The only things for certain are death and taxation. And the death tax includes them both.
Obama wants to reinstate the death tax at a rate of 45%.
But at a time when unemployment rates are climbing and we need to grow the economy, the death tax strikes most heavily at small- and medium-sized family-owned businesses that generate the majority of new American jobs.
You may recall the 2001 tax bill incorporated a 10-year phase-out that eliminates the tax only for a single year. Then the rate goes all the way back in 2011 to the confiscatory 55% rate of the Clinton era, with a mere $1 million exclusion.
It was designed to further tax the super-wealthy. The super wealthy have foundations and other tax dodges to shield themselves from much of the tax.
By contrast, "family-run firms and farms particularly feel the pinch of the estate tax, because they are less likely to have the liquid resources needed to meet their estate tax liabilities."
This lost capital reinvestment translates into fewer workers on business payrolls. One former Congressional Budget Office director, estimates in a new study that the economy would create roughly 1.3 million more small business jobs with no death tax rather than with a 45% rate.
Foreign governments understand this relationship, which is why they have been slashing their estate taxes in recent years. According to the American Council for Capital Formation, the U.S. has the third highest estate tax in the developed world -- 49% if you add the federal rate and average state rate, just below 50% in Japan and South Korea.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123180759988175649.html
For those of us who cut our teeth on Ann Rand, it’s worth a read: WSJ’s Stephen Moore’s opinion piece “Atlas Shrugged: From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123146363567166677.html
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Straus appears to have cinched TX House Speaker position
Now that Rep. John Smithee has pulled out of the Speakers’ race, it appears Rep. Straus will become the next Texas House Speaker. Here is some information being circulated on Rep. Straus:
Rep. Joe Straus III
• District 121, which includes the communities of Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, Terrell Hills, Windcrest, and northeast San Antonio.
• Elected to the Texas House of Representatives in a special election in February 2005. Filled seat held by Elizabeth Ames Jones, whom the Governor appointed to the RR Commission.
• During the most recent legislative session, he was appointed to the Committee on Economic Development, where he serves as vice-chairman, the Committee on Regulated Industries, and the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. As a member of the Regulated Industries Committee, Representative Straus chaired the Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Efficiency, which developed a major bill that puts Texas on the cutting edge of energy efficiency. Representative Straus has also been appointed to the Select Committee on Electric Generation Capacity and Environmental Effects, which will study the state's energy demand and expected growth for the next 50 years in order to develop long-term energy plans for Texas.
• Received the Defender of the American Dream Award in 2008 from Americans for Prosperity for his record of commitment for protecting taxpayers.
• Received the Texas Public Power Association's Public Official Award for leadership and contributions to public power. He was also given the Legislative Service Award by the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club for his work in the area of energy efficiency
• Has previously served on the Management Committee of the Bexar County Republican Party, as a precinct chairman, and on numerous campaign committees for federal, state, and local candidates. He served in the administration of President George H. W. Bush from 1989 through 1991 as Deputy Director of Business Liaison at the U.S. Department of Commerce and also in the Reagan administration as Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of Customs. In 1986, he was U.S. Representative Lamar Smith's campaign manager in Smith's first race for Congress. In the Texas House, Representative Straus serves as a member of the House Republican Caucus Policy Committee.
• Was selected by the Speaker of the House to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures' 2006 Leadership Institute for legislators who show outstanding leadership promise and the ability to effect change. In 2008, Texas Monthly selected Representative Straus as one of the 35 Texans who will shape the future of the state.
• Is a principal in the insurance and executive benefits firm of Watson, Mazur, Bennett & Straus, L.L.C. He is affiliated with National Financial Partners, a leading financial services company in the insurance, investments, and benefits industry
• Currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center as well as on the Texas Cord Blood Bank. Previously Mr. Straus served on the Board of Directors of the San Antonio Zoological Society, the Texas Nature Conservancy, the Southwest School of Art and Craft, and the Winston School.
• Graduate of Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Political Science. He is an avid sportsman with a lifelong passion for Thoroughbred horseracing and breeding. He is married to Julie Brink Straus. They have two daughters, Sara and Robyn
• 2008 Election: only opponent was Libertarian, Straus received 77% of the vote.
• The son of San Antonio grandee and GOP stalwart Jocelyn (Joci) Straus and Joe Jr. Joci and Joe serviced as chair of the UT Health Science Center’s Development Board for 20 years.
• Parents Joci and Joe Straus Jr. are significant donors to Planned Parenthood of San Antonio. ($1,000 per year for five years.)
• Received $1000 campaign contribution from Planned Parenthood of San Antonio's PAC in 8/2008. Also receive campaign contributions from Mindi Alterman, Chair of the board of PP/San Antonio, totaling $600 (in 2005 and 2007).
• "As for abortion, Straus noted that he supports restrictions on the procedure, including a requirement that parents give their consent before their minor children terminate a pregnancy. But he also made it clear that he favors laws that give women abortion rights. 'I support existing laws on abortion,' he said. 'I believe the laws that are currently in place are not at this point a state matter.' " AP 1/5/09
• Currently has more than $622k in his campaign account, Texans for Joe Straus.
• “Genial and pragmatic, he’s a proponent of low taxes, economic growth, and other totems of fiscal conservatism, but he’s no friend to hectoring social conservatives—and he’s all for lowering the level of anger at the Capitol. He’s also one of the rare pols who see their time in office as public service.” Texas Monthly
Rep. Joe Straus III
• District 121, which includes the communities of Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, Terrell Hills, Windcrest, and northeast San Antonio.
• Elected to the Texas House of Representatives in a special election in February 2005. Filled seat held by Elizabeth Ames Jones, whom the Governor appointed to the RR Commission.
• During the most recent legislative session, he was appointed to the Committee on Economic Development, where he serves as vice-chairman, the Committee on Regulated Industries, and the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. As a member of the Regulated Industries Committee, Representative Straus chaired the Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Efficiency, which developed a major bill that puts Texas on the cutting edge of energy efficiency. Representative Straus has also been appointed to the Select Committee on Electric Generation Capacity and Environmental Effects, which will study the state's energy demand and expected growth for the next 50 years in order to develop long-term energy plans for Texas.
• Received the Defender of the American Dream Award in 2008 from Americans for Prosperity for his record of commitment for protecting taxpayers.
• Received the Texas Public Power Association's Public Official Award for leadership and contributions to public power. He was also given the Legislative Service Award by the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club for his work in the area of energy efficiency
• Has previously served on the Management Committee of the Bexar County Republican Party, as a precinct chairman, and on numerous campaign committees for federal, state, and local candidates. He served in the administration of President George H. W. Bush from 1989 through 1991 as Deputy Director of Business Liaison at the U.S. Department of Commerce and also in the Reagan administration as Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of Customs. In 1986, he was U.S. Representative Lamar Smith's campaign manager in Smith's first race for Congress. In the Texas House, Representative Straus serves as a member of the House Republican Caucus Policy Committee.
• Was selected by the Speaker of the House to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures' 2006 Leadership Institute for legislators who show outstanding leadership promise and the ability to effect change. In 2008, Texas Monthly selected Representative Straus as one of the 35 Texans who will shape the future of the state.
• Is a principal in the insurance and executive benefits firm of Watson, Mazur, Bennett & Straus, L.L.C. He is affiliated with National Financial Partners, a leading financial services company in the insurance, investments, and benefits industry
• Currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center as well as on the Texas Cord Blood Bank. Previously Mr. Straus served on the Board of Directors of the San Antonio Zoological Society, the Texas Nature Conservancy, the Southwest School of Art and Craft, and the Winston School.
• Graduate of Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Political Science. He is an avid sportsman with a lifelong passion for Thoroughbred horseracing and breeding. He is married to Julie Brink Straus. They have two daughters, Sara and Robyn
• 2008 Election: only opponent was Libertarian, Straus received 77% of the vote.
• The son of San Antonio grandee and GOP stalwart Jocelyn (Joci) Straus and Joe Jr. Joci and Joe serviced as chair of the UT Health Science Center’s Development Board for 20 years.
• Parents Joci and Joe Straus Jr. are significant donors to Planned Parenthood of San Antonio. ($1,000 per year for five years.)
• Received $1000 campaign contribution from Planned Parenthood of San Antonio's PAC in 8/2008. Also receive campaign contributions from Mindi Alterman, Chair of the board of PP/San Antonio, totaling $600 (in 2005 and 2007).
• "As for abortion, Straus noted that he supports restrictions on the procedure, including a requirement that parents give their consent before their minor children terminate a pregnancy. But he also made it clear that he favors laws that give women abortion rights. 'I support existing laws on abortion,' he said. 'I believe the laws that are currently in place are not at this point a state matter.' " AP 1/5/09
• Currently has more than $622k in his campaign account, Texans for Joe Straus.
• “Genial and pragmatic, he’s a proponent of low taxes, economic growth, and other totems of fiscal conservatism, but he’s no friend to hectoring social conservatives—and he’s all for lowering the level of anger at the Capitol. He’s also one of the rare pols who see their time in office as public service.” Texas Monthly
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Will Democrats elect the Texas House Speaker?
Will Republican Legislators allow the Democratic members to select the Speaker?
The 11 dissident Republicans selected two-term State Rep. Joe Straus as their candidate for Speaker, and that selection is expected to be supported by 64 Democrats. They are making the decisions this weekend. What would that do? It would provide 75 votes for a Speaker, with most of the votes coming from Democrats. Some information on Straus is here: http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=49917
The following voting record has been sent around by a number of groups – but you can see all announced speaker candidates’ voting records here:
Speaker_Candidates_composite_conservative_scores_NEW_2.pdf
AFP’s Jason Moore began the scorecard, and Eliza posted it on the AFP website. The great thing about this scorecard is it includes the declared candidates’ voting records from a number of fiscal and social conservative groups. For the full scorecard (to find the “undeclared” candidates like Straus, go to the individual organizations’ scorecard links).
Texas voters should make sure their Texas House member knows how they want them to vote – to find your legislator, click here. http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Address.aspx?Address1=13419+Wisterwood+St&City=Austin&ZipCode=TX&DistrictType=ALL&Submit1=Submit (please note that IF your House member has changed, this State website lists the current member, and those newly-elected in November will not be listed on this site until they take office Jan. 13.)
Rep. Joe Straus Supported:
Making it easier to perform late-term, third-trimester abortions (SB 419, vote 672, 2005). And in the 2007 session, he received a 100 percent voting record from the radical pro-abortion group NARAL, and the pro-abortion group Planned Parenthood contributed to his reelection campaign
Homosexuals as foster parents (SB 6, vote 327, 2005)
Expanded casino gambling (HB 10, vote 939, 2007)
Increased gaming and gambling (HB 2265, vote 749, 2007)
Increased sale and consumption of alcohol during Sunday morning church hours (HB 168, vote 357, 2005)
Making it easier to sell alcohol without community approval, as is currently required (SB 1626, vote 852, 2005)
Increasing state budget spending by an amazing 19 percent over only two years (SB 1, vote 946, 2005)
Rep. Joe Straus Opposed:
Using statistically-proven methods to strengthen marriage and reduce divorce by encouraging pre-marital counseling (HB 2685, votes 384, 437, and 1407, 2007)
Parental rights, opposing a bill to let parents know the service-referrals that school counselors are making for their children (HB 2136, vote 592, 2007)
School choice (HB 1, vote 235, 2007)
The 11 dissident Republicans selected two-term State Rep. Joe Straus as their candidate for Speaker, and that selection is expected to be supported by 64 Democrats. They are making the decisions this weekend. What would that do? It would provide 75 votes for a Speaker, with most of the votes coming from Democrats. Some information on Straus is here: http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=49917
The following voting record has been sent around by a number of groups – but you can see all announced speaker candidates’ voting records here:
Speaker_Candidates_composite_conservative_scores_NEW_2.pdf
AFP’s Jason Moore began the scorecard, and Eliza posted it on the AFP website. The great thing about this scorecard is it includes the declared candidates’ voting records from a number of fiscal and social conservative groups. For the full scorecard (to find the “undeclared” candidates like Straus, go to the individual organizations’ scorecard links).
Texas voters should make sure their Texas House member knows how they want them to vote – to find your legislator, click here. http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Address.aspx?Address1=13419+Wisterwood+St&City=Austin&ZipCode=TX&DistrictType=ALL&Submit1=Submit (please note that IF your House member has changed, this State website lists the current member, and those newly-elected in November will not be listed on this site until they take office Jan. 13.)
Rep. Joe Straus Supported:
Making it easier to perform late-term, third-trimester abortions (SB 419, vote 672, 2005). And in the 2007 session, he received a 100 percent voting record from the radical pro-abortion group NARAL, and the pro-abortion group Planned Parenthood contributed to his reelection campaign
Homosexuals as foster parents (SB 6, vote 327, 2005)
Expanded casino gambling (HB 10, vote 939, 2007)
Increased gaming and gambling (HB 2265, vote 749, 2007)
Increased sale and consumption of alcohol during Sunday morning church hours (HB 168, vote 357, 2005)
Making it easier to sell alcohol without community approval, as is currently required (SB 1626, vote 852, 2005)
Increasing state budget spending by an amazing 19 percent over only two years (SB 1, vote 946, 2005)
Rep. Joe Straus Opposed:
Using statistically-proven methods to strengthen marriage and reduce divorce by encouraging pre-marital counseling (HB 2685, votes 384, 437, and 1407, 2007)
Parental rights, opposing a bill to let parents know the service-referrals that school counselors are making for their children (HB 2136, vote 592, 2007)
School choice (HB 1, vote 235, 2007)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Pro-Education but Anti-Reform? No Way!
Can politicians be pro-education and anti-ed reform? Maybe the answer is “no”.
This quote came from the WSJ Online 12-16-08:
"For the last decade or so, the Democrats have not been as strong on education reform as the Republicans have. The Republicans have been much, much better, in my opinion, on ensuring strict accountability for schools and for districts, for ensuring that people are held responsible for closing the achievement gap and significantly increasing student achievement levels for every single child. What worries me about the Democrats is that they tend to be softer on these things, and soft is not what we need right now. Allowing schools to continue to fail year in and year out without significant ramifications either to the district or to the school is doing a disservice to the children. . . . I don't think it's too much for the children of this country to ask for to have somebody who's leading the education system who is always going to put their interests first and foremost, who is not going to care about the politics, the political flak, how many adults get mad at them, keeping the adults happy" -- District of Columbia Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, on why despite being an Obama voter she is "somewhat terrified of what the Democrats are going to do on education," in an interview with NationalJournal.com's Amy Harder.
This quote came from the WSJ Online 12-16-08:
"For the last decade or so, the Democrats have not been as strong on education reform as the Republicans have. The Republicans have been much, much better, in my opinion, on ensuring strict accountability for schools and for districts, for ensuring that people are held responsible for closing the achievement gap and significantly increasing student achievement levels for every single child. What worries me about the Democrats is that they tend to be softer on these things, and soft is not what we need right now. Allowing schools to continue to fail year in and year out without significant ramifications either to the district or to the school is doing a disservice to the children. . . . I don't think it's too much for the children of this country to ask for to have somebody who's leading the education system who is always going to put their interests first and foremost, who is not going to care about the politics, the political flak, how many adults get mad at them, keeping the adults happy" -- District of Columbia Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, on why despite being an Obama voter she is "somewhat terrified of what the Democrats are going to do on education," in an interview with NationalJournal.com's Amy Harder.
Pedernales Electric Co-Op Scandal Begs Legislative Action
One of the most offensive scandals of 2008 has been the Pedernales Electric Co-Op’s continuing saga of greed and corruption. The PEC has royally urinated on its “members” – captive customers of the utility.
It has been the subject of extensive coverage by the Austin American-Statesman. See the most recent article http://www.statesman.com/search/content/business/stories/other/12/17/1217pec.html
as well as the accompanying Editorial by the Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/search/content/editorial/stories/12/17/1217pedernales_edit.html
Like most scandals, the web is woven by a number of players, and the circle is often unbroken:
The alleged ringleader in the scandal is Bennie Fuelberg, the former General Manager of the PEC. Apparently, the PEC made some questionable payments to the law firm of Clark, Thomas & Winters that eventually made their way to Curtis Fuelberg, the brother of Bennie Fuelberg. Among his many clients, Curtis Fuelberg is one of the lead lobbyists for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
In the AAS story, the spokesperson for Bennie Fuelberg is none other than Jason Stanford. Stanford is one of the leading liberal opposition researchers in Texas, a perennial Democratic Party vendor and frequently works for the TTLA on various political campaigns.
It appears to me that Curtis Fuelberg and Jason Stanford may be getting paid with monies from ill-gotten gains.
This week, a 390-page investigation was released which is full of problems for the PEC executives – and the captive ratepayers.
There are few heroes when corruption is so prevalent and ongoing, but the Austin American-Statesman and reporter Claudia Grisales along with Sen. Troy Frasier and Rep. Patrick Rose are to be commended for shedding light on the problems, and encouraging action.
Let’s hope the legislature sees fit to release the customers of this failed monopoly and brings justice to the members.
Perhaps the PEC should be split up, sold and the members get the profits, along with opportunity to shop for another electricity provider.
It has been the subject of extensive coverage by the Austin American-Statesman. See the most recent article http://www.statesman.com/search/content/business/stories/other/12/17/1217pec.html
as well as the accompanying Editorial by the Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/search/content/editorial/stories/12/17/1217pedernales_edit.html
Like most scandals, the web is woven by a number of players, and the circle is often unbroken:
The alleged ringleader in the scandal is Bennie Fuelberg, the former General Manager of the PEC. Apparently, the PEC made some questionable payments to the law firm of Clark, Thomas & Winters that eventually made their way to Curtis Fuelberg, the brother of Bennie Fuelberg. Among his many clients, Curtis Fuelberg is one of the lead lobbyists for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
In the AAS story, the spokesperson for Bennie Fuelberg is none other than Jason Stanford. Stanford is one of the leading liberal opposition researchers in Texas, a perennial Democratic Party vendor and frequently works for the TTLA on various political campaigns.
It appears to me that Curtis Fuelberg and Jason Stanford may be getting paid with monies from ill-gotten gains.
This week, a 390-page investigation was released which is full of problems for the PEC executives – and the captive ratepayers.
There are few heroes when corruption is so prevalent and ongoing, but the Austin American-Statesman and reporter Claudia Grisales along with Sen. Troy Frasier and Rep. Patrick Rose are to be commended for shedding light on the problems, and encouraging action.
Let’s hope the legislature sees fit to release the customers of this failed monopoly and brings justice to the members.
Perhaps the PEC should be split up, sold and the members get the profits, along with opportunity to shop for another electricity provider.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sky-high salary brings promises of improved student performance
Most businesses would wait until an employee's demonstrated value to the organization before giving them a raise or bonus. Not so in Round Rock ISD. There, school board members reward the Superintendent hoping that improved student performance will result. It appears the school board is rewarding his personality, not performance.
Survey examines pay for district supers
LAURI ZACHRY
Education Reporter
Round Rock ISD Superintendent Jesus Chavez's salary falls into the upper range of Texas superintendent salaries for the 2008-09 school year.
The average superintendent salary for the 2008-09 school year is $113,334, a 3 percent increase from the 2007-08 school year, according to the Texas Association of School Boards Superintendent Salary Survey released recently. Average superintendent salaries range from $79,493 in districts with less than 500 students to $272,347 in districts with more than 50,000 students.
Six percent of the responding districts gave a raise averaging 4.2 percent to their respective returning superintendent's for the 2008-09 school year, according to the TASB salary survey. The average bonus paid was $9,339 or 7 percent of the superintendent's salary.
The Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees voted in February to increase RRISD Superintendent Jesus Chavez's base salary to $243,080 from $221,991. In addition, the board increased his business expense allowance by $1,000, giving him a total of $5,800 for the year. Chavez's contract was extended to June 30, 2011. His previous contract would have expired in 2010.
"This was an easy decision," RRISD Trustee Diane Cox said in February, after the board made the decision to give Chavez a raise. "He has more than proven himself with the board. He has developed such community support. You even hear at regional and state meetings good comments about him and how he is leading RRISD. He's a strong mentor, cognizant of needs and always willing to give of his time."
Since Chavez became superintendent in 2006, he has helped contribute to some memorable moments in the district. He said the highlights of the past two years have been:
• completing a bond study report with the community in early 2006
• passing the November 2006 bond for approximately $267 million
• reorganizing the district into elementary and secondary sectors
• standardizing the curriculum, programming and benchmarking tests
• adopting "Failure is Not an Option" as the district's school improvement model and developing curriculum around that model
"There is no doubt we as a district will improve and individual schools will improve," Chavez said in February. "Good things will happen in Round Rock."
The TASB Superintendent Salary Survey is a compilation of superintendent salary and benefit information submitted to TASB's Human Resources Services during the fall semester of the 2008-09 school year. TASB sent invitations to participate in the salary survey to 1,030 Texas school districts.
Survey examines pay for district supers
LAURI ZACHRY
Education Reporter
Round Rock ISD Superintendent Jesus Chavez's salary falls into the upper range of Texas superintendent salaries for the 2008-09 school year.
The average superintendent salary for the 2008-09 school year is $113,334, a 3 percent increase from the 2007-08 school year, according to the Texas Association of School Boards Superintendent Salary Survey released recently. Average superintendent salaries range from $79,493 in districts with less than 500 students to $272,347 in districts with more than 50,000 students.
Six percent of the responding districts gave a raise averaging 4.2 percent to their respective returning superintendent's for the 2008-09 school year, according to the TASB salary survey. The average bonus paid was $9,339 or 7 percent of the superintendent's salary.
The Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees voted in February to increase RRISD Superintendent Jesus Chavez's base salary to $243,080 from $221,991. In addition, the board increased his business expense allowance by $1,000, giving him a total of $5,800 for the year. Chavez's contract was extended to June 30, 2011. His previous contract would have expired in 2010.
"This was an easy decision," RRISD Trustee Diane Cox said in February, after the board made the decision to give Chavez a raise. "He has more than proven himself with the board. He has developed such community support. You even hear at regional and state meetings good comments about him and how he is leading RRISD. He's a strong mentor, cognizant of needs and always willing to give of his time."
Since Chavez became superintendent in 2006, he has helped contribute to some memorable moments in the district. He said the highlights of the past two years have been:
• completing a bond study report with the community in early 2006
• passing the November 2006 bond for approximately $267 million
• reorganizing the district into elementary and secondary sectors
• standardizing the curriculum, programming and benchmarking tests
• adopting "Failure is Not an Option" as the district's school improvement model and developing curriculum around that model
"There is no doubt we as a district will improve and individual schools will improve," Chavez said in February. "Good things will happen in Round Rock."
The TASB Superintendent Salary Survey is a compilation of superintendent salary and benefit information submitted to TASB's Human Resources Services during the fall semester of the 2008-09 school year. TASB sent invitations to participate in the salary survey to 1,030 Texas school districts.
Texas Ranked #1 in Consumer Choice in Electricity
A newly released study reveals that Texas is the top state in the U.S. in competitive electricity. And that competition has benefited consumers. Consumers win when they are given choices in the marketplace. The study confirms the benefits of consumer choice.
Electricity competition has given Texans the freedom of choice in providers, services and pricing of electricity among numerous power producers and retailers.
While much of the electricity in Texas is generated by natural gas, and those prices have been volatile, Texans have been insulated from some of the price surges other states have seen, largely due to the competitive marketplace.
Some of the recent criticism of competitive markets (by folks like the liberal AARP) is also addressed in the report. Critics claim that "rates are increasing in competitive markets" when rate fluctuations are really the result of fuel price increases that can be exacerbated by regulatory or legislative decisions to artificially depress prices below market costs.
We also need to open the municipal electricity and co-ops to competition. These are currently monopolies and residents served by munis and co-ops are held captive to those providers and have no electricity provider options.
The study can be accessed at: http://www.defgllc.com/news/news.asp?show=VIEW&a=66
Electricity competition has given Texans the freedom of choice in providers, services and pricing of electricity among numerous power producers and retailers.
While much of the electricity in Texas is generated by natural gas, and those prices have been volatile, Texans have been insulated from some of the price surges other states have seen, largely due to the competitive marketplace.
Some of the recent criticism of competitive markets (by folks like the liberal AARP) is also addressed in the report. Critics claim that "rates are increasing in competitive markets" when rate fluctuations are really the result of fuel price increases that can be exacerbated by regulatory or legislative decisions to artificially depress prices below market costs.
We also need to open the municipal electricity and co-ops to competition. These are currently monopolies and residents served by munis and co-ops are held captive to those providers and have no electricity provider options.
The study can be accessed at: http://www.defgllc.com/news/news.asp?show=VIEW&a=66
Texas Cities line up in DC for money
Texas Cities line up for federal dollars
The country's mayors went to Washington this week to hand Congress a wish list worth $73 billion. And Texas mayor were lined up at the trough.
The Wall Street Journal wrote: “But before taxpayers give them a dime, let's see the mayors rank those 11,391 goodies -- I mean "infrastructure" projects -- based on effectiveness and potential return on investment for taxpayers:
- Arlington, Texas, needs $4 million to expand its tennis center.
- La Porte, Texas, wants $7.6 million for a "Life Style Center."
- Euless, Texas, wants $15 million for the Midway Park Family Life Center, which, you'll be glad to note, includes both a senior center and aquatic facility”
Robert Poole from Reason Foundation penned the piece which ended the with:
“It was very nice of the country's mayors to hand taxpayers a wish list worth $73 billion. But before taxpayers give them a dime, let's see the mayors rank those 11,391 goodies -- I mean "infrastructure" projects -- based on effectiveness and potential return on investment for taxpayers.”
Read it all here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122887075956093233.html
The country's mayors went to Washington this week to hand Congress a wish list worth $73 billion. And Texas mayor were lined up at the trough.
The Wall Street Journal wrote: “But before taxpayers give them a dime, let's see the mayors rank those 11,391 goodies -- I mean "infrastructure" projects -- based on effectiveness and potential return on investment for taxpayers:
- Arlington, Texas, needs $4 million to expand its tennis center.
- La Porte, Texas, wants $7.6 million for a "Life Style Center."
- Euless, Texas, wants $15 million for the Midway Park Family Life Center, which, you'll be glad to note, includes both a senior center and aquatic facility”
Robert Poole from Reason Foundation penned the piece which ended the with:
“It was very nice of the country's mayors to hand taxpayers a wish list worth $73 billion. But before taxpayers give them a dime, let's see the mayors rank those 11,391 goodies -- I mean "infrastructure" projects -- based on effectiveness and potential return on investment for taxpayers.”
Read it all here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122887075956093233.html
Saturday, November 22, 2008
DISD pays extra for administrator to steal
Steal $1 million and Dallas ISD will pay you $65,000 in severance pay. It’s a scam and a shame.
We could not write it any better – Dallas Morning News reporter Scott Parks penned a news article which ran last week on a school district which continues to be the “poster child” for what can go wrong with a monopoly school system.
“Ruben Bohuchot lived like "a rock star" during his five years as Dallas ISD's chief technology officer, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday. In January, he will report to a federal penitentiary and start living like an inmate.
“U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay sentenced Mr. Bohuchot to 11 years in prison for participating in an elaborate bribery and money-laundering scheme involving lucrative computer contracts. Mr. Bohuchot showed no emotion as the judge announced the sentence and chastised him for his crimes.
"In doing this, somewhere along the road, something went bad," Judge Lindsay said.
“Federal investigators calculated that Mr. Bohuchot took almost $1 million in illegal gifts, gratuities and cash payments from Houston computer vendor Frankie Wong. In return, Mr. Bohuchot made sure that Micro System Enterprises, Mr. Wong's company, won two contracts to supply computers and other technology services to the school district for more than $120 million.
“The most sensational aspect of the bribery scheme involved two deep-sea fishing yachts named "Sir Veza" and "Sir Veza II." Testimony during Mr. Bohuchot's three-week trial last summer showed that Mr. Wong purchased the 46-foot "Sir Veza" for $305,000. After Mr. Wong won a second big DISD contract, he bought the 58-foot "Sir Veza II" for $800,000.
“Mr. Bohuchot, an avid fisherman, named the boats and controlled their use, according to testimony.”
At Americans for Prosperity, we were well aware of the allegations even before they hit the news as at one of our grassroots training sessions in Dallas, an activist had met with and shared much of this information with us.
Certainly, DISD is a poster child for what is wrong with public education. We’d like to think this is unusual, but fear that with as much money as is spent on public education, there are likely many other abuses.
It is important to note that the Dallas Morning News may be largely responsible for the investigation which lead to conviction. Their investigative reporting first challenged a trip the DISD official took aboard the computer company’s yacht.
It is important to note that, in typical style of school districts, the financial officer who stole at least $1 million from ISD was put on paid leave for 8 months then received a $65,000 “buyout package.” His salary is $143,492. So again, a school district pays one of their own (a thief). It’s a scam and a shame. Taxpayers, students and parents deserve better.
Read the full article here: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/111308dnmetbriberysentence.4a3707f.html
-- Peggy Venable, AFP-Texas director
We could not write it any better – Dallas Morning News reporter Scott Parks penned a news article which ran last week on a school district which continues to be the “poster child” for what can go wrong with a monopoly school system.
“Ruben Bohuchot lived like "a rock star" during his five years as Dallas ISD's chief technology officer, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday. In January, he will report to a federal penitentiary and start living like an inmate.
“U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay sentenced Mr. Bohuchot to 11 years in prison for participating in an elaborate bribery and money-laundering scheme involving lucrative computer contracts. Mr. Bohuchot showed no emotion as the judge announced the sentence and chastised him for his crimes.
"In doing this, somewhere along the road, something went bad," Judge Lindsay said.
“Federal investigators calculated that Mr. Bohuchot took almost $1 million in illegal gifts, gratuities and cash payments from Houston computer vendor Frankie Wong. In return, Mr. Bohuchot made sure that Micro System Enterprises, Mr. Wong's company, won two contracts to supply computers and other technology services to the school district for more than $120 million.
“The most sensational aspect of the bribery scheme involved two deep-sea fishing yachts named "Sir Veza" and "Sir Veza II." Testimony during Mr. Bohuchot's three-week trial last summer showed that Mr. Wong purchased the 46-foot "Sir Veza" for $305,000. After Mr. Wong won a second big DISD contract, he bought the 58-foot "Sir Veza II" for $800,000.
“Mr. Bohuchot, an avid fisherman, named the boats and controlled their use, according to testimony.”
At Americans for Prosperity, we were well aware of the allegations even before they hit the news as at one of our grassroots training sessions in Dallas, an activist had met with and shared much of this information with us.
Certainly, DISD is a poster child for what is wrong with public education. We’d like to think this is unusual, but fear that with as much money as is spent on public education, there are likely many other abuses.
It is important to note that the Dallas Morning News may be largely responsible for the investigation which lead to conviction. Their investigative reporting first challenged a trip the DISD official took aboard the computer company’s yacht.
It is important to note that, in typical style of school districts, the financial officer who stole at least $1 million from ISD was put on paid leave for 8 months then received a $65,000 “buyout package.” His salary is $143,492. So again, a school district pays one of their own (a thief). It’s a scam and a shame. Taxpayers, students and parents deserve better.
Read the full article here: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/111308dnmetbriberysentence.4a3707f.html
-- Peggy Venable, AFP-Texas director
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Dallas City Council Passing Go, Collecting $550 Million Taxpayer Dollars
By: Allison Miller
Links:
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2008/10/hey_look_theyve_alrea...
http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20050117_conventioncenters.pdf
http://www.dallasobserver.com/2008-04-17/news/demanding-answers-as-the-d...
http://www.notaxpayerhotel.com/
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/mound-city-money/uncategorized/2008/11/...
Dallas City Council members believe a new convention center and hotel will serve as a centerpiece for their efforts to revitalize the city’s downtown area. But several taxpayer advocacy groups say the project is a waste of public money and won’t meet Mayor Tom Leppert’s expectations.
Leppert has said he believes the Convention Center hotel is essential to the city’s growth and will allow it to compete with other top convention cities like
The hotel will be connected to the
The group Citizens Against the Taxpayer Owned Hotel collected more than 60,000 signatures calling for a referendum on the issue in May 2009. But developer Jack Matthew said that before the vote takes place, the city will have already spent $10 million on construction costs. City Council members plan to hurry the project along, hoping voters will see their tax dollars already in use and vote to complete the hotel so their money is not wasted.
The Dallas City Council has repeatedly claimed that
Furthermore, Leppert has treated the hotel as an economic generator, saying it will bring new revenue, generate new business, and create new jobs in
A study by Dr. Heywood Sanders for the Brookings Institute on the economic impact of convention centers finds these grounds given by Mayor Leppert and the City Council to be erroneous and misleading to the public.
According to Dr. Sander’s study, all three rationales can be disproved by the fact that the trend of large convention center events has been in decline since before the post-9/11 economy. Existing convention centers have lost large amounts of business within the past decade, while newly constructed centers and expansions have not been able to gain or keep consistent business.
This trend doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon, and it seems like convention centers and their expansions, like the hotel in
A testament to the failures of
If the
Links:
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2008/10/hey_look_theyve_alrea...
http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20050117_conventioncenters.pdf
http://www.dallasobserver.com/2008-04-17/news/demanding-answers-as-the-d...
http://www.notaxpayerhotel.com/
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/mound-city-money/uncategorized/2008/11/...
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