Photo Courtesy of The Walker Report

Senator John McCain, Welcome to Texas!!!

03/26/2007

McCain San Antonio Fundraising Breakfast

McCain Dallas Fundraising Luncheon

03/26/2007

McCain Houston Fundraising Reception

I have some good news and some really bad news for you. Let’s start with the good news based on two of your March press releases. 

Here are two segments:

Original Source:  Press Releases From McCain Website

Former US Senator From Texas Phil Gramm Joins Team McCain As General Co-Chairman

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm will support the Arizona Senator's presidential candidacy and serve as a general co-chair of the campaign. Gramm joins former Rep. Tom Loeffler as a general co-chairman.

As general co-chair, Gramm will advise and assist on all aspects of the campaign including policy, fundraising, campaign management and strategy.

Phil Gramm served the state of Texas in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives for over 20 years. Elected to his first term to the House of Representatives in 1978 as a Democrat, Gramm resigned to run for the seat as a Republican and became the first Republican elected in his district since its creation. In 1984, Gramm was elected to the Senate.

Former Texas Representative Tom Loeffler Joins Team McCain As General Co-Chairman

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that former Texas Representative Tom Loeffler will join Senator McCain's team and serve as a general co-chair.

As general co-chair, Loeffler will be closely involved in the daily workings of the campaign, and assist with fundraising, strategy, and message development.

Tom Loeffler is currently founder, chairman, and senior partner of The Loeffler Group LLP. Previously, Loeffler was elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 21st Congressional District in Texas. During his service in the House, Loeffler served in leadership as deputy whip and chief deputy whip.

COMMENTARY: These two establishment Republican leaders and lobbyists are brilliant. They can deliver the dollars because they have more rich friends than Donald Trump. Selecting them to help you dial for cash was really smart. They can shake the money trees in South Texas like no other individuals. Bravo!!!

Here is the bad news: (Forgive me for being so blunt.)

The grassroots of the party is not with you. I’m sorry.

You are part of the Washington establishment that we are so tired of.

Where is the revolutionary zeal? 

Where is the passion for change?

Where is the conservative idealism? 

Where is the uniqueness we crave?

What do you stand for? Why should we get excited about your campaign? Is Mr. Tom Loeffler going to explain this to the grassroots anytime soon? What about Phil Gramm? When was the last time former Senator Gramm ate at a pizza buffet restaurant like the average American? 

Where are the average Texans who are rallying for you?

I have yet to see or hear from one.

Why?

You are not in synch with us. It is so obvious.

Bless you for serving our country in a time of war.

Bless you for your ongoing public service.

Your time for a real presidential run is long gone. It is history.

You are to be commended for trying.

I have learned one thing after a few years of involvement. Never bet against the grassroots when it comes to politics.

You need us more than you need the dollars you pick up in my humble city of Saint Anthony in a couple of hours.

Based on what I see, we are not with you.   

That is my “Straight” talk.
 

March 24, 2007/ Copyright 2007 by National Journal Group Inc.

GRAFTON CO., NH -- Sen. John McCain said his presidential campaign would not meet its fundraising goals this quarter, and his campaign advisers acknowledged that ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney may wind up raising more.

"We're going to pay a price for it because we got a late start," McCain told reporters in New Hampshire. "We're not going to meet the goals we had." He later said he did not know whether Romney would outpace him, but his advisers did not downplay that possibility. They also did not rule out finishing first.

McCain contends that his exploratory committee's opening in December and the rush of the busy holiday season did not allow his campaign to begin fundraising in earnest until January. But once that month began, owing in part to a busy Senate schedule, McCain attended only two fundraisers and only two in February. There are twenty scheduled for all of this month, and another twenty in April.

"These are moments, none of which at the end of the day impact winning the nomination," said John Weaver, McCain's chief strategist. "We're on track to do that. Every campaign would trade places with us. We wouldn't trade places with anyone else."

Some Republicans estimate that Romney, whose network of friends, business contacts and party donors is expansive, could accumulate more than $30 or even $35 million this quarter. McCain is not likely to raise in excess of $30M, according to Republicans outside his campaign who have been given the unofficial estimate. Neither Weaver nor any other McCain aide would hazard a guess about their first quarter tally.

A Romney spokesman noted that McCain had recruited more major Bush donors than any other candidate, and possesses a large direct mail list from his earlier presidential campaigns. The Romney spokesman said that McCain was trying to artificially lower expectations.

If Romney reports a higher fundraising tally on April 15, he'll not be faulted for bragging about his strength after what his aides acknowledge was a rough start to his campaign.

Both campaigns agree that two numbers due by mid-July -- six months worth of receipts and the amount of money remaining in their accounts -- are better diagnostic indicators of their candidate's viability.

Romney, in particular, will be burdened with the expectation that he ought to keep pace with McCain and end the half-year with at least $30 to $40 million in the bank. Both campaigns worry about their high burn rates. They both pay the salaries of more than 100 full-time staff members and numerous consultants. Romney even has several field organizers in Florida, placed there when the campaign presumed that the Florida Republican Party would schedule a straw poll for the fall. They ultimately did not. [MARC AMBINDER]
 

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate approved a measure proposed by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Budget Committee, on Wednesday to make income tax hikes more difficult. The amendment to the Budget Bill passed by a vote of 63-35. It would require a super-majority of the Senate, or 60 votes, to pass any legislation that increases tax rates. The Senate is currently debating the Concurrent Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2008, S. Con. Res. 21.

“This measure puts a safeguard in place to protect the pocketbooks of American taxpayers, including middle-class families, college students and entrepreneurs,” Sen. Cornyn said. “We must maintain the pro-growth policies implemented in the past four years that have helped this economy perform so well.”

Cornyn said the amendment is necessary to make certain any potential tax increase is carefully considered. “This budget would increase discretionary spending by $146 billion over the next five years. That money would have to come from somewhere. Creating a 60-vote threshold is an insurance policy when Congress decides to look to taxpayers’ pocketbooks for even more revenue instead of looking for ways to eliminate government waste, fraud and abuse.”

“The last thing we should do is reverse the policies that have helped create such strong economic growth,” Sen. Cornyn said. “We need to continue to generate more revenue, not by raising tax rates, but by allowing this economy to create those revenues, which are unprecedented in our nation’s history. This will also allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money.”

Cornyn noted that the measure will not hinder efforts to reform or overhaul the Tax Code. “Any tax simplification effort will need bipartisan support in the Senate, and if it is revenue neutral, I am confident it will be forthcoming,” Cornyn said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Cornyn introduced another amendment to the Budget Bill on Wednesday that would make sure the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) continues to fulfill its original intent of helping low-income kids. The amendment will also help improve and strengthen the oversight of the program.

The amendment establishes a deficit-neutral reserve fund to allow the Senate Judiciary Committee to pass legislation making sure SCHIP covers children first. Democrats have offered legislation that would expand the program beyond its original intention.

Sen. Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Refugees subcommittee and the Armed Services Committee’s Airland subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge
 

Thanks for keeping us up-date on ALL the news. My biggest concerns are the "RINOs" that keep confusing the casual conservatives. TOO MANY folks think they're conservative, yet, only hear what the major media is pumping out. They're left believing that that what they should be supporting. When those agendas don't match their conscience they get confused and stay home from the polls. That's what happened in November; the Democrats (“Progressives”) didn't win, we conservatives gave it to them by de-fault. We keep hearing the "major media" tell us that, according to the polls, the nation favors------------------.  I've never been "polled”!!!!!  How do they know what I think?  The same thing applies to Mr. Krier. If he could step away from his BIAS long enough to listen, I think he would see that more of us agree with Teri Hall.

Keep fighting the good fight. The “silent majority” needs a voice.

Perry McClendon

P.S. Check out Cox2008.com
 

Washington, DC – Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX) has introduced the “Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act of 2007,” which improves public access to information by strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

“This bill makes it easier for citizens to get an answer to their requests for information,” Congressman Smith said.

“Unfortunately, the process for obtaining government information is overly burdensome and federal agencies have become less and less responsive to requests for information,” Smith noted. “This deters the citizens from getting information to which they are entitled.

“Taxpayers should have the opportunity to obtain information quickly and easily from the federal government,” said Smith

The OPEN Act does the following:

-  Creates a broader definition of “news media” so that additional types of news media can obtain government documents at minimal cost.

-  Establishes a system that assigns individualized tracking numbers to requests for information so individuals can track their own requests.

-  Includes provisions regarding recovery of attorneys’ fees when an individual has been wrongly denied information, penalties for agencies that do not comply within the specified FOIA time limits, and additional agency reporting requirements.

“I want to protect our open system of government and ensure that the government responds to the American people,” Smith concluded.
 

Our speaker is Kerry Neves an attorney in Galveston County for the past 28 years. He is an active Republican and President of the Texas Federation of Pacyderm Clubs. His timely and informative presentation is entitled "Confirmation Politics: The Legal Background of Roe v Wade and Its Impact on Supreme Court Nominees." We invite everyone to join us at our luncheon/meeting.

Cost is $18.00. Contact Dee for reservations deeb@satx.rr.com or 210-493- 5512.
 

On the San Antonio Bond Propositions and the State of the City of San Antonio for member and guest reservations contact Dee at 210-493-5512 or deeb@satx.rr.com Cost $50 couple or $30 person. 

Meet the Candidates  

Dress:  Fiesta attire    

Proceeds benefit the Fern Burke Scholarship Fund.  

Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal tax purposes. Corporate checks cannot be accepted.
 

By John Merrifield,
Professor of Economics
Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute
March 26th, 2007

As apparent affirmation that inertia is a powerful force, Governor Perry’s Appraisal Task force recommended little fundamental change in the Texas property tax system. Well-meaning public officials subject to political pressure, limited staff, and major information gaps will still have to periodically guess the taxable value of residential property, and at taxpayer expense spend thousands of hours processing protests. Protests are the bizarre phenomenon where taxpayers, or hired pro-fessional assessment protesters, insist that their property really isn’t as valuable as the assessor alleges that it is. Despite some task force attention to the problem of forced sale because of increased property tax liability, rising property values (which should be an unmitigated blessing) can still force a homeowner to sell and move. 

Since my research demonstrated that the current system of periodic re-appraisal yields no more tax revenue in the long-run than basing assessment for tax purposes on purchase prices adjusted for inflation (no re-appraisal needed, no more protests, no forced sales), the only remaining public-spirited objection to abandoning periodic re-appraisal is the likely shock value of news stories about similar properties being assessed at different levels because a few have not been on the market for awhile. And such apparent inequities may be appropriate, rather than outrageous. Why should a long-time resident have to pay a lot more tax just because other people are willing to pay a lot to live in their neighborhood? Is it fair to be forced to pay much higher taxes because of what your house is worth to someone else, perhaps so much that you have to abandon your long-time homestead?

Against the theoretical possibility that the current system can eliminate such assessment disparities, we have to consider the reality that huge disparities survive repeated, determined efforts to eliminate them. Not only is the current system of periodic re-appraisal costly to administer, it is a nightmare. Consider this comment from a review of Utah’s repeated attempts to eliminate inequities. “Since the 1930s when the first major attempts to make the property tax more equitable were initiated, significant time and effort had been expended trying to make property valuations more equal. Despite all of this effort, many [significant] discrepancies remain.” Differences of up to 100% were described as common. Indeed, according to the Utah study, “although many states had attempted improvements, the property tax continued to be the most difficult major tax to administer.”

But the reform question is in the hands of the legislature, which means in your hands, especially those of you willing to exert some leadership on this matter.  Urge the legislature to follow Oregon and California, and replace costly, difficult to administer periodic re-assessment with assessment based on purchase price adjusted for inflation. Barring that, a significant improvement in the current system would be to mandate rate decreases to match assessment increases that exceed the rate of inflation. Then, local leaders can only increase the tax bite by voting to do it.
 

A historic movement is taking place in the State of Texas. Groups of all political stripes are united in taking back our government from lobbyists and politicians who have strayed from representing WE THE PEOPLE! HB 2772, a bill to place a moratorium on very controversial CDA (public-private partnership) toll road financing, has now garnered a stunning 106 co-authors! Its companion senate bill, SB 1267, had 81% Senate support from the time it was introduced. A veto-proof two-thirds majority can only be explained by the fierce persistence of the grassroots to insist our politicians REPRESENT us. We will NOT be cut out of the process that we're being asked to fund for the next half century! WE ARE THE OWNERS OF GOVERNMENT, NOT PRIVATE CORPORATIONS AND LOBBYISTS!

Anti-toll Nazis?

Our movement has drawn vehement attacks and shrill name-calling from the toll-road industry, which is an indicator that we've not only touched a nerve, but that we're successfully turning the tide and winning on the issues. Once again for the record, we're not opposed to all toll roads; we're concerned with this new shift to unchecked, privately financed toll roads. A well-conceived toll road is a new road (not tolling existing corridors), the people get to vote on the project, the money & control stays local, and the tolls cease when the road is paid for.

ABOLISH THE COMMISSION

Several outstanding bills have been heard in both the House and Senate Transportation Committees last week, including a bill that would make TxDOT accountable to the PEOPLE by ABOLISHING the Transportation Commission and replace it with a single elected official (Call members to get behind this bill here. Senator John Carona's transportation hearing this week had many encouraging moments especially from Senator Robert Nichols. He's made it clear that our elected representatives are obligated to protect the public from non-compete agreements, 50 year contracts in the hands of private companies, and many other provisions of the current CDAs and the TxDOT approach. The moratorium is not on all toll roads or all road projects, though TxDOT is misleading and bullying people into thinking it does. It only places CDA private toll equity contracts on hold. We have to get this right when we're talking about potentially signing away the public's highways to foreign companies!

BEYOND THE MORATORIUM

We absolutely expect other needed transportation reforms to move ahead this session. We must continue to keep the pressure on our politicians until TxDOT is held accountable and has proper oversight and until every public protection becomes LAW! There's surely going to be twists and turns along the way as Carona learned this week this week, but WE THE PEOPLE must NEVER back down, get complacent, or tune out when our State's future for many generations to come is at stake. Get informed, sign our online petition, and ask everyone you know to do the same! THE ONE THING POLITICIANS FEAR THE MOST IS AN INFORMED, ORGANIZED ELECTORATE!
 

I am writing you as a political ally with a dire warning. There is a huge backlash awaiting the Legislature if private toll roads are allowed. We will not forget those who sold us out: how can we, when we will be forced to pay foreign corporations every day for the rest of our lives for the privilege of driving roads we already paid for? This is not something that will go away with the passage of time.

Please, for the sake of the future of the GOP in Texas, immediately move SB 1267 out of committee. It's unacceptable to thwart the will of two thirds of the Legislature who are doing the will of the people!  Also, continue to address the needed reforms such as non-competes, foreign management, length of contracts, buy-outs, and up-front payments and MOVE THOSE BILLS AS WELL!

Finally, address transportation funding with accountability and transparency. It is the Legislature's duty to rein in this out of control agency including tying their funds to certain measures of accountability PRIOR TO ANY INCREASE IN GAS TAX OR OTHER FUNDING. TxDOT is a corrupt, unaccountable agency that has already defrauded the public by cooking the books and halting GAS TAX FUNDED road projects to use CDAs. Their spokesmen have deliberately lied to the public and the Legislature, and have not been called into account for doing so.  They are laughing at you, senator!

TxDOT's high handed methods are provoking the population to anger with their government, and that does not bode well for the party in power, the GOP. King Perry and his appointed cronies are living proof of the worst charges liberals level against Republicans: Big Business, Big Payoffs, and economic tyranny for the working class.

The people will not forget, and 39% does not a mandate make, whatever King Perry would like to think. 

Grady S. and Rachel McClung

Spring Branch, Tx  78070
 

TLR is working hard in Austin this legislative session on two pieces of important legislation that are critical to a fair and balanced civil justice system in Texas. The first, HB 1602/SB 1538, will close a dangerous loophole in our venue law that is damaging our state’s maritime industry. The second, SB 1204/HB 2906, takes important steps toward modernizing our courts. Please visit our website (www.tortreform.com) and watch your e-mail for legislative alerts as these bills move through the legislative process at the Capitol.

Eliminating Lawsuit Abuse by Closing a Loophole

HB 1602 introduced by State Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale, R-Houston and SB 1538 sponsored by State Sen. Troy Fraser, R- Marble Falls, will close a dangerous loophole in our venue law applicable to personal injury lawsuits filed by maritime workers. This Feb 27 article in the Wall Street Journal tells the story, including the fact that nearly 60 percent of all personal injury lawsuits against dredging companies nationwide are now being filed in just four South Texas counties – Hidalgo, Starr, Zapata and Cameron.

What the news report does not say is that the Texas coast has no natural deep water ports and requires constant dredging to accommodate maritime traffic. As a result of the excessive litigation driving up dredging costs, dredging contracts are now being canceled in South Texas and the state’s $178 billion maritime industry is being threatened. HB 1602/SB 1538 will close the loophole and stop this lawsuit abuse. The hearing on HB 1602 will be Wednesday, March 21st at the Capitol in Austin.

Modernizing Texas Courts

State Sen. Robert Duncan’s Court Modernization Bill, SB 1204 and HB 2906 sponsored by State Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown, will modernize our courts, reducing duplication and inefficiency and making sure Texas courts can effectively handle the challenges of the 21st century.

The Court Modernization legislation raises Justice of the Peace jurisdiction from $5,000 to $10,000 so that more Texans can have their claims processed with minimal time and expense.  The legislation also authorizes the Texas Supreme Court to establish clear rules and procedures for the handling of small claims. It will return our county courts at law to their original purpose – quickly disposing of lawsuits with amounts in controversy of less than $100,000. Controversies in amounts over $100,000 will be tried by District Courts, which have 12 person juries versus 6 person juries. The Court Modernization bill will also establish a mechanism for assigning complex cases to those courts with the experience to handle them as well as providing resources to accommodate the demands of complex lawsuits. These changes and others covered in the bill are long overdue as this recent editorial from the Waco Tribune makes clear.

Proposition 12 is Working

A recent report in the Austin Business Journal reports that Proposition 12 is working even better than we had anticipated. Since the passage of the reforms in 2003, doctors are now coming to Texas to practice medicine in record numbers, rather than leaving or retiring early. 5,530 new doctors have been licensed in the state since the reforms were enacted –- 400 more than were projected each year had Proposition 12 failed. Medical liability costs are down an average of 19 percent and two-thirds of doctors have had a reduction in their liability costs of 25 percent or more. Most importantly, prior to the reforms many parts of our state that had no high risk specialists – obstetricians, neurosurgeons and orthopedists – but now have access to this critical care. The hard work of TLR and supporters like you are making a difference in the life and health of our state.
 

Welcome once again to the world of La Prima! I have just heard from my dear cousin, the Republicrat. She is still at her little hideaway for recovering political junkies. Some might feel it is really a rehab facility, but lying out on the beach in the sun, drinking margaritas is not really a facility is it?

Her caretakers feel she must spend more time there away from the media we all take for granted, and continue her withdrawal from her over-stimulated mind that is still awash with insider intrigue and scandal. I am afraid I told her little white lies about our current environment and said all was truly boring and lacking even a whiff of anything interesting. That is probably true in most of the city races, but I had to skip over the more intriguing tidbits for her health’s sake.

I will share with you, my dear readers, what my sources keep revealing about one of our own homegrown Southsiders. He has done so many wonderful things in which we all can be proud—his military service, married to only one wife and has several fine sons, and gone on beyond his community to make life better for so many.

He has championed the cause of children and been a strong advocate for their welfare. However, he brings a new meaning to servicing the constituency and seeing over the children. His peccadilloes resound in Austin and Laredo and possibly points in between, as his yearnings for the younger crowd appear to be overtaking his once good senses.

Throughout the years, the good wife has overlooked his weakness and smiled to the public to say all was well, even when he flaunted his misbehavior even in an office setting. She has stood regally by his side, but that facade is showing more than cracks lately, and will probably end with even more fireworks than some of the other famous public officials have incurred. Stay tuned for more in this soap opera. Not even Ugly Betty can compete with these hi-jinks.

Now it is time to go on to another group of disappointments—the Hillary fiasco. Funny how the local hosts are blaming the official campaign folks for the problem of limited exposure to the public, and the official handlers blame the local hosts for the mess.

 Bottom line was, if you did not have the big bucks to sit at the table, along with a pedigree, you did not see the former First Lady when she made her whirlwind money-grab tour through San Antonio. Chatting with grass-roots organizers and just everyday people leads me to believe there will not be any support for Ms Clinton, and if this is her real side, then we will pass.

 I am crushed, because she was my Heroine, sticking by her Man when times were tough, taking on the opposition and rising up to new heights of political grandeur. Now it seems she has committed political hari-kari and may never recover. The other disappointment was the local host of this event. His father would probably shake his head in dismay and be disappointed yet again by his offspring.

To say this man is certainly not his father is a gross understatement, and we shall never experience the likes of his father again. One had hopes the younger set would carry out the vision of the “old Man,” but this expectation was set too high for any hope of success.

I suppose I should take time to share what I have learned and seen for myself this week in city politics. Although I find them dreadfully boring on the whole, there were one or two bits that made me raise an eyebrow. Though I am stifling a yawn, we will explore these rumors and innuendoes.

In district 1, it seems all is a bed of roses—thorns and smell. One PR person was rumored to have been let go in a most undignified way—as the Donald would say ”You’re fired!” Seems the veteran politico locked horns with a younger neophyte campaign manager over the direction in which the campaign should go, when the younger, on instructions from another veteran who really dislikes the said PR person, put on the Trump persona to send the PR person to Political Purgatory. Will she be able to pray her way out of this hell, and hope someone will come to her rescue with some new job offering? Or will she have an epiphany about her own style of dealing with folks or continue to be the said “Queen of Denial” and walk into oblivion?

The other district with only a hint of scandal is again in District 8. It is rumored one candidate is letting his opponents signs be destroyed in the guise of permission was not given from the property owner for other signs to be displayed, while his minions wreaked havoc taking them down.

In the interest of fair play, signs cost money and the opponents should be given an opportunity to move them from the offending area, and not have them ruined. The capper is this wannabe politician told his opponents he had no idea that it happened, while he probably gave the go ahead to seek and destroy. Sounds ethical doesn’t it, especially for someone who writes ethical policies for others. Wouldn’t you want him to represent you?

In that same district 8, two candidates squared off in public debate over the age old battle of tax v. no tax or repeal the tax. Diane Cibrian would stand for the common folks and get rid of taxes, while her opponent, Dr. Morris Stribling, took the side that you must have revenue in order to get things done. Is this management versus workers in another life?

In other races, things seem to be moving at the usual boring pace. District 7 keeps the people guessing who is ahead this week. Elena Guajardo and Justin Rodriguez take the battle to neighborhood associations and other forums to let the voters decide whom they will follow.

Elena can win this race if she will remain steadfast with good decisions, and listen to the right advisors who really have her best interest at heart, instead of the opportunists that so often hang on with the winning candidate. Justin is a worthy opponent and could steal this race if he can show he consistently makes better, less controversial decisions. It is still a toss up for the Northwest side.

Hmm, sunny beaches with cold margaritas, good looking guys and time to squander—how I wish I could take a short sabbatical like my cousin the Republicrat!! However, since I am a working woman, and have no extra time or money for that, I will take my leave from you now. But come back next week and we will visit again in the world of La Prima! Remember my eyes and ears are everywhere.

That is the moderate viewpoint, I AM also the Republicrat PLUS!