April 30, 2005
The Sunny Side of Life
Houtopia recalls attending a legislative session preview in Houston several months ago, with Lt. Governor David Dewhurst as the keynote speaker. Governor Dewhurst talked warmly of the collegiality and bipartisanship that characterizes the Texas Senate -- perhaps he simply couldn't recall that minor distraction in 2003 known as redistricting, which sent Senate Democrats to Albuquerque, and shut the body down for weeks -- but we'll allow that he may have been choosing to stay on the sunny side of life.
At this forum, Mr. Dewhurst took time to compliment Democratic and Republican colleagues in attendance -- a magnanimous gesture in keeping with the love-fest atmosphere of the event. It was, however, when Governor Dewhurst sunnily declared that the State would be able to both cut property taxes by a third and fund all needed programs, that we lost that loving feeling, and we suspect, so did some others in the audience.
Staying positive is one thing, but we'd like to think our elected officials at least pretend to live in the real world. The notion that property taxes could be lopped off by a third, and the rather glaring public school finance shortfall (what's a few billion among friends?) would just be solved, with absolutely no discussion of how said revenue would be made up, struck us as laughable on its face. Quorum Report's Harvey Kronberg and the Dallas Morning News' Christy Hoppe said as much on a panel after the Governor's departure.
Fast forward to today's Houston Chronicle. Janet Elliott has the scoop on the Senate's school finance plan. Those GOP fiscal hawks (see: U.S. federal budget) have taken the "responsible" route, and settled for a mere 27% property tax cut, to be phased in over a couple of years. The Senate committee also generously approved $3 billion in new school financing, including a raise for teachers. Problem solved -- maybe Governor Dewhurst was right all along.
Just a couple of minor details kill a bit of our bipartisan buzz:
The tax bill -- it seems the Senate is still "struggling" with how these property tax cuts and added school funding will actually be paid for, but what's the big deal with that?
Reconciling with the House version -- the House actually approved the whole one-third property tax cut, but resolving that 6% difference should be no problem, right? And, the House already has its tax bill -- the Republican State Comptroller says it's about $4 billion short of reality, but she's just a liberal whiner anyway.
The Democrats -- oh yeah, none of them on the Senate committee actually voted for the GOP plan -- details, details. Everyone knows the Senate is unified, just like Gov. Dewhurst says, whether it's on taxes, school finance, or gay marriage.
The Governor -- we're sure he'll sign whatever they come up with, right? OK, we won't worry about that.
After seeing that the Republican leadership in the Texas Senate has these problems in hand, we can all breathe a little easier. Isn't it nice to stay on the sunny side of life?
Posted by houtopia at 10:04 AM
April 28, 2005
Free Speech -- If You Can Afford It
In yesterday's Chronicle, R.G. Ratcliffe penned a very interesting piece about John Colyandro, the indicted former director of Texans for a Repbulican Majority Political Action Committee (TRMPAC) -- Tom Delay's money machine that successfully funded the GOP takeover of the Texas Legislature.
Colyandro, who is also the ED of the Texas Conservative Coalition, and who despite his indictment continues to receive very lucrative lobbying contracts, opposes H.B. 1348, a bipartisan effort to ban corporate and union money, and restrict so-called "issue ads" in Texas elections.
Colyandro believes such legislation would amount to a violation of free speech. An interesting argument from someone who makes his living off of corporate political and lobbying money. And perhaps an unfortunate statement from someone under indictment for money laundering.
The bill, carried by Craig Eiland (D-Galveston) and Todd Smith (R-Bedford), has 93 authors and co-sponsors (out of 150 members), but is stalled in the House Ethics Committee.
Once again, that GOP House leadership sure has its priorities in order. They can move like the wind to rename highways, stop rampant "illegal voting", or solve that enormous state crisis known as gay foster parenting. They're on it!
But making sure the schools don't close, seeing to children's health insurance, or passing meaningful campaign finance reform for the people of Texas? The little stuff can wait.
(Thanks to Ed Martin for the tip.)
Posted by houtopia at 08:54 AM
April 26, 2005
Thanks Richard
Yesterday brought the shocking, but not entirely surprising news that Richard Morrison has decided against a second run at Tom Delay in Congressional District 22.
Amid speculation about former Congressman (and Delay redistricting casualty) Nick Lampson's and Houston City Council Member Gordon Quan's possible entrance to the race, it was clear things were getting crowded.
Lampson is clearly Washington's choice for the matchup. Nick is a great guy, was an excellent Member of Congress (who represented about 30% of Delay's current district), and will be a strong candidate.
It is unclear what Quan (who is also a great guy and fine Council Member) will decide to do, but there is some speculation he is looking at CD 7 and John Culberson, where he currently lives. Gordon is an outstanding public servant, and we wish him luck, whatever he decides.
But Houtopia believes the people of Texas -- indeed, the entire country -- owe Richard Morrison a big thank you. Before Tom Delay had become the media's poster child for Congressional ethical reform, Richard had the guts to stand up and fight for District 22. He didn't win, but he ran respectably, and undoubtedly played a big role in elevating public consciousness on Delay's ethical lapses and hypocrisy.
Richard is a young man, and may yet have a bright political future -- we certainly hope so. As he and his wife await their fifth child, we wish them all the best. As his stepmother battles cancer, we wish her a full and speedy recovery, and strength and perseverance for her family.
Thanks again Richard.
Posted by houtopia at 04:20 PM
April 24, 2005
The Sixth-Year Itch?
Friday, Democracy Corps released a very interesting summary of findings from their latest national poll. In short, it's virtually all bad news for the folks running the government.
Public attitudes about the direction of the country are at an all-time low; attitudes toward the Iraq War are sinking fast; folks are nervous about healthcare and the economy; the public resoundly rejects the President's Social Security privatization plan; people are not happy with what's happening in government.
It's a bit early yet, but some political watchers are beginning to speculate about whether the "sixth-year itch" will be scratched in next year's midterm elections. Since 1950, the second midterm election of a two-term president has resulted in an average loss of 6 U.S. Senate seats for his party. Much can change between now and November 2006, but the dynamic is certainly there now.
The Democracy Corps data clearly show opportunity for Democrats -- but opportunity that has not yet been seized. Democrats have a chance to make real electoral gains next year, but to do so they must field good candidates with a vision for America going forward. We'll see.
Posted by houtopia at 01:42 PM
April 23, 2005
A Gift From the Chronicle
Today offers U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay a brief respite from his recent media freefall, and he can thank his hometown paper. The Chron's Gebe Martinez throws Delay a lifeline in today's edition.
The piece (correctly) points out that Delay has built up more party loyalty than two former House Speakers -- Georgia Republican Newt Gingrich and Texas Democrat Jim Wright -- had when they succumbed to ethics violations. Through his aggressive fundraising and hardball politicking, Delay has been indispensable to increasing the GOP majority and advancing its legislative agenda. So far, few GOP Members have been willing to publicly criticize Delay.
But Martinez' analysis that Delay is likely to survive his current troubles hinges on a rather huge "if":
"Barring an indictment by a Texas grand jury investigating a political action committee he created, or some other major scandal, DeLay's allies contend that the tenacious lawmaker can survive."
It's far from certain that Travis County DA Ronnie Earle will indict good Brother Delay, and we cannot foresee whether or not future public scandals await him. But given the litany of questionable and perhaps illegal behavior we have seen so far, predicting Delay's political survival strikes us as more than a tad premature.
But the Chronicle doesn't stop there. Anne Marie Kilday is only too happy to fill her short piece on NASA with visionary quotes from Brother Tom, and describe him as a "strong supporter of the space program..." who "helped defeat Congressional attempts to trim funding." Unqualified praise for such a deserving man.
Finally, the Chron sees fit to run the outcome (or lack thereof) of a Democratic pow-wow on next year's race for District 22. Subtext: The Dems don't have their act together.
Today Tom Delay, that victim of "Democrat persecution", can thank the hometown "liberal media" for singing his tune.
Posted by houtopia at 11:23 AM
April 22, 2005
The Breakfast Club
Today's Chronicle has an interesting piece on the monthly breakfast meeting of the Texas Congressional delegation, a once-important and almost mandatory, bipartisan gathering that has fallen on hard times.
When Houtopia worked for a moderate Houston Democratic Congressman in the early 1990s, a spirit of collegiality and cooperation prevailed among the Texas delegation, irrespective of party. Sure, Bill Archer and Jake Pickle divided along party lines on many issues, but when it came to the state's interests, Members of both parties tried to put Texas first. My how things have changed.
We are pleased to see efforts to revive the breakfast as a symbol of bipartisan cooperation among the Texas delegation, but we remain skeptical of the prospects for success.
Quite simply, the well has been poisoned, and largely by Tom Delay. Since his rise to power in the House GOP Caucus, the majority party has steadily alienated and marginalized the minority. Excluding Democrats from bill markups, changing committee rules and procedures, and even doing away with long-honored House rules on floor debate and votes, has had a chilling effect on collegiality.
But for Texas Members, it is Mr. Delay's draconian 2003 redistricting plan that has spawned an Ice Age between the two parties. First off, it was done in mid-decade -- without historical precedent -- for most Members, enduring the painful process of redrawing the lines once after each Census is enough.
But second, and more important, Delay's plan explicitly targeted incumbent Democrats. Texas Republicans are fond of mentioning Democrats' 1991 redistricting as justification for their 2003 gerrymander. While it is true that the 1991 redraw created new Democratic districts, it protected GOP incumbents. Not so in 2003. (For the record, Houtopia supports non-partisan redistricting by committee.)
So, some well-meaning Texas members will attend these monthly meetings and try to melt the glacier that has formed between the two parties. We wish them luck -- they'll need it. Texans would certainly benefit from some rapprochement.
The article notes Chet Edwards' attendance at the breakfast -- the only Democratic incumbent targeted in the general election by Delay's plan who survived. Ironically, Mr. Delay was nowhere to be found.
Posted by houtopia at 11:01 AM
April 21, 2005
Tom Delay -- In His Own Words
The Daily Delay highlights David Sirota's catch of this delicious statement from our fearless U.S. House Majority Leader in 1995 -- my how things change in a decade. Brother Tom has made a remarkable spiritual journey to arrive 180 degrees from his former self. We've reprinted it for your enjoyment.
"The time has come that the American people know exactly what their Representatives are doing here in Washington. Are they feeding at the public trough, taking lobbyist-paid vacations, getting wined and dined by special interest groups? Or are they working hard to represent their constituents? The people, the American people, have a right to know...I say the best disinfectant is full disclosure, not isolation." - U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, 11/16/95
Box seats to the Three Tenors -- $14,000
Scottish golf junket -- $70,000
Learning Tom Delay will be investigated by the House Ethics Committee, and that he's hanging himself with his own words -- priceless.
Posted by houtopia at 09:26 AM
April 20, 2005
The Texas GOP -- Tackling the Tough Problems
We were proud yesterday to highlight the state GOP's common sense agenda to solve Texas' toughest problems.
Rather than be distracted by nuisances like public school finance, children's healthcare, or a tax bill, House Republicans rolled up their sleeves and took on the real problems facing Texans -- hundreds of state highways left unnamed, when they could be called Reagan; that rampant scourge of illegal voting in Texas, that has gotten so many Democrats elected; those greedy, selfish rape victims, who insist on being medically treated after they're attacked; and that one chance, however small, that even though gay marriage is thrice illegal in Texas, some gay couple could tie the knot -- sure, nobody's tried it yet, but it could happen any time.
Today we are proud that Pasadena Representative Robert Talton has added a new plank to his fellow Republicans' platform to really help Texas families in their everyday lives -- stop gay foster parents. For gay foster parenting may be the most difficult crisis facing our great state. The possibility of the schools closing pales in comparison to gay foster parenting; kids losing their healthcare is tough, but it doesn't hold a candle to this foster parenting nightmare we're in; rural poverty is hard to take, but first we've got to do something about gay foster parenting!
Thank you, Mr. Talton. The people of Texas see you and the House GOP have the wisdom to know what the real issues are, and the courage to face them. You do the taxpayers proud.
Posted by houtopia at 07:37 AM
April 19, 2005
HB 1706 -- Putting Texans' Real Needs First
It's nice to know that Texas House Republicans can be counted on to put the State's real needs first. Wouldn't almost any Texan agree that, rather than trifling with small potatoes such as the tax bill, public school finance, or children's healthcare, that the Legislature's real priorities should be renaming highways after dead Presidents, banning emergency contraception for rape victims, or making already illegal gay marriage more illegal?
Well, the GOP has added a new plank to its platform to improve the everyday lives of Texans -- make it more difficult for them to vote. HB 1706 tackles that toughest of kitchen table issues -- illegal voting.
After all, it was only those illegal votes in House District 149 that enabled a Democrat to unseat a longtime GOP member. That Republican judge who ruled in Hubert Vo's favor is just out of touch with mainstream Texas values.
What Texans really want from the folks in charge of state government isn't necessarily a school finance system that works and educates their kids, or a tax bill that's fair to average folks, or a plan to keep all our kids healthy.
That's nice and all, but what's really important is driving on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, rather than Highway 290. What really matters is denying rape victims medical treatment in the name of life. A top priority just has to be stopping that rampant illegal voting. And above all, what Texans really care about is making triple, quadruple sure no gay people try to get married. One law, two laws, even three laws making it illegal just aren't quite enough. We need another one.
Aren't you glad House Republicans dealt with the easy, minor stuff first? Now that they've fixed the little things, they can get to what really matters. The Texas GOP -- fighting for the real, everyday needs of Texans across our state.
Posted by houtopia at 09:38 AM
April 18, 2005
Kerry Dialing for Dollars
This little gem captures the exchange between some poor soul trying to raise money for Kerry, and a, let us say, disappointed former contributor. Ouch.
Posted by houtopia at 03:16 PM
Abramoff, Reed & John Cornyn?
Kuff captures an interesting Ft. Worth Star-Telegram piece on U.S. Senator John Cornyn's possible ties to troubled Washington super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff surrounding the Tigua casino closing in 2002, when Cornyn was Texas Attorney General. The connection? Former head of the Christian Coalition and now-candidate for Lt. Governor of Georgia Ralph Reed.
Today's NY Times, in a lengthy piece on Reed's tenuous political situation, also touches on the Tigua case, and Abramoff & Reed's connections to Cornyn.
Again, we are shocked at such behavior from these upstanding Christian men (Cornyn and Reed -- Abramoff is Jewish.) But doing the Lord's work requires sacrifice, and may even mean having to get rich. Oh, the burden.
Posted by houtopia at 11:49 AM
Delay Discovers His District
It has been interesting over the last few weeks to watch U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay's attempted self-reinvention as a Tip O'Neill-style Member of Congress -- this inside the Beltway, partisan attack dog has suddenly decided "all politics is local."
Today's Chron editorial compliments his recent cooperation with Houston Mayor Bill White to resolve the ongoing problem of rail cars blocking intersections (often near schools and dangerous to children) on the City's east side.
Houtopia applauds the efforts of all involved to resolve this issue -- including Channel 2 News' in-depth efforts to document and shine a light on the problem. We just wonder why it's taken Mr. Delay so long to give his home area the time of day?
So many years of putting party over the people, attacking Bill Clinton instead of solving problems, and blocking badly needed transportation dollars for Houston, cannot be undone by his work on a laudable, but small-scale issue. Brother Tom, where have you been all these years?
Posted by houtopia at 11:14 AM
April 15, 2005
HB 16 -- Complete Outrage
It's nice to know that our fearless Republican leaders of the State Legislature have those minor issues like school finance, the tax bill, CPS and CHIP under control, so they can focus on really pressing matters, like allowing "righteous" pharmacists to deny women birth control if they morally oppose it. (Thanks to Kuff for the tip.)
Isn't it amazing what the party of "smaller government" has become? Those same folks who want government off of business's backs, whether it's through lowering taxes or deregulation, draw the line at folks' private lives. There, government knows best. Only the "holy GOP" can be trusted to ensure Americans follow proper Christian tenets. The right wing victim violin plays on.
Meanwhile, the public school system is broken, poor kids go without healthcare, and the state is broke. But these are just minor problems, right? The Republican leadership's real work in Austin is making sure rape victims don't get emergency contraception, making it more difficult for Texans to vote, renaming highways after Ronald Reagan, and, above all, making already illegal gay marriage more illegal.
We'll go out on a limb and suggest maybe, just maybe, this isn't what most Texans have in mind as top priorities for our dear Legislature. Time for change, folks.
Posted by houtopia at 05:10 PM
House of Scandal
Well, well, well. Today the DCCC unveiled a nifty new Web site on our embattled House Majority Leader Tom Delay.
It includes a fun flash graphic tracing Delay's web of ethical problems, a video you Pink Floyd fans will especially enjoy, and perhaps most interestingly, a list of Delay's entanglements with members of the Texas Congressional Delegation. (A similar list is available for each state.)
Houstonians may particularly enjoy reading about John Culberson, Ted Poe, Michael McCaul, and Kevin Brady's connections to good Brother Tom.
Just warms the heart, doesn't it?
Posted by houtopia at 04:32 PM
April 13, 2005
Pearland City Councilman Flips His Lid
Some readers may be familiar with the Center for American Progress (if not, check it out.)
One writer there, Judd Legum, has started an online campaign to stop corporate America from continuing to support Tom Delay -- it's called Drop the Hammer.
Apparently, one Pearland City Council Member, Kevin Cole, took exception to Mr. Legum's efforts and let fly an email response rather unbecoming of an elected official and Baptist deacon (which Cole is.)
It seems his page on the Pearland City Web site has now been removed. Oh, and you'll notice in his email that he misspelled Pearland. Ah, those northern Brazoria County folks should be proud. (Hat tip to BOR.)
Posted by houtopia at 02:31 PM
The End Must Be Near
For weeks now, U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay has endured withering criticism from most of the country's major newspapers, including conservatives' main rag -- The Wall Street Journal editorial page.
Today comes the capper. When The Onion starts lampooning you, your days are numbered. Time to get on your knees, Brother Tom.
Posted by houtopia at 02:11 PM
April 12, 2005
USA Today & CSM Join the Delay Party
Well, coverage of the Pope's passing is winding down, and U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay is back in the hot seat. Houtopia suspects Baptist Brother Tom's trip to Rome may have been motivated by a bit more than an admiring Protestant's wish for a final tribute. It provided nice political cover.
Today, however, is a new day, and Brother Tom's troubles continue. First, USA Today, one of the country's most widely read dailies, summarizes Mr. Delay's lengthy list of troubles, both political and ethical -- ouch.
But it is the Christian Science Monitor which runs the more interesting piece on the "narrowing" gap between what House Republicans are saying publicly and privately about their fearless leader. The money quote from one unnamed GOP lawmaker: "Democrats should save their money. Why murder someone who's committing suicide?"
Indeed, we only hope it's a long, slow political death.
Posted by houtopia at 03:40 PM
April 11, 2005
Chris & Alison Bell -- On Redistricting and Stem Cell Research
As many readers know, former Houston Congressman and City Council Member Chris Bell is seriously exploring a run for Governor of Texas next year. He's off to a good start, striking a reformist tone and talking of a New Mainstream in Texas. As Houtopia has written, this kind of sensible approach to woo independents and the few remaining moderate Republicans is likely the only way a Democrat can win statewide in 2006.
In an op-ed in Sunday's Houston Chronicle, Chris makes the very strong case for a return to accountability in the U.S. House of Representatives, via non-partisan redistricting. We wholeheartedly concur. Fewer than 30 seats out of 435 were competitive in 2004. Entrenched incumbency rules the day in the House, and goes a long way toward explaining the polarization, inflexibility and poisonous atmosphere in this once great legislative body. Sam Rayburn must be rolling over in his grave. We salute Chris's (and others) efforts in this regard.
Many readers may do not know that Chris's wife, Alison Ayres Bell, has been waging her own very difficult battle with breast cancer. Today she pens her own eloquent appeal for sanity on the stem cell research issue, and throws in a nice plug for her husband's candidacy as well. Way to go, Alison.
Posted by houtopia at 11:10 AM
April 10, 2005
Abramoff & Shays Turn on Tom
Josh Marshall captures two very interesting stories today.
One is an in-district town hall meeting by Connecticut GOP House Member Chris Shays, a moderate who has thus far been publicly supportive of Tom Delay (though he was one of the few GOP Caucus members to oppose amending House rules to allow Delay to remain in power should he be indicted.) No more. We'd say publicly calling someone an embarrassment to you and your party pretty well signals you've parted company.
Perhaps more interesting is Michael Isikoffs Newsweek piece on the fallen Washington super-lobbyist, Jack Abramoff. Perhaps understandably, Abramoff is feeling pretty lonely and abandoned these days by the GOP power structure that helped him get so rich. That could spell bad news for Brother Tom, because Abramoff indicates he knows a lot, and is about ready to spill the beans.
The Passion of the Tom continues -- are the betrayers emerging?
Posted by houtopia at 11:10 AM
April 08, 2005
Clark vs. Perle -- D.C. Smackdown
Full disclosure: Houtopia volunteered for Wes Clark's brief presidential campaign, and is an unabashed fan.
We're a day late on this one, but we couldn't pass up an opportunity to highlight Dana Milbank's WaPo piece on retired General Wesley Clark's showdown with exiled neocon Richard Perle before the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday.
Perle, who has been largely discredited for his role in the WMD/Iraq fiasco, and has retreated to his French villa (its fine to bash France, but Provence is so lovely in Spring), and Clark reprised their 2002 pre-invasion match to somewhat different effect.
In 2002, Clark cautioned against a hasty invasion of Iraq, while Perle (with help from GOP committee members) mocked and belittled him. Turns out Clark was right. Who looks foolish now?
When In Doubt, Blame Somebody Else
First off, The Daily Delay points out that today is Tom Delay's birthday. Head on over and send him your fondest wishes. We won't go there.
Today's Houston Chronicle and NY Times have the latest on Brother Delay's continuing crusade against the "Judicial War on Faith." This just days after Delay basically threatened judges for their "activism" in the Terri Schiavo case -- a particularly nice touch, considering the recent violence against members of the bench in Chicago and Atlanta.
Even fellow Texas Republican John Cornyn, who, a few days ago on the floor of the U.S. Senate, disgracefully justified violence against judges, distanced himself from Brother Tom on this one.
You've got to hand it to Mr. Delay -- he shows an impressive singularity of focus. Continuing ethical allegations and bad press swirl around him, but he's still hunting that liberal bogeyman. Nothing will distract him from doing the Lord's work.
The protagonist of the Passion of the Tom charges blindly on.
Posted by houtopia at 11:09 AM
April 05, 2005
WaPo Uncovers Delay Junket to Russia
And the hits just keep on coming.
U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay, Sugar Land's favorite exterminator, has had a rough several weeks. One revelation after another has emerged in recent days, spotlighting ethical lapses, smash-mouth political tactics, or just good old-fashioned hypocrisy by the devout Mr. Delay.
In a lengthy investigative piece, The Washington Post has the latest. It seems that the National Center for Public Policy Research, a right-wing think tank, may have once again laundered money to finance a 1997 Brother Delay trip to Russia. Only $57,000 for this junket -- a bargain compared to the British Isles.
And who was behind the trip and even accompanied Brother Delay? You guessed it, legally challenged Beltway lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who paid for Delay's Scottish golf trip, and was connected to the Congressman's favorable votes vis-a-vis Indian gambling. These votes were a departure from Brother Tom's normally vociferous stand against gambling, but these are minor details, right?
The drip, drip, drip in the Passion of the Tom moves to a trickle.
Posted by houtopia at 11:08 AM
No Marks vs. Martha Matchup in 134
Houtopia was surprised to read last week's political intelligence suggesting that Mayor Bill White's Health Policy Director, Elena Marks, had signed on to challenge incumbent Republican Martha Wong in State House District 134 next year.
Surprised because we know Ms. Marks, and while we think she is an extremely capable woman, who would be a strong candidate and a fine State Representative, we had never heard her express even the slightest interest in making a race against Martha Wong. So, we decided to check with her to set the record straight.
Alas, this latest rumor was just that -- rumor. Ms. Marks has no intention of running for State Representative, or any other elective office next year. She is plenty occupied with her duties at City Hall.
So, for Martha's captives in District 134 who yearn for a strong candidate to challenge her next year, it will have to be someone other than Elena Marks. Just know that good work is being done to find the right person to send Martha packing in November 2006.
Posted by houtopia at 11:05 AM
April 03, 2005
Delay Slipping at Home
Did anyone else find it strange yesterday to see U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay posing with the Mayor and trying to take credit for working "toward a vision of making Houston a model of mobility in this nation"?
The same Tom Delay who for years has prevented the Houston area from getting its fair share of federal transportation dollars? The same Delay who is so wrapped up in his Washington power play, he can rarely be bothered to pay attention to the constituents he "represents"? The same Delay who helped fund the opposition to the rail referendum but won't admit it?
Today's Chronicle poll makes it all clear. It seems Brother Delay's image has taken a big hit in Congressional District 22, just as it has nationwide. The ethical problems; the craven political grandstanding over Terri Schiavo; playing the victim (note to Tom: Texans don't like whiners); the Passion of the Tom is wearing thin, and the last act may not yet have even begun.
Brother Tom must be a bit nervous. Loading up the appropriations bill with pork for Houston, sharing a photo-op with a popular mayor, he's read the poll numbers and is seeking redemption from his Sugar Land flock.
Too little too late.
Posted by houtopia at 11:01 AM
April 01, 2005
House Dems Take a Stand on Gambling
It was a classic political set-up, about to unfold according to plan.
The Texas House is in session in Austin, faced with myriad funding shortages -- none greater than public education -- plus a GOP majority determined to cut taxes. Enter gambling.
For Speaker Craddick and his gang, a dilemma: We want the gambling revenue to offset our tax cuts (never mind that it would make little progress toward solving the public education funding crisis), but as "conservatives", we can't be seen as the face of any effort to legalize gambling in Texas. That would be moral turpitude!
Mr. Craddick, clever as always, had a solution. Get Democrats to carry the bill! After all, their constituents have been hit hardest by budget cuts, and they are desperate to restore at least some funding to programs that have been gutted. Let them be the face of legalized gambling. We'll get our revenue, and once more Texans will see Democrats (with a little help from us) as godless heathens without "values."
State GOP Chair Tina Benkiser scheduled an Austin rally, to decry the immorality of legalized gambling. Never mind that her state elected leaders were quietly pushing gambling behind the scenes, this would be a golden opportunity to pound the hapless Democrats yet again. Republicans would have their cake and eat it too. It almost worked.
One freshman Democrat from Houston came out immediately against gambling. For several weeks he was a lone voice in the wilderness, condemning the bill as a most regressive way to raise revenue -- on the backs of the poor and working classes already struggling to make ends meet.
Then Wednesday, just a day before Benkiser's "Bash the Democrats", er... "Oppose Gambling" rally, House Dems said no. Messieurs Dunnam, Coleman & Gallego refused to be played again, and stepped all over Benkisers planned photo-op in the process.
Houtopia is not opposed to some future legalized gambling in Texas, but it is a risky and disgraceful way to try to fund public education. Good for House Democrats -- no fooling.
Posted by houtopia at 10:51 AM