Friendswood City Council: “We sue the citizens”
"We make real estate decisions in executive committee." Friendswood City leader says to citizen: “What does it matter who we sue and what we sue?” "We sue the citizens." Then: We’ve had 131 (public) information requests in City Hall. (Hum...wonder why?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwnyTkkvr1o&feature=related
YouTube of Friendswood’s Barker Rant
Friendswood Council Member Mike Barker admits involvement in city efforts to purchase property outside the Friendswood city limits and from a friend of 30-years, David White. But he reserves his right to do business with White in the future. No matter -- the City doesn't have jurisdiction to purchase land outside their jurisdiction. Barker spends over 6 minutes railing on those "ruthless" citizen watchdogs who dare challenge the City leaders' right to ignore the City charter. You can't make this stuff up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39cjlQfG6cs&feature=related
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Friendswood City Council not so friendly...
Friendswood City Council sues citizens???
Mayor David J.H. Smith and the city council appear to have lost their marbles and Americans for Prosperity activists in Friendswood have sounded the alarm. The City of Friendswood has not been able to get voter approval for bonds the council wants to issue, so the city council has gone to court to ask if state law allowing for the issuance of tax revenue certificates of obligation without voter approval trumps the Friendswood City Charter which prohibits issuing CO's without voter approval. They will be in Travis County District Court on Monday, 179 miles away from the Citizens of Friendswood (over 350 miles round trip). So much for citizen participation…
This lunacy is best explained here: http://lonestartimes.com/2009/06/09/friendswood-city-govt-run-amuck/ and here: http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/06/10/Friendswood_journal/news/6-4_fj_lawsuit.txt. The following is from the Friendswood Journal News article:
Friendswood Mayor Smith said during Monday's session at City Hall. "We're the plaintiffs. We sue the citizens, per se, the citizens of the state of Texas…"
Since when should elected officials overrule the voters, let alone sue the citizens so the officials can dig deeper into taxpayers' pockets. Cities are not political subdivisions of the state, and that is why they have city charters. Clearly, the voters of Friendswood were justified in changing the city charter prohibiting city leaders from issuing non-voter approved bonds. Now we see why. Friendswood is carrying $74 million in debt (principal plus interest) and has a population of only 33,486…that represents city debt of $2,242 per man, woman and child.
Mayor David J.H. Smith and the city council appear to have lost their marbles and Americans for Prosperity activists in Friendswood have sounded the alarm. The City of Friendswood has not been able to get voter approval for bonds the council wants to issue, so the city council has gone to court to ask if state law allowing for the issuance of tax revenue certificates of obligation without voter approval trumps the Friendswood City Charter which prohibits issuing CO's without voter approval. They will be in Travis County District Court on Monday, 179 miles away from the Citizens of Friendswood (over 350 miles round trip). So much for citizen participation…
This lunacy is best explained here: http://lonestartimes.com/2009/06/09/friendswood-city-govt-run-amuck/ and here: http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/06/10/Friendswood_journal/news/6-4_fj_lawsuit.txt. The following is from the Friendswood Journal News article:
Friendswood Mayor Smith said during Monday's session at City Hall. "We're the plaintiffs. We sue the citizens, per se, the citizens of the state of Texas…"
Since when should elected officials overrule the voters, let alone sue the citizens so the officials can dig deeper into taxpayers' pockets. Cities are not political subdivisions of the state, and that is why they have city charters. Clearly, the voters of Friendswood were justified in changing the city charter prohibiting city leaders from issuing non-voter approved bonds. Now we see why. Friendswood is carrying $74 million in debt (principal plus interest) and has a population of only 33,486…that represents city debt of $2,242 per man, woman and child.
Friday, June 5, 2009
TXMO and AFP-TX clearly don’t see eye-to-eye
Texas Monthly just released their list of best and worst legislators. Whoop-tee-do. What warped glasses were they looking through?
The TXMO list is subjective, but this is an insight into the magazine’s “inside the beltway” mentality. It does not represent the taxpayers’ perspective.
Some of their Best are actually the Worst, some of their Worst are actually the Best, some Honorable Mentions are in Left Field, Some Dishonorable Mentions are most honorable legislators and some of the so-called “furniture” are actually movers and shakers.
Let’s get real. Sure, Texas Monthly has a right to their own perspective. No one should be mislead that their views represent the views of most Texans.
We will be issuing our own Legislative Report Card to Texas Taxpayers, which will not subjectively
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas), Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock), Craig Eiland (D-Galveston), Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands), Brian McCall (R-Plano), John Otto (R-Dayton), Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), John Zerwas (R-Richmond)
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Worst: Wayne Christian (R-Center), Yvonne Davis (D-Dallas), Jim Dunnam (D-Waco), Allen Fletcher (R-Tomball), Kino Flores (D-Palmview), Sen. Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay), Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr. (D-Houston), Richard Peña Raymond (D-Laredo), Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball), Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands)
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Honorable mention: Sen. Kip Averitt (R-Waco), Dan Branch (R-Dallas), Sen. Robert Deuell (R-Greenville), Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio), Mark Strama (D-Austin), Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio)
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Dishonorable mention: Betty Brown (R-Terrell), Norma Chávez (D-El Paso), Carl Isett (R-Lubbock), David Leibowitz (D-San Antonio), Tommy Merritt (R-Longview)
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Furniture: Charles “Doc” Anderson (R-Waco), Fred Brown (R-College Station), Al Edwards (D-Houston), Joe Farias (D-San Antonio), Sen. Chris Harris (R-Arlington), Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington), Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville), Solomon Ortiz Jr. (D-Corpus Christi), Inocente “Chente” Quintanilla (D-El Paso), Ralph Sheffield (R-Temple)
Rookie of the Year: Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth)
Stay tuned: Americans for Prosperity-Texas, the taxpayer and free-market advocates, will be releasing their report card soon. It will be based on actual votes, bills carried and leadership on behalf of taxpayers. The AFP-Texas rating won't be subjective. Sorry, TXMO readers, we will try to set the record straight!
The TXMO list is subjective, but this is an insight into the magazine’s “inside the beltway” mentality. It does not represent the taxpayers’ perspective.
Some of their Best are actually the Worst, some of their Worst are actually the Best, some Honorable Mentions are in Left Field, Some Dishonorable Mentions are most honorable legislators and some of the so-called “furniture” are actually movers and shakers.
Let’s get real. Sure, Texas Monthly has a right to their own perspective. No one should be mislead that their views represent the views of most Texans.
We will be issuing our own Legislative Report Card to Texas Taxpayers, which will not subjectively
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas), Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock), Craig Eiland (D-Galveston), Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands), Brian McCall (R-Plano), John Otto (R-Dayton), Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), John Zerwas (R-Richmond)
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Worst: Wayne Christian (R-Center), Yvonne Davis (D-Dallas), Jim Dunnam (D-Waco), Allen Fletcher (R-Tomball), Kino Flores (D-Palmview), Sen. Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay), Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr. (D-Houston), Richard Peña Raymond (D-Laredo), Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball), Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands)
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Honorable mention: Sen. Kip Averitt (R-Waco), Dan Branch (R-Dallas), Sen. Robert Deuell (R-Greenville), Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio), Mark Strama (D-Austin), Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio)
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Dishonorable mention: Betty Brown (R-Terrell), Norma Chávez (D-El Paso), Carl Isett (R-Lubbock), David Leibowitz (D-San Antonio), Tommy Merritt (R-Longview)
Liberal Texas Monthly’s Best: Furniture: Charles “Doc” Anderson (R-Waco), Fred Brown (R-College Station), Al Edwards (D-Houston), Joe Farias (D-San Antonio), Sen. Chris Harris (R-Arlington), Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington), Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville), Solomon Ortiz Jr. (D-Corpus Christi), Inocente “Chente” Quintanilla (D-El Paso), Ralph Sheffield (R-Temple)
Rookie of the Year: Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth)
Stay tuned: Americans for Prosperity-Texas, the taxpayer and free-market advocates, will be releasing their report card soon. It will be based on actual votes, bills carried and leadership on behalf of taxpayers. The AFP-Texas rating won't be subjective. Sorry, TXMO readers, we will try to set the record straight!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
We don't want Canadian health care plan in the U.S.
Be afraid – very afraid!
Did you see this? Jack Layton, the head of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP), is meeting with Obama administration officials this week to try to help mold Obama's working healthcare plan into something that resembles Canada's.
If Layton is successful, Canadians’ liberal health care lobby stands to greatly benefit.
Learn more about why we don't want the Canadian health care plan in the U.S. After all, where would Canadians go for prompt, quality care? Check out our newest effort:
www.PatientsUnitedNow.com
And thanks to Heritage Foundation for bringing this article to us: http://townhall.com/columnists/JillianBandes/2009/06/03/canadian_healthcare_coming_to_america
Did you see this? Jack Layton, the head of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP), is meeting with Obama administration officials this week to try to help mold Obama's working healthcare plan into something that resembles Canada's.
If Layton is successful, Canadians’ liberal health care lobby stands to greatly benefit.
Learn more about why we don't want the Canadian health care plan in the U.S. After all, where would Canadians go for prompt, quality care? Check out our newest effort:
www.PatientsUnitedNow.com
And thanks to Heritage Foundation for bringing this article to us: http://townhall.com/columnists/JillianBandes/2009/06/03/canadian_healthcare_coming_to_america
Government to Lobby Itself
We’ve seen it at the local level in Texas – taxpayers (via local taxes) being forced to fund lobbyists who lobby the state. Now, the feds are playing that game.
As a candidate, Barack Obama repeatedly pledged that no lobbyist would work in his White House. But does that policy apply to his auto companies? It’s a timely question, as General Motors, soon to be majority-owned by the U.S. government, announced this week that it planned to retain its in-house lobbying staff (although it is cancelling contracts with its outside lobbyists).
GM issued a statement explaining the decision, stating that the company has “an obligation to stay engaged” on key issues.
Thanks for pointing this out, Heritage Foundation. Read more here: http://blog.heritage.org/2009/06/03/gm-to-keep-lobbyists-government-to-influence-itself/
If you want to end this practice, work with us at Americans for Prosperity. Join now - go to www.afptx.org
-- Peggy Venable
As a candidate, Barack Obama repeatedly pledged that no lobbyist would work in his White House. But does that policy apply to his auto companies? It’s a timely question, as General Motors, soon to be majority-owned by the U.S. government, announced this week that it planned to retain its in-house lobbying staff (although it is cancelling contracts with its outside lobbyists).
GM issued a statement explaining the decision, stating that the company has “an obligation to stay engaged” on key issues.
Thanks for pointing this out, Heritage Foundation. Read more here: http://blog.heritage.org/2009/06/03/gm-to-keep-lobbyists-government-to-influence-itself/
If you want to end this practice, work with us at Americans for Prosperity. Join now - go to www.afptx.org
-- Peggy Venable
Saturday, May 30, 2009
AFP-TX Statement on Demise of "Local Option" Tax
As the gavel falls…
“Local Option Tax Gets Nixed”
Statement by Peggy Venable, AFP-Texas Director
As the so-called “local option” transportation tax fails to make it onto the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Sunset legislation, one of the bill sponsors (Rep. Vicki Truitt) spoke out – via a letter – chastising the conservative groups which helped kill the local option tax.
She failed to include Americans for Prosperity-Texas’ position that local officials didn’t need more taxing authority – or the ability to put more tax increases on the ballot – until they agree to an automatic rate rollback election. Taxpayers deserve the right to LOWER property taxes when the appraisals increase more than 5% (or even the current 8%). But local government officials and their associations didn’t want taxpayers to have the opportunity to determine how much government we want and are willing to pay for – unless we want MORE government and agree to higher taxes to pay for it.
What’s fair is fair. Kill the ability for taxpayers to lower taxes and we won’t agree to any opportunity for local tax spenders to raise taxes. (Ways and Means Chairman Rene Olivera promised his friends at the Texas Association of Counties that he would not allow a revenue cap out of his committee, and he did not. Our contention is that cost DFW a local option transportation tax).
However, even after calling her local officials to Austin Friday in a last-minute attempt to rally support for the local option tax, Rep. Truitt got one thing right. But it wasn’t calling local officials to come to Austin. The “suits” which held a press conference in front of the capitol were all tax spenders. I didn’t see her North Texas taxpayers there. Just suits with their printed signs on stakes. Frankly, the taxpayer-funded lobbyists did their clients (counties and cities) no favors. As they carefully orchestrated the press conference, they appeared to miss the obvious.
Local elected officials were at the capitol asking for authority to raise taxes, with no taxpayers there saying “we want higher taxes” and the officials all wore suits and carried manufactured signs. Hum… Did I hear the DFW officials spent taxpayer dollars to the tune of several million dollars for these lobbyists? DFW taxpayers’ tax dollars at work!
Rep. Truitt is right about one thing – we conservative groups SHOULD have been expressing our outrage over the proliferation of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) which create a new taxing entity with little or no oversight. We will ask for a study of MUDs during the interim as no one appears to be paying attention to these local taxing entities except the folks who are raking in the tax dollars.
So we taxpayers will not mourn the demise of the “local option” tax, but should be bemoaning all the MUDs created the last few legislative sessions. It’s worth studying and exposing the MUD-y mess created by these local taxing entities. For that, we should thank Rep. Truitt for calling us out.
“Local Option Tax Gets Nixed”
Statement by Peggy Venable, AFP-Texas Director
As the so-called “local option” transportation tax fails to make it onto the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Sunset legislation, one of the bill sponsors (Rep. Vicki Truitt) spoke out – via a letter – chastising the conservative groups which helped kill the local option tax.
She failed to include Americans for Prosperity-Texas’ position that local officials didn’t need more taxing authority – or the ability to put more tax increases on the ballot – until they agree to an automatic rate rollback election. Taxpayers deserve the right to LOWER property taxes when the appraisals increase more than 5% (or even the current 8%). But local government officials and their associations didn’t want taxpayers to have the opportunity to determine how much government we want and are willing to pay for – unless we want MORE government and agree to higher taxes to pay for it.
What’s fair is fair. Kill the ability for taxpayers to lower taxes and we won’t agree to any opportunity for local tax spenders to raise taxes. (Ways and Means Chairman Rene Olivera promised his friends at the Texas Association of Counties that he would not allow a revenue cap out of his committee, and he did not. Our contention is that cost DFW a local option transportation tax).
However, even after calling her local officials to Austin Friday in a last-minute attempt to rally support for the local option tax, Rep. Truitt got one thing right. But it wasn’t calling local officials to come to Austin. The “suits” which held a press conference in front of the capitol were all tax spenders. I didn’t see her North Texas taxpayers there. Just suits with their printed signs on stakes. Frankly, the taxpayer-funded lobbyists did their clients (counties and cities) no favors. As they carefully orchestrated the press conference, they appeared to miss the obvious.
Local elected officials were at the capitol asking for authority to raise taxes, with no taxpayers there saying “we want higher taxes” and the officials all wore suits and carried manufactured signs. Hum… Did I hear the DFW officials spent taxpayer dollars to the tune of several million dollars for these lobbyists? DFW taxpayers’ tax dollars at work!
Rep. Truitt is right about one thing – we conservative groups SHOULD have been expressing our outrage over the proliferation of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) which create a new taxing entity with little or no oversight. We will ask for a study of MUDs during the interim as no one appears to be paying attention to these local taxing entities except the folks who are raking in the tax dollars.
So we taxpayers will not mourn the demise of the “local option” tax, but should be bemoaning all the MUDs created the last few legislative sessions. It’s worth studying and exposing the MUD-y mess created by these local taxing entities. For that, we should thank Rep. Truitt for calling us out.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Lobbyists, local officials, Rep. Truitt desperate
Rep. Vicki Truitt and Sen. John Carona are desperate. It appears they don't have local support from taxpayers for their so-called "local option" transportation tax.
It didn't pass, so the provisions were tacked onto the Texas Department of Transportation Sunset legislation. A bold move as most House members voted NOT to include it in the bill.
The local-option tax would be a tax increase. Have we ever seen local officials have taxing authority they didn't use? And if voters vote it down, local officials will continue to put it on the ballot until it passes. We've seen that with school bond initiatives.
These local officials have spent literally millions of dollars on lobbyists to promote this new taxing authority. So, taxpayers, congratulations. You are funding those high-priced lobbyists to promote a new tax -- taxing YOU. The lobby firm representative said it was a "classic lobby deal." So much for taxpayers' interests. If this were something taxpayers wanted, these officials wouldn't need this high-priced lobby firm.
Yesterday, the bill sponsors sent out a frantic email asking local officials and chamber of commerce folks to show up for a press conference on the south steps of the Capitol today. And Rep. Truitt provided her local leaders with phone numbers of representatives to call to encourage them to vote for the bill. That's highly unusual.
This rally/press conference will be in stark contrast to the recent tea parties held across the state in which on April 15 around 100,000 Texans turned out saying "no" to new taxes.
Americans for Prosperity-Texas opposes the new taxing authority as does Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, the NFIB-Texas and other taxpayer-friendly groups.
What is our answer to gridlock? End the gas tax diversions, set spending priorities at the local level, and stop using our money to fund lobbyists (who lobby against taxpayer protections.)
It might be useful to point out that these same local officials who want this tax have lobbyed against taxpayer protections such as an automatic rollback vote when local entities take in more 8% or more in property taxes due to appraisal increases. These local officials don't want taxpayers to be able to LOWER their taxes, but want the ability to put tax INCREASES on the ballot at will.
This classic lobby deal deserves a smack-down. Taxpayers will be rallying at the Capitol to say "NO" to this new tax.
It didn't pass, so the provisions were tacked onto the Texas Department of Transportation Sunset legislation. A bold move as most House members voted NOT to include it in the bill.
The local-option tax would be a tax increase. Have we ever seen local officials have taxing authority they didn't use? And if voters vote it down, local officials will continue to put it on the ballot until it passes. We've seen that with school bond initiatives.
These local officials have spent literally millions of dollars on lobbyists to promote this new taxing authority. So, taxpayers, congratulations. You are funding those high-priced lobbyists to promote a new tax -- taxing YOU. The lobby firm representative said it was a "classic lobby deal." So much for taxpayers' interests. If this were something taxpayers wanted, these officials wouldn't need this high-priced lobby firm.
Yesterday, the bill sponsors sent out a frantic email asking local officials and chamber of commerce folks to show up for a press conference on the south steps of the Capitol today. And Rep. Truitt provided her local leaders with phone numbers of representatives to call to encourage them to vote for the bill. That's highly unusual.
This rally/press conference will be in stark contrast to the recent tea parties held across the state in which on April 15 around 100,000 Texans turned out saying "no" to new taxes.
Americans for Prosperity-Texas opposes the new taxing authority as does Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, the NFIB-Texas and other taxpayer-friendly groups.
What is our answer to gridlock? End the gas tax diversions, set spending priorities at the local level, and stop using our money to fund lobbyists (who lobby against taxpayer protections.)
It might be useful to point out that these same local officials who want this tax have lobbyed against taxpayer protections such as an automatic rollback vote when local entities take in more 8% or more in property taxes due to appraisal increases. These local officials don't want taxpayers to be able to LOWER their taxes, but want the ability to put tax INCREASES on the ballot at will.
This classic lobby deal deserves a smack-down. Taxpayers will be rallying at the Capitol to say "NO" to this new tax.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
New National Tax Considered
Obama's new national tax proposal is a trial balloon which should not be allowed to fly.
The Obama Administration is testing the water for a new tax – a value added tax (VAT). We need to draw a clear line in the sand that no new national taxes will be put in place without eliminating—not cutting, but permanently eliminating—our existing income tax. Read more about AFP’s policy director Phil Kerpen had to say about this tax: http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/05/27/kerpen_vat_obama/
The Obama Administration is testing the water for a new tax – a value added tax (VAT). We need to draw a clear line in the sand that no new national taxes will be put in place without eliminating—not cutting, but permanently eliminating—our existing income tax. Read more about AFP’s policy director Phil Kerpen had to say about this tax: http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/05/27/kerpen_vat_obama/
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Dems on thin ice
As Democrats stall by asking stupid questions of Local and Consent bills -- taking just under the 10 minutes which would kill the bill - their stock is falling with voters.
Texas voters have overwhelming supported using an I.D. to vote, and the Democrats are stalling as long as possible hoping to kill Voter I.D. legislation.
Would Gov. Perry call a special session to handle Voter I.D.? Very likely if legislators waste their time in Austin attempting to avoid taking on this topic. While voters want their vote to count, Democrats will not be able to justify stalling or denying this very basic measure.
Don't have an I.D.? Perhaps those legal residents who do not have an I.D. should get one - and I anticipate there would be plenty of elected officials and candidates who could help them do so. Are they disabled? Elderly? They could vote absentee and would not need to show an I.D. Chances are, much of the voter fraud is taking place in absentee voting. But refusing to require an I.D. for voting makes no sense.
The critical question is this: Why would Democrats not want voters to certify that they are the individual who is casting a legal vote?
Simple questions that deserve simple answers. It's not about "disinfranchising any minorities". I anticiapte Democrats will have some explaining to do when they head home. Questions like "why didn't you do the people's business while in Austin?" and "why did you force a special session?"
Texas voters have overwhelming supported using an I.D. to vote, and the Democrats are stalling as long as possible hoping to kill Voter I.D. legislation.
Would Gov. Perry call a special session to handle Voter I.D.? Very likely if legislators waste their time in Austin attempting to avoid taking on this topic. While voters want their vote to count, Democrats will not be able to justify stalling or denying this very basic measure.
Don't have an I.D.? Perhaps those legal residents who do not have an I.D. should get one - and I anticipate there would be plenty of elected officials and candidates who could help them do so. Are they disabled? Elderly? They could vote absentee and would not need to show an I.D. Chances are, much of the voter fraud is taking place in absentee voting. But refusing to require an I.D. for voting makes no sense.
The critical question is this: Why would Democrats not want voters to certify that they are the individual who is casting a legal vote?
Simple questions that deserve simple answers. It's not about "disinfranchising any minorities". I anticiapte Democrats will have some explaining to do when they head home. Questions like "why didn't you do the people's business while in Austin?" and "why did you force a special session?"
Gov. Perry was worth Tweeting about
Gov Perry spoke to the AFP-TX RightOnLine Internet activist and blogger Day at the Capitol.
AFP had a poster on “good News inn Texas” and how TX is #1:
TX #1 in transparency. Gov Perry is a powerful proponent of transparency.
He discussed the tea parties (we had invited tea party organizers) and said he had prticipated in only two protests – Take Back Texasa (property rights movement) and the tea parties
Tea parties were about the 10th amendment – about Washington and voters’ interest Washington’s forcing spending and taxing and debt on us because of what THEY want
The Governor also said:
• When people are submissive and quiet is when real anarchy occurs
• I try to never get confused about who I work for – why this country was founded, what t ehconstitution means,
• 20 yrs ago TX and Austin was broke, busted – downtown buildings were emty
• Rest of the country was snickering…
• If I’d told you in summer ’89 that in a short 20 year period that TX would lead the nation in #1 Fortune 500 Companies, #1 in Esxporting #1 in job creation…Texas is responsible for creation of 70% ALL jobs created in America, - most would say that would be impossible. We had a reputation of being culturally, educationally, not broad-based economically enough – we were in ag, banking and real estate and we had the oil and gas and chemical companies.
• A lot happed by the Grace of God –
• Because we had some great universities, independent sprit, wildcat mentrality, and because Texans are risk takers, we the #1 state to do business.
• First time had Republicans had the offices of Lt Gov, Gov, Speaker of the House and Senate, Speaker – came in with $10 B budget deficit – do we stand up and raise taxes? No – we ran on and were elected to run TX differently.
Gov. Perry had Tweeted on the event before he arrived, as were many in the room. His presentation was worth Tweenting about!
-- Peggy V.
AFP had a poster on “good News inn Texas” and how TX is #1:
TX #1 in transparency. Gov Perry is a powerful proponent of transparency.
He discussed the tea parties (we had invited tea party organizers) and said he had prticipated in only two protests – Take Back Texasa (property rights movement) and the tea parties
Tea parties were about the 10th amendment – about Washington and voters’ interest Washington’s forcing spending and taxing and debt on us because of what THEY want
The Governor also said:
• When people are submissive and quiet is when real anarchy occurs
• I try to never get confused about who I work for – why this country was founded, what t ehconstitution means,
• 20 yrs ago TX and Austin was broke, busted – downtown buildings were emty
• Rest of the country was snickering…
• If I’d told you in summer ’89 that in a short 20 year period that TX would lead the nation in #1 Fortune 500 Companies, #1 in Esxporting #1 in job creation…Texas is responsible for creation of 70% ALL jobs created in America, - most would say that would be impossible. We had a reputation of being culturally, educationally, not broad-based economically enough – we were in ag, banking and real estate and we had the oil and gas and chemical companies.
• A lot happed by the Grace of God –
• Because we had some great universities, independent sprit, wildcat mentrality, and because Texans are risk takers, we the #1 state to do business.
• First time had Republicans had the offices of Lt Gov, Gov, Speaker of the House and Senate, Speaker – came in with $10 B budget deficit – do we stand up and raise taxes? No – we ran on and were elected to run TX differently.
Gov. Perry had Tweeted on the event before he arrived, as were many in the room. His presentation was worth Tweenting about!
-- Peggy V.
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