Week in Headlines

Local Politics
Local Tea Party Tests Its Political Muscle

Texas News
Army to Seek Death Penalty in Hasan Case

Texas Politics
Republican Lawmakers Seek Anti-Immigration Measures

National Politics
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Oversee Political Ads During Campaign

Media
Bill Moyers, Giant of Television, Retires

War and Peace
A Soft Focus on War

Economy
Financial 'Reform' Dodges Some Big Lessons

Science
Study Suggests Humans Mated With Neanderthals

Environment
First Offshore Wind Farm Receives Federal Approval

Immigration
First Legal Challenge Launched Against Arizona Immigration Law

Civil Rights
Civil Rights Group Struggles To Remain Relevant

Reproductive Rights
Oklahoma State Legislature Votes to Override Abortion Bill Vetoes

Race and Racism
Arizona Law Recalls Past US Racism

From the Blogs
Off the Kuff:
Will Texas make like Arizona?

Blue Bloggin:
The Death Penalty for Murderous ‘Corporate Persons’

Half Empty:
Behold the Face of Pure Evil

Video Lunch: William K. Black on Fraud

As President Obama makes the case for strong financial reform, Bill Moyers sits down with veteran regulator William K. Black, who says Wall Street is already been breaking current rules.

Local News: Campaign for Bryan ISD School Board

Bryan School Board Candidates Face Off
By Maggie Kiely

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Six seats are up for grabs between the Bryan and College Station school boards in the May 8 election, but only one race has multiple candidates.

Incumbent Maritza Hoffman, a former business owner, is being challenged by Tommy Bosquez, the director of finances for the Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, for the Bryan school board's Single Member District 3 seat.

Hoffman ran unopposed in 2007. If re-elected, it would be her second and final term, she said.

But Bosquez isn't new to the district campaign trail. He was defeated in 1999 by Tommy Ramirez Jr. and in 2000, when current board member Merrill Green was elected instead.

It's the desire to serve a district that has given him so much that keeps him interested in being a trustee, he said. Bosquez and his oldest daughter graduated from Bryan High School, and his youngest daughter will be a freshman there in the fall.

Hoffman, who has a son and a daughter at Rudder High School, said she's running again because she believes she can help improve the quality of learning in the classrooms.

It's her experience, not only as a board member but also as a teacher in the district and a private business owner, that sets her apart from her opponent, she said.

"I understand and appreciate the rigors of a teacher's job," Hoffman said. "I am also a business person who understands school business, and I have made tough decisions necessary to run a successful business."

As a state employee who has seen how funding works from an inside perspective, Bosquez said he believes he's better suited for the job.

There's no doubt that the person who is elected will have to make tough financial decisions.

District officials have said they're still working to make up for a deficit of

nearly $2.5 million in the 2009-10 budget by considering positions and programs to cut, and they expect to face the same constraints when planning for the 2010-11 budget.

Hoffman said she's not willing to cut back on teachers or programs that would affect learning. The board is waiting on a cost analysis of all the district's programs, she said.

"I want to look at how much the programs are costing us and how many students we are serving," she said.

Bosquez agreed that the district shouldn't cut teachers to save money but said he would consider eliminating teacher stipends on a case-by-case basis.

Some teachers receive additional income for doing work beyond teaching duties, such as being a coach or student council sponsor, he said.

"I've talked to some teachers who said they're willing to forgo their stipend," he said.

In the fall, board members failed to get voters to approve a 5-cent property tax increase that would have generated about $3.5 million in local and state funding for the district.

Bosquez said he is against the idea of asking voters for a tax increase.

Hoffman, who opposed taking the previous election to voters, said it would take a lot to convince her that another tax ratification election was necessary.

"I think that spending is out of control in this country, and I think at some point in time, we're going to have to learn to live within our means," she said. "I think the voters spoke loud and clear to us last fall."

Both candidates acknowledged that there is a negative perception about the quality of the district among some people in the community, and both said they believe better communication would help improve the district's reputation.

"We need to do a better job of communicating our successes," Hoffman said. "We don't toot our own horn very well."

Bosquez said he would encourage more parents to be involved.

"Many parents have said that they feel unwelcomed on campus," he said. "I would love to see the district relook at what they're doing in terms of their marketing campaign."

Published on Thursday, April 29, 2010

Tonight on Biased Transmission

This week on Biased Transmission our guest is Katalin Haynes, an Assistant Professor of Management at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School. Our topics of conversation will include corporate greed and hubris and executive pay. We will also discuss the current political debate surrounding financial reform.

Listen to Biased Transmission every Wednesday on 89.1FM KEOS College Station-Bryan from 6-7pm, to hear Teddy Wilson, Michael Alvard, Danny Yeager, and Ann Preston. If you have a question or comment you can post it here, or call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367.

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Local News: Brazos County Opposes Millican Reservoir

Brazos Joins Water Fight
By Matthew Watkins

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Brazos County on Tuesday joined the parade of local governments expressing opposition to a long-term plan to build a massive reservoir on the Navasota River.

The five-member Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution against a proposal to flood 71,000 acres along the eastern border of Brazos County. The panel that proposed the Millican Reservoir, the Region H Water Planning Group, is currently collecting public comment on the proposal.

The Madison County Commissioners Court voted to oppose the plan Monday, and the College Station City Council and Grimes County Commissioners Court voted against it last week. State Rep. Fred Brown, R-Bryan, wrote a letter urging planners to abandon the idea. A spokeswoman for the city of Bryan said the City Council has no plans to take up the issue.

Region H, which represents 11 counties from the Houston area east up to Madison County, suggested that the reservoir be built by 2040 to increase the water supply for the area it represents. Region H's population is expected to increase from 6 million to 11 million in the next 50 years -- with most of that growth coming in the Houston area.

Brazos County isn't in Region H, but would have a large chunk of the reservoir within its borders. The regional water board that represents Brazos County, Region G, has also made plans for Bryan and College Station to use some of the Millican Reservoir.

But it was Region H that suggested in its plan that the Texas Legislature designate the 71,000 acres as a unique reservoir site. Such a designation means the state cannot built any major infrastructure on the site. Property owners feel the designation would depress the values of their ranches and homes.

"I think it's atrocious what they are doing," said Brazos County Judge Randy Sims.

A group called Guardians of the Navasota River have lobbied local government agencies to ask them to speak out against the plan. They've also argued that the idea isn't financially advantageous and that pursuing desalination programs with water from the Gulf of Mexico and brackish underground water in West Texas would cost less.

Sims agreed.

"I don't know who came up with this idea," he said. "They are so off over there [on the Region H board], and it is not even funny."

Madison County Judge Arthur Henson, who serves on the Region H board, said all of the comments by local governments and residents will be included in a package sent to the Texas Water Development Board, which will use that information, as well as plans submitted by other regions, to compile a statewide water plan.

"They are knowledgeable and will certainly consider those comments," Henson said.

Henson joined the Madison County Commissioners Court in opposing the Millican Reservoir plan, saying that he believed more information needs to be gathered before the land is declared a unique reservoir site. But he emphasized that Region H's plan as a whole is a good one.

"Just because we passed the resolution on that one item doesn't mean so many good parts of the plan like water conservation and return flows to save water don't have our support," he said.

Published on Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Video Lunch: Will ratings agencies be held accountable?

Local News: Bryan City Council Agenda Includes Airport and Budget

Bryan Council Considers Airport, Budget Amendments
By Bill Oliver

From WTAW 1620AM

Tuesday's Bryan City Council meeting agenda continues the proposed expansion of Coulter Airfield. The council holds the first reading to amend this year's budget to add over $236,000 in airport expenses. That includes hiring an Airport Manager, an Assistant Manager, and four part-time workers. City staff projects revenue of $227,000 coming from hangar leases and fuel sales. Agenda information does not include how the city will make up the difference. The council is also scheduled for final action giving the City Manager authority to approve hangar leases. The council will continue to control lease rates. The City of Bryan is completing its first month without an outside firm managing Coulter Field.

The agenda starts with an executive session at 4:30, possibly continuing until 6. Private conversations are planned regarding competitive issues with the utilities operation, seeking legal advice regarding water certificates, the duties and responsibilites of the City Attorney, and economic development offers.

Final action could occur placing the Mayor or a council member on the city utilities board as a non-voting member. There's continuing the present curfew law affecting those under 17 between midnight and 5 a.m. along with parents and businessowners who knowing allow juveniles to be outside.

For initial discussion the council will take up several other budget amendments, most involving the receipt of federal money. For instance, there's $250,000 in economic stimulus money for renovating sidewalks on Martin Luther King Street. There's nearly $374,000 to upgrade traffic signals around Bryan. And there's over $92,000 in homeland security grants to buy fire department rescue equipment and pay for training.

For the better part of six months, Bryan city staff has been acquiring land to replace an aging water tower. The last piece of the puzzle will be brought up at Tuesday's council meeting. The city's lawyers and outside counsel have determined to acquire the last of 12 parcels of land the council needs to start condemnation proceedings. No one has protested the city's asking price for the land. But the parcel has multiple owners and the lawyer believe it's the best way to protect the city against the possibility of future problems. When all the legal hurdles are cleared, construction will start on a five million gallon water tank that will be ground-level instead of perched on a tower. It will replace the present water tank, built 71 years ago to hold three million gallons. Now the exterior walls leak and the roof is losing concrete. It will be demolished and sometime in the future will be turned into downtown parking.

Published on Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Campaign for TX-17: Same Old Song and Dance

The campaign for TX-17 looks as though it will go a full twelve rounds, but Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards told Politico that he is ready for a fight.

“Every year the [RNC] predicts my demise. I’m lean and mean and have earned the support of Republicans and independents, as well as Democrats.”

As Left of College Station reported last week, Edwards is facing a Republican opponent who recently won a divisive and expensive primary and runoff. While the Edwards campaign has been gearing up for reelection, the Flores campaign now has the challenge of transitioning from primary to general election campaign mode. While the district is predominately Republican it takes more for a candidate to win an election here than an R next to their name in the ballot box. Edwards has spent ten terms in Congress, and has faced well funded Republican opponents before. Like these previous campaigns the Flores campaign is attempting to paint Edwards as a liberal, and to connect him to President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“Texans across the 12 counties of this district are chomping at the bit to vote out Chet Edwards and fire Nancy Pelosi, as evidence by more people voting in the March 2010 GOP primary than did for the GOP nominee in November 2006.”

Flores campaign manager Matt Mackowiak attempted to tie Edwards to Pelosi, and comparing the voting turnout in the 2008, Texas Republican primary which was boosted by a highly competitive gubernatorial campaign, and the 2006 midterm election which are historically consistently low turnout elections. However, before Mackowiak implements this particular campaign strategy, perhaps he should look no further than the Flores Republican primary and runoff opponent. Rob Curnock spent much of the primary trumpeting the fact that he only lost to Edwards in the general election by 7 ½ points, and he did it while using the same strategy that the Flores campaign is currently using. While the Flores campaign may have not taken note of how the Curnock campaign strategy failed, they may be finding out the headache the Curnock campaign was in the primary may being continuing in the general election.

Confidential sources close to the campaign reveal that Curnock is encouraging his supporters to not support Flores. Apparently Curnock is attempting to convince his supporters that Flores is unable to defeat Edwards in the general election, and that he is planning to run for congress again in 2012. Flores received a significant amount of criticism from conservatives during the Republican primary. Conservative bloggers expressed concern that he is not conservative enough, and local Tea Party activist supported Curnock during the runoff. If Curnock and others are working behind the scenes if could make what is already going to be a difficult campaign for Flores even more complicated. What Flores is experiencing is playing out across the country to relatively moderate Republicans, although, Flores could really only be considered a moderate in a congressional district like TX-17. However, the Edwards campaign seems to be taking advantage of this weakness and is ready for a campaign tactic that is the same old Republican song and dance.

“That’s just the same old kind of failed negative tactic they’ve used before.”

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - April 26, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance can't believe that school is finishing up and summer will soon be upon us. Before it gets too hot, here's a look at what's been going on this past week.

This week on Left of College Station, Teddy takes a look at the beginning of the campaign for TX-17 between Chet Edwards and Bill Flores. Also, Teddy covers money in local politics by looking at the campaign finance reports of College Station and Bryan municipal candidates. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.

TXsharon stepped in DoodyGate this week! It appears Range Resources fabricated a toxic spill to cover up their illegal dump. When a toxic spill causes less hassle than doody, you know the Texas Railroad Commission "regulations" need updating. Will the City of Denton exercise their new found powers?

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme urges you to tell the Texas Legislature that legalizing drugs will stop the border violence. No profit. No drug war.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson post on the Texas GOP's ploy to raise taxes next year, if they're left in power, and try to blame it on Obama - we won't let them! Dewhurst lets the cat out of the bag.

Help send the Texas Cloverleaf to Netroots Nation by voting on a DFA scholarship.

This week, McBlogger would like to send out a massive thank you to Hank Gilbert for standing up and actually calling out Toll Road Todd for beating up, yet again, on Teh Gays.

Just a few weeks after WhosPlayin wrote a blog pointng out Lewisville ISD's illegal "zero tolerance" policy, the school board unanimously overturned it. But WhosPlayin continues to look for answers.

Off the Kuff took a closer look at that Rasmussen poll from last week.

The same thing that caused the deaths of miners in the Upper Big Branch mine is the same thing that caused the bursting of the housing bubble, the Lehman crash, and the implosion of our financial system. Read more at PDiddie's Brains and Eggs post entitled Consumer regulation as coal mine canary".

There is an old saw which says it is a poor general who blames his soldiers for defeat. With the question of Texas public education still unresolved and hurling toward the latest crisis of funding and quality, lightseeker at TexasKaos takes on a San Antonio Express editorial which proceeds to bash teachers and unions as the overlooked villains in this recurring horror show. Check it out : On Teacher Bashing , or Beating Up the Easy Target on Educational Failures.

Neil at Texas Liberal is pleased to announce that the blog now has a New York City correspondent. Lyuba Halkyn, a daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, will now offer up her views for the blog reading public. This post also has a great picture of a blimp flying over Manhattan in the 1930's.

Local News: Bryan and College Station Prepare for Municipal Elections

Cities Ready for Elections
By Cassie Smith

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Early voting for the May 8 city and school board elections in Bryan, College Station and Kurten begins Monday.

Fourteen candidates are vying for seven contested seats in Bryan and College Station.

The College Station City Council has two contested races. Mayor Ben White, who has served on the council since 2005, is running for re-election against Nancy Berry, who served on the council from 2004 to 2006. Berry lost her council seat in 2006 to current Councilman Dave Ruesink.

Tony Jones, owner of Aggieland Builders, and Jess Fields, a Texas A&M student and owner of Texas Avenue Cigars, are competing for the Place 2 seat on the City Council. James Massey did not seek re-election.

Two people are running for the Bryan school board's Single Member District 3 seat: Maritza Hoffman, a self-employed business owner who has been a trustee since 2007, and Tommy Bosquez, a finance director at the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Bryan.

The Bryan school board also has two uncontested races.

Doug Wunneburger is unopposed in Single Member District 5, and Felicia R. Carter-Benford will not face a challenger in Single Member District 1.

The Bryan City Council has four contested seats.

Mayor Pro Tem Jason Bienski, a real estate agent with Brazosland Classic Realty, and Mitch Morehead, owner of Acme Glass, are running for mayor.

Single Member District 1 incumbent Al Saenz, the owner of Saenz Tamales, will face Richard Cortez Sr., a former postal worker. Cortez recently lost the crowded race for Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. He ran as a Democrat. Municipal and school board races aren't partisan.

Councilman Paul Madison, the owner of Madison Metals, and Howard Hill, a former officer and businessman, are running for the Single Member District 2 seat.

Bettye Pool, who retired last year from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, and Chuck Konderla, the owner of Fifth 'C' Fine Jewelry in Bryan and a member of the city's planning and zoning commission, are running for the Single Member District 3 seat.

In College Station, the three school board seats are uncontested.

Garland Watson, the incumbent who was first elected in 2004, will retain his Place 3 seat, and Randall Pitcock will be re-elected to the Place 5 seat.

Jeff Harris, an attorney at Ellison Law Firm, will fill the Place 4 seat. Mary Broussard, who has served for nine years in the seat, didn't seek re-election.

A proposition for a sales tax increase is the only ballot item in Kurten.

Kurten voters will decide whether the city should collect a 1 cent sales tax to provide general revenue.

Early voting locations will be open through May 4, and polls will be open May 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Published on Sunday, April 25, 2010

Money in Local Politics: Bryan City Council Campaign Finance Reports

The campaign for the next mayor of Bryan is going to be expensive. Both candidates of mayor, current city councilmember Jason Bienski and former city councilmember Mitch Morehead, have raised a total of $36,645 and have spent a total of $20,440 with still a month left in the campaign at the time the campaign finance reports where submitted. However, three candidates out of the six for the other three city council campaigns reported raising no campaign cash, and two have reported spending no money on their campaigns, and one candidate has almost exclusively funded their campaign with their own money.

According to campaign finance reports, Bienski reported a total of $24,056 in political contributions, of which $4,835 was received from contributions of $50 or less and $6,596 was carried over from his last campaign. A total of $8,000 in contributions was received from donors who are residents of Bryan, and $4,625 was receive from donors outside of Bryan of which $3,375 came from residents of College Station. Bienski has also partially self financed his campaign with a loan of $3,000. There has been $9,542 political expenditures reported by the campaign, of which $3,666 was spent on advertising, $2,439 was spent on campaign signs, and $1,550 was paid to NSON Opinion Strategy to conduct and opinion poll. The campaign finance report filed by the Bienski campaign did not report the total political contributions maintain or cash on hand.

The Morehead campaign reported a total of $12,589 in political contributions, of which $1,414 was received from contributions of $50 or less. The campaign received a total of $7,975 in contributions from residents of Bryan, and $3,200 was receive from donors outside of Bryan all of which but $350 was from resident of College Station. The Morehead campaign has spent nearly 87% of the political contributions, and reported $10,898 in political expenditures. The expenses included $3,120 in advertising, $4,269 on campaign signs and $1,008 was spent on web site design and updates. The campaign reported $1,691 cash on hand.

Single Member District 1 candidate Al Saenz reported a total of $500 in political contributions, of which $300 was received from contributions of $50 or less, and all of the $250 in contributions reported where from residents of Bryan. The Saenz campaign reported $639 in political expenditures of which $589 was spent on campaign signs. The campaign finance report filed by the Saenz campaign did not report the total political contributions maintain or cash on hand.

According to campaign finance reports, Single Member District 3 candidate Bettye Pool reported a total of $171 in political contributions, and $150 received in contributions of $50 or less, and all of the $171 in contributions reported where from residents of Bryan. Pool’s campaign is basically self financed as the candidate reported a $4,400 loan to the campaign. The Poll campaign reported $3,503 in political expenditures of which $1,150 was spent on campaign signs, $766 was spent on direct mail, $485 was spent on advertising, and $1,031 was spent on door hangers, car magnets and small signs. The campaign reported $0 cash on hand.

Single Member District 3 candidate Chuck Konderla reported a total of $3,150 in political contributions, of which $1,723 was from contributions of $50 or less. The Konderla campaign reported $2,100 in contributions received from residents of Bryan, and $950 in contributions from donors outside of Bryan of which $500 came from residents of College Station. All but $53 of political contributions was spent by the Konderla campaign as $4,819 in political expenditures was reported. The campaign spent $767 on political signs, $1,968 on large signs and car magnets, and $1,860 on marketing services from The Bright Company.

The campaigns of Richard Cortez, who is a candidate for Single Member District 1, and Paul Madison, who is a candidate for Single Member District 2, both reported no political contributions, no political expenditures, and no cash on hand. The Howard Hill campaign, a candidate for Single Member District 2, reported no political contributions, but reported $655 in political expenditures of which the majority was spent on campaign signs.

Money in Local Politics: College Station City Council Campaign Finance Reports

Week in Headlines

Politics
Obama Looks to Close Sale on Financial Reform

Veterans Issues
Veterans Impacted by Another Crisis in Unemployment

Foreign Policy
Israel Rejects Obama's Call for Building Halt in East Jerusalem

Economy
Ratings Agencies Rolled Over for Wall Street

Environment
Global Temperatures Last Month Broke Heat Records for March

Immigration
Arizona Anti-Immigrant Bill Will Make Communities Unsafe

Human Rights
State Department’s Human Rights Assessment

Reproductive Rights
Oklahoma Lawmakers Approve Several Anti-Choice Bills

Women’s Issues
Obama Reverses Bush Sex-Discrimination Policy in School Sports

GLBT Issues
Texas Tries to Block Same-Sex Divorce in Appeals Court Challenge

Race & Racism
People Primed With Christian Religious Words More Likely To Express Racial Prejudice

From the Blogs
Fair & Feminist:
Dear Newsweek: Please interview some YOUNG FEMINISTS for your story about US!

Eye on Williamson:
Texas Republicans Want to Take Away Your Health Care Before You Even Get It

TFN Insider:
California Advances Anti-Texas Textbook Bill

Local News: College Station City Council Opposes Millican Reservoir

College Station Goes Against Reservoir Plans
By Cassie Smith

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

The College Station City Council on Thursday agreed to oppose preliminary plans for a massive reservoir on the Navasota River along the eastern border of Brazos County.

The Millican Reservoir, part of the proposed 2012 state water plan that will be submitted to the Texas Water Development Board, could affect as many as 71,000 acres in Leon, Robertson, Brazos, Grimes and Madison counties.

Creating the reservoir could cost $1.7 billion and would be built by 2040, according to the plan.

Though the plans are preliminary, the regional water planning board that created the proposal wants the state Legislature to designate the land as a future reservoir site to prevent development in the area.

The Region H Water Planning Group, one of 16 commissioned across the state to formulate plans to help meet the water needs of the state in 2040, includes Harris and Galveston counties, but not Brazos County.

Dave Coleman, College Station's director of water services, told the City Council during a presentation on Thursday that the proposal is in its early stages and funding for the project has yet to be identified.

It's not clear from the preliminary plans how much land would be affected or where the dam will be, he said, but the reservoir could force the relocation of parts of Texas 30 and could affect the Twin Oaks Landfill and the proposed Texas T-Bone rail corridor.

Coleman said he wasn't sure how the water planning group formulated the plan without a better idea of the reservoir's location and its impact on the region.

"It points out that Region H has not done an adequate job of defining what they're asking for," Coleman said to applause from those in the audience.

Councilman James Massey said the plan didn't seem to be in the city's interests.

"I don't see how we can do anything but stand up in opposition of this specific plan," he said.

In other matters, the City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the city's Unified Development Ordinance to allow Pebble Creek Country Club to build up to 15 guest rooms.

Council members denied a request to rezone nearly 12 acres on Rock Prairie Road West from single-family residential to a planned development district. The development plans included 32 attached single-family lots and 38 detached single-family lots.

The planning and zoning commission recommended denial of the plan in a 4-3 vote.

Councilman Dennis Maloney said the area could become congested under the plan and emergency vehicles could have trouble getting down the street.

"What we have here is an urban development in a rural environment, and that's a mistake," Maloney said.

City staff members said the proposed development could generate about 550 vehicles trips per weekday.

The City Council approved by a 4-3 vote the rezoning of 1.5 acres in the 13000 block of F.M. 2154 from agricultural-open to planned development district. The planning and zoning commission and city staff members recommended denying the request. The proposal for that area includes a convenience store, gas station and bank.

Mayor Ben White said the city wants to see that area developed and needs the basic amenities.

Massey said he was concerned that the city was at risk of being at odds with the comprehensive plan so quickly after its adoption.

An 8-foot-tall buffer wall and noise-mitigation efforts will be required as part of the development.

Also at the meeting Thursday night, the City Council:

* Postponed a decision to revise the city's cemetery rules and regulations. Officials said the proposed changes are designed to enhance the aesthetics of the cemetery system. The changes would limit the number of items per space to two. The revision also includes removing an existing variance to not allow exceptions to the monument size restrictions. Council members agreed to discuss the item at a future workshop meeting.

* Approved a contract worth more than $568,300 with Knife River Corp. to build additional lanes on Texas 30 adjacent to the Twin Oaks Landfill site. The lanes would allow safe access to and from the landfill. The contract will require approval from the Bryan City Council.

* Approved a contract worth more than $190,500 with Bayer Construction Electrical Contractors Inc. for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Arrington Road and William D. Fitch Parkway. Officials said increased traffic in the area and new development created the need for the light.

Published on Friday, April 23, 2010

Money in Local Politics: College Station City Council Campaign Finance Reports

The candidates for the College Station municipal elections submitted campaign finance reports to the city on April 8th, one month before the election. Nancy Berry, a candidate for College Station mayor, raised over $6,200 which was more than any other candidate. Also, Berry reported over $3,700 on campaign expenditures which was also more than any other candidate. Most of the contributions to College Station candidate came from College Station residents, however, there where donations from Bryan and throughout the state of Texas. There was also one candidate that had large donations from outside the state. In all a total $13,885 was reported in campaign contributions by the candidates, and $10,509 was reported on campaign expenditures.

Mayor Ben White raised a total of $4,190 for his reelection campaign, $3,675 reported during the most recent campaign finance reporting period, and spent $1,957 in campaign expenditures. According to campaign finance reports, $2,275 of White’s campaign contributions where received from donors in College Station. Campaign contributions amounting to $1,300 where received from donors outside of College Station, $900 of which was received from residents of Bryan. The largest donor to the White campaign was Dr. Mackie Bobo of Bedias who contributed $300 the campaign. The majority of the campaign expenditures where spent on political signs, and White has $2,468 cash on hand.

Mayoral candidate Berry reported a total of $6,224 raised for her campaign, of which $1,624 came from political contributions of $50 or less. According to campaign finance reports, College Station residents donated $600 to the Berry campaign. State Senator Steve Ogden’s wife, Emil Ogden donated $200. A significant amount of donations to the Berry campaign came not just from outside of College Station, but outside of Texas. There was a total of $4,000 donated to the Berry campaign from outside of College Station, and $2,000 of which was received from supporters outside of Texas. The largest donor to the campaign was Barbara and Donald Zale from Dallas, who contributed $2,000 the campaign. Berry outspent her opponent, and reported $3,737 campaign expenditures. Most of the campaign donations were spent on political signs, $2,219, and on campaign stickers and cards, $883. Berry maintains $2,487 cash on hand.

A total of $3,804 was reported by Jess Fields for his campaign for City Council Place 2, of which $908 was received in contributions of $50 or less. During the most recent campaign finance reporting period $2,896 in donations were reported, and $2,966 in campaign expenditures were also reported. According to campaign finance reports, residents of College Station donated $2,035 to the Fields campaign. Most of the campaign contributions came from College Station, but $861 in contributions was received from donors outside of College Station. The largest donation reported was from Clyde Goen who contributed $500 to the Fields campaign. The campaign expenditures included $1,428 related to political signs, and $1,135 in other campaign materials including business cards, push cards, pens, and notepads. The Fields campaign maintains $1,879 cash on hand.

City Council Place 2 candidate Tony Jones reported a total of $1,900 in campaign contributions, of which $300 were receive in contributions of $50 or less. The Jones campaign received $600 in contributions from donors in College Station, the largest donation was $500 from Cheryl and Randy French. Jones also self financed his campaign with a personal loan of $1,000. The Jones campaign reported $1,849 in political expenditures, of which $965 was spent on political signs. The Jones campaign maintains $900 cash on hand.

Tomorrow: Money in Local Politics: Bryan City Council Campaign Finance Reports

Video Lunch: Tax Day Tea Party 2010

Local News: Texas A&M Celebrates Earth Day

A Down-to-Earth Celebration
By Rebecca Bennett

From the Texas A&M University Battalion

Today marks the 40th observation of Earth Day, an annual celebration of the earth and organized effort to protect the world’s diverse natural resources.

This year, the College of Education and Human Development is partnering with students from the Environmental Issues Committee and sponsoring an on-campus informational festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the base of Harrington Tower.

Mary Strauss, the sustainability programs coordinator for the City of Bryan, said the goal of Earth Day is to help students become aware of ways they can get involved with environmental causes.

“Become a part of the solution,” she said. “Be the change you wish to see in the world, as they say.”

Organizations and businesses will be setting up informational booths and handing out free products, including reusable water bottles and shopping bags, to promote sustainable living. The Brazos Valley Farmers’ Market will sell fresh produce at the event.

Fabiola Molina, co-chairwoman of the committee and a junior biomedical sciences major, said students not only have fun at the event, but walk away with greater awareness of the significance of Earth Day and a deeper appreciation for the environment.

“The amount of change I have seen on this campus in the three years I have been here has been incredible, but I still believe there is room for improvement,” she said.

Kelly Wellman, of A&M’s Sustainability Office, said there is overlap among different environmental groups, and the first step to improved sustainability is becoming aware of what resources are available.

For instance, Strauss works to create biweekly online news show for Be Green In Bryan, which features various “go green” organizations in the community. Students may be surprised by the different environmental opportunities available to them through such student projects as the Aggie Community Garden and the committee’s curbside recycling program.

“As we aim to reduce our impact, we are increasingly seeking more efficient ways of doing things. Sustainability enables our generation to take innovative ideas and put them to action,” Molina said. “I think students have shown, especially this year with the passage of the Aggie Green Fund, that we care about green initiatives, and more importantly, that we are ready to lead them.”

Strauss said it’s not only big cities like Houston and Dallas that are making sustainability a priority — College Station and Bryan are doing their part as well. She said environmentalism should be important to students because it affects the future and future access to natural resources.

“We need to think of how much energy we use to keep the campus up and running. For some buildings, that means 24 hours a day,” Wellman said. “I’m sure everyone has been on campus at some point really late at night.”

She said A&M Utilities and Management has saved an estimated $90 million in energy costs between the years 2002 and 2009. The office is working to reduce this year’s energy spending by 20 percent.

As part of this goal, they have annual residence hall energy challenges to see which hall can reduce the most energy use. Last year, the winning dorm received a donated water filter with which to refill their water bottles.

“The campus is getting bigger, but we’ve been able to use less energy than, say, eight years ago,” Wellman said. “Always being energy conscious is really important.”

Improved environmental living is not limited to energy use, but also includes recycling efforts, alternative transportation, water consciousness, community gardening and organic food.

“Getting involved with environmental causes has followed a type of logical progression for me. I’ve always felt that we should be conscious of our decisions and what type of impact they are leaving for the generations behind us,” Molina said.

Five Conservation Tips
1. Try to walk, bike or take a campus bus whenever you can.
2. Save water -- limit time in the shower and only run the dishwasher when it’s full.
3. Don’t use paper or plastic bags at the grocery store -- bring your own reusable ones.
4. Use a refillable water bottle instead of purchasing bottled water.
5. Avoid the drive-through. Idling your car wastes fuel and pollutes the air.

Published on Thursday, April 22, 2010

Blog for Fair Pay Day 2010

By Shelly Blair

Today is blog for Fair Pay day, and the prompt is: What would it mean if there weren't a wage gap?

First of all, fair pay means valuing women's work the same as men's-- it shouldn't be a controversial thing to ask for. Last month on my trip to Ireland, I came across this campaign in Europe:

Caption: "Is our work valued the same? Close the gender pay gap."

The campaign rocks, and it left me wondering why we don't have a similar campaign here. Then I looked up the campaign and discovered something amazing--it was launched by the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union. How cool would it be if our government started a campaign to end pay discrimination? Of course, in the U.S. ( I won't speak to EU politics), the conversation should include gender and race in conversations about fair pay issues.

So, back to the question: What would fair pay mean?

Fair pay means the labor market acknowledges that women's contributions are as valuable as men's.

Fair pay is one key step in dismantling a complex system of oppression in the workplace that effects both men and women.

Fair Pay is the beginning of the END of discrimination in the workplace. If my work is valued the same as work done by my male counterpart, then he and others will have to treat me as an equal. I'm not naive, and I acknowledge that discrimination and sexual harrassment aren't going to just stop all of a sudden because I'm being paid fairly; but how can we even begin to address the personal, micro levels of sexism in the workplace if we don't resolve the macro level issues? We can't. We need fair pay. We need it now.

Fair pay would mean better access to reproductive justice including contraceptives, information, health exams, abortion, and maternal care.

Fair pay would mean more options for families who want one parent to stay home.

Fair pay would eventually mean more flexible workplaces, more work/life balance, and more free time for women.

Many times when we discuss fair pay, we have a classist bias in those conversations. We talk about fair pay for highly paid execs, for example. One reason for this is that it's more dramatic to see the difference between men and women's salaries in highly paid positions in the U.S. We need to be aware of this privilege.

But I think there's a more complex problem going on too-- that women who are in the lower paid jobs often don't have the time, money, support, and resources to take their fight for equal pay to the courts. I'm fairly optimistic that a company that is forced to reexamine pay practices will have to do so at all levels. So the fight needs to continue locally and at the national level--if you see fair pay issues with women in your community, organize! Also, take the time to educate yourself and contact your congressional reps to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act in the senate.

It's time for us to be treated equally and valued in the workplace--for our families, our daughters, and ourselves.

Originally Posted at Fair and Feminist

Video Lunch: Voices from the Tea Party

Local News: Municipal Candidates Address Concerns at Forum

Candidates Tackle Top Issues at Forum
By Cassie Smith

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Depending on who voters elect May 8, the College Station City Council could derail plans for a convention center, while flare-ups between top Bryan officials and BTU likely won't be showcased in the media.

Meanwhile, the answer to who would pay for proposed electronic textbooks varied among Bryan school district candidates during a three-hour forum Monday evening at the College Station Hilton.

The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, WTAW, 1620 AM and KBTX hosted the event in which 16 candidates vying for eight local seats participated in a question-answer session.

Tommy Bosquez, a finance director at the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Bryan, and Maritza Hoffman, a self-employed business owner who has been a trustee since 2007, are both running for Single Member District 3 for the Bryan School Board.

College Station City Council has two contested races. Incumbent Ben White and Nancy Berry, who served on the council from 2004 to 2006, are running for mayor, while Jess Fields, owner of Texas Avenue Cigars, and Tony Jones, owner of Aggieland Builders, are competing for Place 2. Place 2 Councilman James Massey is not seeking re-election.

The Bryan City Council has four contested races.

Mayor Pro Tem Jason Bienski, a realtor with Brazosland Classic Realty, and Mitch Morehead, owner of Acme Glass, are running for mayor; Richard Cortez Sr. and incumbent Al Saenz are running for Single Member District 1; Howard Hill, former officer and businessman, and incumbent Paul Madison are running for Single Member District 2; and Chuck Konderla, owner of Fifth 'C' Fine Jewelry in Bryan and a member of the city's planning and zoning commission, and Bettye Pool, who retired last year after working for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, are running for Single Member District 3.

Fields said he was in favor of giving Wellborn residents a vote on whether to incorporate the community into a city.

Jones, White and Pool never declared a position on calling an election; however, each emphasized the need to work with the community to reach an agreeable solution and help restore trust between officials and those working to preserve historical heritage.

Berry said there is no viable business plan that shows a long-proposed convention center will make money for the city. She said that, if elected, she would work toward selling the property on University Drive that was purchased for the proposed site because the city's losing valuable property taxes.

White said the property is not costing residents anything since they are paying the debt on the location with the income from the tenants. He said the city has pressed pause on the convention center project for now.

Jones said he hasn't heard background from staffers, but, he said, the city needs to be certain that it needs a convention center before moving forward.

Fields said it's "absurd" that residents haven't been given a vote on the issue and there's nothing dishonorable in saying the city government made a mistake purchasing the property.

Each Bryan council candidate said they were not interested in raising taxes.

Morehead and Bienski said the recent issue concerning the city-owned utility refusing to turn over its complete finances to city management, including salary information, was politicized by City Manager David Watkins.

Madison said the city, which is facing a $1 million shortfall, has worked well to keep a balanced budget by not replacing positions and holding projects until funds become available.

Hill, however, said the city over the last three years has "foolishly" spent more money than they've taken in.

It didn't take long for money issues to surface once the school board candidates took the stage.

Gov. Rick Perry recently proposed incorporating digital textbooks into classrooms.

Hoffman said that's a great idea, but she would encourage the Legislature to fund the technology, especially since the Bryan school district can't afford it.

Bosquez said the community needs to look at itself to find the funding because state financing is not a long-term plan.

Both candidates are bilingual, speaking Spanish, and believe all the students should be taught the language from an early age.

Hoffman said a program was implemented before she was elected to the board that allowed the district to bring individuals, not necessarily teachers, from Mexico to teach in the schools. She said they've asked for the information on whether it's an effective program.

Bosquez said having to hire from outside of Texas, let alone the country, is "appalling" and that the district should hold teachers to the standard of knowing Spanish.

In College Station, the three open school board seats are not contested.

Garland Watson, the incumbent since 2004, will take Place 3 on the school board.

Jeff Harris, attorney at Ellison Law Firm, will fill Place 4. Mary Broussard, who is the current Place 4 representative, served nine years and didn't seek re-election.

Randall Pitcock, vice president of the board, who served since 2004 and the owner of Croix Inc., will fill Place 5.

Published on Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Campaign for TX-17: Edwards and Flores Begin General Election Campaign

After a Republican primary that included five candidates and a runoff between two candidates that was very contentious, Congressman Chet Edwards reminded the Republican nominee Bill Flores this week that the general election campaign has begun. The day after the primary Edwards released a video in which he made the case for why the citizens of Congressional District 17 should reelect him, and he criticized Flores for being the choice of “Washington, D.C. insiders” and being a “Houston oil executive” who has never “once voted in our district.” The Waco Tribune-Herald reports that the Flores campaign responded by calling Edwards a “career politician” and that he is “desperately attacking.”

This campaign will be expensive. Flores dramatically outspent Curnock in the primary; while Curnock spent $175,000 in the primary Flores spent $750,000. However, now Flores faces one of the best funded Democrats in Texas, and also already spent a considerable amount of money in the primary (a significant amount of which was self-financed). The Tribune-Herald reported that the Edwards campaign announced that it raised $594,000 during the current reporting period, compared to the $29,000 that Flores raised during the same period. After depleting much of their finances the Flores campaign reported $60,000 cash on hand, while the Edwards campaign is sitting on $1.7 million cash on hand. Edwards is of the few Democrats in Congress that has been targeted by the Republican Party who has been able to raise more money than his opponent. However, Flores has already contributed nearly a half million dollars to his campaign, so it appears as if there is going to be a large amount of money that will be spent over the next 200 days.

While Republican may have the momentum heading into the midterm elections (excluding any unforeseen circumstances), it is going to be difficult for Flores to defeat Edwards in November. While there is vocal criticism and opposition to Edwards in the district, the majority of that opposition comes from the conservative base which has always and will continue to vote against Edwards. During his tenure in the Congress Edwards has built a strong reputation in the district, and his support of veterans and his ability to secure federal funds for the district have been strong campaign points. In order to win in the low turnout midterm elections it is important for candidates to turnout their base, which is where Flores may run into a problem. During the Republican primary Flores was heavily criticized by the more conservative candidates and conservative blogosphere for not being conservative enough.

There are several external factors that will have a significant impact of this campaign. The direction the economy takes in the next seven months is going to be a major factor, and if the economy improves it will be beneficial for Edwards and likewise if the economy does not improve or actually gets worse it will be beneficial for Flores. The campaign for governor may have an impact; since midterm elections are general about motivating the base if Democrats in Texas are energized at the chance to take back the Governor’s Mansion that could turn into an advantage for Edwards. This is probably going to be a long and tough campaign, and it is likely that whichever candidate can run the most consistent and disciplined campaign will be in a position to give an acceptance speech on election night.

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - April 19, 2010

Time for another roundup of the week's blog highlights from the Texas Progressive Alliance.

Something bubbles up from the ground in Bartonville. Could this be why so many dogs nearby have cancer? Since drilling toxins were found in Barnett Shale residents' blood and urine, maybe it's time to test the animals too. TXsharon struggles to keep pace with the latest Barnett Shale news at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the case of the Christmas goose in Flower Mound.

Off the Kuff writes about the pitch from the gambling industry.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wonders about the wisdom of building a silly, damaging border fence while allowing foreign companies to control our ports.

It was a wild week for the economy and, surprisingly, for economic history. McBlogger takes a look at one historical revisionist who like misrepresentation almost as much as Ayn Rand. Then he goes on to explain just what Goldman Sachs did.

Neil at Texas Liberal wrote a comprehensive preview post of the upcoming election in the United Kingdom. Election Day is May 6. The post is being updated daily with new developments and it took some time to write. So please give it a look if you find the topic to be interest.

Bay Area Houston finds another one of Bob Perry's bitches.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson shows that the 2006 Texas tax swap created a $5 billion annual budget hole, the bill is coming due next year, Texas Republicans created a budget shortfall to cut programs that help working Texans.

Over at TexasKaos, Libby Shaw catches up with Johnny Cronyn . He and Mitch McConnell "continue[s] to serve Wall St. breakfast in bed." More to the point, Libby explains the battle lines being drawn between Obama and the Dems and those lap dogs of the priveleged, the Republican Pary. Check it out John Cornyn, Mitch McConnell, the GOP Stand by Their Wall St. Man .

The TeaBaggers and the regular GOP nuts fought each other to a stand-off on Election Runoff Day. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has the sordid details.

In Flower Mound, gas drillers have crossed the line into express advocacy in local elections, sending out a letter to mineral owners telling them who to vote for in a town council election.

Texas State Board of Education Looks to Rewrite History

Reflections on the Tea Party Movement: Voices of the Angry Privileged

It has been one year since protesters gathered on Tax Day, and in the time since political observers have attempted to understand and explain the Tea Party movement. The mainstream media has covered the Tea Party as a political sideshow, the conservative media has embraced the Tea Party as their audience, the Republican Party has attempted to exploit the Tea Party for political gain, the Democratic Party has used controversial Tea Party rhetoric as political fodder, conservatives have both embraced and dismissed the Tea Party, and liberals have raised their concerns about the movement. The Tea Party has been a fascinating political movement to observe, and it is a complicated thing to explain. After a year of observing the movement, attending the rallies, town hall meetings, and debating individuals within the Tea Party movement I have an understanding of how the movement is viewed by those that are within the movement, the ideological divides within the movement, and the political realities of the movement. However, I have also observed the background motivations in the movement, and that privilege plays an important role in the Tea Party movement.



Most people within the Tea Party movement view themselves as everyday ordinary Americans; the typical Tea Party supporter is middle aged, middle class, and white. This is also in many ways who they view as an ordinary American. According to a recent Gallup poll, people who identify as supporters of the Tea Party are mostly middle aged or older, mostly political conservative, and mostly white. The poll found that 70% identified themselves as conservative, compared to 40% of the general public, and 49% identified themselves as Republican, compared to 27% of the general public. Despite the rhetoric that they are ordinary working Americans, people within the Tea Party movement are more likely to have more education, higher income, and more affluent than the average American. A New York Times/CBS Poll found that among those who identify as Tea Party supporters are 56% earn at least $50,000 per year, compared to 44% of the general population. Also, at 70% of the Tea Party supporters had at least some college education, compared to 53% of the general population.

Many people within the movement feel disenfranchised, they feel that they are not being represented in the government, and they feel that America is being fundamentally changed. The claim of disenfranchisement is often heard in the rhetoric of not voting for policies that they consider to be radical and un-American. However, the average Tea Party supporter is much less likely to actually be disenfranchised than many other portions of American society. Ironically, by voting they have actually ensured that they are in fact not disenfranchised. There is a feeling that they are not being heard, and much of this comes from a fundamental distrust in government. There is also a fear that America is being changed, and that this country will not be the same country that they grew up in.

While there is an overarching ideological view about the role of government that is accepted by most within the Tea Party movement, there are significant ideological divides. The most significant ideological divide is about foreign policy, and this divide manifest itself between the Ron Paul noninterventionist who support a Jeffersonian foreign policy and the Liz Cheney neoconservatives who support a Jacksonian foreign policy. There is also a divide about immigration which is between those who are the economic Libertarians who support reforming immigration laws and the nativist who oppose reforming immigration laws. There is also the divide between the socially liberal Libertarians and the social conservatives. However, the focus of the Tea Party movement has always been on fiscal policy, and on limiting the scope of government.

Whether or not the Tea Party movement will have a significant impact on electoral politics remains to be seen. It is likely that the movement will have an impact in more conservative areas of the country and in Republican primaries. However, it is unlikely that it will have a significant impact during the general election, and probably little impact during the presidential election. The reason is simply because the people within the movement are not a persuadable group of voters; the vast majority of people within the movement are staunchly conservative are unlikely to vote for candidates that they perceive as not being conservative. To put it another way, they are not the undecides. Another reason that they will probably not have a consequential impact on electoral politics is because they do not have significant organizational structure in which to pursue a political agenda. They may become an important constituent of the Republican Party and through the party they may be able to shape the political agenda. But to truly wield political power through a grassroots organization you need tremendous organizational support, and the Tea Party movement has either been unable or unwilling to organize in a way to be a factor in electoral politics.

Many political observers have described the Tea Party movement as a reaction to the Presidency of Barack Obama. However, I would contend that the movement is a reaction to several events, and it all begins with Ronald Reagan. The Reagan Revolution made movement conservatives the dominant ideological group within the Republican Party, and it helped create a deeper and wider ideological and political divide in the country. The Contract with America exploited those divides and widened the ideological and political divide. Then the permanent Republican majority took power when President George W. Bush was elected. During his first term President Bush governed to the far right, and supported the idea that they could continue to govern to the far right and win elections. However, during his second term a confluence of events conspired to create an atmosphere that would create the reaction we see as the Tea Party movement. The Bush Administration governed to the right of center, the Democrats then took control of the Congress, and then Barack Obama took control of the White House. The public’s changing view on social issues, an unpopular war and the economic downturn all contributed to these events. After three decades of ever growing influence, the conservative right found themselves going from the most influential portion of the American electorate to having virtual no influence within a matter of a few years.

Those within the movement feel that they have been unfairly portrayed, and that they have been made out to be intolerant, homophobic, and racist. Like any political movement there is a radical fringe, and it is true that the majority of the people at Tea Parties are not being overtly racist. However, a University of Washington poll reveals that those that identify as strongly supporting the Tea Party movement are more likely to have negative views of African-Americans, Latinos, and immigrants than those who strongly disprove of the Tea Party movement. Despite this, those within the Tea Party movement will vehemently deny any elements of racism. If the lack diversity within the Tea Party movement is mentioned then many within the movement with frame those who are pointing out the lack of diversity as racist themselves.

The Tea Party movement is a health part of the democratic process, and most of the people within the movement have legitimate concerns, but it is difficult for me not notice that there are underlying motivations. Most of the people within the Tea Party movement view racism as being individual acts of prejudice; there is a denial that systemic institutionalized racism exists in America. After all we are the land of the free, and anyone can make it if only the pull themselves up by their bootstraps. They will point to anecdotal evidence of the lack of racism in America the success of individual people of color as proof of equal opportunity. This is the basis of the disconnect. People within the movement rant against socialism and distribution of wealth without that the current distribution of wealth is concentrated in the top 1% of America and that majority of that top 1% of America is white. There are those within the movement that criticize social welfare programs such as welfare and Medicaid, but those same people will defend social welfare programs such as Social Security and Medicare. When I listen to the people in the Tea Party movement at the tall hall meetings and when I see them at the protests, I see and hear people that are frustrated with the current economic situation and who are apprehensive of the changing taking place in America. However, behind those frustrations and apprehensions is ignorance to the realities that many Americans face. This ignorance is fueled by privilege, and this privilege is the basis for a reactionary movement known as the Tea Party.

First Look: Candidates for Bryan City Council Single Member District 2

The citizens in Bryan who live in City Council Single Member District 2 will have a choice between a longtime city councilmember and a newcomer to Bryan politics. Paul Madison has been the Single Member District 2 councilmember since his election in 2007, when Madison defeated Mike Flores in a runoff election. However, Madison also served for five years prior to his latest time on the council, before resigning to run, unsuccessfully for Brazos County commissioner. Howard Hill, a former officer and businessman who is a newcomer to city politics, is challenging Madison in the election.

In addition to his time on the Bryan City Council, Madison also served on the Bryan Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Directors of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments. Madison has also been a candidate for County Commissioner of Precinct 4 twice, once as a Republican candidate and once as a Democratic candidate. According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Madison stated that one of the reasons he is seeking reelection is that he would like to follow through on projects and ensure that the city maintains a balanced budget.

When Madison campaigned in 2007 after resigning from the council a year earlier, he campaigned on his business background and his experience. However, The Eagle editorial board criticized Madison for seeming more willing to go along with the majority on the City Council than to “raise questions important to the people in Single Member District 2.” During his most recent campaign for County Commissioner, The Eagle editorial board described Madison’s tenor on the Bryan City Council as not being a “particularly effective Bryan council member.”

Hill’s campaign has focused on the city’s budget and what he believes is the misuse of the taxpayers’ money. According to an article in the Eagle, keeping the tax rate low, capping the budget, and limiting spending are his priorities. Hill was also critical of the city’s decision to continue paying former Police Chief Ty Morrow when he was on administrative leave, and for hiring someone from Waco as the new police chief.

This campaign has the potential to shift the balance of power on the city council. While Madison has been a fixture in Single Member District 2, he has often been criticized for not representing his constituents in the district. While Hill is an unknown commodity, he may be able to present himself as a fresh voice for the citizens of Single Member District 2.

Video Lunch: Texas By the Numbers

Local News: Primary Campaign Ends and General Election Campaign Begins

2010 Runoff Recap
Chelsea Wade

From WTAW 1620AM

The busy 2010 runoff season ended with five landslide victories for the races in Brazos County.

On the Republican side, Bill Flores easily defeated Rob Curnock 76 percent to 24 percent to advance to the November general election against incumbent Chet Edwards in the U-S Congressional District 17 race.

Flores says he has already started preparing to defeat his opponent. "We flip the play book and we go to the general play and we start running for the next seven months. We're going to run hard every day to make sure that everybody in this district gets our message. So I think if they can trust me that I will do the things I say that I'll do, I think they will naturally want to come to our camp as well."

So just how does Flores plan to get the votes? "Our biggest goal is to reach out to the Republicans that didn't vote in this election, or in the primary, and most of those folks are going to come vote anyway. We are going to reach out to the Independents and a lot of Independents are feeling the effects of what's going on in Washington today. And if you look at this district, there are also a lot of conservative Democrats that don't like the fiscal irresponsibility that is coming out of Washington and they would naturally be inclined to vote with us."

Another big runoff race was for the Republican nomination for District 14 State Representative.

Incumbent Fred Brown beat out former Brazos County Tax Assessor-Collector Buddy Winn 63 percent to 37 percent.

Brown says he was pleased with his campaign. "I'm elated. I'm just so happy that the campaign is over. I haven't run a race in eight years and I haven't done a very good job of staying out in front of the public and telling them everything that we're doing. That won't be the case in the future. I am very humbled that the citizens of District 14 have voted to send me back to protect their interests in Austin."

The runoff race for Brazos County Judge featured longtime commissioner Duane Peters against Bryan mayor Mark Conlee.

Peters won the runoff with more than two-thirds of the vote, 71 percent to 29 percent.

In other races on the Republican side, Laura Taylor-Davis -- who almost won the primary outright -- beat Jerry Pitts in the race for the nomination for Brazos County Treasurer.

And on the Democratic side, Rose Jones defeated Greg Banks with almost two-thirds of the vote for the nomination for Brazos County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4.

Published on Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Tonight on Biased Transmission

Tonight on Biased Transmission our guest will be Luke Graham, member of the group "Guardians of the Navasota River". We will be discussing the social and ecological impact of the proposed Millican Reservoir, that could impact up to 71,000 acres in 5 counties.

Listen to Biased Transmission every Wednesday on 89.1FM KEOS College Station-Bryan from 6-7pm, to hear Teddy Wilson, Michael Alvard, Danny Yeager, and Ann Preston. If you have a question or comment you can post it here, or call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367.

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Local News: Flores Defeats Curnock in Primary Runoff to Face Edwards

Bill Flores Wins GOP Runoff
By Matthew Watkins

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Retired oil and gas executive Bill Flores cruised to an easy victory Tuesday night in the Republican runoff for Congress, setting up a potentially heated and expensive general election race against Democratic incumbent Chet Edwards.

Flores won by an 18 percent margin over Waco small business owner Rob Curnock, who was significantly under-funded but hoped momentum and name recognition from his unsuccessful 2008 race against Edwards would carry him to victory.

Flores sold himself as an experienced businessman whose real-world knowledge made him qualified for the position. He also had a larger campaign staff and more resources to make that pitch across Congressional District 17, which stretches from Bryan-College Station northwestward through Waco to near Fort Worth.

Flores was considered by many to be the favorite in the runoff, but the margin of victory came as a surprise. He won 21,314 votes, or 64 percent, compared to 11,901 for Curnock, or 36 percent. In the March primary, Flores won 33 percent of the vote, compared to 29 percent for Curnock.

Flores even won McClennan County -- which contains Curnock's hometown of Waco -- by a 16 percent margin. In March, Curnock won that area with 35 percent compared to 30 percent for Flores.

Curnock conceded the race before 8 p.m. by placing a call to Flores' election headquarters at the Best Western Atrea in Bryan. It was decided so early that campaign workers were left scrambling to rework the schedule of Flores' election night party. About 100 people drank wine and celebrated the victory in the hotel's conference room as vote totals were displayed on a projection screen.

"I am just so surprised," Flores said. "I was not expecting [the victory] to come so quickly, in such a compelling manner."

Flores will now set his sights on Edwards, who serves in the most Republican district held by a Democrat in the country. The Flores campaign hopes to bank on what it perceives as growing local and national discontent with the Democratic Party and has already sought to associate Edwards with President Barack Obama and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

"We don't need a chameleon in Congress, we need a businessman who will drastically cut spending, remove the barriers to economic recovery, help fix the mess we're in and come home," Flores said.

Edwards, on the other hand, is hoping that voters' frustration isn't specifically with him but with the culture of partisanship in Washington. He voted against the Democrats' health care overhaul and claims an independent philosophy. In fundraising letters this year, he's portrayed Flores as a candidate hand-picked by the national Republican Party.

Edwards watched the election results in Washington with his family, a campaign staffer said.

"Chet congratulates Mr. Flores on his nomination and looks forward to the campaign ahead," said Alex Youn, Edwards' campaign manager. "However, Chet's main focus will continue to be on creating and protecting jobs, fighting for veterans and troops and providing an independent voice for our district. That is why Chet continues to receive strong support from Republicans, Democrats and independents alike."

Both Flores and Curnock took repeated shots at Edwards during the primary campaign. They agreed on most issues, but fought over who was most capable of defeating Edwards in the general election.

Curnock maintained that he was the only one to step forward and run in 2008, when many thought Edwards was unbeatable. He lost by 7.5 percent of the vote -- less than many expected -- even though he had no national party support. His 2008 showing is one reason Republicans feel they have a chance this year.

Curnock never stopped campaigning after the 2008 race, and spent more than $50,000 of his own money on his campaign. He said he was surprised with the decisive result.

"We really felt like we could finish the job we started before, but the voters decided they wanted to try another direction," Curnock said. "We respect that decision and we go on from there."

Published on Wednesday, April 14, 2010

First Look: Candidates for Bryan City Council Single Member District 3

For the first time in recent memory Bryan residents living in City Council Single Member District 1, which includes Downtown Bryan and extends in to surrounding neighborhoods in western Bryan, will have a choice to make when voting in the municipal elections. Councilmember Al Saenz was elected in 2007 after running unopposed, but this year he has drawn a challenger from Richard Cortez. Saenz is a third generation resident of Bryan, who’s family owns Saenz Tamales which is the oldest Hispanic owned restaurant in Bryan. Cortez is a retired postal worker, who also was an unsuccessful candidate for Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4.

As councilmember of Single Member District 1 Saenz has represented what he refers to as the forgotten district; the district is dominated by the business interest in Downtown Bryan and the residents of the districts have a difficult time competing for the city’s resources. According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Saenz said that the reason he wants to return to the council is to continue representing the district because “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.”

When Councilmember Saenz ran unopposed in 2007, made the case that minority councilmembers are overlooked, and that the other councilmembers had been preventing an equal distribution of city services to Single Member Districts 1 and 2. According to an article in the Eagle, Saenz said that “we want to get over the idea that the other council members can play 'keep away' with city services from District 1 and District 2 because we can't outvote them.”

During an interview with WTAW 1620AM, Saenz said that some of his major accomplishments on the council was “opening up the process to the citizens” and “being a voice for the citizens of west Bryan.” Saenz said that the goals that he would like to accomplish if reelected would be finishing the redevelopment of Downtown Bryan, and continuing to invest in infrastructure of Single Member Districts 1 and 2.

According to an article in the Eagle, Cortez said that the reason he decide to run for city council is because he “just wanted to give it a try and to help the city out.” Cortez recently campaigned in the Democratic Primary for Justice of the Peace of Precinct 4, and did not receive enough votes in order to qualify for the runoff. Cortez is a newcomer to local politics, and has not made any clear statements on what issues he would address if elected to the city council.

The campaign for Single Member District 1 is unlikely to be eventful, as Saenz has significant support in the district and Cortez is relatively unknown. Cortez has not appeared to make any specific criticism of Saenz, and has made not criticism of the city council in general. In some ways it is not clear if Cortez is running for city council for any other reason than just to have his name on the ballot.

Video Lunch: Frontline - Obama’s Deal

Watch this episode of Frontline on PBS or online tonight.

Local News: Runoff Elections Decide Primary Nominees

Polls Open Today for Runoff Elections
Eagle Staff Report

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Local candidates in Tuesday's runoffs have spent the past six weeks trying to convince voters that, this round, they are the best person for the job.

They'll find out the outcome of their efforts late into the evening after polls close at 7 p.m. They open at 7 a.m.

Following are the contested races that will be resolved Tuesday:

* District 17 U.S. Rep.: Retired oil and gas executive Bill Flores, who lives in Bryan, is facing Waco small business owner Rob Curnock. The winner will challenge incumbent Democrat Chet Edwards in the Nov. 2 general election. Flores led the primary in March with 33 percent of the vote; Curnock had 28 percent.

* District 14 State Rep.: Incumbent Fred Brown faces former Brazos County Tax Assessor-Collector Buddy Winn for the Republican nomination. Brown led Winn in the primary with 44 percent to 26 percent. The person who wins the runoff will take the seat because there is no Democrat in the race.

* Brazos County Judge: Commissioner Duane Peters, who received 46 percent in the primary, faces Bryan Mayor Mark Conlee, who took home 31 percent. Both are Republicans and no Democrat filed to run. An independent is on the November ballot.

* Brazos County treasurer: Republican Laura Taylor Davis, who works in the treasurer's office and received 48 percent of the vote last month, faces Jerry Pitts, a CPA who received 19 percent.

* The Democratic race for Justice of the Peace, Place 4 is between Rose Jones, who won 36 percent of the primary vote, and Greg Banks, who received 23 percent of the vote.

The only statewide race on the ballot involves former state Rep. Rick Green of Dripping Springs who faces District Judge Debra Lehrmann of Tarrant County in a race for Texas Supreme Court justice. Voters also will decide a State Board of Education nomination fight between two Republicans, along with seven congressional and nine legislative runoffs.

Published on Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - April 12, 2010

Here are the weekly highlights from the Texas Progressive Alliance.

At Texas Vox, our thoughts remain with the victims of the West Virginia mining disaster, the worst mining accident in 25 years.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wants to know why Republicans like Victoria's DA Steve Tyler, Nueces County's DA Anna Jimenez and (who could forget) Alberto Gonzales abuse their offices?

The Texas Cloverleaf thinks Rick Perry is eyeing 2012 before 2010 is even over with.

WhosPlayin is watching the situation in Flower Mound, where a group of citizens successfully petitioned to have an oil and gas drilling moratorium put on the ballot, only to get some mostly frivolous ethics charges filed against them by a former Town Councilman.

Continuing his examination of partisan voting trends, Off the Kuff looks at how voting changed in judicial races between 2002 and 2006.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson has an update as the runoff, to see who will challenge Rep. Diana Maldonado, approaches HD-52 GOP Runoff - issues take a back seat.

Bay Area Houston compares Sarah Palin's intelligence on safe sex and nuclear disarmament.

They're everywhere! They're everywhere! Emissions, which are really toxins, are throughout the entire Barnett Shale area. Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

McBlogger loves it when Bill Hammond of the Texas Association of Business let's Teh Stupid flow freely.

FOX News' 24-hour "War of the Worlds"-styled fearmongering caught the attention of PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

This week on Left of College Station, Teddy reports on the how the campaign in the Republican primary for Texas Congressional District 17 has turned negative. Also, Teddy takes a first look at the College Station City Council Place 2 candidates and at the Bryan City Council Single Member District 3 candidates. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.

Libby Shaw asks a simple question over at TexasKaos - So, How will Rick Perry deliver access to affordable health care to Texas? . She points out that "According to new federal regulations, Rick Perry and the health insurance companies in Texas have 90 days to deliver a plan that will cover uninsured Texans.

Neil at Texas Liberal posted on the history of disco music. Disco Inferno!有earn The Interesting History Of Disco Music Despite the bad historical reviews disco receives, a new book says that the music was an important social indicator in a time of societal gains for women and gays.