About the Scalia Vacancy: An Open Letter to Senator Cornyn

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered."
Psalm 32:1

"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste, and what I mean by that is it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before."
Rahm Emmanuel

Dear Senator Cornyn,

Obviously, Justice Scalia' death is a shock to us all.  As tragic as it is, however, the process of determining his replacement appears to have unified the Republican party in a way that hasn't happened in a LONG time.  When was the last time you saw Ted Cruz and Mitch McConnell agreeing with each other?!?

First, Senator Cruz:

Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement.

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 13, 2016

Next, Mitch McConnell:

"The American people‎ should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.”

Senator, if the GOP majority can follow through on this ONE thing, I can let go of a lot of the contentiousness that's built up over the past few years.

Let the President appoint whomever he wants to appoint as a recess appointment.  That's fine, they'll be off the court in a year.  If we're lucky, it might even be something we can use for teaching purposes.

But, if the GOP majority follows through on this one thing, a lot of the anger directed towards the party at the moment will subside.

We don't need to re-hash the history.  No matter how tragic the circumstances that got us here, an opportunity exists to turn the page.  Grace can abound.

Just follow through on THIS.  ONE.  THING!!!

Sincerely,
Adam Cahn
Austin, TX
February 13, 2016

Gutless U.T. Politburo can't discuss TUITION HIKE in normal setting....

“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:21

Earlier this week, the U.T. Board of Regents received a presentation about the pending system-wide tuition hikes:

To that end, the Board of Regents, meeting in Galveston on Wednesday, discussed the Austin flagship’s proposal to raise academic charges $304 per semester, or 6.2 percent, by fall 2017. The regents also considered increases sought by the UT System’s other academic and health campuses, but they didn’t take a vote. That likely will happen before the end of the month, and at this juncture there appears to be little doubt that some sort of increase will be approved for UT-Austin and the other campuses.

“Most of our tuition and fees are at or well below the national averages,” said system Chancellor Bill McRaven, who strongly endorsed the proposed increases.

A few regents asked pointed questions. Regent Alex Cranberg wasn’t thrilled by McRaven’s reference to how much the increases per semester for the various campuses work out to on a daily basis.

“How about 7 cents a minute?” Cranberg said. “It feels like we’re getting sold something.”

Regent David Beck wondered whether campuses could do more to cut costs.

 The Regents heard the presentation, but didn't actually vote; according to the System's press release:

The Board of Regents is expected to vote on the proposals later this month.

[Sidenote: If you're interested in a HILARIOUS example of political spin, the entire press release is worth a read.]

In other words, they ran away to Galveston to hear the tuition presentations while the actual vote will take place in a special called meeting via conference call.

Bottom Line: While everything they've done complies with the relevant laws, the fact that they couldn't hear the presentation and take a vote at a regular meeting IN AUSTIN (where it's easy to cover) tells you everything you need to know about the unpopularity of this tuition hike....

Tinderholt's Opponent LYING About Endorsements

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Titus 1:12

Say what?!?

Heads up, Arlington. Obviously I am supporting Tony Tinderholt for State Rep, seeing as how he's ranked the #3 most...
Posted by Julie White McCarty on Thursday, February 11, 2016

And there's more:

Andrew Piel... Why are you still showing school board President Jamie Sullins and school board member John Hibbs as...
Posted by Kelly Canon on Thursday, February 11, 2016

Sheesh....

JAY WILEY faces down incumbent in HD-47 Debate!!

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

Jay Wiley and Paul Workman held their first debate on the Trailer Park Show this past Monday:



Highlights:

Workman opening:

• 911 service district
• Named dropped a bunch of obscure local bills
• Convention of States.
• Wants to end sanctuary cities next session.
• Author's Note: Ignores the fact that he's had three sessions to do so.
• Property tax Appraisal reform
• Author's Note: Ignores the fact that House leadership killed appraisal reform last session.

Wiley opening:

• Started reading Goldwater at 13.
• Phil Gramm mentee.
• TPPF
• Workman's amnesty bill

Workman - "Stalwart" on border security

Wiley - Texas can start a guest worker program, which Workman tried to do.

Education:

Workman - As much Parental choice as possible.

Wiley - Choice "as close to a magic bullet as we're going to get.

Black outreach:

Wiley - Economic liberty is for everyone

     - Not "interested in little groups."

     - Inspire people and multiply forces

Workman - RPT has an outreach director.

Top Issues:

Wiley - Property tax relief

• Only Travis County Republican should HAMMER property taxes.
• Hits Workman over the House's sales tax bs from last session.
• Appraisal reform and abolish property taxes over the long run.
• Sales taxes fairer than property taxes.

Workman - Water and Transportation (ie. Lobby issues)

Wiley - Straus isn't interested in property tax relief.

    - Simple Budget Reforms: Constitutional spending limits and zero based budgeting.

Relationships with other members;

Workman - Passing bills is "a lot of work."

Wiley - Grassroots coalition leaning on members.

Pot Legalization:

Wiley - Supports Medical and decriminalization.

Workman - "Absolutely opposed" "an awful idea."

Illegal Immigration:

Wiley - Enforce the law

Workman - Accuses Wiley of "wanting to load them up on busses."

Toll Roads:

Wiley - Opposed

Workman - For

Wiley: "If you're happy with your property tax bill, vote for the incumbent"

Matt McCall endorses RESTORATION of CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY!!!

"The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich."
Proverbs 13:4

Back in the day this website focused primarily on national issues, the usurpation of the ELECTED Congresses' authority by the administrative state was one of our major bugaboos; thus, we were pleased to learn about this recent proposal from United States Senator Mike Lee:

First, Congress must reclaim its power of the federal purse. Our formal budget process, which dates to 1974, has fallen apart, and we must restructure it for a post-earmark world. We need to bring entitlement programs back onto the actual budget and bring self-funding federal agencies back under annual appropriation.

Second, we need to reform legislative “cliffs” that loom behind expiring legislation — at the end of the fiscal year and when the federal debt nears its statutory limit — to realign the incentives of the American people and their government. Congress must take back control of actual federal lawmaking. Today, the vast majority of federal laws are unilaterally imposed by executive-branch agencies.

Third, Congress must take back control of actual federal lawmaking. Today, the vast majority of federal laws are unilaterally imposed by executive-branch agencies. The bureaucrats in these agencies then serve as police, prosecutors, and courts in the ensuing cases. All major regulations should be affirmatively prioritized and approved by a vote of Congress.

Finally, we must clarify the law governing executive discretion, which right now allows presidents and federal bureaucrats to ignore or rewrite federal statutes, so long as they have a clever enough reason.

Reform in these four areas would put Congress back in charge of federal lawmaking and put the American people back in charge of Washington — just as the Founders intended.

Learn more about the Article 1 project here.

And guess who endorses the Article 1 project?!?

This is exactly right. I fully support the efforts of Mike Lee and Jeb Hensarling. The career politicians have created...
Posted by Matt McCall on Friday, February 5, 2016

Gerald Daugherty...and KIRK WATSON?!?

"Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
Matthew 7:20

Yeah...these speak for themselves:

Bottom Line: Is is too much to ask that Republicans running in Travis County not have a history of donating to Kirk Watson?!?

40 Days for Life Launches Spring Campaign in Austin!!!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5

This evening, the 40 Days for Life campaign held kickoff events in hundreds of cities around the planet; here in Austin, they met outside the Planned Parenthood facility on Ben White.

40 Days for Life is a global event that holds semi-annual prayer vigils outside abortion facilities.  The goal is to peacefully and prayerfully put the facilities out of business.  Globally, 40 days for life has saved over 11,000 babies from abortion and rescued 127 clinic workers from the abortion industry since it's inception in 2007.

Here in Austin, this is the fifteenth campaign.  To our knowledge, at least 222 women have changed their minds during that time, saving at least 225 babies from abortion.  Nine clinic workers have left the abortion industry during that time, including three in the past four months!

"This is mission work in our own backyard!"

Learn more and sign up to participate here.