A Call To Arms: 2nd Amendment Saturday in Williamson County

It's no secret that our 2nd Amendment is under assault (and apparently some public schools are willing to teach blatant falsehoods about our Constitutional right to bear arms.)  Here in Williamson County we prefer to uphold the Constitution and stuff, so on Saturday, October 12, the Williamson County Republican Party and the Best of the West Shooting Range are sponsoring the first annual "2nd Amendment Saturday." 

Here's the scoop from the Wilco GOP:

Shooting events for every skill level. Come out and try Cowboy Shooting, International Practical and International Defensive shooting. Go through the shooting portion of the CHL course. Conventional rifle, pistol, trap ranges with instructors on hand for the novices. and much, much, more.

In addition, there will be a long range shooting demonstration, and vendors with the latest technology, door prizes, and other activities.

Featuring the author of our Concealed Carry Law Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, Congressman John Carter, Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman, and others.

So, come on out, get your picture taken with the people defending your 2nd amendment rights. Try out the various shooting styles, and perhaps become a member.

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:
Congressman John Carter, US House District 31
Constable Robert Chody, Williamson County Pct. 1

Silver Sponsor
Barry Smitherman for Attorney General

Bronze Sponsors
Representative Tony Dale
Representative Marsha Farney
Representative Larry D. Gonzales
Commissioner Cynthia Long
Justice of the Peace Dain Johnson
District Judge Billy Ray Stubblefield

For more info on this and other events: http://www.wilcogop.org/www.williamsoncountygop.org

“Kiddos”, of 17 or less are welcome if you feel that they are mature enough to attend. They must remain under your supervision.

Please send an email to Jewett@WilliamsonCountyGOP.org for more information.

Click here to purchase tickets.
 
Oh, and just in case you forgot, our Gov rocks on the 2nd Amendment.  (Okay, yeah, so I'll just use any excuse to re-post this video.)

Rep. Dale Requests 2nd Special Session, UPDATED

UPDATE:  Special session begins July 1, 2013 at 2 P.M.  Shrill "Occupy" protesters like those who tried to stop reforms in Wisconsin successfully thwarted the business of the first special session.  The truth is that Texans strongly support the pro-life measures provided by Senate Bill 5.  Many of the pro-abortion protesters are pretty crass, but if you can take it, please consider showing up in person for the legislative proceedings in Austin this week.  If not, please pray, and call your Texas representative or senator to express support.  (Who Represents Me?)

 A letter from State Representative Tony Dale to the Governor regarding the pro-abortion activists' obstruction of senate proceedings last night.  In case you missed it, a screaming mob prevented the senate from conducting special session business prior to the midnight deadline. 

June 26, 2013

Governor Rick Perry​

Office of the Governor
State Insurance Building
1100 San Jacinto
Austin, Texas 78701

Dear Governor Perry,

Thank you for your leadership and all that you have done help make Texas the best state in the nation.  Unfortunately last night, due to the shameful acts of many people, mob ruleprevented our Texas Senate from functioning properly.  This is not Texas and this must not stand.  

I bear no ill will toward those Senators who appropriately used the rules to advance their cause; however we cannot tolerate an offensive lack of respect for our institutions and traditions.  I believe we have a moral obligation to preserve the rights of those elected to represent the people rather than bowing to bullying from those who through willful intimidation and disruption violate the rules of the Texas Legislature.

I respectfully ask you to immediately call a second special session to complete the measures that were killed as a result of last night's disruptions.  Those items include funding mechanisms for transportation, improving the standards for facilities that perform abortions and establishing sentencing guidelines for seventeen year olds that commit capital murder.    

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Tony Dale

State Representative

House District 136

cc: Speaker Joe Straus

Governor Perry Vetoes So-Called Disclosure Bill That Exempted Unions

Yesterday Governor Rick Perry vetoed Senate Bill 346, the 'disclosure' bill that exempted unions. 

The Governor's statement:

Freedom of association and freedom of speech are two of our most important rights enshrined in the Constitution. My fear is that SB 346 would have a chilling effect on both of those rights in our democratic political process. While regulation is necessary in the administration of Texas political finance laws, no regulation is tolerable that puts anyone's participation at risk or that can be used by any government, organization or individual to intimidate those who choose to participate in our process through financial means.

At a time when our federal government is assaulting the rights of Americans by using the tools of government to squelch dissent it is unconscionable to expose more Texans to the risk of such harassment, regardless of political, organizational or party affiliation. I therefore veto SB 346.

Nicely done, Governor, nicely done.  

Ask Governor Perry to Veto SB 346

Call Governor Perry's office at (512) 463-2000 to ask for a veto of Senate Bill 346.

In case you are only now tuning in, Senate Bill 346 subjects private non-profit organizations engaging in issue advocacy etc., to new reporting requirements.  Although the IRS is in hot water for illegally releasing the names of donors to such groups, SB 346 would make such disclosures legal and requisite.  To make matters worse, SB 346 specifically exempts unions from the new rules and restrictions.  The bill is so problematic that national voices such as Red State's Erick Erickson and even the Wall Street Journal have piped in to urge a Perry veto. 

In reaction to the strong push to veto SB 346, Representative Charlie Geren has added a revised version of the SB 346 language to the Ethics Commission Sunset bill, SB219.  While Geren's new language removes the explicit union exemption, he indicates that the real goal all along was to hamper conservative input into any future speaker's race.  Furthermore, as political law attorney Jerad Najvar notes on Lex Politico, the SB 219 language seems to include some rather unreasonable compliance requirements.

SB 219 now also includes a requirement that any “electioneering communications” by a nonprofit “disclose in the communication the source of the funds used to pay for the communication.”  See amendment 19 (Johnson).  This is unconstitutionally vague, and is also cumbersome without some serious narrowing and explanation by the Ethics Commission.  Is a nonprofit supposed to list the names of all its contributors “in the communication”? That’s not feasible and it would destroy the ability to send an advertisement at all in certain media.

(Read the full Lex Politico analysis here.)  

Governor Perry must decide by tomorrow whether to veto or sign SB 346.  If he does so, the SB 219 language could be revised or removed.  Call (512) 463-2000.

Update:  Here's a list of those who registered against SB 346 in the House State Affairs Committee.  It includes names from Texas Right to Life, Women's Wellness Coalition of Texas, and Texas Values.  These are the folks who will be hampered by this bill.  

WSJ, Conservatives Urge Veto of Ill-Conceived Disclosure Bill: Updated: Vetoed!

Update:  On Saturday, May 25, Governor Perry vetoed SB 346.  His statement is here.

While I have focused on the outrageous union exemption in SB 346, it seems other more-learned folks are suggesting the proposed Texas “disclosure” has even more troubling implications.
 
In yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, editors noted that SB 346 reporting requirements for social welfare and non-profit groups are very similar to several federal proposals that have been vehemently opposed by Republicans in Congress.  WSJ further indicates that SB 346 might be more about incumbent protection than transparency, and goes so far as to label Representative Charlie Geren’s comments as straight from “the Lee Kuan Yew school of free political speech.”  Ouch.  WSJ is urging Governor Perry to veto SB346.

Eric Erickson at Red State is also supporting a Perry veto.  Yesterday he summoned up the force to cry out, “Help me, Obi Wan Perry.”  Erickson expresses shock that some Texas Republicans would jump on a misguided effort to ‘get’ Michael Quinn Sullivan at the same time that the country is reeling over the recent IRS scandals.  With the party in power working to intimidate and stifle voices of opposition at the national level, it is hard to imagine Texans codifying such techniques.
 
Neither article mentions the union exemption, but it is hardly necessary at this point.  It’s no secret that threatened incumbent ‘Republicans’ like Ken Seliger and Charlie Geren are so determined to silence Michael Quinn Sullivan that they are willing to strike a Faustian bargain with Democrats by exempting unions from the bill.
 
Governor Perry should veto this bill; he has until Saturday to do so.

Update:  It seems that Representative Charlie Geren successfully added the SB 346 language as amendments to SB 219, the "Ethics" reform bill.  Even the Texas Public Policy Foundation is calling for Governor Perry to veto both bills.

From TPPF:

• America has a long tradition of anonymous political speech with the Federalist Papers being among the most prominent.
• Without anonymity of donors, and anonymity of members, Americans banding together for a cause are susceptible to harassment, intimidation, or worse.
• What is billed as transparency in SB 346 and SB 219 is instead an effort to silence Texans who dare speak up to their elected officials.
• The U.S. Supreme Court has frequently observed – most notably in NAACP v. Alabama – that forcing organizations to identify their donors and members violates their constitutional rights.
• We are seeing the effects of similar IRS policy coming out of Washington D.C., so we cannot allow the Texas government to tread the same path.
• Once the precedent is established that a 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) must disclose its members and supporters, it will only be a matter of time before other groups who displease the government are compelled to do the same. 

National Day of Prayer 2013

Although Austin, Texas isn't necessarily known for active Christianity, this morning residents of the city and surrounding areas joined Governor Rick Perry in a special prayer breakfast.  Highlights included comments from former NFL player & State Representative Scott Turner, a performance by National Dove Award Artist Paul Overstreet, and a very heartfelt conversation about life and faith between Jimmy Gregory and Governor Perry.  Most significant however, was the prayer time; attendees spent time praying for the Military, those in government, education, media, business, and ministry, and especially families.  (And yes, we prayed for President Obama.)

There are many ways you can stand up for truth, but one essential element is to pray unceasingly. 

The official National Day of Prayer 2013 is actually May 2, but there are numerous events scheduled around the state all week long.  To find an event near you visit the NDP Task Force events page.  Several events are planned for Williamson County in Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Round Rock, and Taylor.  Details can be found at the National Day of Prayer-Austin website. 

Upcoming Events

In case you're a faithful reader and would like to be more involved, here's a few upcoming events of interest I recommend.

Texas Faith and Family Day:  Tuesday, March 26, at the Capitol in Austin.  There will be a legislative briefing in the morning, and then at noon participants will rally with Governor Rick Perry, numerous state leaders, and area pastors.  More information and Registration.

Agape 5K "Run for Life:"  Saturday, April 20, at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock.  Yours truly doesn't run, (why run when you can have a CHL?) but this is such a good cause that I'll be casually strolling along a mile or so behind the pack.  The Agape Pregnancy Resource Center provides assistance to women and families experiencing unplanned pregnancies.  Registration and Sponsorship Information.

Education Townhall & Social Media Workshop:  March 25, 6:00pm/7:00pm, at the Georgetown Public Library.  If you are as concerned as I am about the state of public education in Texas, I highly recommend attending this event.  There will be a variety of speakers, and prior to the townhall events, The Franklin Center is providing a short social media workshop.  This is a great way to get your feet wet for online activism. More details coming soon!

Update:  I can't believe I left them off!  The Texas Alliance for Life is hosting a Pro-Life Lobby Day on Wednesday, March 20.  Additional Pro-Life Lobby Days are scheduled for April 20, and May 8.   Details and reservation Information. 

MLK and the Texas Rally for Life: Updated

 Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!  As I've written previously, (Dr. King and His Enemies,) MLK was a social conservative who valued the sanctity of life and favored premarital abstinence.  Unfortunately, socially liberal policy has taken an especially heavy toll on black Americans, and some 16 million black children have been aborted since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

Forty years after Roe v. Wade, abortion continues to be a highly controversial issue, but despite President Obama's ardent pro-abortion agenda, a majority of Americans consider themselves to be pro-life these days.  Many voices are calling for at least more humane abortion laws, but unless Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortion will remain legal at all stages of pregnancy and for any reason.  (Note: the partial-birth abortion law only prohibits one particular abortion procedure- not a late-term abortion.)

One of many ways to get involved is to participate in the upcoming "Rally for Life" in Austin this Saturday, January 26, 2013.  Sponsored by the Texas Alliance For Life, the event will feature Governor Rick Perry, Attorney General Greg Abbott, and former Planned Parenthood Director, Abby Johnson.  Events begin with a march to the Capitol from 17th Street and Congress Avenue (Meet at 1P.M.,) and the Rally itself is from 2-3 P.M. at the South Steps of the Capitol.  There is typically a huge turnout, but as usual, little coverage from the main stream media.

Hope to see you there!

Update:  Ugh.  Just saw this latest poll showing that 54% of Americans now believe that abortion should be legal always or most of the time.  Gallup came up with different results, and indicates that younger voters don't have much knowledge with which to make a decision.

Lying Figures: Williamson County Debt

One of the astro-turfed issues that has come up in the campaigns for Williamson County Commissioner is that of the county's bond debt.  Occasional Republicans Lee Ann Seitsinger and Greg Windham have been basing their entire campaigns on the debt issue, but have been carefully twisting figures to support a narrative that is inaccurate. 

Seitsinger/Windham claim that Williamson County has one of the highest debts in the state, and if we use strategically selected data, it does appear that way.  However, unlike counties of similar population and growth patterns, Wilco does not include any large city governments that in other areas share the burden of infrastructure costs.  Wilco has a higher percentage of county infrastructure than comparison counties and therefore carries the bulk of related construction debt. 

If we include the debt carried in other counties by local cities and municipalities, Wilco's debt picture looks dramatically different.  For example, compared to rapid-growth counties Collin, Denton, and Fort Bend, with overall net debts of $5.6 million, $4.7 million, and $4.8 million respectively, Wilco's $3.2 million comes in last place.  While our per-capita overall net debt is mid-pack, we lead these counties in population growth and are among the fastest growing in the nation.

I am no fan of excessive government debt and I find the local government debt trends, especially in our school districts, highly disturbing.  However, when we compare apples to apples, it seems that Williamson County has been pretty responsible overall. 

Seitsinger is especially out of line in her criticisms here.  Of the two bond packages for which she blames Commissioner Birkman, one was passed in 2000, (Lisa Birkman did not take office until 2005,) and the second was in 2006.  Both were voter-approved, but Seitsinger did not even bother to vote in the 2006 election!  Maybe I could understand her lack of participation if the 2006 package had been one of those 'stealth' elections I so deplore, but no, this was on the ballot along with a highly contentious gubernatorial election.  Seitsinger has not been able to articulate what she would have done differently; when asked at a recent forum if she would have paid for road construction and maintenance with higher taxes rather than bonds, she became confused and did not answer the question. 

The winner of the 2006 gubernatorial race that Seitsinger didn't care about was Rick Perry of course.  One might note that although he now affiliates with the Republican Party, Greg Windham frequently airs his dislike of the Governor and took the opportunity to bash Perry at the Williamson County Republican Women's candidate forum.  And while he supported one Republican in 2010, Windham remained an ardent supporter of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White in 2010. 

Seitsinger and Windham are old buddies (with Seitsinger endorsing Windham in the newspapers when he ran as a Democrat in 2008.)  They are supported by a large number of Wilco Democrats and a handful of individuals who may be suffering from BDS.  (Birkman Derangement Syndrome- like Palin Derangement Syndrome, it afflicts those who cannot abide strong, outspoken, conservative women who refuse to kiss any rings.)  It appears that Seitsinger/Windham have colluded in massaging statistics to gain leverage in an election year, and neither appears to fully embrace conservative values.

The choice for Williamson County Republicans is clear:  Birkman and Covey all the way.

Early Voting Begins Monday

Governor Rick Perry in Wilco last week

to endorse Charles Schwertner,

Tony Dale, and John Bradley. (video below)



Well, the feds have graciously permitted the State of Texas to hold a Primary Election (no photo ID required to vote,) and Early Voting begins on Monday. 

Lots of local races to vote on in addition to the race for senate; on the latter Lawrence Person at the Battleswarm Blog has followed the race closely for the past year. 

Oh, yeah, that presidential nominee thing too. 

Governor Rick Perry visited Williamson County this week to endorse Charles Schwertner and Tony Dale, and then rocked the county when he endorsed District Attorney John Bradley for re-election. 

Bradley has been endorsed by most Republicans in the county; his opponent, controversial County Attorney Jana Duty has been endorsed by public sector unions and several Democrats.

For Williamson County Commissioners Court, Lisa Birkman (Precinct 1) and Val Covey (Precinct 3) are the right choices for Republicans.  Both have done outstanding jobs on the court.  Birkman's challenger, Leann Seitsinger, seems woefully uninformed and stopped attending forums after a few embarrassing performances.  Ms. Seitsinger is supported by the union-lite group, the Williamson County Employees Association, as well as Democrats who want salamanders in the county declared endangered so that they can bring in more federal oversight. 

For a full list of candidates on the ballot in Williamson County, check out the GOP webpage. 

Here are the Primary Election Dates and Times for Early Voting Locations:

Monday, May 14 through Saturday, May 19

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday, May 20

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Monday, May 21 through Friday, May 25

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

FULL-TIME LOCATIONS:

Main Location:

Williamson County Inner Loop Annex, 301 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown

Branch Locations:

Parks and Recreation Admin. Bldg., 1101 N. College, Georgetown

Cowan Creek Amenity Center, 1433 Cool Springs Way, Georgetown

McConico Building, 301 W. Bagdad St., Round Rock

Round Rock Randalls, 2051 Gattis School Rd, Round Rock

Brushy Creek Community Center, 16318 Great Oaks Dr., Round Rock

J.B. and Hallie Jester Annex, 1801 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock

Anderson Mill Limited District, 11500 El Salido Pkwy, Austin

Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park

Cedar Park Randalls, 1400 Cypress Creek Rd., Cedar Park

Pat Bryson Municipal Hall, 201 N. Brushy, Leander

Taylor City Hall, 400 Porter St., Taylor 

Hutto City Hall, 401 W. Front St., Hutto

Election day is Tuesday, May 29th, the day after Memorial Day.   

Governor Perry Endorses Wilco DA John Bradley

During his speech today in Cedar Park, Governor Perry not only endorsed Republicans Tony Dale for Texas House and Charles Schwertner for Texas Senate, but also endorsed Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley for re-election.  His letter to Williamson County residents is below. 

Bradley Perry Letter- Final

Who Really Cares About Women's Health?

In an astounding misrepresentation of events, many news outlets have been reporting that Texas Republicans and Governor Rick Perry are canceling the Women's Health Program (WHP). The program, a Medicaid initiative to provide preventative health services to low-income women, is in fact slated to be canceled. However, it is President Obama who is trying to kill the program, and largely to make a political point.

The President's desire to end the program is due to new rules passed by the Texas Legislature in 2011. Texas now prohibits any WHP funds from going to entities that “perform or promote elective abortion,” a ruling that effectively excludes abortion-oriented Planned Parenthood. Critics of the new rules claim Planned Parenthood is essential to providing 'health-care' to low-income women, but the facts tell another story.

To begin, there are some 2,500 qualified providers in the WHP operating more than 4,600 locations. But there are only 44 Planned Parenthood sites, representing less than 2% of the clinics. According to a recent map published by the Texas Tribune, the Planned Parenthood clinics are concentrated in a few urban areas and surrounded by other WHP providers. 

But even if Planned Parenthood had more participating clinics, it appears they do not provide the kind of services most Americans associate with health care. According to public records, no Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas maintains equipment or licensing for mammogram machines. Furthermore, if a patient needs a doctor for anything other than abortion, she must be sent to another WHP clinic, since Planned Parenthood 'doctors' only perform abortions. Texas legislators wisely chose to cut out the middle man and send patients directly to comprehensive clinics.

Another troubling aspect of Planned Parenthood's participation in WHP is the organization's apparent disregard for the law. In 2009, Planned Parenthood San Antonio was fined more than $100,000 for operating four illegal abortion facilities without a license, and had to return hundreds of thousands of WHP funds. In the same year, Planned Parenthood of El Paso was found to have engaged in Medicaid fraud, and closed abruptly.

And the allegations keep coming. Last year former Planned Parenthood employee Karen Reynolds filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice alleging that the organization systematically falsified medical charts for abortion clients to make it appear as if these clients came in for other services. Included in Reynold's complaint are memos instructing employees to falsify records to obtain Medicaid reimbursements. And just last week the Washington Times reported that former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Planned Parenthood clinics in Southeast Texas of submitting more than $6 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims.

In addition to legal and ethical problems (Planned Parenthood is also under investigation for sex trafficking of minor girls and failure to report abuse,) the abortion business doesn't provide much value to the taxpayer. According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Planned Parenthood's cost per client is 43% higher than most other WHP providers.

Despite multiple issues surrounding Planned Parenthood's participation in the Women's Health Program, President Obama prefers to cancel the entire service rather than provide comprehensive health-care for low-income women. Furthermore, Planned Parenthood and the White House are attempting to blame Governor Perry for the demise of WHP. However, the Governor announced last week that Texas would replace the funds Obama canceled and will continue the program. It seems that while the President prefers to make political points about abortion, it is Texas and Governor Perry who are looking out for women's health.

Governor Perry: Obama Administration Placing Pro-Abortion Politics Over Women's Health

Editorial by Governor Rick Perry on the President's plan to cancel the Texas Women's Health Program.  You may thank the Governor for continuing this fight to provide comprehensive health care for poor women here. 

March 1, 2012
 
President Obama's Administration plans to cancel funding for a long-standing and cost-effective health and wellness program for more than 100,000 Texas women. This move will cut off access to screenings for breast and cervical cancer, hypertension and diabetes, STD testing and family planning services for Texas women who otherwise could not afford them.

Unfortunately, President Obama and his allies are once again putting their political agenda ahead of sound policy and the delivery of cost-efficient health care. They are trampling on the rights of states like Texas to create programs like the Women's Health Program and to administer it for Texans by Texans.

Why would the Obama Administration take away access to health care for low-income Texas women? Because this administration puts funding for abortion providers and affiliates ahead of funding for women's cancer screenings and other preventative health care. Texas, operating under the direction of an overwhelming and bipartisan majority of legislators, prohibits abortion providers and affiliates like Planned Parenthood from receiving taxpayer money.

Because Texas refuses to fund abortion providers and their affiliates, the federal government has announced that it will cancel the Women's Health Program. To me, this reflects a twisted set of values, not to mention a continued disregard for the basic concept of states' rights.

Under federal law, Washington leaves it to state leaders to administer the Medicaid program and set criteria for who is, and is not, a qualified provider. Consistent with state and federal law, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) developed a program that would ensure continued access to care by qualified providers across Texas and asked the Obama Administration for approval.

However, the Obama Administration apparently is unwilling to allow the exclusion of organizations like Planned Parenthood, as Texas law requires, even though that organization represents less than 2 percent of enrolled providers. Texas has more than 2,500 qualified providers in 4,600 sites across the state, ready to deliver care.

If this debate were really about health care, the Obama Administration would allow the Texas Women's Health Program to continue.

Instead, the administration's stated intention to reject the Texas program reflects nothing more than its pro-abortion agenda, and is a blatant pander to the president's liberal base, which has made Planned Parenthood's abortion services a celebrated cause.

Texas is an easy target for such attacks because we value life and have worked hard to preserve and protect its sanctity over the years. We've passed laws requiring that parents be notified and give consent before their minor daughters abort a child, ensuring parents will be involved and ready to provide much-needed guidance and advice at the most critical of moments.

We've funded and promoted alternatives to abortion, and provided counseling for women on these other options, including adoption, which - in addition to saving a child - is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give a waiting mother and father.

We also created a law that will prevent abortions in Texas until the mother has a sonogram, because we believe women deserve to have all the information before making such a life-ending decision.

At our nation's founding, the architects of our constitution clearly spelled out precisely which powers were enumerated to the federal government and left the rest - explicitly - to the states.

While Washington has steadily undermined and weakened the authority of states and local communities to govern themselves, it wasn't until the last few years when states - especially more conservative states - were actively targeted by a presidential administration.

The Obama Administration has seized control of Texas' air-permitting process, put radical new interpretations of the Clean Air Act into effect and, worst of all, imposed a health care mandate on individual citizens and state governments that threatens to bankrupt us all.

The Texas women who face the prospect of losing access to preventative health care are only the latest to be caught in the crossfire of the Obama Administration's ongoing efforts to seize more control over the actions of every state, every town and every household.

Here in Texas, we will continue to fight back against all manner of federal encroachment into our lives, and any and all efforts to destroy or dilute the protections we've put in place for our unborn. President Obama, please abandon this misguided and unhealthy course of action and allow the Texas Women's Health Program to continue providing preventative health care and cancer screenings for Texas women.

Central Texas Fires: Updated

This post has been updated to include revised numbers for the Texas wildfire response budget. 

For those looking for information on the Central Texas fires, Lisa Birkman at the Williamson County Conservative Examiner just posted information on fire damage in Wilco, and Michele Samuelson at Blue Dot Blues has great information on the widespread impact, as well as important resources for assistance. 

If you have not already done so, consider registering your cell phone with the Capital Area Council of Governments so that you will receive phone notification if your area is threatened.  Unfortunately, the registration won't take effect immediately, but it could save your life in a future crisis. 

Finally, while some are claiming eeeevillll Republicans cut the Texas wildfire response budget, Lawrence Person has the facts at his BattleSwarm Blog.  Apparently, Governor Perry and the state legislature actually increased the allocation by about 80%,  from $109 million in 2010-11 to $196.2 million in 2012-13.

Please be safe and keep praying for those in danger. 

Governor Perry on the 2011 Special Session

This afternoon Texas Governor Rick Perry took time to speak with media and bloggers in a conference call where he discussed the accomplishments of the 82nd Legislature, and outlined what still needs to be done, especially since Democrats attempted a 2009 redux in killing legislation with delay tactics and filibuster. 

Among accomplishments, the Governor listed passing a budget that cuts spending and keeps Texas' status as a "low-tax haven," and still keeps $6 billion in the 'rainy-day-fund' for inevitable future challenges. In addition, he noted the legislature had strengthened eminent domain policy, required abortionists to show women an ultrasound, and passed an important 'Loser Pays' bill.

Regarding the issue of Health Care Compacts, Perry said he did expect those proposals, which create alternatives to Obamacare, to be taken up in the special session.

In answering a question about the redistricting legislation for the State Board of Education, the Governor stated, "I was not particularly happy with that piece of legislation." Noting that there seemed to have been some gerrymandering against some of the more Conservative members of the SBOE, he preferred to allow the legislature handle the issue. Perry did not sign, but did not veto the SBOE map.

Although he did not mention Congressional re-districting in his special session proclamation, the Governor noted that he had the prerogative to add issues to a call. He said the legislature should and will take it up. "Stay tuned" he said.

When asked about failed Texas legislation to prevent TSA 'groping-without-cause,' Perry said that some alternate proposals were being studied, but were not yet ready for official consideration. The federal government has threatened to prohibit air travel to Texas destinations if such legislation is enforced, yet another example of what seems to be a Federal war against the Lone Star State.

Perry indicated that while he is glad the Texas Constitution limited the length of the legislative session, there are still some things that must be addressed.  Conservatives are optimistic about the special session, and hope to revive several items including a ban on so-called Sanctuary Cities.  There are also indications that the June session won't be the end either; some are predicting a second special session in July.

Sounds like a politically interesting summer after all.

Higher Education: Another Sacred Cow?

Another sacred cow?

One positive result of our nation's economic difficulties is the renewed impetus to hold taxpayer-funded- entities accountable, and to implement reforms where applicable.  Unfortunately, when Governor Perry attempted to apply those standards to Texas Institutions of Higher Learning, we discovered a whole new herd of sacred cows.

Governor Perry has been a proponent of State Higher Education reforms for quite some time, but he renewed his push this session in light of our current economic difficulties.  In his inaugural address, Perry challenged universities to establish a $10,000 four-year degree.  Most university personnel ridiculed the proposal and claimed it was impossible.  But is it?

According to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, per-student operating costs at universities in Texas have grown dramatically; in 1991 statewide average per-student was $10,665, but by 2008 it had increased to $18,571, a 74.1% increase.  This explosion in costs is largely due to administration and faculty trends.  Administration costs have increased by 52% over the last decade, and nationally non-teaching staff now make up for 79% of personnel.  (Sound familiar?  Like our tax-payer funded public school system on steroids?)

Not only has higher ed seen an unhealthy growth in non-instructional personnel, it seems universities are not making the most of the instructional staff they have.  According to a Texas Performance Review, faculty at research universities only teach 1.9 courses each semester, and nationally nearly 22% do not teach at all.  Many of these tenured professors enjoy six-figure salaries, and while certainly a few are contributing valuable research, most are publishing obscure articles in obscure journals read only by an obscure few. 

These factors, along with a general lack of accountability, are driving up the cost of a college degree in Texas.  But instead of facing economic realities, many folks in Texas' higher education bureaucracy prefer to blame the State, blame the Governor, blame the Republicans; blame anyone rather than enact common sense reforms.  They have sought not only to demonize Governor Perry, but to 'kill' messengers who dare to suggest reforms like having professors actually teach classes; hence the outcry against University of Texas advisor Rick O'Donnell.  Such has been the hue and cry that Lt. Governor Dewhurst and TX House Speaker Joe Straus have been pressured to create a new Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency.  It appears that the committee's purpose is not to seek efficiencies and reforms for higher ed, but to police the reformers.

As with the debate over reforms for public education, we again seem to be up against educrats who insist there is not one iota of waste anywhere in the system, and threaten that any reform attempts will destroy higher education forever and ever, amen.  Never mind that Texas' higher education system is always demanding more funds from taxpayers at the same time tuition rates are skyrocketing and students are graduating with ever more debt.   Unfortunately for both taxpayers and students, Higher Ed is looking like yet another sacred cow. 

Governor Perry: No Sacred Cows

In today's State of the State Address, Governor Rick Perry told Texans “The state of the State is strong.” Perry noted that Texas added more jobs in 2010 than any other state, has six of the nation's 20 strongest metro areas, and that sales tax revenues have grown for 10 consecutive months. However, he pointed out that while our unemployment rate at 7.9% is lower than the national average, there are still many Texas families who need jobs, and we need to take steps to maintain our competitive edge.

Among the Governor's proposals were calls to continue to remove “senseless obstacles to economic growth,” and to maintain a predictable regulatory environment. In reference to recent disputes with President Obama and the EPA, Perry pointed out that under Texas' Flexible Permitting Program, the state reduced ozone levels by 27% and Nox levels by 53%, and still created more private sector jobs than any other large state in the nation.

One especially controversial area Governor Perry addressed, is that of the State's $9 million 'rainy day fund'. While there are many voices calling for using those funds to offset revenue shortfalls, the Governor says that using the account to pay for “recurring expenses” is a bad idea. “That approach would not only postpone tough, necessary decisions, but also leave us ill-equipped to handle bigger emergencies in the future.” I think I am inclined to agree with the Texas Senate that some rainy day funds should be used to pay for the deficit in the current biennium, but the 2012-13 budget should not rely on rainy day funds in any way.

Lefty pundits on the Twitter feed immediately began referring to potential school closings as a qualified emergency, but I think they have missed the point. Keeping a school open is a recurring expense, and it would be better for the state AND the school districts to re-work budgets with more efficient spending. While our school districts are bragging about low per-pupil operating expenditures, the truth is that Texas actually spends over $11,000 per student on 'education.' Furthermore, there is nearly one non-teaching staff member for every teaching staff member across the state. I'm sure the left-of-center crowd will scream (or moo?) about layoffs, but the purpose of our education system should be to educate children, not to provide more jobs.

Along those lines, Perry also called out Congressman Lloyd Doggett for his infamous Doggett Amendment, an attachment to last year's so-called 'Education Jobs Bill' that withholds from Texas $830 million in federal education funding unless the Governor somehow manages to circumvent the state constitution and the legislature to fund education at unsustainable levels. The truth is that the state has increase education funding by 82% over the last decade, but districts continue to outspend revenue with dangerous levels of borrowing.

As Governor Perry stated, "there should be no sacred cows in this business." He has led the way by cutting his own portion of the state budget by $34.6 million, and is supporting consolidation of agencies at the state level. Funding education is, and will continue to be a priority for the state, however, a blank check to anything labeled 'education spending' is neither sustainable nor desirable. Bureaucrats in education must also tighten the belt and make sure resources are spent wisely and appropriately.

State of The State

Governor Rick Perry will deliver his State of the State Address to a joint session of the House and Senate today at 11:00am, and a live webcast is available here. 

While lots of our liberal-progressive friends are trying to say Texas is just as bad as California, the truth is that while we too are feeling the effects of the national recession, Texas remains an economic stand-out in the nation.  Unemployment in Texas is 7.9%, while the national average is 9.8.  California, on the other hand, is bearing an unemployment rate of over 12%. As far as the state budget goes, while revenue projections are down due to a struggling economy, Texas lawmakers are planning a budget that only spends what we have, and no more.  Crazy, right?

The real problem for Texas isn't so much with the state government, but with local governments who are borrowing and spending at dangerous levels.  Our school districts are spending over $11,000 per student on average, and local bond debt service amounts are staggering.  Unfunded mandates from the state play a small role, but many local governments, especially education bureaucrats, really do want the mandates (e.g. classroom size limits,) they just want the state to pay for them via increased taxes.  It really is time for everyone to tighten the belt.



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Texas Legislative Session Begins: Updated

Today marks the first day of the 82nd Texas Legislative Session, and in all likelihood, Joe Straus will be re-elected Speaker. By a show of hands, he received 70 of 100 votes at yesterday's GOP House Caucus. No further vote was taken. Warren Chisum has bowed out and endorsed Ken Paxton, but for all intents and purposes, this race is over.

While a Straus re-election is disappointing, it certainly is not surprising, and I just cannot share the feelings of 'doom and gloom' expressed by some of my compatriots. This campaign has pushed Republicans to debate important issues, and has allowed the grassroots to send the message that we are informed and we have high expectations for this session. I think that while Straus may not personally agree with most Conservatives on certain issues, he realizes that he will have to permit a more conservative agenda in this session.

The pomp and circumstance of the swearings-in will take place today, and then the Texas House will have 140 days to complete the business the voters hired them to do. We need to acknowledge Straus' victory and take comfort in the fact that the other two Texas GOP leaders, Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, are pretty conservative and will lead the charge for our issues.

Update:  Apparently Warren Chisum is not endorsing Paxton after all.  He released a statement today indicating support for Straus. 

Williamson County Early Vote Totals

The Williamson County Elections Office released the Early Vote totals.  Larry Gonzales is leading with 59.31%, Diana Maldonado is at 37.52%, and Libertarian Charles McCoy has 3.17% . 

As expected, Governor Perry leads by 61.09%  (In Williamson County,) Congressman John Carter, has 82.91%, and Dr. Charles Schwertner has 84.63% (Carter and Schwertner had no Dem opponent.)  

Other totals for Williamson County candidates:

Marsha Farney for State Board of Education: 65%
State Senator Steve Ogden:  70%
Melissa Goodwin for 3rd Court of Appeals:  67%
Judge Suzanne Brooks for County Court at Law #1:  69%
Doug Arnold for County Court at Law #3:  68%
Cynthia Long for County Commissioner #2:  68%
Ron Morrison for County Commissioner #4:  63%

Stay tuned:  we'll see what happened on Election Day.