Texas State Rep Scott Turner has announced that he will be challenging Joe Straus.
Check out Scott Turner's facebook page for more info about him: https://www.facebook.com/ScottTurnerTX
Showing posts with label texas speaker of house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label texas speaker of house. Show all posts
Friday, January 31, 2014
State Rep. Scott Turner is Challenging Joe Straus in the Texas Speaker of the House Race!
pro abortion, moderate voting Joe Straus has no business leading the Texas House. Joe Straus needs to go!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
TX LT Gov. Dewhurst requests Special Session for Abortion and Gun Bills that Straus Killed
Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus and the Leaders of Joe Straus killed major bills in the Texas House of Representatives that would further restrict abortions in Texas and give the people of Texas more gun rights. Texas Lieutenant David Dewhurst is not happy that Joe Straus killed these important conservative bills (Straus did not want too much controversy and wanted the Democrats to be happy) so Dewhurst has asked Governor Perry to add some of these bills to the upcoming Special Session.
the following is from statesman.com:
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants a special session of the Legislature so that conservatives can have their way on concealed carry, abortion, drug-testing of welfare recipients and other issues near and dear to their hearts without having to suffer the rules of the regular session that have enabled the Democratic minority to thwart the will of the Republican majority.
The lieutenant governor signaled his desire in the two tweets above, but made his most declarative statement in an interview yesterday with Dave Montgomery of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Montgomery is a jewel of the Capitol press corps, a canny Columbo of the “just one more thing … maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t understand this,” style of interrogation, the cunning of his approach further obscured by his Huckleberry Hound delivery but unmasked, daily, in the excellence of his copy.
Here is the top of Montgomery’s story on his interview with Dewhurst:
“Angered by the demise of key bills considered priorities by conservatives, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst declared in an interview Thursday that Gov. Rick Perry should quickly force lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session after adjournment Monday.
Dewhurst wants to revive a bill that would require drug tests for welfare recipients, one that would permit students with concealed-handgun licenses to carry guns inside campus buildings and a package of bills that would further restrict abortions.
His request also includes political redistricting; school vouchers, also known as school choice; an end to the state’s windstorm insurance program “without a rate shock”; and a more restrictive constitutional cap on state spending.
read more here from the statesman story here: http://pushjunction.com/l/CoL
the following is from statesman.com:
Some of the conservative bills I fought for this session may be gone…but not for long #campuscarry #prolife #tcot #txlege
— David Dewhurst (@DavidHDewhurst) May 23, 2013
Stay tuned. MT @ statesman : Drug testing approved for jobless aid, but not welfare applicants in Texas bit.ly/16byLs1 #txlegeGood morning Austin.
— David Dewhurst (@DavidHDewhurst) May 23, 2013
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants a special session of the Legislature so that conservatives can have their way on concealed carry, abortion, drug-testing of welfare recipients and other issues near and dear to their hearts without having to suffer the rules of the regular session that have enabled the Democratic minority to thwart the will of the Republican majority.
The lieutenant governor signaled his desire in the two tweets above, but made his most declarative statement in an interview yesterday with Dave Montgomery of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Montgomery is a jewel of the Capitol press corps, a canny Columbo of the “just one more thing … maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t understand this,” style of interrogation, the cunning of his approach further obscured by his Huckleberry Hound delivery but unmasked, daily, in the excellence of his copy.
Here is the top of Montgomery’s story on his interview with Dewhurst:
“Angered by the demise of key bills considered priorities by conservatives, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst declared in an interview Thursday that Gov. Rick Perry should quickly force lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session after adjournment Monday.
Dewhurst wants to revive a bill that would require drug tests for welfare recipients, one that would permit students with concealed-handgun licenses to carry guns inside campus buildings and a package of bills that would further restrict abortions.
His request also includes political redistricting; school vouchers, also known as school choice; an end to the state’s windstorm insurance program “without a rate shock”; and a more restrictive constitutional cap on state spending.
read more here from the statesman story here: http://pushjunction.com/l/CoL
Monday, December 24, 2012
Peter Morrison: Support Rep. Simpson for Speaker of the Texas House
Summary of this week's report:
Rep. David Simpson is running for Speaker of the Texas House, in a
direct challenge to Joe Straus. Rep. Simpson is a strong, reliable
conservative. If he becomes Speaker of the House, we'll have
one of our own in the most powerful office in Texas who will work
to promote our conservative ideals. If Joe Straus is re-elected,
we'll face two more years of RINO style business as usual and
we simply can't afford that. Conservative Texans need to
contact our state representatives today to express our strong
support for David Simpson, and urge them to vote for him in
January. Find out your representative's contact information by
going to:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/
Full report:
The next session of the Texas Legislature begins on January 8th,
just a few weeks from now. One of the first orders of business
will be electing a Speaker of the House. Because of the authority
the Speaker has to promote or block legislation, this office is in
many ways the most powerful position in Texas government. The
current Speaker, RINO Joe Straus, has been in office for two
sessions, and he hasn't been a friend to conservatives.
On the contrary, he has worked hard to block a lot of the
conservative agenda. Straus was elected Speaker in 2009 by a
coalition of Democrats and RINOs, and he paid them back immediately
by appointing Democrats as chairmen of nearly half the committees
in the House. (There's a reason he's one of Planned
Parenthood's favorite Republicans.) In emails, some of
Straus' closest cronies have insulted Tea Party activists,
using names such as "idiots" and worse to refer to them.
Straus used his power to draw up redistricting maps that led to the
defeat of some very conservative House members. He has even gone
so far as to openly campaign for a Democrat who was running against
a staunch conservative.
Joe Straus needs to be replaced with someone who's actually on
our side. Thankfully, we've now got an excellent candidate for
Speaker, Rep. David Simpson. Rep. Bryan Hughes had been running,
but he has now dropped out and endorsed Simpson. Rep. Simpson came
up with the bill that would have made it a criminal offense for TSA
agents to perform invasive body searches without probable cause.
(Straus called it a "publicity stunt" and said passing it
would turn Texas into a "laughingstock.") Unfortunately
the bill died in the Senate after Straus ridiculed it and the feds
threatened to ban flights in or out of Texas, but Rep. Simpson
showed that he's not afraid to take a stand for liberty.
He is a true conservative across the board. David Simpson knows
that the Second Amendment isn't about hunting - it's about
being able to defend our families and our property from thugs and
tyrants. He believes life begins at conception, and should be
protected by law from then on. He knows that illegal immigration
makes a mockery of our nation's sovereignty. I can't think
of a single issue where he has come down on the wrong side, from
Obamacare to photo ID. David Simpson is exactly the kind of man we
want to see as Speaker of the House in Austin. He'll fight to
guide conservative bills through the legislative process, instead
of trying to block our legislation at every turn as Joe Straus has
done.
Giving Straus the Speaker's gavel for another House session
would be bad enough under normal circumstances, but it would be
disastrous in the current political situation. Millions of
Republicans across America are still reeling from the shock of Mitt
Romney's loss, and many of them are falling for the advice from
"experts" that if conservatives don't get behind the
push to give amnesty to millions of illegal aliens, the GOP is
doomed. The truth is exactly the opposite - giving citizenship and
voting rights to millions of illegal aliens would more likely be
the death of the Republican Party, and that's particularly true
here in Texas.
The fact that so many Republican leaders across the nation are
going soft on illegal immigration and amnesty is another important
reason why we need a Speaker who is truly conservative. It looks
like it's going to be up to us Texans to help bring the
national Republican Party back to its senses, and lead the fight
against amnesty. Frankly, if we don't win this battle, the war
might be over. We're not simply talking about which direction
the GOP should take in the next few years. The question is whether
the country our children and grandchildren inherit will be anything
like the America we grew up in. The stakes are truly that high,
and we need a leader in Austin who is on our side, and who's
able and willing to lead this fight. I can't think of anyone
more qualified than David Simpson, and I urge everyone to contact
your representative and tell them to vote for David Simpson for
Speaker of the House.
Take action:
Contact your state representative. Call or fax them to let them
know you don't want another two years of Joe Straus as Speaker.
Stress how important this vote for Speaker is for Texas and
America, and tell them to vote for David Simpson. You can find out
the contact information for your state representative by going to:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/
The Peter Morrison Report
http://www.
http://www.facebook.com/
Sources:
http://www.texastribune.org/
http://www.
http://www.redstate.com/2012/
http://www.redstate.com/erick/
PO Box 8742, Lumberton, TX 77657, USA
Rep. David Simpson is running for Speaker of the Texas House, in a
direct challenge to Joe Straus. Rep. Simpson is a strong, reliable
conservative. If he becomes Speaker of the House, we'll have
one of our own in the most powerful office in Texas who will work
to promote our conservative ideals. If Joe Straus is re-elected,
we'll face two more years of RINO style business as usual and
we simply can't afford that. Conservative Texans need to
contact our state representatives today to express our strong
support for David Simpson, and urge them to vote for him in
January. Find out your representative's contact information by
going to:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/
Full report:
The next session of the Texas Legislature begins on January 8th,
just a few weeks from now. One of the first orders of business
will be electing a Speaker of the House. Because of the authority
the Speaker has to promote or block legislation, this office is in
many ways the most powerful position in Texas government. The
current Speaker, RINO Joe Straus, has been in office for two
sessions, and he hasn't been a friend to conservatives.
On the contrary, he has worked hard to block a lot of the
conservative agenda. Straus was elected Speaker in 2009 by a
coalition of Democrats and RINOs, and he paid them back immediately
by appointing Democrats as chairmen of nearly half the committees
in the House. (There's a reason he's one of Planned
Parenthood's favorite Republicans.) In emails, some of
Straus' closest cronies have insulted Tea Party activists,
using names such as "idiots" and worse to refer to them.
Straus used his power to draw up redistricting maps that led to the
defeat of some very conservative House members. He has even gone
so far as to openly campaign for a Democrat who was running against
a staunch conservative.
Joe Straus needs to be replaced with someone who's actually on
our side. Thankfully, we've now got an excellent candidate for
Speaker, Rep. David Simpson. Rep. Bryan Hughes had been running,
but he has now dropped out and endorsed Simpson. Rep. Simpson came
up with the bill that would have made it a criminal offense for TSA
agents to perform invasive body searches without probable cause.
(Straus called it a "publicity stunt" and said passing it
would turn Texas into a "laughingstock.") Unfortunately
the bill died in the Senate after Straus ridiculed it and the feds
threatened to ban flights in or out of Texas, but Rep. Simpson
showed that he's not afraid to take a stand for liberty.
He is a true conservative across the board. David Simpson knows
that the Second Amendment isn't about hunting - it's about
being able to defend our families and our property from thugs and
tyrants. He believes life begins at conception, and should be
protected by law from then on. He knows that illegal immigration
makes a mockery of our nation's sovereignty. I can't think
of a single issue where he has come down on the wrong side, from
Obamacare to photo ID. David Simpson is exactly the kind of man we
want to see as Speaker of the House in Austin. He'll fight to
guide conservative bills through the legislative process, instead
of trying to block our legislation at every turn as Joe Straus has
done.
Giving Straus the Speaker's gavel for another House session
would be bad enough under normal circumstances, but it would be
disastrous in the current political situation. Millions of
Republicans across America are still reeling from the shock of Mitt
Romney's loss, and many of them are falling for the advice from
"experts" that if conservatives don't get behind the
push to give amnesty to millions of illegal aliens, the GOP is
doomed. The truth is exactly the opposite - giving citizenship and
voting rights to millions of illegal aliens would more likely be
the death of the Republican Party, and that's particularly true
here in Texas.
The fact that so many Republican leaders across the nation are
going soft on illegal immigration and amnesty is another important
reason why we need a Speaker who is truly conservative. It looks
like it's going to be up to us Texans to help bring the
national Republican Party back to its senses, and lead the fight
against amnesty. Frankly, if we don't win this battle, the war
might be over. We're not simply talking about which direction
the GOP should take in the next few years. The question is whether
the country our children and grandchildren inherit will be anything
like the America we grew up in. The stakes are truly that high,
and we need a leader in Austin who is on our side, and who's
able and willing to lead this fight. I can't think of anyone
more qualified than David Simpson, and I urge everyone to contact
your representative and tell them to vote for David Simpson for
Speaker of the House.
Take action:
Contact your state representative. Call or fax them to let them
know you don't want another two years of Joe Straus as Speaker.
Stress how important this vote for Speaker is for Texas and
America, and tell them to vote for David Simpson. You can find out
the contact information for your state representative by going to:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/
The Peter Morrison Report
http://www.
http://www.facebook.com/
Sources:
http://www.texastribune.org/
http://www.
http://www.redstate.com/2012/
http://www.redstate.com/erick/
PO Box 8742, Lumberton, TX 77657, USA
Friday, December 14, 2012
Rep. Simpson for TX Speaker asks BOTH SIDES to Stop hating and Threatening
Press Release from David Simpson for Texas Speaker
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 14, 2012
Contact – SimpsonForSpeaker@gmail.com or 512-677-4502
(Austin) – Today Representative David Simpson (R-Longview) issued the following statement on the public conversation surrounding the Speaker race.
“One week into my race for Speaker of the House, I find some advocates in the race an apt example of the problem that prompted me to run. Certain individuals on both sides are using inflammatory rhetoric and intimidation tactics to try to force members to vote for a particular candidate.
“My candidacy is not about policy or the degree or quality of conservatism. It is about maintaining principle as the standard by which we govern. Those who personally attack members or threaten to attack members over their choice for Speaker are engaging in the exact type of intimidation and retribution that my candidacy is fighting against. Those who do so may not understand my purpose or frankly our system of ‘free government’ espoused by the Texas Constitution.
“If a Speaker is elected on the sole basis of a political platform, then the ability for the Speaker to resist letting the ends justify a political means becomes very difficult. This pressure invites corruption and erosion of the rules. And that corruption undermines the thorough and open deliberations that are the hallmark of a successful republic.
“Though we disagree on some important issues, in this race I am not challenging Speaker Straus’ conservatism. I do, however, challenge his approach to fair administration of the rules and the culture of intimidation and retribution that has developed under his leadership. For example, I do not fault Speaker Straus for personally disagreeing with the Anti-Groping TSA bill. I do however fault him for refusing to follow the rules. Instead of bringing the business of the house before the members, he abruptly adjourned and immediately told the media that there was no quorum present despite having called the House to order and having declared a quorum present.
“The Speaker is chosen by members of the House to administer the House Rules and the business of the chamber. I believe the choice of Speaker is primarily about earning the trust of and having respect for the members. It is about honoring the process. I believe the Speaker should lead by example, respect principles, and honor the rules. The race should hinge on fairness in administration and not who may amass the most power for their own position.
“Policy is an area for debate and compromise. However, rules and the promises they represent should remain inviolate.”
Representative Simpson lives in Longview with his wife of 27 years, Susan, and their children. Simpson, a seventh-generation Texan, runs a family business and previously served as the mayor of Avinger for several years.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 14, 2012
Contact – SimpsonForSpeaker@gmail.com or 512-677-4502
THE POLITICS OF A SPEAKER RACE
(Austin) – Today Representative David Simpson (R-Longview) issued the following statement on the public conversation surrounding the Speaker race.
“One week into my race for Speaker of the House, I find some advocates in the race an apt example of the problem that prompted me to run. Certain individuals on both sides are using inflammatory rhetoric and intimidation tactics to try to force members to vote for a particular candidate.
“My candidacy is not about policy or the degree or quality of conservatism. It is about maintaining principle as the standard by which we govern. Those who personally attack members or threaten to attack members over their choice for Speaker are engaging in the exact type of intimidation and retribution that my candidacy is fighting against. Those who do so may not understand my purpose or frankly our system of ‘free government’ espoused by the Texas Constitution.
“If a Speaker is elected on the sole basis of a political platform, then the ability for the Speaker to resist letting the ends justify a political means becomes very difficult. This pressure invites corruption and erosion of the rules. And that corruption undermines the thorough and open deliberations that are the hallmark of a successful republic.
“Though we disagree on some important issues, in this race I am not challenging Speaker Straus’ conservatism. I do, however, challenge his approach to fair administration of the rules and the culture of intimidation and retribution that has developed under his leadership. For example, I do not fault Speaker Straus for personally disagreeing with the Anti-Groping TSA bill. I do however fault him for refusing to follow the rules. Instead of bringing the business of the house before the members, he abruptly adjourned and immediately told the media that there was no quorum present despite having called the House to order and having declared a quorum present.
“The Speaker is chosen by members of the House to administer the House Rules and the business of the chamber. I believe the choice of Speaker is primarily about earning the trust of and having respect for the members. It is about honoring the process. I believe the Speaker should lead by example, respect principles, and honor the rules. The race should hinge on fairness in administration and not who may amass the most power for their own position.
“Policy is an area for debate and compromise. However, rules and the promises they represent should remain inviolate.”
Representative Simpson lives in Longview with his wife of 27 years, Susan, and their children. Simpson, a seventh-generation Texan, runs a family business and previously served as the mayor of Avinger for several years.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Texas Speaker Joe Straus Says Abortion is NOT a Serious Issue
Anyways, if it was not already clear that Abortion is not an important issue for Speaker Joe Straus then you should take a look at his most recent quote about abortion:In an article from the Houston Chronicle, Joe Straus brushed off the biggest pro-life bill of 2013 as maybe one of the thousands of bills to get filed. Straus then went on to completely label the pro life measure as not important by saying that he is only focused on "getting serious about serious issues" like infrastructure.
The genocide of millions of innocent unborn babies is not a serious issue Joe Straus?
Texas Speaker Joe Straus Says Abortion is NOT a Serious Issue, according to a Houston Chronicle Article dated 12/12/2012
from the Houston Chronicle:
Some GOP members plan to push for more stringent legislation involving abortion, including a ban on abortions for a fetus past 20 weeks.
Straus noted that thousands of bills get filed during every regular legislative session.
“It sounds like that may be one of them,” he said of the abortion measure. “The top of the agenda for me continues to be education resources and infrastructure – the things that will help Texas cope with the tremendous growth that we have seen in this state.”
Texas, he said, needs to “get serious about serious issues.”
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Speaker Straus Calls for Billions More Taxing and Spending 2013 Texas Legislative Session
Just another reason why Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus MUST GO! He is officially calling for more revenue (taxes) and billions more in spending.
The following article is from Empower Texans http://www.empowertexans.com/features/billions-more-for-bigger-government/
In preparation for the 83rd Legislature, Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst have been out stumping for the Texas Budget Compact, specifically calling on the Legislature to cap increases in state spending to no more than the growth of population plus inflation.
But as conservatives are well aware, the state’s third highest-ranking official, House Speaker Joe Straus, has been conspicuously absent from any such calls for limiting government.
House Speaker Joe Straus
The speaker has flirted with the idea of bringing in more revenue instead of cutting spending ever since he declared the 82nd Session adjourned sine die. Now, Speaker Straus is calling for additional spending on public education. Up to $6 billion more that what was spent last biennium.
Austin radio station KLBJ reported on Saturday that Straus is committed to funding bigger bureaucracy under the guise of “enrollment growth” (estimated to be $2 billion of spending) for public education, and hopes the supposed “cuts” to public education from last session will be restored as well (a $4 billion proposition).
A House Speaker refusing to commit to spending reductions was bad enough, but having one openly call for more spending before the 83rd Legislature even convenes is a worrisome sign for taxpayers.
It’s begs the question why several of Straus’ supporters are publically backing him in the first place. (Straus’ team has acknowledged the Speaker’s toxicity with the grassroots, shielding supporters from being named publically for that very reason.)
Take State Rep. Jason Isaac for example. A “white-light” against the speaker in 2011, Isaac is now publically supporting Straus for speaker, saying “he had a good solid conservative record.”
Ironic, given that it was just a few months ago Rep. Isaac was telling his constituents “we do not have a funding problem, we have a spending problem” in public education.
And yet he’s supporting a speaker willing to cow-tow to educrats despite overfunding enrollment growth in the past decade by a factor of five?
State Rep. Allen Fletcher is in a similar boat. Why is he supporting a speaker who talks about “cuts” to education when he correctly acknowledged the state increased spending on public education by $1.6 billion last session?
State Rep. Dan Huberty is another example. He once campaigned on the fact that he pushed for zero-based budgeting when he was on the Humble ISD school board, saying “start there and figure out who much money we really need to spend to provide the services we want to provide…” Yet he supports a speaker who’s entire premise of pushing for “restoring cuts” is based on the assumption that our public education system is as efficient as it will ever get?
I wonder if they even realize that now-defeated Straus committee chairman Rob Eissler opposed setting a moratorium on the statewide overly-expensive and bureaucratic standardized testing regimen – which would have freed up $400 million – at least until he noticed the political winds shifting. (Rep. Isaac sent out a press release expressing his frustration about it in May, while Rep. Huberty has authored a bill eliminating the 15% provision.)
Worth noting: Mr. Eissler was defeated in the GOP primary this session.
House members have a big decision to make before they head to Austin in January. Whom they support will stay a lot about what they support. More spending on bigger bureaucracy – or an efficient public education system devoted to putting more power in the hands of teachers and parents.
January 8th is only 29 days away…
Image Source: Google Images, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
The following article is from Empower Texans http://www.empowertexans.com/features/billions-more-for-bigger-government/
Billions More For Bigger Government
While other statewide leaders are calling for reducing spending and cutting wasteful government, House Speaker Joe Straus is telling the media he wants to break out the checkbook this session.In preparation for the 83rd Legislature, Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst have been out stumping for the Texas Budget Compact, specifically calling on the Legislature to cap increases in state spending to no more than the growth of population plus inflation.
But as conservatives are well aware, the state’s third highest-ranking official, House Speaker Joe Straus, has been conspicuously absent from any such calls for limiting government.
House Speaker Joe Straus
The speaker has flirted with the idea of bringing in more revenue instead of cutting spending ever since he declared the 82nd Session adjourned sine die. Now, Speaker Straus is calling for additional spending on public education. Up to $6 billion more that what was spent last biennium.
Austin radio station KLBJ reported on Saturday that Straus is committed to funding bigger bureaucracy under the guise of “enrollment growth” (estimated to be $2 billion of spending) for public education, and hopes the supposed “cuts” to public education from last session will be restored as well (a $4 billion proposition).
A House Speaker refusing to commit to spending reductions was bad enough, but having one openly call for more spending before the 83rd Legislature even convenes is a worrisome sign for taxpayers.
It’s begs the question why several of Straus’ supporters are publically backing him in the first place. (Straus’ team has acknowledged the Speaker’s toxicity with the grassroots, shielding supporters from being named publically for that very reason.)
Take State Rep. Jason Isaac for example. A “white-light” against the speaker in 2011, Isaac is now publically supporting Straus for speaker, saying “he had a good solid conservative record.”
Ironic, given that it was just a few months ago Rep. Isaac was telling his constituents “we do not have a funding problem, we have a spending problem” in public education.
And yet he’s supporting a speaker willing to cow-tow to educrats despite overfunding enrollment growth in the past decade by a factor of five?
State Rep. Allen Fletcher is in a similar boat. Why is he supporting a speaker who talks about “cuts” to education when he correctly acknowledged the state increased spending on public education by $1.6 billion last session?
State Rep. Dan Huberty is another example. He once campaigned on the fact that he pushed for zero-based budgeting when he was on the Humble ISD school board, saying “start there and figure out who much money we really need to spend to provide the services we want to provide…” Yet he supports a speaker who’s entire premise of pushing for “restoring cuts” is based on the assumption that our public education system is as efficient as it will ever get?
I wonder if they even realize that now-defeated Straus committee chairman Rob Eissler opposed setting a moratorium on the statewide overly-expensive and bureaucratic standardized testing regimen – which would have freed up $400 million – at least until he noticed the political winds shifting. (Rep. Isaac sent out a press release expressing his frustration about it in May, while Rep. Huberty has authored a bill eliminating the 15% provision.)
Worth noting: Mr. Eissler was defeated in the GOP primary this session.
House members have a big decision to make before they head to Austin in January. Whom they support will stay a lot about what they support. More spending on bigger bureaucracy – or an efficient public education system devoted to putting more power in the hands of teachers and parents.
January 8th is only 29 days away…
Image Source: Google Images, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Monday, December 10, 2012
Rep. Simpson Files Against Texas Speaker Straus - Rep. Hughes Endorses Simpson!
 |
| Texas State Rep. David Simpson |
While I hate to see Bryan Hughes go because he is a good conservative, I am excited for David Simpson because he also is a good conservative! David Simpson has been a fair person who gets along well with other Republicans. He has been a part of many conservative bills, but you might remember mostly because last session he wrote the anti-TSA Bill to stop the TSA from groping/touching our junk/private areas without probable cause/reasonable suspicion. This was overwhelmingly supported by his fellow State Reps. It was a direct challenge to the federal Government's infringement on the rights of Texans. Sure, it would face a challenge by the Federal Government, but you don't accomplish anything unless you take a stand and say "bring it on". Sometimes you just have to stand up for what is right and whatever happens will happen. Simpson took a stand, but unfortunately Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus doesn't really every stand for anything, especially not anything conservative or controversial. Straus called the bill a publicity stunt and vowed that he would kill the bill. Straus did indeed kill the bill.
Liberal Joe Straus MUST be defeated
Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus has a target on his back by, well, just about any true conservative Republicans. It is hard to support a man (Straus) who campaigns for liberal democrats, killed conservative legislation, hurt conservatives in redistricting, is pro abortion, and got elected to lead the House only because he teamed up with the Democrats and got them all to vote for him over the Republican leader. once in power, Straus has stayed in power by threatening to hurt (politically) anyone who votes against him.
Last session (2011) there were some candidates who ran against Joe Straus, but it was all last minute and there was not alot of time to organize and really run a campaign against Straus.
This upcoming session, 2013, conservative Republicans decided to get ahead of the curve and the put someone out early to run against Straus. State Representative Bryan Hughes bravely stepped forward to run against Straus. By joining the race so early, this has allowed conservative republicans to contact their State Reps, Contact the Media, Expose the truth about Liberal Joe Straus, and really get the word out about this Speaker race and the importance of a MAJORITY REPUBLICAN House to stand up and elect a TRUE REPUBLICAN as Speaker.
Statement from David Simpson on Filing to Run Against Straus for Texas Speaker of the House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 10, 2012
Contact – SimpsonForSpeaker@gmail.com or 512-677-4502
(Austin) – Today Representative David Simpson of Longview announced his candidacy for Speaker of the Texas House.
“For some time I have been prompted and encouraged to run for Speaker,” said Simpson. “After much prayer, consideration, and counsel, I made the decision to enter the race and filed the requisite paperwork.”
Simpson commented: “Since I filed, a number of my colleagues have already offered their support and we look forward to sharing our vision of fair and open government with every member of the Legislature.
“I respect Speaker Straus as a fellow legislator; however, we differ on the way that the House should be led. And I am not alone in that opinion.
“The culture of ‘go along to get along’ politics, where members face intimidation and retribution should they disagree with a leadership decision, stifles representative government.
“Moreover, the rules have been considered advisory rather than mandatory and applied disparately. I believe, however, the rules should be enforced without regard to party, personality, or seniority.
“The responsibility for the solution lies with the current members. I invite my fellow legislators to join me in transforming the way the House operates. Now is the time to change the spirit of our Legislature and put the principles of liberty and open government above the politics of intimidation.”
Representative Simpson lives in Longview with his wife of 27 years, Susan, and their children. Simpson, a seventh-generation Texan, runs a family business and previously served as the mayor of Avinger for several years.
Statement from Bryan Hughes on Dropping Out and Supporting David Simpson as Speaker
from PushJunction.com
Rep. Bryan Hughes
MINEOLA, TEXAS, 10 Dec 2012
Bryan Hughes today issued the following statement regarding
Representative David Simpson’s filing for Speaker of the Texas House of
Representatives:
“I wholeheartedly endorse my friend David Simpson for Speaker of the House. David is uniquely qualified to lead the House at this pivotal time in our history. David Simpson has earned his reputation as an eminently fair, highly principled, and hardworking legislator.
He has demonstrated that he has both the courage to stand alone and the wisdom and humility to build broad coalitions. These are sorely lacking in politics today, and necessary to accomplish the great work of the Texas House.
For some months now I have been traveling the state and visiting with my fellow State Representatives, with candidates, and with our employers: the people of Texas. After countless meetings and conversations, I am more convinced than ever that we need new leadership in the Texas House. I am also convinced that the strongest candidate to bring in that new leadership is David Simpson.
So I urge all of my colleagues and soon-to-be colleagues in the Texas House to give David their full support. I know that a growing number of us are already behind David, and I am confident that the House is well on its way to having a new Speaker.
I owe a tremendous debt to hundreds of Texans who have helped me in this campaign. So many have prayed for us, have volunteered, have contributed financially, and helped us in a host of other ways. I am very thankful for this overwhelming backing, and I humbly ask for all of my friends to give David Simpson their full support.”
The following Video of David Simpson speaker to the Texas House of Representatives is a GREAT introduction to David Simpson. WATCH IT. You will find out a little of who David Simpson is, why we need a new Speaker, and why he will be a great Speaker!
If video below does not show up CLICK HERE TO WATCH SIMPSON VIDEO AT YOUTUBE: http://youtu.be/ZQdp0sBrtwE
“I wholeheartedly endorse my friend David Simpson for Speaker of the House. David is uniquely qualified to lead the House at this pivotal time in our history. David Simpson has earned his reputation as an eminently fair, highly principled, and hardworking legislator.
He has demonstrated that he has both the courage to stand alone and the wisdom and humility to build broad coalitions. These are sorely lacking in politics today, and necessary to accomplish the great work of the Texas House.
For some months now I have been traveling the state and visiting with my fellow State Representatives, with candidates, and with our employers: the people of Texas. After countless meetings and conversations, I am more convinced than ever that we need new leadership in the Texas House. I am also convinced that the strongest candidate to bring in that new leadership is David Simpson.
So I urge all of my colleagues and soon-to-be colleagues in the Texas House to give David their full support. I know that a growing number of us are already behind David, and I am confident that the House is well on its way to having a new Speaker.
I owe a tremendous debt to hundreds of Texans who have helped me in this campaign. So many have prayed for us, have volunteered, have contributed financially, and helped us in a host of other ways. I am very thankful for this overwhelming backing, and I humbly ask for all of my friends to give David Simpson their full support.”
The following Video of David Simpson speaker to the Texas House of Representatives is a GREAT introduction to David Simpson. WATCH IT. You will find out a little of who David Simpson is, why we need a new Speaker, and why he will be a great Speaker!
If video below does not show up CLICK HERE TO WATCH SIMPSON VIDEO AT YOUTUBE: http://youtu.be/ZQdp0sBrtwE
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Joe Straus – The Manipulative Texas Speaker Of The House - by Sonja Harris
The following article is an article from Sonja Harris posted on Texas GOP Vote. Most of the time I write my own articles/commentary for my blog, but getting the word out about awhy Texas needs a new speaker of the house is important so anytime I see an article about the subject I repost it on my site to help spread the word
Joe Straus – The Manipulative Texas Speaker Of The House
Joe Straus – The Manipulative Texas Speaker Of The House
The administration that was just reelected is plagued by a tremendous lack of leadership, honor and morals. We have been abandoned and conservatives must move forward against this obstruction. We have to clean house in our own party, for instance, the RNC Reince Priebus, all of the ‘established’ campaign machines and someone please yank Karl Rove off Fox News. He was wrong in 2008 and he was wrong in 2012! There are other national ‘established’ Republicans that I am sure you could mention.
But what about our own grand state of TEXAS? RedState, a conservative blog for right of center online activists, came out with a blood boiling story on our ‘conservative’ Joe Straus revealing his War on Texas Conservatives with an article on November 4. I doubt any of us were surprised. What was more revealing was Straus staff’s total contempt of conservatives and the manner in which they were referred to as idiots, mother f***ers and stupid. These words will become familiar as this is the wave of obamatrashtalk. We also better know that every liberal Republican hates all conservatives…sends a warm chill up your spine doesn’t it? Interesting enough, when I was going to photography seminars, an instructor once said, ‘Remember you will attract customers of your ‘kind’ either ‘warm fuzzes’ or ‘cold prickly’ customers. He was so right. My customers for the most part were ‘warm fuzzes’. So now I attract crazy conservatives…like myself, according to Straus and all liberal Republicans.
It is important that we note that Joe Straus is from San Antonio, a city that just went ape over Obama and his mini me’s the Castro brothers. So let’s consider that if we continue to allow this infectious condition to spread throughout Texas how long before we turn blue. Never say Never.
It seems ‘modern’ Republican Joe Straus has been a thorn in the side of most conservatives since his election to Speaker of the House in January, 2009. He won with 70 Democrats supporting him for Speaker. That speaks volumes for Straus. Straus was reelected as state representative for HD121, a San Antonio district comprised of Republicans who believe that Straus is their man. A BLUE county state representative will now dictate policy over the entire RED state of TEXAS. It stands to reason that the very blue Democrats are going to put pressure on Straus to make sure he does not tip over to the Right side because he must tip over to the Left side, after all didn’t they make him Speaker of the House? Brian Chasnoff of the ultra liberal Express n News wrote an interesting article, but we already knew what Chasnoff told his readers. Again what is disconcerting is the arrogant State Rep Trey Martinez Fischer, HD116, boldly stating that “One thing we can do, is beat on Joe so hard to prevent him from falling off the right-wing cliff. If guys like me sit silent, then you'll just see Joe fall off the right-wing cliff. And nobody wants that. So my job is to bang on him.” So if the redistributing bangers are going to ‘bang’ on Straus, will the crazy conservatives also ‘bang’ on Straus?
State Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, filed to run against Straus as Speaker of the Texas House even before the May primary, even before the outcome of the HD121 race results. Does Hughes have a chance? Pro Life groups such as Texas Alliance for Life have endorsed Joe Straus so the attack has to come elsewhere. State Rep Burt Solomons, chairman of the House Redistricting Committee chose not to run for a 10th term. Could it be his redistricting ‘mess’ is to blame? Letters and emails have surfaced on redistricting that show how biased Straus’ people were against the conservatives. As far as I can remember Straus did not pledge to Governor Rick Perry’s Texas Budget Compact. Empower Texans have come out for Hughes but getting other state reps to vote against Straus is the clincher. Straus can only lose if Texas State Reps unite and gather 76 votes for Hughes, otherwise brace yourself for a rough roller coaster ride for the 83rd Texas Legislature starting January 8, 2013. And to tell you the truth I am tired of this roller coaster ride.
Texas is in yours hands. It is you that can make a difference. If you want change in the Texas House, then call your state rep and ask questions, let him know that conservatives do matter.
RED SONJA 2012©
It is important that we note that Joe Straus is from San Antonio, a city that just went ape over Obama and his mini me’s the Castro brothers. So let’s consider that if we continue to allow this infectious condition to spread throughout Texas how long before we turn blue. Never say Never.
It seems ‘modern’ Republican Joe Straus has been a thorn in the side of most conservatives since his election to Speaker of the House in January, 2009. He won with 70 Democrats supporting him for Speaker. That speaks volumes for Straus. Straus was reelected as state representative for HD121, a San Antonio district comprised of Republicans who believe that Straus is their man. A BLUE county state representative will now dictate policy over the entire RED state of TEXAS. It stands to reason that the very blue Democrats are going to put pressure on Straus to make sure he does not tip over to the Right side because he must tip over to the Left side, after all didn’t they make him Speaker of the House? Brian Chasnoff of the ultra liberal Express n News wrote an interesting article, but we already knew what Chasnoff told his readers. Again what is disconcerting is the arrogant State Rep Trey Martinez Fischer, HD116, boldly stating that “One thing we can do, is beat on Joe so hard to prevent him from falling off the right-wing cliff. If guys like me sit silent, then you'll just see Joe fall off the right-wing cliff. And nobody wants that. So my job is to bang on him.” So if the redistributing bangers are going to ‘bang’ on Straus, will the crazy conservatives also ‘bang’ on Straus?
Texas is in yours hands. It is you that can make a difference. If you want change in the Texas House, then call your state rep and ask questions, let him know that conservatives do matter.
RED SONJA 2012©
WHO REPRESENTS ME?
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
Private Emails From Texas Speaker Joe Straus’s Office Reveal War Against Conservatives
http://www.redstate.com/2012/11/04/private-emails-from-texas-speaker-joe-strauss-office-reveal-war-against-conservatives/
http://www.redstate.com/2012/11/04/private-emails-from-texas-speaker-joe-strauss-office-reveal-war-against-conservatives/
Speaker Straus' left side is likely to be sore
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/news_columnists/article/Speaker-Straus-left-side-is-likely-to-be-sore-4030747.php
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/news_columnists/article/Speaker-Straus-left-side-is-likely-to-be-sore-4030747.php
Straus’ Session: Spend, Spend, Spend
http://www.empowertexans.com/features/straus-session-spend-spend-spend/
http://www.empowertexans.com/features/straus-session-spend-spend-spend/
Hughes For A Stronger Texas
http://www.empowertexans.com/features/hughes-for-a-stronger-texas/
http://www.empowertexans.com/features/hughes-for-a-stronger-texas/
Tea Party ‘Idiots’
http://www.empowertexans.com/features/tea-party-idiots/
http://www.empowertexans.com/features/tea-party-idiots/
Solomons Won't Seek Re-election to Texas House
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/solomons-wont-seek-reelection-texas-house/
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/solomons-wont-seek-reelection-texas-house/
Simpson Joins Criticism of House Redistricting
September 7, 2012
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-redistricting/redistricting/simpson-joins-criticism-house-redistricting/
September 7, 2012
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-redistricting/redistricting/simpson-joins-criticism-house-redistricting/
Republican: Straus Should Explain Redistricting Tactics
October 30, 2012
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-house-of-representatives/speaker-of-the-house/republican-want-straus-answers-redistricting-tacti/
October 30, 2012
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-house-of-representatives/speaker-of-the-house/republican-want-straus-answers-redistricting-tacti/
The Real Republican History Of Joe Straus, Candidate For Speaker
In his quest for the position of Speaker he is being supported by 70 Democrats.
http://sanantoniolightning.com/straus.html
In his quest for the position of Speaker he is being supported by 70 Democrats.
http://sanantoniolightning.com/straus.html
Speaker Joe Straus lines up 116 house members for 2nd term Friday, June 05, 2009
http://walkerreport.blogspot.com/search?q=joe+straus
http://walkerreport.blogspot.com/search?q=joe+straus
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
2011 Conservative Legislation Killed by Texas Speaker Joe Straus’ Committee Chairs
Texas Needs a new TRUE Republican Speaker. One who did not have to team up with all the Democrats in order to beat the Republicans and get elected. Bryan Hughes is running against Joe Straus for Speaker.
It is no secret that Joe Straus tried to hurt conservatives in redistricting who voted against him for Texas Speaker of the House. Did you know that Straus also bent over backwards to make sure almost NONE of the GOOD conservative legislation got passed if the legislation was authored by one of the State Reps who voted against him. (See list of killed legislation below) Does that sound like the kind of leader we want for Texas? The kind of leader who says that if you do not vote for him then he will intentionally kill your good legislation to get back at you. The kind of leader who says that if you don't vote for him then he will hurt you in redistricting?
Thankfully, There was a super-majority of Republicans in the 2011 Texas House of Representatives and so Joe Straus did allow the body to pass conservative legislation. He just made sure that good conservative legislation from people who opposed him did not make it out. Straus is not a man who will lead conservative legislation though. He is a populist who just goes with the flow to try to make the majority happy. He allowed the body to pass conservative legislation because he knew he could not stop it with a super majority of Republicans so he went along with it. If the House was split between Democrats and Republicans then you better believe he would try to play both sides and not stand for conservative legislation. He would play both sides because he knows that in a split house he would need to please the Democrats to stay in power.
2012 Conservative Legislation Killed by Straus’ Committee Chairs:
It is no secret that Joe Straus tried to hurt conservatives in redistricting who voted against him for Texas Speaker of the House. Did you know that Straus also bent over backwards to make sure almost NONE of the GOOD conservative legislation got passed if the legislation was authored by one of the State Reps who voted against him. (See list of killed legislation below) Does that sound like the kind of leader we want for Texas? The kind of leader who says that if you do not vote for him then he will intentionally kill your good legislation to get back at you. The kind of leader who says that if you don't vote for him then he will hurt you in redistricting?
Thankfully, There was a super-majority of Republicans in the 2011 Texas House of Representatives and so Joe Straus did allow the body to pass conservative legislation. He just made sure that good conservative legislation from people who opposed him did not make it out. Straus is not a man who will lead conservative legislation though. He is a populist who just goes with the flow to try to make the majority happy. He allowed the body to pass conservative legislation because he knew he could not stop it with a super majority of Republicans so he went along with it. If the House was split between Democrats and Republicans then you better believe he would try to play both sides and not stand for conservative legislation. He would play both sides because he knows that in a split house he would need to please the Democrats to stay in power.
2012 Conservative Legislation Killed by Straus’ Committee Chairs:
By Natalie Genco posted on Voices Empower
Education
- Exempting school districts from certain state unfunded mandates, HB 458 by James White & Wayne Christian
- Requiring school districts to post their check registers online, HB1236 by Bill Zedler
- Requiring public universities to post their check registers online, HB 1237 by Bill Zedler
- Uncapping total number of charters given to schools by the SBOE, HB 1603 by Bill Zedler,
Cutting Spending
- Replacing longevity pay with merit pay for state employees, HB2954 by Erwin Cain
- 10% reduction on paperwork for state unfunded mandates on public schools, HB 3463 by Erwin Cain
- Spending limits, HB 756 by Ken Paxton
- Ending In-state tuition for illegal immigrants, HB 1387 by Erwin Cain
- Ending State Unfunded Mandates, HJR 46 by James White
Healthcare
- Prohibiting state or other political subdivisions from forcing you to buy health insurance, HJR 51 by Wayne Christian
- Prohibiting the state from punishing direct payment for healthcare or non-participation, HB 203 by Bryan Hughes
- Prohibiting hospitals from using tax dollars on abortions, HB 561 by Wayne Christian
Small Business Tax Relief
- Allowing businesses to subtract payments to contractors in addition to employee salary from their taxable margin of the franchise tax, HB 817 by Bryan Hughes and Dwayne Bohac
- Businesses posting a loss wouldn’t pay the franchise tax, HB 932 by Ken Paxton
- Requiring franchise tax increases to pass by 2/3 majority, HJR 25 by Ken Paxton
Relieving the tax burden
- Constitutional amendment requiring 2/3 majority to raise taxes, HJR 37 by Bryan Hughes et. al.
- Requiring a 4/5 vote by House of Representatives to raise taxes, HJR 124 by Jim Landtroop and Jodie Laubenberg
- Phases out property taxes for senior citizens by 2021, HB 1104 by Ken Paxton
- Requires all other taxing units to ratify a tax increase instead of relying petitions to rollback tax rates, HB 3186 by Ken Paxton
- Requiring a 2/3 vote to create an entity with taxing power, HJR 105 by Zedler
Liberty
- TSA Groping bill, HB 1937 by David Simpson
- TSA Body Scanner bill, HB 1938 by David Simpson
Other important facts
- Joe Straus refuses to sign the Texas Budget Compact (Press Release, 4/16/2012, Statement on Texas Budget Compact)
- Refuses to sign the Taxpayer Pledge (www.taxpayerpledge.com)
- Despite a supermajority of Republicans, the House failed to pass spending limits.
- Straus told the El Paso Times “We have no choice… you can’t cut your way to prosperity,” This was also said by President Obama in a radio address in 2011
Redistricting facts
- Joe Straus’ Redistricting plan punished conservatives (RedState.com, 4/22/2011, Texas Redistricting Plan Punishes Texas Conservatives)
- Hispanic conservatives were drawn out of GOP-friendly House districts, including Raul Torres of Corpus Christi, Aaron Pena of Edinburg and Jose Aliseda.
- The first House redistricting map had 7 GOP vs. GOP incumbent pairings. This would ensure that we lose 7 GOP house members. It forces a Republican to run against another Republican instead of a Democrat.
If you are ready to take a stand call your State Representative today Here is a list of them. Tell them to vote for the most Conservative Candidate in the Race for Speaker; Bryan Hughes and then join us in Austin Jan. 7th and 8th.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Joe Straus Only Has 31 Votes for Re-Election as Texas Speaker of House - Bryan Hughes Breaking the Straus Stronghold
Article below from Weston Hicks of AgendaWise http://www.agendawise.com/2012/11/straus-has-only-31-votes/
The Texas Tribune, effectively acting as Team Straus’ press secretary right now, did a speaker vote count by phone last week.
Thirty-one. That’s how many Representatives are willing to go on record as solid Straus votes right now.
That means there are 129 votes somewhere on the wide spectrum of “maybe Straus, maybe Hughes”.
This is an embarrassment for a Straus Team that is rumored to have called members last week, puffing that they were releasing a list on Wednesday, and that everyone else was already on it. Wednesday came and went. This is next Wednesday. Oops.
The Tribune was quick to point out that they counted only one Hughes vote, Hughes himself, as if this restores order.
Even if this is true, a non-commital posture to the Boss and a non-committal posture to a rebel General are well beyond apples and oranges – they are apples and tire irons.
Today the Tribune ran Straus messaging about Bryan Hughes being a trial lawyer. AgendaWise wrote about that several weeks ago.
The fact is, Hughes voted in favor for every major piece of tort reform, and Texans for Lawsuit Reform isn’t trying to get rid of the right to a jury trial in Texas.
Rather, TLR has successfully fought the abuse of our court system. Only in a world in which TLR wants to abolish the right to a jury trial would they have any reason to oppose a Representative who has supported ending court system abuse, and who happens to also be a trial lawyer.
Straus, on the other hand, has as his speaker vote base the party of lawsuit abuse and open season on business. He even shared gambling interests with Steve Mostyn at the start of the 82nd legislature, when Mostyn had been let into the ultra-exclusive racetrack license-holding club.
Team Straus was also puffing several weeks ago when a panel confidently declared that Straus had the votes, then began stuttering when an audience member asked if he had enough Republican votes.
Forget the Republicans. Straus doesn’t even have his Democratic base.
The Texas Tribune, effectively acting as Team Straus’ press secretary right now, did a speaker vote count by phone last week.
Thirty-one. That’s how many Representatives are willing to go on record as solid Straus votes right now.
That means there are 129 votes somewhere on the wide spectrum of “maybe Straus, maybe Hughes”.
This is an embarrassment for a Straus Team that is rumored to have called members last week, puffing that they were releasing a list on Wednesday, and that everyone else was already on it. Wednesday came and went. This is next Wednesday. Oops.
The Tribune was quick to point out that they counted only one Hughes vote, Hughes himself, as if this restores order.
Even if this is true, a non-commital posture to the Boss and a non-committal posture to a rebel General are well beyond apples and oranges – they are apples and tire irons.
Today the Tribune ran Straus messaging about Bryan Hughes being a trial lawyer. AgendaWise wrote about that several weeks ago.
The fact is, Hughes voted in favor for every major piece of tort reform, and Texans for Lawsuit Reform isn’t trying to get rid of the right to a jury trial in Texas.
Rather, TLR has successfully fought the abuse of our court system. Only in a world in which TLR wants to abolish the right to a jury trial would they have any reason to oppose a Representative who has supported ending court system abuse, and who happens to also be a trial lawyer.
Straus, on the other hand, has as his speaker vote base the party of lawsuit abuse and open season on business. He even shared gambling interests with Steve Mostyn at the start of the 82nd legislature, when Mostyn had been let into the ultra-exclusive racetrack license-holding club.
Team Straus was also puffing several weeks ago when a panel confidently declared that Straus had the votes, then began stuttering when an audience member asked if he had enough Republican votes.
Forget the Republicans. Straus doesn’t even have his Democratic base.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Joe Straus Tricks at TX GOP Convention – Straus REJECTED from National Delegate List
Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus had to play some dirty tricks at the State Convention in order to keep from being humiliated from the silent walkout that was planned against him. He wrongly used fellow State Reps as Pawns and Shields. Joe Straus did not leave the Convention without humiliation though because Straus was rejected from being a National Delegate! Sadly, Texas GOP leaders are bashing the conservatives who removed Straus (see below)
Straus Dirty Trick – Used State Reps as Pawns at Texas GOP Convention
Joe Straus is not a popular guy among conservative Republicans in Texas. At the last convention he was loudly booed when he was introduced and came on the stage. This year the opposition to Straus wanted to be more respectful so they planned to just get up and walk out when Straus was introduced. The 2012 Convention Schedule that was VOTED ON had Joe Straus coming on to the stage to speak before the rest of the Texas State Representatives all came on the stage. Joe Straus and his buddies in the Texas GOP did not want Straus to be embarrassed so they decided to change the schedule and use the State Reps from Texas as pawns and shields. Instead of Straus coming out and speaking first, the schedule was changed last second to have the State Reps come out first and stand behind Joe Straus as Straus gave a speech. This was downright dirty to use my State Rep as part of his trick. My State Rep, and all the State Reps, had to walk out to the Stage while a pro Joe Straus political video was playing. If someone did want to boo the Joe Straus Video they would look like they were booing the State Reps walking out. These State Reps were treated like doormats. They did not get their introduction and were really just the backdrop for Straus. Once all of the State Reps were on the stage and the video ended, there was no introduction for Straus. Straus just stepped up and started talking with all the State Reps standing behind him to protect him from any possible backlash. Even with the change in schedule and the trick of using the Texas State Reps as Pawns, there was still a group of well over 100 who realized what was going on and went into the hallways to start chanting OUST STRAUS and NO STRAUS. watch video here
Daniel Greer also wrote about this tactless move on his AgendaWise website here
Daniel Greer also wrote about this tactless move on his AgendaWise website here
Speaker Joe Straus removed from National Delegate List
The At-Large National Delegates are nominated by the Permanent Nominations Committee at the State Convention. In order to allow room for regular republicans to be delegates to the National Convention, the only elected officials who get preferential treatment are the Statewide elected officials. People who are actually elected by the entire state of Texas (Governor, Attorney General, etc.)
This year, State Republican Executive Committeeman Eric Opiela was on the Permanent Nominations Committee. Eric tried to include Joe Straus into the list of Statewide Elected officials who get to be National Delegates.
Joe Straus is NOT a statewide elected official. Joe Straus IS NOT elected by the people of Texas and he probably WOULD NEVER BE. Joe Straus is only elected by the people of his San Antonio House District. He is not more a statewide elected official than my State Rep or any of the other 150 State Representatives. Joe Straus is given the title of Speaker and is not elected in a statewide vote to be Speaker.
One brave woman on the Nominations Committee, Kathy Haigler, made a motion to remove Joe Straus from the list of Statewide Elected officials because Joe Straus is not a Statewide Elected Official and if you opened the door for State Reps to get preferential treatment then there would not be any room on the national delegate list for regular Republicans to be delegates. It was also brought up that the delegates at the State Convention would likely reject Joe Straus when the Nominations Committee presented the report to the Convention Delegates. Other members of the Nominations Committee, including Bill Eastland, also openly supported Haigler’s motion.
It was obvious that this was another one of the Joe Straus bag of tricks. It was planned beforehand to try to get Joe Straus on the list of National Delegates as a Statewide office holder. Eric Opiela made his rounds and tried to get people to vote for Joe Straus, but the majority of the members on the Nominations Committee voted against Joe Straus and his name was removed from the National Delegate List. The people on the Nominations Committee are chosen to be on the committee by the delegates at the convention.
TX GOP Leaders are Attacking Kathy Haigler for Doing the Right Thing!
Sadly, Kathy Haigler is being attacked for doing the right thing and removing Straus from the list of statewide elected officials who get to be on the list of national delegates.
According to an article by Donna Garner on Voices Empower, on Monday, Michael Bergsma (who nominated Haigler), sent out an email accusing her of ambushing him, hurting him personally, hurting the CD27 Caucus, and hurting the State Republican Party. He said he has “egg on his face” and now suffers from reduced credibility. He attacked Haigler for striking Straus from the national delegate list and repeatedly stated his embarrassment. Bergsma said Haigler cannot be trusted and will never be given a position of trust again.
An hour later, SREC Committeewoman Becky Berger piggy-backed on Bergsma’s e-mail, expressing the same sentiment.
SREC Committeeman Bob Jones also jumped on the bandwagon in a reply to the distribution list.
Lee Brandon, a CD27 state delegate, told Haigler she will forever wear a scarlet letter of betrayal.
So let me get this right…. Joe Straus is elected by Democrats and even campaigns for Democrats against Republicans, and it is Haigler who is the bad guy and not Straus? Haigler did the right thing. Joe Straus is not a statewide elected official and he should not get preferential treatment over other republicans to be a delegate. Straus would not even have been voted by the delegates of the convention to be a delegate anyways and he certainly does not represent the conservative Republicans in Texas. Kathy Haigler did the right thing.
Shame on these Republican leaders for attacking Haigler.
I guess I am not surprised though. Becky Berger is a nice lady and I get along with her. She is dead wrong sometimes though and this is one of those issues. I was also shocked at some of her actions earlier this year. I send out my articles, like this article, via email. I actually got an email from Becky earlier this year asking me to not send any emails to ANY Republicans in her district. I was shocked! Not only does that go against the First Amendment, but it also goes against transparency and, even worse, she is making the decision about what emails people in her district should or should not get! It is up to the individual Republicans in her district to make the decision of what emails they want to get. She does not speak for them and cannot make their decisions for them. I never got one complaint from anyone in her district and if any of them want to not get emails from me they just have to click a button at the bottom of my email to get off of my list.
Joe Straus is NOT Conservative. 2011 Texas Legislature Passed Conservative Bills IN SPITE of Straus
Joe Straus is not stupid. He is a politician and a weak leader who will side with whatever will not stir up too much controversy among the State Reps. In 2010, the people of Texas overwhelmingly elected conservative Republicans to the State House. Part of the reason so many new conservative State Reps were elected was in an effort to Oust Straus. The 2011 session of the Texas Legislature had a super majority of Republicans. Joe Straus knew that he would not be able to stop some of the big pro life and voter id bills from getting passed. This is why some good legislation was passed out of the 2011 State Legislature. It had nothing to do with Joe Straus. For all we know, Joe Straus is not even pro-life! When Straus was a regular State Rep he certainly did not vote pro life and Straus has not come out and said he has changed to pro-life. All Joe Straus did was not stand in the way of the pro-life bills in the Texas House. He did this because he knew it would be the nail in his coffin if he tried to get in the way.
Democrat Rep. Castro had this to say to the Texas Tribune just this past weekend, “Joe, if it were up to him, I think would have a more moderate Texas,” he said. “But he’s presiding over a Republican Party that is very extreme today, and if he’s going to stay Speaker, he’s going to have to curry favor with them.”
I guess we should be thankful to Straus because Straus could have tried to stand in the way. Thanking him for not standing in the way of pro-life bills does not mean that Straus was the reason or even wanted these conservative bills to pass. Truth be told, besides the big issues that we wanted to get passed, Straus actually did hurt many of the low key conservative bills that were presented by the new, conservative State Representatives.
Democrat Rep. Castro had this to say to the Texas Tribune just this past weekend, “Joe, if it were up to him, I think would have a more moderate Texas,” he said. “But he’s presiding over a Republican Party that is very extreme today, and if he’s going to stay Speaker, he’s going to have to curry favor with them.”
I guess we should be thankful to Straus because Straus could have tried to stand in the way. Thanking him for not standing in the way of pro-life bills does not mean that Straus was the reason or even wanted these conservative bills to pass. Truth be told, besides the big issues that we wanted to get passed, Straus actually did hurt many of the low key conservative bills that were presented by the new, conservative State Representatives.
Joe Straus is Hurting and Facing Many Challenges. Bryan Hughes is Running for Speaker
Joe Straus is hurting. His favorability ratings are very low statewide. People just do not like him. The problem is that the people of Texas do not get to elect him. He is only elected by his district in San Antonio and he is given the Speaker of the House position by fellow State Representatives. If the people of Texas had the choice to determine who the speaker is it is very likely that he would not be speaker for very long as there would be a massive grassroots effort to elect someone else. Joe Straus even had a challenger in his own district which is something that does not happen to the Speaker of the House.
So why is he still Speaker if people do not like him? Joe Straus was a left leaning Republican. He even voted against pro-life bills and got money from Planned Parenthood. He first got in, not by a vote of Republicans but because Joe Straus teamed up with the DEMOCRATS and got all of the Democrats to vote for him. Joe Straus was elected by the Democrats to be Speaker. Once he became Speaker it becomes very difficult to get everyone to try to beat a sitting Speaker. State Reps know that if they try to oppose Joe Straus they can be greatly punished because of the power that the Speaker has. They could be hurt in Redistricting (Joe Straus hurt good conservatives in redistricting last year) and they would be given bad committees where they will not be able to do anything. Most of Joe Straus’ Committee Chairmen have failing conservative ratings so we know which direction Joe Straus leans.
Many of the attacks Joe Straus made against conservative State Reps failed thankfully. One such attack was when Joe Straus tried to get rid of super conservative James White by putting him in a district with a Straus Chairman. White voted against Straus for Speaker of the House. Thankfully, Super Conservative James White WON and defeated his Straus Chairmen opponent Mike Hamilton (who had some ethics problems revealed during the race) . In fact, many of Chairmen and Leaders for Joe Straus were defeated! Once again, the grassroots Republicans are speaking but Straus does not and will not care.
Even under the threat of getting hurt by Straus, one State Representative Bryan Hughes has stood up to face the uphill battle for the Speaker of the House against Joe Straus. Putting Pressure on Joe Straus all the time will help get the word out about Joe Straus, and also it will push Straus into a corner where he has to try to at least act conservative in order to fend off the attacks against him from conservatives. Eventually Straus will be beaten and we have to keep up the pressure.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Texas Needs a New Speaker of the House to Represent the new Conservative Republican Majority
This is David Bellow, State Republican Executive Committeeman for SD 3
I believe we need a new speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. One who is more Conservative and more Republican than our current speaker Joe Straus. Below are the facts that I have read that have proved to me that Joe Straus is not the man to lead our Conservative Republican state.
Please read the info Below about Straus
There is also a letter calling for a more conservative leader for Texas signed by many important Texas Leaders. This letter can be read here http://www.empowertexans.com/issues/letter_on_leadership
If you are a County Chairman or a leader of an organization like a Tea Party or a Republican Women's group, and you agree with this letter, please ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LETTER. Myself and many other Republican Leader have added their names to the list and it would really help if you added your name to the list as well.
You can add your name by going to this website http://www.empowertexans.com/contact-us and filling out the info or calling the number
Sincerely,
David Bellow
409 656 5128
mdbellow@gmail.com
http://www.davidbellow.com/
JOE STRAUS:
Under Joe Straus as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives , many popular conservative measures were killed in the last legislature, including Voter ID (which had a 90% support rate among Republicans) and a very popular pro-life bill (which had nearly 70% support). Both measures had already passed the Republican Senate and Governor Perry was waiting to sign them, but these (and many other conservative measures) were killed in the Hous e by the Republican Speaker and his liberal lieutenants.
Jow Straus is for higher property tax. I believe property tax is the worst tax of all because a person can never own their own land. They are always leasing it from the government. Straus actively opposes a property tax cap. click here
Speaker Joe Straus hosted a fundraiser on May 12, 2010 for liberal Democrat Patrick Rose, who has a strong conservative Republican opponent, Jason Isaac
Speaker Joe Straus hosted a fundraiser on June 2, 2010 for liberal Democrat Trey Martinez-Fischer in Austin, Texas
Speaker Joe Straus very recently appointed Mike Villareal, a liberal Democrat, and Aaron Pena, another liberal Democrat, to chair and oversee redistricting committees across the state
Speaker Joe Straus, as a first-term state representative, took $1000 from Planned Parenthood and voted for SB 419, which would have made it easier to perform late-term, third-trimester abortions. In the 2007 session, he received a 100 percent voting record from the radical pro-abortion group NARAL
Speaker Joe Straus, as a state representative, voted to enrich (by "potentially tens of millions of dollars" - Texas Observer) his own family's gambling business interests (decade-old stock in the Austin Jockey Club, ownership in 3 horse &/or dog racetracks) by voting to increase gaming and gambling (HB 2265) and voting for casino gambling (HB 10) in Texas (specifically, slot machines allowed in racetracks.
I believe we need a new speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. One who is more Conservative and more Republican than our current speaker Joe Straus. Below are the facts that I have read that have proved to me that Joe Straus is not the man to lead our Conservative Republican state.
Please read the info Below about Straus
There is also a letter calling for a more conservative leader for Texas signed by many important Texas Leaders. This letter can be read here http://www.empowertexans.com/issues/letter_on_leadership
If you are a County Chairman or a leader of an organization like a Tea Party or a Republican Women's group, and you agree with this letter, please ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LETTER. Myself and many other Republican Leader have added their names to the list and it would really help if you added your name to the list as well.
You can add your name by going to this website http://www.empowertexans.com/contact-us and filling out the info or calling the number
Sincerely,
David Bellow
409 656 5128
mdbellow@gmail.com
http://www.davidbellow.com/
JOE STRAUS:
Under Joe Straus as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives , many popular conservative measures were killed in the last legislature, including Voter ID (which had a 90% support rate among Republicans) and a very popular pro-life bill (which had nearly 70% support). Both measures had already passed the Republican Senate and Governor Perry was waiting to sign them, but these (and many other conservative measures) were killed in the Hous e by the Republican Speaker and his liberal lieutenants.
Jow Straus is for higher property tax. I believe property tax is the worst tax of all because a person can never own their own land. They are always leasing it from the government. Straus actively opposes a property tax cap. click here
Speaker Joe Straus hosted a fundraiser on May 12, 2010 for liberal Democrat Patrick Rose, who has a strong conservative Republican opponent, Jason Isaac
Speaker Joe Straus hosted a fundraiser on June 2, 2010 for liberal Democrat Trey Martinez-Fischer in Austin, Texas
Speaker Joe Straus very recently appointed Mike Villareal, a liberal Democrat, and Aaron Pena, another liberal Democrat, to chair and oversee redistricting committees across the state
Speaker Joe Straus, as a first-term state representative, took $1000 from Planned Parenthood and voted for SB 419, which would have made it easier to perform late-term, third-trimester abortions. In the 2007 session, he received a 100 percent voting record from the radical pro-abortion group NARAL
Speaker Joe Straus, as a state representative, voted to enrich (by "potentially tens of millions of dollars" - Texas Observer) his own family's gambling business interests (decade-old stock in the Austin Jockey Club, ownership in 3 horse &/or dog racetracks) by voting to increase gaming and gambling (HB 2265) and voting for casino gambling (HB 10) in Texas (specifically, slot machines allowed in racetracks.
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