Looks like we’ll have a countywide slate now that Gordon Quan will announce that he will seek the Democratic nomination for Harris County Judge.
As Miya Shay states in her blog, Quan has hired a heavy-hitter to run things, so, this blogger is excited that we will have a strong countywide slate for the November ballot.
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Posted in Texas Dems 2010
There will be a lot of back and forth during this Democratic Primary season whether we vote to put ourselves on a course to close down the County Treasurer’s office, or not. Kuff has already set up the discussion with varying views, thus far.
As Chad Khan, candidate for County Treasurer noted:
In 2006, Mr. Richard Garcia campaigned about abolishing the County Treasurer’s office and I supported his campaign. I still believe that the County Treasurer’s office has little use and is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Once elected, I will attend every meeting of the County Commissioner’s court with the intent of serving as a watchdog for the taxpayer, which would include working to prove the ineffectiveness of the office. I believe the abolishment of the office must begin from within the office and I vow to work toward that end.
Thus far, Khan is the only candidate to comment on the issue.
I agree that in order for one to abolish the office, one basically must be on the inside pushing the Commissioners and other elected officials to back up the notion in order to put the political and legislative wheels in motion.
In the same post, judicial candidate Wally Kronzer brings up his points regarding the office as basically a “watchdog” which is a pretty good notion; however, without the legislative teeth to truly serve as such, the “watchdog” would just be a whiny, yapping dog, much like the incumbent. If we want something like the City Controller, then by all means, give the position the legislative teeth to perform audits and the ability to more than just suggest cost-cutting measures to the commissioners.
Even so, such a task would require a County Treasurer willing to take on the internal and external powers that be to achieve the legislative changes. Obviously, a very open and honest check into the way the County does business would be required.
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Posted in Houston Politica, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege
International Migrants Day: Call Congress TODAY!
Ask them to “Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform NOW!”
We want to thank you for your continued support for Houston janitors. Right now, we have an opportunity to create real immigration reform that will affect all of our communities. Please Call TODAY!
Call your Member of Congress and tell them:
“Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform NOW!”
1-866-587-3023
1. When you call, you will hear a recording then transferred to the Capitol Switchboard.
2. Tell the operator the name of your member of Congress or provide your zip code so they can connect you.
3. Once connected to your member, you may be asked for your name and/or address. Tell them “Support comprehensive immigration reform now.”
*****************************************************************************************
Día Internacional del Migrante: Llámale a tu Miembro del Congreso HOY!
Dile: “Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform NOW!” (“Apoya a Reforma Migratoria Ahora”)
Gracias por todo su apoyo para los trabajadores de limpieza de Houston. Ahorra tenemos una oportunidad de tener reforma migratoria que necesitamos para nuestras comunidades. Por Favor, hacer una llamada HOY!
Llámale a tu Miembro del Congreso y Dile:
“Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform NOW!”
1-866-945-0566
1. Cuando llame, escuchará una grabación en español y luego será transferido a la operadora del Capitolio, que solo hablara en ingles.
2. Dígale a la operadora el nombre su miembro del Congreso o proporcione su código postal para que le pueda conectar.
3. Una vez conectado a su miembro, puede ser que le pidan su nombre y dirección. Dígale lo siguiente en ingles, “Support comprehensive immigration reform now!”
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Posted in Chicano Politics, DREAM Act, Immigration
He’s back and as politically sharp as ever. Former State Rep. Borris Miles made it official and filed for the seat he lost two years ago to Al Edwards. This will definitely be another heated race; so heated, another prospective candidate for the seat decided to run for something else. Here’s the press release:
HOUSTON – On Monday, former State Representative Borris L. Miles filed as a candidate for the Texas State House of Representatives, District 146. Miles, who formerly served one term in the House is responsible for authoring, joint authoring or amending 25 pieces of legislation during his tenure.
“Our community deserves a leader that will continue to fight for the betterment of district 146,” said Miles. “I have the experience and a proven record of getting things done for small businesses, families, children and neighborhoods.”
Miles added: “When people are hurting, they want leadership that understands their personal needs and has the ability to orchestrate change. We have missed that the over the past two years and now it is time to get back to work.”
Both politically and personally, Miles has been a champion for the community by fighting to continue education for inmates, leading the charge against SB 4 that would have closed many inner-city charter schools, and creating management districts to support economic development within the district.
“I’m going back to Austin to work on public safety, economic development and neighborhood issues,” states Miles.
Born in the community he formerly served, Miles states “When I was growing up I could not see substantial positive change in the community. In fact, many of the areas of my district have gotten worse. I know that I am the person who can connect with the people of the district while building consensus at the state level to actually get things done.”
Prominent community leaders Rev. Willie Davis, Marvin Rich, and Margaret Jenkins, are among the many supporters of the Miles re-election campaign.
“Borris has always worked hard for the people of the District; from passing out turkeys at Thanksgiving to co-authoring legislation to provide grandparents who serve as caregivers supplemental funding,” states Margaret Jenkins, president Superneighborhood groups 71 and 76. “I know what this community needs and it starts with leadership that is willing to take up the fight for all people- and that is what Borris Miles will do again.”
DC is definitely staying tuned!
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Posted in Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege
Mary Kay Green lives and breathes the practice of family law and does whatever it takes to get the job done. In 22 years of practice, she has tried a complete spectrum of cases, from simple divorces where the parties have grown apart to trial by jury and to the bench, where issues regarding all aspects of the parties’ relationship with their children and division of their property must be decided.
Mary Kay Green is a solo practitioner, who has also served of counsel to Lindeman, Alvarado and Frye, L.L.P. and volunteered her services to the La Rosa family services and Houston Bar Association. She has also had the opportunity to serve as a court master in the 311th Family District Court. In her practice she has represented both men and women, of all ages and all economic levels.
Mary Kay Green earned both her undergraduate and law degree from the University of Houston, working during the day and going to school at night. She has been licensed since May of 1987. Her attendance at the Advanced Family Law Seminars and in courses that address specific issues, such as co-parenting and the use of parent coordinators, gives her the additional training that she will take to the bench.
Mary Kay Green is a married resident of the Heights and a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Adopted by Inez and John Green of Houston at 10 days old, she has resided in Houston her entire life. She attended public elementary and secondary schools, graduating from Mirabeau B. Lamar High School in May 1971.
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Posted in 2010 Profiles, Texas Dems 2010
Out of Commission…
Apologies for being away the last couple of days. A bad cold/cough came out of nowhere and knocked me out. Well, I’m about 75% back and knew I’d have to get better to type up another ToV.
What Ifs…
Looks like the Chron is going through a “what if” scenario asking if Locke would have won with an increased black turnout. Well, duh. But I would think that because of the competitive nature of the campaigns, there would have been a similar increase in turnout from all constituencies, and if that would have been the case, then the result would have been the same.
Of course, ”what ifs” usually brought out a funny response from my Dad, “Y si apa no hubuiera muerto, estuviera vivo.” (If my dad hadn’t died, he’d be alive.)
Another First…
Thanks to Mary Benton from KPRC for reminding us that another political first occurred last Saturday–the election of our first African American City Controller, Ronald Green. Congrats to Ronald for being the winner!
Chad Khan Responds to Kuff
My buddy and colleague Charles Kuffner has some ideas regarding who should be elected to be the next (and last) County Treasurer.
I spent a lot of time in 2006 arguing for the abolition of the office of Harris County Treasurer as I supported the campaign of Richard Garcia, whose platform included a pledge to work to do just that. Nothing since then has changed my mind about the uselessness of the office or of its current inhabitant, Orlando Sanchez
I agree, and so does the local Democratic activist running for County Treasurer Chad Khan (Press Release).
In 2006, Mr. Richard Garcia campaigned about abolishing the County Treasurer’s office and I supported his campaign. I still believe that the County Treasurer’s office has little use and is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Once elected, I will attend every meeting of the County Commissioner’s court with the intent of serving as a watchdog for the taxpayer, which would include working to prove the ineffectiveness of the office. I believe the abolishment of the office must begin from within the office and I vow to work toward that end.
So, there you have it! Shall we save money?
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Posted in Texas Dems 2010, Thoughts on Viernes
A right-wing anti-Latino organization has filed a lawsuit against the University of Houston, Houston Community College, and Lone Star College in a challenge to a program which provides undocumented students the opportunity to attend college at in-state tuition rates.
What is known as HB1403, authored by then-State Rep. Rick Noriega and signed into law a Republican Governor, has been under attack on the political side with attacks coming from anti-Latino Republicans, such as Debbie “Pits of Hell” Riddle.
The law basically permits a student who has established residency in a school district the opportunity for the in-state tuition rate. Texas, along with ten (10) other states, supports this law as a means of expanding educational opportunities.
Michael Olivas, a UH Law Professor, has stated the lawsuit has no merit.
Olivas also cited a 2008 letter from the Department of Homeland Security to the North Carolina Attorney’s General office that said federal law does not prohibit the admission of undocumented students to universities and colleges.
“The state can, and did act properly, and the statute is constitutional,” said Olivas, who also served as an expert witness when a similar law was later challenged in Kansas.
Let’s just hope this frivolous and racially motivated lawsuit gets thrown out.
Of course, if President Obama and the Democratic “majority” got off its hind quarters and passed the DREAM Act now, we wouldn’t be having to deal with this.
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Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration
CIR-ASAP is Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D) Illinois and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill. Our friends, the Immigration Professors, put together a nice little outline on the bill.
Give it a read. It is really comprehensive!
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Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration
As I had predicted “post-race,” Latino voters gave Mayor-Elect some nice padding on her way to victory. As Campos reports on numbers provided by Hector at the County Clerk’s office:
Upper Income Anglo: Parker 63%, Locke 37%
Middle Income Anglo: AP 69, GL 31.
Mid Income African American: GL 83, AP 17.
Low Income African American: GL 88, AP 12.
Latino: AP 63, GL 37.
That’s about what internal numbers were predicting; of course, this is just a few precincts checked. I am sure there were some tighter precincts, and even council districts; nonetheless, as low as turnout was, this is still a good signal to the incoming Mayor that her consistent message was well-received.
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Posted in Chicano Politics, Houston Politica, HoustonVotes 09
Who would you vote as Hispanic of the Year? 2009 gave us some pretty good choice: Justice Sotomayor, Bill Richardson (for being nominated, getting screwed, then beating them back); heck, I would even give it to Luis Gutierrez for stepping up to present CIR ASAP tomorrow.
Nope, not Hispanic Magazine. They picked:
I don’t begrudge what he does–we all need entertainment. I just look for a little bit of substance in anything we choose “…of the year.”
Hispanic Magazine lost my respect when they moved the HQ from Austin to Miami. (Hispanic even quoted me back in 1994 when they wrote a piece on a leadership conference I directed.)
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Posted in Chicanos on Screen, Cultura Chicana, U.S. Ethnic Relations
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