Local News: NOH8 at Texas A&M

Halting Hate
By Camden Breeding

From the Texas A&M University Battalion

Recognized as a student organization since 1985, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Aggies are part of the Fightin' Texas Aggie family too. As an organization, we attended the Nov. 19 Midnight Yell proudly displaying rainbow flags and ‘Hate is Not an Aggie Value' buttons as we joined in the chorus, "BTHO Nebraska." Unfortunately, that chorus was interrupted by the voice of hate as members of GLBT Aggies were harassed for expressing who they are.

"Put the rainbow flags away faggots," one Midnight Yell participant shouted across hundreds of people down an exit ramp towards members of GLBT Aggies. Shortly thereafter he continued the harassment by yelling "faggots" multiple times at the same group.

This is not an isolated incident, nor is it even uncommon at Texas A&M. Earlier this semester, in the College of Engineering, I was branded "fudgepacker," while "fag" bounced across classrooms in the Zachry Building like a game of pong.

Karla Gonzalez, president of GLBT Aggies, experienced similar harassment in the College of Construction Science her freshman year, where she says the first words spoken to her in the college were "fag" and "dyke."

The reality is, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students feel unsafe and unwelcome at Texas A&M. Some might contend that by wearing GLBT-related T-shirts and carrying rainbow flags one brings the harassment upon themselves. I would argue that I see people on campus every day expressing important parts of their identity by wearing shirts that convey their religious beliefs or affiliations, cultural identities, organizations on campus and political ideas. I cannot agree to expect harassment on the campus that I love because I want to express an important part of who I am. I expect more from the Aggie family, and I know your fellow GLBT Aggies deserve more from the Aggie family.

Your fellow Aggies deserve more than the constant threat of verbal and physical harassment. Your fellow Aggies deserve more than to be targeted by bullies on a daily basis.

Your fellow Aggies deserve more than to feel unsafe and unwelcome walking across campus. Your fellow Aggies deserve more than to think that suicide is the only option because they are afraid to come out in a hostile environment.

Your fellow Aggies deserve more than indifference.

The time is NOW to speak up and stand up for the dignity of your Aggie brothers and sisters. Speak out against hate speech on campus, visit the GLBT Resource Center in
Cain Hall C-118, become an Aggie Ally by registering for a free workshop at http://allies.tamu.edu.

Speak up, Aggies. Never let them say you weren't at Texas A&M, never let them say you weren't there for your family, never let them say hate is an Aggie Value, and remember the Aggie Honor Code: An Aggie does not lie about who they are, cheat someone out of a positive experience, or steal someone else's dignity.

Published on Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - November 29, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes you got your recommended allowance of tryptophan last week as it brings you the blog highlights.

Off the Kuff celebrates the DeLay verdict.

Bay Area Houston has a visual suggest to the Judge in the Tom DeLay trial on what to do with DeLay.

Did employers or their representatives provide 'assistance' to their employees as they voted in La Joya? CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme would really like to know.

Public Citizen over at TexasVox is getting ready for the Sunset hearings on the TCEQ and Railroad Commission coming up December 15-16 by looking at a national report which gives Texas' regulatory agencies a D-.

Lightseeker raises a red flag over the morphing of the MSM coverage of Tom DeLay's conviction. In his piece entitled The DeLay verdict - Politics as usual? Crime and Punishment? Why it Matters he argues that this is simply a case study in why we find it so hard to get our message out. Either out of boredom or malice or laziness or simple lack of time or understanding the MSM often carries water for the other side in how they cover/frame important issues. He wonders what can be done?

Republicans in the Texas Legislature filed a series of anti-immigrant bills, so, Stace at DosCentavos asks the question: Are You Willing to Boycott Texas? It's a serious question that will come up as these bills go through the process and quite possibly get to the floor.

Sen Jeff Wentworth pre-filed legislation for the coming session that eliminates straight-ticket voting. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs thinks he's a lone voice of reason on the right.

Reverend Manny at BlueBloggin takes an in depth look at freedom of speech. On the whole, the September FBI crackdowns are symbolic, and a local reminder, of an international repressive wave against transparency, criticism and rational, open dialogue. The Front Lines of Reality: An International Perspective on the Battle over Free Speech.

WhosPlayin brings you a video tour of one of the modern drilling rigs that one company is using to drill in urban areas in the Barnett Shale.

Neil at Texas Liberal visited Austin this past week. He enjoyed his late night drive back home to Houston a great deal. Neil liked this ride so much, he wrote a blog post listing seven reasons the ride was so enjoyable.

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - November 22, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance is slightly distracted by thoughts of pie but still brings you this week's blog roundup.

Off the Kuff examined the effect of straight ticket voting on the city of Houston's ballot propositions as well as the touching of our junk.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wonders how the Cameron County Judge's race can get any weirder. Who won and how did things get so messed up?

This week on Left of College Station, Teddy takes a look at the bills concerning immigration that have been pre-filled in the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.

WhosPlayin posted a two-part series following air quality complaints in a neighborhood in North Texas near Barnett Shale gas wells and facilities.

Bay Area Houston wonders if Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole reported his free money to the IRS as income.

At TexasKaos, liberaltexan looks at what the prefiled bills tell us about the Texas Legislatures will try to do about the trumphed up problem of illegal immigration. Check it out : Texas Legislative Watch: Pre-Filed Immigration Bills (Part I).

Snapshots from the Conservative Freak Show: Bristol Palin and voter fraud, Louie Gohmert and the SFA instructor he got fired, and John Ensign's million-dollar earmark.

A new contributor to Texas Liberal, a woolly mammoth named Extinct, noted that Just Kids by Patti Smith was the winner of the National Book Award for 2010. Just Kids an account of Ms. Smith's youthful relationship with the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. As a woolly mammoth, Extinct has a long experience with both life and loss.

Headlines

Media
Is Internet Access the Next Civil Rights Battle?

Texas News
Doctors Disciplined by Texas Earn Money From Drug Firms

Texas Politics
Will Water Rights Be on the Legislature's Agenda?

National News
Katrina Victims in Mississippi Get More Aid

National Politics
Senate Moves Ahead on Food Safety Bill

War & Peace
The 2014 Timetable for Afghanistan

Foreign Policy
Secret US Space Plane May Be Too Mysterious

Economy
One in Four Americans Is Enrolled in a Government Food Program

Poverty
50 Million Americans Went Hungry in 2009

Education
Property-Rich Texas School Districts Withheld $40 Million

Health Care
Report Reveals Insurance Industry Pumped $86 Million Into US Chamber to Kill Reform

Environment
Deepwater Horizon Spill Report Blames BP, Contractors, Government

Climate Change
Green Tech Sector Advances Despite Failure of Climate Bill

Science & Technology
Antimatter Breakthrough Could Help Scientists Unravel Big Bang Mystery

Immigration
Boycotts Over Immigration Law Cost Arizona Millions

Civil Rights
Guilty Until Proven Guilty

Human Rights
Egypt Blogger Released After Four Years in Jail

Reproductive Rights
The Anti-Abortion Clinic Across the Street

Women’s Issues
Paycheck Fairness Act Fails in Senate

GLBT Issues
Research Shows Gays and Lesbians Coming Out at Younger Age

Race & Racism
Cyber Racism & The Future of Free Speech

From the Blogs
Dos Centavos:
Are You Willing to Boycott Texas?

Latina Lista:
DREAM Act is Moral Issue Rather Than Political One

Grits for Breakfast:
How many new felonies from the 82nd Texas Legislature?

Texas Legislative Watch: Pre-Filed Immigration Bills (Part II)

In Part I of a two part series, Left of College Station looked at the pieces of legislation being filed in the Texas House of Representatives that dealt directly or indirectly with immigration. In Part II of the series, Left of College Station looks at the pieces of legislation pre-filed in the Texas Senate that deal with immigration. In Texas, immigration and border security seems to be a higher priority than even the economy. Although, Texas was relatively insulated from the worst of the Great Recession, working class Texas families are feeling the impact. As Texans deal with the effects of the recession, it is human nature to look for a scapegoat. The Texas Republican Party has gladly abridged. During the convention this summer the Houston Chronicle reported on the radically anti-immigrant platform the Texas GOP adopted, and Republican delegates voice support for draconian immigration policies.

After years of hearing falsehoods such as the idea that undocumented immigrants take American jobs, or that undocumented immigrants bring disease, or that undocumented immigrants are criminals, it is no surprised that Texans have developed negative attitudes towards immigrants. According to a poll conducted by the Texas Tribune, 65% of those surveyed support the adoption of an “Arizona immigration law.” According to that same poll, 48% favor the repeal of automatic citizenship for those born inside the United States compared to only 38% that oppose the repeal. That’s right. Nearly half of Texans support the repeal of the 14th Amendment. Another Texas Tribune poll asked Texas more specific questions about policies that are related to immigration or immigrants. Of those polled, 49% oppose a pathway to citizenship, 61% oppose business being allowed to hired so-called day laborers, 66% support requiring law enforcement to check immigration status, and 68% support making English the official language of Texas.

As in Part I we fist look at the “Arizona Laws.”

Arizona Laws

“Arizona Laws” refers to the draconian anti-immigrant law in Arizona which was passed earlier this year. SB1070 may be the most familiar nomenclature for a piece of legislation ever, and in Texas House of Representatives we now have HB17. However, the State Senate also has SB126 that was pre-filed by Senator Dan Patrick (R-7). The legislation would require Texas law enforcement to “inquire into the lawful presence” of anyone who is “stopped, detained, or arrested.” This legislation has earned this nickname “Arizona Law” for a reason. According to a report by Texas Insider, Patrick actually traveled to Arizona on a “fact-finding trip,” and returned to Texas with a “papers please law.”

SB 126 “Relating to the duty of a peace officer to inquire into the lawful presence of certain persons.”

Law Enforcement

Senator Patrick has also pre-filed legislation that would “prohibit cities from adopting sanctuary policies.” SB124 would deny state funding to any municipality that “adopts a rule, order, ordinance, or policy under which the entity will not fully enforce the laws of this state or federal laws” concerning immigration. This would actually have the consequence of preventing law enforcement from being able to fully investigate crimes in certain communities. These types of regulations are exactly why the majority of police officers in Arizona were against SB1070, because it makes and already difficult job even more difficult to accomplish.

SB 124 “Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities; providing a civil penalty.”

SB 150 “Relating to granting limited state law enforcement authority to special agents of the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and to updating certain references related to the grant of that authority to other federal law enforcement personnel.

SB 151 “Relating to the eligibility of certain persons to receive a sentence of community supervision, including deferred adjudication community supervision.

Employer Enforcement

SB 84 “Relating to requiring governmental entities and contractors with governmental entities to participate in the federal electronic verification of work authorization program, or E-verify.”

Human Trafficking

Senator Leticia Van de Putte (D-26) filed SB98 contains enhanced penalties for human traffickers, provides additional protections for children who are trafficked for sexual exploitation, and extends the civil statute of limitations for victims. The Texas Tribune reported that the bill that would revise the Texas law to require convicted traffickers to register as sex offenders and would grant further protections to child victims, including the option of videotaping a statement in court so as not to face the alleged trafficker.

As Left of College Station reported earlier this year, one of the most significant places in which human trafficking takes place is only a drive away from Bryan-College Station; Houston has become the largest hub for modern-day slavery in the United States. According to a Free Speech Radio News report, the city’s large sea port, international airport, and geographic position on Interstate 10, which has identified by the Department of Justice as one of the main human trafficking routes in the United States, have contributed to Houston a center of the modern day slave trade.

While the immigration debate in the 82nd session of the Texas Legislature is likely to be dominate by hyperbolic rhetoric about undocumented immigrants, lawmakers like Van de Putte are focusing on some of the real problems resulting from our broken immigration system.

SB 98 “Relating to the trafficking of persons.”

Local News: Anti-Immigrant Bill Fails in Texas A&M Student Senate

A&M Student Senate Tuition Bill Fails
By Vimal Patel

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Texas A&M's student senate shot down a bill that opposed in-state tuition rates for immigrants here illegally on a 34-25 vote, ending a controversial debate to set the official stance of the student body.

"I was not elected to this position to negatively impact any Aggie who put me here," said student senator Brody Smith, who voted against the bill. "They took the same application process to get here that we did."

As he clapped after the vote count, he said, "I think the student body has been vindicated."

The Student Senate earlier this month voted 41 to 26 to approve Senate Bill 63-11, but it was vetoed by Student Body President Jacob Robinson. On Wednesday night, the bill's backers had hoped to receive two-thirds of the vote to override Robinson's veto.

Texas A&M student Justin Pulliam's crusade to oppose in-state tuition for immigrants here illegally was born in April out of a concern for fairness, the animal science major says.

"It didn't seem fair that out-of-state Americans were struggling and having to pay $15,000 more while people here illegally were getting the tuition break," the 20-year-old senator and chair of the Texas Aggie Conservatives said.

"I can't be too disappointed. We had great success, and got students talking," he said after the vote.

A packed, standing-room only crowd filled the senate chambers to voice their opinions on Senate Bill 63-11, which doesn't have teeth but would have represented the official stance of the Texas A&M student body and a commitment to expend lobbying resources to argue against the current law.

"Texas A&M has no business dealing with someone's immigration status," said student Camden Breeding, a junior electrical engineering major. "Hate is not an Aggie value."

The audience members spoke passionately, one screaming, as people on both sides framed the issue as one of fairness, holding signs that read "Make Them Pay!" and "Aggies Stand Against Discrimination."

Aaron Alghawi, who drew murmurs as he shouted for the allotted two-and-a-half minutes, said it was unfair that illegal immigrants receive in-state tuition rates. He said his father, from Lebanon, came to the U.S. in 1975 legally.

"It's an insult to people like my father," said Alghawi, a junior economics student from Ohio paying out-of-state tuition.

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

Robinson explained why he vetoed the bill. He said he received letters from across the country saying he doesn't love America, and noted that Rep. Leo Berman of Tyler, who wants to ban in-state rates for undocumented students, called his stance "ridiculous" in a Fox News story.

Robinson stood by his veto.

"It sends the wrong message to people outside of Texas A&M about Texas A&M," Robinson said. "The Texas A&M Student Senate is here for the betterment of each and every student -- each and every student."

The state law defining residency doesn't specifically mention illegal immigrants and describes eligibility for in-state tuition with conditions that some undocumented students 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.

Texas A&M last year had about 300 of the roughly 12,000 students statewide who claimed residency under the law, passed in 2001 and revised in 2005, that allows undocumented students to receive in-state tuition.

Published Thursday, November 18, 2010

Tonight on Biased Transmission

Tonight on Biased Transmission our guest is Zach Honea and Krista May. Zach had two films at Red Wasp and won the One To Watch award for The Root and The Offspring (which showed the 2nd night), which dealt with class issues and the significance of local farming.

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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Texas Legislative Watch: Pre-Filed Immigration Bills (Part I)

While the most important issue facing the 82nd Texas Legislature is the budget, which is projected to have a shortfall of about $25 billion, but the one issue that may create the largest debate is immigration. During the campaign immigration was an issue that many Republican candidates campaigned on in Texas, and a new wave of conservative Republican legislators will be bringing those campaign issues to the Capitol. Many veteran Republican lawmakers in the Texas Legislature will also have the opportunity to address pieces of legislation that Democrats were able to block during the 81st Texas Legislature.

According to a recent Gallup poll, only 7% of the country believe that immigration or illegal aliens is the “most important problem facing the country,” although 11% self-identified Republicans felt that it was the most important problem. The economy and unemployment were the top two most important problems facing the country among those surveyed, and that represented 58% of the responses. However, in Texas voters seem more focused on the border than their paychecks. According to a Texas Tribune poll, the economy was named by only 14% of those surveyed as the most important problem facing Texas. Among those surveyed 21% said that border security was the most important issue, and 19% said that immigration was the most important issue.

To date there has been 487 pieces of legislation pre-filed in the Texas Legislature, and over twenty different bills and resolutions have been pre-filed that are either directly or indirectly associated with immigration policy. Due to the number of pieces of legislation I will be looking at them in two parts, one part a look at the legislation pre-filed in the Texas House of Representatives and another part a look at the legislation pre-filed in the Texas Senate. I will also be looking at the pieces of legislation based on different categories, and high lightening bills within those different categories.

Arizona Laws

The first category is the “Arizona Laws,” which refers to the draconian anti-immigrant law in Arizona which was passed earlier this year. SB1070 may be the most familiar nomenclature for a piece of legislation ever, and in Texas we now have HB17. Pre-filed by Representative Debbie Riddle (R-150), who literally camp out at the State Capitol to pre-file the legislation, the bill criminalizes undocumented immigrations and directs law enforcement to “arrest, without a warrant, a person who the officer has probable cause to believe” is an “illegal alien.” This by the way, is the same Debbie Riddle who referred to the children of undocumented immigrants as “little terrorists” and to liberals as “godless.”

Another piece of legislation filed by Riddle, HB22, would require Texas public schools to compile information on students including “citizenship or immigration status,” and provide data to the state on the number of students who are “citizens,” “immigrants” or “enrolled in bilingual education.” Representative Burt Solomons (R-65) filed HB183, which would direct law enforcement in Texas to verify the “immigration status” on anyone arrested. Representative Leo Berman (R-6) filed HB296, would require law enforcement to “determine the immigration status” of any person who is arrested or detained.

What is the likelihood of these Arizona Laws passing in the House? Well, much of that depends on who is Speaker, because if House Republicans elected a conservative Speaker then it is likely that these might come up for a vote, and there is little that House Democrats could do to prevent that. It also appears that the majority of Texas would support this type of legislation. According to a Texas Tribune poll, 56% of those surveyed “strongly support and 11% somewhat support adopting an “Arizona immigration law.” Also according to another Texas Tribune poll, 66% of those surveyed support law enforcement checking the immigration status of individuals.

HB 17 “Relating to the creation of the offense of criminal trespass by an illegal alien and to certain procedures for arresting illegal aliens for committing that criminal offense.”

HB 22 “Relating to information regarding the citizenship and immigration status of public school students.”

HB 183 “Relating to the duty of a law enforcement agency to verify the immigration status of an arrested person”

HB 296 “Relating to the enforcement of immigration laws, to the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of certain criminal offenses concerning illegal immigration, and to certain employment and labor practices and requirements regarding immigration and immigrants; providing civil and criminal penalties.”

There were several other piece of legislation filed that include increasing law enforcements role in immigration policy, strengthening laws against businesses hiring undocumented immigrants, preventing undocumented immigrants from accessing state provided services, and several bills relating to the E-verify system.

Law Enforcement

HB 113 “Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities; providing a civil penalty.”

HB177 “Relating to the requirement of citizenship or lawful presence in the United States for issuance or renewal of certain occupational licenses, driver's licenses, and identification certificates.”

HB 247 “Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities”

HB 302 “Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities; providing a civil penalty.”

Employer Enforcement

HB 18 “Relating to the enforcement by certain governmental entities of laws governing immigration.”

HB 140 “Relating to requiring state contractors and grant recipients to participate in the federal electronic verification of work authorization program, or E-verify; adding a civil penalty.”

HB 178 “Relating to requiring governmental entities to participate in the federal electronic verification of work authorization program or E-verify”

HB 202 “Relating to requiring state contractors to participate in the federal electronic verification of work authorization program, or E-verify.”

State Benefits

HB 21 “Relating to reporting by state agencies on the financial effect of providing services to illegal immigrants.”

HB 29 “Relating to considering the assessment instrument results of certain students in evaluating school district and campus performance.”

HB 292 “Relating to birth records of children born in this state; creating an offense.”

HB 293 “Relating to the eligibility of an individual born in this state whose parents are illegal aliens to receive state benefits.”

HB 294 “Relating to prohibiting a person who is in the United States illegally from bringing a claim in a state court.”

Right Field

Among the pieces of legislation pre-filed in the Texas Legislature are a few pieces of legislations that seem to be out of “Right Field.” I realize that the phrase that is commonly used when something seems to be a little ridiculous and a little out of nowhere is “out of left field,” but considering the circumstances and the ideological undertones I think referring to these pieces as from far out in right field is justified.

Representative Berman, who just so happened to file one of the “Arizona Laws,” also pre-filed a “birther law.” HB295 would require the Texas secretary of state may to “not certify the name of a candidate for president or vice-president unless the candidate has presented the candidate's original birth certificate indicating that the person is a natural-born United States citizen.” This by the way is the same Berman who is also a “tenther” and who authored and introduced HCR50 in the 81st Legislature “affirming that the State of Texas claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment.”

Since he seems to be a fan of conspiracies, I have to wonder if Berman thinks that the reason the value of the dollar has fallen has been because so many undocumented immigrants have been transferring money to other countries. Berman pre-filed HB303 which would “charge a fee on a money transmission that originates in this state and is transmitted to a destination in Mexico or in Central or South America for a personal, family, or household purpose.” So Berman wants to charge a fee on undocumented immigrants sending money back home to family south of the Rio Grande, but doesn’t seem to want to charge a fee on corporations sending money south of the Rio Grande for business?

Then there is House Joint Resolution 38. Berman pre-filed this piece of legislation to propose “a constitutional amendment to establish English as the official language of Texas and require that official acts of government be performed in English.” This would deprive people of their fundamental First Amendment rights to access government and deprives government officials of their rights to free speech. Perhaps when you think the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is the most important, it makes the first nine a little less relevant.

HB 295 “Relating to certification for placement on the ballot of candidates for president or vice-president of the United States.”

HB 303 “Relating to the imposition of a fee for money transmissions sent to certain destinations outside the United States.”

HJR 38 “Proposing a constitutional amendment to establish English as the official language of Texas and require that official acts of government be performed in English.”

Thursday: Texas Legislative Watch: Pre-Filed Immigration Bills (Part II)

Local News: Texas A&M Students Fast to Show Support for Dream Act

Aggies Fast to Show Support for Dream Act
By Rebecca Hutchinson

From the Texas A&M University Battalion

After not eating for three days, the Council for Minority Student Affairs began to see burgers and turkey legs in the clouds, but they bore it for a cause they believed in.

The Council of Minority Student Affairs ended the fast Friday outside Academic Plaza, a statewide event petitioning to readdress the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors, or DREAM Act. This is a bipartisan proposal that would allow illegal immigrant students to obtain citizenship.

There are about 300 illegal immigrant students attending Texas A&M.

"This is an issue that affects Aggies," said Maria Cabello, a sophomore member of the Council for Minority Student Affairs. "These students were raised in Texas, accepted here and work just as hard for their degree, but they can't use it when they get out."

The University officially recognized the council this semester, and the focus is to raise awareness of the plight faced by minority students.

After three days of fasting, members of the organization were taking down tents and folding blankets, getting ready to break the fast with granola bars at 5 p.m.

"The first day was the worst, because you're so hungry, but the second day wasn't so bad," Cabello said. "But when it's for a cause you believe in," she said trailing off, shrugging her shoulders.

Introduced about a decade ago in 2001, the DREAM Act was designed to help remedy the issue of illegal immigrant students. In order to qualify a student must have come to the U.S. before the age of 16, graduate from high school or have a GED, enlist in the military or attend university and be of good moral character.

"I think we should allow undocumented students the same chance of an education. Just because they don't have legal status doesn't mean they don't deserve an education," said Emily Martin, a junior physics major. "Many were brought here as children and had no choice in the matter so why should we punish them? They are just as much a resident as anyone else who grew up here."

Besides fasting there was a petition students could sign to show support for the issue. "We want as many as we can get; to show student opinion, because right now senators aren't listening," Cabello said.

Greisa Martinez, the campus awareness officer of the group, said many students were unaware of the issue, but came to ask questions and were receptive to the cause.

In September the U.S. Senate was unable to get the necessary 60 votes to attach the DREAM Act as an amendment to the defense bill that ended with a 56-43 vote. Majority Leader Harry Reid voted to block the bill as well, which will allow it to be presented later.

"When the state legislature meets in January, the Council for Minority Student Affairs will be working with other University groups to lobby against bills that aren't supportive of the DREAM Act," Martinez said.

The past week was National Week of Action for the DREAM Act, said Cabello, and students at about 10 other universities across Texas participated in the fast, including the University of Texas at Austin, Lamar University and the University of North Texas.

A number of universities across the nation have openly shown their support for the cause, such as Texas, Harvard University and Stanford University, but A&M has yet to
do so.

President R. Bowen Loftin said: "Loss of human capital is a loss to all of us," but he has not come out with an official letter, Cabello said.

"After graduation, these students go back to working on lawns or babysitting. I know one girl who graduated with a 4.0 from the Mays Business School, and she's now in Dallas babysitting. It's wasted talent," Cabello said.

However, Democrats are pushing for the DREAM Act to be added as an amendment to the defense bill, while Aggies fight the 63-11 Student Senate bill that would block illegal immigrant students from in-state tuition.

Published on Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - November 15, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance is beginning to feel the holiday spirit as it brings you this weeks' blog roundup.

Off the Kuff discusses the issue of Latino turnout in the wake of last Tuesday's elections.

This week on Left of College Station, Teddy takes in the landscape after the storm and presents a way forward for Texas Democrats. Left of College Station also begins the Texas Legislature Watch by looking at the bills that Representative Fred Brown has pre-filed. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.

Letters From Texas explained a fundamental truth to state Senator Dan Patrick: democracy is about more than two wolves and one sheep voting on what's for dinner.

Killing medicaid and CHIP along with Grandma and the kids will devastate the Texas economy. CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wonders why the evil Heritage Foundation wants to hurt the Texas economy.

Mean Rachel wondered when the Democratic Party decided to become the I Can't Believe It's Not Republican Party.

Bay Area Houston says the GOP is giving poor Hispanic kids the bird.

Over at TexasKaos, libby shaw gives her take on "Fixing the Federal Deficit" or rather how NOT to do it while distracting a nation. Check it out : Fixing the Federal Deficit.

Neil at Texas Liberal says that where there is smoke you will not inherently find fire. Yet the smoke alone may be enough to do a great deal of damage.

This week at McBlogger, Captain Kroc takes a look at one of the newest members of the Texas Legislature.

Andrew Bird's One-Man Orchestra of the Imagination

Musical innovator Andrew Bird winds together his trademark violin technique with xylophone, vocals and sophisticated electronic looping. Add in his uncanny ability to whistle anything, and he becomes a riveting one-man orchestra.

Headlines

Texas News
DNA Tests Undermine Evidence in Texas Execution

National Politics
White House Fiscal Commission Proposes Contentious Budget Cuts

Veterans Issues
Veterans Affairs Worries About Budget Cuts in Republican Congress

Economy
Discouraged Workers At Record 1.2 Million.

Education
For-Profit Colleges Facing Lawsuits

Health Care
Justices Reject Review of Health-Care Overhaul

Environment
Warming Earth Could Mean Stronger Toxins

Climate Change
New Shipping Lanes in Melting Arctic Will Accelerate Global Warming

Civil Rights
New Orleans is Incarceration Capital of the US

Immigration
Anti-Immigrant Legislation Filed in Texas Legislature

Reproductive Rights
The Anti-Abortion Clinic Across the Street

Women’s Issues
No Place To Call Home For Many Female Veterans

GLBT Issues
Mexican Transgender Asylum Seeker Allowed to Stay in US

Race & Racism
Proficiency of Black Students Is Found to Be Far Lower Than Expected

From the Blogs
Capitol Annex:
82nd Texas Legislature: Pre-Filing Begins With Flurry Of Right Wing Bills

Burnt Orange Report:
Texas Republicans Would Cut Jobs, Pension, and Medical Benefits for Texas Veterans

Letters From Texas:
Wolves Versus Sheep in the Texas Senate

Local News: College Station City Council Votes to Annex Wellborn

College Station Begins Process of Annexing Wellborn
By Cassie Smith

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

College Station will begin the process of annexing nearly 700 acres, including the community of Wellborn, city leaders decided Wednesday.

The decision follows a nearly yearlong struggle between the city and a group of Wellborn residents seeking the right to vote on incorporation.

College Station City Manager Glenn Brown said the annexation process would take five to six months, with a final decision coming at the end of that time period.

The proposed annexation includes 681 acres with an estimated population of 210 people, Brown said.

Councilman Dave Ruesink said the only reason he was supporting the motion was because the process allows for several opportunities to halt the plan.



"It concerns me a little bit that we are moving ahead without having more discussions with the folks in Wellborn," he said.

Mayor Nancy Berry agreed with Ruesink and said the city would continue to listen to the concerns of those residing in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

"I also have a responsibility as a council person here in College Station ... of a mandate to manage our growth, and I think this is a process we can go through to determine if this is the best way to manage our growth," she said.

Wellborn residents have said they fear annexation into College Station will destroy the town's historic charm and rural lifestyle. The residents have asked the city to allow them to vote on incorporating, but College Station leaders have not formally responded to that request.

Because the community of Wellborn is within College Station's extraterritorial jurisdiction -- an area outside the city limits but under some city control -- College Station officials must authorize a move to incorporate the community.

About a dozen people addressed council members, asking them not to move forward with the plans.

Greg Taylor said the City Council needs to keep in mind the veterans from Wellborn and how they gave part of their lives to fight to protect rights that residents have come to expect, including the right to vote.

"It's beyond me how the city could even consider not allowing Wellborn the right to vote," he said.

Brown said the plan is subject to change as city staff members evaluate the options.

Over the next five to six months, the city will develop an annexation plan, and the item will be taken to the city's Planning and Zoning Commission for a recommendation. The issue would come back to the council, which would trigger two public hearings before a final decision was made.

The city's comprehensive plan called for annexation of the Wellborn area in three to 10 years, and the city is already in the second year of its plan, Brown said. There would be some cost of annexation, including providing police, fire, animal control, sanitation, garbage, street and other services.

If annexed, Brown said, the area would continue to receive Wellborn water and Bryan Texas Utilities electricity.

Council members Jess Fields and Jana McMillan voted against moving forward with the annexation process.

McMillan said she believes the city needs to listen to its residents.

"I would personally like to see what the Texas Legislature has to say in the spring before we move forward," she said.

Fields said it was a property rights issue and that he didn't have a problem with Wellborn incorporating.

"I do hope that going forward, the folks in Wellborn will have their rights respected," he said.

Brown said there are benefits to Wellborn residents of having the city annex the area, including the city's ability to create a historic district overlay and Wellborn-specific zoning regulations, as well as access to city services.

"The city does have the ability to tailor ordinances for Wellborn so they can continue a rural lifestyle," Brown said.

Prior to Wednesday night's decision, city officials had discussed options that would allow the community to preserve its rural heritage without incorporation, including non-annexation agreements.

Published on Thursday, November 11, 2010

Texas Legislative Watch: Pre-Filing Begins

The 82nd session of the Texas Legislature may not have begun, but lawmakers have already begun to file the legislation that the State House and State Senate will be debating and voting on when the session begins in January. Since the election swept into power a near super majority for Republicans in the House, and Republicans maintain a significant majority in the Senate, the legislation being filed has been some of conservative Republicans top priorities. So far 402 bills have been pre-filed in the legislature, and 38 concurrent and joint resolutions have been pre-filed. Just in the first three days. Overall in the last legislative session a total of 12,239 bill and resolutions where filed, of which 1,655 were signed by the Governor.

Fred Brown, who represents most of Bryan and College Station as the Representative for the Texas House of Representatives 14th District, pre-filed seven bills on Monday. The Bryan-College Station Eagle reported on some of the more notable bills, including a bill to abolish the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and a bill to make it more difficult for College Station to annex Wellborn. During the last legislative session Brown filed 24 bills, of which 8 were passed by the House, 5 were signed by Governor Perry, and one was vetoed by the Governor. Overall over Brown’s first six terms in the House he has introduced 117 pieces of legislation, of which 36 have been passed by the House, 28 have been signed into law, and only one has been vetoed. In his time in office 24% of the bills Brown have filed have become law.

Fred Brown’s Legislative History


Bills Pre-Filed By Fred Brown:

HB 104: This bill would abolish the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and transferring the coordinating board's functions and activities and the State Board of Education's statutorily assigned functions and activities to the Texas Education Agency. This legislation does not seem to have support within the education community, and it is unclear if it will gain any traction among lawmakers since the financial savings are likely to be small.

HB 105: This bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $200, to use a wireless communication device (i.e. cellular phone) to read, write, or send a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped.
Several states and municipalities have passed similar legislation, as well as several military instillations have implemented identical policies.

HB 106: This bill would create one independent school district in each county in this state, having boundaries coextensive with the boundaries of the county.

HB 107: This bill would require cities with a population of less than 185,000 but more than 65,000 to receive approval from voters in an area they wish to annex before the annexation is allowed. If the election were to fail, the municipality would be required wait five years before it annexes the territory. This piece of legislation is a direct result of the conflict between the city of College Station attempts to annex the community of Wellborn.

HB 108: This bill would make illegal, and classifies as a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, a substance known chemically as JWH-018, but more commonly known as K2 or synthetic marijuana or synthetic cannabis. College Station and Bryan recently passed ordinances that banned K2 in those respective cities, and many other municipalities in Texas have passed similar legislation.

HB 109: This bill would allow the governing body of a municipality by ordinance to give a designated official discretion to temporarily lower a prima facie speed limit for a highway or part of a highway in the municipality, including a highway of the state highway system, at the site of an investigation using vehicular accident reconstruction.

HB 110: This bill would make it a requirement for a school bus, a school activity bus, or a multifunctional school activity bus operating outside the boundaries of a municipality to be equipped with safety guards or flaps that are located and suspended behind the rearmost wheels of the vehicle or the rearmost vehicle in the combination within eight inches of the surface of the highway.

Tonight on Biased Transmission

Our guest tomorrow evening is Amy Reed, executive director of Keep Brazos Beautiful. We'll talk about the organization's history, the services it provides to the community and KBB's future. We'll also touch on today's green movement, recycling and litter, as well as plug the tree upcoming tree sale, which is the organization's primary fundraiser.

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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After the Storm: The Way Forward for Texas Democrats

A week after Election Day and it feels like the storm surge completely washed away the Texas Democratic Party. While on Election Day nationally Democrats had bright spots and rays of hope, in Texas it was completely dark and there were no rays of sunshine breaking through the clouds. After spending years on electoral strategy and millions of dollars on campaigns, Texas Democrats are probably at their lowest point in since the Civil War. Every single statewide office is held by a Republican, from the Governor’s mansion on down. Republicans have a near super majority in the State House of Representatives, and hold more seats than at any time since Reconstruction. While Republicans do not hold a super majority in the State Senate procedural rules give them significant power, and much of the controversial legislation that was blocked by Democrats in the House during the last session was originally passed by the Senate. Make no doubt about it: Republicans are in complete control and there is not a damn thing Democrats can do about it.

There has been a significant amount of analysis of the election, and inquiry into how Republicans where able to make such significant gains and why Democrats where unable to compete. First it must be realized that this election did not happen in a vacuum, and there where several factors at work besides the candidates themselves. National politics played a significant role in the election in Texas, as across the nation Democrats took the brunt of the electorates’ dissatisfaction with the economy. Despite the Republican establishment implicit involvement in the collapse of the economy, voters turned against the party in power because of persistently high unemployment. Strait ticket voting for Republicans trickled down the ballot and impacted the outcome of every election in Texas. Governor Rick Perry was also able to effectively determine the terms of the choice in the election, as the 10 year incumbent was able to paint himself as an outsider and paint Bill White as connected to Washington, D.C.

An important thing to remember is that this election is not an isolated incident; the Republicans have been increasing electoral power in Texas for the last two decades. In the 1980’s Republican activist began a relentless campaign to begin reshaping Texas politics and they began from the bottom up. By the end of the 1990’s the Republican Party had established itself as the dominant party in Texas. Today the Republicans control every branch of government in Texas: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Texas Republican Party has gained power by effectively identifying their base of support, and controlling the election narratives and policy debates.

In order for Democrats to move forward in Texas they need to focus on long term goals rather than short term success, and they need to refocus their message. Our pathway out of the Texas wilderness is not an election cycle away; it is through several years of moving forward with focus and patience. This pathway begins at the local level, as Democrats must seek to build future electoral success on a base of local support. Then the next step that Democrats can take in Texas to lay the foundation for future electoral success is to show Texans the differences between Democrats and Republicans.

The first step toward the growth of the Democratic Party in Texas must begin at the ground level, and this growth must be developed from the bottom up and not from the top down. That means that Democratic Party members and progressive activist most focus on the local level first, and then shift upwards in focus as the party develops a base of support. While the Democratic Party should compete in state-wide elections, it is ridiculous to believe that Democrats will be able to win state-wide elections without making gains at the local level. That means allowing county parties to focus their resources on recruiting and campaigning for local candidates. This will also have the added benefit of developing experienced candidates who can then move on to hire offices. How can we expect to win a Railroad Commissioner campaign if we can’t win County Commissioner campaign?

The next step for Democrats to achieve future electoral success is to start acting like Democrats. This means articulating a clear message and advocating for progressive policies that make a difference in the lives of Texans. This means letting go of the idea that Democrats should be competing for the same voters as the Republicans. The demographics of Texas are changing, and the state is growing progressively less white. Already Texas is a minority majority state, but white voters are still the ones deciding the elections. This is because Texas Democrats have not been speaking to the concerns of the coalition of voters that could become the base of support for Democrats in years to come: the working class, the young, the black community, and the Latino community. That means connecting an economic message to an education message to a social services message.

Texas Democrats can begin to redefine themselves during the 82nd session of the Texas Legislature. Since Republicans will have almost unmitigated power to legislate, most of what Democrats will be able to do will be symbolic. But symbols matter. By being the party that advocates for working Texans and standing up against extremist conservative Republicans, Democrats can take the first step toward defining what the party will stand for and what it will stand against going forward. Over the next two years the Texas Democratic Party should begin the process of rebuilding the party, piece by piece. Then during the 2012 campaign season Texas Democrats should use that opportunity to revitalize the party by electing new leadership, refocusing on the local levels, reaching out to the party’s nature base of support, and using the Obama campaign and Organizing for America to begin a deliberate and focused walk out of the Texas political wilderness. The thing about a storm is that it always ends with blue skies.

Local News: Fred Brown Files Education Bill at Capitol

Brown's Bill Proposes Cutting Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
By Matthew Watkins

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Bryan State Rep. Fred Brown got a head start on the upcoming legislative session by filing bills Monday that would abolish the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and make it more difficult for College Station to annex Wellborn.

Those were among seven bills Brown, a Republican, filed on the first day lawmakers could introduce legislation. Both are still a long way from becoming state law and must cross many hurdles next year to go into effect.

The Texas Legislature begins its session in January.

Brown said the bill that would eliminate the Coordinating Board has two goals: Save money and provide an easier path for students from kindergarten through college.

"We see in the numbers that we have so many students that are college-bound that were not ready for college," he said. "They have to go through remedial courses. So hopefully, this will be a more seamless transition."

The Coordinating Board advises the Legislature on higher education issues, oversees study programs and recommends funding formulas for universities and community colleges. Its nine members are appointed by the governor and oversee a staff of about 300.

Under Brown's plan, its functions would be merged into the Texas Education Agency, which currently focuses on public education. Oversight would be provided by the State Board of Education.

Dominic Chavez, senior director for external relations at the Coordinating Board, said the idea has come up in the past, but failed to find wide support in the Legislature.

"I don't recall it ever going very far," he said. "There has been talk from time to time, and it does seem that the talk does emerge whenever we have difficult budget situations."

Lawmakers are expecting a budget shortfall of more than $20 billion, and Republican leadership has indicated that the hole needs to be filled with spending cuts -- not tax increases.

The Coordinating Board's budget for the 2011 fiscal year is about $945 million, but more than two-thirds of that goes toward financial assistance programs that wouldn't be eliminated. Its operating budget is about $46.5 million and its indirect administration costs are $12.3 million.

Brown said he has no estimate for how much money could be saved. He said he hasn't shown the bill to other lawmakers, so he couldn't gauge who would support it.

Peter Hugill, a Texas A&M professor and president-elect of the Texas Association of College Teachers, called Brown's idea well-intentioned but said it lacks a deep understanding of how higher education works.

"From what I hear from people in Austin, they don't think it would save money, and it would naturally cause problems in that these things [K-12 and higher education] are very different," Hugill said.

Another bill authored by Brown would require cities with a population of less than 185,000 but more than 65,000 to receive approval from voters in an area they wish to annex before the annexation is allowed.

That bill, Brown said, is a direct response to the movement by residents of Wellborn to fight off a possible annexation by College Station. A nonprofit group called Citizens for Wellborn has been lobbying the College Station City Council for months, but a discussion about possible annexation was placed on Wednesday's council meeting agenda.

If the City Council directs staff members to initiate the annexation process this week, an ordinance could be adopted by April. The legislative session runs from January to May.

"If I was the council and I wanted an area to be annexed, I would try to push it through long before the legislative session starts," Brown said.

Published on Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - November 8, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance remains committed to moving forward as it brings you this week's blog roundup.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is still reeling from the republican blowout. Say goodbye to your Social Security and hello to Warren Chisum in your bedroom.

Off the Kuff starts to discuss a way forward from this election.

There was some good, some bad, and some ugly in last Tuesday's election returns. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has the deets.

After Tuesday's Demageddon, Mean Rachel offers some advice as to what political candidates should do with their social media accounts after losing an election.

Len Hart at BlueBloggin has a few words on Election Postmortem: A Picture of Dorian Gray It is said that insanity is repeating a failed strategy in the expectation of one day getting a different result. Because that never happens, the nation is nuts! Just enough people always vote against their own interests to guarantee that wealth will continue to ‘trickle up’...

Andy Wilson over at Public Citizen's TexasVox wants to point out that members of Congress who lost their re-election in Texas all had one thing in common: Opposition to climate change legislation.

TXsharon who blogs at Bluedaze recently flew to EPA headquarters in North Carolina to present four case studies of health impacts caused by natural gas extraction in the Barnett Shale. She met with the top rule makers in the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards who are working on new rules for the oil and gas industry. They said it was "incredibly strong evidence."

A day after the election, Letters From Texas identified dark clouds on the horizon for victorious Republicans. Later in the week, he detailed the first cloud up to bat: the state budget.

Lightseeker, over at TexasKaos tries to figure out where we are and where we go next, after the mid-terms. Check it out.

While things were rough at the ballot box in the northern hemisphere, in Brazil the political left won a third consecutive national victory. Even on the darkest days, there is always progress being made someplace in the world.

After a campaign-work related hiatus, Capitol Annex returns to active blogging with a new look, a new logo, and this post addressing the growth of food service jobs in Texas and why the growth of low wage jobs sill eventually cause the Texas economy to grind to a halt.

Week in Headlines

Media
Bogus Grass-Roots Politics on Twitter

Texas News
Texas Supreme Court Decides Open Beaches Act Case

Texas Politics
Disastrous Night for Texas Congressional Democrats

National Politics
Corporations Hide Election Spending From the Public Eye

War & Peace
Torture Orders Were Part of US Sectarian War Strategy

Veterans Issues
AWOL Soldier Refusing Deployment Because of Severe PTSD

Economy
Unemployment Rate Holds at 9.6% and Job Market Shows Signs of Life

Labor
Labor Department Asks Court To Close Massey Mine

Education
Higher Education in the Next Congress

Health Care
Study Offers New Clues to Effective HIV Vaccine

Science & Technology
Money for Scientific Research May Be Scarce With a Republican-Led House

Environment
BP Alaska Facilities Are Still at Risk

Climate Change
Earth Will Take 100,000 Years to Recover

Immigration
Federal Appeals Court Weighs Arizona Law on Immigrants

Human Rights
US Human Rights Record Under Scrutiny

Civil Rights
ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging “Stop and Frisk” Searches

Reproductive Rights
What Election Means for Reproductive Rights

Women’s Issues
Hundreds Were Raped on Congo-Angola Border

GLBT Issues
Midterms a Mixed Bag for LGBT Equality

Race & Racism
Minorities Ride GOP Wave To Groundbreaking Wins

From the Blogs
Burnt Orange Report:
Onus is on Republicans to Now Govern

Fair & Feminist:
Why This Progressive Isn’t Too Upset About the Midterms

Eye on Williamson:
It’s Over…

Tonight on Biased Transmission

This week on Biased Transmission the election postmortem...What the hell happened? Implications for the country, the state of Texas, Brazos County, and Texas A&M. We will be taking calls from our listeners. Call in and tell use what you think 979-779-5367 (979-779-KEOS)

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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Election 2010: Republicans on the Clock

In all likelihood, after all the votes are counted tonight, the Republicans will be in the majority in the House of Representatives and the Democrats will be in the majority in the Senate. As I wrote on Sunday, there will be a plethora of speculation and analysis of what the elections results mean, and every pundit will attempt to extract from the results what they believe is the narrative of the election.

What I take away from the results tonight is far more questions that answers. Now that the Republicans control the House of Representatives how will they govern? Will the Republicans not compromise or will they make compromises with Democrats in a divided government?

There are also more questions about the Tea Party. There has been the constant turn of phrase among those in the Tea Party that they where unhappy with the Bush Administration and Congressional Republicans when they where in power. Now with Republicans in power and with many Tea Party backed candidates among them they will have an opportunity to in a way prove that they are about principle and not about party.

Will the Tea Party activist protest newly elected Republican members of Congress if they do not vote in an ideologically pure manner? When Congress will likely have to vote on the debt ceiling next year to prevent the Untied States from defaulting on it’s loans, will Tea Party members flood any newly elected Republican member of Congress with phone calls and emails? When Congress has to vote on a budget that will likely not be able to be balanced from its current $1.3 trillion deficit, will the Tea Party’s hold protest and demand town hall meetings?

Where the Republicans really achieved a complete victory was here in Texas. Republicans won the Governor’s mansion, won every single statewide office, won most other state offices and judgeships, and won gains in the state legislature. This election is going to have far deeper effects. This election is going to solidify Texas as one of the most Republican states in the country.

The Texas Congressional delegation got a little redder tonight. As many as three Democratic incumbents will likely lose to Republican challengers, giving Republicans 23 of the 32 seats. With significant gains in the Texas legislature Republicans will have control over redistricting and over the as many as four Congressional seats that Texas will likely receive due to the new census figures. It seems that Texas could not only become less Democratic, but also much less competitive.

This also comes at a time when Texas is facing a momentous fiscal crisis. In the upcoming legislative session Texas lawmakers will have to address a budget shortfall that could be as large as $25 billion, and a “rainy day fund” that might be able to cover only about $8 billion. Texas faced a budget short fall during the last legislative session, but much of the roughly $9 billion shortfall was covered with federal stimulus funds. The question will be where will lawmakers cut from the budget, and which Texas will feel the brunt of those budget cuts.

America and Texas face significant challenges. President Obama was given 18 months to fix the worst economy since the Great Depression, while also having to deal with other significant domestic and foreign policy challenges. The American people have now given Republicans a role in governing the country and fixing the problems we face. Republicans, you’re on the clock.

Local News: Midterm Election Day

Election Day is Here

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday as Brazos County voters decide their next U.S. congressman and state senator, while some precincts will chose a new justice of the peace or constable.

College Station voters not only will pick a council person to fill an open spot, but also determine whether to implement a transportation fee to help pay for repairing aging roads.

For a rundown of who is on the ballot, go to www.brazosvotes.org and click on sample ballot on the right.

To see where to vote in Brazos County, visit www.theeagle.com.

Theeagle.com will provide ongoing coverage Tuesday evening, and readers can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/theeagle or on Facebook www.facebook.com/bcseagle.

Published on Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Tomorrow, Remember.

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - November 1, 2010

The Texas Progressive Alliance is ready for Election Day as it brings you this week's blog roundup.

Off the Kuff takes a look ahead at redistricting.

Letters From Texas pointed out a low-down dirty Republican plot to cheat African-American voters out of casting their ballots, then turned around and did the same thing to voters casting ballots for Republicans, Libertarians, and Greens.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson, while most Texans know our our state needs investment in our people - like education and infrastructure - instead we will get the GOP's planned austerity which will irrevocably harm Texas.

South Texas Chisme offers kudos to Hidalgo County Texas Democratic Women, the Stonewall Democrats and the new County chair for the big turnout!

Phillip Martin at Burnt Orange Report reminds everyone about what is at stake on Tuesday with a lot of posts he's put in one place: Rick Perry's Cover-Up and Corruption: A Ten Part Series.

The revealing of Todd Staples's slimy pyramid scheme was only the latest devastating hit the incumbent agriculture commissioner has taken during the 2010 election campaign. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs exposed the corruption.

nytexan at BlueBloggin looks at The Constitutional Ignorance of the Tea Party. As we have all come to learn, the Tea Party, both candidates and their supporters, are extremely ignorant of the document they want to restore, the U.S. Constitution. Let’s not fool ourselves and think that the Tea Party and the wing nuts just stumbled upon their ignorance, its been in full bloom since Bush began stripping the Bill of Rights. It didn’t seem to bother them because it was the Patriotic thing to do.

The newest scandal to rock a Republican elected? It's all about a pyramid scheme and Todd Staples.

Neil at Texas Liberal made an effort with a variety of posts over the past week to encourage folks to vote in Houston, Harris County, Texas, and the nation. That's all one can do. Let's get past Tuesday and move ahead to a better day. Thanks for reading Texas Liberal and all TPA blogs. There are hopeful days ahead and we'll keep fighting.

Local News: Bryan and College Station Slow to Hire City Managers

No Hurry to Find City Managers
By Cassie Smith

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Bryan and College Station are both in the market for a new city manager, but neither is in such a hurry that it can't wait to find the right candidate.

In Bryan, the city council is pleased with the performance of interim city manager Kean Register, a group manager for BTU, and Mayor Jason Bienski suggests it will fill the job permanently only when Register is ready to go.

In College Station, city manager Glenn Brown won't be leaving until right after the first of the year.

Brown, named city manager in March 2006 after serving as interim for almost a year and as assistant city manager since 2000, said he decided after much soul-searching that it was time for work that wasn't so stressful and time-consuming.

College Station Mayor Nancy Berry said the deadline for what could end up being just a first round of applicants is Sunday.

On Friday, she said the city had received about 50 applications after posting the vacancy on websites throughout the state.

Berry said she had yet to review any of the applicants.

"We've not yet done anything as a council other than to say 'Let's just cast out our first net and see what we pull in,'" she said.

Berry said the council probably will interview applicants for the position, as it did for the recent hiring of a new city secretary. During that search, she said, the council formed a subcommittee, made up of three council members, who reviewed the applications. The group then forwarded 10 to 15 of the applications to the full council, which decided which ones to call for phone interviews.

"We have talked about using the same process for the city manager, but we have not formed any subcommittees yet," she said.

Though Brown's exit from the city is looming, Berry said, there was no urgency in replacing him.

"I think the council is probably willing to wait until we get the right person," she said. It would not be unrealistic for the search to take six to nine months, she added.

Berry said she'd like a city manager with good judgment, high moral standards, a deep understanding of municipal government and a "Texas background."

"Texas has a whole different landscape from everywhere else," she said.

In Bryan, Bienski said his city hasn't started looking to fill the post.

"We're not under any pressure to do so," the mayor said Friday.

Bienski said he's pleased with the staff managing the city now, including Register and deputy city managers Joey Dunn and Hugh Walker.

However, Bienski said, when the city does begin its search, it is likely to remain local or in-house. He said there hasn't been any talk about hiring a search firm and no vacancy has been officially posted.

"We're very functional and they are doing a very good job down there at City Hall," he said. "They're not skipping a beat."

Bienski said he'd like a city manager who is good with finances and balancing budgets and with taxpayers, staff and the neighboring city.

"Someone that's aggressive, particularly in business and growth and development, but conservative enough to not overshoot ourselves and what we need to be doing," he added.

Bienski said he'd like the person who fills the job permanently to have private sector experience, as Register does.

"If we decide to make a move, we'll do it, or when Kean is ready to go back to BTU, or done with everything he's wanting to do," Bienski said.

Register held the position for about nine months in 2006 after the retirement of Mary Kaye Moore. He has repeatedly stated he's not interested in keeping the position full-time.

Register returned to City Hall on Sept. 17 following the resignation of David Watkins, who had engaged in a spat with BTU administrators over the city-owned utility's budget. Watkins resigned after reaching an agreement with the city that sent him on his way with more than $222,000 and a stipulation that neither side discuss his departure.

Published on Sunday, October 31, 2010