Hi All,

Just wanted to send out a “Save the Date” reminder that our BROADS book club will be meeting Feb 16 – (3rd Thursday, every 3 months).

The book club will be at my house again, 2508 Rosehill LN, Plano, TX near Park and Coit… Right Behind Haggard Library.

We’ll be discussing “Here Comes Trouble: Stories From My Life” by Michael Moore

Let’s plan on meeting by 6:45ish so we can start discussing the book by 7:00. Remember – even if you haven’t read the book, please come for the good discussions.

I have 5 bottles of wine left over from last time so no one needs to bring wine and I’ll have tea and water too. Feel free to bring a snack to share if you’d like.

Also, please bring a book suggestion for our next read.

Thanks and I’ll send out another reminder a little closer.

Diane Groves
214-227-3053

All those in favor, say “aye”

. . . to Parliamentary Procedure Training

Equip yourself with a solid understanding of Robert’s Rules of Order
with
TDP Certified Trainer, George Nassar, Registered Parliamentarian

Choose one session:

Monday evening, January 30, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Collin College Spring Creek Campus, Rm I229 (second floor)

Or
Saturday afternoon, February 4, 11:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Collin College Spring Creek Campus, Rm B224

RSVP to events@tdwcc.org

If you plan to attend (and possibly chair) a precinct convention on Primary election evening, or if you plan to be a delegate to the county, state and national conventions, you will need to know the basic rules of order.  Here’s your chance! RSVP now.

Suggested donation = $5 to cover costs, pay at the door

Click here to download a flyer to print or email.

Monday January 23 is our first General Meeting of 2102. Join us at the Preston Ridge Campus of Collin College, 9700 Wade Blvd Frisco, Texas. The meeting is in Founders Hall, Room F230. This is the same building but a different room from our usual meeting place. Meet at 6:45, call to order at 7:00. As always there will be refreshments and time to socialize.

Program will include:

• Election of officers
• Plans for 2012
• Redistricting
• Texas Primary
• Voter ID bill

Remember it is time to update your membership! You can do so online. You’ll need to have a 2012 membership to vote on officers. You can also renew at the meeting via check.

If you have an old cell phone, bring it to the meeting to be recycled.

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.

Celebrate the holidays with Texas Democratic Women at our last event of 2011.
Join us for dinner at Breadwinners Bakery Bistro on
Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m.
4021 Preston Rd. Plano 75093

Order from a limited menu of eight delicious items ranging in price from $13 – $18.
Vegetarian options will be available.
We will draw for some fun prizes!

In the spirit of the holiday, we ask you to bring a donation for the Samaritan Inn,
a shelter for families in need in Collin County.

They are in urgent need of baby monitors and 13 gallon trash bags,
household items such as cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels and soap are greatly appreciated.
Toiletries are also needed, such as shampoo, razors, deodorant, etc.

RSVP by December 9th to Alicia at programs@tdwcc.org

TDWCC would like to invite you and your significant other to our

Annual Holiday Party!

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 6:30 pm.

Where:
Breadwinners Café
4021 Preston Rd. Plano , TX 75903

RSVP by: December 9, 2011
to
Alicia Schulze programs@tdwcc.org

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.

Hello BROADS (Book Readers of a Democratic Slant).

Just wanted to check in and remind you that our next discussion will be Thursday, 11/17. We’ll be discussing:

Screwed: The Undeclared War Against the Middle Class — And What We Can Do About It by Thom Hartmann

Let’s plan on meeting by 6:45 so we can start discussing the book by 7 pm.  REMEMBER . . . even if you haven’t read the book, you are more than welcome to come.  I don’t think one needs to read the book to know that there’s a war on the middle class.  Come for the fellowship – come to vent!

Diane Groves has once again opened her home to us.  Her address is 2508 Rosehill Ln., Plano. It’s near Park and Coit (sort of behind the library).

Please BYOB and feel free to bring a snack to share if you’d like.  Also, please bring book suggestions for our next read.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers,
Lynn Wolfe
972-672-0046

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