Texas Democratic Party: Moving Texas Forward

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie issued the following statement on the conclusion of the Texas legislative special session:

“After meeting for 170 days, the Republican-led 82^nd Texas legislature adjourned without solving the most critical problems facing Texans. Instead of adequately funding our children’s schools or correcting a revenue system that will lead to future deficits and shortfalls, the regular and special sessions were dominated by ‘red meat’ partisan wedge issues that divide Texans at a time when we should be working together to secure our future.

“The misguided GOP agenda was dictated by the political ambitions of Rick Perry and David Dewhurst. Their insistence on appealing to the most extreme Republican Primary voters as they run for President and U.S. Senate caused the real issues facing our state to be kicked down the road to fester for another two years.

“The consequences of this session will impact Texans for the next two years – but hopefully not for generations. Texas Democrats will force the Republican politicians who failed to stand up for our values to be accountable for the harm they inflicted on our state.”

As a result of GOP partisanship, the lowlights this legislative session include:

• The two year “deficit budget” will result in at least $17-18 billion in debt and deferrals being passed on to next legislature.
• For the first time in 62 years, state education funding was cut below the level needed to provide for projected school enrollment, with cuts totaling $5.3 billion.
• Teacher salaries, already below the national average, were cut further, making it more difficult to keep the best teachers in the classroom.
• Almost $5 billion in Medicaid funding was deferred to the next legislature, part of a dangerous health care agenda which could also threaten Medicare, nursing home care for seniors and basic health care for children.
• An anti-Hispanic agenda persisted through the regular session and into the special session, including so-called “sanctuary cities” legislation, voter ID and eliminating grants for pre-K and college grants for incoming freshmen.
• Drastic health care cuts will reduce access to prenatal care and basic health care for millions of Texas women, while the GOP legislature placed a higher priority on requiring sonograms of women who make a difficult personal choice.
• An anti-consumer agenda made it more difficult for Texans to seek justice in the court system.

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Passage of SB2 and SB8 Denies School Funds and Allows Teacher Salary Cuts

Today, the Republican majority in the Texas House and Senate adopted the Conference Committee reports for SB2 and SB8. The SB2 report eliminated the Howard amendment, which would have allocated $2.2 billion in contingency funds for public schools that would only become available when the Rainy Day Fund grew to a projected level that could reach $12 billion. SB8 included language that would permanently allow local school districts to cut teacher salaries, furlough teachers and weaken teacher contract rights, even though SB8 provides no tangible savings to address the state budget shortfall.

Texas Democratic Party Spokeswoman Kirsten Gray issued the following statement:

“Even though billions remain in the Rainy Day Fund, which is expected to grow by billions more, the Republican majority chose to cut over $5 billion from public schools and put our economic future at risk.

“By refusing to fund the Howard amendment, the GOP betrayed the state’s commitment to provide a basic education for Texas children in order to prop up Rick Perry and other GOP politicians’ primary election ambitions.

“Instead of funding our schools, the GOP used education cuts to launch an attack that will balance the budget on the backs of Texas educators and make it even more difficult to keep the best teachers in classrooms.”

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(Austin, TX) – Earlier this week, the Associated Press reported on Rep. Larry Taylors’s whereabouts. The headline: “Texas House GOP Caucus head plays hooky in Bahamas.”

The article states that Taylor plans to finally show up for work today, so the Texas Democratic Party is welcoming him back.

“On behalf of the taxpayers he’s supposed to be representing, we want to welcome Larry Taylor back to work today,” said Texas Democratic Party Spokesperson Kirsten Gray. “Without a doubt, Mr. Taylor is anxious to tell his colleagues and constituents about the time he spent working on his tan on the Bahamian beaches while he skipped a whole week of legislative work, including a day when the House was one member short of a  quorum and couldn’t conduct business.”

While Taylor was officially excused for his absence for “personal business” on a motion by his Republican Caucus Vice Chair, Rep.Myra Crownover, the House Republican majority continued floundering in Taylor’s absence just like it does when he’s around.  What was supposed to be a short special session about the state budget and the Texas Windstorm Insurance Agency turned into an epic fiasco defined by GOP infighting and partisan posturing from Republican officials seeking higher offices.

“While Larry Taylor was missing in action, negotiations on reforming the Texas Windstorm Insurance Agency stalled – and Taylor should know something about the need to reform TWIA, because he’s profited by selling TWIA policies to his coastal constituents while serving on the committee that regulates the agency,” Gray said.

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(Austin, TX) – Today, House Republicans voted to instruct House conferees to remove an amendment to Senate Bill 2 that was passed by Donna Howard (D-Austin) that would have provided an additional $2.2 billion for public schools to cover enrollment growth. The amendment, which originally earned enough bipartisan support to pass the House despite a Republican supermajority, would make the $2.2 billion available only when additional funds become available in the state Rainy Day Fund, over and above the amount available in the fund today. In testimony before the Senate Finance Committee, the Director of the non-partisan Legislative Budget Board stated that he expected the fund to grow from roughly $6 billion to $12 billion, as additional revenue becomes available due to the high price of oil.

“Once again, Republican legislators have betrayed Texas school children, parents and teachers by pledging allegiance to the partisan zealots who believe our students are not entitled to a basic education,” said Texas Democratic Party Spokeswoman Kirsten Gray. “By withdrawing their support for the Howard amendment, GOP legislators showed they lack the courage and conviction to provide an opportunity to restore part of the funding they slashed from our schools.”

“Republicans in charge in Austin apparently think the low wage jobs being created in Texas are good enough, because when they turn their backs on our children’s schools, they are turning their backs on the good jobs that are the key to our economic future,” Gray concluded.
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(Austin, TX) – Today, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie announced that he will appoint Bill Brannon as TDP Executive Director, effective July 1. Outgoing TDP Executive Director Ruben Hernandez will transition out at the end of July.

“I’ve thought long and hard on this decision, and I’m very confident that Bill will do a tremendous job at the helm of the TDP,” said Boyd Richie. “Bill has spent a lifetime working to foster inclusion, coordination and cooperation in Texas Democratic politics and he works well with grassroots organizers, officeholders and major donors, all of whom are important to Democratic success.  Bill’s leadership will allow the TDP to continue and strengthen its fundraising, political, organizational and communications tasks.”

“I cannot say enough about the job Ruben Hernandez has done for the Texas Democratic Party,” Richie added. “In six years as Executive Director, Ruben’s guidance has enabled TDP to build an infrastructure that is second to none among state Democratic parties, and he has earned the respect and appreciation of Texas Democrats.”

Bill Brannon has been professionally involved in politics for over 30 years. He has been part of over 150 campaigns at all levels and in virtually all positions. As an administrator, Bill has directed numerous campaign staffs and has over ten years experience as the District Director for two congressional offices. Bill has participated in the Texas Democratic Party at all levels – as an activist, Precinct Chair, County Chair and SDEC member.

Bill currently serves as Deputy Political Director for Party Operations. He lives in Sulphur Springs with his wife Vali and will relocate to Austin.

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The following is a transcription of remarks delivered by Rebecca Forest, founder of the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas and a prominent Tea Party leader.

“If you want to know why we can’t pass legislation in Texas it’s because we have 37, no 36, Hispanics in the Legislature. All of the states that have passed legislation have a handful and I mean literally, some of them have NO Hispanic legislators, well, maybe 3 or 5 or something. So that’s, umm, part of our problem and we need to change those numbers. Umm, we need to do something about that in fact, during the debate on “sanctuary cities,” several Hispanic legislators testified that their grandparents and their parents were migrant workers who came over here to work and that THEY even worked in the fields.  And some of them even admitted that they had been here illegally and that they came illegally. So the problem is these Hispanic legislators…is that it’s too close to them and they, umm… simply cannot vote their conscience correctly. So that’s about all I have to say to you, please come to the hearing, and help us spread this message. Thank you.”

The following is a statement from TDP Deputy Executive Director Anthony Gutierrez:

“While Ms. Forest’s comments are incredibly offensive, it’s about time a Republican was finally upfront about their Party’s hateful attitude toward Hispanics.  The ‘sanctuary cities’ debate is really about the belief Ms. Forest confirmed: that Republicans simply think there are too many Hispanics in Texas.

“This legislation being debated today is yet another attempt by Republicans to pander to the Tea Party by attacking Hispanics. Cowardly Republican politicians like Rick Perry, David Dewhurst and the legislative majority have shown they are willing to trample the rights of Hispanic Texans in order to score points with their Tea Party base.

“Just about every Texas Republican legislator has supported or feared the Tea Party – and today, those Republicans have to make a choice. We call on Rick Perry, David Dewhurst and all Republican legislators to denounce Ms. Forest’s racist comments and remove the sanctuary cities bill from the legislative agenda.”

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Tea Party Leader: “The problem is these Hispanic legislators”

The following is a transcription of remarks delivered by Rebecca Forest, founder of the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas and a prominent Tea Party leader. Full video below.

“If you want to know why we can’t pass legislation in Texas it’s because we have 37, no 36, Hispanics in the Legislature. All of the states that have passed legislation have a handful and I mean literally, some of them have NO Hispanic legislators, well, maybe 3 or 5 or something. So that’s, umm, part of our problem and we need to change those numbers. Umm, we need to do something about that in fact, during the debate on “sanctuary cities,” several Hispanic legislators testified that their grandparents and their parents were migrant workers who came over here to work and that THEY even worked in the fields. And some of them even admitted that they had been here illegally and that they came illegally. So the problem is these Hispanic legislators…is that it’s too close to them and they, umm… simply cannot vote their conscience correctly. So that’s about all I have to say to you, please come to the hearing, and help us spread this message. Thank you.”

The following is a statement from TDP Deputy Executive Director Anthony Gutierrez:

“While Ms. Forest’s comments are incredibly offensive, it’s about time a Republican was finally upfront about their Party’s hateful attitude toward Hispanics.  The ‘sanctuary cities’ debate is really about the belief Ms. Forest confirmed: that Republicans simply think there are too many Hispanics in Texas.

“This legislation being debated today is yet another attempt by Republicans to pander to the Tea Party by attacking Hispanics. Cowardly Republican politicians like Rick Perry, David Dewhurst and the legislative majority have shown they are willing to trample the rights of Hispanic Texans in order to score points with their Tea Party base.

“Just about every Texas Republican legislator has supported or feared the Tea Party – and today, those Republicans have to make a choice. We call on Rick Perry, David Dewhurst and all Republican legislators to denounce Ms. Forest’s racist comments and remove the sanctuary cities bill from the legislative agenda.”

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GOP Misleads: No Penalty in RNC Rules for Keeping Primary Date in March

(Austin, TX) – Today’s Quorum Report reports on state Republicans saying the RPT will lose delegates if the primary isn’t moved to April.  That’s false.  Below are the Rules of the RNC, which clearly say that a state will only be penalized if they move their primary prior to the first Tuesday in March, which is when it is now.  The only thing that happens if they hold it before April is that they would have to amend their state party rules to split the delegates proportionally.

If they hold it in April or later, it’s winner-take-all by congressional district.  The RPT won’t lose any delegates by leaving the primary alone as long as they change their allocation formula. Are they worried that Rick Perry might have to share some delegates with other Republican presidential candidates?

“If Rick Perry really had done such a great job in Texas, Republicans wouldn’t be begging to move the election to give his presidential ambitions a boost. Perhaps Perry’s pals at the state GOP are being misleading because even some Texas Republicans don’t think he has any business being President,” said Texas Democratic Party Spokeswoman Kirsten Gray.

From the Quorum Report today:

But implementation of those new timelines has proven to be quite controversial with the leadership of the state’s Republican Party. They say that because of legislators’ decision to take up the Senate’s version of SB 100, the state’s delegation to the next national party convention could end up diluted.

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According to a letter sent by Bill Crocker, Texas’ committeeman on the Republican National Committee, the Texas delegation risks a stiff penalty if legislators keep the March primary date. Crocker said that under national party rules, states sticking to a March primary date must allocate its delegates on a proportional basis.

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“Under the present national party rules, which cannot be changed before the next national convention, Texas may be penalized to the extent of losing 50 % of its delegates, votes and voice in the convention,” Crocker wrote.

Crocker and the Republican Party of Texas are being misleading. From the Republican Party Rules:

(b) Timing.* (Revised language was adopted by the Republican National Committee on August 6, 2010)

(1) No primary, caucus, or convention to elect, select, allocate, or bind delegates to the national convention shall occur prior to the first Tuesday in March in the year in which a national convention is held. Except Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada may begin their processes at any time on or after February 1 in the year in which a national convention is held and shall not be subject to the provisions of paragraph (b)(2) of this rule.

(2) Any presidential primary, caucus, convention, or other meeting held for the purpose of selecting delegates to the national convention which occurs prior to the first day of April in the year in which the national convention is held, shall provide for the allocation of delegates on a proportional basis.

(3) If the Democratic National Committee fails to adhere to a presidential primary schedule with the dates set forth in Rule 15(b)(1) of these Rules (February 1 and first Tuesday in March), then Rule 15(b) shall revert to the Rules as adopted by the 2008 Republican National Convention.

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We now know why Republicans are cutting billions from public schools – they don’t believe our children are entitled to a basic education.

The latest example comes from Republican state Sen. Dan Patrick who said last week that there are no guarantees on school funding and called the school finance proposal “a true cut in an entitlement.” Duly noted by the San Antonio Express-News is Sen. Patrick’s “use of that dirty word — entitlement — as if public education is some kind of welfare, not the underpinning of democracy envisioned by Thomas Jefferson.”

Republicans are treading on sacred ground. There are guarantees that every child will receive a quality education. Those guarantees have been in place for 60 years, and Texans consider the commitment to educate our children as our state’s highest priority.

Democrats will fight the GOP’s deplorable efforts to widen the achievement gap and abandon our schools. As Texans, we made a promise to provide quality education for every child in the state – and as Democrats, we intend to honor our word.

Texas Democratic Party Spokeswoman Kirsten Gray issued the following statement regarding Gov. Perry hosting an American Family Association prayer summit in Houston later this summer:

“Governor Perry is the last person who should be talking about what’s right for our country. When campaigning, he claims he will fully fund our schools, protect the elderly and balance the budget, but the deficit state GOP budget broke every one of those promises. A budget is a moral document about our priorities, but it’s obvious the Governor is a shameless opportunist whose real priority is whatever furthers his own career ambitions.”

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