As always, we welcome your comments, suggestions and complaints. Thanks for reading and distributing these newsletters to your friends and associates. Keep it going. It is critical that we GROW our network of readers and voters. It is up to us.

Commentary: Please keep Colonel Frank Corte and his family in your prayers. We are so blessed to have this proud Texan serving our country in so many ways. Representative Corte is one amazing individual because he is an authentic conservative who consistently defends the values he holds dear. 

May God Bless you in IRAQ as you help give others the liberty that we so often take for granted. 
 

- Martin Luther King, Jr., November 1956
 

Cost: $20/Person

Dear Fellow Texan:

Our country’s leaders must strive to protect freedom and values for the next generation.

Across our great state, the need to include our future leaders has never been stronger. To help meet this demand, I am building the KBH Leadership 2020 Team.

The focus of the KBH Leadership 2020 Team is to identify and recruit Texans who are willing to play a pivotal role in addressing the issues facing Texas. Our goal is to assemble these individuals into a statewide organization that will provide the stewardship and vision necessary to lead our state and our nation in the years ahead.

The KBH Leadership 2020 Team is open to all Texans who share a desire for both action and vision. We especially want to recruit and involve young leaders between the ages of 21 and 45 who are willing to integrate the demands of their young families and careers with an opportunity to be stewards in shaping the future not only for themselves, but also future generations.

We need people like you to help us lead. We will hold conference calls and meetings to discuss issues and to set new goals as we move forward. We will also plan regular social activities such as coffees, luncheons, and good old-fashioned work sessions.

I know together we can, and must, create this unique organization! Please take the time to provide your contact information so we may begin communicating with you as soon as possible.

With warm wishes,
Sincerely,

Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator

Co-Chairs

George P. Bush, Dallas
Captain Scott F. O'Grady, U.S.A.F. (RET), Dallas
Becky Armendariz Klein, Austin
Albert Myres, Houston

Commentary by South Texas Republicans:  Senator Hutchison is making a smart choice by reaching out to grassroots supporters between the ages of 21and 45 years of age.  We believe it is not wise to charge volunteers $20 to $60 to attend a “Leadership” meeting in Austin for 3 reasons:

1)   Young people have a slew of financial obligations including student loans, rising gas prices and family obligations.

2)   How can you ask volunteers to travel to Austin to learn about helping the Hutchison team and charge them for this pleasure? It makes no sense when the campaign has millions of dollars in the bank.

3)   This is not going to encourage young people to get involved in grassroots politics when you are saying it will cost you money to be a volunteer.

We encourage Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to drop the financial obligation to be involved in her grassroots level campaign. In the long run, it is not a good approach to grow a political campaign that we believe has White House aspirations.

It is our belief that there should be 3 more Co-Chairs: one from South Texas (Corpus Christi, Laredo, Harlingen, etc.), one from Bexar County, and one from the Hill Country. With all due respect, Dallas and Houston do not have a monopoly on talented young Republicans in this great state. South Texans and our friends in the Hill Country deserve a little more respect. That is our point of view.

We will always advocate for Republicans in South Texas and the Hill Country.  After 3 years, we have become accustomed to the arrows from our friends who think we are not being nice to fellow Republicans. Some have called us mean and arrogant when talking to our leaders in the party.

This is Texas politics. Friends, they work for us. We do not work for them. Remember, “We, the People….”
 

-  Howard
 

Sponsorships are welcome and General Admittance Tickets will be $150 per person. Anyone interested can call 512/495-9522 OR E-mail NORMANPATART@AUSTIN.RR.COM

Funds to Increase Law Enforcement Presence, Deter Crime and Illegal Immigration at the Border

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced an additional $3.8 million to detect and deter border-related criminal activities, bringing to nearly $10 million the total amount he has dedicated to border security since December. The funds will sustain and support Operation Linebacker, an initiative developed by the 16-member Texas Border Sheriff’s Association to increase law enforcement presence along the Texas-Mexico border, particularly between legal points of entry.

“Operation Linebacker is increasing our law enforcement presence along the border, making life more difficult for those trying to smuggle drugs, weapons and people into Texas,” Perry said. “It has never been clearer that increasing security along our 1,200-mile border is a public safety and homeland security imperative.”

Perry noted that Operation Linebacker played a key role last week in thwarting an attempt by drug smugglers to bring three SUVs loaded with illegal drugs across the border in Hudspeth County.

Counties that receive Operation Linebacker funds are Brewster, Cameron, Culberson, Dimmit, El Paso, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Maverick, Presidio, Starr, Terrell, Val Verde, Webb, and Zapata. Each county received $376,500 in December, and will receive an additional $223,000 apiece. The funds provide manpower, specialized equipment and planning resources; the funds also support Citizen Police Academies to train local volunteers and strengthen community involvement in border protection.

 “Although border security is a federal responsibility, we have no choice but to take aggressive steps at the state and local level to secure our borders and protect Texans,” Perry added.  “By funding additional patrol hours, new technology tools, and rapid deployment teams of state troopers, we will make Texas – and the nation – more secure.”

In October, Perry released a comprehensive, six-point border security plan that featured Operation Linebacker and also called for expedited efforts to achieve radio communications interoperability in the region, improved information technology, bilateral emergency response exercises, and legislative measures to enhance border security.

The $6 million awarded to Operation Linebacker in December came from the federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program; today’s additional funding comes from state criminal justice planning funds.

The Linebacker funds will be distributed in the coming weeks through the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, after each county’s Commissioner’s Court approves the grant contracts.

Commentary by South Texas Republicans:

Kudos to Governor Rick Perry for his leadership on this issue. Very few people know that our public hospitals in South Texas are going bankrupt with the challenge of taking care of every single foreign national who walks in for care. The drug cartels are gaining more control of Mexican border towns as the years go by. Listen, enough is enough. The reality is that our beloved President Bush has failed us miserably on border security since 9/11. Thank God, Governor Perry is doing something to help with this crisis. 
 

- Sir Humphry Davy
 

The Stone Oak Republicans will have their next meeting at 7 p.m., February 9th, at the Light House Café, 18730 Stone Oak Parkway. There will be a $10 per person charge but attendees can use that towards their food/beverage bill. We will be discussing the upcoming Republican Primary and the need to fill club leadership positions and vacant precinct chairman positions.

RSVPs can be sent to Mike Provost at mike@provost.com so we can give the cafe the number of attendees. 
 

The Alamo City Republican Women Membership Drive is on Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 11:00 a.m., at the home of Marilyn & Dr. Day McNeel, 119 E. Kings Hwy. Special Guest: U.S. Senator John Cornyn.  

WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO WELCOME SENATOR JOHN CORNYN and THANK HIM FOR HIS CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP IN WASHINGTON. THANK HIM ALSO FOR THIS TERRIFIC GRASSROOTS OUTREACH TO RANK-IN-FILE REPUBLICANS.

Advice from South Texas Republicans: Friends, we are providing some advice about this event. ACRW members will only pay $10 to attend (what a bargain to see a U.S. Senator) and guests will pay $35. We suggest that you join ACRW for $25 and send a $10 check for the event. In 2006, you will be a member of ACRW and receive all their newsletters in this important election year. (This is such an incredible bargain for only $35.)

The membership form can be found here: http://www.acrwomen.org/JoinUs.html.

Try to send your $35 check ASAP because this event will probably sell out two weeks before the event. 

Mamacitas Restaurant and Cantina
8030 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX

- Dwight Morrow
 

$2,500   Patron
$1,000   Sponsor

$500     Supporter
$250     Individual

Please Join Event Host

Congressman Henry Bonilla

For a Reception Honoring

George Antuna

Candidate for Texas State Representative

House District 118

With Special Guest

George Prescott Bush

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Private Reception 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The Austin Club

110 East Ninth Street

Austin, Texas

RSVP Alexis Cline at 512-322-5779
 

Friday, February 10, 2006

11:30 a.m. at Silver Sage Senior Center

803 Buck Creek Drive in Bandera

RSVP for lunch (Cost $8) to Jody Brown 460-7476 or email jodydidit@starband.net

Speaker: National Committeeman, Bill Crocker

Bandera Candidate Forum

Saturday, February 11, 2006

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Silver Sage Senior Center

803 Buck Creek Drive in Bandera

Not much has been written about the Democratic perennials and those candidates that nobody sees very often. For example: where is perennial candidate #1 Attorney Milton Fagin? He is on the ballot for the 285th District Court. Normally everywhere, he is classified as a missing person.

Then there is perennial candidate #2 from the Southside, Ricardo Martinez, who is known to run for School Board to City Council to Justice of the Peace. Unfortunately like Party Chair candidate Dan Ramos, even when they are seen they both are ignored or shunned at most events. 

How about Carleton Spears the former Judge, who is attempting to reclaim the 150th District Court from Judge Janet Littlejohn? He is off to a slow start. Twelve years ago Littlejohn snatched the bench from him in a controversial race that is reminiscent of the Ciro Rodriguez campaign two years ago. Originally told he won, later he was informed he lost.

Where is County Court-at-Law Judge #2 Paul Canales these days now that he is on the ballot for re-election? Even in the election cycle, you will never see him around except when he occasionally reminds citizens he is an incumbent judge.

Has anybody even met the candidate for County Clerk, Tim Ybarra? Does anybody know what he looks like? Does County Clerk Gerry Rickoff know what he looks like? Rumor is that District Clerk Margaret Montemayor recruited him. Now Montemayor has a Republican opponent in her race as well. Is that just a coincidence?

Of course, there is perennial candidate #3, Lauro Bustamante, running for the 4th Court of Appeals, Place 5. His petition was initially denied and then reinstated. He was last seen in front of the Headquarters the last day of the filing period scrounging for signatures. Party Chair Rudy Casias appointed him Democratic Party attorney. Now both of them are rarely seen.

One candidate that is seen but not taken too seriously by either party is the candidate for District Attorney, Ed Bravenec. While a pleasant fellow, he appears unable to get any traction in his campaign. Perhaps he will eventually pick up some steam. Not!

Gloria Saldana, candidate for the 224th District Court is another no-show. Rumor is that she is quietly working behind the scenes. Apparently, she is doing such a good job behind the scenes, many are not aware that she is on the ballot.

How about perennial candidate #4, the arrogant/self- aggrandizing Congressional candidate, Victor Morales? Many Southsiders thought he would affect Rodriguez’s votes and allow Henry Cuellar to keep his seat. While many still think Cuellar will retain his seat, Morales doesn’t seem to be making any impact on the race at all since he hasn’t been seen anywhere in Bexar County.

Pat Montgomery who is challenging County Court-at-Law #8 Karen Crouch in the primary is having a difficult time making anyone notice him in the political sense.

Although he is noticeable at 6’5”, blond and soft-spoken, his only claim to fame is that he can tower over everyone. Since he never played basketball, the only bench he will sit on is the bench outside the courthouse.

Another no show at most events is Barbara Elizabeth Scharf-Zeldes. It is rumored she is a real candidate with a long name. Perennial candidate #5, Jesse “Jay” Alaniz, is challenging JP Pct. 1, Pl. 3 Edmundo Zaragosa for the umpteenth time. Alaniz is considered a nuisance at best.

Lastly, what about the attorney Ralph Lopez who is challenging Peter Sakai for the 225th District bench in the Democratic Primary? While not seen much at many political functions, he has been seen walking the precincts in search for votes. His slick brochure recently hit the streets. His catch phrase is: “I have passion for the truth.” The truth is that now that his brochure has his photo on it, voters will know that he is not the white-haired Sheriff. While some party activists tend to dismiss him, his opponent Peter Sakai is taking him very seriously. It is rumored that some heavy hitting Republicans are helping fund the Lopez campaign.

Let’s see if these candidates will get their political act together before it is too late. Only time will tell.

That’s the moderate viewpoint. I am the Republicrat.
 

Larson-Adkisson demonstrate this cross-partisan cooperation

By Terri Hall

When concerned citizens started to band together to fight the tolling of our existing highways, one thing stood out right away. People of EVERY political stripe came on board; it didn't matter if they were Democrat, Republican or anything in between, this issue has galvanized us all as Texans! Everyone can see that taking what we've already bought and paid for once and then taxing us for our lifetimes to drive on it is an outrage that offends Texans at the most basic level. Then, when the Governor and his Transportation Commission adds insult to injury by turning over our public infrastructure to private foreign corporations for 50-70 year monopolies, the outrage quickly turns into activism!

Residents in Commissioner Lyle Larson's precinct have fallen victim to the politicization of the signal timing of the lights on US 281 that increased commutes times by 20-30 minutes OVERNIGHT! Not coincidentally, this occurred right after the Feds pulled their clearance for the toll project, a clear victory due to our efforts to keep our freeways free. Commissioner Larson defended his precinct from TxDOT and the City of San Antonio's shenanigans at the last MPO meeting and has demanded a report on his desk by Jan. 27 (the City has still yet to comply). Read more here: http://satollparty.com/post/?p=72.

Then, Commissioner Larson, along with Commission Tommy Adkisson, drafted a letter to state legislators and TxDOT to ask that alternatives to the toll road be put on the table for US 281, especially in light of the gas tax revenues being available for improvements since 2004! Read more here: http://satollparty.com/post/?p=79.

Then Ben Wear at the Austin American Statesman got it right in his stories on the shady deals going down with these toll roads. (Read them here: Wear Article 1 and Wear Article 2). On January 17, our Transportation Commission held an industry workshop on Comprehensive Development Agreements, or CDAs, to further entice the highway lobby into the tolling of Texas. These CDAs can be very lucrative deals for private corporations that will last up to 70 years, but there are serious public issues and questions, specifically posed by those who don’t believe it’s fair to:

• Give public gas tax dollars for private sector to profit (Corporate Welfare)

• Create public debt for private sector profits

• Privatize and toll our public highways in secret sweetheart deals

• Take private land for private sector profits

The public good has suddenly come up for sale. Other concerns that arise with CDAs are their lack of public disclosure, public debate, legislative oversight, the violation of open and transparent government, double taxation and lack of local control. On May 31, 2005, the Texas Attorney General’s office ruled that TxDOT must release hundreds of pages of the Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA) kept secret in the TxDOT/Cintra Zachry deal to develop Trans Texas Corridor TTC-35.

In June 2005, Cintra-Zachry filed a lawsuit against the Texas Attorney General to keep the CDA details a secret. The CDA has yet to be released. Last week, CBS news reports county vs. county for gas tax dollar and the public highway privatization giveaway, “Dallas Doesn't Want To Pay For Fort Worth Toll” (CBS Report).

It should raise red flags to everyone that TxDOT offers NO written guidelines or criteria for what projects should or should not be a CDA project. The last tolling authority meeting affirmed this fact and yet the Transportation Commission dictated at their June 30, 2005 meeting that the San Antonio toll starter project MUST use a CDA agreement EVEN THOUGH NO WRITTEN CRITERIA FOR THEIR USE IS EVEN IN PLACE!

"Vendors propose unsolicited proposals (a NO BID process) for projects to which TxDOT feels it must respond and thereby commit state road funds, debt, and land to private development projects," says Sal Costello, Founder of the Texas Toll Party.

Cintra-Zachry used this tactic to take over the San Antonio toll projects. The project costs went from $450 million for TxDOT to build the toll roads up to $1.4 billion since Cintra-Zachry dropped this unsolicited bid on our doorstep! This entire process is corrupt, demonstrates flagrant fiscal malfeasance, and explains why so many incensed Texans are joining together to fight the Governor's "innovative financing" toll plans for Texas! Go to www.satollparty.com to learn more.
 

Medical Professionals for Steve Salyer

6:00 to 8:00 PM

Cha Cha’s

2026 Babcock Road in San Antonio

Tuesday, 28 February 2006

South Bexar County Republicans for Steve Salyer

6:00 to 8:00 PM

Grady’s Bar-B-Que

6919 South Zarzamora in San Antonio
 

South Texas Republicans is offering Republicans and non-traditional voters another opportunity to get involved in Senate District 26. Justice Phylis Speedlin of the 4th Court of Appeals has agreed to be our inaugural guest speaker. Nelson Balido, Candidate for State Representative 125th District, will also be at this event. We will post more information about this function in upcoming newsletters. Many thanks to our donors for making this grassroots outreach possible.

Justice Phylis Speedlin, 4th Court of Appeals Place 7

Nelson Balido, Candidate for State Representative District 125

Date: February 23rd

Location: Fire Mountain at 7200 Bandera Road

Time: 6:30-8pm

Please contact Schuylar Crist skyskyrider@hotmail.com if you are interested in getting involved in this new organization.
 

Mix N' Mingle with NRA-ILA Staff & Fellow NRA Members

Help Pro-Gun Candidates

How often do you get the opportunity to mix n' mingle with NRA-ILA Headquarters staff and fellow NRA members in your area, to earn FREE NRA items, and to assist with the efforts of pro-gun candidates seeking  office in your area? Well, on Saturday, February 25, you will have that opportunity and it will cost you NOTHING!

Please join NRA-ILA Headquarters staff, your fellow NRA members, and U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar and his campaign team for a few hours of socializing and protecting freedom.

This FREE NRA-ILA Grassroots "Mix N' Mingle" will be held:

Saturday, February 25

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

National Skeet & Shooting Association (Natl. Shooting Complex)

5931 Rofte Road

San Antonio, TX 78253

(210) 688-3371

Cost: FREE (includes food, beverage, materials, NRA fraternal items)

To reserve your seat for this event, please click here.