Bell Calls For Teacher Pay Raise, Strayhorn Piggy-Backs

I found out about Chris Bell's plan to raise teacher pay yesterday from BOR, Chris Bell Calls For Teacher Pay Raise. Looked like a good idea and a great way to attack the governor who only wants to give a select few teachers a pay raise. You can also read about "Put the schools back in school finance":

Surrounded by local Democratic elected officials, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell accused Rick Perry of pursuing temporary solutions and ignoring schools in the run-up to the special session on school finance.

"Rick Perry'’s biggest priority is to pass a tax cut," said Bell, who helped pass a property tax cut on the Houston City Council. "My top priority is different. Texas can have the best public schools in the country, but only if we avoid a fiscal 'sugar rush' that would use $1 billion from the budget surplus to soothe our craving for a tax cut at the expense of a balanced revenue diet for our schools."

Who were those local elected officials?

Big thanks to Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos for introducing him, as well as state Reps. Elliott Naishtat and Eddie Rodriguez, city council members Brewster McCracken and Lee Leffingwell, Constable Bruce Elfant, and state senate candidate Kathi Thomas for lending their support.

The SAEN has a good wrap-up, Bell says tax cut won't fix schools:

Simply using a budget surplus to reduce school property taxes during a coming special legislative session would be like "a sugar rush" without fixing the state's school funding system, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell said Monday.

[...]

"Texas can have the best public schools in the country, but only if we avoid a fiscal sugar rush that would use the budget surplus to soothe our craving for a tax cut at the expense of a balanced revenue diet for our schools," Bell said.

[...]

"If you are proposing revenue-neutral ideas, you are basically rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," Bell said. "We need more money coming into our state coffers."

Bell did this at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Austin, that's right a union hall, I doubt you'll see OTG hanging out there anytime soon. I hope teacher's union members see and hear that! But from what I can tell Chris Bell brought this up first yesterday as this DMN/AP article shows:

Earlier Monday, Democratic nominee Chris Bell called on Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Perry to give all Texas teachers a $6,000 pay raise.

No matter, the DMN/AP saw fit to give OTG top billing in there story and hardly even mentioned Bell. I guess this is the kind of treatment from the press Chris Bell will have to expect over the coming campaign. He comes out with a great idea and the liberal Texas media will drown it out by either Kinky with an open beer, OTG piggy-backing or Gov. Perry with a bad hair day.

One last thing on the teacher pay raise. From today's AAS Gardner Selby does his best to show that those challenging the governor are just playing politics with teacher pay. The funny part is how he tries to do that. By quoting defeated incumbent and still chair of the House Public Education Committee Rep. Kent Grusendorf:

Rep. Kent Grusendorf, R-Arlington, chairman of the House Public Education Committee, sniffed politics in the pay proposals.

Grusendorf, who lost his re-election bid last month to Diane Patrick, a GOP challenger backed by teacher groups, said of the proposers: "They're in a bidding war for the teacher vote." He said: "Aw, let's give them $10,000. It's not my money anyway, what do I care?"

Grusendorf said: "Our best teachers are underpaid. We have to try to find a way to solve that." But, he said, lawmakers should focus in the 30-day session on answering the Texas Supreme Court's judgment that schools are too dependent on property taxes.

Only "our best teacher are underpaid", he says. I wonder how he determines who "our best" teachers are? Call me crazy but if I'm Gov. Perry I'd be trying to find some common ground with Texas teachers. One way to do that would be to replace Rep. Grusendorf for the upcoming special session with someone who is a little more friendly with Texas teachers. Obviously I'm not Gov. Perry and that would also take cooperation from Speaker Craddick. But that would probably go a long way and since we know Rep. Grusendorf is not friendly to teachers, help the governor politically.

The Blackland Coalition Is Holding A Forum For The Candidates For Governor...

...and guess who hasn't responded?

Gubernatorial Candidates: Bell, Friedman and Strayhorn confirmed to speak on TransTexas Corridor and Eminent Domain

March 24, Seaton Star Hall (5 Mi. East of Temple on Hwy 53 - 10842 State Hwy 53, Temple, Texas 76501), 7:00-9:00 PM, the Blackland Coalition will hold a meeting open to the public and interested parties. All four candidates running for Governor of the State of Texas were invited to speak, only Rick Perry has not responded. Chris Bell (D), Kinky Friedman (I) and Carole Strayhorn (I), candidates for the office of Governor will speak on the issues and impact of the proposed TransTexas Corridor and Eminent Domain. Time permitting, a limited number of written questions from the audience will be addressed.

Blackland Coalition will present information regarding the status of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and the process for filing comments and objections by the public.

Seaton Star Hall SPJST will open at 5:30 PM - BBQ and refreshments will be sold. Meeting begins at 7:00 PM.

Blackland Coalition is organized to educate, protect and defend Texans against the TransTexas Corridor.

Come and give a listen to what a governor not named Rick Perry will do about the Trans-Texas Corridor and Eminent Domain.

Despite Deregulation Texans Paying More For Electricity

Via PLAN and the FWST, Study: Rates are up, not down. The opening paragraph says it all:

Under electricity deregulation, Texans have paid some of the highest rates in the nation -- a reversal of at least a decade of relatively cheap electricity under the state's old regulated system.

Here are the numbers:

$108.40: The average utility bill for a typical Texan.

$94.80: The average utility bill for a typical electricity consumer in the United States.

40th: The ranking of Texas among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., on the affordability of electricity.

SOURCE: Office of public utility counsel, based on 2005 figures

Military Support & Homeland Security In Congressional District 31

As we all know the Republican Party has tried to say that they are the party of security and military support. But unfortunately there actions betray them.

This scathing OP-ED, A Top-Down Review for the Pentagon, written by Paul D. Eaton, a retired Army major general, was in charge of training the Iraqi military from 2003 to 2004, calls for Rumsfeld to resign among other things. It ends with a couple of solutions. I don't agree with Lieberman for Sec. Def. but the policy he puts forth is sound.

First, President Bush should accept the offer to resign that Mr. Rumsfeld says he has tendered more than once, and hire a man who will listen to and support the magnificent soldiers on the ground. Perhaps a proven Democrat like Senator Joseph Lieberman could repair fissures that have arisen both between parties and between uniformed men and the Pentagon big shots.

More vital in the longer term, Congress must assert itself. Too much power has shifted to the executive branch, not just in terms of waging war but also in planning the military of the future. Congress should remember it still has the power of the purse; it should call our generals, colonels, captains and sergeants to testify frequently, so that their opinions and needs are known to the men they lead. Then when they are asked if they have enough troops -— and no soldier has ever had enough of anything, more is always better - the reply is public.

Our most important, and sometimes most severe, judges are our subordinates. That is a fact I discovered early in my military career. It is, unfortunately, a lesson Donald Rumsfeld seems incapable of learning.

How could this possibly happen with the current Republican leadership? It can't. We need new leadership, especially in TX CD 31 where the military contituency is so imporant.

The other thing that happened in the last week to shine a light on this is the Bush blowback furor over the Dubai ports deal. After the deal was killed the Democrats tried again to get money added to the budget to fund port security. You'll never guess what happened. Right-Wing Blocks Funding For Port Security, Disaster Preparedness. You can see Congressman Carter's vote against the amendment here. But they did put in $1.7 billion dollars for the still unproven so-called missle defense system.

The good news in all of this is that in November there is a choice and a good one at that. We need new leadership for the security of our country and to support our military. That leader is Mary Beth Harrell.

A Few Items

The SAEN has this article today on the Leininger election wrap-up, GOP winners say cash won't guide their votes. Right, and George W. Bush is a compassionate conservative. Tell me another one. Here's a few quotes:

Two victorious candidates who filled their campaign war chests with money from a wealthy San Antonio businessman resent allegations that they were "bought," despite sharp criticism from their opponents after the Republican primary votes were counted.

Both Nathan Macias of Bulverde and Wayne Christian of Center said Dr. James Leininger's money -— although much appreciated - would have no influence on the way they vote on the state House floor.

Furthermore, they said, it wasn't the money that led them to victory, but their effective campaigns against two incumbents who had lost favor with their constituents.

[...]

"I think our party is in trouble," she said. "I don't think it's representative of the masses who vote Republican. We've turned it over to the extremists."

Casteel pointed to well-funded interest groups that can flood mailboxes and airwaves with slick ads and misleading claims.

"The more immediate threat is the purchase of seats," she said. "First, it may stifle independence. 'If I don't vote the way so-and-so wants me to, I won't be back.' It scares me that democracy is for sale. That's not a good thing.

The long and the short of the Casteel v. Macias race is that if he doesn't get all that money from Leininger it doesn't matter what his message is, it doesn't get out. How much worse do you think Rep. Krusee would have done if Barbara Samuelson would have had that kind of money? Exactly. He'll also think twice, at least, when he benefactors pet project(s) are up for a vote.

Looks like things with the TTRC, aka the Sharp Crony Commission, changed over the weekend. They were scheduled to release their report tomorrow and hold hearings Tuesday and Wednesday. Now from this article in the AAS on Saturday they are delaying it for a while,
Preparations for special session begin. Here's the subtitle, Business groups, lobbyists, lawmakers gearing up to consider possible solutions to school finance system. I'm sure that parents, teacher's, school administrators and hopefully voters are too. Anyway, here's the part about the delay:

A commission appointed by Perry is studying the state's tax structure. The panel of two dozen business leaders, led by former state Comptroller John Sharp, is expected make recommendations soon. However, the group's report may not be issued next week as planned, its staff director said.

The recommendations might include reducing school property taxes by a third without raising the state sales tax. To do that, they will probably suggest revising the business franchise tax, raising the cigarette tax and using $1 billion of the state's $4.3 billion budget surplus.

And they've postponed the hearings (scroll to the bottom) until the end of March. I wonder if those business groups, lobbyists and legislators had anything to do with that?

Capitol Annex has the latest from PLAN on the 65% Rule.

What's Needed For Public Schools

This is a great editorial in today's DMN, Get it right, Austin. It does a good job of laying out what we really need in Texas to fix our public schools. It also does a godd job of stating that it's probably too big a chore for us to expect with the current leadership vacuum we have in Texas:

Austin, this time you really do have to fix the mess. Will the upcoming special session bring an end to the mess? Do not bet on it. Here's the rub: Gov. Rick Perry supports lowering school property taxes but opposes increasing school funding. Moreover, fixing the state tax system so that it can generate the tax revenue needed to end all the problems is not being considered. Instead, the plan is to push through a small illusory fix that uses the state surplus and then publicly claim that all is well. In truth, our public schools will remain inadequately funded, our state tax system will still not have the needed capacity, and our courts will again have to intervene.

Texans expect a real fix and will see through any charade. Trying to sneak by with something less than a real fix will invite their wrath. Hopefully, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, House Speaker Tom Craddick and a majority of the Legislature will resist this route and do a real long-term fix.

In the absence of strong political leadership and courage in Austin, Texans can be sure of one thing - the mess will just get messier.

I have to disagree with the writer of this on one thing. Texans have been unable to see through charades for a while now and I think a surplus scam would work just fine on enought Texans to get most of these people reelected. I would be very happy to be wrong on that front. It does a great job of pointing out what's needed, courageous leadership.

The 65% Rule Exposed, Again

This article from the AAS, Spending on instruction varies among Texas school districts. It's the same stuff we already konw. It doesn't work and that shouldn't surprise anyone becuase that has nothing to do with the reason for it being implemented. The 65% rule is all about dividing teachers and administrators. Here's a few key quotes from this article:

Even Texas' highest-performing school districts vary widely in how much they spend on instruction, according to a study released this week by a coalition of education groups, a finding that adds to the debate about the reasoning behind Gov. Rick Perry's "65 percent rule."

[...]

"To have a one-size-fits-all number that is used not just for reporting but for sanctions is inappropriate," said Catherine Clark, associate director of the Texas Association of School Boards.


[...]

"I am open to having an annual process by which I must explain (spending decisions) to the public," Austin Superintendent Pat Forgione said. "But having an arbitrary trigger of 65 percent, . . . I've not seen any research that says it's better than 60 percent or 70 percent."


[...]


The study also found greater spending variations when it compared higher- and lower-performing districts among their peers in the same class than when comparing higher- and lower-performing districts to each other.

For example, Palo Pinto, a small district outside of Fort Worth that was rated exemplary by the state, spent less than 50 percent on instruction in the 2003-04 school year because it has higher transportation and utility costs, Clark said.

By comparison, the Hamilton school district near Waco, also rated exemplary that year, spent about 64 percent.

Lower-performing districts tended to spend more on instruction than higher-performing districts.

State Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley has not released spending guidelines for Perry's rule.

Why is this still going forward?

Perry Calls Special Session For April 17th

Gov. Perry says One more time for the Supreme Court:

"The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that Texas -’ current tax system must be reformed by June 1,"” Perry said. "This special session provides legislators of both parties a rare opportunity to significantly reduce property taxes, make substantial reforms to the franchise tax so it is fairer and broader, and ensure our schools have a reliable and constitutional stream of revenue."

No big shocker here. We knew this was coming. Sharp's crony commission the TTRC will be releasing it's report next week and will be holding two hearings in Austin next week. Some are joyous and think that Sharp is a miracle worker for coming up with a fix this quick. He may have. Bur remember this puts no new money into schools, it's revenue neutral, and the legislature hasn't got a hold of it yet.

Popular Myth Destroyed

Republicans Control Congress

It's really important to know that, especially when you see headlines like this, Expect Congress to take a pass on cutting spending and this, Senate sets vote on federal debt limit.

Today's popular myth destroyed is that we have "fiscal conservatives" running Congress. They may be "conservative" but not fiscally. When the Republicans became the majority in Congress and tried to institute the Contract on America one of their main points was a balanced budget amendment. It was able to get through the House but not the Senate. But that Republican Congress along with a Democratic President was able to balance the budget none the less. Fast forward to today, of course there is no contract anymore, and the "fiscal conservatives" run every branch of government. If you didn't know any better that would lead one you to believe that the budget is balanced, right? Well wrong. It's not tax and spend it's spend and spend.

The interesting part to us here in CD 31 is, of course, where our Congressman stands on all this. After touting his vote for the so-called Deficit Reduction Act in February:

"The Deficit Reduction Act is important to reducing wasteful spending and encouraging a more efficient government, while continuing to support the needs of Americans," Congressman Carter said. "I am proud to have supported a bill that takes important steps to reduce the federal deficit and keeps government safety net programs sustainable."

On Wednesday Rep. Carter voted for raising the debt ceiling. Here's what the head of the conservative Republican Study Group, of which Rep. Carter is a member, had to say:

Twenty-nine House Republicans (Rep. Carter not included) voted against their party leadership Wednesday on a rule to set terms of debate on the spending bill. It was an extraordinary defection on a measure that typically receives a party-line vote.

"House conservatives were profoundly disappointed," said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., the leader of House GOP fiscal conservatives.

But check out who's leading the fight against this and why the Republicans that control Congress won't do what they always said they would do:

The Senate this week fended off, in a tie vote, a Democratic effort to require all new tax cuts and spending increases to be offset by spending cuts elsewhere. The House of Representatives on Wednesday beat back an attempt by fiscal conservatives to require offsetting cuts to pay for $91.8 billion in spending for Iraq and the hurricane-damaged Gulf Coast states.

In both cases, Republican leaders led the fight against budget restraint. In the Senate, Republicans said Democrats only wanted to make it more difficult to extend expiring tax cuts. In the House, GOP leaders wanted to avoid forcing Republicans facing tough re-election fights to cut popular programs.

"It's difficult to do that with small majorities in an election year, when every cut and slice is going to get magnified," said Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va.

Quick fact:

The national debt has grown 50 percent during Bush's presidency.

The real reason that the Republicans in Congress are doing this is not just election year politics. It's polls and the new Majority Leader thinks the American people need to be educated about the deficit:

A poll this week by the Pew Research Center found that the public no longer views the deficit as a crisis, unlike in the 1990s. In 1993, 17 percent listed the deficit as the most important problem facing the nation, behind unemployment and the economy. In January, only 2 percent considered the deficit the most important issue.

As a result, Republicans calculate that cutting spending is politically riskier than not.

House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said this week that if lawmakers want to tackle Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, they first must educate the public.

"To go in and start making cuts without first helping people understand the problem, the extent of the problem, and the fact that these programs are not sustainable for the long term is, I think, political suicide," he said.

When your worried about a terrorist attack the budget deficit doesn't seem like such a big deal, does it? Rest assured though, this is all part of the overall plan of running up the deficit to astronomical proportions so that someday the only thing left to do will be to cut social spending to the bone. And then we'll all be educated about the budget deficit.

Formatting Problems...Please Bear With Us.

I am sorry for the technical difficulties. If you looking for the links, etc..scroll down to the bottom of the page. We have support ticket into Blogger and are waiting to hear back.

John Sharp Floats A/His Plan (So Far)

Here's the story from the DMN, Sharp foresees no change to sales tax rate:

The state can reduce school property taxes by a third without an increase in the sales tax, a key component of plans considered by the Legislature last year, the chairman of the governor's tax reform commission said Tuesday.

The panel is heading toward a recommendation to use $1 billion from the state's budget surplus, overhauling the business franchise tax and raising taxes on cigarettes to fund the property tax cut, said its chairman, former state Comptroller John Sharp.

Speaking in an interview a day after the 24-member panel completed a series of 16 public hearings across the state, Mr. Sharp said his commission is ready to start drafting its recommendations for a special legislative session that Gov. Rick Perry is expected to call for next month.

"We believe we can safely use part of the state's budget surplus, and we intend to recommend the use of $1 billion of the surplus to buy down property taxes," he said.

That will help avoid an increase in the state sales tax – already one of the highest in the nation - and will still leave enough surplus funds to handle other expenses the Legislature chooses to pay for, Mr. Sharp said.

"Why increase the sales tax when you don't have to?" Mr. Sharp said, asserting that use of the surplus to buy down property taxes represents real tax relief rather than a tax swap.

Come now Mr. Sharp. You may not be swapping taxes not to raise the sales tax but I'm sure you're aware that most of the "surplus" was created by cutting benefits to the neediest among us. But, of course, your whole plan is a tax swap and I'm not really sure why the business lobby will accept it, this time. You must have something really horrible you're using to threaten them. Here are the particulars:

Cut local school property taxes by one-third.

Base the business franchise tax on gross receipts of most businesses after either salaries or the cost of goods are deducted.

Increase the cigarette tax $1 per pack.

Spend $1 billion from the state's surplus to help offset property tax cuts.

Now we know this isn't a fix. It's just a short-term fix to get us through until the next crisis. The article also mentions an even shorter-term fix that is circulating around the capitol:

Meanwhile, as the special session approaches, a group of House Republicans has been trying to drum up support for a temporary fix that would use more than half the budget surplus to reduce property taxes by about 20 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Supporters say that would allow lawmakers to avoid a big tax bill in the special session and finish the job in the 2007 regular session.

Mr. Sharp, a Democrat, said that would be a big mistake and could leave the state with a deficit ‚– especially if lawmakers can't agree on a new tax system in 2007.

"That's how you wind up getting yourself in big financial trouble," he said.

Shouldn't that say a more temporary fix? Leave it to a lame duck legislature to put off today what it can fix tomorrow.

The other thing to remember about this plan and what the TTRC has, or hasn't as the case may be, done. This is revenue neutral, meaning it puts NO NEW MONEY INTO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. This does nothing to fix the school finance problem it just lowers property taxes, for now.

[UPDATE]: Found this little snippet from the Texas Weekly RSS feed:

While former Comptroller John Sharp and the rest of Gov. Rick Perry's tax reform commission works on proposed revisions to the state's business taxes, they're starting to hear more noise from lawmakers and lobbyists. That's not unusual with a special session approaching, but it's dangerous for tax bills: An unprotected tax bill lasts about as long as free pot at a rock concert and isn't nearly as much fun.

Which I believe means that as of right now a sales tax hike is off the table and business will bear most of the burden for the TTRC plan. But this plan is being put ouf for scrutiny and is not being backed by anyone outside the TTRC, most notably the governor, at this time.

TxDOT Has Setup A Hotline For TTC-35 Info

Here's the number,877-872-6789, if nobody answers you can leave a message. If my home was anywhere near - within 100 miles or so - one of the proposed paths I would definitely be calling this number to find out about the release date of the path and about when and where any public meetings will be held. Of course be polite and don't call too often.

Teachers Don't Turnout To Vote? They Did This Time!

Reposted From Yesterday

Harvey Kronberg rehashes the primary and points out that teachers vote made a difference in a couple of races, Political fallout from primary elections.

Everyone always said teachers don't vote, well they did this time:

The education community proved that if you push too far, they can produce enough votes in some traditionally low turnout GOP primaries and bite back.

And teacher's and those that agree with them voting makes for a very interesting upcoming special session and November election:

As we go into the special session, there are a lot of nervous legislators. On paper, the November election should be irrelevant. But apparently, quite a few traditional primary voters skipped last week's election so they could sign petitions for Carole Strayhorn or Kinky Friedman. Those folks may well be sick of incumbents in general. So, despite the redistricting effort to disenfranchise November voters, there is no telling what might happen in more than 50 contested races next fall.

The Texas Federation of Texas is continuing the fight into the runoffs, Do you and other educators have the respect and influence you deserve at the capitol?

As previously reported, TFT members scored big wins in the March 7 primary election. Volunteer members reached about 35,000 primary voters by mail in targeted legislative elections.

The wins, listed below, add to the gains our Educator-to-Voter campaign achieved with the recent special elections of Donna Howard of Austin and Ana Hernandez of Houston. The nine March 7 winners in our targeted races included:

Diane Patrick of Arlington (defeating Kent Grusendorf)

Charlie Geren of Fort Worth Delwin Jones of Lubbock
Dora Olivo of Fort Bend County Garnet Coleman of Houston
Juan Escobar of Kingsville Norma Chavez of El Paso
Tommy Merritt of Longview Pat Haggerty of El Paso

If you are a TFT/AFT member and you are willing to send 20 postcards by mail to voters in the April 11 primary runoff elections and the November general election, click here.

If you already participate in the project, please forward this message to your fellow AFT members or immediate family using the "Tell a Friend" link below.

Help them out if you can and make a legislator nervous.

Why Are National Republicans Treating Texas Like This?

Texans, and in particular Republican Texans, probably don't understand why their state with a Republican governor and a Republican Senate and a Republican House and a Republican everything is being treated like this by a Republican president. This article is what I'm talking about, State may not get paid for Katrina help. The governor went to D. C. and got walloped:

On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry told the Senate Appropriations Committee that Don Powell, federal coordinator of Gulf Coast rebuilding, told the state not to expect any additional help from Washington because the damage the state sustained from Rita was caused mostly by wind, not water.

Additionally, Housing Secretary Alphonso Jackson said communities had been compensated very well for providing millions upfront to Katrina evacuees for housing.

The biggest wallop to Texas pride came Thursday, when Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., doubted Texas' need for compensation.

"I know there are costs and burdens, but I need to be convinced that they should be compensated," Bond said in a Senate Appropriations hearing.

He suggested that Texas has benefited from the influx of evacuees. "I think it's time we get back to being a good neighbor and not a paid companion," he said.

Bond was not available for an interview last week to elaborate on his concerns, spokesman Rob Ostrander said. Ostrander declined by e-mail a request for an interview in Bond's place, insisting that questions be sent to him first.

"Senator Bond's statement from earlier this week speaks for itself," he said in an e-mail.

Kit Bond? KBH had this to say:

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, who lashed out at Bond at this week's hearing, said in an interview Friday that Bond's comments were "unnecessary" and reflect "a fundamental misunderstanding of what Texas has done."

She's right, but will that change anything and can she? The reason for this, and this is going to sound simplistic, is because of politics. In case you haven't noticed the president's poll numbers are bad. To get them up the White House is trying everything they can and it still ain't working. But at this point the last thing they're going to do is start pumping the little remaining money they have to play with into a state that is one of the most reliable Republican voting blocks in the country. In other words because of Texas' sheep-like quality of voting Republican, no matter what, our state can be ignored by the RNC and national Republicans. They figure they can do anything, or in this case nothing, and Texans will still vote for Republicans. As many have said, when we have one party rule we have no accountability. Whether it's on the county commission or the entire state government, once they control it all and believe they can't lose that control, then they can, and most times, will ignore the public opinion and do whatever they want. Whether it's toll roads, voting for publicly funded vouchers, or voting against money for a Crisis Center. The way to change this is to vote them and their party out of office.

Where Does Gov. Perry Stand On An Across The Board Teacher Pay Raise?

Here's how you do it. Take an issue everyone agrees on, a teacher pay raise, and make the governor and his party show which side of the issue they are on. Homer calls for teacher pay raise:

State Rep. Mark Homer, D-Paris, is calling on Gov. Rick Perry to add an across-the-board teacher pay raise to the call if he summons lawmakers back to Austin next month for a special session on school finance.

"“This is the first request we have received on the subject,"” Rachael Novier, spokeswoman for the Republican governor, said Friday.

What was the governor's response?

The governor'’s spokesperson reiterated Perry'’s stand on both teacher pay and the upcoming special session.

"Gov. Perry strongly supports increased pay for teachers, especially those teachers who motivate students to achieve at high levels,"” Novier said.

In the upcoming session Gov. Perry is for a narrow call until the tax shift is accomplished:

"In the upcoming session, the governor has asked legislators to focus on the Supreme Court mandate to lower property taxes and modernize the way we finance our public schools,"” she continued. "“Once that is complete, he will consider expanding the call."

Teachers again take a back seat under this governor.

Barbara Ann Radnofsky For Senate

It appears BAR's campaign should have spent some money in the primary which may have saved her this runoff:

I've always said BAR was too busy running for November and not thinking about March like she should have been. He might be an old-coot, but one shouldn't underestimate the name of Gene Kelly.

But as Kuffner says they realize it and are moving forward:

At least the campaign has recognized that it needs to run against Kelly for the next 30 days. He's as easy a target as you could want. The contrast between the two of you and the reason why you're the only choice couldn't be plainer. Be just negative enough to remind people why they can't afford to go with him, and play up your qualities for all they're worth. The rest will follow.

BOR has a Texas map by county and analysis here. More evidence that the Radnofsky campaign is getting the runoff off to a good start:

The Dancer is Dead...Don't Let Him Kill the Party!

Texas Democrats need a fighter to take our state back and to keep fakers like Kelly from ruining our party. Barbara Ann Radnofsky has made 328 campaign appearances and received the endorsement of every major newspaper in Texas. And Kelly? Commentators describe him as a clown, a perennial joke, and an embarrassment to the party.

Barbara Ann fights for veterans' rights, for education, for better healthcare, and for Texans.

The dancer is dead, folks...please don't let him kill the Party.

Donate now and spread the word for the April 11 runoff.

BAR's Guest Post at Capitol Annex:

If we hadn't had this runoff, we'’d never have had the opportunity to make a massive appeal and get my name out in a state mailing one, two or three times or to ask people like the folks on this blog to please rouse others out of their apathy and go vote (early on April 3 and in the election on april 11). As I mentioned, and to his credit, the Chairman of the State Dem Party has endorsed me, which is not often done in a contested dem race.

Barbara Ann Radnofsky is the only choice for Democrats if we want to have a chance in November.

More Cracks

As we try to decipher what the meaning of Tuesday primary results are most of the newspapers around the state seem to think it's has weakened the Speaker, deepened the divides inside the TRP, and left everyone wondering about what will happen in Austin in about a month or so.

As one of the articles above states, it doesn't matter what happened on Tuesday, that doesn't change who's going to show up for the special in about a month. It's pretty much the same cast of characters from last year. Oh yeah, there's two more Democratic votes in the House than there was last summer.

The big question remains, what will be considered success in the upcoming special session(s)? Is success just getting to June 1st without the schools closing? Is success "reforming" the whole school finance system? Will there be another attempt to squeeze vouchers in? At this point it looks like Gov. Perry is trying to have it both ways, :

Kathy Walt, a spokeswoman for the governor, said that no one has been a bigger champion for lower property taxes than Perry. She said his plan is to call lawmakers back to first craft a tax plan that passes constitutional muster, and if time permits, they might then turn their attention to other matters.

But as this shows that divide is much deeper than that:

But Democratic state Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston said he won't be satisfied with a quick fix for the public schools. Ellis said in an e-mail to his constituents that he intends to push for a significant pay raise for teachers and for a more generous health insurance package for educators. In addition, he said, any effort to raise taxes on consumers to offset property-tax reductions would likely meet with Democratic resistance.

"It makes little sense to raise the nation's highest sales tax to cut some of the highest property taxes," Ellis said.

Lutz said the challenge facing Republican leaders will be to smooth over the hurt feelings on the political front and to forge a consensus in the face of deep divisions over policy.

"Voters made it real clear that they want this done by the June 1 deadline," Lutz said. "Anyone who doesn't get that is taking on a big risk."

Republicans can rest assured that the Texas Parent PAC will be watching.

Precinct 4 & HD 52 Primary Analysis

The Taylor Daily Press has an interesting article, Election shows precinct diversity , showing the disparity that exists between Republican primary voters in Williamson County's Precinct 4. Not only in the commissioners race but in how they voted in the HD 52 race.

When candidates spoke to voters in various forums prior to the March 7 primary election, they generally agreed that Williamson County's Pct. 4, which stretches from the east side of Round Rock to the eastern county line, is very diverse.

An analysis of the voting results for the 12 polling places east of the SH-130 toll road ratify that conclusion.

The commissioners race and the HD 52 race have given us an interesting look into the an emerging dynamic with the Republican voters in precinct 4. From Tuesday's election we can see there is an East/West, or rural/suburban, difference in voting patterns developing in precinct 4. It also shows that those in the Eastern part of the precinct are looking for an alternative or a candidate that doesn't represent the status quo.

There are a few things that need to be analyzed here. This shows a fracture in the Republican voters in precinct 4. Some may say it's because of the low turnout because there was not serious challenger in the governors race and many Republicans sat out the primary. Many of them, not all of those who sat out, may have sat out the primary because of their dislike of Gov. Perry and saw the only alternative to be signing one of the independents petitions. Either way it shows that in precinct 4 there are some previously reliable Republican voters that are at least looking at their options.

The eastern part of precinct 4 is more rural and much, much more concerned about the future route of the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC), which is responsible for much of this, but why? This means that they feel their issues are being marginalized or forgotten by those that are currently representing them No amount of corn, cotton and computer slogans are going to change that. Say what you will but if someone wanted to, or is willing to go along with those that want to put a freeway through my families property I'm sure I wouldn't vote for them either. It's unaccountable government that's the issue. That's what I've been trying to point out for a long time. The fact that if Williamson County keeps electing Republicans and Republicans only and expects the situation with the TTC to change they're kidding themselves.

If you really want to have a shot at ending the TTC then make sure the current chair of the House Transportation Committee doesn't keep his seat. That's right, Rep. Krusee had serious trouble in the eastern part of precinct 4 as well. He ran almost 9 percentage points lower in the eastern part of the precinct than he did in the precinct all together.

The voting patterns show that Mike Krusee, the incumbent state representative, is less popular east of SH-130 than he is on the west side. Over the entire precinct, Krusee defeated Barbara Samuelson by a margin of 63.76 percent to 36.24 percent, but east of SH-130 Krusee's margin was 55 percent to Samuelson's 45 percent.

In voting precinct 433 in Coupland, where anti-toll road sentiment is strong, Samuelson had 65 votes compared to Krusee's 25. Samuelson also beat Krusee in precinct 456 at Our Lady of Guadalupe by a margin of 15 to 11.

One interesting dynamic to watch in the runoff will be to see if either of the candidates tries some sort of anti-TTC gambit now that it's a two man race.

Coe and Morrison said they'll be studying these returns closely as they prepare for the April 11 runoff, especially in light of their close county-wide race which Coe won by a margin of 34.62 percent to Morrison's 32.67 percent

Remember all of you anti-TTC Republicans and Democrats as well. If you didn't vote in either primary you can vote in this runoff and can still register to vote in the runoff until March 13th. If you voted in the Democratic primary you cannot vote in the commissioners runoff.

This also provides an opportunity for the Democratic Party in this precinct and HD 52. Rural voters who started voting Republican in the late 80's and early 90's in Williamson County because of social issues appear ready to look at an alternative now that they see their family farms and economic livelihood being put in the path of this Republican lead toll road scheme. Whether they didn't vote or if they voted against the status quo, disaffected Republicans need to know that the Democrats in Williamson County are opposed to the TTC and will not sit idly by and allow this to happen when we are elected to office. Remember, your current state representative is for this scheme and neither one of the two remaining Republican commissioner candidates were against it before the runoff. One will probably try to go after your vote by claiming they are now, but I wouldn't buy it if it was my family farm. The only way you can make the commissioners court stands up and take notice is to vote for change in November and change is Brig Mireles and Karen Felthauser.

TTRC Holds Final Hearings

The John Sharp headed crony commission, better known as the Texas Tax Reform Commission (TTRC) is holding it's final hearings this week and next. Hearings were held this past Monday in San Antonio and Wednesday in Houston and the final one will be next Monday in Arlington.

There are several things the TTRC has done and I'm not really sure it's what the purpose of the commission was. First, it showed every Texan that's been attentive that most businesses and corporations have been getting away with paying little or no taxes for quite some time. So that's who we have to blame for those high property taxes, well them and the politicians that allowed this to continue. Not to mention all those tax abatements corporations get when they bring their business to Texas. Second the TTRC has also reinforced what we already knew, we've got basically three choices. Raise business taxes, raise sales taxes -– or some combination of the two -– or institute a state income tax. The combination of raising the business/franchise tax and raising sales taxes is what the legislature and the current state leadership and their lobbyists couldn't agree on last year. Oh boy, meetings all over the state, cronies come together and all we get is this? What is it that will now make businesses and their lobbyists more receptive top paying higher taxes? Will they suddenly have a soft spot in their hearts to pony up money to pay their fair share to educate their workforce?

This may be a little early since it will be a couple more weeks until the final report is released but from what John Sharp has been saying, for a while now, a business and sales tax increase appears to be coming. Maybe I've been too critical and they'll bring something entirely different to the table. One of the good things, I think, the TTRC has done is shone a light, and not a bad one, on a state income tax. In Texas, because of the way one would have to be implemented, it is the fairest way to solve our tax problem in Texas and bring our public schools back to prominence.

Here's an exchange from Wednesday's meeting in Houston between a commission member and a Rabbi that I thought was interesting:

A number of speakers were members of The Metropolitan Organization, a coalition of Houston congregations and other organizations, which pledge its dedication to "ordinary citizens,"” who argued that a higher sales tax is regressive, or hits the pocketbooks of lower-income people more than others.

Rabbi Brenner Glickman of Houston's Congregation Beth Israel, saying he wanted to leave commissioners with a "theological message,"” referred them to an Exodus story about the construction of a tabernacle. Glickman said people who could not offer cattle for the effort were asked to offer two doves; those who could not do that were asked to donate bread.

"I am not here to testify that God is opposed to (an increased) sales tax, but I believe its true,"” Glickman said to the laughter of the audience.

Commissioner William Blaylock, tax director for Texas Instruments in Dallas, joked that Glickman did not mention a Genesis story in which ancient Israel took one-third of all the grain throughout the country, which he called the "first gross income tax."”

Only time will tell but from what I've seen during this process and what is coming not much has changed. There's a big difference between getting and unelected commission to agree on this than there is in getting a majority in the legislature to agree.

As Their Leader Sinks..

..like a stone the infighting begins.

Cato conservatives are jumping off the Bush bandwagon, At Conservative Forum on Bush, Everybody's a Critic:

If the ancient political wisdom is correct that a charge unanswered is a charge agreed to, the Bush White House pleaded guilty yesterday at the Cato Institute to some extraordinary allegations.

"We did ask a few members of the Bush economic team to come," explained David Boaz, the think tank's executive vice president, as he moderated a discussion between two prominent conservatives about President Bush. "We didn't get that."

Now why would the administration pass up such an invitation?

Well, it could have been because of the first speaker, former Reagan aide Bruce Bartlett. Author of the new book "Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy," Bartlett called the administration "unconscionable," "irresponsible," "vindictive" and "inept."

And the ports deal is forcing more off, Suddenly, a Rebellion in the G.O.P. on a Signature Issue:

After more than five years of allowing President Bush relatively free rein to set their course, Republicans in Congress are suddenly, if selectively, in rebellion, a mutiny all the more surprising since it centers on the party's signature issue of national security.

[UPDATE]: There may or may not be a deal on the ports.

The president hits back blaming Congress for the slow Katrina reconstruction, Bush: Congress 'Shortchanged' New Orleans:

President Bush, on a Gulf Coast inspection tour that included his first visit to this city's storm-shattered Lower Ninth Ward, bluntly accused Congress on Wednesday of underfunding the repairs and called for speedy action to make good on federal commitments.

As the House set aside the president's Medicare cuts, the Senate sets aside HSA's, House Republicans oppose Bush's Medicare cuts:

President George W. Bush's plan to cut $36 billion from Medicare ran into stiff opposition on Wednesday from dozens of his fellow Republicans in the House of Representatives.

The move creates doubts about getting Bush's 2007 budget through Congress — and is another sign of growing tensions between the president and his fellow Republicans in Congress.

In another headache for Bush, a top Senate Republican said he was putting on the back burner the president's proposal to expand tax-free Health Savings Accounts, a major component of the administration's effort to reduce health care costs.

And the "right-wing" RSC - of whice Rep. Carter is a member - wants to cut almost 10 times what the president did, House Conservatives Prepare Austere Alternative Budget:

But House conservative leaders would go far beyond the president's own budget proposal, illustrating the difficulty the White House and the Republican leadership have had in persuading the caucus to speak with one voice on the matter.

Senior aides say the conservatives' plan would wring about $350 billion from Medicare, Medicaid and other social programs and save $300 billion partly through a major reorganization of the Education, Commerce and Energy Departments.

Who's on first?