s something wild you probably didn’t know: Houston’s light rail lost its signal priority downtown.

Yes, the trains are now stopping at every single red light.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

“Undermining that success without a single hearing or public announcement, or even the awareness of City Council, is an unnecessary, arbitrary and capricious decision…

Houstonians deserve better than red light decisions made in the dark.” www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/edit...

Why is Mayor Whitmire breaking the one part of Metro that didn’t need fixing?

Without explanation or warning, Houston changed downtown and midtown traffic signals so that the Red Line light rail is often stuck at red lights.

www.houstonchronicle.com

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

They aren’t* just “entitled” to it—it’s literally the law.

Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

They don’t are just “entitled” to it—it’s literally the law.

If the White House is trying to claim otherwise, they’re daring federal employees to sue—and they’d win.

Workers have always been entitled to their pay, even before that law, because the shutdown wasn’t their fault.

Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

BREAKING: Jasmine Crockett endorses Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee in the crowded November special election to fill the seat of the late Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX)

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

MAGA Republicans already paid a political price for that last stunt.

If they try it again, Democrats won’t have to say much—just remind Americans what Trump and the GOP do every time they are in charge.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

They don’t are just “entitled” to it—it’s literally the law.

If the White House is trying to claim otherwise, they’re daring federal employees to sue—and they’d win.

Workers have always been entitled to their pay, even before that law, because the shutdown wasn’t their fault.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

…except that’s just deadass wrong.

After Donald Trump’s previous 38-day government shutdown—the longest in history—Congress passed and Trump signed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, requiring furloughed federal workers get back pay once the government reopens.

Axios @axios.com · 1d

SCOOP: Furloughed federal workers aren't guaranteed compensation for their forced time off during the government shutdown, according to a draft White House memo described to Axios by three sources.

Scoop: White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren't entitled to backpay

A move to deny backpay to up to 750,000 furloughed workers would dramatically escalate Trump's pressure on Democrats to end the shutdown.

www.axios.com

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Reposted by Shea Jordan Smith

Mr.Keys @edukatorkeys2.bsky.social · 1d

Absolutely

Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 2d

Living through this second Donald Trump presidency feels akin to being awake during surgery after a traumatic car wreck.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

All because Republicans refuse to stop your health care costs from rising.

They run the White House.
They run the House.
They run the Senate.

This is THEIR shutdown.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 1d

📉 750,000 federal workers furloughed daily
💸 Essential workers on the job with no pay
📅 Trump already caused the longest shutdown in U.S. history (35 days, 2018–2019)
❌ This is shutdown #4 under Trump

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 2d

Apparently, I’m not the only one with questions…

Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 2d

Listening to Saucy Santana’s album and you can tell he 100% wrote for Caresha when she was in the group.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 2d

Who… asked for this?

Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 2d

New: Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, announced Monday he's running for U.S. Senate, complicating an already contentious primary between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.

GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt announces run for U.S. Senate, joining Cornyn, Paxton in primary

The Houston congressman is giving up his safe seat after just two terms, scrambling the contest between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.

www.texastribune.org

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 2d

The way @angelarye.bsky.social had us thinking that @nativelandpod.bsky.social was done after 99 episodes, only for them to announce @bakarisellers.bsky.social as the fourth host alongside @tiffanydcross.bsky.social and Andrew Gillum…

Congratulations, but don’t play with us like that again.

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Shea Jordan Smith @sheajordansmith.bsky.social · 2d

While Texans are still reeling from the West Texas floods and Camp Mystic campers remain missing, Governor Greg Abbott is sending 400 Texas National Guard troops “where needed” to appease Donald Trump.

Disaster at home, deployment for politics.

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 2d

This evening, President Trump is ordering 400 members of the Texas National Guard for deployments to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations within the United States. No officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate.

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