Monthly Archives: April 2009

City Council District H candidate Ed Gonzalez celebrated his 40th birthday with a couple hundred of his closest friends and supporters at the Cadillac Bar.

I must say that it had been a while since I attended a fundraiser or political event with Tejano music, tamales, and more. After spending all that time in the ‘burbs, it was nice to get a dose of cultura and politica!

Lots of VIPs in the room, but I especially enjoyed spending some time with some old-school politicos from the barrio, including Mr. Blanco and Mr. Cortes (in the photo; click to enlarge). I also met a few DC readers, which is always good.

And in the DC small world department, I also re-met Ed’s wife, Melissa. Actually, I knew her as Dr. Melissa Najera, a now-tenured Business professor at UH-Clear Lake. DosCentavos even covered Dr. Najera during the 2006 Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TAChE) Conference. So, it can be said that DosCentavos really brings people together!

So, with all those in attendance, it can be said that the event was a success. But, if you didn’t attend, well, it looks like you need to apologize. What better way to apologize than to give a little by clicking here.

Happy Birthday, Ed!

Mayor Bill White got an earful today from pro-migrant activists, including several men of the cloth who support the rights of immigrants.

About 50 people came to City Hall today to protest Mayor Bill White’s decision to participate in the federal government’s 287(g) program, which trains local jailers to assist immigration agents.

Standing in front of signs that read “Deportation destroys families,” several representatives of the group Pastores en Accion (Pastors in Action) urged the mayor to reconsider, saying stepped-up immigration enforcement in the jails could have a ripple effect of broader enforcement by police officers in immigrant communities, or even spill over into racial profiling.

As I mentioned recently, Mayor White has his explanation for bringing 287g to Houston:

White defended the policy, noting that the city’s aim is to ensure that the city has the right information to be able to help federal agents remove from this country “deportable felons” — that is, legal or illegal immigrants that have been convicted of felony crimes.

But as I have said, and others have as well, the problem with 287g is how it is managed, and by whom. As it stands, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has taken its concerns about the program to Secretary Janet Napolitano. At the very least, Mayor White should have supported the Caucus and joined them in calling for improvements to the program, instead of taking it upon himself to impose it on Houston.

City Councilman James Rodriguez has now joined the voices calling for added dialogue. Rodriguez speaks about what matters.

“I’m concerned about splitting families, and I’m concerned that we have an immigrant community that’s fearful of dealing with police,” said Councilman James Rodriguez. “Communication and dialogue is what’s needed here.”

Councilman M.J. Khan added to the dialogue.

If police officers have discretion to take someone to jail because they are driving without a license, “a lot of people will be going to jail,” said Councilman M.J. Khan, a Pakistani immigrant who admitted to forgetting his driver’s license in the past. “Chances are that a lot of innocent people who have nothing to do with this huge issue of illegal immigration will be getting hurt if that happens.”

And that is what Mayor White needs to clarify–the discretion of the HPD.

We need dialogue, Mayor. Now.

Once again, it is time for the survey results from Dr. Stephen Klineberg at Rice University. The Chron’s immigration blog has some of the findings regarding immigration:

The numbers of area residents who believe that the new immigration “mostly strengthens American culture” increased from 39 percent in 1997 to 57 percent in 2005, and then dropped to 44 percent in 2007, before recovering to 49 percent in this year’s survey.

The percentage of area residents who favor “granting illegal immigrants a path to legal citizenship if they speak English and have no criminal record” dropped from 68 percent in 2007 to 56 percent in 2008, and then recovered to 61 percent in this year’s survey.

The numbers saying that the increasing ethnic diversity brought about by immigration is a “good thing” dropped from 67 percent in 2005 to 62 percent in 2007, and remained unchanged (at 61 percent) in 2009.

In the 2009 survey, 64 percent agreed that, “The children of illegal immigrants should have the right to attend the public schools,” down from 71 percent in 2007.

68 percent today are in favor of “imposing fines and criminal charges against employers in this community who hire illegal immigrants,” up from 56 percent two years ago.

In 2007, 44 percent were in favor of “a law that would deny health and welfare services to illegal immigrants in Texas.” In 2009, 50 percent were in support of that proposal.

On the one hand, some of the numbers looks better, particularly those Houstonians who want a path to citizenship. Some of the other numbers border on crazy, or at the very least, border on unconstitutional.

The numbers show that a good number of Houstonians want to deny educational opportunities to “the children of illegal immigrants.” Not only is this unconstitutional, how the question is asked could also affect the way someone answers it. The majority of these children are Americans, and I wonder if respondents were given that fact.

The last question in that group regarding health and welfare benefits is another one that borders on crazy. First of all, undocumented people do not qualify for welfare benefits, but their children do–they need to eat, they need to survive, and it’s not much! Secondly, to deny basic health services to a human being is just, well, inhumane.

I’ll be going over much of this survey, but truth be told, surveys mean absolutely nothing.

Did a majority of Americans want the Civil Rights Act or the Voting Rights Act?

The Humble Observer has covered the Humble ISD Trustee races very well. Hats off to the new management!

My friend and neighbor Vernon Reed is in his second run for a seat on the school board. This time, he’s challenging 20-year incumbent Dr. Bonnie Longnion.

The incumbents inon the board have been running on wanting to “pressure the legislature” for changes in the WADA for fast-growth districts like Humble ISD; however, how can one pressure Joe Crabb when they’ve voted for him all along?

Instead, the Board has attempted to “pressure” other legislators, with Crabb’s Republican friends giving them little-to-nothing. What some of these local Republicans do not understand is that Republicans in the Lege actually want to starve public schools, so, to expect Crabb’s friends to save the day is just a fantasy.

Humble ISD has become overgrown because of all of these cookie-cutter development that have been built in the area. Promised new schools in those new areas, Humble ISD has come through with bond elections to build all these new facilities. What they forget, though, is that all of these new buildings bring operational expenses.

What the school board should have done during these 20 years that Mr. Reed’s opponent has been on the board is controlled growth, or at the very least, expect an initial educational infrastructure investment from the developers. No, instead, our educational infrastructure has been compromised to the point where we can expect annual increases in property tax rates if something is not done in the legislature.

Well, since hind-sight is 20-20, this blogger thinks it’s time for new ideas. In the short-term, vote for Vernon Reed. In the slightly longer term, get rid of Joe Crabb. All Democrats need is 2 seats to gain a majority and I can assure pro-Education voters in Humble ISD that they will respond to our needs.

The Harris County Democratic Party held its annual Trailblazers Brunch on Saturday. Held at the Sheraton Suites at the Galleria, over 300 Democratic leaders and activists were in attendance to celebrate the lifes-work of Ann Richards, Eleanor Tinsley, Barbara Jordan, and Billie Carr.

Giving tributes of each Trailblazer were Texas AG candidate Barbara Ann Radnofsky, HCDP Chairman Gerry Birnberg, Bruce Austin, and TDP Parliamentarian Ed Cogburn.

After a rousing introduction by Mayor Bill White, who would also like be our U.S. Senator, State Rep. Ellen Cohen (pictured above–click to enlarge) spoke to the crowd. In what is one of the best speeches this blogger has heard from a local Dem in a while, Cohen concentrated her remarks on the work of each of the Trailblazers, then summed things up by telling the crowd that we must continue the work, telling it like it is, even if it is not politically popular.

As always, it was great visiting with Dem VIPs, electeds, and fellow activists. What was amazing is seeing the number of prospective candidates for the 65 judicial positions that will be challenged in 2010. Among my favorites were newcomer, yet great legal mind, Javier Valenzuela. Keep an eye out for him at Dem meetings and get-togethers.

Congrats and thank you to the HCDP Staff and Volunteers for another successful event.

And a big thanks also goes to State Rep. Ellen Cohen, who, even after voting on budget amendments at the Capitol until 4AM Saturday morning, drove to Houston for the event. Of course, soon after, she was on the road back to Austin. She represents us well!

Ted Poe’s in Liberty County?
When I saw that rats had taken over the Liberty County Courthouse, I was mistaken. County Clerk Delia Sellers (she’s cool and a Democrat) is hilarious, though. “These rats might just get to stay — as long as they don’t ask for a raise.” Let’s hope the same isn’t true for Poe and the judge.

Tu Dile, Mike!
Just got wind of this particular part of the House Debate on the budget bill. When State Rep. Mike Villareal’s amendment was challenged by some republinut, he told him, “Call a point of order!” Villarreal said, quite loudly. “I dare you! Bring it on!”

Gotta love our SA Dems!

Speaking of SA…
Have you caught the ad for mayoral candidate Julian Castro? Here’s the embed:

Television Commercial from Castro For Mayor on Vimeo.

Y What About Califas?
Well, in the special election to fill the 32nd Congressional District seat left by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, I’d have to say my favorite candidate is Gil Cedillo. Currently a State Senator, Cedillo seems like the most experienced candidate, ready to hit the ground running. He’s got some pretty heavy endorsements, too, including one of my favorites Reps., Grace Napolitano.

My friend and CA colleague Adriana Maestas at SiTV interviewed Cedillo recently. Check it out!

Mel-Tinis?
Are you going to the Young Professionals event honoring our own Hon. Melissa Noriega? Tuesday, April 21st at 5:30PM at Deans, 315 Fairview. $5 Mel-Tinis and $1 off house drinks. ¿Que mas quieres? (Dean’s? Is that close to the leather shop? Not that I go there or anything.)

El Brunch
The HCDP Trailblazers Brunch is on Saturday at 10AM at the Sheraton Suites. Check out the info here. I didn’t ask if it was Pajamas-optional, but I got a really nice robe I stole, um, borrowed from a hotel. Nevermind. It says Sheraton on it.

Have a safe weekend!

From Radcliffe at Texas Politics, the only Democrat in the running in the Democratic Primary for Governor, Tom Schieffer, had this to say about Rick Perry’s anti-American remarks.

“Talk of secession would be laughable if it weren’t mentioned in a serious way. Texas certainly can’t withdraw from the world. We can’t withdraw from America. We can’t roll up into a ball and pretend problems don’t exist. This is not the time to build walls between Texas and the world. This is the time to find workable solutions to the problems we face.”

I particular like the “not time to build walls” part. Our Dem Lege leaders also weighed in.

Anyone else want to say something this substantive?

From our friends at Planned Parenthood-Houston

Call Your State Representative TODAY Protect family planning dollars!

The Texas House of Representatives is set to debate the House Budget bill (HB1) tomorrow and will be voting on funding for important services like family planning. We need your help to make sure that family planning dollars are protected. Stand up for Texas women and families!

Call your State Representative (Click here to find YOUR State Rep- Note: You must select “House” as the District Type) with the following message:

• I support family planning funding for Texas women. Please protect family planning dollars in the House budget.
• Texas has the highest rate of uninsured women in the nation. Family planning funding is essential to keep women of reproductive age healthy and prevent unintended pregnancy.
• 56% of all births in Texas are paid for by Medicaid costing Texans
• $2.5 billion dollars in 2007. Every public dollar spent on preventative family planning services saves taxpayers $3 in Medicaid costs for prenatal and newborn care.
• 80% of Texans favor increased funding for family planning services & counseling to reduce number of unintended pregnancies.
• 79% of Texans agree that Planned Parenthood should continue to receive public funding to provide family planning services to low-income women.

It is critical that we make these calls TODAY.

Please let us know the responses you receive and/or feedback by emailing us at public.affairs@pphset.org.

Looking for other ways to stay connected?

Text PLAN to 313131 to receive text message updates – we’ll text you when there are important developments on any bills that affect Planned Parenthood’s mission.

Add “Lobby Day Liz” as a friend on Facebook! Lobby Day Liz will be updating her status throughout the rest of the 81st Legislative Session so that her friends know what policy makers are up to when it comes to supporting legislation that works.