|
|
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
- 3rd Special Session in Austin
- Congress in Recess: Defund ObamaCare
- Hitting the Clubs Across Harris County
- Annise Parker Adds Five Additional Languages
- Sheila Takes on the World
|
HCRP Chairman’s Report August, 2013
By: Jared Woodfill – Email
Chairman, Harris County Republican Party
 Dear Harris County Republicans,
This month we report on the 3rd Special Session in Austin where legislators try to find agreement on transportation funding, Congress in August recess where town halls offer an opportunity to make your voice heard regarding ObamaCare, the visits I made all around Harris County meeting with the members of our established and new Republican clubs, Mayor Parker’s plan to expand official languages to five, and news that Sheila Jackson Lee has been recommended for the Department of Homeland Security. |
| 3rd Special Session in Austin |
|
 Governor Rick Perry called for a 3rd special session of the Legislature because an agreement could not be reached on funding for transportation. For weeks the Legislature has been struggling with this issue which has divided both parties. TX-DOT will hit its debt limit within 2 years leaving it with only $2.5 billion each year to cover all of Texas. State Sen. Tommy Williams (R-Kingwood) has described this as a true "fiscal cliff." The Legislature is pushing to use Rainy Day money, but that must be approved by voters in November. And it will only be on the ballot if a super majority is reached in Austin. That is where the fight is taking place. The House quickly acted yesterday passing its version of the bill and has now sent it to the Senate. |
| Congress in Recess: Defund ObamaCare |
|
 Congress is in their August recess and plan to host town halls here at home. Liberal groups are planning to hijack Republican town halls in order to intimidate us to accept ObamaCare and the fraudulent Senate immigration bill. We need Republicans voters, the voices of rational thinking, to go out to the town halls and voice your support for solid policies on these issues.
After the recess, Congress will face a bitter budget battle with epic consequences. Conservatives believe this is one of the last moments we will have to strike ObamaCare before it goes into effect in October. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) are leading the fight to defund ObamaCare by agreeing only to vote for legislation that funds government without ObamaCare. Republicans have enough votes to do this without needing a single Democrat; therefore, we need every Republican Senator like Sen. John Cornyn to join this cause. If you wish to join this fight too, sign-up at: www.DontFundObamaCare.com
Another local issue heating up the town halls will be Light-Rail on Richmond Ave with Rep. John Culberson strongly against it but Rep. Ted Poe supporting it. A bill is in Congress that could send millions of dollars to METRO to build it. Richmond has been declared a transit corridor which will restrict future development so that METRO can buy up property to fit-in rail. Honolulu is facing this same issue and got $1.8 billion from the government toward a total cost of $5.3 billion. One University of Hawaii professor calls it Hawaii’s Rail to Nowhere. Bring this issue up at the Culberson and Poe town halls. |
| Hitting the Clubs Across Harris County |
|
| The heat and humidity is on here in the Bayou city but that doesn’t mean things have slowed down. It has been wonderful getting out to many of the Republican clubs located across Harris County. Thank you so much for letting me join all of you. You all are doing fantastic work for the Republican cause and it is only because of you that we consistently win elections.
I recently had the honor of speaking to the San Jacinto Republican Women’s club. Their monthly meeting was held at Johnny Tamales with a packed house. Congratulations to SJRW for their longevity and reaching their 30th anniversary. In addition, Texas Tea Party RW will be celebrating 20 years on August 13th with Rep. Michael McCaul. I have the honor of serving on the program. This will be a great event hosted by a great club
.
The Lone Star Republicans are a brand new community club for any Republicans in the Baytown, Highlands, and Crosby areas and also including Liberty and Chambers Counties. It was an honor to be the club’s very first speaker. We welcome you and wish you the best as you continue to grow. Also, a new community club is forming for Republicans on the south Beltway 8 and Gulf Freeway area. We are so encouraged by this. A big Thanks to Daniel McCool for his leadership in helping these new clubs get on their feet.
It was wonderful to join Judge James Lombardino at the Ronald Reagan Republican Women’s club luncheon and to join State Representative Jim Murphy at the Daughters of Liberty Republican Women’s club luncheon. And lastly, it was great seeing everyone at the Denim & Lace luncheon put on by the Clear Creek Republican Women’s club with Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri.
We would also like to thank the HCRP Training & Development Committee for all of their hard work in putting together the training session this past Saturday. We had a strong turnout and got a lot of positive feedback from participants. As we move into the election season, please be watching for more training sessions to help get us better prepared for all of the logistics of the next election. Mark your calendars because it is official from the Secretary of State that the Primary will be Tuesday, March 4th.
|
| Annise Parker Adds Five Additional Languages |
|
|
| Mayor Annise Parker signed an executive order on Thursday to expand the City of Houston’s official languages to five in addition to English. Each city office that offers "essential services" will be required to have a Language Access Coordinator to oversee the development of expanding access to services for those who are not fluent in English. The Department of Neighborhoods will conduct a study working with community leaders and academics to determine which five languages should be selected to accommodate the most people. At that point, all city documents are to be available in those languages. Mayor Annise Parker said, "It’s a step toward making Houston one of the most inclusive cities in the world." |
|
| Sheila Takes on the World |
|
| The Congressional Black Caucus sent a letter to the President suggesting he should nominate Houston area Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee, as the next Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security. Many people have wanted her out of District 18 in Houston and now they may get their wish. Sheila Jackson Lee said she was humbled by even being mentioned as a choice for such an office. The CBC called her a "voice of reason" and that she is dedicated to maintaining a secure border. Believe it or not, this is a true story! |
|
|
