#TXLEGE: Capriglione's Protectionist Roofing Scheme FAILS SPECTACULARLY

"Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy."
Proverbs 12:20

[Note: You can view the full discussion of HB 2101 here.  The relevant section begins at the 3 hour, 12 minute mark.  It runs for about half an hour.]

For a bill deadline day, yesterday was fairly anticlimactic.  The Texas house passed a modestly useful constitutional amendment prohibiting a state income tax.  Otherwise, the day went how we expected.

Except, however, for one bill that failed,

HB 2101, by Giovanni Capriglione, would require mandatory registration and fees for all roofing contractors in the state.  We're actually on the mailing list for the lobbyists who were pushing this bill.  That's the only we're familiar with it.

As luck would have it, we were in the house gallery as the bill was discussed last night.

We chronicled it, real time, on Facebook:



And Twitter:

#TXLEGE: Republican (Capriglione) lays out bill creating $250 mandatory registration for all roofing contractors; Democrat (Romero) asking about "unintended consequences" for "overwhelming majority of responsible business owners...." pic.twitter.com/tIzKXA0FEc

— cahnman (@cahnman) May 10, 2019

For such a wretched bill, opposition was refreshingly bipartisan.

Democrats like Ramon Romero and Abel Herrero talked about how Capriglione's bill was unfair to responsible businesses.  Steve Toth discussed how costs exploded in his industry (swimming pool services) following a similar bill by the legislature.  Matt Schaefer spoke movingly about how such regulations would have made his own economic rise impossible.

The bill failed 33 to 99.

Bottom Line: To see such a wretched elected official pushing such a wretched bill suffer this level of public humiliation was quite fun....

#TXLEGE: On property taxes, several good proposals.

"But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God."
Nehemiah 5:15

With property taxes once again likely to be a major issue next session, several good proposals exist:

• The Governor's proposal -- Governor Abbott's proposal would require local governments to obtain voter approval before they would be allowed to raise taxes over 2.5%.  Furthermore, the governor wants significantly more ballot transparency for bond elections.  Finally, the governor wants to create super-majority requirements to pass bonds!!!
  
  Pros: Covers all forms of local governments (school districts, cities, counties, special purpose).  The ballot transparency stuff is something we've been advocating for years.  SUPER MAJORITIES FOR BOND ELECTIONS!!!
  
  Cons: Doesn't 'cut' taxes in a top-line sense (although, the resulting income growth will probably mean a bottom-line cut as a percentage of household budgets.  Difficult to pass politically (Because it's so wide ranging, invites wide ranging opposition).  Rural R's and their taxpayer funded lobbyists will scream to high heaven about the alleged costs of special elections -- BS argument but simple talking point.

• The TPPF Proposal -- TPPF's proposal would implement a strong spending cap at the state level and use the resulting savings to "buy down" school district M&O taxes over time.
  
  Pros: Because you're giving Rural R's and D's something they want (more state level education spending), it's more difficult for them to oppose.  Because this would only impact school districts, other forms of local governments likely to stay on sidelines.  Direct cut to biggest item on most people's tax bill.
  
  Having the state pick up a bigger share of the education spending tab is also the simplest way to move from a property tax to a consumption tax.
  
  Cons: Because it only covers school districts, won't stop cities, counties, and special purpose districts from consequently jacking up their own spending.

• The "Steve Toth" proposal -- During convention week, former (and likely future) State Rep. Steve Toth testified in front of the legislative priorities committee in favor of ABOLISHING APPRAISAL DISTRICTS and taxing properties at the price of sale.
  
  We didn't know this until we heard Rep. Toth's testimony, but apparently Texas appraisal districts cost taxpayers over $1 BILLION a year in direct operating costs; thus, in addition to the tax cut for homeowners, abolishing apprasal districts saves significant money on the spending side.
  
  Finally, as someone who regularly participates in the battles around gentrification in a major urban area...allow this author to politely, but firmly, suggest that a serious effort to abolish appraisal districts would be VERY well received in the African-American and Hispanic communities in the major urban areas.  Woe unto the Democrat who might oppose such an effort.  In light of the #WalkAway movement, this is a point to VERY seriously consider.
  
  Pros: The biggest potential tax cut of all.  Possible SIGNIFICANT political upside.  Basic Fairness.
  
  Cons: Impossible to predict the unintended consequences of a shock to the system of this magnitude.

Politically speaking, some form of the TPPF proposal is probably the easiest to get to the Governor's desk (although a serious effort on appraisal districts could take off like a prairie fire).

Bottom Line: It's way to early to know where potential votes may lie, but any of these ideas would be a significant step in the right direction.

Steve Toth: THE CLOSING ARGUMENT!!!

Then the Lord said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.”
Judges 7:7

D.C. is freaking out over this race:

Thank You For All Your Help and Supoort
Posted by Steve Toth on Monday, February 29, 2016

Highlights:

• "We have sent a tremor through Washington and the K Street lobbyists."
• "One of their best, one of their most loyal subjects, is in trouble."

• "Kevin Brady's in trouble and he's fighting like mad to try and keep his spot."

• "Don't worry about the negative things that are being said, I've got big shoulders."

• "This is the way...the liberal establishment rolls when they're in trouble."

• "They want to protect the status quo; you and I want to wreck the status quo and bring constitutional governance back to Washington."

Our Next Round of 2016 Candidate Endorsements

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

[Author's Note: You can read our first round of candidate endorsements here.]

With the 2016 Texas Republican Primary barely two months away, Cahnman's Musings endorses the following candidates:

STATEWIDE -- TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSION

Wanye Christian:

Among the candidates who filed, this was an easy choice.  We supported Wayne Christian when he ran for Railroad Commission in 2014.  Wayne Christian got hosed in that election and this cycle offers an opportunity to correct that injustice.

[Note: For those unaware, it's worth pointing out that, despite the name, the Texas Railroad Commission is the primary regulator of Texas' Energy Sector.]

UNITED STATES HOUSE

Steve Toth, CD-8:

Steve Toth is a friend of this website (we've gone to Church with the man).  To be honest, we wanted him to run for President.  We're pleased he's FINALLY running for Federal office.

During his time in the Texas House, Steve Toth was a persistent thorn in the side of leadership.  With GOP victory at the Federal level likely, it's important for conservatives to elect rank-and-file members who won't go along to get along.  We won't make any predictions yet about how the U.S. House will operate in 2017, but if a back-bench revolt is necessary, Steve Toth will lead it.

The 10-TERM INCUMBENT is the most liberal Republican in Texas' congressional delegation running in a safe Republican district.  As the sitting chairman of the Federal tax-writing committee, the 10-TERM INCUMBENT will have unlimited backing from the #WashingtonCartel.  Of course, the last time Steve Toth took on a committee chairman with close ties to the Speaker and every lobbyist in town, he won.

TEXAS SENATE

Brent Mayes, SD-24:

We've observed this race for several months.  We've met most of the candidates multiple times.  With C.J. Grisham's departure from the race (and subsequent endorsement), Brent Mayes is the clear conservative choice in this race.

Brent Mayes attended Konni Burton's candidate forum.  Brent Mayes ran for office to get Texas out from under the Federal Government's boot.  Brent Mayes has openly stated his willingness to oppose a Republican President.  Brent Mayes supports Constitutional Carry.  Brent Mayes wants to eliminate film subsidies.

To be honest, there is another candidate in this race we like.  Unfortunately, her background with the Texas Medical Association is a DEALBREAKER.  Vote Brent Mayes.

TEXAS HOUSE (Running for Re-Election)

Molly White, HD-55:

During the 84th #TXLEGE, Molly White gave global jihad a conniption fit.  That, by itself, is reason to support her re-election.  Molly White also voted for Scott Turner for Speaker.

Molly White is a powerful pro-life advocate who has spent years in the trenches of the pro-life movement.  Molly White worked with numerous pro-life non-profits and has stood for life in front of the United Nations.  A former GOP Precinct chair, Molly White was a grassroots activist long before she became a legislator.  Any grassroots activist who stands for life in front of the United Nations is OK in our book.  Pro-life champions like Molly White will, sadly, be necessary until the day Roe v. Wade is overturned.

Molly White is also a taxpayer champion who is no friend of the noxious cronyism that so often pervades the Texas House.

TEXAS HOUSE (Challenger/Open Seat candidates)

Bryan Slaton, HD-2:

Bryan Slaton is running against Dan Flynn; that alone is good reason to support Bryan Slaton.

When Dan Flynn became Joe Straus' hatchet man during the Wallace Hall impeachment fiasco, he earned the enduring enmity of this website.  There was a time when Dan Flynn was one of the stronger conservatives in the legislature, but over the years he's drifted closer to leadership.  All things considered, Dan Flynn is a strong case for term limits.

Bryan Slaton, by contrast, is one of the hardest working grassroots activists in this state.  During the 84th #TXLEGE, Bryan Slaton was a regular presence at the Capitol.  As a strong across the board conservative with the a work ethic to match, Bryan Slaton will be a welcome addition to the Texas House of Representatives.

Larry Smith, HD-54:

Of all the Candidates we've heard speak this cycle, Larry Smith might be the most impressive.

A ten-year veteran, Larry Smith came to the Kileen area during his military career and settled there after he retired.  Larry Smith wants to lead the diversification of the area's economy.  In an era of uncertainty surrounding the defense budget, relying upon Ft. Hood is an unsafe bet.

One final note: Larry Smith is committed to education reform where the money follows the child, not the bureaucrat; considering that this is the seat from which [Straus' education chair] Jimmie Don Aycock is retiring, electing a pro-school choice candidate in this seat would be particularly sweet.

Read King, HD-64:


Similar to Bryan Slaton, Read King is an extremely hard-working grassroots activist.  During this past legislative session, Read King was such a regular presence at the Capitol that we'd thought he'd temporarily moved down.  Turns out he was commuting to Austin from Denton.

Read King is a home school dad.  Read King is a Republican precinct chair and has been a delegate to several state conventions.  We will overlook the fact that he is also (*SHUDDER*) an Aggie.

In 2014, Read King came close to knocking off the incumbent; in 2016, this is an open seat.

Steve Toth Announces CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN!!!

"Then the Lord said to Gideon, 'By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.' "
Judges 7:7

Yes thank you:

Former State Representative, Steve Toth Announces Candidacy for US CongressMontgomery County Small Businessman...
Posted by Steve Toth on Monday, November 16, 2015

Bottom Line:  Sometimes the Lord doesn't give us what we think we want because He has something better in mind.  Given his concern and passion for border issues, Steve has always been a better fit for federal office over the state level.  This one is GOING to be FUN!!!

Steve Toth being outspent 20:1

Then the Lord said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.”
Judges 7:7

Astonishing numbers out of SD-4:

Underwhelming fundraising numbers and an unwillingness to directly attack his opponent would appear to have handicapped state Rep. Steve Toth in his bid to defeat fellow Republican state Rep. Brandon Creighton in an Aug. 5 special state senate election.

Since last July, Creighton, R-Conroe, has out-raised his statehouse colleague nearly six-to-one and spent more than $1.6 million on the campaign to replace state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, who resigned last October after more than a decade representing Senate District 4.

Toth, R-The Woodlands, who placed a distant second against Creighton in a four-way race on May 10, spent just under $280,000 total on the election and raised even less in the last year.

Nonetheless, Toth, who toppled five-term incumbent state Rep. Rob Eissler in a 2012 Republican primary despite having a much smaller war chest, said he is confident history will repeat itself.

"Special interest groups in Austin have poured a ton of money into this campaign. They want politicians that want to maintain the hierarchy of the political establishment and I don't fall into that category," Toth said. "It wasn't an issue (two years ago). It won't be an issue this time, either."

Early voting for the Aug. 5 runoff begins Monday and runs through Friday.

The senate district, a rambling, Republican-leaning stronghold with nearly 816,000 residents, stretches from The Woodlands east down through Montgomery County to the Gulf Coast and spans portions of northern Harris County.

Read the whole thing here.

Steve Toth Defends Homeschooling from Local Tyrants

"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4

"Daytime curfews" are a common tactic local fascists use to threaten homeschooling, Steve Toth isn't having it:

While that meeting was going on, the city council of Magnolia was also meeting. Home schoolers and other concerned parents came to this meeting in response to a THSC e-blast about the city’s effort to adopt or readopt a daytime curfew. In addition to the e-blast, we also wrote a letter and delivered it to Magnolia city officials prior to that city council meeting. The room was filled to overflowing with citizens who, according to the city attorney, were the largest and most well-behaved opposition to any ordinance that he had ever seen in his practice of representing multiple cities. He also commended the well-reasoned arguments against the ordinance.

Just before both meetings started I got a call from State Representative Steve Toth, who is a home school dad and a candidate in a runoff for the State Senate District 4 seat—the district that includes Magnolia. Steve told me he was going to the meeting and asked me for details and talking points. He went as a state legislator and gave testimony against the ordinance about why this curfew was a bad idea for the community and families. It became clear that there was overwhelming opposition to the daytime curfew, and when he and others pointed out that the same problems existed with the city’s nighttime curfew, the council decided to kill both.

Representative Toth also explained to the council that Montgomery County commissioners have the same kind of ordinance in effect and that THSC will work with him and other leaders to address this issue to the commissioners and seek to have that ordinance removed as well.

While this was a great victory for freedom and parental rights, it is also instructive in terms of what voters should look for in elected officials. THSC Association has endorsed Steve Toth in his election bid for the State Senate because he has proven, in this situation and in many others, that he is willing and able to be an advocate for home schooling and parental rights, which is what we need in the Texas Legislature. While his opponent is a conservative and says he supports home schooling and parental rights, he did not get involved in this matter and has not been an advocate for home schooling and parental rights in the Texas Legislature.

We will be working on this issue as it moves forward in Montgomery County, but I hope all liberty-loving supporters of parental rights in Senate District 4 will support Steve Toth in the August 5 special election, because this situation proved again that Steve is the right man for the job.

Official Endorsement: Steve Toth for Texas Senate

"When the righteous are in Authority, the people rejoice!"
Proverbs 29:2 (a)

In 2013, Former Texas Senate Finance committee chairman Tommy Williams shoved a budget down Texans' throats that increased spending by 26%.  Later that year, he resigned under a cloud of corruption.  The special election to replace him concludes August 5th.

In 2012, despite being wildly outspent, Steve Toth knocked off a Joe Straus lieutenant.  This was a crucial victory in the war against Team Straus.  In 2014, once again, Steve's opponent is a Joe Straus lieutenant.

As a member of the Texas House, Steve was a persistent thorn in Joe Straus' side.  He was a reliable force for obstruction where the euphemism "getting something done" usually means something bad.  Steve's endorsement list speaks for itself.

Steve was a leader in exposing CSCOPE, and remains committed to the ongoing game of Whack-a-mole.  He understands the threat, even without expansion, that Medicaid poses to Texas' fiscal future.  We first met Steve last summer, when he was handing out pizza to pro-lifers during the mayhem at the Capitol.

This is not to say Steve is perfect.  While we appreciate his attention to the border situation, we think a lame-duck special session is dangerous.  But that doesn't change the dynamic of this race.

One final note: Steve Toth understands the Old Testament.  We cannot overemphasize how refreshing we find this.  Considering the global economic uncertainty in our near future, we appreciate elected officials who are familiar with the Harbinger.

Early voting opens in two weeks.  It's time to get serious.  Cahnman's Musings unconditionally endorses Steve Toth for Texas Senate!!!

After Action Report: Americans for Prosperity's #TXO summit

"not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25

The greatest compliment this website can give a conference is that we didn't post anything during it because we were too busy enjoying it; on a scale of 1-10, this past weekend's Americans for Prosperity "Texas Online" conference deserves a rating higher than Barack Obama's national debt.

Dana Loesch kicked off the conference with an opening blitzkrieg.  Stating that "I don't believe in an objective media," Loesch explained she shows "no courtesy to people I don't respect."  Shannon Watts of Mom's Demand Boxed Wine Action would agree:



That being said, Loesch explained "I don't target someone unless I have a file on someone."  She spends at least an hour researching anyone she debates.  The purpose is to know you opponent better than they know themselves.

Avik Roy of Forbes magazine explained how to make policy arguments in an engaging manner.  His primary suggestion was specialization.  Your value, as an advocate, is the area that you know better than anyone else.  This website had to laugh hearing Avik Roy state that, considering that we cite his work on Medicaid all the time.  In addition, Roy explained that "when you use numbers with rigor, your political opponents can't ignore it."

At the end of the day Saturday, Steven Kruiser, Tony Katz, and Kurt Schlichter performed their hilarious new political humor show "tracked and targeted."  Because it's better to laugh that to cry at the current landscape, the show's value is obvious.  Also featured a long discussion about the sexual orientation of Larry O'Connor, which reached the obvious conclusion that Larry O'Connor's lack of fashion sense makes him
"the straightest man in America."

On Sunday, Lawerence Billy Jones spoke on a panel about how to appeal to minority groups.  He ripped the RNC's photo op approach; if conservatives are serious about engagement with groups that share our values but don't vote for our candidates, we have to understand that it will be a long, slow process.  We couldn't agree more.

Thanks also to Melissa Clouthier for opening her home for a party Friday night and to AFP for sponsoring an open bar on Saturday; that's all we're going to say on that topic.

Finally, although it wasn't part of the conference, on Sunday we also attended a service at the phenomenal Grace Church of the Woodlands with Texas Senate candidate Steve Toth.  Jonathan Cahn, who wrote the Harbinger, was the guest pastor.  He spoke about signs from the book that have continued to be filled since the book was published two years ago.  The fact that President Obama signed the beam with the relevant scripture is wild.  Kudos also to Pastor Steve Riggle, a stand-up guy who challenged his congregation to support efforts to challenge Houston's new censorship ordinance at the ballot box.

This was an unreal weekend.  We took in so much new information and met so many people that it's going to take a few days to absorb the whole thing.  But Americans for Prosperity (and Grace Church) did a phenomenal job!!!  We were incredibly blessed to participate in this weekend's activities.  Their next event is labor day weekend in Dallas.

Update: Bryan Preston has a lot more here.

Steve Toth Run-off Date Set: August 5th

"And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah
Shall again take root downward,
And bear fruit upward."
2 Kings 19:30

Fantastic news in the special election to replace the disgraced Tommy Williams:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas , do hereby order a special runoff election to be held in Senate District No.4 on August 5, 2014, for the purpose of electing a state senator to serve out the unexpired term of The Honorable Tommy Williams.

Early voting by personal appearance shall begin on Monday, July 28 , 2014, in accordance with Section 85.001(b), (c) of the Texas Election Code and shall end on Friday, August I, 2014, in accordance with Section 85.00 1(b)of the Texas Election Code.

This is awesome!!!  With Steve Toth in the hole coming out of the first round, he needs as much time as he can get to build name recognition and raise money.  Governor Perry's unexpected blessing grants three additional weeks we didn't think we'd have.

Finally, this is great news for how it alters the voter profile.  By holding the election in August, you filter out many low information voters.  Anyone likely to show up for an August election is also likely to do their own homework regarding the candidates.

We mean this in the least homosexual way possible, but we could kiss Rick Perry right now!!!

Throwback Thursday: Steve Toth Punks Wolf Blitzer

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
Proverbs 29:2

We didn't know Steve Toth personally when this happened, but this video is all sorts of awesome:



Highlights:

• "First off, that hasn't happened...."

• "Let's quit dealing with the hypothetical and deal in reality, Wolf...."

Remember, early voting in the SD-4 special election is underway, find voting information here.

Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick foil obscure Common Core Backdoor

"Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees,
Who write misfortune,
Which they have prescribed."
Isaiah 10:1

An extraordinary story out of Houston, for which Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick deserve ample kudos:

The citizens of Texas owe a huge thanks to two Texas conservatives – Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick.

Because on March 24, 2014, Attorney General Greg Abbott released his 0pinion #GA-1047 answering Senator Dan Patrick‘s request #RQ-1152-GA filed last November:

....

if the liberals are going to be successful by-passing the Texas Legislature to spread federal “common core for babies” across Texas, they need an obscure taxing authority that no one will notice, led by persons willing to exceed their authority. Lucky for them, Texas has just that - The Harris County School Trustees – aka - Harris County Department of Education (HCDE.)

In 1889, the Texas Legislature assigned the operation of public schools to county school boards. Over the years, Texas moved away from county run schools to smaller independent school districts with thir own elected school boards. When Texas no longer zoned students to county schools, the Legislature repealed the laws governing county school systems.

It may sound far-fetched, but it is true. Even though all Harris County students moved to ISDs over 50 years ago, HCDE uses a loophole to continue to elect County School Trustees and collect a countywide school property tax passed way back in 1937. They disregard TEC 18.14 which dictates the distribution of county school tax funds directly to Harris County ISDs, and spend the funds as they see fit. To top it off, most people in Harris County don’t even know HCDE still exists, thus making it the perfect “obscure” taxing authority, led by persons willing to exceed their authority.

In the 1960s, with the daily operation of public schools no longer their focus, HCDE began working with LBJ to increase federal participation in our education system. Today, HCDE is so entrenched with the Feds and the liberal agenda, they are like a “Who’s-Who” of the democrat party and ideology.

President Obama’s Education Czar, Arne Duncan, visited HCDE in person. The HCDE press release called the visit "historic" with particular emphasis on "more investments in early childhood education."

....

But even worse…they stated that their long term plan was to use HCDE as their hub to spread this ACROSS TEXAS.

The liberals thought they could slip the tax increase through by simply saying “it is for the children.” But it didn’t work. County Judge Ed Emmett questioned the legality of their November 2013 petition, and was backed up by the 14th Court of Appeals. It did not make it onto the ballot.

When word surfaced that liberals were going to try another petition in November of 2014, Senator Dan Patrick requested a legal opinion from the Attorney General . Because Greg Abbott is a true conservative who follows the letter of the law, his opinion released March 24, stopped it in its tracks.

But this does not mean the kids of Texas are safe. It simply means that the HCDE tax rate won’t be doubled to pay for it.

....

Why does HCDE even want to get involved?

Besides just supporting the liberal concept of bigger government, HCDE knows it is in trouble. People are starting to question the need for county school trustees in Harris County when 252 other counties in Texas abolished their county school boards decades ago –--- especially when HCDE is using our tax dollars to help turn Texas “blue.” HCDE is banking on their liberal friends in Washington putting pressure on the Texas Legislature to keep them open. The HCDE superintendent was heard saying that the Pre-K initiative would make HCDE so big that even the Texas Legislature would not be able to touch them.

Conservative Texas Representative Debbie Riddle tried to halt HCDE’s liberal agenda last session with HB945. HCDE spent hundreds of thousands of your tax dollars on lobbyists to fight against Rep Riddle’s bill. The lobbyists lined up Alma Allen and other liberals on the House Education Committee with "Republican" Rep Dan Huberty to keep HCDE operational. And it worked. HB945 bill did not get out of committee.

But, Rep Riddle was successful in getting the House Education Committee to take a closer look at HCDE in the interim so HCDE is spending hundreds of thousands of of our county education dollars again to hire lobbyists. Rob Eissler, the ex-chair of the Texas House Education Committee and one of Straus' ex-lieutenants, who was kicked out of office by his constituants and replaced with true conservative, Steve Toth, is one of them - a "Republican" who will rake in taxpayer money helping the liberals forward their agenda.

So now, like Paul Harvey listeners, you know “the rest of the story.”

Greg Abbott’s legal opinion answering Sen Dan Patrick’s question concerning HCDE’s tax increase was much more than a simple tax question. It stopped the liberals from abusing the law and holding an illegal tax election to fund the expansion of Obama’s Pre-K Initiative in Texas.

Read the whole thing, complete with financial ties to national progressive groups, here.

-----

It's worth noting that both Abbott's and Patrick's efforts came from the offices they currently hold, NOT their campaigns.  That they were able to score this critical victory while simultaneously running statewide campaigns reveals the diligence and multitasking abilities of both men.  Kudos to both!!!

EXCLUSIVE: Texas Senate Candidate Steve Toth...UNCENSORED!!!

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice!"
Proverbs 29:2(a)

UPDATE: An earlier version of this story names an incorrect Beaumont ISD official as having been indicted.  It was actually Director of Finance Devin McCraney and Comptroller Shakira Allison.  We have temporarily pulled the video, and will post a corrected version shortly.


[Author's note: This interview was conducted last Thursday in the Woodlands; unfortunately, due to technical issues, we weren't able to post the interview until Tuesday in Austin.]

The Woodlands, TX -- Last Thursday, Cahnman's Musings interviewed Texas Senate Candidate Steve Toth.  Toth is running in a special election to finish the term of the disgraced Tommy Williams, who resigned following the budget debacle of the 83rd Texas Legislature.  Toth's district stretches from the Woodlands to Beaumont.  Turnout is expected to be very low.  Election day is May 10, Mother's day weekend, 17 days BEFORE election day in the statewide runoffs.

Highlights:

• Was personally recruited by Texas Homeschool Coalition.

• "We started this session [the 83rd] with an $8 Billion surplus and still grew spending by 26%."

• 2012 Race:
• Outspent 13 to 1
• Didn't find a single supporter of his opponent, out of 7000 doors personally knocked, until the Sunday before the election.
• Won by 15 points
• Applying the same principle to this race.

• Election Day: Saturday, May 10 (Mother's Day Weekend)
• Expecting 3% turnout.

• District: "A tale of two cities."
•  Wealthy Woodlands to poor Beaumont.
• Personal Note: When Toth says the Woodlands is a wealthy community, he's not kidding; the Austin equivalent would be Westlake on steroids!!!
  
• TWIA: Texas Windstorm Insurance
• 30% of the diesel fuel in the United States comes from the Texas Gulf Coast.
• Insures the homes of refinery workers.

• Medicaid:
• "58% of babies born in Texas are Medicaid babies."
• Expansion under Obamacare: Rejected by Texas House GOP 93-1
•  "There was no heavy lifting involved in keeping Medicaid expansion out of Texas.
• 15 years ago, 2.3% of budget; now, 23%
• Block Grants to the States
• Toth put a bill before the Federalism committee that was killed by his opponent.
• Supports opting out of Medicaid if the Feds don't grant us a waiver.
• "We can stop taking the money."
• If we stop taking federal Medicaid blood money, we'll take a hit at first, but we'll come out ahead after five years.

• CSCOPE:
• In over 800 school districts in Texas.
• Hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried.
• "There's no such thing as local control when parents can't see what their kids are being taught."
• It's coming back under new names.
• SBOE can't control the content in CSCOPE

• 2nd Amendment:
• Canary in the coal mine.
• The way you can tell tyranny exists in a system is when they take your guns.
• Got let out of Committee too late to pass.

• Leadership: "The Texas House is run by 30 liberal Republicans and 55 D's."
• Relationship w/ Straus: "It's a little fiery."
• "We're not going to preserve Texas if we roll over and play dead for current House and Senate leadership."
• "We had an 8 billion surplus, we increased spending by 26%, and we still had to raid the Rainy Day Fund to pay for roads and water."
• Straus: "Everyone's running from him right now."
• "The speaker is not helping us, he's fighting us; he's fighting us tooth and nail."
• We couldn't get spending caps out of committee.

• Ken Paxton: 
• "The Attorney General is the moral barometer of our state."
• Leadership is about when you find someone in their garage before they launch a cause.
• "He just flat out will not bend."
• Who he is in public is the exact same person he is behind closed doors.

Steve Toth on Old Testament Law and the Cross

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."

Matthew 5:17

The Woodlands, TX -- Earlier today, Cahnman's Musings interviewed Texas Senate Candidate Steve Toth about his special election May 10th.  Due to technical difficulties, we might not be able to post the interview until tomorrow.  But he made a great point at lunch that deserves commendation on it's own.

We were discussing the failure American Churches to properly disciple new believers in the Old Testament.  This is especially true for Genesis, since without Original Sin, the Gospel isn't necessary.  Toth made a fantastic point that he has graciously allowed us to quote:

"The Old Testament is a series of credit card payments before the bill was paid in full at the Cross."

Amen.

Toth's district runs from the Woodlands east to Beaumont.  His special election will be May 10th, three weeks BEFORE the Statewide Office run-off.  Turnout will be very, very low.

Reclaiming the Tenth Amendment

TPPF Policy Orientation panel:

Reclaiming the Tenth Amendment

Mario Loyola (TPPF); Rep. Matt Krause (R - Tarrant County); Rep. Steve Toth (R - Ft. Bend County); Adam Berry (Indiana Gov Mike Pence's office)

Matt Krause:

• We've already become slaves to blood money from Washington D.C., we're just negotiating price.

• If the federal govt wants to do something unconstitutional in Texas, make them execute and enforce it.

• We've got to stop taking money from the federal government if we want independence.

Steve Toth:

• The reason he won is that Texans want government by the people, not the special interests.

• "It pains me" that measures that would push back against the Feds can't get a vote in the Texas House

• 15 years ago, Medicaid was 2.5% of the state budget; today its 25%.
• The more $ we spend on Medicaid, the more the Feds send to Texas

Adam Berry:

•  Special interest groups are a lot louder than the general public.

Mario Loyola:

• The progressive and New Deal movement didn't ruin the Constitution for the heck of it; they did it to form cartels that serve as centers of power.
• Textbook Alinsky
• By getting a government official on board, all of a sudden you're safe from anti-trust prosecution.
• You can't have state based cartels in a system of competing states

• Federal government is supposed to have exclusive domain under the enumerated powers, states have everything else.

• The federal government would rather implement their policies through the states than on their own.

• Give the states $$ to bloat their budgets, then they have to do what you say.
• ie. Blackmail

• You HAVE to separate state and federal functions
• Anytime you don't do that, you make the states deputies of the feds.

• 'Coercive federalism' allows states to spend 40% more than they take in.

• Progressives are brilliant at hiding the cost side of their schemes.

Bottom Line: Creating economic dynamism in the states that don't buy into federal overreach will create the counter constituency to overwhelm the progressive constituency.

Texas vs. California: Case Closed

The economic contrast between Texas and California is an old theme at Cahnman's Musings.  This afternoon, we were pleased to attend the Texas Public Policy Foundation's "Competition and the States: Texas vs. California" which unveiled their new paper "How Big Government Hurts the Economy: Texas vs. California."  Former Reagan Economic Adviser Art Laffer and Governor Perry Spoke.

Going first, Art Laffer rattled off an astonishing list of statistics from the TPPF paper (which he co-authored):

• One fifth of all Americans live in Texas or California.

• California has the highest REAL poverty rate in America.
• Adjusted for cost of living and government benefits.

• California's tax rate on marginal economic activity is approximately 65% higher than Texas, but tax revenue is only 25% higher.

• Just the fees (without building a thing) for a single family home are between $75,000 and $100,000 in California.

• One mile of highway construction costs $265,000 in California compared to $88,000 in Texas; despite this, Texas ranks 23rd nationally in road conditions, while California is dead last.

• Of the 5 "mega-states" (CA, NY, TX, IL, and FL), California has the lowest test scores, Texas is (by far) the highest.

• California has 74% more welfare case workers than Texas.

Speaking next, Governor Perry had the best in-person performance we've seen from him in at least a year.  Governor Perry spoke with moving passion about economic growth and the "two competing visions in America."  9 of the 10 states that lead in job creation have Republican governors.  That economic growth enables people to live the lives they see fit.  In the competition with California: "The discussion is over.  The debate is over.  The proof is in.  Texas wins!!!"

In reading the paper, a number of other statistics stand out:

• "California has swung from being one of the biggest net in-migration destination states in the nation to being one of the biggest exodus states." (4)

• "Texas has the fourth lowest percent of population on welfare....while California has the highest percentage of its population on welfare" (4) [Emphasis ours]

• "Texas ranks third fastest in employment growth in the nation while California ranks 42nd." (4)

• "Public welfare employees in California make over $56,000 per year to Texas' $37,000 per anum -- a 52 percent premium." (5)

Another major contrast is the attitude towards energy development and resource recovery.  California has similar amounts of oil and gas reserves as Texas.  The difference is that Texas uses our God-given resources, while California lets the crony-capitalists in the "green energy" racket set their energy policy.

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The most amusing part of the afternoon was an intense men's room conversation on local government debt we witnessed between Texas State Reps Steve Toth and Bill Zedler.  Speaking from the urinal, Representative Toth told Cahnman's Musings, on the subject of local government debt:

"Size matters...and you can quote me on that!"

Consider it done Steve Toth.

Representative Steve Toth's CSCOPE Update

In last week's press conference, Rep. Toth called out Thomas Ratliff and the other edu-crats who are trying to preserve CSCOPE:



Highlights:

•  We shouldn't have to have this press conference, CSCOPE should be gone.

• School districts "are getting swamped" with calls about CSCOPE.

• One member of the State Board of Education insists on keeping CSCOPE alive.
• Microsoft and Common Core need CSCOPE to have a foothold in Texas

Abortion Industry Victims Share Testimony in Austin

This morning, Cahnman's Musings attended a press conference sponsored by Texas Justice Foundation, a non-profit that helps women recover from abortion.  The Justice Foundation is submitting 900 written testimonies in two volumes in support of the pro-life legislation in front of the Texas Legislature.  At the press conference, seven women shared their stories of horrific abortion experiences that the legislation under consideration would prevent.

Before the press conference, a pro-abortion protestor briefly attempted to interrupt.  She was screaming something about patriarchy.   She didn't speak long enough for us to even pull out our cell phone.

(Author's note: The written word cannot do this testimony justice.  Unfortunately, the video footage of this event in the Senate Archives is not compatible with this website's software.  Thus, our written notes will have to suffice.)

First up was Molly White, of Texas Operation Outcry.  She told how the clinic staff lied to her then left her to bleed out in an alley.  Since her abortion, she's had two miscarriages, 1 stillborn baby, and a hysterectomy.

Next up was Myra Myers.  After her abortion, the abortionist told her "Good news, you no longer have a baby."  Need we say more?!?

After that was Penny.  Unfortunately, we didn't write down her last name.  During her abortion, the attendants didn't allow her to see the ultrasound.  She had been pressured and lied to by the father.  She wanted "to protect women from being led down the same devastating path" she had been.

Patricia Luck-Graham, a star high-school athlete, was forced to abort by her parents when she was 16.  She then had multiple abortions in college.  She said, at the time, people kept asking her 'you're a star athlete, what are you going to do with a baby?!?'

Toni McKinley was drugged against her will by an abortionist who performed the procedure while she was out cold.

Julie Ziglar Norman, daughter of famed business coach Zig Ziglar, told how she began getting free birth control at 14.  When the birth control ultimately failed (which, by law of averages, it eventually will), she had two secret abortions at age 25 and 27. Her abortionist told her: "I love stupid women like you."

One line stood out: "During the thirteen years I hid from my abortion I became very pro-Choice; otherwise I would have had to admit to myself that I killed my own child."  Unfortunately, we didn't write down who said that.

After the women spoke, Representative Steve Toth and Dr./Senator Donnna Campbell briefly addressed the crowd.  Representative Toth said that the Harris County D.A. refusing to investigate the late-term abortion facility recently uncovered in Houston. 

Dr./Senator Campbell, who had just driven in from a 72 hour shift in the emergency room, is the mother of four adopted children.  As an emergency room physician, she's treated scores (if not hundreds) of abortion victims.  She discussed how the practice of medicine has always treated the unborn child as a patient, except when "a predatory abortion industry" wants "to protect their cash cow."

Cahnman's Musings highly recommends you watch the whole thing, via the Texas Senate archives, here.