Male Chauvinist Worries that Abortion Bill will Hamper His Casual Sex Life

Sometimes, even though you know some people are THIS shallow, it's still shocking when they put it in print. Apparently, one Ben Sherman is worried that proposed Texas abortion legislation will hamper his ability to get casual sex. He writes this at the Burnt Orange (Liberal) Report:

Your sex life is at stake. Can you think of anything that kills the vibe faster than a woman fearing a back-alley abortion? Making abortion essentially inaccessible in Texas will add an anxiety to sex that will drastically undercut its joys. And don't be surprised if casual sex outside of relationships becomes far more difficult to come by.

Well, if killing a few babies allows Ben to "hook up" more often, by all means, right?

Texas Abortion Bill Update

Update:  I just received notice from Lt. Governor David Dewhurst's office that the Senate version will be hear in the Senate Health & Human Service Committee on Monday, June 8 at 10am in the Senate Finance Room - E1.036. 

On a party line vote, the House version of the abortion bill (HB2) passed out of committee last night/this morning.  The bill introduces new health and safety standards for abortion clinics and doctors, and bans most abortions after 20 weeks.  Although the media has focused on the pro-abortion side, supporters of the bill were out in force and Becca Aaronson of the Texas Tribune reports that of the 3,543 witnesses registered, 2,181 were FOR HB2, while 1,355 were against.  In case you missed it, even prominent Democrat Kirsten Powers has come down against Wendy Davis and the pro-abortion lobby on this one. 

Sadly, many of the pro-abortion side were very hostile-some of my friends were spit on and had cigarette ashes tossed on them.  In addition to the profanity, some pro-aborts were chanting "Hail Satan."  Not everyone was uncivil however, and some of our pro-lifers were able to have calm, reasonable conversations with the other side.  Praying folks should keep praying for hearts and minds to change.

Reports indicate that HB2 will come to the House Floor early next week, possibly July 9.

Will keep ya' posted. 

Abortion Bill Hearing Today

House State Affairs Committee, 3:30 PM, July 2, 2013, in E2.030. 
Click here for live broadcast.

 In case you aren't up to speed on this, abortion legislation is one of three issues that will be tackled in the second Special Session.  House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 1 would ban most abortions after 20 weeks gestation, require abortion facilities to adhere to the same medical standards as ambulatory surgical centers, and insure that RU-486 prescriptions comply with FDA guidelines.  These measures passed during the 1st Special Session, but the final vote in the Senate came 3 minutes too late due to the noise from the mob in the gallery. 

Although most Americans and a majority of Texans support these measures, the abortion industry has been sending in activists from outside the State and even hiring protesters on Craigslist to attempt to disrupt the proceedings.  Real Texans are encouraged to attend the various hearings wearing blue, to call their respective state legislators, and participate in online activism using the hashtag #stand4life. 

Despite the howling from the abortion industry, Texans should note that 12 other states have already passed a 20 week ban.  Furthermore, most European nations ban abortions after 12 weeks.  So this isn't exactly draconian.  What might be draconian is dismembering a viable human being who happens to be inconvenient. 

Baby born alive at 21 weeks.

 

If you can't be at the hearing, please take a moment to contact your representative (click here,) and pray for the safety of all those involved. 

Will post information on other hearings soon. 

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. 

Texas House Passes Fiscally Conservative Spending Limit

During the Texas House deliberations today, legislators approved an amendment to HB 7 that limits state spending growth to population growth plus inflation.  This is a very positive development that will prevent state government from gobbling up too much of the economy.  I'm happy to report that all three of Williamson County's elected representatives voted for HB 7 as amended.  (Larry Gonzales, Tony Dale, and Marsha Farney.)  Kudos to these Reps for taking a stand for fiscal restraint. 

Too bad we can't do something about the federal government, or even some local governments. 

Press release from the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

“Reining in the overgrowth of Texas state government has been one of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s top legislative priorities for many years. Between 1990 and 2012, total state spending increased at 2.5 times the rate of population growth plus inflation. When government spending increases faster than population growth plus inflation, that means the cost of government per person goes up, the footprint of government gets bigger, and the ability of families and businesses to meet their own needs while covering the cost of government comes under greater strain.

“Over the last few years, Texas voters have sent a clear message that the footprint of state government is as big as we want to see it get, and that we wanted our elected leaders to be more rigorous and thoughtful about setting spending priorities going forward. TPPF appreciates the efforts of State Representatives Phil King, John Otto, Drew Darby, and the 103 legislators in total who yesterday approved an amendment to HB 7 that adds a population growth plus inflation measurement to the state spending limit.

“Now it is the Senate’s time to act.  Sen. Dan Patrick’s SB 101 and SJR 10 await a Senate floor debate, and we encourage all senators to support these vital measures.”

The Honorable Arlene Wohlgemuth is the executive director and director of the Center for Health Care Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She served 10 years in the Texas House of Representatives, specializing in health care issues.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin.

Proposed Texas Law to Exempt Unions? Updated

Contrary to popular belief, labor union power is on the rise in Texas.  Few realize that our "right to work" status merely prohibits compulsory union membership.  Not only do we have a wide variety of private and public sector unions in Texas, union membership increased by 65,000 members last year.  It is no secret that the Democrat strategy to 'turn Texas Blue' is heavily reliant on burgeoning union power. 

Now it seems that the Texas Legislature is poised to pass legislation that would exempt labor unions from political disclosure rules.  Recently the Senate passed Senate Bill 346, which expands the definition of a 'political committee' and requires more activists to report contributions used for political purposes.  The vagueness of the proposed law is leaving many lawyers scratching their heads about who will be covered.  But one thing is certain, the law exempts labor unions.

From SB 346:

This subchapter does not apply to a labor organization or any subordinate entity or associated account of a labor organization.

Translated from the original Greek, this means:

This subchapter does not apply to a labor organization or any subordinate entity or associated account of a labor organization. 

As campaign attorney Jerad Najvar points out in Lex Politico, this law would "favor labor unions over everybody else."

Interestingly enough, it seems that the bill may have been slipped through the Senate without being read, because the Senate has taken the unusual step of recalling the bill.  (Concurrent resolution 33, April 17, 2013).  The recall measure passed by 21-10, but came too late to stop the House from taking up the bill.  SB 346 is currently listed as being in the House State Affairs Committee, and the House GOP still has an opportunity to amend.

In no way should any Republican be passing any law that exempts labor unions.  While there are other serious concerns about unintended consequences, political transparency is a good thing.  What is not good is giving labor unions special status.

Call your representative today and ask them to oppose SB 346 as written.
Who Represents Me? 

UPDATE:  My original wording left some readers confused about the current status of the bill.  I have revised to make it clear that the bill is technically in the House State Affairs Committee.

Related Posts
No Labor Unions in Texas?  Think Again...

Two of Wilco's Three GOP Reps Vote with Republican Party Platform, Updated

During yesterday's session in the Texas House, legislators took up SB1-crafting a state budget.  However, Democrat Representative Abel Herrero offered up an amendment that would thwart any education reform attempts that end the government monopoly over K-12 education.  Williamson County Representatives Tony Dale and Larry Gonzales both voted against the Democrat amendment, but Representative Marsha Farney sided with Herrero.  Because of Farney and other defections, the amendment passed.

The issue of school choice has been strongly advocated by Republican voters; last year GOP primary voters approved a school choice proposition by a whopping 85%.  Furthermore, both the RNC's and the Republican Party of Texas' Platforms calls for parental choice in education: 

We encourage the Governor and the Texas Legislature to enact child-centered school funding options which fund the student, not schools or districts, to allow maximum freedom of choice in public, private, or parochial education for all children.

I cannot speak to the other defectors, but I think part of the problem here is that Farney was unopposed in the Primary.  With out opposition, candidates cannot be properly vetted.  Whether it is for the city council, school board, or state legislature, primary debates allow voters to understand where candidates stand on the issues.  

If you live in House District 20, consider  contacting Representative Farney to let her know how you feel about this vote.  (Please always remember to be respectful and polite- it's much more effective.) 

On one very faint bright note, the House reversed itself on an amendment to embrace Obamacare with a state Medicaid expansion.  Early in the day, in a confusing series of actions, legislators had actually approved another Democrat plan for expansion.  The amendment was reconsidered and withdrawn, but the flailing about and approval of so many left-wing amendments led to Texas Public Policy Action withdrawing support for the proposed budget.  

Not an encouraging day for liberty-minded folks.     

Correction:  Originally, I had stated that Farney voted against the Medicaid expansion amendment, but according to the Texas Legislature Online, she initially voted for embracing Obamacare.  When the measure was reconsidered, she voted against it.   

The Urgency for School Choice

“School Choice is the civil rights issue of our time.”  -Democrat Gloria Romero, State Director, Democrats for Education Reform

Today I had the privilege of attending an event in Austin entitled “The Urgency for School Choice,” presented by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, The Heritage Foundation, and The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice.  Here is just a quick synopsis of the day.
We began with an expert panel discussion that included Virginia Walden Ford of the Heritage Foundation, Robert Enlow of the Friedman Foundation, and Matthew Ladner, Ph.D. of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.  The discussion was moderated by Lindsey Burke of the Heritage Foundation, who noted that while school choice initiatives have been sweeping the nation, Texas is lagging behind.
 
In his remarks, Robert Enlow discussed how school choice initiatives help reduce dropout rates- a benefit for all since high school dropouts are more dependent on government assistance and have higher rates of incarceration.  He suggested that we need to separate government funding for education from government running education.  Enlow also noted that the fastest growing educational choice programs consist of vouchers for special needs children.  (In the Texas Legislature, SB 115 and HB 1175 offer such a program, but liberal-progressives and educators are a bit hysterical about the possibility.)

Next up was Virginia Walden Ford who shared her family’s experiences in the D.C. public school system and how that led to her work for the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.  Ford noted that choice programs like that in D.C. allow for children and families to escape cycles of generational poverty.

Dr. Matthew Ladner noted that even the best performing schools cannot serve the educational needs of every child.  (AMEN.)  “Texas is an economic juggernaut,” and successful since the state is “an opportunity magnet, not a welfare magnet.”  However, the Lone Star state is rapidly becoming a minority-majority state, and Texas public schools are not serving Hispanic and Black students.  (In 2011, only 17% of Hispanic and 15% of Black students achieved 8th Grade Reading proficiency.)  Ladner also pointed out that spending more does not necessarily lift test scores: Between 1992 and 2011, Florida increased education funding the least, but had nearly the highest gains in student achievement. 

Dr. Ladner’s graph on spending increases vs. achievement gains.

In the second session, TPPF’s Joshua Trevino discussed school choice with former California State Senator Gloria Romero.  Romero is now the state director for Democrats for Education Reform.  Considering her party affiliation, and that she herself is a union member who believes in collective bargaining, much of what she had to say came as quite a surprise.  She acknowledged that the teacher unions were much too powerful, and that reforms should allow schools to get rid of bad teachers.  Romero expressed disgust with teacher unions that cared more about protecting their own jobs than educating kids, and asked, “Is this a public education system or a public works program?”  As a CA state senator, Romero was heavily criticized for promoting Parent Trigger legislation and told that her stance was ‘Republican.”  To which she answered, “Since when did the Democrats abdicate representation of the poor and dispossessed?”  Even more provocative was Romero’s assertion that teacher union power within the Democrat party is “disenfranchising the “Black and Brown” members of the party.
 
During lunch we heard from former Senator Jim DeMint, now president of the Heritage Foundation, and Artur Davis. Although I found all of today’s speakers fascinating, Davis was particularly compelling.  A former Democrat darling & ‘rising star,’ he is now advocating for various ‘conservative’ policies like parental choice in education.  Davis shared an excerpt from an essay written by a 13 year old “Quentin” who had just been promoted from 7th to 8th grade, on how to make his school better.  Here’s a photo:

Sorry about the iPhone quality shot...

As Davis noted, Quentin cannot even spell his own name.  He is trapped in a failing public school, with no options.  Is this providing an equitable education to all children?

Davis asked us why no one in the media, even during a $2 billion presidential campaign, is asking about 13 year-olds who read and write on a 6 year-old level.  He asserted that BOTH political parties have been asleep at the switch on school reform, and it’s time to wake them up.  Equity funding lawsuits might work for the next generation, but they won’t help the Quentins of today. 

The time to act is now. 

Education Townhall in Georgetown March 25

If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you are probably one of the many Texans deeply concerned about the state of public education.  But may I suggest that it's time to stop reading and start doing something about it?  For starters, you could attend the Americans For Prosperity-Texas' Education Town Hall on Monday, March 25, 2013. 

In addition to the Town Hall discussion at 7:00 P.M., The Franklin Center will conduct a "Social Media" training at 6:00 P.M. 

The event will be at the Georgetown Public Library at 402 W. 8th Street. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Support Transparency for Texas Taxpayers

According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, over the last decade local governments have more than doubled their debt load.  Local debt is now more than $7,500 for every man, woman, and child in the state of Texas.  Apologists for local government borrow & spend policies like to point out that much of this debt is 'voter approved,' neglecting to mention voter turnout in bond elections rarely exceeds 10%.  A larger problem is that taxpayers are asked to approve billions in debt without sufficient context; most voter have no idea of the current debt load or the annual service payments.

State legislators have introduced a number of bills designed to remedy these issues, including House Bill 14 and companion Senate Bill 14.  Called "Transparency for Texas Taxpayers," the proposal would:

• Require cities, counties, school districts, community college districts, universities and special districts that levy taxes or issue debt to provide more financial transparency to the public. Special districts include water districts, transit authorities, hospital districts, etc.
• Ensure voters will be more informed when they vote on new debt and limits the ability of governments to issue debt without voter approval.
• Ensure that special-purpose taxing entities demonstrate they serve the purposes for which they were created. 

More specifically:

• Put spending and debt information online: Under HB/SB 14, cities, counties, school districts, community college districts, universities and special districts must post revenue and expenditure information online annually to include details on long-term debt obligations.
• Gives more detail on the ballot for debt decisions: Voters are often not made fully aware of how new proposed debt fits into the total debt carried by their local government. HB/SB 14 requires ballots for new debt to include, at a minimum:  
  • Amount of proposed debt;
  • Principal outstanding on current taxable debt (before proposed bond issuance);
  • Estimated remaining interest on existing debt; and
  • Estimated total debt service on existing debt.
  
  
• Limits debt issued without taxpayer approval: in Texas, local governments can issue debt without voter approval through Certificates of Obligation (CO’s). CO’s are now 16.6 percent of all debt issued by eligible entities.
  • HB/SB 14 would prevent governments from issuing a CO to pay for a purpose voters have already rejected, and make it easier for voters to require a vote on a CO through a petition.
  • Also limits local governments’ ability to issue CO’s without notice.
  
  
• Ensures a review of special purpose taxing districts: the bill requires special districts to conduct and publish a self-evaluation that demonstrates to local taxpayers that it is accomplishing the purpose for which it was created. 
• Requires school facility inventories to inform taxpayer decisions on new debt: Because most education debt is for school construction, HB/SB 14 would require school districts and charter schools to post online inventories of their existing facilities, and report the cost of facilities being built or renovated, to better inform voters when deciding on new debt.

In case you are unfamiliar with Certificates of Obligation, read here.  

Both House and Senate Finance Subcommittees will be meeting on Monday, March 18 at 9:00 A.M.  If you support these measures, I urge you to attend to support Transparency for Texas Taxpayers.  Attendees do not need to testify, but merely filling out a card in support will help demonstrate taxpayer support.

The House Subcommittee on Budget Transparency and Reform meeting will be in E1.030. 
The Senate Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters meeting will be in E1.036.

Hope to see you there...

State Leaders Move To Ban Leander ISD's Dangerous Borrowing Practices

Apparently Leander ISD has become the Texas poster-child for poor financial leadership.  Not only did LISD borrow & build excessively, the district further exacerbated their financial woes with the use of Capital Appreciation Bonds, or CABs.  CAB financing allows borrowers to 'kick the can down the road' with bond maturity dates 20, 30, or even 40 years after issue.  Furthermore CABs increase total payoff significantly, leaving taxpayers to pay back as much as 10 times the amount initially borrowed.  Consequently, Leander taxpayers are now on the hook for $2.7 billion dollars in local debt. 

The alarming CAB trend has prompted legislators of both political parties to act.  Democrat Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and Republican Representative Dan Flynn have filed bills to prohibit local governments from using CABs to finance debt.  The companion bills are SB 449 and HB 3416.  If approved, the measure will prevent any future districts from 'becoming Leander ISD.'

Sadly, the measure comes too late to protect Leander taxpayers.  Years of poor financial management have created a quagmire for the school district (which features empty schools but plenty of impressive football facilities.)  While the district is ripe for new leadership, only one school board member has been challenged.  Trustee Pam Waggoner has served intermittently since 2002, and has been challenged by Jim MacKay.  Waggoner, who is endorsed by Democrat State Representative Donna Howard, has served as an apologist for LISD debt.  In stark contrast, Jim MacKay has been endorsed by former Republican Party of Texas Chair and Reagan Administration official Tom Pauken.  MacKay has launched his campaign with some serious questions about the finances of the district. and the CAB problem is huge factor in the upcoming election. 

Leander ISD's financial future is uncertain, but hopefully the State Legislature will act to prevent other districts from the same fate. 

Texas Taxpayers Coalition Praises Senators Campbell & Paxton

From the Texas Taxpayers Savings Grants Coalition:

AUSTIN, TEXAS (March 8, 2013) -- The Texas Taxpayers Savings Grants Coalition today praised Senator Donna Campbell for filing the Taxpayers Savings Grant bill (SB1575) which will save the state approximately $20 billion over the next decade by simply allowing parents the freedom to choose the school that best fits their child's needs. 

SB 1575 Supported By Over 1 Million Texans

The bill was filed partially in response to overwhelming support by more than 1.1 million Texas primary voters – representing 85 percent of those who voted in the Republican Primary last spring. 

“Minorities support school choice at a high rate,” said Reverend Kyev Tatum, a leader in the school choice coalition. “Our schools are failing the most at-risk communities including low-income and minority students. On behalf of the students who are being left behind, we demand improved quality educational options through freedom of choice.”

SB 1575 Will Save Texas $3,000 Per Student  

Parents who wish to accept less than the state average per pupil M&O expenditure will receive a grant equal to 60 percent - or about $5,000 - as a tuition grant to choose the school of their choice.  Because of state funding formulas, the state would save approximately $3,000 per student. The Heartland Institute estimates total savings to taxpayers, over the next decade, at approximately $20 billion.

Taxpayer Savings Grants Will Increase Teacher Pay

In addition to students gaining freedom, teachers would also benefit.  During the recent school finance trial, economists for the state, experts for school districts, and experts for the Efficiency Interveners all testified that teacher salaries would rise with increased freedom of choice. Economists estimate that metropolitan area teachers could make in excess of $12,000 per year more than they now earn if a program like Taxpayer Savings Grants were enacted.

The Coalition, which includes education advocacy groups and parental choice organizations from all across Texas, will continue to monitor all education reform efforts in the 83rd Texas Legislature.

###

LIST OF COALITION MEMBERS

Adam Prewitt

Austin CEO Foundation

Canton Tea Party Patriots, Bob Hall

Christopher Hercules

Chuck Toudouze, former Public School Board Member Concerned Women for America of Texas, Ann Hettinger, State Director

Conservative Republicans of Texas, President Steven F. Hotze, M.D.

Conservatives in Action PAC, John Cook, President

Criag James

El Paso Country Day School, Dr. Laura Alpen

El Paso Country Day School, Melissa Brock

Grassroots America – We The People, JoAnn Flemming

Heartland Institute

Heritage Alliance

Holly Hansen

Holy Cross of San Antonio, Bro. Stanley Culotta, CSC

Hon. Kent Grusendorf, former Chairman, Texas House Public Education Committee

Institute for Justice

James A. Dick

Jason Moore, State Republican Executive Committee Jeff Judson

Karen Bauman

Lake Travis Tea Party Mark Dorazio, Former Member of the Republican Texas State Platform Committee Monsignor Dermott Brosnan, Founder, Patrician Movement

National Center for Policy Analysis, John C. Goodman New Life Christian Academy, LaSalle R. Vaughn,  Chancellor New Life Christian Center, San Antonio, TX Pastor Daryl Crain Rally Texas, Bob Long Randan Swindler

Republican Freedom Coalition of Texas, Don Zimmerman Robert C. Flores Robert Gonzalez, Clear Lake Tea Party Board Samuel F. Harms

Smith County Republican Party, Ashton Oravetz III, Chair

South Texas Alliance for Progress, George Rodriguez

Southern Christian Leadership Conference & Ministries for Education - Texas, Rev. Kyev Tatum

Terese Raia Texas Association of Business Texas Legislature Tea Party Caucus, Katrina Pierson

Texas Parental Choice in Education, Connie Sadowski Texas Parents Union, Matt Prewitt

Texas Pastor Council, Dave Welch, Executive Director

Texas Public Policy Foundation, Brooke Rollins, President Texans for Parental Choice in Education, Bob Schoolfield Todd M. Smith, Former Member, State Republican Executive Committee Travis County Republican Party, Dr. Rosemary Edwards, Chairman

The Justice Foundation, Allan Parker, President

Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America Williamson County Republican Assembly, David MacEwan

Young Conservatives of Texas, Jeff Morris, State Chairman

Texas Leg to Strengthen School Board Trustees' Ability to Govern

Among the many bills filed for the 83rd Texas Legislative session is HB 628, "Relating to the right of a member of the board of trustees of a school district to obtain information, documents, and records."

The bill has strong bi-partisan support, and was authored by a coalition of Republicans and Democrats.  (Authors are Reps Tony Dale (R-Cedar Park,)  Marisa Marquez (D-El Paso,) Poncho Nevarez (D,) Dan Huberty (R), and Ed Thompson (R).) 

If passed, HB 628 will merely codify a 1983 ruling by the Attorney General which states that elected school board trustees must be given district information and documents without having to file open records requests.  

"I think if you're an elected official you need to have access to documents so that you can understand what's happening in your government organization so you can govern," said Dale.

The issue came up recently when it was discovered that El Paso ISD Superintendent Lorenzo Garcia had been engaging in fraudulent activity that resulted in his conviction and incarceration in federal prison.  Garcia was able to hide his criminal activity for a lengthy period since he refused to give El Paso school board trustees documents regarding the district.  Now, it also appears that even some of the trustees may have been complicit in hiding the district's illegal activity, and the U.S. Department of Justice may approve a board of managers to replace the trustees until new elections can be held.

Locally, Round Rock ISD Superintendent Jesus Chavez insisted at a November 27, 2012 Board meeting that he had the right to withhold district information from the elected trustees.  In this case, Superintendent Chavez is trying to prevent certain trustees and the public from scrutinizing the $25,000,000 campus they are building for at-risk (of dropping out) students.  Although Chavez denied trustees access to the relevant documents, someone within the district anonymously provided information to Trustee Terri Romere revealing that attendance in the so-called "Success High School" program averaged 40 students a day.

In an ironic parallel to the El Paso ISD scandal, several RRISD trustees seem determined to turn a blind eye to some of the recent revelations about Superintendent Chavez' activities.  Instead of holding him accountable for setting up a School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) that unequivocally violated state law, they have merely swept the issue under the rug and even allowed Chavez to blame the board in recent news accounts.  And when Trustee Terri Romere shared the truth about the daily attendance numbers in the "Success" program, several fellow board members not only ignored the data, but voted to censure Romere. 

HB 628 is likely to pass, but will not take effect until September 2013.  In the meantime, it is likely that school superintendents will continue their clandestine activity.  Even after passage, it will still be incumbent on local school boards to govern their respective districts appropriately.  The El Paso trustees did not perform due diligence, and now will be removed from office.

Proposed text of HB 628:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1.  Section 11.1512, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c)  A member of the board of trustees of the district has an inherent right of access to information, documents, and records maintained by the district, and the district shall provide the information, documents, and records to the member without requiring the member to submit a public information request under Chapter 552, Government Code.

SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

Williamson County Rep Tony Dale Joins House Energy Caucus

In case you missed it, State Representative Tony Dale, HD-136 (western Williamson County) has joined the newly created House Energy Caucus and has been elected Secretary.

Here's the official release:

 AUSTIN -- State Representative Tony Dale, R- Cedar Park, has been elected as Secretary of the newly created House Energy Caucus (HEC). This caucus, which includes Republican and Democratic Members of the House, will study and address issues related to traditional and alternative energy sources, as well as the energy industry's effect on the rest of the state.

"I look forward to taking a leadership role on energy issues," Dale said. "The energy industry is critical to the overall economic health of our state, and this caucus will work to see that Texas remains a national leader in energy production and innovation.

"Energy production is a critical part of our state's economy and vital to our national security," the HEC Chair State Representative Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said addressing the members during the organizational meeting. "The importance of this production is never lost on the communities supplying the men, women, and businesses supporting the oil patch, the mine, or renewable fields spread over most of our state."

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Texas is first in the nation in production of oil, natural gas, and wind energy. Texas coal and lignite production is also a key supplier for energy demands. As technological capability and demand has increased, the growth and expansion of these forms of energy production has affected all areas of the state, including central Texas, where the energy industry has brought significant job growth. Companies like National Oil Well Varco, Tolteq, Corvalent, EEstor and 3Ps Solutions have created well-paying primary jobs in southwestern Williamson County.

The House Energy Caucus will provide educational opportunities and information on policy issues regarding traditional energy production such as oil, gas, and coal, as well as alternative energy including biomass, wind and solar power, and emerging technologies like clean coal/coal gasification. In addition, the HEC will also identify, research, and build coalitions to help resolve social and infrastructure issues faced by areas of the state experiencing significant impacts from increased activity related to the energy industry.

"The Caucus will help to educate its members on the impact to energy production of legislation addressing water, transportation and workforce development needs," Rep. Darby said. "This state's energy industry is revitalizing our state through innovative technologies and significant economic investment and I want to see that continue."

"Energy is a vital, growing industry in Williamson County, and this leadership post will help me advocate for constituents who work in the energy sector," Dale said. "In addition, strong energy policies will benefit all of my constituents, and my role in this caucus will give me an immediate policy impact during my first term in the Legislature.

Dale was elected to the House in November 2012.  He is a small business owner and veteran of the U.S. Army who previously served on the Cedar Park City Council.  He represents western Williamson County, including the communities of Cedar Park, Leander, and Brushy Creek, as well as parts of north Austin.