Republican Party Of Texas Finances

A recent news report & emails about RPT finances remind me of the rich man’s note to his hopeful heirs, “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” For the record, reports misrepresenting RPT finances & expressing “concern” are in a word: “Hogwash.” The RPT is in great shape and continues to succeed.

Party financial controls are tight. Further, SREC members receive detailed financial reports each quarter, which they have the opportunity to discuss and to have any questions answered.

The National Committeeman & Committeewoman appoint an Audit Committee that supervises an annual audit of RPT records by an outside CPA firm. Auditors have given the RPT a clean audit each year for at least the last 3 years.

Individuals have misrepresented limited campaign financial reports, filed under the notorious McCain-Feingold law, as comprehensive financial statements, which they are NOT. One went so far as to suggest that the RPT has federal debt, as if we had borrowed from the FEC, which is again “Hogwash.” The RPT has no debt but continues to operate in the black under the current chairman.
 

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

- Thomas W. Higginson
 

Tickets are $20/person and are PRE-SALE only.  Please contact Amy Clark for tickets, 449-0300 or abacon@the-i.net

Reserved tables are also available. They seat 8 people and are $160. If desired, signage with your business or personal name will be clearly visible on the table. Also, those who purchase a table are invited to a special pre-event reception with Commissioner Patterson (2 people per reserved table, please.) Please contact Amy if you or your business would be interested in purchasing a reserved table for 8 for $160.  Remember, we cannot accept corporate checks at this time. 
 

U.S. Senator from Texas John Cornyn poses with Schuylar Crist following a wonderful speech at CPAC 2006!

After some interviews on 'Radio Row', Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum takes a moment for a picture with Schuylar Crist at CPAC 2006.

First and foremost, I want to thank each and every one of you who gave so generously so that I could attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. on February 9-11, 2006. This would not have been possible without the contributions you blessed me with.

Over three wonderful days, I was able to participate in grassroots education opportunities provided by the Leadership Institute, based in Alexandria, Virginia. I took part in a public speaking class, as well as a class in media relations. I listened to discussion panels ranging in topic from the nuclear threats of Iran and North Korea, to the current state of our Homeland Security, to *feigns shock* the liberal bias of the media and its impacts on public opinion.

During the conference, I had the opportunity to purchase some great books from Anne Coulter, Richard Miniter, Lt. Colonel Oliver North and others. I even had the chance to meet Michelle Malkin, a FOX NEWS political analyst face to face and exchange contact information. I also was able to meet *as evidenced in the pictures above* syndicated radio talk show host G. Gordon Liddy, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum, and our own U.S. Senator John Cornyn! I also had a chance to meet with Tennessee U.S. Senator Bill Frist (who has family ties to Seguin!), Phylis Schlafly, who is the founder of Eagle Forum, Minutemen United Co-founder Chris Simcox, Dr. Rick Scarborough of Vision America, and Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund. I also had a good conversation with Republican candidate Greg Parke, who is running against Vermont’s very liberal ‘Independent’ Bernie Sanders in the U.S. Senate.

There were dozens of conservative vendors, and organizations at this conference from all over the country. It was such an amazing time and I was truly blessed to have had this unique experience. I must have passed out 300 of my South Texas Republicans PAC business cards!! I was pleased to have the opportunity to talk with so many business, political and grassroots conservatives. The wealth of knowledge I was able to obtain through this conference and the associations I made is immeasurable.

As part of the Diamond Package, I was able to attend a dinner featuring Vice President Dick Cheney as the keynote speaker! I literally sat 4th row center and listened to his wonderful speech, as well as an inspired speech given by Virginia Senator George Allen (and potential Presidential Candidate in 2008). It was an amazing evening with great speeches and great food. During that dinner, I had the chance to meet Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman.

Thank you again for every contribution you, our loyal supporters, gave me to take this amazing trip! I am honored by your support and your friendship. God bless you!
 

Improving Higher Education

Rep. Mercer led legislation to bring a permanent Texas A&M campus to San Antonio's Southside.

Rep. Mercer authored legislation to increase funding to UTSA facilities by $20 million to improve our San Antonio campus.

Rep. Mercer won approval for an additional $465 million in Texas Grants and Texas Equalization Grants.

Rep. Mercer eliminated the 'Research Tax' adding $86 million more research grant funds to Texas Universities.

Supporting Public Schools

Rep. Mercer has continuously shown his support for public school teachers.

Rep. Mercer co-authored legislation to eliminate the Health Care Management fee saving Texas schools over $18 million.

Rep. Mercer pressed for the reimbursement of classroom expenses garnering $12 million in grants and savings to Texas schools.
 

- Charles Evans Hughes
 

UTSA Professor of Economics

Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute

February 27, 2006

Thomas Jefferson said that, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be.” A national bipartisan commission stated the modern version of Jefferson’s observation in its strongly worded, 1983 ‘Nation at Risk’ resolution; reaffirmed by a 1990 Congressional Resolution, and another national commission report (2001) declaring our woeful education system an urgent national security issue. But despite frenzied attempts to wring better performance from the current system, the national emergency persists. Sadly, all signs point towards Jefferson gradually being proven correct. Our freedoms are in retreat, and our economic prosperity is becoming increasingly dependent on foreign-educated talent.

The current system is the problem. Because reforms like higher standards, more money, and better teachers sound like they can’t fail, we keep trying them. But they continue to disappoint because educators and families lack the information of a market price system, and lack the incentives of competition and profit-loss. Market accountability - freedom informed by changing market prices and constrained by competition - has an awesome track record. The alternatives do not. Leadership in making that case on behalf of education reform is long overdue.

Why is there so much resistance? Re-segregation is an often-raised concern. But the only realistic threats to the little progress that has been made are restrictions on choice that limit competition and stifle the diversification of the schooling options. Choice is already a widely used integration tool, and more widespread use, with fewer restrictions would help us truly desegregate schools and neighborhoods. Choice available to all would not leave anyone behind. Choice restricted to a few leaves children behind, by definition. Restrictions usually hurt the least advantaged the most, often including restrictions that seem to favor them. 

The least advantaged have the most to gain from the additional competition that results when school choice is universal, and when families can use their share of public funds to buy more schooling than the public funds alone will buy. Banning ‘topping off’ is a common and severe mistake. It amounts to price control. Price control has a 4000 year record of failure, stagnation, and devastation; yes, devastation. After price control nearly starved Washington’s Continental Army, the Continental Congress formally resolved never to impose price controls again. We have forgotten the lesson. In this case, price control exists because class warfare rhetoric causes some of us to imagine that increased private spending on education by the relatively wealthy hurts other people. Increased education spending by the wealthy helps everyone else. Even in the unlikely event that it would widen the achievement gap between the most and least advantaged, that is less important to the well-being of the least advantaged than the absolute size of the achievement gains they would realize from market accountability without price control. The simple leadership imperative – focus on results, rather than public vs. private – also solves the equity problem. Let parents control which schools get the public funds earmarked for schooling, and add some money of their own to the public funds if they want to.
 

Rick Vela previously served as Governor Perry’s South Texas Field Representative. During the 2004 election cycle, Vela served as the South Texas Field Representative for Texas Victory ’04. Vela’s campaign experience also includes multiple state house races and US congressional races and a US Senatorial race. Vela is a graduate of St. Mary’s University.

“Rick is a great addition to our team. We’re fortunate to have him onboard as we head into the home stretch of our primary campaign,” said Antuna.
 

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
 

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
 

We've got the state of Texas insisting 67% of the voters want tolls (you decide if Prop 15 says all new improvements in Texas will be tolled): Prop 15

Prop 15 passed in 2001 mentions toll roads as an OPTION, but nowhere does it tell the public that on Dec. 18, 2003, the Transportation Commission would pass a toll first mandate (if they can prove it viable, they’re going to toll it without considering other alternatives).

The exact wording of that proposition is:

“The constitutional amendment creating the Texas Mobility Fund and authorizing grants and loans of money and issuance of obligations for financing the construction, reconstruction, acquisition, operation, and expansion of state highways, turnpikes, toll roads, toll bridges, and other mobility projects.”

The voters passed this with 67% of the vote, and it was sold to them as allowing TxDOT to borrow future gas tax revenues in order to speed up highway projects (versus simply pay as you go funding). Nowhere is a toll-only mandate mentioned in that proposition. It’s disingenuous to say 67% of voters want toll roads! In fact, TxDOT’s own study by UT Austin shows over 70% of Texans are against the tolling of existing highways.

The state of Texas also claims local leaders make the decisions to toll, but that's not the case either…

Local tolling authority left out of decision:

Truth About Local Tolling Authority

Then you've got Joe Krier and highway lobby hijacking the Express-News commentary Sunday, March 12 with all sorts of misrepresentations without those reporters even speaking to the grassroots!:

Joe Krier

BUT, you can decide if the voters have had a true choice at the ballot box and you can decide which system you'd rather use…gas taxes versus unbridled toll taxes:

An unlikely ally, Express-News columnist Carlos Guerra, demonstrates tolls will be 25-100 times more money than gas taxes:

Guerra Article

This wholesale move by Republicans to privatize even our public infrastructure will BACKFIRE with the grassroots like the Indiana toll road deal the GOP pushed through when the public was against it 2 to 1:

Backfire

Find out more: http://www.satollparty.com/index.php
 

How To Get Political 'Street Cred' By Matt Lewis, President of Campaign Leadership Company, LLC

If you want to be taken seriously as a political leader, the most important element you need is ... credibility. This isn't just true in politics, it's universally true. 

Inner-city youths quickly discern whether or not you have "street cred." High school kids can tell if you're a "fake" -- or a "poseur."  And an art aficionado can quickly tell whether or not you are legitimate or merely a dilettante. 

Politics is no different. Without credibility, you don't have a message.

In my view, there are two elements involved in establishing credibility: Character and competence.

Character is vital because if people don't believe what you have to say, it doesn't matter how good of a public speaker you are. We've all met "slick" politicians who lose elections because people just don't trust them. 

As conservative icon, Morton Blackwell, says, "In politics, you have your word and your friends; go back on either and you're dead." If you want to be taken seriously as a leader, start living a life that will, in the words of Winston Churchill, "Deserve Victory!"

Merely being a person of character will get you a long way. But as important as character is, it's not the sole source of your credibility. Competence is also a vital part of your credibility. 

There are plenty of good and decent men and women who are simply incompetent. We've all heard this criticism of politicians before: "He's a good guy, but he's not ready for Prime Time..."

The easiest way to demonstrate your competence is through your experience. If you are planning on running for office in the future, what can you do today to gain the experience you will need in the future? 

Can you join a club, volunteer for a cause, or sit on an honorary board of directors? It's too late to wait until an election year to gain experience. You've got to start today!

In order to gain credibility, you need both character and competence. One isn't enough. You need both. And the good news is that each of us can grow in our character -- and each of us can work to gain the experience needed to be a better leader in the future.

... So don't wait around; get started today!

Your habits today (good or bad) will determine your credibility tomorrow.
 

Later today, we will learn if County Court-At-Law Judge #9 Oscar Kazen retains his bench or not. As we speak, Kazen’s 12-vote margin apparently vanished in the provisional ballot phase. Attorney Laura Salinas now leads by one. Would it be a no-brainer to believe there will be a demand for a recount? Only time will tell.

By late this afternoon the results will be posted on the Democratic Party website. The cost for a recount is astronomical and the candidate who is declared the loser will have to come up with big bucks to contest it.

Democratic County Court-At-Law Judge #7 Monica Guerrero is also experiencing some bad press lately. Her personal love life seems to be interfering with her professional career. Her Republican challenger, attorney and former schoolteacher Genie Wright, may benefit from the controversy.

Shades of déjà vu, all over again! Anybody recall former Republican County Court-At-Law Judge #6 M’Liss Christian whose personal life with former City Councilman David Garcia not only cost her re-election bid, but her brother’s bench as well? Ironically, it was then-challenger Phil Meyer who captured her seat while Kazen captured Wayne Christian’s bench. Wayne now has a shot to fill his sister’s old bench seat in November.

The Bexar County Democratic Party’s County Executive Committee (CEC) met this past week to certify all victorious candidates from the Democratic Primary. What a joke! Rudy Casias still hasn’t got a clue. So what else is new? 

Between chaos, lack of organization, and logic, I can’t explain which is worse. We can only hope that Carla Vela, the new Party Chair will perform miracles. She has so much to do and so little time to turn things around if it is not too late.

Precinct Chairs anticipated a good turnout at the statutory canvassing meeting on Thursday night to declare winners of the Primary. Turns out that only about 50 Precinct Chairs showed up for the event. Although the turnout was reported as dismal, the meeting apparently turned ugly and a free-for-all ensued.

I am informed that opposing sides engaged in a screaming match deluxe. It is reported that Casias called the meeting to order and then declined to officiate. He passed the gavel to one of his cohorts and bedlam reigned supreme. Sounds like the same old song, second verse.

Now that we have a run-off in progress for the Senate with Barbara Radnofsky and the perennial Gene Kelly (not the dancer) and Lt. Governor Candidates Mary Alvarado and Ben Grant, the second round begins. With Kinky Friedman and Carole Strayhorn in the possible mix, who knows what will happen in November. Kinky needs to put away the beer and concentrate on his campaign.

The low voter turnout in the Democratic Primary was insulting at seven percent.  A number of local Democrats openly refused to vote in the Primary so they could sign Kinky Friedman’s petition to get on the ballot. Word is that if he does, Chris Bell is toast. The word is that without Kinky Friedman, Chris Bell would still be toast.

With a battle royal for State Democratic Party Chair in full bloom, local candidate and Westside attorney Charlie Jones is vying for the position, along with former State Senator Glenn Maxey and an unknown East Texas candidate for the coveted position.

The future of the Democratic Party in Bexar County is still in flux. Carla Vela’s leadership style will make a difference. Who she taps to serve as executive director, who she chooses as her staff and those she surrounds herself with, will be the determining factor on whether nor not she will make the difference.

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.