Look at the following news reports:

Story #1:

Pampa News, October 18, 2006

NEW TAX FOR BUSINESSES CALLED “TAXPAYER'S NIGHTMARE”
An Austin lobbyist thinks that as soon as business owners begin writing checks for the new margin tax passed by the Texas Legislature lastspring, things will change. The lobbyist, Ed Small, noted that under the new margin tax, a company could lose money and still owe taxes.

(Source: Copyright by Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved)

Story #2

David Hendricks: State's new tax policy could send the trucking industry fleeing

The state's new margin tax will drive away headquarters of Texas-based trucking companies to other states unless the law is changed to allow more payroll deductions, a national association warns.

San Antonio Express-News/ Web Posted: 01/26/2007 08:51 PM CST

Original Source

Story #3

ABBOTT TAKES STEPS AGAINST SPRINT NEXTEL BILLING PRACTICES

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today took legal action to stop Sprint Nextel Corp. from harming its Texas customers with deceptively worded wireless telephone fees.

In January, Sprint Nextel began charging Texas customers a 1 percent fee, claiming it was necessary to reimburse the company for a state-imposed tax. Sprint Nextel describes this fee as a "Texas Margin Fee Reimbursement," wording which the Attorney General’s lawsuit alleges is deceptive because the tax does not become effective until Jan. 1, 2008, and has not been set at a 1% rate.

(Copyright February 5, 2007 by Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, all rights are reserved)

In my opinion:

• The average business owner is Texas is crafty, strategic and shrewd.

• Business owners also like to hire clever and savvy accountants and tax planners.

• Finally, they have no interest in feeding a state government they have no faith in.

 How can you avoid paying the new business margin income tax in 2008?

That advice is not ready yet. It is being written and devised right now by the best accountants in the state. They are hard at work figuring this one out. I presume large firms like Ryan and Company are working on all kinds of strategies and lobbying to help their upper crust clients avoid this awful new tax. 

This newsletter correctly predicted that Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Speaker of the House Tom Craddick would give us a new margin business income tax in 2006. We were right. The stories above prove that new taxes are destructive and detrimental to an economy. Of course, our elites in Austin told us that we needed this tax because it was the right thing to do. (It was all about job security in November.)

They lied again. 

We are not the party of new taxes.

We are not the party of big government.

We are not the party that believes in nanny-style government. 

We are the party of fiscal conservatism, free markets and small government.

Yes, tax policy does matter.

The elites wonder why we don’t trust them.

Why should we?

“We, the people….” that’s what it is all about.
 

Thursday, February 15, 2007

11:30 a.m.

Water Street Oyster Bar, 7500 Broadway.

Reservations: Mike Bigley at 210-287-9225 or mailto:mike.bigley@excelbenefits.biz
 

The Alamo City Republican Women's Club will be hosting a membership reception on February 20 at 11:00 in Historic Monte Vista. Elizabeth Ames Jones, one of Texas' most powerful women, will be the featured speaker. Ms. Jones is the former State Representative of District 121.

She is currently Chairman of the Railroad Commission in charge of regulating our oil and gas industry. Cost to attend is $35.00 which includes a year's membership in Alamo City Republican Women. 

For reservations or information contact Barbara at 342-5482, Carolyn at 4993-6210, or ACRWreservations@gmail.com
 

This past Monday, I received a reply from one of our readers, Karen Rodriguez, regarding my article pointing out the “unRepublican” standards of operation by our Bexar County headquarters.

Ms. Rodriguez unfortunately did not see the forest for the trees, as she stated “It was a hateful, sarcastic attack on the headquarters’ management but offered little practical input on how to help the Republican Party. Anyone can criticize and call names but a true leader steps up in a positive manner.” Let me be clear, I am positive…positive that the Bexar County GOP headquarters positively needs a CHANGE TO CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP, fiscally and otherwise!

Clearly, she needed me to spell out HOW to fix the budget crisis in the local party, and how to lead in a proper manner. I thought subtlety was the more honorable approach. Perhaps that was not enough.

I thought pointing out that a reconsideration of Steve Heinrich’s (Communications Director of the Bexar GOP) salary of $2,000 a month in light of our over $5,280 deficit (which continues hemorrhaging more money today) might be in order was offering a solution. (Yes, Steve is not currently getting paid, but his wages (which is for, at best, once a month communication) are part of what created the mess, in addition to the overspending on elite fundraising activities.) What about my suggestion, that paying out even more money to bring in “cabinet level speakers” for events that will not break even, was not the best way to fiscal responsibility? Silly me, I guess I forgot all about the solutions.

Excuse me for calling people out when their arrogance is showing. I believe leadership requires, first and foremost, a SERVANT'S heart! A plan comes in at a close second.

Ms. Rodriguez also falsely gives me credit for Bonilla pieces written by my friend and PAC partner, Joe Solis in the last year. Mind you, I agree in principle with every one of them, but I didn’t write them. I will say again that we cannot afford Hillary or Ciro Rodriguez. Apparently, we decided we cannot afford Henry Bonilla’s pork or elitist arrogance either.

I have been loyal to CONSERVATIVE Republicans for 12 years and will continue to be so! My loyalty is beyond reproach. Being a Republican is more than having an (R) at the end of one’s name. I am not a Big Tent jackass. If one is for the ‘Big Tent, accept everyone regardless of your beliefs’ ideology, the ‘other side’ will most assuredly welcome you.
 

Gardasil is an ethical way to prevent disease and protect our neighbors’ children as well as our own, while we continue to teach and encourage them to abstain from sex outside of marriage. I hope that by giving the vaccination before 6th grade, younger children will be less likely to connect the vaccine with sexual activity and will be protected when they do have sex the first time. In addition, younger girls show stronger immune responses than older girls and women.

Gardasil, while new, is produced the same way insulin is manufactured: by recombinant DNA. It's not a weakened or killed virus, isn't grown in human tissues and doesn't contain mercury. The vaccine contains copies of antigens that are part of the outside covering of the virus, not the DNA that causes infection and cancer. Vaccinated patients make antibodies against four strains that cause the most harm.

Chapter 38.001 of the Texas Education Code mandates certain vaccines and allows the agencies under the Governor's control to add others. This section also forces parents who wish to “opt out” to request and then file a certain form. The Governor has ordered that parents be able to request the form on the internet, which should be simpler than requesting a form by mail or in person.

Governor Perry’s Executive Order: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/exorders/rp65

The Texas Education Code:

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm

Gardasil prescribing information:

http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/g/gardasil/gardasil_pi.pdf

Statement from the Christian Medical And Dental Association

http://cmda.org/index.cgi?cat=100115&art=3241&BISKIT=3585781921&CONTEXT=art

www.LifeEthics.org
 

Have you heard that last November Texans elected a new King? That’s right; with less than 40% of the vote, Governor Rick Perry, or should I say “his majesty,” has taken the throne by storm. 

In The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson denounced in the strongest possible terms the refusal of the king to give respectful consideration to the petitions of the people:  “… our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”  Evidently, the Governor is confused about his function as Governor and about a few other things.

Take for example Perry’s latest abuse of power--his executive order mandating that 6th grade girls be required to receive the controversial HPV vaccination series of three shots. The vaccine has not been fully tested and its future effects are unknown. 

Yes, the vaccine is the first ever to prevent cervical cancer or any form of cancer, and yes, a growing number of women are contracting HPV, which can cause cervical cancer. HPV, however, is a sexually transmitted disease, and unlike the Governor’s analogy of vaccinating for the polio virus which is not a sexually transmitted disease. The polio vaccine totally eradicated the disease. The HPV vaccine is a preventative measure only that may reduce the number of cervical cancer cases. According to WebMD (www.webmd.com), the vaccine “lasts at least four years” with “long-term results . . . not yet certain.” The vaccine, a preventative for only four strains of over 30 strains of HPD, does not protect against all cervical cancer; women will still need yearly PAP smears to check for cancer.

After the Governor’s wielding such power during the 80th Legislative Session, I must ask, what is the point of having a Texas House and Senate?  Remember, legislation addressing this issue has already been filed. Why did Perry choose not to let it be debated? One can only speculate, but it is certainly at least questionable since the drug’s manufacturer Merck has invested millions of dollars into lobbying efforts, which includes hiring Perry’s former Chief of Staff, Mike Toomey, as Merck’s head lobbyist.

Talk about a slap in the face to our representative bodies in the Legislature! Does the Governor have any respect for them, their responsibilities, or the people of Texas?

Thankfully, however, true Republicans have come out ready to fight. From Senators Hegar (R-Katy) and Nelson (R-Denton), to Representatives Keffer (R-Eastland) and Flynn (R-Canton), there is an organized effort to find a solution, and they are not only challenging Governor Perry to rescind the order, but also they are requesting the Attorney General investigate whether Perry has in fact abused his power.

 I strongly encourage everyone to call Governor Perry’s office today and let him know you are against usurping the power of the legislature, wiping out parental rights, and mandating a vaccine with unknown future consequences! Governor Rick Perry online:  http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact
 

Last week Governor Rick Perry, through an executive order, ordered Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins to vaccinate all 11 and 12 year old girls against stains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV causes about 75% of all cervical cancer in the United States. The governor made the right decision.

The controversy is not so much about the right or wrong of giving the vaccine but the tainted view of why the governor ordered the administration of the vaccine. Governor Perry received $6,000 from Merck & Co., the manufacture of the Gardasil vaccine for HPV. His former chief of staff Mike Toomey is a lobbyist for Merck. Thus, a cloud of suspicion over this decision has occurred.

There were already bills introduced into the Texas House and Senate to make it a state law that all girls receive this vaccine. House and Senate members are upset because they did not receive the thunder they wanted as sponsors of these bills. The governor got the glory.

The facts are simple. According the National Institute of Health (http://health.nih.gov); “Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. Health experts estimate there are more cases of genital HPV infection than any other STI in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 6.2 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections are reported every year. At least 20 million people in this country are already infected.” Women who are infected with the HPV virus have a higher rate of HIV transmission.

In 2007 there will be approximately 11,150 newly diagnosed cases of cervical cancer, resulting in approximately 3,670 deaths in the United States. The estimated cost of diagnosing and treating cervical cancer in the United States in 2007 will be $1.7 billion! Seventy-five percent of the newly diagnosed cases of cervical cancer can be attributed to the HPV viruses. (Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program and the National Center for Health Statistics. Additional statistics and charts are available at http://seer.cancer.gov)

The rate of cervical cancer is higher in Hispanics than non-Hispanics. The mortality rates for African-Americans are double that of whites. These groups have a lower access to care rates than whites and thus less access to the Papanicolaou (PAP smear) test than whites.

If you are a fiscal conservative, you should be on board with vaccinating our young women. We have the potential to save $1.7 billion a year in health care cost. The cost of the vaccine, for a series of three shots, is $360. This is a cost effective program.

The argument of the Christian conservatives is the vaccine promotes sex. Ask any 11 to 30 year old women what HPV is and I will estimate 90% of them will not know what HPV is or that it causes cervical cancer. My answer to my conservative Christian friends is, “good parents try to make good decisions for their children, who often make bad choices in life.”  The HPV virus (venereal warts) is past during intercourse. Abstinence is not working. Almost 50% of all pregnancies in the United States are to single women. Both the male and the female partners often have no idea they are caring the virus. It is only years after transmission; the HPV virus causes cervical cancer. I will also say to my conservative Christian friends it is the children that were not brought up in a home that taught right from wrong, abstinence, that need the vaccine the very most. The next controversy is when do we start vaccinating all boys 11 to 12? After all, transmission to a female comes from a male partner. 

The argument that parent’s have a “right” to decide what goes into their child’s body is also being made. These are the same arguments that came forth when the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955. When the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was introduced in the 1960s the same arguments were again introduced. With these vaccines these diseases have been reduced to a hand-full of cases each year. With a three decade long vaccine program, smallpox was eradicated from the world in the 1970s.

The same arguments will be made if and when a vaccine for HIV is developed. My point is; it is the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens. It would be morally wrong not to use any vaccine or medicine to reduce pain, suffering or the spread of any disease. Vaccines have a proven history of decreasing morbidity. 

For once, let us take the political squabbling and the influence of big lobby money out of the equation and do the right thing. 
 

By John Merrifield,
Professor of Economics
Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute
February 12th, 2007

Done right, means use tolls as a traffic management tool in conjunction with the gasoline tax revenue that should fund the lane or two needed for low traffic periods. The money collected from tolls levied during the high traffic periods pay for the construction and upkeep of the lanes needed only for high traffic periods. Rush hour road users get several benefits from the rush hour tolls they pay. We know from several trials that the toll reduces traffic directly because some people respond to the incentive to travel at different times, or different routes, or on public transportation. Then, rush hour drivers get where they are going faster, which in addition to its direct quality of life benefits generates savings from reduced fuel consumption, engine wear, and accidents. Everyone benefits from the reduction in vehicle exhaust. The reduction in rush hour demand also reduces the rate at which new lanes must be constructed, which means that careful deployment (time, place, rate) of rush hour tolls will mean less total spending on driving than any other method of managing traffic. 

The strategy favored by many is to build toll lanes next to existing ‘free’ lanes (no toll). That strategy will capture some of the benefits described above for tolling applied to all lanes during high traffic periods only, BUT it suffers from huge drawbacks. The price difference between adjacent lanes means that significant ‘free’ lane congestion and/or hassles like traffic lights are prerequisites for any use of the tolled lanes. The toll lanes will be empty most of the time, and off-peak congestion of ‘free’ lanes will rise. That will increase fuel use, pollution, and car maintenance spending over the toll-all-lanes-but-during-rush-hours-only strategy described above. The need to control access to the toll lanes further increases construction and or land acquisition costs.

The drivers that elect to stay in the ‘free’ lanes will not see much, if any, reduction in congestion, and the higher toll rate (compared to when everyone pays, but only during rush hour) needed to pay for lanes used only a few hours a day, and by only a fraction of the drivers, will discourage much potential toll lane use. Whether there is any reduction in peak period congestion of the toll lanes will depend on whether private companies own the toll lanes and if they do, the stringency of the ‘no compete’ agreements that public officials accept to assure sufficient toll lane traffic to attract the private funding.

The basic economics is unequivocal. The cost-minimizing approach to an impending shortage of anything include road capacity is pricing. Road capacity is scarce only during peak traffic periods, so a price (toll) should be charged only during peak periods, and every user should pay. The toll revenues should fund additional capacity.

Failure to use any kind of tolling will mean either enormous construction spending, or massive congestion; probably the combination of the two that we increasingly see now.
 

Please join us from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13th, at the Water Street Oyster Bar on Broadway at Basse Road for lunch featuring our guest speaker Ted Terrazas, Chairman and CEO, TerraHealth, Inc. Mr. Terrazas is recognized nationally for his expertise in health care delivery systems and as an entrepreneur. He started TerraHealth in 2001 with 7 employees. Today, five years later, TerraHealth has 400 plus employees. His leadership has been recognized in many different venues including television appearances.  He has been published and has presented lectures on several health care, business, and leadership topics nationally.

Sincerely,

Ed Bandas

Mr. Terrazas will be discussing the development of the Center for Strategic Studies of the Americas (CSSAM). Ted Terrazas whose goal was to build a Strategic Think Tank in San Antonio, Texas, with a focus on the Americas, founded CSSAM in 2006. The founding Charter Members include former Ambassadors of Latin America and senior (Retired) Generals with Military Policy experience.

The mission of Center for the Strategic Studies of the Americas (CSSAM) is to formulate expert strategic analysis on topics of importance pertaining to countries within the Northern and Southern American continents and the Caribbean. These studies will be directed in scope and concern toward economic, political, military, and humanitarian policy and issues.

This initiative by Mr. Terrazas is certain to continue to increase the influence and visibility of San Antonio in the Western Hemisphere as major player in global policy, academics, and economic status.

Please RSVP by using the links below or replying to this email. Cost for lunch is $20 for Pachyderm Members and $25 for guests. Cash or check only please!

THIS IS AN EVENT YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS! FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES! WE ARE COMMITTED TO BRINGING YOU DYNAMIC SPEAKERS WITH A RELEVANT DISCUSSION!

Alamo Pachyderm Club

900 NE Loop 410 Suite D-105 San Antonio, Texas 78209

alamopachyderm@yahoo.com

"It is our belief that most of the corrupting influences in American politics could be erased, and government generally made more responsive by one basic improvement. That is simply for more good citizens to participate in politics." "We get the Government we deserve, not the one we wish for," remains a guide-star for a free people. We offer a meaningful movement of political clubs as the most practical mean by which a broad citizen participation in politics may be achieved.
 

With a combined showing of 900 at last summer's Trans Texas Corridor public hearing in San Antonio and last week's 281 hearing that garnered over 600 concerned citizens, do we really need any further evidence of a massive groundswell of opposition to this Governor's transportation policy? Both Commissioner Lyle Larson and Commissioner Tommy Adkisson spoke to raucous applause from a very frustrated and motivated crowd at the final 281 public hearing, Feb. 6. Both encouraged attendees to contact their legislators IMMEDIATELY to demand our raided highway funds get returned and that they STOP THE WIDESPREAD TOLLING OF TEXAS! Larson emphasized that though he’s been with us since the beginning, he has no direct oversight over TxDOT, only the Governor and Legislature do. So it’s imperative that we contact the Legislature immediately and follow up frequently during this legislative session that ends in May.

Freshmen State Representatives Nathan Macias and Joe Farias also spoke and received hearty applause for their strong stand against the tolling of existing highways and they, too, encouraged us to contact our representatives about this issue. Macias welcomed constituent feedback as “refreshing.”

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO SAY NO TO TOLLS!

To find out who your representatives are, go here.

Contact State Senator Jeff Wentworth (jeff.wentworth@senate.state.tx.us or 210-826-7800) and State Representative Frank Corte (frank.corte@house.state.tx.us or 210- 349-0320) and respectfully but firmly demand they return the STOLEN highway funds and STOP THE TOLLING OF 281 IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT!

TxDOT tries to silence citizens AGAIN!

(Read about the other incidents here: here and here)

TxDOT REFUSED to allow citizens to put out a table with petitions and information saying it was private property. We called a County Commissioner and Attorney both of which said this was a PUBLIC MEETING and PUBLIC FORUM and the facility was rented with TAXPAYER MONEY and the citizens have a FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT to FREE SPEECH! So we handed out our information at the end, but lost precious opportunities to inform attendees about the TRUTH for a good portion of the meeting.

Then, TxDOT cut the microphones about three-quarters of the way through the public comment period claiming they suddenly had “sound problems.” This agency is shameless and they're behaving as dictators who are trying to SILENCE THE CITIZENS! We agree with Senator John Carona's assessment of TxDOT...they will not tolerate criticism and greet any disagreement with their plans as HOSTILITY! Read about their threats and intimidation tactics here and here).

GET YOUR COMMENTS ON THE RECORD BY FEB 16!

EMAIL comments (to US281@hntb.com) to get on the LEGAL RECORD here or fax comments to (210) 349-2101.

TOLL PARTY COMMENTS AT 281 PUBLIC HEARING

Here are 3 things that everyone needs to know:

1) The needed overpasses for 281 are already paid for! A plan for overpasses and expansion of HWY 281 has been presented to and PROMISED to the public in prior public meetings since the late 90s. I hold in my hands that ORIGINAL improvement plan that should have begun in 2004 as scheduled and would have been completed last year. The cost was $100 million all the way to the county line. TxDOT’s own documents show they have $100 million RIGHT NOW to install these improvements. Now to build this as a tollway, it’s more than DOUBLE the price tag to the taxpaying public.

2) This toll plan has two bidders. Both are foreign companies. TxDOT is planning to give one of these foreign companies control of our PUBLIC infrastructure for the next 50 years…that will outlive most of us in this room. This isn’t just some ordinary highway project. We’re talking about something that will impact our children and grandchildren and change San Antonio forever!

These contracts include something called non-compete agreements where TxDOT would give control of the free routes around the tollway to this private company, which not only means they’d control the signal lights and speed limits on the non-toll access roads, but they may also control Stone Oak Parkway and Bulverde Rd. We won’t know for sure until the contract is already signed since this is being negotiated in SECRET, and even our elected officials cannot see the terms of this contract UNTIL AFTER IT’S SIGNED. So TxDOT’s version of tolls won’t solve congestion; it’ll manipulate it for profit. Over the next 50 years, this foreign company stands to make $1.6 billion just on this one 8 mile stretch for a project that costs about $200 million to build. This is truly highway robbery!

3) The Legislature has stolen our highway funds to the tune of nearly $10 billion and spent it on political pet projects for things like tourism, Texas Commission on the Arts, enhancing benefits for public employees, and WE THE TAXPAYERS need to demand they give it back. If that money had not been stolen from us, we would not be discussing tolls across Texas! We don’t lack funds; our politicians lack fiscal accountability. Call Wentworth and Corte and demand we get this money back and that they STOP the tolling of 281!

The taxpayers have a right to vote on matters of such grave public interest. We are the owners of government, not an unelected bureaucracy behaving as dictators of public policy.

We’re tired of the manipulation of the timing of the stop lights on 281 and bringing this corridor to needless gridlock by stealing our time since last January when a lawsuit shed light on these fraudulent plans. They’ve hijacked the PUBLIC’S highway to push a political agenda by misleading the public into thinking the ONLY solution is a tollway while NOT telling us they already have the plan and money to fix it, but they’d rather hand it over to a foreign company and collect tolls without limit than install the simple, sensible, less expensive solution they promised the public would be done last year.

This Governor and his Transportation Department are guilty of colluding to defraud the public and of purposely increasing our cost of transportation from pennies a day under gas tax to dollars per day under an unaccountable toll system in the hands of a foreign company for private gain WITHOUT THE PUBLIC’S CONSENT! TxDOT’s own studies show toll rates of up to $1 a mile! We’re talking about $2,000-4,000 more per year to use our PUBLIC highways. The community will not let you dictate this to us and target 281 users while those in other parts of town enjoy FREE routes. You’re taking away our freedom of mobility to line the pockets of private corporations. The taxpayers not TxDOT have the final say on the public’s roads.

Get informed and get involved. SAY NO to this money grab. Between Perry's Executive Order to mandate a dangerous vaccine be given to young girls (with a money trail to a former Perry staffer who works for Merck) and his proposal to privatize the lottery and every highway he can get his hands on, our government has become abusive, bloated, and unresponsive. They're selling Texas to the highest bidder unless we stop them!
 

Today is the first day that candidates can officially file for office. The question is who will jump quickly and who will wait until the bewitching hour five minutes before the deadline? Only time will tell. 

R.G. Griffing of the SAnAntonioLIghting.com is still complaining. But, then again, what else is new? I guess it is good to have your own online newspaper where you write the dialogue and the headlines.

It appears there is a new candidate slated to run for Mayor besides R.G. and Reverend Patrick McCurdy. Another perennial is in the race. His name is Rhett Smith. You may remember he ran as a Democrat for Congressional District 21 against the incumbent Lamar Smith, along with a bunch of other candidates.

He has also run for Mayor before. He has run as a Republican and as a Democrat for various offices. Smith is politically conflicted, if you ask me. Shades of Attorney Milton Fagin the perennial candidate for Judge, except Rhett is a nice but confused man. 

Council District 1 candidate Mary Alice Cisneros still has no obvious opponent so far. Word is her campaign staff is not that astute and running low on expertise. Her campaign manager is Leticia Cantu, the same young Cantu who was videotaped trashing Republican Nelson Balido signs during the state rep. race with Joaquin Castro in November. That doesn’t bode well at all if someone were actually to get in the race and make a strong challenge.

In the District 2 race, challenger Keith Toney is gearing up to take on Sheila McNeil. He is playing off the anger of the Eastside’s Neighborhoods First Alliance group and the discontent of many who feel disenfranchised from the Dr. Martin Luther King March this past year.

The status quo hasn’t changed in District 3, where incumbent Roland Gutierrez is sitting pretty.

In District 4 Philip Cortez is still looking good so far. Rumor has it his girlfriend is Leticia Cantu. It sounds like there is conspiracy in the ranks of the candidates who are running for office.

With former Mayors Henry Cisneros and Ed Garza, plus former Councilman Julian Castro and the developers working in conjunction, this could be an interesting scenario when it comes to District 1, 4, & 7.

Moving on to District 5, as local activist Lourdes Galvan leads the pack. Right now, we don’t know if there is a pack.

In District 6 Delicia Herrera is still waiting to hear if anyone will challenge her. As I continue to maintain, the District 7 race will be the major contest in the city council races with District 8 being the other notable contest. Councilwoman Elena Guajardo is ready to kick in to election mode any minute. The gloves will come off and it will get crazy.

Challenger Justin Rodriguez has the support of developers and is looking to knock off incumbent Elena Guajardo.

In District 8, the number of candidates might even get larger. We will know soon. Senator Leticia Van de Putte hosted a reception for District 8 candidate Mario Obledo, this past weekend and he made his big splash by officially announcing his candidacy as well.  His opponents include Diane Cibrian, Ken Lawrence, Gloria Sanchez and Jacob Dell. It appears that Diane Cibrian is doing well and putting the fear of God into her opponents. She appears to be working hard, raising money and leaving nothing to chance. Early prediction by many is that the runoff will be between Cibrian and Obledo. Both have some big names in their respective camps. 

In District 9, nothing has changed for Kevin Wolff.

In the District 10 race, a second name has surfaced to challenge John Clamp for the seat. The name is Rey De La Santos, an unknown entity, who has a short period of time to make his presence known.

Other than the normal bickering in the Democratic Party ranks, not much else is happening on the Democratic side. On the Republican side, it is all about Governor Rick Perry’s executive directive to force young girls to submit to vaccines to protect them against STDs. I love it when Republicans attack the Governor.

And that, is the moderate viewpoint, I AM the Republicrat PLUS!