News

A Call to Action Regarding Voter Integrity in TX: SB 362

pmkern@yahoo.com (PK) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:26:21 +0000

Voter ID SB 362, by Senator Troy Fraser, has passed the Senate and will be heard in the House Elections Committee in April 6 (invited testimony) and April 7 (public testimony).

As proposed, this bill would prevent voter fraud at the polls by requiring voters to present a government issued ID to prove their identity (i.e. Texas Driver’s License, Texas ID, Public University Student ID, Marriage License). If you want this important voter integrity legislation to pass, you need to make your voice heard!

Fill out our letter of support for SB 362. It is important that our legislators hear us weigh in on these issues. The letter will be printed out and hand delivered by Austin Young Republicans to the legislator in your district as well as all of the Elections & Calendars Committee Members.

It is vital that our legislators hear us weigh in on these issues. So, we encourage that you, your friends, and family all sign the petition and call their offices.

This bill’s analysis can be found here.

The actual bill text can be found here.

To find out who your elected officials are click here.

Elections Committee Members:

Representative Todd Smith, Chair (R-92) Euless (512) 463-0522

Representative Aaron Pena, Vice Chair (D-40) Edinburg (512) 463-0426

Representative Alma Allen (D-131) Houston (512) 463-0744

Representative Rafael Anchia (D-103) Dallas (512) 463-0746

Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-138) Houston (512) 463-0727

Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-25) Angleton (512) 463-0652

Representative Betty Brown (R-4) Terrell (512) 463-0458

Representative Linda Harper-Brown (R-105) Irving (512) 463-0641

Representative Joe Heflin (D-85) Crosbyton (512) 463-0604

YRs Demand "Change"

eliza.vielma@gmail.com (Eliza Vielma) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:26:52 +0000

While the political realm heats up and our presidential race ends tonight, two Young Republicans took it upon themselves to inject a little humor and get their political message across last night.

You might have seen Nathan Glass and Matthew Kidwell out on the corner 2222 and Shoak Creek in Austin last night; but probably didn't recognize them.

That's because they dressed up as homeless men carrying home-made, politically driven signs to inform others of the tax hike we'll be receiving if we allow an Obama administration.

From their reports, they surprisingly received positive responses from their audience.

Conservatives can be mighty creative.

Way to go Nathan & Matt!

Grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory

eliza.vielma@gmail.com (Taxpayer's Voice) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:04:36 +0000

It appears that one State Republican Executive Committee member is ready to throw Speaker Tom Craddick overboard, and grab defeat from the jaws of victory.

Mark McCaig is calling for Speaker Tom Craddick to announce he will not seek the Speaker position. McCaig claims Republicans have little to be tout under Craddick’s leadership.

To view full story and comment: Click Here

Early Voting 101: Be informed.

eliza.vielma@gmail.com (Eliza) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:12:22 +0000

Many of you are probably wondering where to go to find information on where to vote or what will even be on the ballot this year aside from the highly contested presidential race.

You can find the majority of this information off of the Travis County Clerk's website.

For Early Voting Locations, Click Here.

For a Sample General Ballot, Click Here.

For a Sample Local Ballot (which includes Propositions), Click Here.

To find out if you're registered, Click Here.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact Eliza Vielma @ president@austinyr.com.

Austin Local Government & ISD Debt

eliza.vielma@gmail.com (Eliza) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:06:06 +0000

Things you may not have known about Austin ISD...

Did you know...

Austin ISD is ranked "Academically Acceptable" - which is second from the bottom?
That only half of Austin ISD's staff consists of teachers?
Teachers at Austin ISD make over 10k less than "Support Staff"?
Local Government Debt has been growing 4 times faster than our income.
The Grand total of Debt (between City, County & Austin ISD) is $8,540,378,421?
or that, the Debt per Taxpayer in Austin is $11,493.31 - DOUBLE what the state average is?

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Local Government Debt in Austin (information was taken from the Texas Bond Review Website)

Austin ISD Snapshot 2007 (information from Texas Education Agency Website)

Austin ISD's brochure about Proposition 1

Now, isn't it a shame that Austin ISD is asking voters to support another "tax increase" via Proposition 1 - to pad their wallets with another 17.7 million dollars?

We are leaving ourselves and our children a legacy of debt.

Vote "NO" on Austin ISD Proposition 1.

Sept. 25, 2008 Meeting Recap

eliza.vielma@gmail.com (Eliza) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:49:08 +0000

Last night's meeting went extremely well!

Not only did we have new & old members in attendance; but, we were also visited by Rosemary Edwards (Travis County Republican Party Chairman), as well as Will Franklin & Scott Ratcliffe from the Ralph Sheffield Campaign in House District 55.

Our keynote speaker was Drew Thornley, a Policy Analyst for Texas Public Policy Foundation.

The topic was: Freedom from Foreign Oil.

Drew also blogged about the 8 dollar Gore Bills passed out at last night's meeting. To read his blog posting on Planet Gore, please click here.

To watch a short clip from his speech, click here.

Continue reading to read through his speech and statistics.

Early Voting clerks needed!

eliza.vielma@gmail.com (Eliza) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:04:01 +0000

To: Travis County Republicans
From: Rosemary Edwards, TCRP Chairman
Subject: Early Voting Clerks

Please consider this opportunity to assist in ensuring that our Early Voting locations are staffed with both Democrats and Republicans!

The Travis County Clerk's office phoned us today. They are in need of REPUBLICAN Early Voting Clerks for October 20th-31st. If you are interested, the details are as follows:

WHO: Travis County Elections Division
WHAT: REPUBLICAN Clerks needed to work Early Voting ($9-10 per hour)
WHEN: October 20th-31st for Early Voting, but Sign-Up is NOW and URGENT
HOW: Go down to the Travis County Clerk's Office to the Elections Division at 5501 Airport Blvd. You are required to fill out a Travis County Employment Application because you will be considered a Temporary Employee of the County. You need to have your drivers license and social security card available when you turn in the application.
ADDITIONAL: Any questions, please phone Davia Prosser in Travis County Elections at 854-9552

Simple Math

eliza.vielma@gmail.com (Eliza) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:13:02 +0000

Check out the most comprehensive comparison of our presidential candidates that I've seen thus far:

2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON

Carter Returns to Washington to Speak on Behalf of the American People

eliza.vielma@gmail.com (Eliza) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:38:57 +0000

Urges Pelosi to schedule immediate vote on bill to lower gas prices

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative John Carter (TX-31), Republican Conference Secretary, today joined Republicans in Washington, D.C. to continue the unprecedented fight on the House Floor to help reduce gas prices and begin serious domestic production of oil and natural gas resources. Carter made the following statement:

“Republicans are back at it again today speaking on behalf of the American people. We will not give up this fight until Speaker Pelosi allows an up-or-down vote on a comprehensive energy bill, the American Energy Act, which will relieve stress at the pump for Americans.

Now it is getting exciting!

pmkern@yahoo.com (Administrator) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:59:36 +0000

I have never really thought of McCain as an exciting candidate. I have always believed his policy ideas were better than Barack Obama, but that is really not saying much. I have been worried that Republicans would do what they needed to do, but would not be excited about it. I think that all changes now with the pick of Sarah Palin as VP. I started feeling better about McCain after the saddle back forum. With this move I am getting excited, and I believe everyone else is too. I think this is a great political move, but it is also a good move for the Republican party. Palin brings youth, and helps show that we are not just an "old white man's party". She does this, without sacrificing values. Rush Limbaugh had a great quote today "Sarah Palin: babies, guns, Jesus. Hot damn!" While most Democrats would say that just shows what is wrong with the Republican party, I think that shows what is right with it. I think a lot of Americans will see it that way as well. This election will be truly historic, no matter who wins, and that is also very exciting as well. Lets just make sure it is John McCain and Sarah Palin.