Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - May 31, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend as it brings you this week's blog roundup.

This week on Left of College Station Teddy asks if Don't Ask, Don't Tell could be coming to an end, and Left of College Station covers the week in headlines. Teddy at will be looking back this week at highlights from Left of College Station's first two years of blogging, and will be taking the month of June off from blogging. Look for more in depth coverage of politics and social commentary in July, including extensive research and investigations. Thanks to the Texas Progressive Alliance for supporting political and social thought to the Left of College Station.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson points out that even though there's been another audit of TxDOT, nothing will change until Texas gets a new governor, TxDOT's management audit, we've heard it all before.

Harris County is considering creating an elections administration department, with a non-partisan unelected appointee at the helm. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs is in favor of it, but irregular contributor OpenSourceDem is not.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is tired of racist, republican fear mongers driving poor policy decisions on the border.

Off the Kuff took a close look at the UT/Texas Trib poll of the Governor's race.

WhosPlayin hopes everyone has a nice Memorial Day, and has a message of gratitude and remembrance of those who have fallen in the service of our country.

A Houston right wing talk show host and former City Council Member calls for bombing of a Mosque. Bay Area Houston has an opinion. Imagine that.

Asian American Action Fund Blog's Justin invites everyone to Houston to attend the OCA National Convention June 17-20. Festivities include panel discussions, awards gala, and free Starry Night Market and Film Festival. Eric Byler and Coffee Party founder Annabel Park's immigration documentary 9500 Liberty will be shown.

At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw helps us understand Rick Perry's complaints about the EPA taking over the permitting process from the toothless, Minerals Management Service, I mean the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Surprisingly enough, Mr. "Act of God" is upset he can't continue his business first, second and always approach to enviornmental regulations. Take at look at Governor Perry to the EPA: Back Off.

Neil at Texas Liberal offered up a 58 second video where he listed eight points about democracy while standing in front of a car demolition lot near the Houston Ship Channel. Everyplace is the right place to talk about freedom.

Video Lunch: A People's History of American Empire

Local News: Tuition at Texas A&M to Increase By 2.8%

A&M Tuition to Rise By 2.8 Percent
By Vimal Patel

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Students will pay $105 more in tuition and mandatory fees next semester under a plan approved by the Texas A&M System Board of Regents on Friday. But tuition likely won't increase again the year after.

The 2.8 percent tuition hike is what Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin had asked for. It's the lowest in at least a decade, and university officials said it's believed to be the smallest this year of any major Texas public university.

Regents approved the increase, but with one amendment: The understanding is that tuition will be held flat the year after. A&M System Chancellor Mike McKinney requested the bargain, as regents have zeroed in on cutting higher education costs.

"It's going to be a challenge," Loftin said. "The biggest issue is going to be the uncertainty in state funding."

Some regents delivered stern warnings about the need to keep tuition affordable. Others voiced reservations about the plan approved.

"If we were to commit today to say zero increase next year, but our state appropriations went significantly down, I'm just afraid that we may have tied our hands by making that commitment," said Regent Jim Wilson.

McKinney responded, "I wish I was a better predictor of what the economy is going to be."

The heads of the 11-university A&M System's institutions went before the board, one by one, Friday morning and requested tuition increases. Most asked for 3.95 percent or near it.

The Legislature during its last session passed a nonbinding resolution urging university boards of regents to limit cost increases to 3.95 percent per year. University of Texas regents in March approved a 3.95 percent tuition increase for their schools.

At Texas A&M, Friday's increase translates to an additional $5.2 million in revenue for the College Station campus. Students will pay an additional $4.81 per semester credit hour. Undergraduate residents taking 15 credits will pay a total in tuition and mandatory fees of nearly $4,450.

Jacob Robinson, Texas A&M student body president, told regents students were in support of the increase.

"We as students want to invest in our education," he said. "We're willing to take a small increase now rather than get hit later."

The tuition hearing came a day after McKinney said he expects another reduction of 5 or 10 percent in state funding. That's on top of roughly $25 million in cuts Texas A&M University has already planned for.

In other action Friday, regents:

* Added a $16 million Olsen Field renovation project to the university's capital plan and approved $1.6 million in pre-construction services. Phased construction would allow for the stadium's continued use.

* Established the Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, a multidisciplinary collaboration between Texas A&M University and the Health Science Center to discover cures for addiction, Alzheimer's, sleep disorders and to reduce pain after neural injury, according to documents. The institute would be funded through units within the university and the Health Science Center.

Published Saturday, May 29, 2010

Week in Headlines

National News
Crime Rates Fell Despite Economy

Activism
Greenpeace Activists Arrested During Anti-Drilling Protest

War & Peace
The Presidents’ War(s)

Education
Larger Schools May Breed Less Parental Involvement

Environment
Underwater Plume Approaches Rich Waters, Could Poison Food Chain

Health Care
Link Between Tanning Beds and Melanoma Grows Stronger

Human Rights
Human Right Crisis in Widespread Abuse of Migrants in Mexico

Reproductive Rights
Oklahoma House Overrides Veto on Abortion Reporting Bill

GLBT Issues
Gay Officer in Limbo after Discharge from Air Force

Race and Racism
Arkansas Cop Killer Linked to 'Patriot' Movement

From the Blogs
From Austin to A&M:
This is what happens when I don't write a post for a while.

Latina Lista:
Public support for AZ immigration law traced to fear-based advertising.

Letters From Texas:
Testing the Truth Test

Could Don't Ask, Don't Tell Be Coming to an End?

In July of 2008 I wrote about the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing relating to the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” review. Then nearly a year later in July of 2009 I wrote about Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and the introduction of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act that would end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Now almost a year later, could the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” actually be near? Rachel Maddow reported the breaking news earlier this week that the White House and Congress may have reached a compromise that will be the beginning of the end of the discrimination against gays and lesbians openly serving in the military:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the White House and Congressional leaders reached a compromise that would lead to the ending of the DADT policy and attach an amendment to a defense funding bill. The amendment is not identical to the Military Readiness Enhancement Act that was introduced last year in the House (H.R.1283) by Congressman Tauscher (D-CA) and championed by Congressman Murphy, and it was introduced in the Senate (S.3065) this year by Senator Lieberman (I-CT). The DADT policy would not be immediately ended, however, when a Pentagon review is completed and the president signs off on the military's recommendations that would be the final portion of ending the policy.

This coming as a new CNN poll finds that 78% of those surveyed support “allowing openly gay people to serve in the military.” The percentage of people who support allowing open homosexuals to serve in the military has stayed near 80% in the poll since 2007. The poll also found broad support in both those who identified as Democrat and Republican. A recent Gallup poll also found broad support for allowing openly gay people to serve in the military. Among those surveyed in the Gallup poll 70% supported allowing homosexuals to serve in the military, and found that over 80% of both liberals and moderates supported it as well as 53% of conservatives.

The broad support is not stopping Congressional Republicans from opposing the measure. According to a report by the Associated Press, Congressman Mike Pence (R, Indiana) was quoted as saying that “The American people don't want the American military to be used to advance a liberal political agenda. And House Republicans will stand on that principle.”

According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, during the course of DADT the more than 13,500 service members have been discharged since 1994. This has cost taxpayers a considerable amount of money. According to a report by the Government Accountability Office the policy has cost $95.4 million in recruiting costs and $95.1 million for training replacements for those discharged under the policy. However, the University of California Blue Ribbon Commission found that the cost where closer to $363 million, including $14.3 million for "separation travel", $17.8 million for training officers, $252.4 million for training enlistees and $79.3 million in recruiting costs.

Despite the comprise reached it is important to remember that while this is an important step, the discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation has not ended. Lieutenant Dan Choi responded to the DADT compromise:

Tonight on Biased Transmission

This week on Biased Transmission our studio guest is Dr. Casey Papovich, an assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Physics and Astronomy and member of the George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy. Our topics of conversation will how scientist discover and study the universe, and the discovery of a group of galaxies called CLG J02182-05102 that is nearly 10 billion years old – born just 4 billion years after the Big Bang.

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 call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367 during the show.

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Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - May 24, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance is enjoying the last week of school before summer vacation as it brings you this week's blog roundup.

WhosPlayin notes that the Dallas Fort Worth area has once again failed to meet its 8 hour ozone attainment, forcing TCEQ to implement contingency measures. Have you had your two teaspoons of ozone today?

Rand Paul explains why Texas Republicans don't mind pollution notes CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme.

Off the Kuff kicks off the official countdown to KBH's 2012 re-election announcement.

Gas and Greed Divide Neighbors in Argyle, TX. A tale of greed, lies and corruption and civil disobedience in the Barnett Shale brought to you by TXsharon at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

Bay Area Houston will be attending the Sunset Commission review of the Texas Department of Insurance on Tuesday.

There's a common thread of arrogant ignorance that runs between Rand Paul and the Texas SBOE, and PDiddie at Brains and Eggs pulls the string.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson shows that the "big 3" get skittish on certain budget cuts, that won't be the case after the election, Perry, Dewhurst, Straus playing politics with budget cuts.

Libby Shaw says Thank You Rand Paul. The bash talking ideologue has broken the rightwing's first rule - don't tell'me what you really think. See more at TexasKaos.

Neil at Texas Liberal reflected on how glad he is that we have a well-armed Federal Government from freedom-snatching folks like Rand Paul of Kentucky.

Week in Headlines

Texas News
Planned Parenthood Debuts New Building in Houston

Media
WikiLeaks Exposes Government Secrets While Sources Are a Mystery

War & Peace
Stop Loss Blues

Economy
Investors Made Millions from People Facing Eviction

Environment
Gulf Oil Spill Reaches Loop Current

Health
Study Links Pesticide to ADHD in Children

Immigration
An America for Whites Only?

Human Rights
Over 300,000 U.S. Children Fall Prey to Sex Trafficking

Reproductive Rights
Missouri State House Passes Bill to Expand Abortion Restrictions

GLBT Issues
Lieberman to Introduce Domestic Partner Benefits Bill for Federal Workers

Race & Racism
Too Black for School?

From the Blogs
Dos Centavos:
DREAM Acts of Civil Disobedience Around the U.S.

Latina Lista:
Study Shows Undocumented Immigrants Aren't Packing Hospitals

War Report: Rising Cost of War

As the number of troops who have lost their lives in the war in Afghanistan has now reached 1,000, the monetary cost of the war could reach into the trillions. The decade long war has had a terrible toll on both the American military and on the people of Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan is now costing us more than the war in Iraq, both in lives and in treasure. But no one is paying any attention.



USA Today reports that the cost of the war in Afghanistan is now exceeded the cost of the war in Iraq. The cost, which has been driven upwards by increases in military personell and fighting on difficult terrain, is now $6.7 billion per month in Afghanistan and $5.5 billion per month in Iraq. According to a report by AntiWar.com the Senate is moving forward with a $59 billion spending bill, of which $33.5 billion would be allocated for the war in Afghanistan. Research by the Milken Institute, suggest that the long term cost of the war in Afghanistan could be between $1.5-$2 trillion. While Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz and Harvard professor Linda Bilmes estimated that the long-term costs of the war in Iraq could be $3 trillion.

Currently there are 87,000 US troops in Afghanistan and there are 47,000 troops from 44 other countries, while the number of US troops in Iraq stands at 94,000. Estimates are that next year the number of troops in Afghanistan will be over 100,000 while the number of troops in Iraq will fall to near 40,000. Although according to a report by the Guardian, there may be a delay in the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq due to the uptick in violence and instability in the country. According to report by the Associated Press, military commanders are reconsidering troops withdraws due to the increased violence and because of the inconclusive Iraqi elections. Apparently this delay may be at least a month, and President Obama’s goal of reduce US forces by a significant level by the end of August may not be met.

All of this coming at a time when revelations about a secret network of private spies have been reported on by the New York Times; spy networks that higher private contractors to operate both inside Afghanistan and Pakistan whose intelligence is used to kill terrorist targets. This is a violation of Pakistan sovereignty and it is a violation of military policy to hire private contractors for spying. There are also the reports about what has been referred to as “Obama’s GITMO”, which is detention camp at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. Wired reports that a project that cost between $10 million and $25 million has been set in motion to build three new detention housing units. There have been reports of detainee abuse at the facility and another facility named Tor Jail, which translates as "black jail."

Despite all of this there is not a significant amount of opposition to the war in Afghanistan, and it seems as though most Americans view the Iraq war as already over. What has happened to the peace movement?

Local News: Texas A&M Begins to Cut Budget

Texas A&M Budget Cuts Under Way
Reporter: Clay Falls

From KBTX Channel 3

Texas is trying to eliminate its $18 billion projected deficit and schools including our own Texas A&M will have to trim and squeeze $28 million to help the state's budget shortfall.

It's not an easy task and we're told some of the cuts will be more noticeable than others.

"You're not gonna see big changes or a noticeable difference here on our campus but there may be some class sizes that are a little bit larger or some sections that may not have been offered as they were in the past but again we're working hard to minimize the impact on our students," said Jason Cook, Texas A&M Vice President for Marketing and Communications.

Jason Cook tells us changes are already happening at Texas A&M after the State requested public universities reduce their spending by 5 percent.

"Dr. Loftin made a commitment that we are not going to impact our core mission of teaching and research and also we wanted to minimize the impact to students as much as we could, so a lot of changes or reductions that we are looking at are primarily looking for new efficiencies," Cook said.

Here's a breakdown on the 5 percent budget cuts at some area schools:
• Texas A&M has submitted plans to reduce costs by $28, 031,000.
• The University of Texas at Austin by $29,263,240.
• Blinn College by $2,355,000.
• Sam Houston State by $5,092,828.

Jason Cook tells us one of the most dramatic changes is the University is suspending merit pay increases for staff.

This year they spent more than $8 million on that.

"Obviously our people are our most important asset but that's a big tangible difference that you'll see," Cook said.

With the State of Texas projecting a budget shortfall of at least $18 billion over the next two years, administrators here at Texas A&M as well as other institutions will be keeping a close eye on what's going on in Austin, come January.

"I'm not saying that $28 million isn't significant, it is. There are gonna be some impacts on our campus but we're looking at operating more efficiently and think we'll be able to handle the reduction," Cook said.

Reductions that are likely to last for the years ahead.

Texas A&M has an annual budget of $1.3 billion with about 32 percent of that coming from state appropriations.

Published on Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Tonight on Biased Transmission

Tonight on Biased Transmission our guest is Tracy Hammond, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M where she is director of the Sketch Recognition Lab. We will talk about Hammond's work in the lab, the field of computer human interactions, how ones goes about communicating human intent to computers, and whether, or not, we should welcome our new computer overlords.

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 call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367 during the show.

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Oil and Water: Environmental Protection Doesn’t Mix With Energy Consumption

While the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has become a constant story in the mainstream media, the impact of what is happening in the waters off the coast of Louisiana has not provoked the outrage that one would hope. This is mostly because much of what is happening is going on under the water, and there is not the oil soaked beaches like there where when the Exxon Valdez spilled oil in Alaska. We have also only seen scattered photographs of animals that have been affected by the oil spill. Like so many things, it takes a metaphorical shock most Americans’ systems before we realize what is going on.

According to a report by the McClatchy News Service, this oil spill is on track to become “unprecedented economic and environmental disaster with millions of gallons of oil destroying an ecosystem as well as a way of life.” Part of that reason is because of the nature of the environment that this oil spill is occurring in which makes the possible damage even greater than the oil spill in Alaska. The Gulf Coast, specifically the coast of Louisiana, is like a sponge. There are mangrove forest and sea-grass beds that are the habitats for crabs, shrimp, and oysters. When the oil infiltrates this porous coastline, it will not be as simple as washing off the rocky coast of Alaska. The spill has implications for the environment far away from the mouth of the Mississippi river; if the oil reaches the Loop Current it could spread toward South Florida and then possible enter the Gulf Stream and into the Atlantic. The damage to our environment could reach into the billions.

Most of the public is familiar with the photos of the oil spill, and the satellite imagery of the oil slick itself. However, most of the oil is underneath the water. The New York Times reported that scientist have detected giant plumes of oil underneath the surface, and one plume was reported to be 10 miles long, 3 miles wide and 300 feet thick. It’s difficult to image, but try to think of a 10 mile stretch of the Mississippi River and it might put it in perspective. One of the dangers of these plumes is that they can have a direct effect on the ocean life. Another New York Times report noted that plumes are depleting the oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico, and that oxygen levels could fall low enough to kill sea life near the plumes.

In order to limit the effect the oil will have oil dispersants, which are normally used on oil on the surface of the water, are being used underwater and the effects of this is unknown. The New York Times reported that the dispersant that is being used, Corexit, may not be the safest or most effective dispersant. The EPA has found twelve other dispersants to be more effective on southern Louisiana crude than Corexit, and the toxicity the other dispersants was found to be comparable to Corexit or in some cases “10 or 20 times less” toxic. Not to mention that it is unknown what type of long term effects that using the dispersants on such a massive scale will have on the ocean environment. According to a report by the Environmental News Service, there has been at least 600,000 gallons of dispersant deployed.

Much speculation has surrounded how much oil is actually escaping the oil well, and there have been conflicting reports from BP, the government, and other scientists. Estimates have been as low as 5,000 barrels per day, which was the initial estimate by BP, and estimates have been as high as over 200,000 barrels per day. According to a report by the Environmental News Service a Purdue mechanical engineering professor estimated the rate of flow between 56,000 and 84,000 barrels per day. Another biological oceanographer at Florida State estimated about 26,200 barrels per day. If you consider the lower estimate it means that as much as 13 million gallons of oil has been spill into the Gulf of Mexico, 2 million more gallons than was spilled in Alaska.

It is unlikely that residents of Texas will be affected by the spill, even though tarballs have been reported in Galveston. According to professor in oceanography at Texas A&M University stated that while the winds could have changed and pushed the slick towards Texas that has not happened, and that the Gulf’s “Loop Current” will actually pull the oil away from Texas. This may be exactly what is happening. The Loop Current may be pulling the oil south towards the Florida Keys.

So why don’t we care about what is happening to our environment? Besides the percentage of the population that does not care if the environment is polluted, there is also a percentage of the population that cares but not enough to support what needs to be done. We are fine placing blame, and there is plenty of blame to go around. The corporations, the regulators, and the federal government all share in the blame. However, corporate interest would not be so willing to take environmental risk if it was not so profitable, and if they knew that while there would be a public condemnation we would still be filling up at the gas station the next day. The most significant way in which we can make the corporate interests of oil companies obsolete is to support alternative energy, and to be willing to pay the initial cost of high gas prices so that we don’t have to pay the environmental cost in the future.

Local News: College Station Calls Wellborn Petition Invalid

Wellborn Petition Deemed Invalid
By Cassie Smith

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

College Station officials said Monday that a petition turned in by Citizens for Wellborn asking for consent to incorporate was invalid.

Under the city's charter, City Secretary Connie Hooks is required to review all petitions and report back to the City Council on whether everything was done correctly.

Her findings included the following:

* The group obtained the correct number of signatures: She received the petition with more than 1,200 signatures on May 4, but only 919 were necessary for this particular petition, so she stopped verifying signatures at that point.

* The petition didn't contain the full text of the proposed ordinance, prompting Hooks to say it didn't meet the requirements of the city charter, which demands such information.

* The petition didn't illustrate the boundaries of the proposed Wellborn area, nor did it attach an affidavit from each person who signed the document.

No action was required to be taken by the City Council.

Regardless of the petition's validity, City Attorney Harvey Cargill has said any petition submitted would not have legal ground and could be ignored because it does not follow the state law for incorporation.

Wellborn residents have said incorporation is necessary to preserve the community's heritage and prevent being annexed.

Newly elected Mayor Nancy Berry and councilman Jess Fields said they're aware the city has discussed the topic on numerous occasions, but felt such a large showing of support from residents warranted another meeting with the Wellborn community.

Councilman John Crompton said the city already invited the community to meet with the council.

City Manager Glenn Brown explained that a letter was sent to Citizens of Wellborn President Jane Cohen and she was initially given a week to respond. She asked for and was granted more time, Brown said. She responded by e-mail to the city, but with stipulations.

"Wellborn has said we would be glad to discuss all issues, once Wellborn has the right to vote," Cohen stated in the e-mail.

Jay Socol, communications director for the city, said the council will once again ask for a day and time to meet with Wellborn representatives in an effort to reach a compromise.

Cohen said late Monday that she had been traveling and had not heard about what unfolded at the council meeting.

The Citizens for Wellborn have followed the guidelines and advice of their legal counsel, Alan J. Bojorquez, she said.

"It does concern me that the College Station attorney commented that any petition submitted would be invalid before he even saw that," she said. "I would certainly want our attorney to review anything before he commented on it.

Published on Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - May 17, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance is somewhat distracted this week by the upcoming series finale of "Lost", but managed to stay on task long enough to bring you the blog roundup.

This week at Left of College Station, the spring semester ends at Teddy has made it through another twelve hours of classes. However, Teddy does take a look at the developments in the campaign for TX17, and how the Republicans are attempting to nationalize the midterm elections.

TXsharon took some EPA officials from D.C. on a Barnett Shale tour last week.

Bay Area Houston says Arizona's Governor Brewer is the new Face of the GOP.

Off the Kuff interviewed Democratic candidate for Lt. Gov. Linda Chavez-Thompson about Arizona's immigration law and what comprehensive immigration reform would look like.

WhosPlayin has the final results from the Texas DSHS investigation of blood and urine for residents of Dish, TX; the conclusions are not by any means an exoneration for the industry because of significant limitations to the investigation.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes the futility of Cornyn and Perry saying they want the Hispanic vote while Republicans simultaneously rev up the Tea Party racists.

Sarah Palin decides to release another book and McBlogger had just a few comments.

At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw has a question: Is Rick Perry's 2006 Business Tax an Income Tax? According to a pretty sharp legal student, the answer is yes. Who would have thought it, Rick Perry pulling a fast one so he could continue his lower property tax bait and switch scam.....

Announcing the planned City of Houston budget for the year ahead Houston Mayor Annise Parker said Houston has an economy "better than that in any other part of the country." She said this despite Houston's high poverty rate, high dropout rate and large number of people without health insurance. These issues, however, don't seem to be part of Mayor Parker's agenda for the future of Houston.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson As taxes receipts ebb and budget troubles hit Williamson County the poor and middle class are likely to pay for it, Changes to indigent health care in Williamson County.

A slow post week at Brains and Eggs as PDiddie slid out to Sin City to help his nephew celebrate his 21st birthday. There's a great old pic of the Golden Nugget -- now under the ownership of Tilman Fertitta -- from 1946, when PDiddie's grandfather used to frequent the gambling hall.

Local News: College Station Council to Discuss Wellborn and Cuts in Parks and Recreation

CS Council to Discuss Wellborn Monday Afternoon
Bill Oliver

From WTAW 1620AM

Once new members of the College Station City Council are sworn in Monday afternoon, they consider staff recommendations on the legality of petitions recently submitted by supporters of incorporating Wellborn.

According to a memo written by the city attorney, state law does not allow Wellborn to incorporate through a petition drive.

Harvey Cargill says the process starts with a request to the city council. If the council says no then half the affected landowners can request annexation.

If College Station fails to annex within six months, then state law gives consent to incorporate. And Cargill says that's only if the requested area includes homes, post office, and businesses. Quoting Cargill, "the area does not meet the legal requirements for incorporation."

Wellborn is on the agenda for Monday afternoon's College Station City Council workshop that starts at 2 p.m. It is not part of Monday night's 7 p.m. agenda.

Published on Monday, May 17, 2010

College Station Council Considering Cuts in Parks & Recreation
Bill Oliver

From WTAW 1620AM

Making up a budget gap in College Station's Parks and Recreation Department's operations will be discussed by the city council Monday afternoon.

There's a $140,000 shortfall to running parks and rec programs in College Station. To make that up, staff is projecting an increase of $30,000 in revenue over original plans.

Also recommended is closing all College Station aquatic centers one day a week on a staggered schedule and not filling seasonal parks employees and letting year-round workers to pick up those duties.

Also scheduled for discussion Monday is changing the budget structure calling for some parks and rec programs to pay for themselves, reducing the amount of subsidies from other city revenue sources.

Published on Monday, May 17, 2010

Arizona Law Fuels National Immigration Actions

Campaign for TX-17: For Republicans All Politics is National

All politics is local. That is, unless you are a Republican campaigning against an incumbent Democrat. Then all politics becomes national. At least that what Republican Bill Flores is hoping, as he campaigns against Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards. While Edwards campaign strategy is centered around painting Flores as an outsider to the district who was picked by Washington, D.C. insiders (and who accumulated his personal wealth in the oil business), Flores is going to attempt to connect Edwards to President Obama and the Democrats in Congress. The problem is that one strategy has worked before, and one strategy never has.

The Rothenberg Political Report reported on the results of a Republican poll which shows Flores leading Edwards by twelve points, 51% to 43%. Surveying 400 “likely voters” OnMessage Inc, a Republican firm, conducted the poll from May 2nd through May 3rd. Although, it appears that Edwards has a strong approval rating of 53% and only a 38% unfavorable rating. While 53% of those polled do not have any opinion of Flores at all, who has 37% favorable rating and 10% unfavorable rating.

The pollster, Wes Anderson, is framing the election as a referendum on President Obama and the Congressional Democrats:

“There are a whole bunch of Republican voters who like Congressman Edwards. They say that they voted for him in the past, but they aren’t going to do it this time. This election isn’t about Chet Edwards.”

But Edwards responded to the poll by stating that Republican challengers and the RNC have release several polls over the years to predict defeat, and that this election will not be about President Obama and Congressional Democrats:

“I have my toughest time against a generic Republican who isn’t well-known. By the end of this race, Bill Flores will not be a generic Republican. I intend to demonstrate by the end of this race that my values reflect this district better than his do.”

It is likely that as the campaign continues Flores will attempt to tie Edwards with President Obama and the Congressional Democrats, as according to the OnMessage Inc poll the President has a 66% disapproval rating in the district. Apparently Flores is already shopping quotes to Politico, and was quoted in a recent article:

“It’s time for Chet Edwards to stand up, show some leadership and demand that Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi and the Democrats take some responsibility and pass a budget.”

The article itself was a broad article about the budget’s affects on the midterm elections, but that did not stop Flores and his campaign manager from misrepresenting the article on each of their Twitter feeds. Flores claimed that Politico was reporting on the TX17 campaign, and Edwards’s “failure to be responsible and pass a budget.”

It isn’t just the Flores campaign that is attempting to made the midterm elections about national issues, and to turn ever district campaign into a referendum on the Obama Administration. According to a recent report by Talking Points Memo, RNC political director Gentry Collins said that the Republicans are targeting 122 districts, and a big part of the overall strategy is to nationalize the campaigns.

“We didn't win in 1994 because of infrastructure. We won in 1994 because we had a nationalized election with a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress that overreached.”

If the Republicans are planning of a repeat of 1994 because that the circumstances are the same and because they are using a similar strategy, then they are misjudging the political history, the current political climate. The voters that respond to the national issues that the Republican Party is framing are not going to vote for a Democrat in the first place. Over the course of the next several months the polls are going to get closer, and the voters are going to start responding to the candidates that are talking about local issues. But apparently for Republicans, all politics are national.

Week in Headlines

Politics
Senate Votes to Audit Federal Reserve

War & Peace
America’s War Disease

Education
Teacher-Evaluation Bill Approved in Colorado

Environment
The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: An Accident Waiting to Happen

Economy
Millions of Jobs Likely Gone for Good

Science & Technology
Humongous Black Hole Spotted Careening Through Space

Immigration
Many Blacks Split with Civil Rights Leaders on Immigration

Human Rights
The Poisoning of Puerto Rico

Civil Rights
Lawsuit Ends 'Shockingly Inhumane' Abuses of Children in Mississippi

Reproductive Rights
Africa’s Deadly Backroom Abortions

Women’s Issues
Oral Contraceptives Have Had Broad Impact

Race & Racism
Study Finds Racial Pay Disparities Among Nurses

From the Blogs
Burnt Orange Report:
Regulatory Reform and its Impact on the Mid-Term Elections

Eye on Williamson:
Perry’s Problems This Week

Dos Centavos:
Where’s Houston on the List of Cities Boycotting Arizona?

Local News: City of Bryan Donates Land to Food Bank

Bryan City Council Finalizes Land Donation to Food Bank
By Bill Oliver

From WTAW 1620AM

Final approval was given at this week's Bryan City Council meeting to donate just over one acre of land next to the Brazos Valley Food Bank for future expansion.

Executive Director Theresa Mangapora says it's hard to believe it's been 10 years at their present location and they're busting at the seams.

The land will allow the Food Bank to build additional space that will double their capacity.

Mangapora said the Food Bank continues to work with city officials on the expansion, which will include a place for fresh and frozen food.

Cost estimates have not been determined and a date has not been set to launch a capital campaign for the Food Bank expansion.

Published on Thursday, May 13, 2010

Back in Black - Glenn Beck's Nazi Tourette's

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Back in Black - Glenn Beck's Nazi Tourette's
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Tonight on Biased Transmission

Tonight on Biased Transmission our guest is Dr. Marco Portales from the Texas A&M Department of English, author of "Latino Sun, Rising", "Crowding out Latinos", and "Quality Education for Latinos & Latinas.” We will be discussing his books, his life, his work, and his perceptions on the current issues facing Latinos in the United States today. We will also discuss his adventures in filmmaking, adapting an unpublished story of his into the short film "Vexed", which he submitted to the Red Wasp Film Festival in 2008.

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 call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367 during the show.

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Video Lunch: Jim Hightower on Bill Moyers

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - May 10, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes everyone had a lovely Mother's Day as it reviews the highlights from the blogs.

WhosPlayin has election results and commentary for Lewisville, Lewisville ISD, and Flower Mound.

Neil at Texas Liberal posted a picture of the Mayflower landing in West Texas. Under Texas State Board of Education guidelines, you can teach kids just about anything as long as it is false.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme applauds South Texas for supporting their schools. Tea Party tax brats take note.

Indemnification language exposes industry known threats to safety, public health and environment from hydraulic fracture. On Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

Bay Area Houston posted Governor Rick Perry's personal offering on National Prayer Day, Let Us Prey.

Off the Kuff reminds us of the cost of Rick Perry's rejection of stimulus funds for unemployment insurance.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson states that the 2003 Texas GOP/DeLay redistricting scheme continues to cost Texas dearly The perils at the national level of being a majority minority-party state.

Rick Perry's ad attacked Bill White's ad this past week, and Rick Perry's ad lost. Not because it was filled with lies and mischaracterizations, and not because it used Yao Ming in a weirdly inappropriate way. No, Rick Perry's ad got kicked because Rick Perry is man so terrified of everything in his life that even laser sights and hollow points aren't enough to comfort him. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has "Perry v. White over the air", a fight which resembled Mayweather-Mosely in its one-sided outcome.

At TexasKaos, JRBehrman poses three questions about the BP oil spill and gives useful perspective on their answers... Check it out : Three Questions Hint: no quick fixes here!

Municipal Candidate Endorsement: Jason Bienksi

Should we “move Bryan forward” or “bring Bryan back.” That is how the candidates for Bryan mayor are framing their campaigns. Councilmember Jason Bienski has campaigned on continuing to move Bryan forward with the type of policies that the council has pursued over the last several years. While former councilmember Mitch Morehead has contended that the direction that the council has taken needs to change, and that his policies would bring Bryan back. Of all of the municipal election campaigns this has been the most tightly contested, and by far the most amount of money has been spent on this campaign. The outcome of this election could determine the course that Bryan takes over the next three years, and the balance of power on the city council weighs heavily on who wins this election.

Morehead served on the Bryan City Council and was elected in 2000 and served until 2003. He has been Chairman of the Research Valley Partnership, former president of the Bryan Business Council, Better Business Bureau board member, and has served on other boards and committees. Among Morehead’s priorities if elected would be to ensure financial stability of the city’s budget, expand the sales tax base, and revitalize areas such as Texas Avenue. Infrastructure is a priority of Morehead’s, including the aging infrastructure of several areas of the city.

Bienski has been elected to represent the residents of Bryan City Council Single Member District 3 twice, both times by significant margins. Also, Bienski has served as the chairman of Affordable Caring Housing and chairman of BVSWMA board of directors, Research Valley Partnership board of directors, as well as serving on several other committees and boards. Most of Bienski’s campaign has centered around the accomplishments of the Bryan City Council over the five years of his tenure, including

Both candidates participated in a candidate forum during Information Underground, however, while Bienski was able to be in the studio live, Morehead had to join me in the studio to record his take on the issues before the forum. When asked why he was more qualified than his opponent, Bienski said that voters should look at their voters records and noted that there where significant improvements and developments that occurred during his tenure on the city council that did not occur while his opponent was on the city council. Morehead said that where is “stands apart from is opponent” is in his record in public office and the private sector of being able to get things done.

Both candidates have served Bryan well in the past on the city council, and both candidates have continued to serve Bryan well in different capacities. Either candidate would probably serve the citizens of Bryan well. However, Bienski has been at the core of a city council that has been one of the main reasons that Downtown Bryan has flourished at that has put forth policies that have helped Bryan grow and develop.

Left of College Station endorses Jason Bienski for mayor of Bryan.

Municipal Candidate Endorsement: Nancy Berry

The College Station city council has been a part of many controversies over the last few years, from the proposed convention center to the proposed expansion of city hall, from the red light cameras to the smoking ordinance. This election may or may not be a referendum on the city council’s choices in the last few years. While the candidates for College Station Place 2 have both campaigned against many of those choices, the mayoral campaign is between a candidate that has supported those choices and another candidate who has criticized those choices. Mayor Ben White is campaigning on the growth that College Station has achieved during his tenure, while former councilmember Nancy Berry has campaigned against many of the choices that the mayor and the city council has made over the last several years.

Berry was elected to the College Station City Council Place 6 seat in 2004 and served until 2006 when she lost her reelection bid. Berry has served on several charitable boards and community organizations, including the United Way and the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley and is currently the chairman of the board of the College Station Medical Center. The Bryan-College Station Eagle reported that White said that “Things are better today than they were three years ago, and they will be better in three years than they are today.” White characterizes those that disagree with the direction in which College Station has gone as a vocal minority and that the majority of the residents of College Station are “s very appreciative of their quality of life.” Berry has campaigned on being a better representative of what the residents of College Station desire, and Berry said that “I am running to return city government to the people."

White has been the mayor of College Station for the last three years, and was elected as a city councilmember in 2005, prior to which he served on the College Station Planning and Zoning Commission. This is not the first time White has been the mayor of a city, thirty years ago White was mayor and served on the Garden Ridge City Council. The growth of College Station has been the center piece of White’s campaign, and the Eagle reported that White said that “We are at 93,000 people and growing, so there is certainly something good about College Station.” Although White supports the continuation of controversial projects such as the convention center, but also noted that the city’s “zeal to move a project forward, we might get out in front of informing the stakeholders.”

Both Berry and White participated in a candidate debate on Information Underground that aired live on 89.1FM KEOS. During the debate Berry said that if the citizens vote to reelect Mayor White then they would be voting for “three more years of the same.” When asked about the criticism of her ability to work with others on the city council Berry said that you don’t want to have councilmembers that all think alike but that you want the “opportunity and the ability to have a constructive dialog.” White said that College Station has made progressive over the last three years, and touted his many years of experience in several different governmental entities, either elected or appointed positions, as to why he should be reelected.

I have not been particularly impressed with either campaign, nor have I been impressed with either of the candidates’ records. While White has been open to discussion and to hearing from the citizens of College Station there is little evidence that the citizens concerns have been taken seriously. The citizens of College Station deserve more than to be appeased with coffee and a conversation. Berry has campaigned against the current city council, and has claimed that she will represent the people better. However, Berry’s record as a city councilmember raises questions about her ability to lead the city council. White has oversold the growth that has taken place in College Station, and Berry has over criticized the city council. The city of College Station needs a new realistic direction, and the candidate to take it in that direction is not going to be perfect. It is without enthusiasm that I recommend a vote for Nancy Berry.

Left of College Station endorses Nancy Berry for mayor of College Station.

Local News: Bryan and College Station Economy May Improve

Economists: B-CS May Rebound Soon
By Maggie Kiely

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Economists said it's still too early to declare that the recession is over for the Bryan-College Station region, but the latest economic index report indicates that could soon be the case.

The index, which was up in February, rose again in March, to 118.4 from 117.5, according to Karr Ingham, an Amarillo-based economist who compiles the monthly economic report for Commerce National Bank and The Eagle.

The index was launched in January 2000 with a baseline measure of 100. It peaked in December 2008, at 127.4, but declined during all of 2009 and in January 2010.

Glen Davis, regional president for Commerce National Bank, said the improvement likely means "recovery is on the horizon."

Nearly all sectors of the economy increased in March, according to the report. Automobile sales rose 32.9 percent in March 2010 compared to March 2009. In the housing sector, single-family permits were up 11.4 percent year-over-year, home sales rose 16.6 percent, and average home sale price climbed slightly at 0.7 percent for the same time period.

Mike Beal, owner of Bryan-College Station Century 21 Beal, said the $8,000 home tax credit that expired for buyers on April 30 helped boost housing numbers.

Traditionally, the summer months are a good time for home sales, Beal said, but he's not sure what to expect in the fall.

"I'm optimistic, but at the same time I'm always scared a little bit because I know that tax credit's going away," he said. "I'm hoping job growth will continue."

Bryan-College Station's employment rate has grown 1.5 percent in the past 12 months, according to the report, and ranks No. 1 in the state in terms of employment growth for metro areas.

Retail sales dipped during March, down 4.2 percent compared to March 2009, according to the report.

"Even though the retail numbers are still negative, it's good they're no longer in the double digits," Davis said. "Seeing single-digit numbers in red is a significant improvement."

Published on Friday, May 07, 2010

Municipal Candidate Endorsement: Tony Jones

The citizens of College Station will have to make a decision between experience and youth, as the campaign for City Council Place 2 includes a candidate that graduates from Texas A&M this year and another candidate that served on the city council thirty years ago. Tony Jones, owner of Legacy Realty & Development, served on the city council from 1979 through 1983, and served on the Brazos County Commissioners Court from 1997 until 2003. Jess Fields, owner of Texas Avenue Cigars and a senior at Texas A&M University, has never been a candidate for public office. While their experience and age is far apart, they have similar ideas on what direction College Station should take in the future. However, they differ on specific issues, and take different positions on the best way to move College Station forward.

Jones, who has lived in College Station for over forty years, has campaign on his experience on multiple levels of government and improving the communication and efficiency of the local government. According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Jones said that if the city “had good communications, we could get along tremendously, and we could go forward at a better rate and cheaper." While Jones believes that cutting unnecessary cost from the city budget should be a priority, he also believes that growing the tax base by promoting growth will also help the city improve is fiscal situation. Jones supports investing in infrastructure improvements because the return on the investment would help the community while providing additional money for other projects.

Fields campaigned on a platform of making the city government more responsible and efficient in representing the citizens, and bringing a fresh perspective to the city council. When Fields announced that he was a candidate for city council he noted that he thinks being young will be an asset, as the Eagle reported that he said that “people act like age is a barrier sometimes to an entry in city politics. I see being young, honestly, as being an advantage.”Among the issues that Fields has campaign on include opposition to the convention center, opposition to a new city hall, and in favor of allowing the citizens of Wellborn to vote on incorporation. Another issue that Fields has focused on has been the city’s budget and debate. The Eagle reported that Fields said that the city should “make sure that the budget is more stable, and the best way we can do that that I know of is to ensure our property tax is paying more for services than for debt.”

Both Fields and Jones appeared on a candidate debate during Information Underground that was broadcast on 89.1FM KEOS. Fields stated that it is his fresh ideas that made him the better choice for city council, and that the city needs “diversity of ideas” and someone who will “ask new and tough questions.” Jones said that his most significant qualification is that he has worked with all of the local governmental entities and that he understands how to communicate and that is “something that maybe lacking” with the current city council. However, both candidates agreed that tough questions are not being asked, and that alternatives are not being explored. Fields is against promoting business development by using tax incentives, while Jones expressed support for utilizing resources such as tax reinvestment zones.

This has been a difficult campaign in which to determine the better candidate, because they both bring significant qualities to the table that College Station needs. Jones brings a significant amount of experience and an expansive view of the issues, however, during a time when College Station may need new leadership it is difficult to find it in someone that has been involved in College Station politics for such a long time. Field brings an unbridled enthusiasm, and more of the young residents of College Station should follow his example. Since he is both a student and a business owner he brings a unique and fresh perspective, however, he has lacks experience in the different aspects of the city government that are necessary to understand many of the issues that come before the city council.

Either candidate would represent the citizens of College Station well, but Jones has the temperament and the experience to be a city councilmember. Fields would be an excellent addition to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and it would give him needed experience. While I may be endorsing Jones in this particular election, I think that Jones has extraordinary potential to be a leader College Station’s future.

Left of College Station endorses Tony Jones for College Station City Council Place 2.

Video Lunch: Visions of a Free Society

Local News: In-State Tuition Debated for Undocumented Immigrants at Texas A&M

Students Debate In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants
By Vimal Patel

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

An emotional national issue spilled into Texas A&M this week as student senators debated whether to oppose giving in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.

College students in Texas who are here illegally can qualify for in-state tuition, which is significantly lower than that paid by out-of-state residents.

This year, Texas A&M has 317 of the roughly 12,000 students statewide who benefited under Texas H.B. 1403, passed in 2001, and S.B. 1528, which passed in 2005, according to university and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board officials.

Less than 1 percent of the Lone Star State's 1.2 million higher-education students are covered under the legislation.

"This isn't a financial issue. This is about what's right and what's fair," said Justin Pulliam, one of 10 co-sponsors of the bill, at Tuesday's student senate meeting. "It isn't fair to out-of-state citizens who are here legally."

Others disagreed, and some didn't think the issue was appropriate.

"This is an immigration issue," said student senator Taylor Barron. "It does not belong in the student senate."

After nearly two hours of debate during the first official meeting of the body's 63rd session, the senate voted 34 to 19 to send the bill back to the body's external affairs committee. Senators decided to put off the issue until the fall and spend the summer gathering more student input.

The 2001 law didn't specifically mention illegal immigrants, but it defined eligibility for in-state tuition with conditions that some undocumented citizens could satisfy, such as living in Texas the three years leading up to high school graduation and signing an affidavit indicating intent to apply for permanent resident status.

Proponents of the current law argue that it does not favor non-citizens over citizens, given that it would only take citizens a year to establish residency without having to graduate from a Texas high school.

It's rare for more than a few people to attend student senate meetings, but about 100 people packed the meeting room Tuesday, many holding signs such as "Equal Rights for All," "We're all Aggies," and "What happened to Vision 2020?"

"I've never seen this many students here in three years," said student senator Mark Womack.

Bianca Manago, Class of 2011, was one of more than a dozen audience members to voiced an opinion during the allotted minute.

"They've been here for three or more years going to school. I think they're more like legal Texas citizens than I am," the Kansas native said. "I don't mind having to pay out-of-state tuition if this allows more equality for everyone."

Audience member Clayton Graham, a political science major, also said he was for equality.

"You're saying it's equal for all. How's it equal if someone that's an illegal resident is getting in-state tuition when an out-of-state resident has to pay [more]," he said. "It's not equal. We're simply trying to make it equal for all Aggies."

The dialogue comes as a national immigration debate intensifies.

The Texas A&M student senate's vote would be largely symbolic and have no impact on the law, but it represents the official stance of the student body. Student Government Association interacts with state lawmakers and has a lobbying team, a legislative relations team and an external affairs committee.

In-state tuition at Texas A&M costs roughly $5,200, while out-of-state tuition runs $19,600.

"I think the student senate is finally working on issues that matter to students," said Pulliam, who is also the chairman of the Texas A&M Young Conservatives.

It was an issue that history associate professor Armando Alonzo wishes the body didn't take up. He said many undocumented students had no choice in their parents' decision to come to Texas and contribute to society, and that giving them affordable education is the right thing to do.

A nationwide culture of intense rhetoric needs to be toned down, he said.

"It's just so intense that it makes people very emotional," Alonzo said. "They're not able to see the broader picture."

Published on Thursday, May 06, 2010

Municipal Candidate Endorsement: Chuck Konderla

The campaign for Bryan Single Member District 3 is unique among all of the city council campaigns in both Bryan and College Station in that there is not an incumbent or a candidate who has served on the city council before. Councilmember Jason Bienski is currently representing Single Member District 3, however, he is vacating his seat in order to campaign for Mayor. Chuck Konderla is a graduate of Texas A&M, the owner of Fifth "C" Fine Jewelry, and has served on the Bryan planning and zoning commission. Bettye Pool retired after working for Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine as Human Resources Manager of the veterinary teaching hospital and is a member of the member of the Austin's Colony Home Owners Association. Since neither candidate has a record to run on nor does their opponent not have a record to run against, the manner in which they campaign and present their positions on the issues is how the residents of Single Member District 3 must judge the candidates.

Konderla has campaigned as someone who can bring what has often been a divided and at times a fractured city council together. According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Konderla said that he is a “uniter” who will bring the council together to prioritize goals for the city. Much of Konderla’s campaign has centered on improving Bryan, both through encouraging business development and through improving the infrastructure. The Eagle reported that Konderla said that “if we attract businesses here, then we get jobs. If we attract jobs, then we get people. If we get people, then our neighborhood's flourish…Infrastructure needs to be the city's main priority. With the economy the way it is, construction bids are coming in less than expected, which could save the city money if taken advantage of.”

While Pool has campaigned as someone who will represent the residents better than they have been in the past, and has also made the budget and city spending highlight of her campaign. The Eagle reported that she said that she wants “to be a team member of the council where citizens are heard, things get done for all citizens and money gets spent wisely." However, when the Eagle asked for specifics of what expenditures she would consider a want as opposed to a need she could not give specifics, and also said that she could get a “better grasp once elected.”

Konderla was in the 89.1FM KEOS studios for the candidate debate on Information Underground, however, Pool canceled her appearance shortly before the program. During the program Konderla talked about his disappointment in the divisions in the council and thinks “a unification of council is paramount.” Konderla also spoke at length about the important role that “embracing the soul that is downtown” has played in rejuvenating the city. “It’s bringing a creative class, a high tech class, a young and professional class…diversity of people and talents.”

While Konderla has been involved in local politics for some time, Pool only recently became involved after the city planned a road that would affect her neighborhood. The campaigns have also been quite telling, and Konderla has appeared at ease talking about the issues and in control while Pool has at times appeared to not have a full grasp of the issues and also not ready debate the important issues facing the council. Over the past several years the Bryan City Council has been often been divided, and at times the concerns of the residents have been overlooked. It is important that the next person representing Single Member District 3 will be able to both represent the residents of the district well and to help to improve the tone of the council. Chuck Konderla has been the most impressive of all the candidates that I have met over the course of covering the municipal elections. Konderla will reach out to all those in Bryan that care about this community, and he will work to improve the communication between those on the city council.

Left of College Station endorses Chuck Konderla for Bryan City Council Single Member District 3.

Tonight on Biased Transmission

Tonight on Biased Transmission our guest is Meghan Luckett, a graduate assistant in the Department of Multicultural Services. Meghan has recently returned from India where she worked on microfinance. We will discuss Meghan's experiences and observations as well as some of the positive and negative aspects of microfinance.

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 call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367 during the show.

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Municipal Candidate Endorsement: Howard Hill

For far too long the residents of Single Member District 2 have been represented by a councilmember who has not be forceful advocate for Northern Bryan. Councilmember Paul Madison has been on the Bryan City Council for nearly a decade, serving from 2001-2006 and then after resigning was elected again in 2007. While Madison has a significant amount of experience on the City Council, on Bryan City Council Planning and Zoning Commission, and on the board of directors for Brazos Valley Council of Governments, he has not achieved as much as should be expected from that experience.

The challenger Howard Hill has significantly less political experience, having only previously been a candidate for Brazos County sheriff in 1985. Hill served on the Bryan Police Department for 18 years and resigned as a major in 1980, however, received a vote of no confidence from the police force prior to his resignation. It is common for candidates for local office to be speared into becoming a candidate by experiences, and he has often repeated the charge that the city has not helped his neighbors in Single Member District 2 with sewage system problems.

According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Madison said that he would like to follow through on projects and ensure that cost-cutting measures are made, although he has had several years to see these projects through with little results. In 2007 when Madison was campaigning for city council he was quoted by the Eagle as saying that he could “bring some fresh ideas.” However, the fresh and new ideas have not come from Madison, and he has not been a leader on the city council. During the 2006 campaign for county commissioner the Eagle reported that Madison stated that he believed in term limits, and that “two to three terms max is sufficient to get done what needs to be done.” However, Madison apparently believes that it is going to take him four terms on the city council to get what needs to be done.

Hill contends that Single Member District 2 has been underrepresented, and that he will be able to bring representation of the district back to Northern Bryan. The Eagle reported that Hill said that the residents of Northern Bryan “are not being taking care of.” Also, Hill has made an issue of the city council not spending tax payers’ money wisely. Although it is a concern that Hill does not seem to be in favor of the continued investment in Downtown Bryan and saying that he thinks the people of Bryan have not been “sold on this downtown renovation.” There is also a question of temperament. Hill’s campaign seems to be centered around a reaction to events that have affect him and his fellow neighbors, as opposed to being centered around specific objects and moving Bryan forward.

Madison and Hill debated the issues during a debate on Information Underground that was broadcasted on 89.1FM KEOS. During the debate Madison was asked why voted for a measure that increased the number of city councilmembers that it took to place an item on the agenda. He attempted to explain his vote away by implying that only two city councilmembers should not decide if something should be on the agenda since it takes four councilmembers to pass a policy or project, but that also he did not think it was an issue because “by the mire fact that you’re a city councilman you can bring up any issue you want.” While Madison was noncommittal on whether or not he would vote for the measure again, Hill stated that he would “most definitely vote against it.” While Councilmember Madison might not think that this was an important issue, limiting the ability of the citizens to be heard in the local government is an important issue.

This has been a difficult campaign in which to determine who is the best candidate, and who would best represent the residents of Single Member District 2. Northern Bryan is predominately African-American and it is important that minority interests are represented on the City Council, and having someone represent the area who understand those interests is important. However, while areas of Bryan such as Downtown and the Boonville and Briarcrest areas have seen significant growth, Northern Bryan has been neglected by the city and the county. While Hill has valuable experience as a police officer, he has limited experience with local politics and local government. Madison has a significant amount of experience, but it has not served his district well. It is without enthusiasm that I recommend a vote for Howard Hill.

Left of College Station endorses Howard Hill for Bryan City Council Single Member District 2.

Video Lunch: Workers' Self-Management

Local News: Wellborn Residents to Submit Petition to City Hall

Wellborn Petition to be Delivered in College Station Tuesday
Bill Oliver

From WTAW 1620AM

Supporters of Wellborn area residents deciding whether to incorporate as its own town will submit petition signatures Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 at College Station City Hall.

Spokeswoman Jane Cohen announced they have collected 1,286 signatures from College Station voters. She says that's more than twice the 825 required to send the question to the city council.

Cohen said since Wellborn is within College Station's extraterritorial jurisdiction, College Station must give its permission for Brazos County to conduct an election.

Cohen said the College Station City Council can approve an ordinance allowing Wellborn residents to vote on incorporation or let College Station citizens vote first. Cohen said approval by either method then sends the issue on to the County Judge to set a special election for Wellborn to vote.

Published on Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Municipal Candidate Endorsement: Al Saenz

Bryan’s Single Member District 1 has been represented for the past three years by Councilmember Al Saenz, and the residents of the district would be well served if they reelected him to serve another term on the council. While his opponent, Richard Cortez who is a retired postal worker, is a respectable candidate and genuinely cares about his community, Saenz has the experience and the vision that Single Member District 1 deserves and needs. It is also important that District 1 has a strong voice on the city council, someone that is willing to stand up in opposition if necessary. Al Saenz, who is a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens and a founding member of the Bryan-College Station Hispanic Forum, has done just that over his three years on the city council.

While the candidates both support the development and improvement of Bryan over the last several years, they have differences when it comes to how to priorities the city’s budget. Cortez seems to be more of a proponent of business growth and development being encouraged by tax dollars, while Saenz seems more likely to be more cautious when it comes to business and development. Infrastructure is one of the most important priorities facing Bryan, and there are many areas of Bryan that need to be improved. Saenz has made improving the city’s aging infrastructure one of his priorities, and one of the most important issues for Single Member District 1 is infrastructure. According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Saenz said that the “days when we had money to throw at developers is over. Investing in our infrastructure is what needs to happen now.”

I have reservations in the manner in which Cortez made his decision to become a candidate for city council. Soon after competing in a crowded Democratic primary for Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4, Cortez filed as a candidate for city council. The Eagle reported that Cortez said that he wanted to “jump in the race and see what happened.” The decision to become a candidate for public office should never be taken lightly. While I believe that Cortez is sincere in his desire to “help the city out,” I think that he needs to gain more experience and become more familiar with the issues.

Cortez was also one of only two municipal candidates that chose not to attend out of the twelve candidates who were invited to the candidate debates that took place during Information Underground on 89.1FM KEOS. Despite agreeing to be on appear on the candidate debate Cortez did not attend, but did attend other candidate forums. KEOS is the only non-profit and all volunteer media outlet in the Brazos Valley, and it is important that our community leaders realize that in many ways KEOS is one of the most important outlets for community members to allow their voices to be heard. It is disappointing that Cortez did not participate. During his appearance on the KEOS candidate forum Saenz touted projects that he considered accomplishments during his tenure on the city council, projects that improved the infrastructure of Single Member District 1. Also, during the forum Saenz explained why he did not support the Bryan budget for fiscal year 2010, and his views on how to attract businesses and encourage growth in Bryan.

Single Member District 1 residents can trust that Saenz will represent the citizens, and Saenz did so as one of only two councilmembers to oppose increasing the number of councilmembers it takes to place an item on the city council agenda. While I appreciate that Richard Cortez cares about his community and wants to serve it, it is clear that the community is served best if Saenz continues to serve on the city council.

Left of College Station endorses Al Saenz for Bryan City Council Single Member District 1.