Monthly Archives: September 2014

Houston Politics

TLCQ 2014: John Whitmire

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In the Fifth installment of the 2014 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire, we hear from Senator John Whitmire, incumbent of the Texas State Senate, District 15.  He is a Democrat, running for reelection.

Please note: Responses have been received directly from the candidate, and have been posted ver batim from the email received. This is done out of fairness to all candidates. Publishing these responses does not constitute an endorsement, but will be considered during the endorsement process.

 

TL:  What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot? 

JW:  John Whitmire

TL:  Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)? 

JW:  State Representative 1973-1983; State Senator 1983-present

TL:  As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important? 

JW:  What happens at every level of government is important, just as governing is important at every level. Government exists to provide crucial services and protections including education, public safety, public health, transportation, etc.

TL:  If elected, name your top 3 priorities you hope to accomplish for 2015 legislative session.  Describe how you plan to accomplish them. 

JW:  Education – continue to fight for increased funding and equity in our public schools. Healthcare – promote increased funding for the elderly, disabled, and fragile and support efforts to expand Medicaid in Texas. Criminal Justice reform – continue to lead the fight to expand rehabilitation, treatment and alternatives to prison.

TL:  A 2013 survey found that 54 percent of Texas voters support Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act.  Expansion is also supported by the Texas Hospital Association.  Without Medicaid Expansion or an alternate solution, Texas Hospitals are having to provide over $5 billion dollars annually in uncompensated care to patients who lack insurance.  This leaves Texas taxpayers paying not only for the uncompensated care of our residents, but also paying for expanded healthcare benefits in other states. If elected, would you support Medicaid Expansion or an alternate solution for the state of Texas, so we can bring our tax dollars back where they belong?  If not, please explain why.  If so, please explain how you would work to pass such a measure.  

JW:  Strongly supported Medicaid expansion last session and will continue to be vocal on the issue and why it is crucial to so many uninsured and underinsured Texans.

 

TL:  In the coming years, the state of Texas is projected to have a population boom of historic proportions.  But with more people and more opportunities comes an ever-increasing strain on Texas roads and infrastructure.  Describe your thoughts on what needs to be done to improve Texas infrastructure now so we can plan for a bright future for the state.  

JW:  We must adopt a stable funding source for infrastructure maintenance and improvement.

TL:  What makes you the best candidate for this office? 

JW:  Experience counts

TL:  When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?

JW:  Representing the citizens of SD 15, working to advance sound public policy, spending time with my grandson.

 

Thanks to Senator Whitmire for his participation.

Texas Politics

Van de Putte Answers Voters In Live Spanish Language Forum

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If Texans had any question about which candidate is willing to listen to them in the Lieutenant Governors’ race, Democrat Leticia Van de Putte put those questions to rest last night. Here’s more from Alexa Ura of the Texas Tribune…

During a Spanish-language town hall on Friday, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, advocated for a higher minimum wage in Texas.

“We know that people who live off of minimum wage live a poverty-ridden life,” Van de Putte said. “Raising the minimum wage is good for the economy.”

Van de Putte’s remarks come a week after Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis called for pushing the minimum wage in Texas to $10 per hour. In her remarks, Van de Putte said she was unsure whether increasing the minimum wage to $10 an hour from the current requirement of $7.25 per hour was the necessary hike, but she indicated that the Texas Legislature should raise the rate.

Her campaign had hoped the town hall event would be a debate with her Republican opponent, state Sen. Dan Patrick. But Patrick “respectfully declined” to participate in the event, according to event organizers. During the hour, she answered questions from three panelists, from a studio audience, and some asked via social media. <\blockquote>

The forum marks the first time in Texas history that a candidate for statewide office has participated in a televised Spanish language forum during General Election season. Previously, there was a 2002 Primary contest between Democrats Dan Morales and Tony Sanchez also done entirely in Spanish.

Van de Putte’s Republican opponent Dan Patrick was once again absent from the session with Texas voters.  Of course given his previous history of extremely disrespectful comments toward the Hispanic community, it should be no surprise that he didn’t want to answer their questions or hear their concerns. Democrats were quick to attack Patrick for not only refusing the debate, but also several cancellations of recent public appearances.

Besides the minimum wage, Van de Putte discussed a broad range of topics, including Medicaid expansion, LGBT rights and Veterans issues.  Portions of the town hall are already posted on Univsion 41’s website, and the broadcast is set to air on Univision stations in Houston, Austin and Dallas/ Ft. Worth at a future date.  Who knows what the impact will be in November, but one thing is for certain… Leticia Van de Putte showed great poise, knowledge and genuine compassion during the event, proving beyond a doubt that she has what it takes to be Lieutenant Governor.

 

Texas Politics

TLCQ 2014: Rita Lucido

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In the Fourth installment of the 2014 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire, we hear from Rita Lucido, candidate for the Texas State Senate, District 17.  She is a Democrat.

Please note: Responses have been received directly from the candidate, and have been posted ver batim from the email received. This is done out of fairness to all candidates. Publishing these responses does not constitute an endorsement, but will be considered during the endorsement process.

 

TL:  What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot?

RL:  Rita Lucido

 

TL:  Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?

RL:  No

 

TL:  As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?

RL:  I have witnessed how deeply the actions of the Texas legislature can impact the life of every-day Texans.  Funding for programs for at-risk high school students get cut and a family suffers when their 15 year old can’t make it any more.  Restrictions are put on certain health care providers, and a woman loses her family doctor and affordable birth control.  These are just a couple of examples how the Texas legislature is really where “the rubber meets the road” for all of us.

 

TL:  If elected, name your top 3 priorities you hope to accomplish for 2015 legislative session. Describe how you plan to accomplish them.

RL:  Strategic transportation planning and funding, accessing funds to expand health coverage for the huge number of uninsured Texans, improving the quality of our public schools.  By working with smart, responsible legislators from both parties, I think I can accomplish a great deal on all of these goals.  We will have more resources in the State treasury next session and our Texas Legislature must set priorities and do the hard work our communities sent us to Austin to do.

 

TL:  A 2013 survey found that 54 percent of Texas voters support Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Expansion is also supported by the Texas Hospital Association. Without Medicaid Expansion or an alternate solution, Texas Hospitals are having to provide over $5 billion dollars annually in uncompensated care to patients who lack insurance.  This leaves Texas taxpayers paying not only for the uncompensated care of our residents, but also paying for expanded healthcare benefits in other states. If elected, would you support Medicaid Expansion or an alternate solution for the state of Texas, so we can bring our tax dollars back where they belong?  If not, please explain why.  If so, please explain how you would work to pass such a measure.  

RL:  Yes.

 

TL:  In the coming years, the state of Texas is projected to have a population boom of historic proportions. But with more people and more opportunities comes an ever-increasing strain on Texas roads and infrastructure. Describe your thoughts on what needs to be done to improve Texas infrastructure now so we can plan for a bright future for the state. 

We need to look strategically at our transportation system and how we fund transportation and infrastructure.  Currently TxDOT pays $1.3B per year in debt service on over $15B in bonds that have been issued since 2006.  This is unsustainable for a state as prosperous as ours.  I’m committed to working on transportation issues and bringing solutions from all sectors to the table for consideration.

 

TL:  What makes you the best candidate for this office?

RL:  I am a person who experienced what the power of people of good will coming together can have when they decide to fix a problem or make change for the better.  My experience in leadership for several non-profit boards in the Houston area has given me a good understanding of the importance of appropriate and strategic policy.  My experience as a family lawyer for 31 years has honed my ability to work with people in the most polarizing situations.  Additionally, I believe that my intellectual curiosity to find the best answer and best practices when faced with a problem suit me well for the Texas Senate.

I have run my own business for 31 years, met payroll and prospered in the Houston area.  My opponent is a life-long government employee who doesn’t seem to appreciate the benefits the government can provide for others.

 

TL:  When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?

RL:  When not at my desk at my law-firm I like to travel, cook, sew and read.

 

Thanks to Ms. Lucido for her participation.

 

Houston

September 11th: 13 Years Changed

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Never had Arkadelphia, Arkansas seen a sky more blue, or a day more beautiful.  Crossing the serene campus of Henderson State University for an early morning music theory class, I nor any of my peers had even a clue of what was to happen that morning.

After class, I visited with friends for just a minute, and then wandered to the student center.  That’s when the first news report caught my eye.  I stared at the monitor confused and fascinated, thinking that this was so surreal it could only be a movie.  I started watching when the first tower collapsed, and was paralyzed in below the screen until seeing the second tower meet the same fate.  Among the group of students around me, you could feel the shock sear through us as we all came to the realization… America was under attack.  Though we were over 1,000 miles from any of the crash sites, I kept thinking about how Arkadelphia and the East Coast started the day with those same crystal clear blue skies.  Only for those in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, their skies suddenly became filled with terror and complete uncertainty.  Here’s NBC news coverage of that day…

On September 11th, 2001, the United States of America changed.  In fact the whole world changed.  Many of us that remember that day will never process “safety” the same way again.  And of course for those of us personally affected with the loss of loved ones, 9-11 can’t even be put accurately into words.

But even if words fail and the pain still endures, September 11th is too important a day to ignore.  Commemorative events are being held across the nation today, including the city of Houston.  On the University of Houston campus stands one such commemoration… a beam from the World Trade Center in New York.  Here’s more on the memorial and today’s events from Mike Emery of UH News…

Each day, members of the University of Houston community can reflect on this infamous day and pay tribute to those who lost their lives by visiting the UH World Trade Center Memorial and Reflection Garden – just outside of the south entrance of the New University Center (UC). The permanent memorial – obtained through a student campaign – contains a massive steel beam from the World Trade Center building that was destroyed by terrorists.

Community members will surely visit this campus site during this week’s 13th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. To further pay tribute to those who lost their lives, as well as their surviving loved ones, the New UC will host several events and activities.

From 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., 9/11 photo exhibition will be on view in the hallway next to the UC Theater. At 4 p.m. in the theater, retired Marines Col. William Wiggins will share his military experiences following 9/11. Following Wiggins’ presentation, the theater will host a screening of the film “United 93,” which depicts the fate of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed into a field in Stonycreek, Pennsylvania. All events are free and open to the public.

For many life events, thirteen years can sometimes seem pretty far removed.  September 11th is different… woven into the fabric of the nation.  The ripple effect of that day has resulted in the loss of thousands more lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and potentially more as we face growing threats from ISIS.  It is certain that we will never forget.  Facing new challenges, let’s that we have not only changed, but also learned.

9-11 UH5

(This permanent World Trade Center Memorial at the University of Houston is free and open to the public)

Texas Politics

Texas Doesn’t Want Everyone To Vote

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With the approaching apex of election season, debates over voting rights and procedures are certain to become vigorous.  Last week on Houston Matters with Craig Cohen, I even managed to enter the fray with fellow panelists Russ Capper and Lisa Falkenberg over the issue.  Russ stated that he is clearly in favor of Voter ID, while Lisa questioned the necessity of such laws when in person voter fraud doesn’t seem to be a problem.  You can listen to the segment here if you’d like.

The main point that I attempted on the show was this… If Texas really cared about implementing an effective Voter Law, then they would help people to vote instead of hindering them.

On the issue, I agree more with Lisa’s position.  There simply has not been sufficient evidence to prove that Voter impersonation is a problem. The cases of actual in person voter fraud are so miniscule that we’d have better proof to institute a ‘don’t climb on top of a lightning rod during a thunderstorm’ law to prevent people from getting struck by lightning.  This is a problem that simply doesn’t exist.

Be that as it may, I’m not in total opposition to Voter ID laws in concept.  But Texas’ law is specifically designed to disenfranchise certain groups of voters, while not providing sufficient resources to help them vote or obtain the proper ID.  Alice Speri of Vice News has more on what makes Texas law so restrictive…

The voter ID law is not just discriminatory, Martinez Fischer said — it’s also very short-sighted.

[…]

He called Texas’ voter law the “most stringent, harshest voter identification legislation in the country.”

To put that in perspective, Texas’s voter ID law is seen as being more strict than Alabama’s — the state that successfully challenged part of the Voting Rights Act before the Supreme Court.

“Alabama is not exactly a hotbed of liberalism, but even their voter ID law is much, much more lenient and permissive than Texas,” Singh said. “In Alabama, you can use a student ID card, or a government card. In Texas, you can’t use a University of Texas ID. A state employee in Texas is not able to use his state government ID card.”

So a student photo ID, or government employee ID cannot be used to vote, but a concealed carry permit can?  That’s nothing more than a veiled attempt to go after what the Republican Party assumes to be their “base voters” while making sure as many non-Republicans as possible get turned away, or are forced to cast a Provisional Ballot.

The only solution that Texas’ stringent law does provide is a new form of ID that can only be used for voting… the Election Identification Certificate, or EIC.  These special IDs are “free” to those that qualify for them, but the birth certificate that you have to purchase before obtaining the EIC is at a cost.  Another problem with the EIC system?  Most people don’t know where to obtain them, and the Secretary of State isn’t helping to change that.  But at least Democrats have noticed and are trying to broach the issue before election day.  Here’s more from the Texas Tribune…

More than a week ago, Texas Senate Democrats put Texas Secretary of State Nandita Berry on notice: They wanted her office to get more mobile units on Texas streets to give voters without an acceptable photo ID a chance to get one before November’s election.

One week later, there’s been no movement to do so, says state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin.

The problem, he says, is that there are not one but two state agencies in charge of putting more mobile units out in the community. The Secretary of State’s office (SOS), which includes voter registration, has to coordinate where the mobile units will go. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) actually owns the mobile units which can issue the new Texas election identification certificates, or EICs.

After trying to get the two entitites to agree on how to do it — and to do it quickly — Watson said late Tuesday that it “appears to me it is a breakdown on both ends.”

Under the state’s voter ID law, residents must present an acceptable form of photo identification for their vote to be counted. Acceptable photo IDs include Texas driver’s licenses or Texas ID cards that have not been expired for more than 60 days at the time of voting, U.S. passports, or military or U.S. citizenship certificates with photos.

Texas Republicans (more like TEApublicans… many don’t deserve to carry the label “Republican” anymore) have led the charge to adopt the nation’s most restrictive Voter ID law.  They do this because they know that having fewer people vote gives them a better chance at maintaining power and codifying their fringe-Right ideology. For those out there that truly consider themselves to be proud ‘Texas Republicans’, the the Voter ID law should give them pause over what their party stands for.

For Texas Democrats, this is all the more reason to prove them wrong in 2014.  If you haven’t volunteered to help get the word out about the changes to voting, please do so.  Try as they may, the Texas GOP cannot hold the state back forever. In 2014, let’s make sure that the TEApublicans get to see what Texas really looks like.

 

 

 

Texas Politics

TLCQ 2014: Matthew Whittington

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In the Third installment of the 2014 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire, we hear from Matthew Whittington, candidate for the Texas State Senate, District 5.  He is a Libertarian.

Please note: Responses have been received directly from the candidate, and have been posted ver batim from the email received. This is done out of fairness to all candidates. Publishing these responses does not constitute an endorsement, but will be considered during the endorsement process.

 

TL:  What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot? 

MW:  Matthew Whittington

TL:  Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)? 

MW:  I have never held a public office, but I was asked to run (and ran) for the Texas House in 2012.

TL:  As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?          

MW:  The role of our government is to protect our individual right to live life as we see fit as long as we are not infringing upon others right to the same.  With a few constitutionally explicit exceptions, this is a reactive position, not a proactive one.  It is not our government’s job to provide you with the resources to live as you see fit only to take your side if you are being unjustly denied those rights.

 

TL:  If elected, name your top 3 priorities you hope to accomplish for 2015 legislative session.  Describe how you plan to accomplish them. 

 MW: Not necessarily in order.  (Top 5 would have included support of gay marriage and gun rights.)

I.              Civil Asset Forfeiture – The practice of Civil Asset Forfeiture, like many governmental policies, started out with a reasonable premise.  Don’t let bad guys profit from their crimes.  In theory, it is a decent idea.  In practice, it has become a framework for corruption.  Every policy is subject to abuse by bad actors.  Civil Asset forfeiture as moved from the bad actor phase to a mainstream practice.  It is time to stop.  It is more important to protect the property of the innocent than it is to deny the ill-gotten property to the guilty.  There should be no loss of property without a conviction of a crime.

II.            Education – It is not possible with the current text of Article 7 and legal precedent to create a constitutional education system in Texas.  We can either resign ourselves to the current system of perennial funding lawsuits, or we can amend Article 7.  I would propose Article 7 amendments that lean towards free market, unencumbered voucher solutions.

III.           Water – To solve our long term water problems in this state, we need to deregulation the water industry.  I do not mean deregulate for dirty water.  I mean deregulate pricing and competition.  I understand that water is required to live, so a minimum amount should be available with service, but progressive pricing by usage will incentivize market solutions.  Regulatory usage limits will not.

 

TL:  A 2013 survey found that 54 percent of Texas voters support Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act.  Expansion is also supported by the Texas Hospital Association.  Without Medicaid Expansion or an alternate solution, Texas Hospitals are having to provide over $5 billion dollars annually in uncompensated care to patients who lack insurance.  This leaves Texas taxpayers paying not only for the uncompensated care of our residents, but also paying for expanded healthcare benefits in other states. If elected, would you support Medicaid Expansion or an alternate solution for the state of Texas, so we can bring our tax dollars back where they belong?  If not, please explain why.  If so, please explain how you would work to pass such a measure.   

 MW:           I do not support increasing Medicaid.  Medicaid should only be for those who cannot provide for themselves.   Anyone not destitute or disabled should have to depend upon charity.  This cannot be done overnight.  We have spent decades destroying voluntary charitable institutions in this country and replacing them with involuntary government charity and selling it as something we are entitled to.  This hole is deep enough.  We need to stop digging.

At this time, the Republicans are still in charge of this state.  They would be happy to support the ability to ‘Do Something!’ without having to give up the political stance that they have built around not expanding Medicaid.    A viable alternative would have broad support.

 

TL:  In the coming years, the state of Texas is projected to have a population boom of historic proportions.  But with more people and more opportunities comes an ever-increasing strain on Texas roads and infrastructure.  Describe your thoughts on what needs to be done to improve Texas infrastructure now so we can plan for a bright future for the state.  

MW:  The first thought that comes to mind is one that everyone seems to recognize, but somehow never happens.  Quit diverting earmarked funds to other programs.  This is a problem in every level of government in Texas and in every department.  Earmarks need to be ironclad.  If criminal penalties need to be attached to keep them honest, so be it.  That being said, even if all of the earmarked funds were applied to our roads, there will probably still be a shortfall.  I support private solutions.  Not Public/Private partnerships.  With those we get the same groups that currently have us in this mess.  There are discussions of a private, high speed rail line between Houston and Dallas.  If that is truly private (without public funds or eminent domain usage) then I absolutely support it or other similar projects.

As to the current list of organizations that are participating in our infrastructure, where there is the slightest hint of crony capitalism or corruption, fire everyone.  Dissolve the organization if necessary.  If they have unethically profited from their positions, jail or fine them.  Buying land because you know a toll road will be coming and driving up the values is theft and fraud if you are associated with the placement of that road.  Governmental employees profiting through their ‘service’ is unethical.  You want to buy some land, build something and make a lot of money?  Start a company.

 

TL:  What makes you the best candidate for this office? 

MW:  Senator Schwertner is part of the Party machine and is as deep in the incestuous, crony capitalist organizations that are controlling our state right now as anyone else.  Mr Shapiro supports the expansion of the programs that are going to bankrupt our state.  I will do neither.  I will work to live in a state that makes us proud to be Texan instead of proud to be in a state that takes care of all my needs so I do not have to.

 

TL:  When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?

MW: When I am not involved with politics, I spend time with my four children.  I am a software developer during the day and am also involved with a Bitcoin startup.  We are involved with homeschooling.

 

Thanks to Mr. Whittington for his participation.

Politics, Texas Politics

The Daily Show Set to “Mess Around” in Austin

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Some exciting news for the Lone Star State, and (presumably) for state politics.  Just as early voting commences in Texas, Comedy Central phenom Jon Stewart is bringing The Daily Show to Austin.  Here’s more on the news from Austin360…

From world news headquarters in … Austin?

Don’t say Rick Perry never did anything for you.

Comedy Central has announced that anchor Jon Stewart is bringing “The Daily Show” to our city for a week’s worth of shows. Covering the upcoming midterm elections, “Democalypse 2014: South by South Mess” will be taped at ZACH Theatre, 202 South Lamar Blvd. and air nightly at 10 p.m. from Monday, October 27 through Thursday, October 30, the cable network announced.

If you’ve seen The Daily Show, you’ll know that Stewart never hesitates to wade squarely into the political waters for mostly comedic gain.  A pop culture shot in the arm could be just the thing to help increase voter turnout in the state too, especially among the younger adults that compose Stewart’s fan base.

We’ll have to see what effect it has.  But for now, Texas will look forward to its moment of Zen.