Tag Archives: Texas Legislature

Texoblogosphere: Week of February 9th

The Texas Progressive Alliance will be more than happy to never hear the word “sequestration” again as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff provides his four part Mayoral manifesto for the 2015 election in Houston.

Letters from Texas turns the blog over to Russ Tidwell for an update on redistricting litigation and the question the judges in San Antonio will be ruling on.

light seeker at Texas Kaos takes Fox “News” to task for its fear mongering, distortion and misrepresentation. The Fear and Hate Chronicles.

From WCNews at Eye on Williamson: It’s amazing to me how little Texans care if corporations waste their money. Privatization Corruption Is Common In Texas.

The games people play with money when they are our elected representatives in Austin gets more disgusting by the legislative session. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs really thinks there’s got to be a better way to run state government than with the wheels greased by the lobbyists.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes Larry Taylor is so encrusted in the Republican bubble he brags about giving the insurance industry perks at the expense of Texans.

Neil at All People Have Value wrote about the rip current warning sign on the beach in Galveston. Sometimes we do have to swim against the tide. All People Have Value is part of NeilAquino.com.

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And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

Lone Star Ma puts out a call to action to oppose the so-called Teacher’s Protection Act, H.B. 868.

Cherise Rohr-Allegrini catalogs the latest measles outbreak and proselytizes for vaccinations.

Charlotte Vaughan Coyle stands, as a Christian, a person of faith, and a pastor, with her Muslim neighbors and all people who work for justice, peace and reconciliation.

The TSTA Blog calls vouchers “a tuition break at your expense”.

Cody Pogue reviews “Building a Better Teacher”.

Concerned Citizens reports from the first Mayoral debate in San Antonio.

Asbel Smith

(Photo of the historic Asbel Smith building in Galveston, Texas.  Credit:  Wikimedia commons)

TLCQ 2014: Rita Lucido

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.

 

TLCQ 2014: Ron Hale

In the Second installment of the 2014 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire we hear from Ron Hale, candidate for the Texas State Senate, District 15.  He is a Republican.

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? 

RH:  Ron Hale


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

RH:  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?

RH:  Government is important to the point of protecting the god given rights we are all given.

 

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

RH:  Property Tax Reform

Abolish property taxes and replace them with reformed state sales tax that includes an adjusted tax rate base.

Ideally, the reformed state sales tax would closely resemble the option with an 11% sales tax rate and an adjusted base that includes all services taxed in at least one other state, including the sale of property

Municipal Pension Reform

We have to fight to bring pension control back to our cities, so we do not have another Detroit situation on our hands.

Freeze enrollment in the current defined benefit system and enroll newly hired or unvested employees in a 401(k) style defined contribution pension plan.

Implement either a hard or soft freeze of the system for vested employees.

Replace current employee health care plans with Health savings accounts.

Education Reform

We must maintain our role as world leaders in educating our youth to be the workforce and future of our great State of Texas, and for America.

  •  I believe in having options when it comes to school choice, and that our tax dollars should have the ability to follow each student to their selected school of choice.

  •  There needs to be an end to standardized testing in Texas, and no longer should teachers be teaching an evaluation exam to students in order to achieve higher evaluation scores for that school.

  •  We need to encourage corporations and small businesses to partner up with local schools in their area so that they may provide workforce training during high-school, ensuring our graduates will have better career training and job opportunities.

 

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 health care 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. 

RH:  No I do not support Medicaid expansion. It is tax payer who fund Medicaid now and growth in the program means higher taxes. We need to figure out a way to lower health care cost in Texas to provide the best care possible and the lowest rates available.

 

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. 

 RH:  We need to open the bidding process to more companies with the tools to complete the jobs. this will bring to light the ability of lower cost construction through competitive bidding.

 

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

RH:  My ability to work well with others and the will to do the right thing for Texas not matter what the issue.

 

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

RH:  Reading and watching the history channel. Also, spending time with my wife and the rest of my family.

 

 

Thanks to Mr. Hale for his participation.

TLCQ 2014: Laura Nicol

In the First installment of the 2014 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire, we hear from Laura Nicol, candidate for the Texas State Representative, District 133.  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? 

LN:  Laura Nicol

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

LN:  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? 

LN:  Government’s job is the protection and empowerment of ordinary people and their communities. Protection from natural disasters, accidents, and predators (animals, people, and businesses). Empowerment via infrastructure, institutions, and programs that anyone can use to achieve success.

Workers need a living wage, humane working conditions, and affordable housing near public transportation. Families need wholesome food, health care, and social services within their community. Neighborhood schools need full funding and the freedom to teach. Immigrants need legal options and an efficient path to citizenship.

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

LN:  As State Representative for Texas House District 133, I will fight for full restoration of funding for neighborhood schools, and distribution of resources according to need, not test scores.  I will champion legislation to require every job to provide a living wage, decent working conditions, and regularly scheduled days off.  I will fight to protect communities from endangerment and exploitative business practices by enforcing regulations, requiring independent inspections, and imposing crippling penalties for repeat infractions.  If necessary, I will push for a state income tax to fund these measures.

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

 LN:  Yes. If there is suitable existing legislation, I will vote for it.  If not, I will submit a bill.  In addition, I will join other advocates in publicizing the benefits and debunking the feared consequences of Medicaid expansion.

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.

LN:  Infrastructure is what individual prosperity is built upon.  But infrastructure rests upon the foundation of environmental health. Water, air, and soil are our most fundamental and essential assets.  Environmental protection regulations must be enforced and continually updated to include new data. Natural resources must be managed for the good of all, not the profit of a few. Once the foundation of environmental health is secure, civilization’s infrastructure can be addressed:  education, health care, housing, transportation, etc.  All must be addressed with the intent to provide the most good for the most people in the long run.  There are fact and evidence based solutions already working out in the rest of the world; we should not let profiteers call the shots.

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

LN:  The incumbent is a business man, not a public servant.  He is wealth oriented, stuck in the profit paradigm where money matters most.  He brags about how many private schools are in his district, and voted to both reduce and divert public education dollars, starving our neighborhood schools for the benefit of exclusionary institutions.

I am committed to the health and well-being of all Texas residents; I believe every neighborhood needs good public schools, affordable housing, accessible health care & social services, reliable public transit, and a variety of small businesses providing goods, services, and living wages.  We all do better when we ALL do better.

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

LN:  Although I no longer sing in a choir, I still lead hymns at my UU church every Sunday.  I read a couple of hours a day.  The exception is when my children coax me into trying out a new video game, which I will play for a couple of months before losing interest.  Several times a year I like to spend a day in the garden, focusing on plants and dirt; it puts everything else into perspective for me.

Thanks to Ms. Nicol for her participation.

Texoblogosphere: week of June 3rd

The thoughts and prayers of the Texas Progressive Alliance are with the families and friends of the Houston Fire Department as we bring you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff discusses why the special session won’t wrap up as quickly as first thought.

We said goodbye to Michele Bachmann and Susan Combs on the same day last week. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs tried hard to hold back the tears (of laughter), but ultimately submitted to the overwhelming schadenfreude in anticipation of a few Texans who might next wear the crown.

Dos Centavos provides a response to HB 5 by a statewide coalition of Latino groups who have much to say about the education assessment bill.

Texas’ plan to finance roads is privatized gains and socialized loses. WCNews at Eye on Williamson the poor performance of corporate toll roads in Texas, But you can drive 85 mph on it.

And here are some posts of interest from other Texas bloggers.

Colin Strother joins the blogging world with a comparison of Battleground Texas today to the Assorted Republicans of Texas 30 years ago.

Concerned Citizens offers its own take on how BGT is perceived by its boosters and detractors.

Texpatriate wonders what the heck is going on in Galveston.

Texas Vox asks how ExxonMobil will adapt to the climate change it is helping to create.

Mean Green Cougar Red wants to know how safe our bridges are.

Lone Star Ma is upset about the politically-motivated death of CSCOPE.

Beyond Bones celebrates the sequencing of the coelecanth genome.

Texoblogosphere: The Week of May 27th

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes their legislators get to go home soon as we bring you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff doesn’t profess to know whether Rick Perry will run for Governor again or not, but he does know that Greg Abbott would not be any improvement over him in the Governor’s mansion. The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes their legislators get to go home soon as we bring you this week’s roundup.

Williamson County does it again! WCNews at Eye on Williamson posts on the latest outrage from the GOP in Williamson County, Religious test for constable applicants in Williamson County .

A Dick decided to run for mayor of Houston. Like THAT’s newsworthy. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs decided to blog about it anyway.

Darth Politico is back with some Memorial Day musings about how we treat our veterans and that not all those who die because of war are killed in combat.

DosCentavos celebrates the death (for now) of the latest Republican attack on the poor– drug testing for TANF beneficiaries. He does support some sort of test for Lege members.

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And here are some more posts of interest from Texas blogs.

Hair Balls listens to Steve Hotze’s anti-Obamacare song so you don’t have to.

Brewed And Never Battered thanks everyone who helped pass the craft beer bills this session.

Open The Taps explains what all that craft beer legislation will do for you.

Juanita Jean already has a reason to look forward to 2016.

Sara Inés Calderón offers her perspective on Battleground Texas.

Austin Contrarian reassures his neighbors that Austin isn’t as big as the Census may have you believe.

Jason Stanford explains how the Legislature screwed you this time around.

Better Texas Blog laments that the Lege still doesn’t account for growth in its budget.

Burnt Orange Report (BOR) updates us on the redistricting effort in the city of Austin.

Texpatriate applauds the Lilly Ledbetter equal pay bill.