Tag Archives: txsen

Texas Politics

Yes Dan Patrick… You Voted For School Funding Cuts

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Dan Patrick, State Senator and Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, is trying to pull one over on the people of Texas.  But thankfully, Democratic candidate Leticia Van de Putte isn’t letting him get away with the lies any longer.  Here’s an EPIC press release (with sourcing) from the Van de Putte campaign…

San Antonio, Texas – In 2011, Sen. Dan Patrick voted for the budget that slashed over $5 billion from Texas’ education system.

Then, in 2013, Patrick voted against the budget that partially restored funding to Texas’ neighborhood schools.

Today, State District Judge John Dietz ruled that Texas’ system of funding neighborhood schools is unconstitutional.

Dan Patrick responded to the decision, saying, “As chair of the Senate Education Committee, I led the charge to restore most of the education funding cuts from last session.” [Dan Patrick for Lt. Governor, 8/28/14]

However, Republicans and Democrats alike can see through Patrick’s hypocrisy when it comes to funding education for Texas children.

In 2013, Senate Finance Chair Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, said, “Patrick was directly responsible for these same education programs not being funded…Such revisionism cannot go unchallenged.” [Texas Tribune,06/21/13]

And if that’s not enough for you, just listen to Dan Patrick speak for himself. He’s proud of the 2011 education cuts and even considers them an important credential for his TeaPublican bonafides. Leticia’s not making this up!!

Oh, and by the way… Dan Patrick wanted to cut teacher salaries too.  He says he wants school districts to be able to cut administrative jobs only, but admits that if they can’t reduce teacher salaries, then educators themselves will lose their jobs.  And boy was he right on both counts.  Thanks to the funding cuts Dan Patrick championed, over 25,000 Texans lost their jobs, more than 11,000 of which were teachers.  Contrary to the Senator’s claims, Texas schools could not simply “get by” after the severe cuts of the 2011 legislative session.  They lots so many jobs that over 600 districts are suing the state saying their funding levels are unconstitutional.

But thankfully this November, Texans have a chance to cut Dan Patrick’s job.  One thing is for sure… we can’t afford to have him as Lieutenant Governor.

Cut Patrick

Houston Politics, Politics, Texas Politics

2014 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire

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It’s happening!!

As time gets closer to the November election, it is important that voters have a variety of resources with which to research candidates and make an informed decision when they go to the polls.  One of the best ways to obtain that information is to ask the candidates directly. Not only  do these questions help voters in their decision-making, but they also help inform politicians of what their legislative priorities should be.  Sometimes they even influence policy directly.

For all of these reasons, I am happy to announce the 2014 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire.  Questions have already been sent out to several candidates, with a goal of covering even more in the next few days.  As responses are received, they will be published on Texas Leftist.

Here is an example of the TLCQ 2014…

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1. What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot?

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

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

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. What makes you the best candidate for this office?

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

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The above format is going to be used for legislative races, but formats will vary for the other statewide offices.  There are a lot more races to cover than in last year’s municipal elections, but I’ve decided to give it a try.

Houston Politics

Time to Saddle Up for Paul Sadler

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Ok Texas Democrats… we’ve got some work to do.

If you haven’t noticed, there is an election for the United States Senate going on, and the GOP candidates are in hot pursuit. Texans can’t go 5 minutes without seeing mud-slinging against Ted Cruz or David Dewhurts on their TV and computer screens. Forget the national election… in Texas, their primary is the battle royale. The good news is, most of those ads will stop after the July 31st Primary Runoff is over.

But the Democratic Primary is also going on. Though it may lack the constant bludgening of the GOP side, a very important race is being held between Paul Sadler and Grady Yarbrough. Here’s my take.

Texas Leftist wouold like to formally endorse Paul Sadler as the Democratic Candidate for US Senate. He is the only candidate with the experience and acumen to be able to represent Texans, having held elected office as a State Senator from 1993-2001. During his time in the State Legislature, Mr. Sadler worked tirelessly to improve the State’s education system, passing 3 teacher pay-raises and public-school employee health insurance. He also has a record of strong bi-partisan leadership having worked with then Governor George W. Bush (Republican) and Lt. Governor Bob Bullock (Democrat) to improve the lives of all Texans. On some of our nation’s most pressing issues, Sadler supports the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, and investment in America’s children and infrastructure. He supports the Affordable Care Act as law and thinks that Texas should allow the expansion of medicaid so more Texans can recieve quality care. Mr. Sadler also supports full marriage equality, saying that government issuance of marriage should be separate from the rights of religious organizations. “Interfaith marriages, second marriages,” he said. “Some religions don’t approve of those. We shouldn’t be assigning a religious litmus test.”

By contrast, Grady Yarbrough has no legislative experience. Though his work as a life-long teacher is certainly commendable, he remains something of a “great unknown” to most Texas Democratic organizations. Most importantly, he has not shown any indication or ability to compete with Dewhurst or Cruz on the state-wide level. Of course any man that garners over 100,000 votes in the Primary election deserves honorable mention.

For these reasons, my full support is going to Paul Sadler. So Democrats, it’s time to saddle up, vote in this week’s Primary, and get ready for the general election!

(Photo credit by Jana Birchum of the Austin Chronicle)