[PAA-Discuss] Voting Recommendations from a good Democrat

[Anne del Prado]

I am not from Harris County, but it is scary that "a good Democrat", or any good Texan would be willing to vote for bond issues under a government with a track record of big business favoritism and ignoring the need for services. I agree 100% that we need to take care of our infrastructure, parks and everything else we entrust to the government and pay for with our taxes. However, insanity is giving an unreliable government spending credit over and over again and expecting that this time they will actually provide services, rather than more building/developing/consulting/outsourcing/you-name-it opportunities for their friends. I was not going to react to this posting, until I saw that Prop.12 is favored by this "good Democrat". That is financial and social massochism of the highest order. Before you make up your mind, think. Do I trust this legislature with my credit card and bank account? Do I trust this administration with my credit card and bank account? Do I think the people heading up most of the departments in TX are competent? If the last answer is 'yes', then ask yourself...... and do they have the best interest of the people in Texas at heart? Then think again and then make up your minds. 
Anne
 


From: johnwmp at hal-pc.orgTo: johnwmp at hal-pc.orgSubject: Voting Recommendations from a good DemocratDate: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:34:54 -0500






Friends,  have been swamped with work and planning for our meeting on November 3rd with Congressperson Nick Lampson for the Energy and the Environment summit.  If you haven’t already RSVP’d, please click on this link and get in the queue:
http://stepitup2007.org/article.php?list=type&type=30
 
OK, but as of Monday of this week you could have been voting now for the most important people in the political process—those closest to you.  Here are come recommendations I received from a friend and good Democrat on the Texas State Constitutional Amendments--I agree 100%.  I won’t vote on all the council races as Bill recommends, but that is an issue you need to personally look into and decide for yourselves—especially in your local city council district, but left Bill’s recommendations in as a point of reference.  
 
Please vote, it is the most important act a citizen can do in any democracy.        Peace friends,               John
 
 
Bill Galbraith’s recommendations in the 2007 elections
If you want to take this sheet with you into the polls, you have the right to do so.
 
Early voting has begun.  As a Democratic precinct chair, each election I send out a list of my endorsements.  If you aren’t interested in my recommendations, please delete this email.  The ballot is long.  It starts with a list of State Constitutional Amendments followed by Harris County and Port of Houston bonds.  Next come the local races and finally, HISD bonds.  Depending on where you live, you won’t be able to vote in some races, but all of us can vote on the Amendments.  
 
Voting Information
Anyone who is registered can vote at ANY early voting location. On election day you must vote at your precinct polling place.  There are Early Voting locations all over Harris County. Here are 2 locations:

Downtown: 1310 Prairie St., 16th Floor 
Neartown: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 W. Gray between Waugh Dr. and Dunlavy 
 
For a complete list of early voting locations and a sample ballot see:  http://www.harrisvotes.com/  under the “Voting Information” tab. 
Early Voting Schedule
Monday-Friday, October 22-26, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 27, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 28, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, October 29-November 2, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 
TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR PRECINCT VOTES ON ELECTION DAY:  click on http://www.harrisvotes.com/ and go to the “Voting Information” tab and click on “Election Day Voting Info” or call  713.755.6965.
Don’t know which precinct you are in? Click here and scroll down to find your precinct by your name or address. 
 
For a guide from the League of Women Voters: http://www.lwvhouston.org/  and click on “Voter Guide November 2007”
 
Here are my recommendations in the order they appear on the ballot:
 
Constitutional Amendments 2007
 
You can find out the wording of the amendments and read pros and cons of each at State Rep. Scott Hochberg’s site: http://scotthochberg.com/amends.html
 
Prop 1: This requires some explaining.  The Legislature recently voted to move Angelo State University (ASU) from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System, which make sense. The Constitution has a list of universities eligible to receive funding from the Higher Education Fund (HEF). This list still shows ASU as part of the Texas State University System. Proposition 1 updates the list. FOR. 
 
Prop 2: Increases Hinson-Hazlewood college tuition loan funding: STRONGLY FOR. 
 
Prop 3: Caps property tax increases at 10%. Authored by Scott Hochberg. STRONGLY FOR. 
 
Prop 4: A compromise bill that creates bonds for prisons, Dept of Public Safety,  Texas Youth Commission and other needed improvements.   FOR. 
 
Prop 5: To allow small towns to offer tax incentives to property owners.  No position. 
 
Prop 6: Exempting business vehicles from taxation if also used for personal purposes. STRONGLY AGAINST.
 
Prop 7: Allows governmental entities to sell property acquired through eminent domain back to the previous owners at the price the entities paid to acquire the property, even if it has increased in value in the meantime. The sellers have already been compensated for their property. AGAINST.
 
Prop 8: Strengthen consumer rights in home equity loans. STRONGLY FOR.  
 
Prop 9: Authorizes the legislature to exempt all or part of the residence homesteads of certain totally disabled veterans from ad valorem taxation. FOR. 
 
Prop 10: Proposition 10 would officially abolish the county office of inspector of hides and animals. This office has been nonexistent since the early 1990s. FOR
 
Prop 11: Proposition 11 would require a recorded vote on final passage of all substantive bills and resolutions, other than specifically designated “local” bills, and would also require recorded votes to be promptly posted on the websites of the Texas House or Texas Senate. STRONGLY FOR. 
 
Prop 12: Authorizes $5 billion in highway improvement bonds. FOR. 
 
Prop 13: Allows bail to be denied in narrow circumstances where the threat of continued family violence is serious.  FOR. 
 
Prop 14: Permits a judge who reaches the mandatory retirement age while in office to serve the remainder of his/her term.  FOR. 
 
Prop 15: Creates the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and authorizes the state to issue up to $3 billion in bonds to fund research for cancer cures. STRONGLY FOR. 
 
Prop 16: Provides funds to help meet the water and wastewater needs of unincorporated and economically distressed areas.  STRONGLY FOR. 
 
Harris County and Port of Houston Bonds
Props 1-6: FOR
These are to help our infrastructure keep up with the rapid growth of our County and our Port. 
 
City of Houston Elections and my endorsements:
Mayor: Bill White
 
Houston City Council: District B: Jarvis JohnsonDistrict D: Keith Caldwell
For those of us who live in District D there are several fine candidates this election.  Montrose has been neglected by City Council in the past.  I’m endorsing Keith Caldwell because I’ve seen him at work here in Montrose and elsewhere.  He’s helped Avondale pass a local ordinance, and is a member of that civic association. He is also a manager of the Walgreen’s on Montrose.  He understands that Montrose is different, and will give us a voice on Council. 
District E: Manisha Mehta 
District H: Adrian GarciaDistrict I: James Rodriguez
At-Large Position 1: Peter Brown 
At-Large Position 2: Sue LovellAt-Large Position 3: Melissa NoriegaAt-Large Position 4: Ronald GreenAt-Large Position 5: Jolanda Jones
Houston Controller: Annise Parker
HCCS Trustee, District 1: Kevin Hoffman
HISD Trustee District 2: Carol Mimms Galloway 
HISD Trustee District 4: Paula Harris
 
HISD Bonds: FOR.  
This has been an unusually contentious bond issue, but I believe the package that’s been worked out represents a reasonable compromise between all parties, and there is no doubt that improvements in our schools are urgently needed now. 
 
Thank you for exercising your right to vote!
 
Yours for a better Texas, 
 
Bill Galbraith
Precinct 37 Chair
 
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