The state-wide TDW Convention is February 24-26 in Austin. The heart of the convention is Saturday, February 25, and it’s possible to attend just for the day. The annual business meeting starts at 9am Saturday morning and after that, there will be workshops to attend. If you register before February 15, the one-day registration cost is only $35.  Click here for more information and a registration form. You can also register via Act Blue.

Because of the court ordered change in the candidate filing period and the uncertainty surrounding the borders of the state senate districts, the Jack Ternan for Texas Senate campaign kick-off event formerly set for this Saturday, November 12, 2011, is being postponed.

The new, tentative date for the campaign kick-off is Saturday, December 10, 2011.  The event will still begin at noon and occur at Plano East Senior High School. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to RSVP at communicate@jackternanforsenate.com or at the campaign website:  www.jackternanforsenate.com.

From our president Barb Walters:
There is typically low turnout in a non-election year, but there are some important constitutional amendments that need your voice. I’ve written about my concerns of Prop 3 not passing (Allow the state to issue general obligation bonds to finance student loans).  I recommend voting YES == as opposed to the Tea Party stance which would do away with all loans on the off-chance a non-citizen would get one.

Below is an email from an educator asking for a “NO” vote on Prop 6 (Clarifying references to the Permanent School Fund) for your consideration.

The Democratic Blog is a good place to get details on the amendments and links to resources like the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan group.

On Prop 6 — From an educator in the public sector:

“I am extremely apprehensive that the Texas state legislature is about to take over the Permanent School Fund and put it in general revenue for them to spend at will! I urge everyone who cares about the future of education in Texas to analyze AMENDMENT SIX! Early voting has already started, and the general election will be on Tuesday, November, 8 2011.

The legislature has tried many tactics to take control of this money over the years, and I’m afraid they will succeed this time. This is a non-election year and they count on very few people turning out to vote. There has been almost no discussion on this amendment so please spread the word about AMENDMENT “6”. I encourage you to vote November 8, 2011 and Vote “NO” on Amendment 6. Please share this email to all on your email.
With regards,

Larry J. Taylor – Education Specialist – Field Service
Education Service Center Region XV”

From the Democratic blog about Prop 3 and then Prop 6:

SJR 50 – Would allow the state to issue general obligation bonds to finance student loans.
Proposition3: The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Texas to finance educational loans to students.”

For – Would permit issuance of general obligation bonds to finance educational loans to students.

Note: This program would effectively continue an existing low-interest, fixed-rate student loan program (Hinson-Hazlewood, created in 1965 and managed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board), which had a dollar limit periodically renewed and raised. This raises the current limit of $125 million to $350 million; the program has a long record of success and a good repayment record. Free public higher education would be the best alternative, but that’s not currently in the cards. The market might one day blanch at these bonds, but they’ve been working well for nearly 60 years.

Proposition 6: HJR 109 – Would allow more money to be transferred from the Permanent School Fund, a pot of constitutionally guaranteed money generated from the sale of state property that goes to finance Texas public schools to the Available School Fund, which is the pot of money the Legislature is allowed to draw from to spend on Texas schools. It would allow the General Land Office to distribute revenue from the fund, and it would increase the market value of the permanent school fund, allowing schools to get more money.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment clarifying references to the permanent school fund, allowing the General Land Office to distribute revenue from permanent school fund land or other properties to the available school fund to provide additional funding for public education, and providing for an increase in the market value of the permanent school fund for the purpose of allowing increased distributions from the available school fund.”

For – Would allow inclusion of permanent school fund real property assets in calculating the fund’s market value (now confined to the value of the fund’s investments), thereby increasing available monies ($300 million annually) for distribution to schools.

Note: The income from sales and leases of property and royalties that must currently be returned first to the fund would under this amendment be available for direct distribution to the permanent school fund, which lends greater flexibility to the fund. (see: House Considers Accounting Maneuver To Slightly Ease School Funding Crisis)

Please vote!

Barb Walters, TDWCC President

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, the Jack Ternan for Texas Senate and John Lingenfelder for Congress campaigns will canvass the homes of individuals who voted in both the 2008 and 2010 Democratic primaries. The campaigns will collect petition signatures and seek to activate local Democrats for 2012.  A candidate must either collect 500 petition signatures or pay a filing fee to appear on the March 2012 Democratic primary ballot. Jack and John would rather spend their campaign funds on voter outreach than fees, and they would appreciate your assistance with the petition drive.  Volunteers will gather at 9AM, and petitioning will likely last three hours.  If you are interested, please send an e-mail to communicate@jackternanforsenate.com.

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, the Jack Ternan for Texas Senate and John Lingenfelder for Congress campaigns will canvass the homes of individuals who voted in both the 2008 and 2010 Democratic primaries. The campaigns will collect petition signatures and seek to activate local Democrats for 2012.  A candidate must either collect 500 petition signatures or pay a filing fee to appear on the March 2012 Democratic primary ballot. Jack and John would rather spend their campaign funds on voter outreach than fees, and they would appreciate your assistance with the petition drive.  Volunteers will gather at 9AM, and petitioning will likely last three hours.  If you are interested, please send an e-mail to communicate@jackternanforsenate.com.

From John Lingenfelder, running for US Congress:

Democrats from all over are proud Americans and will be a part of the celebration. Join me and other Democrats this Monday morning as we march in the big parade and celebrate America’s Independence.

We gather at the Plano ISD Admin Bldg (2700 W. 15th St – one block west of Vines) between 8:15 & 8:30am. The parade begins at 9:00am to wind its way from 15th Street to Parkhaven along Independence Parkway.

Do you have your “LINGENFELDER FOR CONGRESS” T-shirt from last year? Then be sure to wear it.

Our team will pass out bumper stickers and buttons to everyone along the parade route – It will be a great time and a fun time.

Let us know that we can count on you to be there and that you’re a LINGENFELDER FOR CONGRESS supporter and a supporter of all Democrats in Collin County!

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MONDAY AND SEEING YOU THERE!

John Lingenfelder
For U.S. Congress, Texas Third Congressional District
(972) 468-1127 (office)
(972) 345-8603 (cell)

• Make phone calls with OFA Tue and Thu
• Drinking Liberally,  Fri. 6/10
• North Texas Asian Democrats meeting, Mon 6/20
• Plano City Council Runoff voting has begun
• TDWCC monthly meetings
  • June – Panel on LGBT Issues
  • July – Thomas Ratliff, SBOE District 9

2012– You’ve seen what Texas Republicans have done to our state. If we lose 4 U.S. Senate seats, we lose a majority in Congress. That means  a possible end to Medicare, attacks on affordable healthcare, more big business tax cuts, continued erosion of women’s rights.  There will be open seats on the U.S. Supreme Court and it could turn totally conservative if we don’t have a senate majority. We can win in 2012 if we get busy now.  Organizing for America is in town. They are staffing the DPCC on Tuesdays and Thursdays and need help making phone calls. They’ve got the numbers, the scripts, the plan – you’d be calling Democrats. How about it? Can you spare some time each week? They are there afternoon through evening. You can drop in or send your name to me and I’ll pass it on. Click for more info.

Drinking Liberally, Friday, June 10,  6:30 pm at Rugby House, 8604 Preston Rd. (121 and Preston)

The North Texas Asian Democrats will host an education forum on Monday, June 20, at 7:00 p.m.  “Crisis in Education –How will the Teas Legislation Affect your Family?” Speaker Tanya Tarr, Director of Legislative and Political Mobilization with the TX American Federation of Teachers. At Maxim’s restaurant, 310 Terrace Dr. Richardson, 75081.

Plano City Council Runoff – Early Voting is on now and Election Day is Sat. June 18. There is a lot at stake in the decision between Pat Gallagher and Greg Myer. TDWCC doesn’t endorse candidates in nonpartisan races, but many of our members have an opinion if you would like to contact them.

TDWCC General Meetings are the 4th Monday of the month — June and July will be very informative –please join us.
Mon. June 27, in honor of Pride month, TDWCC will host a panel on LGBT issues moderated by Jeanne Rubin.
Panel will be:

o   Elizabeth Lopez, Board Member Equality Texas
o   Dawnetta Miller, Founder Collin County Gay & Lesbian Alliance
o   Lisa Thomas, President Stonewall Democrats of Tarrant County
o   Rosemarie Odom, Founder of Community Unity Respect Education (AIDS education and awareness).

We begin at 6:45 pm at Collin College – Frisco campus – there is a room change for this one meeting – same campus, the L Building, Rm L135. We will have signs up to lead you there.

Mon. July 25, our speaker will be Thomas Ratliff, State Board of Education. District 9. We will find out what’s going on with the SBOE and get his take on the state of education in Texas.   Note: Due to redistricting all seats will be up for re-election in Nov. 2012.

Meeting begins at 6:45 pm at Collin College – Frisco campus – back to our usual room in Founders Hall, Rm F148.

Let’s go!

Barb Walters, TDWCC President
president@tdwcc.org
214-477-5183
www.tdwcc.org

Educate Activate Elect

HB 1942 was just added to the Senate Intent Calendar for Saturday, May 21st.

HB 1942 could be passed by the full Senate on Saturday, May 21st.

Ask your state senator to vote for anti-bullying State House Bill 1942.

1. Check back here frequently for current events.
2. Come to our meeting next Monday night, May 23, to educate and activate! Dr. Adams will speak on children in Texas and their health and well-being. More details.
3. Answer our survey to give us your feedback and ideas.
4. Use Facebook to make Democratic friends, to become a fan of TDWCC, to check out news that others share on important issues.
5. Subscribe and read emails from political groups to keep informed – TX Democrats, Planned Parenthood, Texas Freedom Network, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Public Citizen, etc. – there are so many of them focusing on different issues and good causes. Many offer you ideas for action (e.g. signing petitions). I’d like to think that the petitions I sign make a difference.
6. Donate – locally, statewide, nationally. I realize everyone is asking and that we all need to watch our budgets, but giving money does make a difference toward funding progressive change.

Hope to see you Monday!

Barb Walters, TDWCC President
president@tdwcc.org