Moving Primary Dates Creates unexpected Reults

Urge to be gripping puts Texas in wrong hands
EDITORIAL BOARD -
Austin American-Statesman, 05/08/07

While a bill to move up Texas primaries to Feb. 5 reposes in a Senate committee, the Florida Legislature has approved moving its party primaries up to Jan. 29, escalating the race of states to move their primary election dates back. There is even talk in New Hampshire of a December primary.
The race to be first has taken on absurd proportions, and the Texas Legislature would be wise not to get caught up in the rush. Senators should recognize that an even earlier primary benefits just about everybody in politics except the voter. In short, the Texas version of the early primary bill serves voters best just where it is — bottled up in committee.
The argument for moving the primary dates back is that states with large populations yearn to be relevant in the presidential nomination derby. There may be something to that, but whatever merit that argument holds is overwhelmed by the reality that early primaries won't work to enhance voter education on the issues. What early primaries enhance are the fortunes of the front-runners whose status is determined by a relatively small stable of donors, pundits, pollsters and party insiders.
Early primaries will magnify the influence of big donors as well because the earlier the primaries, the more expensive the air time. A February primary means a December filing deadline. Candidates not only will have to compete for attention, they will find the competition expensive because of holiday advertising rates.
The real beneficiaries of an early primary are not voters but incumbents — they have established name recognition — other political insiders and the people who give to them.
The March primary date is soon enough — too soon really — but it sure beats moving the date back to strengthen the grip of incumbents and big political donors.

TEXAS GOP BLOG: Texas House Republican Caucus

The Texas House Republican Caucus has started their own BLOG to keep the grassroots informed. The BLOG is located http://www.txcaucus.blogspot.com/

The Texas House Republican Caucus represents Republican members of the Texas House of Representatives from across the wide expanse of the Lone Star State. Texas Republicans are committed to bringing common-sense conservative leadership and fiscal responsibility to the People of Texas. TEXAS GOP BLOG


Protecting the right to keep and bear arms

The right to keep and bear arms is a sacred right to Texans. Naturally, Texans were shocked when police in a neighboring state, Louisiana, confiscated the firearms of lawful citizens during an emergency, and never returned them.That’s why Representative Frank J. Corte, Jr. (R-San Antonio), filed and the House passed legislation banning local authorities from permanently confiscating citizens’ lawful firearms during an emergency.Natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, create unique circumstances, and police in extreme cases may need to resort to otherwise excessive measures, such as martial law. However, Corte argued, such measures should only be temporary and should be ended once the immediate danger has passed. When it has, citizens should be allowed to regain their weapons, provided there is no evidence they intend to use them for criminal purposes.“Constitutional rights should still be protected in times of disaster,” Corte said. “No temporary expediency of law enforcement justifies the permanent removal of a citizen’s constitutional rights to keep and bear arms.”
Posted by Texas House Republican Caucus at 2:21 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Congratulations for a great Choice County Commissioners.

Greg Wilhelm was appointed unanimously to the vacancy of County Court at Law, #1 position. As a staunch conservative and faithful republican congratulations are in order for Greg Wilhelm.

Good Luck Judge Wilhelm!

WDL Editorial on County Bond Election

A matter of trust
Posted: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 11:42 AM CDT

Earlier this week the Ellis County Commissioners Court passed a resolution in support of creating a citizens oversight committee that would be in place during the construction of the new county facilities should the May 12 bond referendum be approved by voters.We hail the resolution as a positive step in creating a new level of trust between county government and the people it serves.In discussing the matter with voters during recent forums on the bond election, one concern continues to rise above all others. Overwhelmingly, the majority of citizens who have weighed in on the matter recognize the need for new county facilities that will primarily be used for our justice system. Overwhelming, the majority of citizens recognize the proposal that is being put before the voters is a fiscally sound, cost effective solution that will not only meet our immediate needs, but serve our county for the next 10-15 years. Overwhelming, those citizens agree the current facility crisis will not go away and that inaction will end up costing the taxpayers a lot more than the bond’s $53 million price tag.

The primary concern, however, comes down to a matter of trust. It is not easy to forget, nor forgive the mistakes of the Ellis County Justice Center. For many of the citizens we have talked with, the question comes down to this: “Can we be sure there will never be another ‘Pink Elephant?’”It’s a matter of trust.This is a different court. While a change in leadership doesn’t guarantee different results, this court has taken great strides in rebuilding both trust and confidence with the people they serve. Should the bond pass, many steps are already in place to ensure quality, efficient and cost-effective buildings are constructed to serve county citizens. For starters, the county now has a full-time engineer who will be working hand-in-hand with the contractor on a daily basis and reporting back to the commissioners court. Additionally, the city of Waxahachie will be allowed to conduct regular inspections — as it does for every new building project in the city — throughout the construction process.
The citizens oversight committee will be another step in helping rebuild that trust. Their eyes and ears will serve as another layer of insurance to prevent what happened in the past from occurring again. It’s time for Ellis County to move forward. The next step is for us, as voters, to approve the bond.

Texas GOP prefers Newt for President.

...... Disappointed in current GOP front runners!

The DMN has a good article discussing how the SREC (State Republican Executive Committee) like many Texas republicans are luke warm on the current presidential GOP Hopefuls. The general consensus is that we'd like to see someone in the mold of Ronald Reagan. Thus, Speaker Newt!

By WAYNE SLATER
AUSTIN – None of the GOP presidential front-runners has generated much support among Republican Party loyalists in Texas, whose early favorite to head the ticket in 2008 hasn't even announced – Newt Gingrich.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have few enthusiastic backers on the State Republican Executive Committee.
Support for Arizona Sen. John McCain in the party's governing body appears near zero, according to The Dallas Morning News canvass of committee members.
"I can definitely tell you that if John McCain were the candidate, I probably wouldn't vote," said Ellen Guthrie, a committee member from Tyler. REST OF STORY

Newt for President?

While the Wall Street Journal can hardly be called fair & balanced they have atleast acknowledged the presence of Newt Gingrich in the '08 presidential race.

WASHINGTON -- The queue for Newt Gingrich's autograph started forming at 3 p.m. at the Conservative Political Action Conference here earlier this month. By the time the former Speaker of the House of Representatives took out his pen two-and-a-half hours later, the line snaked across a hallway, around a corner and down two flights of stairs.

Halfway back in the line, Deborah Reppenhagen, a retired Defense Department controller, held four of Mr. Gingrich's books that she was determined to get signed, and explained her enthusiasm. "I want him to be my president," she said.

President Gingrich? READ FULL STORY (membership required)

TPPF: Texas Road Policy - Keeping Up With Demand

Find the following limk to Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. Chief Economist, Texas Public Policy Foundation Report on Texas Road Policy. It discusses many, if not all, options Texas can utilize in the coming years. TPPN REPORT

"Texas faces a host of transportation challenges, not the least of which is to maintain the
largest road network in the nation. Texas is a major throughway for freight from Mexico
and throughout the world. Consequently, Texas roads are getting more use than ever, and
more roads are needed in Texas than ever before.

Texas has fallen behind on its road infrastructure investment. Other priorities at the state
and federal levels have forced the state’s economy to grow by consuming a road
investment that was made decades ago".

Dick Armey for Prez?

At this weekend's annual Happy Birthday Texas thrown by US Rep. Joe Barton former House majority Leader Dick Armey spoke briefly to an Arlington, Texas crowd. As always, Armey showed the Wit & Wisdom he is known for along with his ability to read the nations political temperature.

Armey spoke about the pride of being a Texan. More importantly, he touched on the fact that many of the national leadership has left the conservative grassroots behind. The grassroots who identify so greatly with the Regan Revolution feel they have been abandoned by their elected brethren in their pursuit for power in the beltway.

It's time for the conservative grassroots to be heard again or greater looses are almost certain to occur in '08. Unfortunately, the national GOP believes they lost in '06 for being too conservative. It's time they listen to the people and realize that the GOP lost so badly because they have left behind the "one's that brought them to the party".

The grassroots need to re-energize and take their party back before the moderation of our party takes hold forever.

As one of many worth listening to Saturday night stated "If things keep going the GOP will not regain a majority in our lifetime".

We best heed this warning before the conservative movement is lost forever.....

Visit Dick Armey's Freedom Works organization