James Talarico

So that is what got me into this whole mess.

I miss being a teacher because I miss having that experience.

immediate impact.

All the impact I make now, if I make any impact at all, feels very diffuse and far away because there's all these layers.

But I like to think that some of the bills I'm passing are at least helping teachers like me and students like mine.

Climate change on their private jets.

Fucking crazy.

My point is if you're going to a conference to discuss climate change, but you're taking your giant private jet.

Well, I would say that I am probably the poorest member of the Texas legislature.

And I'm not poor, but relatively speaking, most of the people I serve with, either very successful lawyers who own their own law practice, doctors and surgeons who operate their own medical practice, or it's

Trust fund babies.

It's just people who have a lot of family money.

And here's, because I mentioned earlier that I don't make any money at this job.

So I'm like a congressman, because I think congresspeople make like 150 or something, which is a real salary.

I make $7,200 a year.

That's $400 a month after taxes as a state rep.

That's my salary.

Now, I also get a per diem when we're in session, which is a little bit more, which is helpful.

But the reason I say that is because there are systematic barriers to a regular person running for the job that I have.

Got it.