Delegates to the Republican Party of Texas convention in 2012 added this to the party platform:
Texas House Leadership Town Hall – We call for the Republican members of the Texas House of Representatives after the November election, leading up to the Legislative session, to hold public town hall meetings in which the voters can express their wishes and thoughts about the leadership for the 83rd Session.
Rep. John Davis (129) and Rep-elect Greg Bonnen (24) fulfilled their requirement Monday evening by holding a joint town hall meeting in the courtroom of Judge Louie Ditta in Clear Lake, hosted by the Clear Lake Area Republicans.
There was a decent turnout, probably below expectations for those pushing these meetings, but decent nonetheless. I’d make an educated guess (heck, even I can count) that roughly 60 people attended – several arrived late and a couple left early. Too bad all those delegates from HD24 and HD129 didn’t include a requirement that they show up. Ditto that for precinct chairs. There weren’t more than a hand full of precinct chairs. That’s a shame, no matter which side of this fight you are on. If you are going to get on the ballot or volunteer to be a precinct chair, the least you can do is show up to a town hall meeting for your own state representative. My precinct chair, Joan McMillan, was there – as always. Some precinct chairs are just better than others.
Rep. Davis gave a brief introduction of how the process of selecting a speaker works and then the two reps took questions from the audience. There were a total of 18 questions – 8 of them were about either the speaker vote or about Speaker Joe Straus in one form or another. The rest ranged from too many signs in Spanish to how do we prevent Sharia law to Agenda 21 to school vouchers to the Affordable Care Act to corporate welfare and beyond. But let’s focus on the topic at hand, the selection of House leadership.
The first question came from Tanya Robertson (@TanyaARobertson). She wanted to get each representative on record as to who they will support. Rep. Davis didn’t hesitate to declare his support for Speaker Straus, emphasizing his temperament, judgment, and experience – note that when she follows up by asking him if he would consider voting for Rep. David Simpson, he says that he is not impressed and reiterates this by saying that Simpson is someone he is not comfortable with.
John Davis on why he is voting for Speaker Joe Straus
[audio:http://bjp.personal19.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/john-davis-joe-straus_DS300088.mp3]Rep-elect Bonnen did not commit to anyone but said that he was leaning towards Speaker Straus. He noted that both Bryan Hughes and David Simpson had called him, asking for his vote. Later in the meeting (not in this clip), he stated that Speaker Straus had never called him asking for his vote. Of particular interest is Bonnen’s assertion that a he thinks that a super-majority of Republicans support Speaker Straus because he is so well regarded – that would be 63 reps, eight more than Robert Miller estimated.
Rep-elect Greg Bonnen talks about the Speaker’s vote
[audio:http://bjp.personal19.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/greg-bonnen-joe-straus_DS300088.mp3]Rep. Davis continued his “defense” or support of Speaker Straus throughout the night. Here is a question I liked because it is representative of the people that hate Speaker Straus – they think that those of us that support Speaker Straus are “uninformed” or not “plugged in” – I didn’t catch the guys name that asked it but if you look at the photos, he is labeled “plugged in” – because, you know, I’m not, and he wants to know what “everyone” is missing, because, you know, he talks to “everyone” and they all agree with him! Go figure.
Rep. John Davis tells an attendee what he is missing
[audio:http://bjp.personal19.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/john-davis-what-you-are-missing_DS300088.mp3]That was a darned good response. Does anyone really think guys like Rep. Davis, that have been in the legislature through a Democrat speaker, then Tom Craddick, and now Joe Straus, do not know what it takes to run the place? And some folks would like to put it in the hands of a one term guy that has never passed a bill but knows how to get attention in the media? Give me a break. And by the way, “plugged in”, I guarantee you that I’m at least as “plugged in” and “informed” as you are – you might want to expand your circle.
Probably the best question of the night was the one that started, “What I want to know, since Joe Straus is a Democrat… (laughter and correction) …he’s not a Democrat? Oh well, that blows my entire question out of the water. I thought he was a Democrat.” Pretty funny.
Like I said from the beginning, there is no speaker’s “race” – there’s just a bunch of noise from a few noisemakers. Who knows why they don’t like Speaker Straus? One thing’s for sure, results don’t matter to them – if they did, they wouldn’t be making so much useless noise. The numbers are the numbers and Speaker Straus has ’em by a country boy mile. Even though he’s a city feller.
A few pictures from the “required” meeting:
[scrollGallery id=9]
Conservative Legislation Killed by Straus’ Committee Chairs:
http://www.voicesempower.com/conservative-legislation-killed-by-straus-committee-chairs
Education
Exempting school districts from certain state unfunded mandates, HB 458 by James White & Wayne Christian.
Requiring school districts to post their check registers online, HB1236 by Bill Zedler.
Requiring public universities to post their check registers online, HB 1237 by Bill Zedler.
Uncapping total number of charters given to schools by the SBOE, HB 1603 by Bill Zedler,
Cutting Spending
Replacing longevity pay with merit pay for state employees, HB2954 by Erwin Cain.
10{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} reduction on paperwork for state unfunded mandates on public schools, HB 3463 by Erwin Cain.
Spending limits, HB 756 by Ken Paxton.
Ending In-state tuition for illegal immigrants, HB 1387 by Erwin Cain.
Ending State Unfunded Mandates, HJR 46 by James White.
Healthcare
Prohibiting state or other political subdivisions from forcing you to buy health insurance, HJR 51 by Wayne Christian.
Prohibiting the state from punishing direct payment for healthcare or non-participation, HB 203 by Bryan Hughes.
Prohibiting hospitals from using tax dollars on abortions, HB 561 by Wayne Christian.
Small Business Tax Relief.
Allowing businesses to subtract payments to contractors in addition to employee salary from their taxable margin of the franchise tax, HB 817 by Bryan Hughes and Dwayne Bohac.
Businesses posting a loss wouldn’t pay the franchise tax, HB 932 by Ken Paxton.
Requiring franchise tax increases to pass by 2/3 majority, HJR 25 by Ken Paxton.
Relieving the tax burden.
Constitutional amendment requiring 2/3 majority to raise taxes, HJR 37 by Bryan Hughes et. al.
Requiring a 4/5 vote by House of Representatives to raise taxes, HJR 124 by Jim Landtroop and Jodie Laubenberg.
Phases out property taxes for senior citizens by 2021, HB 1104 by Ken Paxton.
Requires all other taxing units to ratify a tax increase instead of relying petitions to rollback tax rates, HB 3186 by Ken Paxton.
Requiring a 2/3 vote to create an entity with taxing power, HJR 105 by Zedler.
Liberty
TSA Groping bill, HB 1937 by David Simpson.
TSA Body Scanner bill, HB 1938 by David Simpson.
Other important facts.
Joe Straus refuses to sign the Texas Budget Compact (Press Release, 4/16/2012, Statement on Texas Budget Compact).
Refuses to sign the Taxpayer Pledge (www.taxpayerpledge.com).
Despite a supermajority of Republicans, the House failed to pass spending limits.
Straus told the El Paso Times “We have no choice… you can’t cut your way to prosperity,” This was also said by President Obama in a radio address in 2011.
Redistricting facts
Joe Straus’ Redistricting plan punished conservatives (RedState.com, 4/22/2011, Texas Redistricting Plan Punishes Texas Conservatives).
Hispanic conservatives were drawn out of GOP-friendly House districts, including Raul Torres of Corpus Christi, Aaron Pena of Edinburg and Jose Aliseda.
The first House redistricting map had 7 GOP vs. GOP incumbent pairings. This would ensure that we lose 7 GOP house members. It forces a Republican to run against another Republican instead of a Democrat.
Alice, you do get around. Cheers.
I just sent this tweet to Phil King. I hope you will join me in asking Rep. Phil King this question….
@PhilKingTX Why do you trust Straus to not pull a Boeher? Prepping for ‘13 & bucking Boehner http://app.streamsend.com/s/1/hr1x/gIQ4Is7/6qwd3 …
My guess is that Phil King trusts Speaker Straus because of his long track record of trustworthiness and integrity. As Rep-elect Bonnen stated in the clip above, and Rep. Davis echoed, Speaker Straus is respected by the whole body of the legislature precisely because of his integrity.
Interesting way to slant a blog report. I see where David has labeled Eva Brown as the "Angry Woman" yet did not report on what has made her angry. Eva got up and called Rep. Davis out regarding his statement in his Austin office during the last session when he said that "How I vote is none of your business." Eva has been accused of lying ever since by people in our community. Last night she asked people who were there and heard this to please stand up. About six people did and Rep. Davis spent the next few minutes apologizing to Eva for losing his temper and saying what others had heard. Did Jennings report this – no! He also made fun of a couple of other citizens who took the mike. Making fun of people in order to promote your positions or selective reporting is low brow journalism. Why doesn't Jennings post the raw footage without edits and let people judge for themselves how the town hall went rather than slanting how things went.
There is no slant. You object only because the meeting did not go as you hoped. There is no speaker's race, period. Yes, I labeled her angry because she was. Had I mentioned her in the post, I could have pointed out that, according to you, there was a mass meeting of angry people that converged on Rep. Davis' office and that he "might have" responded to the Ms. Brown in a negative way. But that is not relevant to the stated purpose of the meeting, which was about selection of the speaker of the House. No one is going to listen to an hour and a half of audio. CLAR recorded it on video and I'm certain that they will eventually put it up – then you can watch to your hearts content.
David Jennings also did not report on the abortion question that was asked. Which was how can two pro-life Representatives support a Speaker who said abortion legislation (2013 Preborn Pain Protection Act) was not "serious" legislation as qouted in the Houston Chronicle. Rep. Davis then deflected his answer to the 82nd legislature whereby he gave Straus credit for defunding Planned Partenthood and the Sonogram bill. Please. The fact that Straus did not actively kill the bills are not enough for him to take credit for them. Had he tried, there would surely have been a Republican uprising last session. However, did any of this get reported – no!
Dale, the meeting was not about abortion. I correctly attributed a question about abortion to you.
Sounds like Representative Davis is substituting his "judgement" (from his 'life experiences) over that of his constituent's because that's why they elect him. Hmmm? I thought a Respresentative was SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE from all across Texas are speaking loud and clear – a Speaker who needs Liberal votes to keep his power COULD NOT BE A CONSERVATIVE – Texas needs a change.
Bill, if you listen to what Rep. Davis says, he says that the people elected him to use his judgment – and if they don't like his judgment, they will vote him out. We re-elected him with an overwhelming majority – I think that says all that needs to be said.
Finally, did Jennings report that 3/4 of the people in attendance were asking the Reps to vote for someone other than Straus. No he didn't because that would not have fit the narrative that he was trying to build with his article.
No, I didn't say that 3/4 of the room was for someone other than Straus because I don't know that to be true. In fact, I would question that assessment – you are assuming that "noise" equals "overwhelming majority". It does not. Clearly, the questions were mild at best – and the majority of the questions were not about the supposed "race". I would suggest to you that if people were really dissatisfied with Speaker Straus, more precinct chairs and delegates to the convention would have been there. Heck, the newly elected District Chairman for SD11 wasn't even there.
Rep. Davis said it very well last night – there is no comparison between Speaker Straus and David Simpson. None.
Actually, Travis was there–he was sitting up in the corner near where I was standing with the microphone–and he left just before the last question was asked.
Well, there you go. I'm not always right.
Results are important, and perhaps those competing against Straus are not experienced, but I'd say the " getting things done part" depends on the things done. How much did we lose because of Straus, or never gained attention? How much was rejected by Straus?
Sally, Rep. Davis answered your question last night – none. He explained how he had worked under other speakers that got involved in individual bills and tried to strong arm people. Speaker Straus, OTOH, lets the members decide what legislation should pass.
Most of the noise you hear comes from people mad that their "perfect bill" didn't make it – well, that too bad but that is politics. Even among like minded people, you have to get a consensus to pass legislation. Legislation is, by design, hard to pass – that is a good thing.
Great points all David.
Hey David I thought you and your readers may want to know about this breaking story! Here is another question to ask your Texas State Reps. ~ If you are out lobbing for Speaker Straus and talking with your local Superintendents about how together you can use the 5 Billion education spending that Joe Straus is dangling as a carrot to get Democrats to support him, do you actually know what Superintends spend the money you give them on. Parents are asking the questions and it looks like teachers have a gag order on what the curriculum is about. Are you willing to be used by moderate Joe Straus to ruin education in Texas?
http://www.voicesempower.com/breaking-in-texas-public-hearing-on-c-scope/
I doubt that most readers of BJP need more blatant propaganda. I hope that most people that read BJP can see through the noise and recognize truth – and yet again, your link is not truth. Like I said, you do get around – I wonder how amazing you could be if you focused on actually passing legislation that moved the state forward? You are very talented and it is a shame that you allow people to use you like they do. Cheers.
Rick Miller is having his townhall tomorrow in Sugarland; I’ll be heading over there. Gotta check on when Ron Reynolds is hosting his…
What is really happening across the state at the Texas Leadership Town Halls! By Dale Huls http://tinyurl.com/cn8ukhl #SpeakerShowdown #Txlege.
Here is an explanation of the Speaker's role in the Texas Legislative process.
http://youtu.be/Hg4FOosdkOU
We know who the current Speaker is and now we know the name of the challenger. Here is David Simpson's "personal privilege" speech from 2011. I like that he lays out the information and seems to be very honorable. He may be an odd to the establishment because he isn't like them. After hearing this, I kind of like this guy too.