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Hopefuls File for City Spots
By Cassie Smith
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Bryan Councilman Al Saenz put in a bid for re-election Monday, the first day to officially file for local city council races.
Bryan has four seats open, and College Station has two on the ballot. The election is May 8.
Saenz is the first to file for the Single Member District 1 seat. Single Member District 2 and 3 and the mayor's seat also will be up for a vote.
Candidates have until March 8 to file; the last day for someone to withdraw is March 16.
Saenz said his district has been known as the "forgotten district" in the city, and many are aware of the nickname. He said he's worked throughout his term to help change that description and wants to return to the council so he can follow through on his work.
"I think my presence on the City Council has really gone a long way to bring attention to Single Member District 1 and fair distribution of city resources to that district," he said.
If re-elected, Saenz said, he will continue to listen to concerns from residents, as well as what their proposed solutions are for the problems. Many residents are willing to step up and assist the city with it's needs, he said, if only officials would listen.
Other filings Monday included Mayor Pro Tem Jason Bienski, a Realtor, and Mitch Morehead, owner of Acme Glass, each submitting paperwork for the mayor's seat; Chuck Konderla, owner of Fifth 'C' Fine Jewelry, and Bettye Pool each filed for the seat Bienski is leaving -- Single Member District 3.
City Councilman Paul Madison is running for Brazos County Precinct 4 commission, leaving Single Member District 2 open.
In College Station, Jess Fields, owner of Texas Avenue Cigars, filed for Place 2 on the council, a position held by James Massey, who said he will not run again.
Mayor Ben White filed to retain his seat overseeing the council.
Both city councils consists of seven members and are elected for alternating three-year terms. The Bryan council has one at-large seat and five single-member districts. The College Station council does not have single-member districts.
Published on Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Fact Checking the Candidates: Rob Curnock and Chuck Wilson
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Rob Curnock
During an interview with KBTX Channel 3, Rob Curnock made the following claims:
Claim: Edwards voted to pull troops out of Iraq “in defeat.”
Check: The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007, included a timeline for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and was passed by Congress but vetoed by the President George W. Bush. The bill included a provision requiring troop redeployment to begin within 120 days of enactment of the legislation and be completed by April 1, 2008. Considering the inability of those who continued to support the war in Iraq to define “victory,” the claim that Congressman Edwards voted to pull troops out of Iraq “in defeat” is a purely political claim.
Claim: Edwards voted to keep partial birth abortion legal.
Check: Congressman Edwards voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, which prohibits the procedure commonly known as partial-birth abortion, a procedure that is usually performed during the fifth month of gestation or later. This law was upheld by the United States Supreme Court in Gonzales v. Carhart, when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in the dissenting opinion that "the absence of a health exception burdens all women for whom it is relevant—women who, in the judgment of their doctors, require an intact D&E because other procedures would place their health at risk." That Edwards did vote to keep partial birth abortion legal is factual.
Claim: Edwards won reelection “barley by 4 ½ percent.”
Check: Congressman Edwards defeated Curnock in the 2008 general election with 52.98% of the vote, and Curnock received 45.50% of the vote. In general the spread in which candidates are defeated is calculated by the determining the spread of the percentage, which in this case would be 7.48%. What Curnock is referring to is the 4.5% below 50% of the vote that he received. It should also be noted that Edwards received 19,011 more votes than Curnock who, in order to win, would have had to received 11,431 more votes than he received. The claim that Edwards won reelection by 4 ½ percent depends on the math, but the claim that Edwards barely won reelection is another purely political claim.
Claim: Edwards outspent Curnock by $2 million in the 2008 general election.
Check: During the 2008 election campaign Congressman Edwards spent $2,114,653, while Curnock spent $109,335. However, it should also be noted that Edwards raised $2,267,333 compared to $110,597 raised by Curnock. The numbers for the 2010 election campaign are similar; Edwards has raised $1,405,252, while Curnock has raised $138,763. During this election cycle Edwards may be able to outspent Curnock 10 to 1 as opposed to 20 to 1. Edwards did outspent Curnock by $2 million during the 2008 general election, but Edwards also raise more money than Curnock.
Claim: “Most central Texans are absolutely opposed” to health care reform and cape and trade.
Check: According to polling data, majority of Americans survey are opposed to the current health care reform legislation, however, the majority of Americans are support specific health care reform proposals and support health care reform in general. According to polling data, cap and trade and environmental policies are supported by the majority of Americans surveyed in recent polls. However, there is no specific polling data that suggest that most Texans or most central Texans are “absolutely opposed” to either health care reform or cape and trade. This type of claim is simply a political assertion and not based in any empirical evidence.
Claim: Edwards held no position on health care legislation until “until literally the last second.”
Check: Congressman Edwards did not announce his specific intention to vote against HR 3200 until the day that the vote was scheduled. However, Edwards did make clear the provisions that if included in the final bill that he would not support. On several occasions Edwards stated that he would not vote for any bill that he believed “would result in a Canadian–style, socialized health care system.” In an August 19, 2009 editorial in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Edwards stated that he “strongly oppose any one-size-fits-all single-payer plan that socializes our health care system or prevents people from keeping the quality private health care plan of their choice.” While it might be fair to say that Edwards did not take a stand on the specific health care legislation until “the last second,” Edwards has made clear what his positions are on specific health care proposals throughout the debate.
Chuck Wilson
During an interview with KBTX Channel 3, Chuck Wilson made the following claims:
Claim: “There is no stimulus in that bill.” (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009)
Check: According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is keeping large numbers of Americans out of poverty in states across the country. In addition to boosting economic activity and preserving or creating jobs, the recovery act is softening the recession’s impact on poverty by directly lifting family incomes. The American Enterprise Institute concluded in a recently published report that the economic stimulus worked and prevented the worsening of the recession, finding that the stimulus added about 4 percentage points to U.S. growth and that the economy would have contracted at about a 1 percent annual rate during the second half of 2009 without the stimulus. The claim that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 did not stimulate the economy is factually inaccurate.
Claim: Local Banks “weren’t part of the problem” that caused economic recession.
Check: While there are several causes to the economic crisis that resulted on the current economic recession, perhaps one of the most visible has been that of failed banks. However, the economic crisis did not just affect large banks. According to the Wall Street Journal, 181 banks have failed since January 2008, and many of them where local banks. To say that local banks were not the central cause of the economic recession might be fair, but to say that local banks were not part of the problem over looks much of the evidence.
Claim: Tax cuts will grow the economy.
Check: The tax cuts during President George W. Bush’s Administration have had a direct cost of $860 billion and a total effect on the deficit of $929 billion. According to the Economic Policy Institute, during the President George W. Bush the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased an average annual rate of 2.8%, well below the average 3.4% GDP growth rate. Any economic growth experienced during the Bush Administration was experienced exclusively by the upper class, median household income dropped, adjusted for inflation, by $1,175 between 2000 and 2007. The idea that simply cutting tax will grow the economy is unrealistic.
Claim: 70% of jobs are created by small businesses.
Check: The percentage of jobs created by small businesses depends on the definition of small businesses, or how many people that each business employees. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses employ just over half of U.S. workers. Of 119.9 million nonfarm private sector workers in 2006, small firms with fewer than 500 workers employed 60.2. Firms with fewer than 500 employees accounted for 64 percent (or 14.5 million) of the 22.5 million net new jobs (gains minus losses) between 1993 and the third quarter of 2008. Even using the official definition of 500 employees, the claim that 70% of jobs are created by small business is an overestimate.
During an interview with KBTX Channel 3, Rob Curnock made the following claims:
Claim: Edwards voted to pull troops out of Iraq “in defeat.”
Check: The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007, included a timeline for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and was passed by Congress but vetoed by the President George W. Bush. The bill included a provision requiring troop redeployment to begin within 120 days of enactment of the legislation and be completed by April 1, 2008. Considering the inability of those who continued to support the war in Iraq to define “victory,” the claim that Congressman Edwards voted to pull troops out of Iraq “in defeat” is a purely political claim.
Claim: Edwards voted to keep partial birth abortion legal.
Check: Congressman Edwards voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, which prohibits the procedure commonly known as partial-birth abortion, a procedure that is usually performed during the fifth month of gestation or later. This law was upheld by the United States Supreme Court in Gonzales v. Carhart, when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in the dissenting opinion that "the absence of a health exception burdens all women for whom it is relevant—women who, in the judgment of their doctors, require an intact D&E because other procedures would place their health at risk." That Edwards did vote to keep partial birth abortion legal is factual.
Claim: Edwards won reelection “barley by 4 ½ percent.”
Check: Congressman Edwards defeated Curnock in the 2008 general election with 52.98% of the vote, and Curnock received 45.50% of the vote. In general the spread in which candidates are defeated is calculated by the determining the spread of the percentage, which in this case would be 7.48%. What Curnock is referring to is the 4.5% below 50% of the vote that he received. It should also be noted that Edwards received 19,011 more votes than Curnock who, in order to win, would have had to received 11,431 more votes than he received. The claim that Edwards won reelection by 4 ½ percent depends on the math, but the claim that Edwards barely won reelection is another purely political claim.
Claim: Edwards outspent Curnock by $2 million in the 2008 general election.
Check: During the 2008 election campaign Congressman Edwards spent $2,114,653, while Curnock spent $109,335. However, it should also be noted that Edwards raised $2,267,333 compared to $110,597 raised by Curnock. The numbers for the 2010 election campaign are similar; Edwards has raised $1,405,252, while Curnock has raised $138,763. During this election cycle Edwards may be able to outspent Curnock 10 to 1 as opposed to 20 to 1. Edwards did outspent Curnock by $2 million during the 2008 general election, but Edwards also raise more money than Curnock.
Claim: “Most central Texans are absolutely opposed” to health care reform and cape and trade.
Check: According to polling data, majority of Americans survey are opposed to the current health care reform legislation, however, the majority of Americans are support specific health care reform proposals and support health care reform in general. According to polling data, cap and trade and environmental policies are supported by the majority of Americans surveyed in recent polls. However, there is no specific polling data that suggest that most Texans or most central Texans are “absolutely opposed” to either health care reform or cape and trade. This type of claim is simply a political assertion and not based in any empirical evidence.
Claim: Edwards held no position on health care legislation until “until literally the last second.”
Check: Congressman Edwards did not announce his specific intention to vote against HR 3200 until the day that the vote was scheduled. However, Edwards did make clear the provisions that if included in the final bill that he would not support. On several occasions Edwards stated that he would not vote for any bill that he believed “would result in a Canadian–style, socialized health care system.” In an August 19, 2009 editorial in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Edwards stated that he “strongly oppose any one-size-fits-all single-payer plan that socializes our health care system or prevents people from keeping the quality private health care plan of their choice.” While it might be fair to say that Edwards did not take a stand on the specific health care legislation until “the last second,” Edwards has made clear what his positions are on specific health care proposals throughout the debate.
Chuck Wilson
During an interview with KBTX Channel 3, Chuck Wilson made the following claims:
Claim: “There is no stimulus in that bill.” (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009)
Check: According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is keeping large numbers of Americans out of poverty in states across the country. In addition to boosting economic activity and preserving or creating jobs, the recovery act is softening the recession’s impact on poverty by directly lifting family incomes. The American Enterprise Institute concluded in a recently published report that the economic stimulus worked and prevented the worsening of the recession, finding that the stimulus added about 4 percentage points to U.S. growth and that the economy would have contracted at about a 1 percent annual rate during the second half of 2009 without the stimulus. The claim that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 did not stimulate the economy is factually inaccurate.
Claim: Local Banks “weren’t part of the problem” that caused economic recession.
Check: While there are several causes to the economic crisis that resulted on the current economic recession, perhaps one of the most visible has been that of failed banks. However, the economic crisis did not just affect large banks. According to the Wall Street Journal, 181 banks have failed since January 2008, and many of them where local banks. To say that local banks were not the central cause of the economic recession might be fair, but to say that local banks were not part of the problem over looks much of the evidence.
Claim: Tax cuts will grow the economy.
Check: The tax cuts during President George W. Bush’s Administration have had a direct cost of $860 billion and a total effect on the deficit of $929 billion. According to the Economic Policy Institute, during the President George W. Bush the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased an average annual rate of 2.8%, well below the average 3.4% GDP growth rate. Any economic growth experienced during the Bush Administration was experienced exclusively by the upper class, median household income dropped, adjusted for inflation, by $1,175 between 2000 and 2007. The idea that simply cutting tax will grow the economy is unrealistic.
Claim: 70% of jobs are created by small businesses.
Check: The percentage of jobs created by small businesses depends on the definition of small businesses, or how many people that each business employees. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses employ just over half of U.S. workers. Of 119.9 million nonfarm private sector workers in 2006, small firms with fewer than 500 workers employed 60.2. Firms with fewer than 500 employees accounted for 64 percent (or 14.5 million) of the 22.5 million net new jobs (gains minus losses) between 1993 and the third quarter of 2008. Even using the official definition of 500 employees, the claim that 70% of jobs are created by small business is an overestimate.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - February 8, 2010
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The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints' stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the "hair of the dog" trick doesn't really help with the hangover.
The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth. Probation, anger management, laying off the bottle, and maybe more to come for the disgraced lawman.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is watching 2 Texas Counties fight it out with their DAs over legal duties.
Bay Area Houston says Teabaggers claim illiterate Blacks elected Obama.
Is your gas wet or dry? Despite industry spin, it seems to not matter. TCEQ testing shows Barnett Shale "Dry Gas" health hazard. TXsharon thanks State Representative Lon Burnam for wading through the recent TCEQ testing report to find the truth. Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
Over at TexasKaos, lightseeker connects Obama's big picture with our big picture, in Obama's Problem is Our Problem In a Nutshell. Is our future Sarah Palin, Tea Partyers and failure?
This week at Left of College Station, Teddy interviews several members of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community at Texas A&M while investigating what it is like to be gay in Aggieland. Left of College Station also takes a look at American’s ignorance of current events and the political process, and a report on the local campaign spending and donations. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.
The Nuge was campaigning for 39% over the weekend. Can't you just feel the greasy, smelly excitement?
WCNews at Eye On Williamson looks at how the legislature is already laying the groundwork for adding sales taxes to items currently excluded like bottled water, basic internet service, and coin operated services, House Ways and Means Committee to look at "Certain Sales Tax Exemptions & Exclusions.
Off the Kuff looks at the effect of the "Citizens United" ruling on judicial elections in Texas.
WhosPlayin is neck-deep in local issues in North Texas, having spent the weekend with the Lewisville City Council at their retreat, and noting that he local school district is discouraging candidates from running for school board.
This week at Texas Vox Citizen Sarah geeked out on the new energy generation plan presented to Austin City Council. May not sound too snazzy but there's enormous potential there to reduce carbon emissions, build up our local economy, and improve public health with this plan, so she thinks it is pretty cool.
Neil at Texas Liberal commented that office building janitors in Houston have set up a Facebook page as they prepare for a new round of contract negotiations in 2010. All work has merit and all people should be paid a living wage.
Yesterday was huge for New Orleans but it was also TeaBagger Rally Day in northwest Harris County, as PDiddie at Brains and Eggs recounted in "Rick and Ted's (and Sarah's) Excellent Super Bowl Sunday Venture".
The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints' stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the "hair of the dog" trick doesn't really help with the hangover.
The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth. Probation, anger management, laying off the bottle, and maybe more to come for the disgraced lawman.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is watching 2 Texas Counties fight it out with their DAs over legal duties.
Bay Area Houston says Teabaggers claim illiterate Blacks elected Obama.
Is your gas wet or dry? Despite industry spin, it seems to not matter. TCEQ testing shows Barnett Shale "Dry Gas" health hazard. TXsharon thanks State Representative Lon Burnam for wading through the recent TCEQ testing report to find the truth. Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
Over at TexasKaos, lightseeker connects Obama's big picture with our big picture, in Obama's Problem is Our Problem In a Nutshell. Is our future Sarah Palin, Tea Partyers and failure?
This week at Left of College Station, Teddy interviews several members of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community at Texas A&M while investigating what it is like to be gay in Aggieland. Left of College Station also takes a look at American’s ignorance of current events and the political process, and a report on the local campaign spending and donations. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.
The Nuge was campaigning for 39% over the weekend. Can't you just feel the greasy, smelly excitement?
WCNews at Eye On Williamson looks at how the legislature is already laying the groundwork for adding sales taxes to items currently excluded like bottled water, basic internet service, and coin operated services, House Ways and Means Committee to look at "Certain Sales Tax Exemptions & Exclusions.
Off the Kuff looks at the effect of the "Citizens United" ruling on judicial elections in Texas.
WhosPlayin is neck-deep in local issues in North Texas, having spent the weekend with the Lewisville City Council at their retreat, and noting that he local school district is discouraging candidates from running for school board.
This week at Texas Vox Citizen Sarah geeked out on the new energy generation plan presented to Austin City Council. May not sound too snazzy but there's enormous potential there to reduce carbon emissions, build up our local economy, and improve public health with this plan, so she thinks it is pretty cool.
Neil at Texas Liberal commented that office building janitors in Houston have set up a Facebook page as they prepare for a new round of contract negotiations in 2010. All work has merit and all people should be paid a living wage.
Yesterday was huge for New Orleans but it was also TeaBagger Rally Day in northwest Harris County, as PDiddie at Brains and Eggs recounted in "Rick and Ted's (and Sarah's) Excellent Super Bowl Sunday Venture".
Local News: Bryan-College Station Economy Declines
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Study Details Decline in Local Economy
By Maggie Kiely
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
It's no secret that last year was rough for the local economy, but some experts say improvement likely will hit as early as mid-summer.
The Bryan-College Station economic index decreased during each month of 2009 and dropped from 116.9 in November to 115.2 percent in December, according to Karr Ingham, an Amarillo-based economist who compiles an economic index report.
The index started January 2000 with a baseline measure of 100 and reached its highest in December 2008, at 127.4.
Ingham's study -- which is conducted through a partnership between Commerce National Bank and The Eagle -- showed consumer activity was down significantly in 2009 as the local economy lost a considerable number of jobs and the unemployment rate remained elevated through year-end.
"I'm glad to have 2009 behind us, and I'm looking for a positive 2010," said Glen Davis, who recently was promoted to regional president of Commerce National Bank.
Davis said he predicted the index would begin picking up in mid-to-late 2010.
Before things can improve, he said, sales need to increase and the unemployment rate needs to decrease.
According to the report, spending declined 17 percent when comparing 2009 to 2008, and sales dropped 7 percent compared to the prior year.
The unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in December, a negative difference of 3.7 percent compared to December 2008, according to the report. The only major employment sector to add jobs in 2009 was health care. Government, Ingham said, was the big loser, dropping 1,800 of the net 3,600 jobs lost.
"I still think there is an overall lack of consumer confidence in the market and the economy," Davis said. "The bottom line is we're going to have to see improvement in consumer spending and hiring."
Those two sectors suffered greater rates of decline at the end of the year rather than the beginning, Ingham said, adding that flagging tax receipts to the state continue to raise concerns about funding levels for the state's universities in the near future.
"These trends certainly lead to the conclusion that the 2010 turnaround may not be just right around the corner," he said.
Ingham said the latest report likely will be revised in the coming months because employment data will be revised and released from the state, while sales tax numbers are released on a two-month delay from the time taxable purchases are made.
The report shows that the auto sales sector declined by 17 percent for the year, in what Ingham described as an "absolutely dismal year for the industry and its manufacturers and dealers."
Looking on the bright side, Davis pointed out a positive difference of 12.7 percent in the number of home sales when comparing 4th quarter year-over-year.
"You couple that with the average home sale price remaining relatively flat throughout the year and that's certainly positive," he said.
Published on Sunday, February 07, 2010
By Maggie Kiely
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
It's no secret that last year was rough for the local economy, but some experts say improvement likely will hit as early as mid-summer.
The Bryan-College Station economic index decreased during each month of 2009 and dropped from 116.9 in November to 115.2 percent in December, according to Karr Ingham, an Amarillo-based economist who compiles an economic index report.
The index started January 2000 with a baseline measure of 100 and reached its highest in December 2008, at 127.4.
Ingham's study -- which is conducted through a partnership between Commerce National Bank and The Eagle -- showed consumer activity was down significantly in 2009 as the local economy lost a considerable number of jobs and the unemployment rate remained elevated through year-end.
"I'm glad to have 2009 behind us, and I'm looking for a positive 2010," said Glen Davis, who recently was promoted to regional president of Commerce National Bank.
Davis said he predicted the index would begin picking up in mid-to-late 2010.
Before things can improve, he said, sales need to increase and the unemployment rate needs to decrease.
According to the report, spending declined 17 percent when comparing 2009 to 2008, and sales dropped 7 percent compared to the prior year.
The unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in December, a negative difference of 3.7 percent compared to December 2008, according to the report. The only major employment sector to add jobs in 2009 was health care. Government, Ingham said, was the big loser, dropping 1,800 of the net 3,600 jobs lost.
"I still think there is an overall lack of consumer confidence in the market and the economy," Davis said. "The bottom line is we're going to have to see improvement in consumer spending and hiring."
Those two sectors suffered greater rates of decline at the end of the year rather than the beginning, Ingham said, adding that flagging tax receipts to the state continue to raise concerns about funding levels for the state's universities in the near future.
"These trends certainly lead to the conclusion that the 2010 turnaround may not be just right around the corner," he said.
Ingham said the latest report likely will be revised in the coming months because employment data will be revised and released from the state, while sales tax numbers are released on a two-month delay from the time taxable purchases are made.
The report shows that the auto sales sector declined by 17 percent for the year, in what Ingham described as an "absolutely dismal year for the industry and its manufacturers and dealers."
Looking on the bright side, Davis pointed out a positive difference of 12.7 percent in the number of home sales when comparing 4th quarter year-over-year.
"You couple that with the average home sale price remaining relatively flat throughout the year and that's certainly positive," he said.
Published on Sunday, February 07, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Week in Headlines
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Memorial
Remembering Howard Zinn
Texas
Federal Aid Unlikely to Fill Texas' Expected Budget Gap
Politics
The New Deal Was a Good Idea, We Should Try It This Time
War and Peace
Obama's Budget Calls for Billions in New Spending for Drones
Economy
Economic Stimulus Saved or Created 600,000 Jobs in Fourth Quarter
Environment
China Green Projects Will Surpass the United States in 2010
Immigration
Immigrants in Texas Detention Center Begin Hunger Strike
Human Rights
Seniors Abused in Washington’s Adult Family Homes
Reproductive Rights
More Dangerous to Give Birth in California Than It Is in Kuwait or Bosnia
Women Issues
U.N. Delivers Relief Directly to Haitian Women
GLBT Issues
Colin Powell Favors Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
Race and Racism
Company Exposes Black Workers to More Radiation Than White Workers
From the Blogs
Fair and Feminist:
Social Change Through Love
Rhetoric & Rhythm:
What do they think "socialism" is anyway?
Latina Lista:
How the Democratic Party Can Re-Energize Latino Voters
Memorial
Remembering Howard Zinn
Texas
Federal Aid Unlikely to Fill Texas' Expected Budget Gap
Politics
The New Deal Was a Good Idea, We Should Try It This Time
War and Peace
Obama's Budget Calls for Billions in New Spending for Drones
Economy
Economic Stimulus Saved or Created 600,000 Jobs in Fourth Quarter
Environment
China Green Projects Will Surpass the United States in 2010
Immigration
Immigrants in Texas Detention Center Begin Hunger Strike
Human Rights
Seniors Abused in Washington’s Adult Family Homes
Reproductive Rights
More Dangerous to Give Birth in California Than It Is in Kuwait or Bosnia
Women Issues
U.N. Delivers Relief Directly to Haitian Women
GLBT Issues
Colin Powell Favors Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
Race and Racism
Company Exposes Black Workers to More Radiation Than White Workers
From the Blogs
Fair and Feminist:
Social Change Through Love
Rhetoric & Rhythm:
What do they think "socialism" is anyway?
Latina Lista:
How the Democratic Party Can Re-Energize Latino Voters
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Money in Politics: Local Campaign Spending and Donations
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During elections an enormous amount of money is spent on campaigns, and the dollars spent have been increasing during both Presidential and midterm elections. During the Presidential election in 2000 $3,082,340,937 was spent by presidential candidates, senate and house candidates, political parties and independent interest groups trying to influence federal elections, and that number increased to $5,285,680,883 in 2008. During the last midterm election cycle, in 2006, candidates and others groups spent $2,852,658,140, and if the trend continues even more will be spent this year.
Local residents have donated over $118,000 to political candidates and campaign during the current election cycle, and over half of those donations originated from two different zip codes. The largest amount of donations came from south College Station, a total of $39,295 in political donations originated from the 77845 zip code. The second largest amount of donations came from eastern Bryan, at total of $23,741 originated from the 77802 zip code. Residents of College Station have donated $63,429 to political campaigns, while residents of Bryan have donated $54,835.
In local Brazos County campaigns County Commissioner Duane Peters, who is a Republican primary candidate for County Judge, has spent $12,451, the most out of any other candidate. Representative Fred Brown has spent the most out of local Texas legislature candidates, spending $9,404 during the current reporting period. In the local congressional district, Congressman Edwards has already spent more than all of the Republican candidates involved in the primary combined; all five Republican primary candidates have spent a total $268,481 during the current election cycle while Edwards has spent $308,832.
According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, primary candidates for county offices have spent a total of $35,039 on campaign expenditures. The Republican candidates for Brazos County judge have spent a total of $20,117, Republican candidates for County Commissioner of Precinct 2 have spent a total of $13,533, and Democratic candidates for County Commissioner of Precinct 4 have spent a total of $1,389. Bryan Mayor Mark Conlee, who is a Republican primary candidate for County Judge, has received $4,775 in contributions, while Peters has received $3,940 in donations. Former Bryan Mayor Ernie Wentrcek received $1,050 in contributions, and Brian Alg failed to submit a campaign finance report.
The Republican primary candidates for the Texas House of Representatives District 14 have raised a total of $42,000 and have spent $15,906 during the January 1st through January 31st reporting period. According to Texas Ethics Commission records, Representative Brown raised $37,750 during the reporting period, of which $17,600 came from local donations (47%). Brown spent $ 9,404 during the reporting period has and has $52,171 cash on hand. Rick Davis raised $2,050 during the reporting period, of which $1,100 came from local donations (54%). Davis spent $4,504 during the reporting period and has $1,556 cash on hand. Dr. Blanche Brick raised $1,600 during the reporting period, of which $950 came from local donations (59%). Brick spent $1,017 during the reporting period, and has $1,853 cash on hand. Gerald “Buddy” Winn raise $600 during the reporting period, of which $100 came from local donations (16%). Winn spent $981 during the reporting period, and has no cash on hand.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Congressman Edwards has raised $1,405,252 during the current election cycle, of which $890,355 came from individual donations (63%) and $500,069 came from political action committee (PAC) donations (36%). Edwards has spent $308,832 during the current election cycle, and has $1,309,661 on hand. Bill Flores, one of the Republican primary candidates for Congressional District 17, has raised $416,466 during the current election cycle, of which $111,601 came from individual donations (27%) and $303,865 was from self-financing (73%). Flores has spent $46,783 during the current election cycle, and has $369,783 on hand. Rob Curnock, has raised $138,763 during the current election cycle, of which $85,779 was from individual donations (62%) and $52,732 was from self-financing (38%). Curnock has spent $68,002 during the current election cycle, and has $72,020 cash on hand.
David McIntyre has raised $123,965 during the current election cycle, of which $54,483 came from individual donations (44%) and 69,482 was from self-financing (56%). McIntyre has spent $49,318 during the current election cycle, and has $74,962 cash on hand. Chuck Wilson has raised $122,271 during the current election cycle, of which $102,271 came from individual donations (84%) and $20,000 was from self-financing (16%). Wilson has spent $89,144 during the current election cycle, and has $33,125 cash on hand. Timothy Delasandro has raised $20,217 during the current election cycle, of which $7,554 came from individual donations (37%) and $12,413 was from self-financing (61%). Delasandro has spent $15,234 during the current election cycle, and has $4,981 cash on hand.
Local residents have donated over $118,000 to political candidates and campaign during the current election cycle, and over half of those donations originated from two different zip codes. The largest amount of donations came from south College Station, a total of $39,295 in political donations originated from the 77845 zip code. The second largest amount of donations came from eastern Bryan, at total of $23,741 originated from the 77802 zip code. Residents of College Station have donated $63,429 to political campaigns, while residents of Bryan have donated $54,835.
In local Brazos County campaigns County Commissioner Duane Peters, who is a Republican primary candidate for County Judge, has spent $12,451, the most out of any other candidate. Representative Fred Brown has spent the most out of local Texas legislature candidates, spending $9,404 during the current reporting period. In the local congressional district, Congressman Edwards has already spent more than all of the Republican candidates involved in the primary combined; all five Republican primary candidates have spent a total $268,481 during the current election cycle while Edwards has spent $308,832.
According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, primary candidates for county offices have spent a total of $35,039 on campaign expenditures. The Republican candidates for Brazos County judge have spent a total of $20,117, Republican candidates for County Commissioner of Precinct 2 have spent a total of $13,533, and Democratic candidates for County Commissioner of Precinct 4 have spent a total of $1,389. Bryan Mayor Mark Conlee, who is a Republican primary candidate for County Judge, has received $4,775 in contributions, while Peters has received $3,940 in donations. Former Bryan Mayor Ernie Wentrcek received $1,050 in contributions, and Brian Alg failed to submit a campaign finance report.
The Republican primary candidates for the Texas House of Representatives District 14 have raised a total of $42,000 and have spent $15,906 during the January 1st through January 31st reporting period. According to Texas Ethics Commission records, Representative Brown raised $37,750 during the reporting period, of which $17,600 came from local donations (47%). Brown spent $ 9,404 during the reporting period has and has $52,171 cash on hand. Rick Davis raised $2,050 during the reporting period, of which $1,100 came from local donations (54%). Davis spent $4,504 during the reporting period and has $1,556 cash on hand. Dr. Blanche Brick raised $1,600 during the reporting period, of which $950 came from local donations (59%). Brick spent $1,017 during the reporting period, and has $1,853 cash on hand. Gerald “Buddy” Winn raise $600 during the reporting period, of which $100 came from local donations (16%). Winn spent $981 during the reporting period, and has no cash on hand.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Congressman Edwards has raised $1,405,252 during the current election cycle, of which $890,355 came from individual donations (63%) and $500,069 came from political action committee (PAC) donations (36%). Edwards has spent $308,832 during the current election cycle, and has $1,309,661 on hand. Bill Flores, one of the Republican primary candidates for Congressional District 17, has raised $416,466 during the current election cycle, of which $111,601 came from individual donations (27%) and $303,865 was from self-financing (73%). Flores has spent $46,783 during the current election cycle, and has $369,783 on hand. Rob Curnock, has raised $138,763 during the current election cycle, of which $85,779 was from individual donations (62%) and $52,732 was from self-financing (38%). Curnock has spent $68,002 during the current election cycle, and has $72,020 cash on hand.
David McIntyre has raised $123,965 during the current election cycle, of which $54,483 came from individual donations (44%) and 69,482 was from self-financing (56%). McIntyre has spent $49,318 during the current election cycle, and has $74,962 cash on hand. Chuck Wilson has raised $122,271 during the current election cycle, of which $102,271 came from individual donations (84%) and $20,000 was from self-financing (16%). Wilson has spent $89,144 during the current election cycle, and has $33,125 cash on hand. Timothy Delasandro has raised $20,217 during the current election cycle, of which $7,554 came from individual donations (37%) and $12,413 was from self-financing (61%). Delasandro has spent $15,234 during the current election cycle, and has $4,981 cash on hand.
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