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TONIGHT! Texas
Tax Reformation Commission Public Hearing In San Antonio |
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“John Sharp will be in San
Antonio on Monday, March 6, gathering recommendations
from the public on reforming the state tax structure. The
Texas Tax Reform Commission is comprised of a 24-member
bi-partisan commission chaired by former Texas comptroller
John Sharp. The purpose of this commission is to develop
proposals which will modernize the state tax system, provide
long-term property tax relief, and address financing needs for
public schools.” - J.B.
10:00 a.m. –
San Antonio, Norma S. Rodriguez City Council Chamber,
Municipal Plaza Building, 103 Main Plaza, San Antonio, Texas
78205
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AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY- TEXAS TAXPAYER
SUMMIT, April 21, 2006
BREAKING NEWS: 20 PAID Scholarships from South Texas
Republicans |
|
We are pleased to
announce that we are offering 20 paid scholarships to our
friends in South Texas and the Hill Country. Our goal is to
send a small delegation to Austin for this event. Please
contact Schuylar Crist
skyskyrider@hotmail.com if you are interested in
attending. (We hope to increase this to 50 scholarships if we
can raise the money in the next few weeks.)
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN HOTEL, AUSTIN, TEXAS
AGENDA
9:30 a.m. Opening
Session
Keynote: Gov. Rick Perry
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Taxpayer Bill of
Rights
Paul Bettencourt, Tax-Assessor Harris County
Dr. Barry Poulson, AFP Adjunct Scholar
12:00 p.m.
Luncheon
Keynote: Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams
1:00-1:30 p.m.
Taxpayer Funded
Lobbying
Peggy Venable, AFP-Texas Director
Stephen Wayne Smith, former Texas Supreme Court Justice
Interim Committee Chairman Rep. Ken Paxton
1:30-2:00 p.m.
Break-out Sessions
(concurrent)
Session 1: Educrats’ Focus on Institutions, not
Students: How to Break the Union and use it to the benefit of
taxpayers - Steve Conroy, Nacogdoches
Session 2: Education Choice – Dr. Jim Leininger
Session 3: Crafting our Message – Radio Talk Show
Personality Don Crawford
3:00-3:30 p.m.
Taxes and Spending
Talmadge Heflin, former House Appropriations Chairman
Dr. Byron Schlomach, Chief Economist, TPPF
Rep. Bill Keffer or Rep. Dan Gattis
4:30 -5:30 p.m.
Break-out Sessions
(concurrent)
Session 1: State Board of Education and the Permanent
School Fund – SBOE Chairman Tincy Miller or SBOE Member Terri
Leo
Session 2: Rollback Elections – Doug Kirk, Comal County
Roll-back Election Activist
Session 3: Markets Work – Insurance and Health Care –
Pat Rooney, Founder of Golden Rule
5:30 p.m.
Reception
Keynote Speaker: Tom Craddick
Formal Presentation of the Defenders of the American Dream
Awards to Texas Legislative Recipients
7:00 p.m.
Dinner
Keynote Speakers: Congressmen Joe Barton, Jeb Hensarling, Pete
Sessions
Admission is
$25 and is payable at the door, by phone/fax (credit card), or
by mail (check)
Click here to register
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Republican
Business Women of Bexar County
Host TINA BENKISER CHAIRMAN, REPUBLICAN PARTY of TEXAS |
|
Thursday,
March 9, 2006
St.
Mark’s Episcopal Church
315 East Pecan Street
at Travis Park
10:30 a.m.
Silent Auction Preview
11:00 a.m.
Networking
11:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Tina Benkiser, Chairman of the Republican Party
of Texas
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Business Meeting
1:00 p.m.
Adjourn
For reservations, contact
DEE BRAME at 210-493-5512 or
deeb@satx.rr.com
The cost is
$15.00
|
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Readers Respond To Our
Commentary: Senator John Cornyn For Vice-President In 2008 |
|
[http://www.southtexasrepublicans.com/newsletters/newsletter_template_02_27.htm]
Amazing! I was
sitting there listening to Senator Cornyn and thought to
myself, "He'd be a great President"! Your strategy
is superb. Let's do it!!!!
Sandra Peters
______________________
I would be pleased if John
Cornyn became the President in 2008. But second best would be
great also. His deceased grand-mother was a friend of mine. I
don't know John personally but believe him to be an honest and
respectable man. I attended the same church as his mother in
the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. I know he was raised by a
Christian family. I also am happy with the president we have
now. I believe President Bush is also an honest man and is
doing the best he can for our country. I believe some of the
Democrats will grab at every opportunity to belittle any
Republican Incumbent because they are frantic to gain control.
Ivy Ford
_____________________
I believe that the 2008
Republican candidate for President should be Senator George
Allen from Virginia and his running mate for Vice-President
should be Texas Senator John Cornyn. These are two possible
candidates that are not in anybody’s radar screen. I always
say that the less you know about somebody, the better it is
because there are no negatives to cancel out the positives.
Hillary would be a poor candidate because her husband loaded
her up with just too much baggage. She would never get elected
because you cannot cancel out years of liberal agendas with a
few months of posturing as a moderate. Rush Limbaugh was
recently interviewed on one of the late night shows and when
they asked him who he thought would be a good Republican
presidential candidate, he replied, “George Allen.” Senator
Allen must have solid conservative credentials if he passed
the Rush test.
Allen has charisma, style,
and good looks without being pretty. This should attract the
female vote. His dad coached the Washington Redskins in the
‘70s so I can see Sen. Allen using a lot of sports terminology
during his presidential campaign to capture the male vote big
time. His political heroes are Thomas Jefferson and Ronald
Reagan. He describes himself as a “common sense Jeffersonian
Conservative” and says that he “trusts free people and free
enterprise.”
Cornyn looked impressive
during the Senate judicial committee hearings. I believe that
the facts he brought out during the hearings helped confirm
the two Bush appointees to the Supreme Court. He has not been
in the Senate that long to pick up negatives and his
experience as a former district and Texas Supreme Court judge
should bring credibility and respectability to any Republican
ticket. From Senator Cornyn’s website: He stands as a
dedicated defender of free markets, traditional values, and
individual liberty.
In 1960, John F. Kennedy
had charisma, style, and good looks. JFK was smart enough to
bring in Texas Senator Lyndon B. Johnson to balance the fact
that he was a Catholic from the liberal state of
Massachusetts. The Kennedy/Johnson ticket had a steeper hill
to climb in 1960 than would an Allen/Cornyn ticket in
2008. Both Allen and Cornyn are from the south and neither is
a Catholic. This would be the dream Republican ticket in the
presidential elections of 2008.
___________________________________
REED
GREENE, M.P.A., J.D.
Attorney-At-Law
San Antonio, Texas 78209
February 28, 2006
Sen. John Cornyn
600 Navarro, Suite 210
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Re:
Vice-Presidential or Presidential Bid
Dear Senator,
One of the Party on-line
periodicals indicated you are interested in higher national
office, namely, Vice-President or President. I think you would
do a fine job. Remember that I lived in New Hampshire for six
years and my grandfather, Charles Rolland Greene, Sr., was
from a community between Center Harbor and Moultonborough
(sp?) still called Greenes’ corners. I would love to host a
party in Hanover and/or Concord (four academic years residence
and two, respectively), preferably before it turns as beastly
cold as it gets there this time of year. My fraternity
brothers at Sigma Alpha Epsilon may be willing to pitch in on
your campaign, too. I’m sure my wife, Cecilia, would help in
some fashion.
Please add me to your
list:
Reed Greene
27513 Boerne Cliff Dr.
Boerne, Texas 78006
Cell 210.219.1632
I will be in Washington in
early June and would like to drop by your office with my
family. We would like to visit the Senate Chamber, the FBI,
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and other tourist
sites. We would appreciate any help and input your staff could
give us.
With warmest personal
regards, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Reed Greene
|
|
BREAKING
NEWS:
CORNYNFORPRESIDENT.COM &
JOHNCORNYNFORPRESIDENT.COM Domain Names Purchased By Firm in
Arizona Two Months Ago |
|
Private, Registration
CORNYNFORPRESIDENT.COM@domainsbyproxy.com
JOHNCORNYNFORPRESIDENT.COM@domainsbyproxy.com
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
DomainsByProxy.com
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
(480) 624-2599
Created on: 05-Jan-06
Expires on: 05-Jan-11
Last Updated on: 05-Jan-06
Backorder
JOHNCORNYNFORPRESIDENT.COM - just $18.95
If this name expires or is cancelled by the registrant we'll
try to grab it the instant it becomes available.
More
Commentary:
Bloggers, it is time to go to work. Why is a firm in Arizona
buying these domain names? Is there a connection between this
firm and Senator John McCain? Please let us know.
|
|
South Texas Republicans’ Cornyn Commentary
Featured in the San Antonio Express-News |
The following comments by
Susan Yerkes were featured last week.
“Dame Rumor “ Web Posted:
03/01/2006 12:00 AM CST
Latest hot rumor from Joe
Solis' online weekly newsletter, South Texas Republicans, PAC:
"We predict Senator John Cornyn will be the leading contender
for the position of Vice President in 2008."
And there's more: "It is
our belief Senator John Cornyn will be a strong candidate for
President AFTER he serves as Vice President," says the
article, adding: "Running for President as a sitting Senator
is a genuine waste of time based on recent history."
That should get some
tongues wagging, even if the article stresses it's "opinion
only" — no prompting from Cornyn's team. What do YOU think?
Susan Yerkes Article
Commentary by Joe: Susan,
we promise, the Cornyn folks did not leak anything to us about
this commentary. Only in our wildest dreams would the office
of Senator John Cornyn allow our humble little PAC to plant
this story about a run for the White House. Thanks for the
indirect compliment though
|
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Dan Montgomery and Ken Mercer Duke It Out This
Week In South Texas Republicans (State Board of
Education Republican Primary Battle.) |
|
(Commentary by Dan Montgomery
about Allegations by Ken Mercer.)
First, Ken says I have
consistently voted with liberal Democrats to defeat Bush/Perry
education reforms. But he gives no examples because there are
none. I've been a staunch supporter of these reforms that
include raising the bar steadily as to student expectations on
state tests, expanding alternative teacher certification
programs, and strengthening curriculum requirements. Ken, on
the other hand, as a legislator, co-authored a bill with a
liberal democrat that would have destroyed the most important
reform of all -- the "no social promotion" law. This alone
should disqualify him as a Republican candidate for the SBOE.
Second, he tries to link
me with an atheist group by quoting an individual who says I
chose to vote the way the Atheists Community of Austin wanted
me to. This is outrageous and even slanderous. Why would a
member of this group be running against me if this were true?
Third, he accuses me of
plagiarism for posting articles on my website several years
ago that came from Texas Education Agency publications. But
SBOE staff prepared these for members to use for the purpose
of informing constituents. They are considered the property of
the TEA and SBOE.
Staff frequently writes
speeches for members and expects no credits. This is the same
as the President or Governor reading a speech written by staff
speechwriters, or a legislator sending weekly columns to local
newspapers that are written by staff.
Finally, he tells people
to not be misled by the lies of his opponents. But he doesn't
mention what these "lies" are because there are none.
Every thing I've said about Ken during the campaign can be
documented. His other opponent hasn't campaigned at all.
www.danmontgomery.org
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SBOE #5 Race: Ken Mercer vs. Montgomery
“And now the Rest of the Story” |
(Bexar County) Former State
Representative Ken Mercer (R) today responded to false
accusations by his State Board of Education (SBOE) opponent
Dan Montgomery.
“First,”
Ken Mercer began: “Mr.
Montgomery asked for proof that he voted with the
liberals. You can view Dan’s voting record at
www.StrengthsandWeaknesses.org. The
website documents EIGHT major votes where Dan voted against
Conservatives and formed a voting block with liberal
Democrats.”
The section "SBOE Vote
Detail" documents Montgomery voting down Conservative
Republican Don McLeroy’s election to the SBOE Executive
Committee and then voting for Helen Berlanga, a strong liberal
Democrat.
Mercer asks: “What
good is it to have a Republican Majority when Republicans
consistently vote with the Democrats?”
Apparently Montgomery also
allowed the Austin Atheists to testify at SBOE meetings. Then
he voted against allowing testimony during the meeting of the
national scientists with evidence opposing evolution.
Mercer then pointed to a
second falsehood. Montgomery attacked Mercer at a Bexar County
Forum for supporting HB337, a bill authored by a Pro-Life
Democrat in the 2003 House Session
Mercer stated: ”Yes,
a Democrat filed the bill, but Montgomery fails to mention
that five of my senior Republicans also signed on to the
legislation.”
“Why? The Republican
intent of the bill was to empower parents. A child who
performs well in school but does not pass the State Exam may
be held back a year. Under this legislation parents would have
the right to request a formal alternative assessment.“
Mercer continued:
“Republicans also wanted to empower parents to request an
alternative means of education for a child who fails a grade.
To Conservatives that means the alternatives of phonics or
language immersion.”
But as Paul Harvey would
say: Dan Montgomery failed to tell the ‘rest of the story’.
HB 337 never became law
because it never came to the Texas House for a
vote. Why? Because Mercer worked to kill the bill after
Democrats loaded it with changes that were unacceptable to
conservatives.
Why would Mercer work to
kill a bill that he originally signed on to?
“Because it was the
right thing to do. Our intent was to empower parents to help
their children. Once in Committee, the Democrat intent was to
amend the bill with their liberal doctrine. It had the same
bill number, but a new liberal agenda. That’s why we killed
the bill.”
Of course, Montgomery
knows that. That’s why he fails to tell Republicans ‘the rest
of the story.’”
Finally, on the live KSLR
radio debate, Montgomery denied he plagiarized. Plagiarism is
the copying of someone else’s work and then applying your name
without giving proper credit.
Mercer commented:
“The renowned Texas Insider
carried two articles with
three counts of Dan’s plagiarism. Clearly, he copied the
articles from the Texas Education Agency brochures, adds ‘by
Dan Montgomery’, and then gave no credit to the actual
authors. When I went to college that was called
plagiarism.”
Specifically, Mr.
Montgomery's website states: "Since
becoming a member of the State Board of Education in 2001, it
has become obvious to me that very few of my constituents know
much about the Board and what it really does. So I will
attempt to explain, in this short column, our powers and
responsibilities. [underline emphasis added]"
Ken Mercer concluded:
"I wish Mr. Montgomery
well, but facts are facts. Here is the most important
fact. There are 101 conservative leaders who reviewed the
records of the candidates. Each and every one of them chose to
endorse Ken Mercer over Dan Montgomery."
Ken
Mercer
Republican for State Board of Education
Friends of Ken Mercer P.O.
Box 781301 San Antonio, Texas 78278-1301
www.VoteMercer.com
|
|
READERS RESPOND To The Following Commentary From Last Week:
“Republican Minority Candidate College” by the Republican
National Committee- TWO THUMBS DOWN |
|
Commentary By Joe
Solis/South Texas Republicans
[http://southtexasrepublicans.com/newsletters/newsletter_template_02_27.htm]
Friends, many of you are
going to write in and say I should be nicer to fellow
Republicans after you read this commentary. Please think about
the basic message in the following sentences. I received the
letter below last week from the RNC. It is my belief that
it is insulting, backwards and counter-productive for our
party to label, identify and divide members of our party based
on race, religion and skin color. The RNC has no business
labeling any American in our national party as a “minority.”
We are Americans first and foremost.
Joe,
I’m with you on the
labeling. I’ve long felt that by labeling us as the minority
within the Republican Party we are left in limbo, perhaps even
second-class.
Let’s stop using the
labels and roll up our sleeves side-by-side and tackle the
“real” threats to our Union.
Maria Martinez
_______________
Joe
Even during these times of
helping with the Major Werner campaign, I sometimes get a
chance to read your newsletter, granted some of those times
are a few days after I get it but this time it was different.
Joe, as a Black (yes Black) female, I have to agree with you
because I am tired of "lip service as usual"; actually, this
was one of the main reason why I joined the Major Werner
campaign because he does not give "lip service" to those
within my community. Until our Party comes to the "true"
understanding of working to help ALL within the Party, without
classifications, then we are going down a path that I refuse
to go down. I mean how can we say that set asides are not
right when we do such set asides ourselves? As a Black Female,
I would wonder why I cannot go to the regular candidate school
and why do I have to have a different candidate school? What
message are you really sending me, wrong path, wrong
path. Thanks, Joe, for taking the time to put us ALL together.
Sincerely
CJ Newman
P. S. One of the
problems that I see within our own Party is that folks are
hired to help increase "minority" outreach and they have NO
CLUE. Maybe within my lifetime I will see the true
meaning of Reagan's Big Tent. Thanks Joe, keep up the good
work, two thumbs UP for you.
|
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Michael S. Raign “Corrects A False Impression” by Wayne
Christian. Christian “Fires” Back at Michael Raign. Only in
South Texas Republicans!
(These Are Candidates For Judge, County
Court At Law Six, in Bexar County) |
(Letter by Michael
S. Raign)
Joe:
I'm writing to correct a
false impression created by my opponent in the South Texas
Republican newsletter.
[http://southtexasrepublicans.com/newsletters/newsletter_template_02_27.htm]
Wayne Christian
claims certain endorsements that he received in 1998. This
is blatantly misleading, as I was not his opponent eight
years ago and he is not now endorsed by the Bexar County
Deputy Sheriff's Association, nor the San Antonio Express
News. Instead, four years ago, the Express News called Wayne
Christian "a lackluster and cavalier jurist, undeserving of
re-election." This year, they wrote, "Christian, who was a
county judge for six years, was ousted by voters in 2002.
Voters made the right decision when they removed the
cavalier Christian from the bench." (emphasis added).
However, the Express
News gave a resounding endorsement to Michael Raign, stating
that "he will be a competent, fair umpire on the bench."
(see Express-News
Endorsement Article). Interested voters are invited to
visit my website at
www.raignforjudge.com.
(Response by WAYNE A.
CHRISTIAN)
Dear South Texas
Republicans:
Apparently, my opponent
is concerned that my Judicial history's reference to my past
political endorsements in prior election years is confusing
for the readership.
In 1998, I was endorsed
by the San Antonio Police Officers' Association, the Bexar
County Deputy Sheriff's Law Enforcement Organization, and
the San Antonio Express- News, which stated, "Christian runs
his court in exemplary fashion, with plenty of common sense
and fairness and no bull!"
I am the only candidate
in the current 2006 race, Republican or Democrat, endorsed
by the San Antonio Police Officers' Association. Should
readers have any further questions on this, or any other
issues involved in my campaign, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
Sincerely,
Wayne A. Christian
1800 McCULLOUGH AVENUE
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78212
(210) 271-3888
(210) 271-3980 FAX
lawofficeswac@aol.com
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Message From
Ted Kenyon, Candidate For State Representative District 117 |
|
In the full course of my
career I've enforced and defended the law as a Deputy Sheriff
and upheld the law as an attorney.
These jobs appealed to me
because they meant more than just earning a living. Sure there
were laws I didn't want to enforce, but I had given my word to
uphold the law, but with continued support, come November, I
will get the chance to help write new ones.
The idea of justice is
very important to me – so important that I've spent 19 years
(and counting) of my career in the law field.
Justice ends abuses and
stops those who would promote wrongdoing. A major reason why
I'm running for office is to stop unjust situations in Texas.
I believe it is unjust
when Austin's tax-hikes hurt fixed-budget seniors and
struggling families.
I think it is unjust when
medical doctors have their practices dragged through sometimes
frivolous lawsuits – skyrocketing insurance premiums – MAKING
Health Care for the Texans LESS affordable.
It's unjust when we have
teachers forced to teach a TEST instead of teaching academic
subjects. It is unjust when school administrations measure the
success of a semester in terms of how many books students go
through rather than how many books GET THROUGH TO STUDENTS!
I have to say, its time to
see some action on these matters. And with your contribution
and support we've come closer to ending these unjust
situations.
Thank you very much, and I
hope you can join me in my stand for justice.
http://www.texansforted.org/index.htm
|
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Vote Yes On ALL
4 Ballot Propositions: By The Honorable Paul Bettencourt |
Republicans all across Texas
have the chance to cast their votes for four excellent Ballot
Propositions during the Tuesday, March 7th Primary Election.
These four non-binding ballot propositions were proposed by
State Republican Party Chair,
Tina Benkiser,
and I had the chance to testify for them in committee before
the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) Members
approved each one unanimously.
My reasoning, like the
chairs', was it was high time to get the Republican Party back
to basic grassroots concepts like stopping voter fraud,
protecting your property from governmental seizures for
economic gain only, slowing the growth of all governmental
revenues that are going up twice as fast as needed across the
state, and keeping homeowners taxes from literally "going
through the roof" across the State of Texas!
Prop 1 calls for a "Photo
ID" to vote in any Texas election. Prop 2
provides "Private
Property Protection" against the terrible
Supreme Court ruling last year allowing purely economic based
seizures of private property, your home for example! Prop 3
sets a "Spending
Cap" limit on all government's ability to ask
for more revenue to the sum of their district's yearly
population growth and the area's inflation rate, and Prop 4
lowers the existing "Appraisal
Cap" from 10% to 5% saving Texas Homeowners
hundreds of dollars a year even if property tax rates stay the
same from year to year.
As you can tell, these
four non-binding Ballot Propositions deserve your vote, as
they will tell every Republican Elected Official from the Red
River to the Rio Grande how you feel about each issue as a
member of the Texas Majority Party! Don't miss a
Grand
Old
Party
opportunity by joining your "Taxman"
and Voting
Yes
on all these Ballot Propositions March the 7th. Vote
Conservative, Vote "Yes" on Props 1 thru 4!
Paul Bettencourt is Harris
County Tax Assessor-Collector and was a delegate to the 2004
Republican National Convention in New York City.
Source: AMERICANS
FOR PROSPERITY - AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY FOUNDATION
807 BRAZOS #210 - AUSTIN, TX 78701 - 512-476-5905 -
www.afptx.org
|
|
"The
Republicrat" (A Moderate Viewpoint) |
This is a new series by an
anonymous political insider in Bexar County. The views of this
author do not represent the views of South Texas Republicans.
Early voting has gloriously
come to an end and now we await tomorrow’s verdict. Based on
projections it will be early Wednesday morning before we know
the final outcome and Wednesday’s headlines will tell the
tale.
Hopefully, with a better
than average voter turnout on the Southside, we await to see
if Election Day predictions will produce similar results and
ones to our liking.
The accusations will begin
to subside, although numerous candidates are thin-skinned and
take everything very personal. Some “losers” will blame
everybody but themselves, rationalize their defeat, and
continue their irrational behavior.
Be assured that Party
Chair candidate Dan Ramos will continue his irrational
behavior even after he loses. Odds are still 3-1 he cries like
a baby when the results are in. Now that we know that Ramos
and his henchmen will not adversely affect the Democratic
Primary, we can hopefully rest a little easier, for now. Our
next goal should be to ensure that Party Chair Rudy Casias
quietly fades into the sunset.
The Republicrat stands by
all Primary predictions. The Express-News concurred on
all but one with their endorsements. Their failure to endorse
County Court Judge Oscar Kazen, however, is a blemish on their
record.
Recapping the
Republicrat’s projected winners in the first round: Carlos
Uresti for State Senator, District 19; Linda Penn for JP, Pct.
4; Peter Sakai for 225th District Judge; Congressman Henry
Cuellar for Congressional District 28; Commissioner Paul
Elizondo for Pct. 2; Joe Farias for State Rep. 118th and all
the unopposed, still unopposed!
An all points bulletin is
still in effect for judicial candidate Milton Fagin, County
Court-at-law Paul Canales, County Clerk candidate Tim Ybarra
and judicial candidate Gloria Saldana. Seriously, nobody has
seen them at any function since they filed. If anyone has
spotted them, please call 1-800-who-cares!
Since it is a real slow
week and not too much to report on the primary, (is it over
yet?) In other Democratic political news, the rhetoric
on the controversy on the Elena Guajardo incident continues to
escalate. The man who blames Guajardo for his friend’s death
is demanding that Guajardo resign or face a recall. Nearly
three hundred of her closest friends and/or constituents
rallied at City Hall to defend her reputation, Thursday before
last.
From neighborhood
associations to gay activists and a Balcones Heights City
Councilman, they spoke during “Citizen’s To Be Heard.” During
the nearly two-hour session, only three speakers openly
attacked the Councilwoman to include the perennial City Hall
gadfly, Jack Finger.
Finger was roundly booed
when he accused Guajardo of promoting a gay agenda. Steve
Walker, the Balcones Heights Councilman in turn attacked
Finger for attacking Guajardo. Apparently Walker has his own
set of problems sending out an offensive email attacking the
man who is trying to force Guajardo out of office.
His email was posted on
the right-wing Internet newsletter, the SA Lightning.
Rather than defend his e-mail, Walker caved in and publicly
apologized on the conservative talk show hosted by Carl
Wiglesworth.
Unlike the elected
officials or politicians who are never seen, Walker shows up
to every political event in the city, with or without an
invitation. He has been spotted on the Southside, Westside and
Eastside.
The only place where
Walker is never seen is Balcones Heights. Maybe he should
spend more time in his own city and not have to apologize for
writing offensive e-mails. And what about those combat boots
he wears to political functions? Can’t he afford a decent pair
of shoes?
That’s the moderate viewpoint. I AM the Republicrat.
|
|
Advertising
Opportunities In SCENE IN SA MONTHLY |
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|
|
Toll Roads vs. Selective Use of Road Tolls: The
Difference is a Leadership Opportunity |
John Merrifield
UTSA Professor of Economics
Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute
February 27, 2006
Putting
‘toll’ next to ‘road’ will make a lot of people see ‘red,’ and
I don’t mean ‘red’ state. They envision monopolies, double
taxation, and toll booths. But the resulting energetic
resistance to all combinations of ‘toll’ and ‘road’ needs to
be tamed. The alternative is higher taxes and or bigger
traffic jams and associated high delay, fuel, pollution, and
maintenance costs; something leaders work to avoid.
Toll
Roads - lanes with a 24/7 user fee in addition to the gas tax
you pay for driving anywhere - are not
the answer to our highway capacity issues. Until traffic is
real bad, people will squeeze into the free lanes. That
increases the size of the toll needed to pay for the rarely
used toll lanes. The efficient approach is just one set of
lanes with a toll levied only on congested road segments – all
lanes - during high traffic periods.
The key
economic principle is that wise use results from pricing that
reflects what something costs. People that drive during high
traffic periods do not pay the cost of slowing other people
down. So, a toll should exist for only a few road segments and
only during high traffic periods. Such tolls reduce high
traffic period road use. Only the people that benefit pay for
additional highway capacity.
Until
congestion begins to impose delay costs, there should be no
tolls. Gasoline taxes should pay for enough capacity to handle
off-peak traffic. The toll would finance additional lanes to
ease peak traffic, and reduce peak demand.
The
alternatives to that version of tolling are very costly. We'd
have to choose between frequent, huge congestion delays and
related costs cited above (the status quo), paying gasoline
tax to drive on roads fully financed by 24/7 tolls (the
pro-toll road position) or sit in congested 'free lanes' (e.g.
Houston), or suffer a massive tax increase to pay for enough
road capacity to avoid rush hour congestion (the toll road
opponent position). Selective road tolls are superior.
Congestion is reduced for everyone (no jammed ‘free’ lanes),
while less is spent on construction. Empirical studies have
shown that peak period, congestion tolling yields enormous
benefits in the form of reduced travel times, less auto
maintenance, fewer accidents, and reduced pollution.
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Vote To
Keep Our Freeways FREE-By Terri Hall Of The Texas Toll Party |
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Our chance to begin voting
on the toll issue is March 7 election day!
Not only do you need to
know who voted to toll you and vote against them, but also to
vote on the resolutions at the end of the Republican ballot in
favor of spending and appraisal caps, and, most importantly,
preventing the taking of our PRIVATE PROPERTY and turning it
over to private interests for commercial gain which is already
happening on the toll roads (see details below). See our
cross-partisan endorsement list here: http://satollparty.com/post/?p=116.
Also, get a resolution to
keep our FREEways FREE in our Party platform by downloading
these resolutions and bringing them with you to your PRECINCT
CONVENTION after the polls close on March 7:
http://satollparty.com/post/?p=140.
FOREIGN
MANAGEMENT OF OUR HIGHWAYS LIKE THE PORT DEAL!
With debate swirling over
the foreign management of our public ports still in the
headlines, many find that the Governor-appointed
Transportation Commission’s advocacy for foreign management of
our publicly owned highways is virtually the same as the
highly unpopular Dubai port deal being blocked by Congress (See
Rasmussen poll that shows 83% of Americans against it)
“Sounds like we’re
giving control of our country over to foreign entities,”
says a concerned citizen Ron Schmacher. “It’s almost like we
don’t want to solve our own problems and we’re throwing our
hands up and letting foreign companies do the job for us.”
“It doesn’t take a rocket
scientist to see that the Governor’s Transportation
Commission is promoting the same foreign management of public
infrastructure as the President. Instead of ports, it’s
highways,” contends Terri Hall Regional Director of San
Antonio Toll Party.com, a non-partisan grassroots group of
citizens promoting non-toll, good government transportation
solutions.
On January 17, the
Transportation Commission held an industry workshop promoting
the use of public-private partnerships called CDAs (See
TxDOT’s web site with workshop info). Last June,
the Transportation Commission left the Alamo Regional Mobility
Authority out of their decision to open up the San Antonio
toll starter system to bid as a CDA (Express-News
story on it.).
Two foreign companies,
Spanish-based Cintra and Australian-based Macquarie 1604
Partnership, are bidding to build the toll starter system in
San Antonio (See
Express-News article). Cintra has already landed
the first such deal in Texas for the TTC I-35 project (Houston
Chronicle article here).
“We’re not going to be
able to bring our complaints to Madrid, Spain, if don’t like
the tolls or their actions. The deal will already be
signed before we can see it; then whom will we complain to?
We’ll have federally-funded highways that the federal
government nor state government will be in charge of, ” Bob
McKechnie, resident who lives near the first planned toll
project.
The foreign management and
the secrecy surrounding these projects are what taps the nerve
of most Texans, and due to the national coverage of the Dubai
port deal, the opposition to foreign management of our highway
infrastructure is building, too.
“It’s a canker and it’s
spreading. Not just in Texas, Indiana announced Cintra-Macquarie
as the preferred bidder for a $3.85 billion public-private
partnership (USA
Today article here) and Cintra recently purchased
the Chicago Skyway (See
Toll Road News). It’s by design that they’re now
trying to takeover the Indiana toll road that feeds into the
Skyway,” states Hall. “My question to my fellow Texans is
this: Are we going to lose control of the infrastructure in
our own country or are we going to see to it that our
government doesn’t sell Texas and America to the highest
bidder?
Find out more: http://www.satollparty.com
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Check Out These Excellent Links! They Have Been Personally
Tested And Guaranteed To Go To The Proper Sites.
Keep Up On Local Republican Clubs And Current
Legislative Actions In Austin and Washington. |
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Thank You For Your Wonderful Support Of The
South Texas Republicans, P.A.C.!
Founder/Director Joe Solis
IT/Media Director, Schuylar Crist
(210) 725-0479
(210) 663-6093
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Kendall County
Republicans:
For Information
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On To
www.kc-gop.org
And While There, You Can Find Out What Other
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Commissioner of Agriculture Susan Combs
Needs You! She Needs Volunteers From All Over Texas To Become
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www.susancombs.com
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Learn What Bills Are Before The Texas State
Legislature, Archived Bills, Who Represents You, Congressional
Rules and MUCH MORE!
Texas Legislature Online
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The mission of
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American Conservative Union
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Take A Look At What
Texans for
Lawsuit Reform is Doing To Curb
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'Working to Restore Balance And Justice to the Texas Civil
Justice System."
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The
National Taxpayers Union and National
Taxpayers Foundation Works To Fight For The Rights Of
Taxpayers To Keep More Of What They Earn!
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Alamo City Republican Women holds fast to
the underlying principles of the Republican Party: government by
the people and that each of us must be a part of the process if
it is to work efficiently.
Alamo City Republican Women
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Conservative
Activists
Promoting
Common Sense
Public Policy
With Fiscal Responsibility
Texans For Texas
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The Heritage
Foundation is a research and educational institute whose mission
is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based
on free enterprise, small government, individual freedom,
traditional American values, and a strong national defense.
The
Heritage Foundation
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The
Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas
works to advance the principles of limited
government, individual liberty and free markets
within the Republican Party and throughout Texas. Our candidates
focus on a broad range of issues, including education, taxation,
property rights, gun rights, free speech, federalism and the
proper role of government.
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Tune in to
Take A Stand with Adam McManus
on KSLR AM 630 From 3 until 6pm Monday through Friday.
'Reclaiming the Culture Without Apology!' For Those Who Like
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Please Also Be Sure To Sign
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Click here to sign up for the Dewhurst
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Conservatives of Northwest San Antonio:
Join The
Northwest Republicans
And Keep Up To Date On The
Political Landscape Of Your Community!
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U.T.S.A. Students:
If You Are A Republican And Want to Join With Those of Like
Mind, Check Out
The U.T.S.A. College Republicans
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Welcome To
The Republican Party of Bastrop County.
If You Believe Good Government Is Built On The Foundation Of
Faith, Freedom And Financial Responsibility, Then This Party Is
For You!
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If You Would Like To Keep Up With Governor
Rick Perry's Agenda And Activities, Check Out The
Official Page
for The Governor of Texas. Here You Will Also
Find Out More About Governor Perry's Accomplishments And Of
Course His Family.
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The
Texas Federation of Republican Women
Is A Volunteer Army Unmatched By Any Other Women's Organization.
TFRW Makes It Possible For Women To Influence How Local, State,
And Federal Government Manages Such Critical Issues As Health,
Crime, Education, Taxes And Financial Security.
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For Information On How to Get Involved With
the Young Conservatives of Texas And Many Other Resources Logon
Here
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Join A National Grassroots Effort! Learn
How You Can Make A Difference In Your Own Community.
Grassfire.org
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The
Nueces County Republicans
Believe The Republican Philosophy Is A True
Reflection Of Traditional Texas Values.
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The
For Our Grandchildren Social Security
Education Project, is a non-profit organization whose
purpose is to raise the awareness and understanding of all
Americans regarding the urgent need for Social Security reform
and the various options under consideration.
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TexasInsider.org
Seeks To Provide All That Is News In Texas
And The Nation. It Will Proffer The Latest News As It Happens,
Precisely And Expediently, Not To Mention In A Manner That Does
Not Require Multiple Amendments And A Month Whilst So Doing.
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Free Congress Research and Education
Foundation is politically conservative, but it is
more than that: it is also culturally conservative. Our main
focus is on the Culture War. America, once the greatest nation
on earth, will become no less than a third world country, unless
we take back our cultural values from the abyss of so-called
political correctness.
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Advancing Every Texan's Right To Economic
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Americans For Prosperity
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Do You Want To Know Who Represents You On
the State Board of Education? Do You Want To Know What The State
Board Is Working On Right Now And When Their Meetings Are?
You Can Find This Information And Much More
By Logging On To the
State Board of Education
website.
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We, the
National Federation of Republican
Assemblies have joined ourselves together
within the Republican Party to achieve our common goals - to
give definition and strength to the Conservative movement within
these United States.
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The Current Federal Income Tax System Is Broken. Patching Up The
Existing Code Is Pointless. It's Time For A Fresh Approach, A
Fair Approach. It's Time For The Fair Tax.
For More Information Click Here
Fair Tax!
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If You Are Interested In Finding Out What
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The Website Below!
Office of Management and Budget for San
Antonio
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Conservatives of Tarrant County...If You
Have Been Looking For A Way To Get Involved, Join The
Tarrant County Republican Party
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The
Texas Justice Foundation
Seeks to Mobilize Citizens To Provide, Through Financial And
Service Contributions, Free Legal Representation In Landmark
Cases To Promote Limited Government, Free Markets, Private
Property, And Parental Rights!
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IS A Wonderful Group Just For You!
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Hays County Republicans Are
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Republican Party Out To Our Community.
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Join the
Travis County Republicans every
fourth Thursday of the month for the Travis County Republican
Party Monthly Socials. These monthly social gatherings provide
an opportunity to socialize with other Travis County
Republicans. Locations change monthly, so check out our website
Calendar and announcements to find locations of upcoming
socials!
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The
National Federation of Independent
Business (NFIB) is the largest advocacy organization
representing small and independent businesses in Washington,
D.C., and all 50 state capitals. NFIB was ranked the most
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Taxes? To Find Out How You Can Help Lower Your Property Taxes Go
To
appraisalcap.com
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Interested in politics here in the great state of Texas or on
Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.?
We would like to extend an opportunity for you to not only
learn more about the Bexar County Young Republicans, but also to
join with us.
Join the
Young Republicans of Bexar County
in building a strong foundation for the future.
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Welcome to the
McLennan County Republican Party.
We are proud to be the home county of the President of the
United States, George W. Bush and First Lady, Laura Bush. The
Republican Party is strong in McLennan County. If you need
information on the Republican Party platform feel free to call
our McLennan County Republican Party Headquarters at 254-772-6955
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Arm Yourselves With
The Knowledge And Tools You Need to Make A Positive Change In
Texas!
Texas Public Policy Foundation
"The Foundation seeks to improve Texas government by producing
academically sound research on important issues offered to
policy makers, opinion leaders, the media and general public."
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