CONSERVATIVES:  Get Ready FOR “The SHARP Payroll Tax” Courtesy Of The Texas Tax Reformation Commission And Democrat John Sharp

The Texas Tax Reform Commission chaired by former Texas comptroller and Democrat John Sharp is getting all of us ready for a small “tax on gross receipts” based on income. They are not calling it a payroll tax. They are not saying it’s an income tax. Friends, do not believe what they are saying or proposing. GET READY FOR PAYROLL/INCOME TAX on all SMALL Business owners in this state. 

Most small business owners in this state are having a tough time making payroll, dealing with high gas prices and intense competition. The state of Texas is now going to sock it to us by slamming us with an income tax disguised as a “tax on gross receipts” at a very low rate. That is what the clowns in Washington said about the social security tax decades again. They told us not to worry because it would only be 1% of payroll, or something very low. It is now the poster child of waste and mismanagement. Can you imagine how much our seniors would have if they had been allowed to invest in securities as an option?

Conservatives, all of us will be painted us uncompassionate barbarians because we will probably oppose this new income tax in drag.  Democrat and lobbyist John Sharp is utilizing his Clintonian skills of persuasion to scam every one of us when they eventually produce this report. PLEASE pay attention to this early warning. A STATE INCOME TAX is coming like a freight tax and your bank account is the likely victim. 

Mr. Sharp talks about this new tax with an air of resignation and never discusses government waste, privatization or spending reductions by legislators. Message to us: We have no choice, but to implement this itsy bitsy tax. Just SAY NO to DEMOCRAT JOHN SHARP and the BIG SPENDERS in AUSTIN.
 

THE HONORABLE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS RICK PERRY

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

11:00 a.m.

The Civic Center Auditorium

New Braunfels, Texas

And featuring

The Kyle Sisters of Austin, Texas,

Singing “The National Anthem”

Silver Star Sponsorship - $400.00

Premium Table for 10 and recognition in Program

Unreserved Seating – $25.00 per person

Call (830) 899-7555 or email clrw@gvtc.com

Paid for by the Canyon Lake Republican Women PAC
 

The following piece was posted by South Texas Republicans on January 16, 2006.  The title of the Newsletter was “Conservatives to State Representative Carter Casteel – You’re Fired!” Nathan Macias Takes On Carter Casteel For State Representative In District 73

Commentary by South Texas Republicans: The 73rd district covers 4 counties: Comal, Bandera, Kendall and Gillespie. Friends, get ready for one bloody primary battle in the Hill Country. This one is going to get good because an assortment of conservatives have said enough is enough. It is time to retire State Representative Carter Casteel once and for all. The political machine behind Nathan Macias is absolutely incredible. Mr. Macias has some important friends in Austin based on what we have seen. (They could probably invade a small country if you sent them to Central America with arms. Yes, they are playing to win.)

This race is very significant because it will indicate what kind of political muscle conservatives can flex in the Hill Country. An assortment of social conservatives, toll party activists, and key players in Austin have a decent shot at taking this seat back. (Isn’t State Representative Carter Casteel a Republican? Conservatives would beg to differ.) Okay, amigos, you heard it here first. Buckle your seats because this race is already getting personal and nasty. This is textbook Texas hardball politics in all its glory.”

Nathan Macias' Campaign Website

March 13, 2006, Commentary:  Indeed, the silent majority within the Republican Party is rising and it is speaking with a clear voice. Lead like a Republican or we will show you the exit door. This was a victory for the home schoolers and social conservatives who went door to door for Nathan. This was a grassroots victory in many ways.

It is also a triumphant moment for the Toll Party movement led by Terri Hall. We have always shown these individuals respect because the fact is that Texas is changing and we must change with the times. 

We are excited for Mr. Macias because he was willing to defy the Republican elites, the lobbyists in Austin and the naysayers who doubt the growing conservative movement. This is real and it is not turning back.
 

SAN ANTONIO, TX --- (March 3, 2006) ---– Leon Ewing, President/CEO of Firstmark Credit Union, recently announced the promotion of Kelli Larsen to Assistant Vice President – Legislative Advocacy.   

Ms. Larsen was hired in 2002 as the Credit Union’s first-ever Legislative Advocacy Director.  She was charged with establishing Firstmark Credit Union, the largest state-chartered credit union in San Antonio, as a recognized leader in political involvement. As AVP – Legislative Advocacy, she will continue representing the interests of Firstmark, credit unions and credit union members at the state and federal level, and in the community. She holds a B.A. in economics from Southwestern University. 

With $564 million in assets and over 86,000 members, Firstmark Credit Union is the fourth-largest credit union in San Antonio. Firstmark Credit Union serves the financial needs of everyone who lives, works or attends school in Bexar County; and, as always, education-related employees in Bexar County and the 12 surrounding counties; and their relatives.

# # #

Commentary by South Texas Republicans: We would like to congratulate Kelli Larsen on this wonderful and impressive promotion. The credit union leadership community in Bexar County has been amazing over the past 10 years. Individuals including Eddie Riojas, John Worthington, Leon Ewing and Kelli Larsen have been outstanding leaders in this county. 

They represent their organizations and members in a first class manner. They also give their time and hard work to assorted business and charitable organizations with little to no fanfare. Keep up the good work. Many of us appreciate what you do for this county of more than 1,200,000 citizens. 
 

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
 

In what could be called a coup, the San Antonio Toll Party and the Texas Toll Party exercised their political muscles in the primaries March 7 and came up with two key victories in unseating tollers State Representative for District 73 Carter Casteel and Travis County Commissioner Karen Sonleitner. Nathan Macias won by a hair, only 45 votes, to upset incumbent Casteel.

There can be NO doubt, in a race that close, our votes helped tip the scales in Macias' favor! We energized fiscal conservatives and even folks who normally don't vote in the primaries to get out and de-elect tollers despite the two independent races causing confusion, and we scored a HUGE VICTORY! Carter Casteel WAS my State Representative and she stubbornly REFUSED to listen to her constituents on the toll issue and voted to toll us EVERY chance she got. We sent her packing! Macias beat her 2 to 1 and even 3 to 1 outside New Braunfels (Casteel's stronghold).

Though Casteel tried to make the campaign about who funded her opponent, at the end of the day it's votes not money that wins elections. SA Toll Party.com and the Texas Toll Party have now earned some serious political capital they intend to bring into the general election November 7. 

All politicians are on notice that if you refuse to represent the will of the supermajority of Texans, you'll be thrown out of office! There was clearly an anti-incumbent backlash that began March 7. Incumbents were tossed out in at least 5 house races and, notably, Senator Frank Madla on the senate side here locally.

PRECINCT CONVENTIONS

Our grassroots supporters were afoot Tuesday night turning out to their precinct conventions, many becoming precinct chairman and delegates who will be going to the Republican Party State Convention in June (that will be held right here in San Antonio June 2 & 3). I heard back from many of them. They reported the toll resolutions, especially those against foreign management of our highway infrastructure, dominated the evening.

Our Party needs to return to our fiscally conservative, less government roots and stop the U.S. addiction to foreign money. Read these articles for more on the foreign takeover of our public infrastructure: http://satollparty.com/post/?p=87, http://satollparty.com/post/?p=155,  and http://www.newswithviews.com/Spivey/phyllis3.htm.

TOLL ROAD IN CA RAISES PRICES TO $8.50 ONE WAY FOR JUST 10 MILES!

TxDOT has been claiming toll rates will be 18 cents a mile. The average cost per mile for a traditional turnpike is 9 cents a mile. Why are we being asked to pay double the national average? And those are just the starting toll rates. Wait until the new quasi-governments of the future, public-private partnerships, get a hold of the toll rates. A foreign entity known as Cintra and its partner Macquarie (Australian based) are the sole bidders for the San Antonio Toll starter system (How is it "competitive" bidding when the two bidders are partners on toll roads all over the world?). Cintra is known as the most expensive toll operator in the world. Julie Brown of TxDOT has repeatedly said they plan to charge whatever the market will bear. Gas taxes are just pennies per mile, but tolls are edging closer to a dollar!

See it here: http://satollparty.com/post/?p=15
 

Terri Hall Of The Texas Toll Party Invites You To A Public Debate on Toll Roads

Make your reservations. You won't want to miss this. We need supporters in the audience in a BIG way. We're Daniel headed into the lion's den of highway interests all over again. You can bet TxDOT, SAMCO, the RMA, Greater Chamber types and hundreds in the highway lobby will be there to cheer on their boys! The press will be present, but the debate will not be televised live. We're working on doing a televised debate moderated by the Express-News before the Nov. 7 election!

South Chamber of Commerce presents:
Public Debate on Toll Roads
Wednesday, March 29, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Featuring
Terri Hall, Founder/Director San Antonio Toll Party and
Bill Barker, Transportation Expert & Certified Planner
AGAINST TOLLS
VS.
Joe Krier, Greater Chamber and San Antonio Mobility Coalition (highway lobby) and
Bill Thornton, Alamo Regional Mobility Authority Chair
FOR TOLLS

MODERATOR:
KTSA 550 AM Radio Talk Show Host Chris Duell

Luncheon Information:
The Plaza San Antonio Hotel
(at Alamo and Durango downtown)
$40 a plate

Contact South San Antonio Chamber for reservation and more information: (210) 533-1600 or visit online.
 

Please contact Schuylar Crist at skyskyrider@hotmail.com if you are interested in volunteering in a political campaign at the local or state level. Send over your interests and we will do our best to put you in contact with the appropriate or desired political campaign. We maintain great relationships with state officials and judicial candidates who are always seeking grassroots volunteers. 
 
GET INVOLVED this year!!!  Make a difference by volunteering in a political campaign.
 

 Helotes Republicans Features Ted Kenyon, Candidate For District 117 State Representative

You’re invited to attend the first Helotes Republicans Meeting

Tuesday, MARCH 21, 2006

Meeting will be held at Helotes Hickory Hut BBQ

14436 Old Bandera Rd.

Helotes, Texas 78023-3737

6:00 PM - Networking and optional Dinner

7:00 PM - Program Begins

Guest Speakers:

Diane Rivera, Candidate for the 45 Judicial District Court

Ted Kenyon, Candidate for State Representative District 117

TO RSVP CALL 210-342-6509

I would like to welcome you to my new Web site and thank you for visiting!   

As Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, I serve as the State Representative for District 82 and as Speaker to the 149 House members and all Texans. I am elated to offer this new site to keep citizens from Dallas to Laredo and El Paso to Beaumont up-to-date on the issues debated at the state capital in Austin.

Although the Texas Legislature does not convene in a Regular Session until January of 2007, there is still a lot of activity during the interim.   This time gives us ample opportunity to research and draft legislation. Budget writers have already begun analyzing and preparing for the next fiscal year. We are working on solutions to respond to the recent Supreme Court decision, and we continue to come up with ideas that will make our public education system better for every Texas school child.

At home, at work, and in our schools, our lives are made easier when information posted on the Internet is available at the click of a mouse. I envision this Web site serving as a tool to deliver news and information to Texans.

Please contact me if you have additional questions or would like more information about an issue you see posted on the site. I hope you enjoy searching this Web site and I look forward to hearing from you.

The site can be found at http://www.tomcraddick.com. This new web portal will be a useful tool for citizens across Texas and members of your organization to learn about actual news and events in the Texas House of Representatives and in Austin. 
 

CORNYN HONORED FOR STANDING UP FOR TEXAS TAXPAYERS
Receives “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” for consistently voting to reduce burden on taxpayers

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Small Business and Joint Economic committees, received the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” this week for his consistent work to reduce and control the burden on American taxpayers. Cornyn received the award from the non-partisan National Taxpayers Union (NTU). The recognition is awarded based on hundreds of Senate votes and is considered one of the most comprehensive scorecards available on federal tax, spending and regulatory issues. This is Cornyn’s second consecutive award.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition and will continue working to ensure that the tax dollars Americans send to Washington are used wisely and effectively,” Cornyn said. “We must make permanent the tax relief passed by Congress in recent years. This will allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money to save, invest and spend based on their own circumstances and needs, rather than reflecting the priorities of special interests and bureaucrats in Washington.”

The 350,000-member NTU is a non-partisan citizen organization working for lower taxes, smaller government, and more economic freedom at all levels. The group honors members of both chambers of Congress each year for consistently voting in favor of taxpayers. Cornyn received the organization’s highest possible grade.

Sen. Cornyn, also a member of the Senate Budget Committee, added: “As this year’s budget process proceeds, it’s critical that we continue working to reduce federal spending and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. I’m confident that we will continue to expand economic opportunities for all Americans and keep the economy growing while funding our nation’s top priorities.”

The President of NTU, John Berthoud, said: “While many members of Congress talk about reducing the size of government, Sen. Cornyn backed up those words with votes. This award proves that he is a consistent and effective ally in our battle to restore fiscal responsibility to Washington.”

Berthoud added: “By consistently voting to reduce federal spending, taxes, and debt, Sen. Cornyn has truly earned the title, ‘Taxpayers’ Friend.’ If every member of Congress had voted as responsibly as Sen. Cornyn did in 2005, Americans could enjoy much lower taxes and less waste in government. Overburdened taxpayers in Texas and across the nation owe Sen. Cornyn a debt of gratitude for his hard work on their behalf.”

Sen. Cornyn is a member of the following key Senate Committees: Armed Services; Judiciary; Budget; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; and Joint Economic. He is also the chairman of the subcommittees on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship; and Emerging Threats and Capabilities. 

www.cornyn.senate.gov
 

The first round of the Bexar County Democratic Primary is over. Since all but two of those candidates I predicted would win in the first round did win, all I can say is…and the political prognosticator of Bexar County is…

Check out the following headlines.

“Familiar Cuellar-Rodriguez saga”

“Uresti dethrones Madla”

“Farias, Antuna leads the field of would-be Uresti successors”

“Elizondo wins 6th term, keeps his undefeated record”

“Vela, Ramos in tight race”

It is hard to comprehend that the disgraced ACLU has-been, Dan Ramos, actually only lost the election for Party Chair, by a thread. What is even more deplorable is the Party Chair Rudy Casias and his assistant Mary Cole maintain that they have to wait for mail-in ballots to determine the final outcome, considering Vela beat Ramos by 470 votes!

It is incredulous that Judge Kazen won by only 12 votes over challenger Laura Salinas. Again we won’t know until March 20th to see if that result will stand. On a Republican note, I predicted weeks ago that George Antuna would face Steve Salyer in a run-off. Who knew Antuna would be just shy of an outright win?

The shocker is that County Judge Phil Meyer was taken out by challenger Ray Olivarri and JP Saul Acevedo was beaten by perennial challenger Ricardo Martinez. Makes no sense, but that is politics. I did predict there would be at least one major upset.

Olivarri’s upset win almost assures former Judge Wayne Christian of returning to the bench. I predicted earlier that Christian would win the Republican nomination, even though the Express-News endorsed his opponent Gee, I hate when that happens.

Now the litany of questions begins.

Can we finally say good-bye and good riddance to what’s his name, Rudy Casias, before he does any more damage to the Party? Will we ever see judicial candidate Milton Fagin before November? How about County Court-at-law Paul Canales showing his face outside of his court until November? Who is County Clerk candidate Tim Ybarra, anyway? Is he short, tall, good-looking, coyote ugly? Can someone pick him out of a line-up? And finally what can we expect in the future from Gloria Saldana?

Now that judicial candidate Carleton Spears has raised some big bucks with the Republicans help, and the campaign of judicial candidate Barbara Scharf-Zeldes is finally starting to jell, (she is a sweetheart) what happens next? All those who are still left standing have a lot of work to do to convince the voting public (both Republicans and Democrats) that they are the best candidates for their race in November.

Past history tells us that there will be some noticeable crossover in the general election. There are rumblings already about some high profile Republicans and high profile Democrats who will cut across party lines to endorse judicial candidates in the other party.

Many of those who slid through the first round without an opponent in the primary or general election haven’t been mentioned here so far. Those include: County Court-at-Law Judges Irene Rios, JoAnn De Hoyos and Michael Mery. Also not previously mentioned are District Judges Carmen Kelsey, Phil Kazen and Tessa Herr.

County Judge Nelson Wolff and Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, along with State Reps. Trey Fischer, Robert Puente, Ruth Jones McClendon and Mike Villarreal were untouched in the Primary and not previously mentioned here. Finally, classy Justice Catherine Stone of the 4th Court of Appeals drew a bye all the way through the November election.

As time goes on, I anticipate singling out some of our Democratic candidates, elected officials and Party players for positive and negative dissecting. I might even pick apart a Republican or two. (A no-brainer)

Now that Dan Ramos has been vanquished, my sights will be refocused elsewhere on others. Only time will tell.   

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

Date: Friday, March 24th

Time: 11:00 AM 

Location: The Club at Sonterra, 901 Sonterra Blvd. 

Guest speaker Jonathan Gurwitz will speak between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM. 

Cost: $17

Contact: Deana Sommerville (210) 490-7263.  Men welcome. Luncheon $17.

Mr. Gurwitz is a co-founder and also served as Director General of the Future Leaders Alliance program at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. He has been listed on the Foreign Service Register of the US State department since 1986 and is a member of the Electoral College of the United States. He is now a columnist and editorial writer for the San Antonio Express-News whose columns on politics, social issues and international affairs are distributed worldwide by the Hearst News Service and the New York Times News Service.

Hispanic Republican Women of San Antonio Membership Drive

Date: Saturday, March 18th

Time: 12:30-2:30pm

Location: Cha Cha's Restaurant, 2026 Babcock Road

Guest Speaker: Attorney Gina Parker

Topic: "How The Courts Silence The Voice Of The People"

Cost: $7 for members; Prospective members are complimentary

Contact: Jane Briggs at 691-9695, or Laura at (254) 498-7330 or lauracalo@gmail.com