Rep Gonzales Working on House Districts for Williamson County

As KXAN news reported last night, State Representative Larry Gonzales has been working "feverishly" to create a redistricting plan that would best represent the communities of Williamson County. 

Many of us have been concerned since the unveiling of the initial plan from the House Committee on Redistricting last week.  Williamson County would include three House Districts, but those districts would split up communities with common interests.  In some map proposals, the City of Round Rock would be separated from the Round Rock Higher Education Center, the Dell Computers Campus, and the Dell Baseball stadium, all projects initiated by Round Rock residents. 

In addition to Rep. Gonzales, many others expressed concern about the maps involving Wilco.  Milam County Judge Dave Barkemeyer testified that his county would like to continue to be a part of House District 20, which includes Georgetown.  He indicated that the interests of Milam are better aligned with north Williamson County.  Rep. Hildebran indicated that Burnet County residents prefer to be grouped with other Hill Country counties rather than the more urban southern Williamson County. 

You can help Representative Gonzales by sending him an email of support at larry@larrygonzales.com .  The more letters he has from the community, the stronger his case will be. 

Fun With Redistricting: Updated

The Texas House Redistricting Committee has posted proposed new maps on-line for all to view, and there are many raised eyebrows on both sides of the aisle.

Not surprisingly, Williamson County is drawn to include three districts: District 20, District 52, and a new District 149. While 20 and 52, represented by Republicans Charles Schwertner and Larry Gonzales respectively, are entirely contained within Wilco, the new district 149 is, well, interesting, to say the least. Looking like the two-headed creature from Lake LBJ, the proposed HD 149 would include parts of Burnet, Travis, and Williamson counties, and all of Milam County. About 60% of the District 149 population would be in Wilco.

These districts look very 'Republican,' for now. Some Republicans are concerned about what the future would hold some of these, including HD 149.  Stay tuned; I have no doubt there will be fun times ahead.

Here is the link to view the proposed maps:  http://gis1.tlc.state.tx.us/

Update: More 'Fun' Notes on the proposed map: Forest Creek development will be split  between House District 52 and the new House District 149 along Forest Creek Drive and Hilton Head Drive.  Georgetown High School will land in District 52, while Round Rock's Stony Point High School will land in District 20.  District 20 will dip down further into Round Rock to Highway 79 in places, and will claim the Round Rock higher education area and Terra Vista.  It's looking like most of the towns and cities in Wilco will be split in various ways.

Also, I am being told the Democrats are positively thrilled with the Travis County map since it kills all chances of ever beating Democrats Donna Howard or Mark Strama.  It seems the strongest GOP precincts were moved to HD 47, represented by Republican Paul Workman, and HD 26, represented by Democrat Dawnna Dukes.

Redistricting and Williamson County

State lawmakers have been grappling with the budget and Governor Perry's emergency items so far this year, but soon Spring will turn our fancy to redistricting. The Texas Legislative Council has been busy examining new census data, and there seems to be some very interesting developments for Williamson County.

The ideal size for Texas House districts is 167,637 and both Williamson County districts far exceed that number. District 20, represented by Republican Charles Schwertner, is over by 60,454. District 52, represented by Larry Gonzales, also Republican, is over by 51,708. The combined overages in Williamson County alone are nearly enough for a whole new district.  House District 54, which includes parts of Bell, Burnet, and Lampasas counties and represented by Republican Don Aycock, is over the ideal size by 28,815.  So if we combine the surplus of all three, we come to a near perfect 169,792. 

The likely result is that we will see three districts; one going West to capture the District 54 surplus, one pushing out to the East and including parts of Districts 20 and 52, and one centered in Round Rock.  While the final district maps will likely retain districts for both Gonzales and Schwertner, the third Wilco-based district will present some interesting opportunities.  I have no doubt that there are potential candidates on both sides of the aisle watching redistricting developments very closely.

Rep Kino Flores Convicted: Is Diana Maldonado Next?

Representative Kino Flores, a Democrat from the Rio Grande Valley, was found guilty of multiple charges of tampering with government records and perjury.  It seems Flores had failed to report his sources of income on required personal financial disclosure forms.  He could face up to two years in prison.

As I reported in a recent post, an ethics complaint has been filed against Representative Diana Maldonado for the same offense.  It seems her personal financial disclosure form included no sources of income whatsoever.  As the Flores conviction demonstrates, this is no small matter.  If, in fact, Maldonado has attempted to hide her income sources, she too may find herself in an orange jumpsuit. 

"No-Show" Maldonado

While Representative Diana Maldonado is touting her work on the Veterans Affairs Committee as a reason to re-elect her, it seems she didn't actually show up for work very often.  According to records, Maldonado missed more than half of the votes on bills voted out of the veterans committee.  She also missed opening roll call 66% of the time she did bother to attend committee hearings.  Unlike most freshman, Maldonado has one of the worst attendance records in the house, and is ranked in the bottom 20%. 

Of course this comes as no surprise to citizens of Round Rock.  Diana Maldonado is notoriously late for nearly every event:   the swearing-in of new school board members last May, the grand opening events for Cedar Ridge High School, the re-naming of Hernandez High School, and even for her own campaign events.  It has gotten to the point where folks take bets on just how late she will be or whether she will show up at all.

Life happens, and we have all been late or had to miss important events from time to time.  However, Maldonado's record reveals her consistent tardiness and absenteeism.  What is worse is the lack of respect Representative Maldonado seems to have for the time and needs of others.  While one might convincingly argue that given her left-of-center-votes, it is really best if she doesn't show up, the Citizens of District 52 deserve better.  It is time to terminate No-Show Maldonado, and send a Conservative, and reliable, representative to the Texas House.

Williamson County Democrat Party Chair Resigns, Endorses Gonzales

WOW, what a news day!  Here is the press release from Democrat Party Chair Greg Windham.  It will be interesting to see how the Diana Maldonado campaign spins this.  Grab the popcorn...

10/19/10
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Gregory S Windham
512-656-7368
Gregory S Windham, WCDP Chair

Democratic Chair Resigns

Windham Endorses Republican in District 52
Georgetown, Texas - Recently elected Democratic Chairman, Gregory S Windham, announced his resignation from the Chairmanship today citing differences of opinion over the State and National Democratic Agenda and support of a Republican candidate as his reasons.

A Message to Democrats

It is quite apparent that many members of the Williamson County Democratic Party leadership are interested in following a more liberal national agenda than listening to the majority of their constituents here locally. As a fifth-generation Texan and longtime supporter of Conservative, Texas principles, I find myself isolated within the party ranks and unable to relay my message of fiscal responsibility, family values, free-markets, and fair play.

The divisive, rigid leadership with the State and local party have made it clear from the beginning of this term that they have no interest in my opinions; engaging in personal name calling, the marginalization of the Chair's voice, and claiming my Texas ideals are out of touch.
I have a hatred of tyranny and contempt for its tools and being that I cannot sit down quietly and allow my mind be used for the spreading of an agenda that will further divide our citizenry, I choose now to resign as Chairman.I give heartfelt thanks to my many supporters whose tireless work helped me get elected to this position. I am sincere in my hopes that Williamson County residents will take control of the political process from the many hand picked representatives of the left who now hold the keys to our political process. 

After several opportunities to hear the candidates for State House Rep 52, I have decided to support Larry Gonzales as the next Williamson County State Representative. Larry's experience, intelligence, and knowledge of the political process far exceed that of the Democratic candidate. He is a family man, business owner, and a gentleman willing to build bridges and represent his district rather than his party.

Texas and America are facing a perfect storm. We must work together, hand in hand, to guide our way to safe shores. The continual mockery of each others positions and platforms only deepens our internal wounds. Compromise is necessary and I urge all who have interest in Liberty and a zeal for truth to listen carefully to all opinions and, above all, practice the Golden Rule.


God Bless You and God Bless Texas


Gregory S Windham
Georgetown, Texas
# # #

Ethics Investigation Into Representative Diana Maldonado's Finances

In a previous post I wrote about the Diana Maldonado campaign's attempt to 'play chicken' with the Texas Ethics Commission. According to the TEC, Diana Maldonado filed a campaign finance report on July 15, 2010, in which she left off multiple political contributions totalling nearly $60,000. In addition, Maldonado failed to report 90% of her political expenditures, and had to file a corrected report. An error here or there could be attributed to an oversight, but the extent of these omissions indicate there may have been an attempt to circumvent campaign finance law.

Unfortunately, at that time I was not aware that the Texas Ethics Commission is not permitted to investigate such egregious violations unless an individual files a complaint. As a citizen of Texas House District 52, on Wednesday I filed an official complaint regarding this matter, and now the TEC has moved forward with an investigation.

I have learned today that a second complaint has been filed against Representative Maldonado regarding her Personal Financial Disclosure, which allegedly fails to report any income whatsoever. I am not sure how anyone manages to live without any income, but apparently Maldonado has discovered a way. The Texas Ethics Commission is investigating this matter as well.

These are very serious legal matters, and the citizens of House District 52 deserve an answer to these questions. Hopefully the Texas Ethics Commission will get to the bottom of Diana Maldonado's finances quickly.

Diana Maldonado and the Incredible, Amazing Flip Flop

Wow. Just, wow.

At last Tuesday night's candidate forum sponsored by the Round Rock West Neighborhood Association, State Representative Diana Maldonado performed one of the most amazing political flip-flops, evah. While previously so opposed to common-sense voter photo ID legislation that she was willing to kill hundreds of other bills to stop passage, Maldonado stated that she now supports photo ID! This is so astounding that we might need a new award category, perhaps Acrobat of the Year?

Here is the release from the Larry Gonzales Campaign:

Diana's Flip Flop
For Immediate Release

October 13, 2010

Maldonado Metamorphosis: From Capitol Chubber to Campaign Conservative
Liberal Flip-flops on Voter ID

Williamson County – How do you know we are just five days away from the start of voting? Liberal Democrat Diana Maldonado announced last night she supports requiring a photo ID to vote, despite stating just 5 days earlier at a forum she was opposed to voter ID and last session participated in a five-day delay of the House Calendar that killed the photo ID bill.

In a forum hosted by the Greater Round Rock West Neighborhood Association, Maldonado said, “I am for voter identification where it does have a picture, let’s do that.” Emphasising her point, she said later, "Sure let's put a picture on it."

But according to the Austin American-Statesman, at the forum hosted by the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on October 8th, “Maldonado compared asking voters for more identification, than what is currently required, to police officers asking for more identification when they pull over drivers.”

“Diana’s desperate flip-flop on voter ID doesn’t change the fact she helped kill that bill, and dozens of other bills last session including a bill to require background checks of childcare providers who receive state money,” said Gonzales. “She literally put politics ahead of the safety of our children to kill a bill she now says she supports. It’s just pathetic political pandering.”

###

Maldonado and the Stealth Income Tax

While many factors contribute to Texas' economic strength, the state's constitutional prohibition against an income tax is an especially attractive element for both business and individuals.   Democrats have longed to remove this obstacle to higher taxes, and earlier this year Representative Lon Burnham lamented that Texans are "just too stupid" to understand how beneficial a state income tax would be. 

In the 2009 Legislative session, Representative Diana Maldonado and other pro-taxers thought they had found a way around the Texas Constitution by attaching a measure to House Bill 3983.  Also called the "Circuit Breaker Tax," HB 3983 would have tied property taxes to personal income.  Ostensibly the law would have then allowed individuals with lower incomes to receive a reduction in their property tax rate, prompting proponents to refer to HB3983 as an 'affordable housing' measure.

This so-called affordable housing measure has several troubling implications.  For one, the State would be required to compensate local government entities for any reduction in revenue, placing an additional burden on the State budget.  Even worse is Maldonado and friends' attempt to redistribute income.  Under HB 3983, lower income individuals buying homes above their means would be rewarded with a reduced tax bill, and inevitably, higher-earning individuals who prudently purchased more modest homes would be punished with a heavier property tax bill.  In other words, regardless of your home-purchase decisions, your 'property tax' assessment would be based on your income. 

While Liberal-Progressive Democrats were successful in passing this 'stealth' income tax, Governor Rick Perry wisely vetoed the measure saying, 

(HB 3983) would make the distribution of the property tax burden less equitable by shifting it to middle-class property owners. This would make the property tax function more like a progressive income tax, in that the tax burden would slowly be pushed upwards until only the owners of the most valuable property paid any actual tax.

Diana Maldonado's support of the stealth income tax is just another example of her tax-and-spend approach to government.  Rather than protect one of the elements that has made Texas the strongest state economy, our Representative attempted to radically change our tax structure.  It is time to send pro-tax, pro-big government liberals like Diana Maldonado home and replace them with common-sense Conservatives.

Texas House District 52 Candidate Forum

The Maldonado campaign has finally agreed to an appearance with Republican candidate Larry Gonzales. While not a debate per se, it's something.

The event is sponsored by the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and will take place 11:30-1:00 on Friday, October 8, at the Wingate Conference Center in Round Rock. Cost is $15 (includes lunch) and reservations are required. Click here to RSVP.

Of course Representative Maldonado no-showed for this event in 2008, citing traffic delays, so everyone is hoping she will be able to make it this time.

Freshman of the Year Awards: Everyone Gets an 'A'

One of the most damaging educational theories to come out of 'left field' in recent decades was the Outcome-Based-Education model.   OBE is responsible for the deterioration of academic standards in our schools, or the 'dumbing down' of curriculum, so that all the children can feel good about themselves, since everyone gets a 'happy face' no matter what.  Leftists have not limited OBE concepts to our schools, but have implemented such standards for adults too.   Remember when only the most accomplished special forces got to wear a 'green beret'?  In 2001, the Army decided that all soldiers get to wear a black beret.  Happy faces all around, everyone feels good. 

Unfortunately, the OBE "happy-faces-for-all" approach is rampant in politics too.  While Williamson County Democrats have been touting the fact that Representative Diana Maldonado was named "Freshman of the Year" in 2009, there are a few little details voters should know. 

First of all, the awarding entity, 'Legislative Study Group,' is a partisan Democrat group led by ardent liberal-progressive Rep. Garnet Coleman.  Representative Tommy Merritt, the token Republican RINO who joined the group so that they could call themselves 'bipartisan,' was spanked and sent home in the GOP Primaries this year to be replaced by Conservative David Simpson. 

Furthermore, a little research reveals that EVERY Democrat freshman House member received some kind of 'best award' from a left-leaning group.  For example, Democrat Representatives Carol Kent, Robert Miklos, Joe Moody, Marisa Marquez, Kristi Thibaut, and Armando Walle, all received "Freshman of the Year" awards from various liberal groups.  Other Texas House Freshman Democrats received similar awards;  Rep. Carol Alvarado received a Distinguished Service Award, and Rep Al Edwards received the Legislative Champion Award. 

So which Democrat is the real FOTY?  Hard to say...looks like everyone got an A.  Now, don't we all feel good?

Maldonado Is Weaving a Tangled Web: UPDATED

Apparently the Diana Maldonado campaign had to do some quick scrambling Wednesday in response to the revelation that the Texas House District 52 Representative has been avoiding open debate on political issues. By Wednesday night, they were sending out notices to lefty bloggers that included a copy of Maldonado's Calendar, which now shows scheduled debates. Their take?  “See? See? She had it right there on her calendar!”

Unfortunately a copy of an electronic calendar doesn't prove much. The syndicated Lynn Wooley radio show invited Representative Maldonado to debate with Gonzales on air, but she claimed she was unavailable for the initial date. The show then offered 3 alternate dates, but she claimed to be busy on all three. Her campaign is now saying the show was too “Tea Party,” but that does not explain why she declined the Austin Community College invitation for a televised debate. The Round Rock Chamber Debate Diana suddenly has on her electronic calendar for October 5, is actually tentatively scheduled for October 14 during lunch at the Wingate, and has not been finalized. The wrangling over the terms of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber has been going on inconclusively for weeks.

Puzzled by the fact that he had never even heard about the debate at Southwestern University to which Diana claims she agreed, GOP candidate Larry Gonzales actually picked up the telephone to call the university to try to determine when and where this debate will take place. Officials at Southwestern were completely baffled by the question, and stated that nothing was on the college calendar. However, when Gonzales finally got in touch with the events coordinator, he was told that the College Democrats had contacted scheduling on Wednesday night to schedule a debate, while the Maldonado campaign is claiming it has been scheduled for weeks. The press release from the Gonzales campaign calling for debates arrived in my mailbox at 11:57AM Wednesday morning.

It gets better. The scheduler tells Larry that “one candidate has confirmed and they've talked to a least one other one,” and “they have talked to Gonzales.” Neither Larry nor anyone with his campaign have ever been contacted by anyone regarding a debate at Southwestern.

The truth is that Larry Gonzales is willing to have an unscripted debate anytime, anywhere, while Representative Maldonado has been evasive and/or making diva-demands regarding parameters. When called out for her tactics, it seems Diana Maldonado and her handlers scrambled together an elaborate deception to try to make Larry Gonzales look like a liar. Pretty slimy stuff.

Happily, the result of all this, is that now Diana Maldonado will have to agree to some real debates. I'm sure the Voters of House District 52 will appreciate the chance to get beyond the pre-worded statements into serious discussion of the issues.

Update:
News 8 Austin covered this story this evening, and confirmed that no debate had been scheduled at Southwestern University.  Also of interest: regarding Larry Gonzales' request for unscripted debates,   "Maldonado admitted she preferred less divisive settings."  Of course she does.

Representative Maldonado Afraid to Debate?

In the recent Politifact/Austin American Statesman article verifying that Democrat Representative Diana Maldonado is having to hire 'volunteers' through Craigslist, the Maldonado campaign claimed that Larry Gonzales was not willing to discuss the issues.  Ironically, Larry Gonzales has been trying unsuccessfully for months to get Maldonado to debate him on issues important to the District.  She has refused to do so unless she is given the questions in advance, which only further substantiates the rumor that she cannot think for herself and is completely reliant on handlers to script every appearance.  Below is the release from the Gonzales campaign: 

Gonzales to Maldonado: Let’s Debate…Unscripted
Gonzales Proposes Three Issue-Themed Debates

Williamson County – Republican nominee for House District 52, Larry Gonzales, today challenged liberal incumbent Diana Maldonado to three debates focused on key themes.


“Elections are about choices on issues that matter, and I want the voters of District 52 to have ample opportunity to see the differences between a small business owner and an out of touch liberal who represents Austin instead of Williamson County,” said Gonzales. “Let’s stand before the people of this district with no scripts or canned remarks, and let the voters decide who offers the best vision for creating jobs and opportunity in Williamson County.”


Gonzales proposes an initial debate about the subject most on the mind of voters: jobs and fiscal discipline, hosted by a local business organization. Gonzales proposes a second debate on education, including higher education, hosted either by a local PTA or on the grounds of a local campus. Gonzales proposes a third debate on border security, and the challenges posed by illegal immigration, hosted by a local Tea Party.


Gonzales added, “Diana Maldonado has had five opportunities to stand with me and debate the issues, but has declined every one of them – one of them was to be televised,” said Gonzales. “Clearly, trying to work out a debate schedule privately did not work, so we’re making our request public.”


The debates and forums that Diana Maldonado has declined are the following: The Lynn Woolley syndicated talk radio show; the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (we were told she agreed only if she had the questions seven days in advance); Texas P2 (which is comprised of business and industry) on two separate occasions; and Austin Community College, which offered to televise the debate and rerun it before Election Day.


"In order to be transparent, honest and accountable to voters, debates are crucial. They deserve to hear their state representative defend her record, and how my vision for the future contrasts with that record," said Gonzales “Let’s give voters an unfiltered account of where we stand, and how we will lead. I’m ready. Is she?”

#####

Regarding Diana Maldonado: Voters Know a Hawk from a Handsaw

"I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw."
-Hamlet, Act II, Scene II

On a recent campaign mailer, Representative Diana Maldonado included this 2008 quote from the Austin American Statesman: "Maldonado has a reputation as a budget hawk." While I hardly think I need to go over the credibility problems inherent in a liberal town's liberal newspaper praising a liberal candidate, those familiar with Maldonado's work on the Round Rock School Board were baffled by the 'budget hawk' statement at the time. Since then, her actions in the 81st legislative session have proved that, like most Democrats, Representative Maldonado prefers to fly fast and free with taxpayer dollars.

During Diana Maldonado's tenure on the Round Rock ISD Board, 2003-08, voters were appalled by the proposal of a whopping $350 million bond package in 2005, one the voters soundly defeated. Even so, by 2008 RRISD debt had risen to nearly $630 million, and yet the district still failed to allocate the required 65% of funds to classroom instruction, and had to go back to taxpayers for an additional $294 million that year. Granted, the district's student population had grown by about 30%, but revenues had grown by 75% during the same period.  Furthermore, under then school board president Maldonado, the superintendent's contracted salary inexplicably rose by $38,480 giving him an annual salary of $243,080.00- significantly higher compensation than any governor of any state in the country. Not sure where the 'budget hawk' was in that mess.

Maldonado's disregard for budgetary restraint continued in the Texas House, and her first legislative proposal, H.B. 282, called for state employees to have a tax-payer funded paid holiday on Election Days. Never mind that Texas enjoys anywhere from 5 to 14 days of early voting for any election.  Employers with even the most rudimentary grasp of cost-benefit analysis understand that paid holidays add to the overall budget.  In order for every state employee to have 2 more paid holidays each year, Texas would have to add an estimated $54 million to the budget.  Happily, that rotten egg never made it out of committee.

On other votes regarding government spending and business, Maldonado continued to show a lack of fiscal restraint, and earned a 28% fiscal responsibility rating from Texans For Fiscal Responsibility/Empower Texans.  The average score was 56.7%, leaving Maldonado far below the majority of her peers in the House. 

On the 2010 campaign trail, Maldonado seems confused about the projected budget shortfall, and continuously refers to a multi-billion dollar deficit.  What Representative Maldonado doesn't seem to understand is that we are not talking about a current deficit, but a reduction in the estimated amount of tax revenue the state will collect next year, based on current trends.  In the 2011 session, Texas legislators will need to create a new budget in accordance with these projected revenues.  It is disturbing that Diana Maldonado's response to the projected shortfall is to talk about 'new revenue streams' and ending 'exemptions.'  Translation of government-speak for the voter:  'new revenue streams' = new taxes, and apparently the Democrat mantra this year is to call for a state income tax. 

In contrast, Republican candidate Larry Gonzales is campaigning on a fiscally conservative platform and promises spending cuts.  Last Saturday in front of some 40 volunteers assembled to canvass the district, he signed a Taxpayer Protection Pledge created by Empower Texans.  In his comments, Gonzales reiterated his commitment to doing "what every American family has to do" in cutting spending. 

With Americans already reeling under the weight of Obamanomics, the last thing the economy needs is more and/or higher taxes, which will only stifle growth.  What we really need are elected officials willing to cut government spending and allow people to use more of their own earnings as they see fit. Unlike some Texas House members, I think the voters are smart enough to tell the difference between a failed 'hawk' and a candidate ready to apply a scalpel, if not a handsaw, to the budget.

Maldonado Moving Right?

One positive thing I have to say about the Maldonado campaign: They have some very good handlers for the beleagured incumbent representative.  After her disastrous performance at a Round Rock Chamber event earlier this week, the campaign quickly trotted out a press release in which Maldonado seems to join Tea Party types in calling for increased border security. 

According to the release sent Thursday morning, Representative Maldonado allegedly joined "several colleagues in the Texas House" in addressing a letter to President Barack Obama.  To my knowledge, the actual text of the letter is not included in the release itself, which is posted at Texas Insider, and no other House members are mentioned by name. Supposedly, the letter requests two MC-12 Aircraft to beef up security on the border.

Wow.  I feel better already.

Sources who were present at the Round Table Discussions, said comments attributed to Representative Maldonado in the release are in stark contrast to her performance at the event earlier this week.  She was vague and somewhat evasive, especially on Voter Photo ID legislation, telling the questioner that they "just disagree on this issue."  Her answer to a border security query  included an ambiguous reference to troops returning from Iraq, leading the audience to wonder if she was suggesting placing combat troops on the Mexican border. 

Of course this isn't the first time Representative Maldonado has written to Obama.  In March of this year she joined other liberal politicians in the Progressive States Network to urge the President to push through socialized health care reform, specifically the Senate Bill (sans Stupak,) even though most Americans vehemently opposed the legislation.  Maldonado got her way, and now we are all gearing up to pay the consequences. 

While Representative Maldonado doesn't necessarily understand the reasons for voter frustration, she and her campaign must realize to some extent that the future does not bode well for liberal-progressive candidates in conservative-leaning districts.   Their actions indicate they are trying very hard to 'move Maldonado to the Right,' but unfortunately for them, her record doesn't leave much doubt as to where she really stands. 

Diana Maldonado and the Problem of Voter Fraud

Last week, the Liberal-Democrat insistence that "there is no evidence of voter fraud in Texas" took a serious blow when the King Street Patriots announced the discovery of thousands of possibly fraudulent voter registrations in Harris County.  About 5,000 registrations submitted by Houston Votes (allegedly a re-named ACORN group)either were incomplete, listed vacant lots as resident addresses, or named non-existent persons or previously registered voters. 

The problem for Texas Lib-Dems, is that they have been using the 'no evidence of fraud' argument as justification for opposing voter photo ID legislation. Never mind that Texas is somewhat historically infamous for voter fraud, due to the 1948 'Box 13' scandal.  Under current Texas law, voters may present various forms of non-photo identification, including a voter card, utility bill, or bank statement.  Even most rank and file Democrats recognize that requiring an ID at the polls is just common sense, and 82% of all Texans support voter photo ID laws.

However, the most liberal wing of the Democrat party is so afraid of voter ID requirements, that in the 2009 legislative session, they were willing to kill hundreds of bills beneficial to their own districts and constituencies in order to stop passage of the law. Representative Diana Maldonado (D-Round Rock) was among those who participated in the 'chubbing,' or filibuster, of Voter Photo ID.  Observers such as Will Lutz expressed surprise at Maldonado's actions:

There are significant divisions within the Democratic caucus about whether this was a good idea. Only a handful of Democrats in mostly safe districts partook in the filibuster. Rural Democrats and most of the suburban ones from swing districts (with the notable exception of Rep. Diana Maldonado [D-Round Rock] who chubbed) stayed away from the back microphone during this exercise.

Unfortunately for Round Rock and the rest of House District 52, Maldonado placed her desire to stop election workers from checking ID above the legislative needs of the district.  Among the legislation thwarted by chubbing was an especially important TXDOT Sunset bill.  I will be taking a closer look at some of the 'killed bills' in the coming weeks. 

While Democrats try to downplay the issue, preferring to call it 'voter impersonation,' evidence indicates that voter fraud continues to be a problem in Texas. Voter photo ID requirements cannot completely stop those determined to commit election fraud, but a well-crafted law will be a deterrent to the most egregious offenders.  Voters would do well to remember Representative Maldonado's actions in the 2009 Session, and limit her to a one-term-wonder.

New Coattails For Diana Maldonado

In 2008, Democrat Diana Maldonado rode to a narrow 1% victory on the coattails of Barack Obama. Like Obama, Maldonado portrayed herself as a moderate in conservative-leaning Williamson County, and carefully avoided discussion of the liberal-progressive agenda. Of course now that the Obama presidency is crashing and burning in such spectacular fashion, Democrats like Maldonado played 'duck and cover' during the recent Presidential visit, and are avoiding association with Obama at all costs.

This year Representative Maldonado will have a difficult time convincing voters she is a moderate since she has a rather inconvenient legislative record to defend. For example, she earned a 36% rating from the Texas Association of Business and a 10% rating from the Young Conservatives of Texas. Furthermore, her actions in the 2009 session to kill voter photo ID legislation reveals her to be at odds with 82% of American citizens.

So whose coattails will she attempt to ride in 2010? Apparently, Rep Maldonado has attached herself to gubernatorial candidate Bill White. She was an early supporter of the former Houston Mayor in the 2010 Primaries, (see video below) and after playing "Duck and Cover" during the presidential visit, she teamed up with Bill's wife, Andrea White for campaign activities in Williamson County,

Unfortunately for Maldonado, former Houston Mayor Bill White has quite a bit of his own baggage to carry, baggage that won't play well in HD 52. For example, White left the City of Houston essentially bankrupt and with more debt per capita than California. White, an unwavering supporter of abortion, courted Planned Parenthood executives in Houston and encouraged the establishment of the 'world's largest abortion clinic' in the city. Most recently, White's refusal to rule out increased taxes and debt for the Lone Star State has earned him the new moniker, "Bill White for Taxes."

If in fact, these are the coattails Ms. Maldonado is hoping to ride to victory, she is in serious trouble indeed.

Larry Gonzales Interviews Arizona Rep Steve Montenegro on Immigration Law

At a GOPAC-Hispanic meeting in Dallas, Republican candidate for Texas House District 52 Larry Gonzales interviewed Arizona Representative Steve Montenegro.  A co-sponsor of the Arizona's new immigration law, Montenegro clarifies and clears up the misinformation being perpetuated by the media.  Great interview, and worth a listen. 



"There's a lot of people...lying about this." -AZ Rep. Steve Montenegro

Let Them Eat Cake

Yesterday Representative Diana Maldonado and Progressive Capitol held an event entitled, "Do you know your current State Representative?" Women were invited to meet Maldonado and "other smart women" for coffee, cupcakes and conversation at a Georgetown cupcake business. Unfortunately for the smart women in attendance, Representative Maldonado has little to offer in the way of solutions to pressing issues, especially for the cupcake shop.

One of the incredible ironies of the event was its location, a small business in Georgetown. No friend to private business, Representative Maldonado received a dismal 36% rating from the Texas Association of Business based on her 2009 legislative performance, with only 11 other legislators earning a lower score. One wonders if the cupcake shop owners are aware of Representative Maldonado's hostility to business and her votes to further burden them with taxes and mandates. Furthermore, as a member of the Progressive States Network Representative Maldonado signed a 2009 letter addressed to President Obama, Senator Reid and Congresswoman Pelosi, urging them to pass government-run health care legislation. As analysts study the implications of the 2010 health care reform bill, they are finding it will burden small businesses with penalties, taxes, and paperwork, and will severely reduce productivity and job creation. Thank you, Representative Maldonado.

With soaring unemployment and an economic recession, government should not be seeking to stifle innovation and expansion, but should allow small businesses like the cupcake shop to operate unemcumbered by excessive regulation and taxes. Without the jobs and opportunities created by businesses of all sizes, more and more Americans will find themselves unemployed and dependent on a government that continues to expand and control at an alarming rate. But perhaps the cupcake shop will get a sweet government contract to provide fair allotments of cake to all the newly-created dependents. After all, we'll have to eat something...

Follow the Planned Parenthood Money

How do you misplace $1.3 billion in taxpayer money? Apparently Planned Parenthood cannot account for over half of the $2 billion in tax-payer funded subsidies it has received since 2003. The nation's #1 abortion provider, which reported $85 million in profits for 2007-2008, has refused to offer any explanation for the missing funds.

While these tax-payer funds are for operation of clinics, Planned Parenthood plays a significant political role as well, donating vast sums to candidates and other pro-abortion political action groups each year. In Williamson County, Representative Diana Maldonado is one such recipient, having received $2,000 in 2008, and she is listed as a Planned Parenthood Action 'victory' candidate. Typically, however, since Texans are not as enthusiastic as other parts of the country about killing unborn children, pro-abortion candidates like Diana Maldonado are careful to only list endorsements from groups like Annie's List; benign-sounding name, pro-abort agenda. Annie's List has donated generously to Maldonado in both 2008 and 2010.

Happily, we do not have any Planned Parenthood clinics in Williamson county, yet. But rest assured, it is no accident that these abortion groups are anxious to support candidates in our area.

If you have any doubts about the real purpose of abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood, check out this movie trailer for Blood Money, based on the book by former abortion clinic director and Round Rock resident Carol Everett. These are highly profitable businesses, and regardless of your stance on the ethics of abortion, they should in no way be subsidized by taxpayers.