Rio Grande Valley Politics

Slam the Sham

2008-05-29T15:16:00.001-05:00

As this year’s hurricane season is about to begin on June 1st, the border patrol has proposed checking identification for citizenship prior to loading up vehicles heading out of the Valley during a mandated hurricane evacuation. The purpose of the plan is in the interest of national security. At a glance, I don’t see how this proposal is going to protect our country from terrorists, considering this is the same federal government which couldn’t evacuate New Orleans after Katrina.

In the event of a hurricane evacuation, any person that fails to show proof of citizenship will be taken to a “hurricane proof” facility, probably a detention center far, far away. If the person fails to establish citizenship, meaning they can’t prove they are citizens or here legally through visas and green cards, then the border patrol will begin deportation procedures.

The border patrol's claim that this proposal is to protect America from terrorists taking advantage of a natural disaster to cause harm is fallible. That screams one thing at me: It’s okay to keep terrorists here in the Valley as long as they aren’t given a free ride upstate to ‘terrorize’ the country. This is, of course, based on an assumption that terrorists are coming into our country through the southern border as opposed to the 19 hijackers that came in through Canada. All this proposal is doing is helping the border patrol fatten up their deportation notches, plain and simple.

Anyone who IS from the Valley and understands our culture would realize that people would rather opt out of a free ride from the storm then to allow family and friends face deportation. This proposal allows homeland security to trump public safety, and that isn’t right in the land of the free and home of the brave.

Two local legislators have at least criticized the plan, including former Border Patrol agent and State Representative Juan Escobar and State Senator Chuy Hinojosa. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa will begin asking questions as to the merits of this plan to other congressional and federal leaders. But in the meantime, let us hope that no hurricane hit us at all this season, but if one does then let it be nothing more than a thunderstorm.

Supreme Court OKs Voter ID

2008-05-01T14:13:00.006-05:00

The US Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that states can adopt laws requiring voters to show proof of identification before casting their ballot, and the decision to require identification does not necessarily violate the Constitutional rights of voters. The high court in a 6-3 ruling upheld the State of Indiana’s 2005 voter ID law.

The idea of voter identification is a Republican-led crusade that aims to deter voter fraud in the interest of voter integrity. We know a thing or two about voter integrity here in Hidalgo County and thanks to the fiasco that happened with the La Joya School Board election last May; Republicans now have justifiable cause to push a voter ID bill in Texas again.

The intent of voter ID is to thwart an illegal vote; to require a voter to provide valid information that they are indeed that particular voter. An illegal vote is one that is not legally countable. But until recently there were hardly any cases in Texas that warranted the need for voter ID. Even our attorney general Greg Abbott spent millions of taxpayer’s dollars to make a few indictments of people who registered illegal voters. HB 218, the voter ID bill from last session, would not have detected those types of violations considering the legislation was requiring proper ID to vote. But now that we have a court case that determined illegal votes were cast in the May 2007 La Joya School Board election, there is now an impetus for Republicans to gain more support for this kind of legislation.

According to court documents, 72 people illegally voted in that election, and 5 voters cast their ballots in precincts other than the one(s) where they are registered to vote. This scenario can go two ways: 1) The voters, apparently, did not provide enough information to election judges to ascertain that they did not reside in the school district and were therefore allowed to vote; 2) Election judges did not review accurately the information on the voter registration card. However, the detail used by the proponents of voter ID is the fact that people voted illegally in an election, and if voter ID were available then this would have been averted - highly unlikely, if you ask me.

All indication is pointing towards voter ID legislation being brought up again in 2009. It’s unfortunate because this type of law will disenfranchise many poor, older and minority voters in Texas in the interest of protecting voter integrity. This is simply another way to keep certain constituencies from voting; especially those constituencies that tend to vote Democrat.

Not Again!

2008-04-17T15:08:00.004-05:00

Some of you may have seen the bumper stickers: Again in 10. Well, I guess it's confirmed that our governor is going to seek a third term to office. What part of 39% of the vote didn't he understand? That 60% of the state doesn't like him? I guess Armageddon has just been extended...

here's the article

The Primary of the Decade

2008-03-05T14:52:00.001-06:00

Congratulations to the candidates that won their elections last night, and another congratulation to those that gave them a good fight. Your involvement in the political process and determination to serve the public should not go without recognition. The 2008 primary has definitely got to be the primary of the decade. I can’t remember a more contentious election in recent years, even the campaign between Salinas and Garcia for Hidalgo County Judge two years ago.

The big race for this primary season was definitely the Clinton/Obama battle that has given Clinton the popular vote in Texas and with 65 delegates to Obama’s 61. However, the caucuses have yet to turn it all their counts but it looks like Obama is going to continue to lead the pack.

Local statewide races for House seats saw some victories and unexpected defeats. On the east side of the Valley, Rep. Oliveira from Brownsville pounce his opponent with about 73 percent of the vote. Unfortunately the same could not be said about Rep. Escobar who narrowly lost his bid for re-election to newcomer Tara Rios Ybarra of South Padre Island. The two hotly contested seats in Hidalgo County saw the incumbents narrowly escape defeat within a few percentage points. By the numbers alone, the triumph for both Pena and Flores are a victory, but politically speaking both candidates appear to be extremely vulnerable. If Pena had a serious opponent, one that didn't have the baggage of Saenz and actually showed up to campaign events and debates, Pena could have lost the election. Flores, on the other hand, has been a workhorse in the past with a vengeance to win, and anyone who dare tried to oppose him got a beat down with a huge margin of defeat. That didn’t happen last night, and to beat a relatively unknown candidate by a slim margin means that he needs to be more in touch with his district - actually both Pena and Flores need to get more in touch with the Democrats they lost last night in order to avoid a challenge in the future.

Thanks to all the candidates for making the primary election another interesting one for the voters, especially for providing bloggers something to write about during the last two months. From here on out, it’s on to local city elections and the general election in November. It will be another interesting season.

Super Tuesday

2008-03-04T17:10:00.003-06:00

Over 78,000 people voted in both Hidalgo and Cameron Counties during the early voting period. Damn! That's awesome. Any predictions for tonight? Here are ours...

Democratic nominee for President - Clinton
Democratic nominee for US Senate - Noriega
Republican nominee for President - McCain

State House Races - We predict Pena, Flores and Escobar as the winners.

Texas Supreme Court, Place 8 - Susan Criss
13th Court of Appeals, Place 6 - Dori Contreras Garza
449th Judicial District Court - Maxine Longoria Nash

Good luck to all the candidates tonight, and thanks for providing us with some really good material to blog about.

Political Etiquette 101

2008-03-03T14:48:00.004-06:00

What do the New York Times, The Rio Grande Guardian, Texas Monthly and Time Magazine have in common? The common denominator is their criticism of our very own State Representative Aaron Peña. These fine publications exposed what many consider to be hypocrisy in the Representative’s support for one presidential candidate while he is calling the other the winner.

It’s disappointing, to say the least, of an elected official to be the leading spokesperson in the Rio Grande Valley for Hilary Rodham Clinton while in the same breath calls the election for Barack Hussein Obama. Regardless of what rumors have surfaced since then, whether the Clinton campaigned allegedly removed Mr. Peña as leading spokesperson because he accepted $50,000 from Republican Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, or that perhaps Mr. Peña has seen the proverbial writing on the wall that maybe Obama will win the nomination, Mr. Pena seems to be doing the Potomac two-step right here in Texas.

Of course Mr. Peña has the right to change his mind, but unlike the average voter an elected official who publically endorses one candidate doesn't have the luxury of switching sides within a few weeks of the primary election. If an elected official is too support a candidate and become the spokesperson for that particular candidate then stick it out to the very end, regardless of poll numbers. But by Peña attending the Obama rally at UTPA and publically calling the election for Obama is just bad political etiquette.

This isn’t a criticism of Mr. Peña’s character but just a question about his judgment. What he did is like placing a wager on the Dallas Cowboys then calling your bookie to switch bets because they are losing. It just doesn’t work like that…

Nothing Like a Good Fight...

2008-02-26T08:59:00.002-06:00

There is nothing like a good fight to get people riled up! The one between Clinton and Obama is no exception as early voting numbers throughout the state, even the nation, have tripled. That is one of the things I like about this election is that the people have been inspired by both Democratic candidates to get to the polls and vote. Not even when Bubba himself ran in 1992 had the early voting numbers been this high, and that was another era of change.

As of Sunday, February 24, over 27,000 people had voted Hidalgo County: 25,564 Democrats and 1,494 Republicans. Just in the State's 15 biggest counties, over 500,000 people have cast their early vote for the primary election. A job well done, but there is still one week left for early voting, so git r dun!

I was fortunate enough to score a ticket to the debate in Austin. I was impressed with both candidates. I always have been, and leave it to the Democrats to be the party to be making history as our two front runners are a female and a African-American. Of course we can't forget that the Democrats also had a Latino running as well; Bill Richardson.

If I had my way, I think our Democratic ticket should be both Clinton and Obama, in no particular order. It is because of these two candidates people have been flocking to the polls, the youth are getting involved in the process, and the "over 65" group is still an active voice for the election. I would hope that both camps could see the greater picture past the personal ambition. The greater picture to me is that this country could do well with both Clinton and Obama at the top of the ticket. In reality I seriously doubt that could happen, but I'm being hopeful. Both can lead our country and steer it in the right direction after 8 years of peddling backwards.

The Fight of the Century

2008-02-18T15:50:00.003-06:00

TV Sportscaster: We’re coming to you live from Dodge Arena in what is turning out to be a true duel for the ages. The matchup between two Yankee senators battling it out for the democratic nomination is coming down to the wire in Texas. The winner will advance to the big dance in November to see which one prevails as the champion and Commander-in-Chief.

Cue Music: “Eye of the Tiger” (Survivor)

Ring Announcer: Coming to the ring is the reigning queen of pant suits, and standing at a whopping 5 feet, 6 inches tall. She served as first lady for eight years, a New York Senator for seven years. She has survived a Conservative conspiracy in the 90’s, beat out Travelgate, Whitewater-gate, championed infidelity from her husband, and has one hot looking daughter. The only one with presidential experience; the lean, mean, fighting machine…. Hil-lary!!! Clin-ton!!!!!!

Crowd Chants: Clin-ton! Clin-ton! Clin-ton!!

Cue Music: “Mamma Said Knock You Out! (LL Cool J)

Ring Announcer: Standing at 6 feet, one inch tall, 6’5” with the fro. He’s won a Grammy Award. He’s the distinguished Senator from the State of Illinois. Oprah Winfrey has endorsed his candidacy. His RGV campaign slogan is “Obama es mi Gallo,” which can be interpreted into “Obama is my cock!” His full name "Barack Hussein Obama" translates into “brotha man wanna be president.” The skinny kid with the funny name… Baaa-rack OOOOO-bama!!!!

Crowd Chants: O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma!

Clinton Supporters: Obama me la mama! Obama me la mama!! Obama me la mama!!

Referee: Okay you two: I want a clean fight. No hitting below the belt. Keep away from scratching each other’s eyes out. No throwing in the towel. You ready? Let’s Get it On!!

*ding, ding*

An E-Enigma

2008-01-03T17:32:00.001-06:00

Here's a riddle: How many times can a school board trustee get arrested before he's removed from office? If you're Manuel Hernandez, Jr and a current member of the Edcouch-Elsa school board; as many as you like.

On December 29, Hernandez was pulled over by the Edcouch police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Since the Edcouch police do not have the funds to purchase breathalyzers and they could not get local law enforcement to assist, they decided to arrest him on a public intoxication charge instead. The cops tried to detain him but Hernandez allegedly became belligerent and they had no choice but to slap him with resisting arrest, too.

But it gets better: On Nov. 13, Elsa police had to take him into custody at his mother’s request during a domestic "dispute" at his grandma’s home. While he was getting booked, the police found a small amount of cocaine on his possession.

And about three weeks prior to that, Hidalgo County sheriff’s deputies arrested Hernandez on burglary and assault charges after he allegedly broke into an ex-girlfriend’s house and attacked her during an argument.

This is an embarrassment for the E-E school district. Hernandez is not your typical “fine and upstanding” pillar of the community. He’s a moron who needs rehab. At least Aaron Gonzalez had the decency to resign, but this panechudo goes on as if nothing has happened, even claiming his intentions to run for Mayor of Elsa.

The E-E Board of Trustees at least tried to pass a resolution asking for Hernandez to resign from office, but it failed by two votes (Florestela Rodriguez and Felix Garza). Section 44.032(e) of the Education Code states that a trustee who is convicted of an offense under official misconduct, alcohol intoxication or a conviction on felony charges is subject to removal as provided by Chapter 87 of the Local Government Code and Section 24, Article V, Texas Constitution. If he’s ever convicted of any of the alleged offenses he was arrested for, then the E-E board of trustees can officially remove him. But until that happens, he’s still in office.

Gotta love due process!

A Glimpse into the HD 36 Race

2007-12-13T17:43:00.000-06:00

The race between incumbent State Rep. Kino Flores and his challenger Sandra Rodriguez got a guest spot on The Quorum Report today. The article byline mostly focused on a campaign contribution to Sandra Rodriguez from Annie’s List, a network of Democrats supporting democratic women candidates. However, the rest of the story pitted the differences between both candidates; one as a Latina activist with the other too closely aligned with House leadership that isn’t in the best interest of the Valley.

The Quorum Report penned that Flores is to close to Speaker Tom Craddick, and that makes him a big target for Democrats looking to oust the Speaker. Those Democrats are putting their faith in Rodriguez, a former trustee for the P-SJ-A school board and a former juvenile probation officer. Rodriguez is the wife of former district judge Fernando Mancias, and, according to her campaign advisor, her father worked closely with late activist Cesar Chavez.

Of course the article couldn't be "fair and balanced" unless it had a snidbit from La Joya Mayor Billy Leo and his criticism on Flores - not being present on the House floor for critical votes this past session on the Voter ID bill and CHIP. But according to one of Flores’ advisors, a recent poll showed that “Flores’ favorables are ahead of his unfavorables by a greater than seven-to-one margin and that he leads Rodriguez three-to-one on who is more in touch with the community.”

This campaign could be one of David versus Goliath, and I’m not sure if Rodriguez’s got the weaponry to bring down a behemoth like Flores. Flores is a persistent and hard working politico known for his grassroots style of campaigning. He’s only been challenged once over the course of his 10-year reign, and he won that 2000 primary with 76 percent of the vote.

House Interim Charges Released Today

2007-11-28T14:32:00.000-06:00

About one-third of the House Interim charges just came out this afternoon. The actual presser from the Speaker states that "the question for legislators to consider is whether we can do more [in the interim] to protect taxpayers’ interests while still investing wisely in the priorities of the people." I wonder if he's talking about the rising costs of a college education? Maybe toll roads?

Without going into too much detail, follow the link for the rest of the story.

Here's Part 2 of the story.

And finally, here is part 3.

The Demand for Corruption

2007-11-13T17:47:00.000-06:00

The Delta area has seen its fair share of political warfare. Its two tribes have been wrestling for control of local government with notable success and failure. The underlying theme in both of their campaigns to outdo one another has created a wedge in their community. At times, it seemed hopeless that a consensus for solidarity would surpass the power of greed and corruption, until now.

Members of the Better Edcouch-Elsa (BEE) Club and the Delta Area Civic Organization (DACO) Club have actually agreed on one thing and one thing only: To weed-out corruption in the Delta area. This comes on the heels of Rep. Aaron Pena publicly acknowledging at his campaign kickoff that corruption in government must finally come to an end. The Rio Grande Guardian reports on the story.

It’s no secret that corruption in our local government is “the way we do things down here.” There’s no one to blame but ourselves for allowing it to happen even in a time when public business is conducted in the open and the Feds constantly monitoring every move of a public official. Yet, with all the arrests and snitching, nothing changes. It’s still the same old bullshit year in and year out.

State and federal laws are on the books publicly stating that if you commit the crime, you’ll do the time. Yet, that still doesn’t stop corruption. People have been pinched, arrested, and incarcerated and we still have corruption. The problem of corruption in the Valley has been duly recognized and the public has spoken out against it, and we still have a problem. Nothing is ever going to solve La Mordida until the demand for corruption stops!

I don’t see how corruption can be glamorous to a public official. Is it really worth it to get your home remolded for free by a vendor who has a contract pending before the council? What about exchanging a vote for a free trip to Vegas? If these dumbasses would actually put pen to paper and do the math they’d realize the monetary value of their vote isn’t worth their political reputation or time spent in jail.

Half Truths in HD 40

2007-11-01T15:33:00.000-05:00

Next Tuesday, November 6, voters will decide if Proposition 15 should pass or fail. The passage of Prop 15 would create the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute and distribute as much as $300 million a year for the next ten years through the use of general obligation bonds.

This is an emotional issue as cancer hits close to home for a lot of us. It’s not surprising that legislators who voted in favor to put the cancer research institute up to the voters are now on the campaign trail drumming support for Prop 15. And since its election season in the Valley, it’s a prime opportunity for local legislators to showcase some of their work – or have their work distorted by accusations. One of those accusations is against Rep. Aaron Pena by his challenger Eddie Saenz.

Eddie Saenz is accusing Rep. Aaron Pena of voting against the cancer research bill. Saenz is trying to get you to focus on a record vote for HB 14. However there are two bills creating the research institute and floating bonds to pay for it; HJR 90, the constitutional amendment that’s on the ballot next Tuesday; and HB 14, the enabling legislation.

Pena voted in favor of HJR 90, but he did cast a “no” vote on HB 14, the enabling legislation. This is how it works: If the voters decide we need a cancer research institute and agree to pay for it in bonds, then legislation (HB 14) is needed in order to fully enact the entire law.

In a round-about way, the accusation is somewhat truthful but not entirely. The Saenz camp is twisting facts to make a half-ass point that Pena is against cancer research. However, the question remains why Pena voted for HJR 90 but not for HB 14.

Here are the votes for HJR 90:
Record Vote #1720 taken on May 24, 2007.

Record Vote #1093 taken on May 9, 2007.

Record Vote #1092 taken on May 9, 2007.

Here’s the vote on HB 14.

Capitol Annex provides a good explaination on the "no" vote to HB 14.

Stirring the Pot in La Joya

2007-10-24T17:54:00.000-05:00

Although the verdict has been out for a few days now, the outcome of the La Joya ISD lawsuit over voter fraud allegations has stirred up even more bad blood between two factions battling it out for control of Western Hidalgo County. Without getting into too much detail, I’ll simply suggest to read the Monitor article by Sara Perkins.

What I will comment, however, is the reaction to Judge Hinojosa’s decision:

"I tell you, it’s [court’s ruling] going to turn things around,” Billy Leo said of the ruling. “Those people who lied on the stand should go to jail.” Passing by, school board president Rita Garza-Uresti told him, “They should do that to your wife.”

Can’t we be adults about all of this, Ms. Uresti? It’s not YOUR election that is under scrutiny. I figured that an educated woman like yourself would be above all that.

Lucrecio Flores, the onetime-manager of La Joya Water Supply Corp., said he blames Kino Flores for the loss of his job and the reformulation of the beleaguered utility corporation. “I’m going to work like hell to get him out,” Lucrecio Flores said.

I believe Lucrecio should re-evaluate why he was fired by the La Joya WSC in the first place; incompetent in managing a water utility. The reformulation of the water utility was the result of the Attorney General of Texas citing the utility with mismanaging hundreds of thousands of dollars from its ratepayers, among a long list of corruption and other ineptness, which incidently happened under Lucrecio's watch.

“One of the reasons I accepted this case were the results when I ran in that particular box,” said Ramon Garcia, referring to his unsuccessful campaign to keep his seat as county judge in 2006.

Really?! That’s why you accepted this case because voter fraud is the reason you lost re-election? Really? Yeah, Ramon, are you sure about that?!!!

Mikal Watts Out of the Race

2007-10-23T09:22:00.000-05:00

According to the Quorum Report, Mikal Watts is withdrawing from the US Senate race. He would have faced Texas State Rep. Rick Noriega in the Democratic Primary with the eventual winner facing Sen. John Cornyn in November. Didn't most of the Valley politicos support Watts' campagin?

Capitol Rumors and Shenanigans

2007-10-05T17:53:00.000-05:00

Just recently, Rep. Kirk England out of Grand Prairie switched parties. He used to be a Republican, but now he’s seen the light and will be running for re-election as a Democrat.

I can’t remember the last time I saw a switch-a-roo like that considering in the last ten-plus years it’s been the other way around. With that said, the current make up of the Texas House is 79 Republicans to 70 Democrats. Yes, I know that doesn’t add up to the 150 members of the Texas House; that’s because there is an open seat up for special election this November to replace the retired Republican Rep. Anna Mowery out of Fort Worth.

Here’s the rumor du jour. Two other Republicans are considering the switch to the Democratic side. If England wins re-election as a D, and the two rumored Republicans switch sides and win as Ds, that brings up the count to 72.

Will this hurt Craddick’s chance at a fourth term as Speaker? Let’s do some math. I’ll be hopeful and start with 72 Democrats, but unfortunately I must remove the 12 Craddick D’s that supported him this past session – It was 14 total but at the end of session Rep. Eddie Lucio, III and Rep. Patrick Rose removed their support of Craddick. That leaves us with 60 Democrats, and with hopes and prayers that they stay together as a voting bloc could spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for Craddick if they align themselves with a good set of R’s for the coup de etat. For now, the key is to find at a minimum 16 Republicans to join the 60 Democrats and support one candidate for speaker. It’s my own pipe dream, but it could happen.

On the Senate side a well know Republican from the Texas East Coast is considering early retirement. Many names have been dropped in to the ring, including some strong House Democrats wanting to move to the upper chamber. Another Republican Senator from the DFW area may get a strong local Democratic opponent. If my birthday wish comes true, that’s two new Democratic senators – a solid voting bloc to counter any resbalosos.

Of course these are just rumors floating inside the Pink Dome. It doesn’t say much except to raise my hopes for better days at the Capitol, and that it signals the beginning of a very long and very interesting campaign season.

The Enemy of My Friend is My Enemy

2007-10-04T11:55:00.000-05:00

Texas House Democratic Chairman Jim Dunnam penned a well-written letter to all House Democrats about the impending election season and the pitfalls of being associated with Tom Craddick. In his letter he states that Craddick has been personally busy recruiting against one of [our] incumbent Democrats.

The letter further states that Craddick is actively conversing with other Democratic House members trying to convince them to re-elect him as Speaker. Dunnam quips that it's "only fair to ask that, from now on, any Democrat with the slightest intention of supporting Craddick in 2009 must have the honesty and courage to publicly state so now."

Honesty? Courage? Strong words. I would add that any House Democrat thinking about supporting Craddick for another term must have the gravitas and intestinal fortitude to convey to their constituents that their decision to support Craddick is indeed the "right" decision - pun intended.

Here's the entire letter.

“No one predicted we would be this strong this fast. Not in 2001, when the Legislative Redistrict Board drew a map designed to elect 98 Republicans -- almost two-thirds of the Texas House. And not in 2002, when 88 Republicans were elected to the House. I believe the secret to our success rests in our refusal to give up the hard fight for our constituents and our ability to work together. But as we get away from Austin, we don't always know what is going on with our Democratic House colleagues. If you don't know what's happening to our friends, you should.”

“Here's but one example:
Recently, Rep. Allen Vaught politely declined to meet with a potential opponent of Dan Branch. Allen explained that, in the greater interest of Dallas County, he did not think he should be personally involved in county House races. This is Allen's choice, and certainly understandable. Imagine Allen's surprise when he received a copy of the invitation to former Rep. Bill Keffer's fundraiser this month. Of course, you can guess correctly that Linda Harper-Brown's name is on it; heck, she did the same against Republican incumbents during the 2006 primaries. But you might be surprised by some of the other host names: Joe Driver, Ken Paxton, Jim Jackson, and Jodie Laubenberg. Oh, and Rep. Dan Branch. But wait, you say, Joe Driver isn't like Harper-Brown? And Paxton has always treated other members with respect, hasn't he? And this is how Mr. Branch says thank you to Allen Vaught?”

“This is being duplicated across the state. These incidents are neither isolated nor uncalculated. We must recognize the great effort our Republican colleagues are making, as incumbent elected officials, to actively campaign against Democratic House members. We must understand that when our Republican colleagues go after one of us, they are going after all of us. You might be in a safe district and say to yourself, "Well, they are not coming after me," but the truth is that when they attack one of us, they attack all of us. Their goal is to weaken our collective voice by defeating us one by one.”

“Everyone knows that Tom Craddick retained Arlene Wohlgemuth to recruit Republican primary challengers against incumbent Republican members. Arlene just recruited a 9/11 survivor of the Pentagon attack to move into Jim Keffer's district and set up residency. Everyone who served with Arlene is not surprised by her vicious targeting of fellow Republicans; but I wonder how her clients feel about this special project she has taken on for Craddick. Arlene's clients include Time Warner Telecom of Texas, the Texas Optometric Association, the Texas Hospital Association, the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, the Texas Association for Home Care, the Academy of Independent Pharmacists-Texas, eMedicalFiles Inc. and many more.”

“Are Democratic members so expendable to these groups? Or are their real issues so unimportant that their contract employees have time to recruit against sitting legislators? Maybe Arlene's clients don't know what Arlene is doing, but shouldn't they know that they are indirectly subsidizing the recruitment of an opponent against Jim Keffer and other House members?”

“Craddick has also been personally busy. Craddick is repeatedly in Arlington personally recruiting against one of our incumbent Democrats. At the same time, Craddick is traveling the state talking to other Democratic House members trying to convince them he should be reelected Speaker. With news like this, it's only fair to ask that, from now on, any Democrat with the slightest intention of supporting Craddick in 2009 must have the honesty and courage to publicly state so now? The past is the past, but the future will affect us all.”

“We tend to think it is only Jim Leininger or Tom Craddick, through his surrogates or directly, who are trying to defeat our colleagues. That is not true. In 2004 and 2006, it was Republican statewides like Patterson and Combs going in and hitting our incumbents. And this month it is Joe Driver, Florence Shapiro, Elizabeth Ames Jones, and other of our Republican House colleagues going after Allen Vaught. Who will it be tomorrow?”

“As long as we stand together, we will continue to move forward an agenda for a brighter Texas. So stay on top of what is going on with your Democratic House colleagues. Remember that what the Republicans are trying to do to them, they are doing to you.”

Let's Get It On!

2007-09-19T14:42:00.000-05:00

House District 40. Brace yourself. It’s gonna be one hellava campaign season. It’s confirmed: you got a rematch.

In this corner - Coming in with 3 terms under his belt, including stints as the “money man” and Chairman of a House Committee. The campaign will focus on his “Strength and Experience,” bagging millions of dollars for local projects. Handing out 4 X 8s across the district, hitting up the pachangas faster than they can cook the fajitas, the incumbent, Aaron Pena!

*cheers from the crowd*

And in this corner, a man who’s no stranger to politics, he runs a business that’s got more city contracts than a New Jersey mob family, supporting Congressional Republicans currently investigated by the feds, has enough money to hire the top Democratic strategist in the state, he’s no stranger to controversy, the Timex Man who can take a licking but keeps on ticking, J. Eddie Saenz!!!!!!

*cheers from the crowd*

Ding. Ding. Round 1

The Voodoo That She Do

2007-09-12T15:54:00.000-05:00

I can’t believe this is considered news worthy by Team 4 Action News, but they are reporting that Hidalgo County Commissioner Sylvia Handy is allegedly practicing some sort of candle ritual in her office. The esteem journalists at channel 4 confronted current employees about the incident, and eventually caught up with Ms. Handy who laughed off the allegations. Pictures were apparently circulating around the Valley of black candles with names of “those who deem to do her harm” inscribed on them. The names include current and former employees and potential candidates. Will these pictures cause her to lose a re-election bid? I doubt it, but if one were to circulate a picture of Ms. Handy in her natural hair color then that might cause some confusion. Whatcha!

Grand Ol' Perverts

2007-08-31T09:41:00.000-05:00

Yet one more Republican is caught in a sex scandal in turn giving new meaning to the GOP: Grand Ol’ Perverts! This indignity involves Larry Craig, a Republican Senator from Idaho. Sen. Craig is accused of soliciting sex in the Minneapolis Airport restroom. I guess he was looking for love in all the wrong places!

It was less than a year earlier that disgrace Republican Congressman Mark Foley stepped down from office after exchanging sexually explicit emails with underage boys. Of course we can’t forget Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana whose phone number turned up on the list of the alleged “DC Madam.” Underage boys? Prostitutes? Damn! I thought Catholic priests were bad…

But it’s not all about sex scandals for the Republicans. Look at Jack Abramoff whose dealings with Congress landed him in jail. Last October former congressman Bob Ney plead guilty to corruption charges stemming from the kickback scandal involving Jack Abramoff. Prior to that, former congressman Duke Cunningham plead guilty to bribery charges.

Those still under investigation are Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska and Congressman Rick Renzi of Arizona are both the focus of FBI probes. Congressman Don Young of Alaska is still under FBI investigation for taking campaign cash in exchange for a vote on a lucrative $10 million bridge construction project. Congressman Gary Miller of California is being investigated for a real estate scam, and fellow California Republican Congressman Jerry Lewis is under investigation since 2006 over a close relationship with a DC lobby firm that specializes in getting earmarks for special projects.

Of course it's not just Republicans being caught up in scandals. Democrats too have had their share of negative publicity. We can't forget former President Bill Clinton and his indiscretions, as well as the FBI finding $90,000 stashed away in the freezer of Louisiana Congressman Bill Jefferson. Locally, all one has to do is look to our school boards and you'll find plenty of corruption close to home.

10 Best 10 Worst

2007-06-14T11:46:00.000-05:00

The List we've all been waiting for... well, for political junkies at least.

THE BEST
Rafael Anchia, Democrat, Dallas
Sen. John Carona, Republican, Dallas
Byron Cook, Republican, Corsicana
Sen. Bob Deuell, Republican, Mesquite
Scott Hochberg, Democrat, Houston
Lois Kolkhorst, Republican, Brenham
Jerry Madden, Republican, Plano
Sen. Steve Ogden, Republican, Bryan
Sylvester Turner, Democrat, Houston
Sen. Tommy Williams, Republican, The Woodlands

THE WORST
Lon Burnam, Democrat, Fort Worth
Warren Chisum, Republican, Pampa
Speaker Tom Craddick, Republican, Midland
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Republican
Sen. Troy Fraser, Republican, Marble Falls
Charlie Howard, Republican, Sugar Land
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Democrat, Brownsville
Sen. Dan Patrick, Republican, Houston
Gov. Rick Perry, Republican
Debbie Riddle, Republican, Houston

HONORABLE MENTION
Rob Eissler, Republican, The Woodlands
Senator Kevin Eltife, Republican, Tyler
Dan Gattis, Republican, Georgetown
Fred Hill, Republican, Richardson
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Democrat, McAllen
"The Insurgency" - Jim Dunnam, Robert Talton, et al.
John Smithee, Republican, Amarillo
Burt Solomons, Republican, Carrollton
Mark Strama, Democrat, Austin
Senfronia Thompson, Democrat, Houston
Senator John Whitmire, Democrat, Houston

DISHONORABLE MENTION
Kino Flores, Democrat, Mission
Pat Haggerty, Republican, El Paso
Linda Harper-Brown, Republican, Irving
Sid Miller, Republican, Stephenville
Mike O'Day, Republican, Pearland
Chente Quintanilla, Democrat, El Paso
Bill Zedler, Republican, Arlington

You can view the rest of the List courtesy of Paul Burka's Blog. Also, while visiting Burka's blog hit the link to the temporary article (until tomorrow)posted on Texas Monthly's website and have a looksy at what Paul Burka and Patricia Hart had to say about the members on the list. It's quite an intersting read especially the comments about some of our own.

"There is no more unreliable senator than sixteen-year veteran Eddie Lucio. His nicknames say it all: Sucio (“Dirty”) Lucio and El Resbaloso (“the Slippery One”). Want to get a laugh from a colleague? Claim you’ve got eleven signatures to block a bill and produce a list with Lucio’s name on it. That’s a good one; Lucio uses disappearing ink." [...]

Pretty harsh, dontcha think?

This is what they said about Rep. Kino Flores.

Kino Flores is one of the least trusted members. When he presented his bill to provide tax breaks for RV trailers in Hidalgo County, he represented that local officials supported his bill and that no other county was affected. Neither was true. [...]

And to end on a good note, this is what they said about Sen. Chuy Hinojosa.

Sen. Juan Hinojosa was the first to expose the rot in the Texas Youth Commission in 2004 and was the first to file a bill to reform the system, well before the explosive stories about sexual abuse became public knowledge this year. His bill became the basis of the reform of the system.[...]

And They Just Keep Falling...

2007-06-05T12:58:00.000-05:00

Three more public officials from the Valley and a high ranking public school figure have been pinched by the FBI for extortion and bribery. This knocks up the total count to 11 on a 22 count indictment in a school district scheme the Feds have been investigating for over 2 years.

This all started back in 2005 when the FBI raided the P-SJ-A School District headquarters and the homes of certain P-SJ-A trustees and the superintendent. Six months later, former P-SJ-A trustee Guadalupe Jaime Santa Maria and a local contractor Alonso Cardenas Jr. were picked up by the FBI on bribery, extortion and mail fraud. Both men pleaded guilty to those charges.

Earlier this year, P-SJ-A trustee Roy Rodriguez was accused by the Feds for accepting money from McAllen architect José Lopez, and McAllen masonry contractor Pedro Armando Gutierrez in exchange for favorable, official votes and influence regarding PSJA schools construction contracts.

The latest line up includes:
* P-SJ-A ISD Superintendent Arturo Guajardo;
* P-SJ-A school board secretary-treasurer Roy Navarro;
* P-SJ-A school board member Rogelio "Roy" Rodriguez - he was picked up again and re-arrested;
* P-SJ-A school board member Vangie De Leon;
* De Leon's husband Richard De Leon;
* Donna school board president George Hernandez; and
* Arnulfo Olivarez, Harlingen insurance agent and former candidate for HD 38 State Representative.

According to News Channel 5, the FBI is asserting that their undercover agents attended unofficial meetings, where the public school officials sold their votes for food, guns, clothing, gambling, entertainment, home improvement - including trips to sporting events in San Antonio and Houston and six trips to Las Vegas.

As I've stated before; This it isn’t the first time nor will it be the last time a politico gets pinched for being greedy. I'm not sure if these arrests are more of an indictment on these public officials or an impeachment on how we do things down here in the Valley.

Conspiracy, Extortion, Bribery, Oh My!

2007-03-21T19:09:00.000-05:00

It looks like another P-SJ-A school board trustee has been pinched by the Feds. This time it’s Roy Rodriguez. That's him highlighted in the picture.

Mr. Rodriguez is accused of accepting money from McAllen-area architect José Lopez, and McAllen masonry contractor Pedro Armando Gutierrez in exchange for favorable, official votes and influence regarding PSJA schools construction contracts.

Mr. Rodriguez is the second P-SJ-A school board member to be picked up by the FBI. Former school board member Guadalupe Jaime Santa Maria, and a local contractor Alonso Cardenas Jr., were picked up by the FBI in 2005 on bribery, extortion and mail fraud. Both men pleaded guilty to those charges. The arrest of Rodriguez and Santa Maria are connected to the FBI raiding P-SJ-A school offices and board members’ homes back in January 2005.

But these two aren’t the only school board members being arrested by law enforcement. Former Edcouch-Elsa School Board President Aaron Gonzalez was also arrested on similar federal charges, and former La Joya School Board President Carmen Ramirez was arrested by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department in late 2005 on embezzling charges stemming from her employment with the La Joya Water Supply Corporation not the school board.

What can I say about this? Shameful! Disgrace! Embarrassment! "It's the way we do things down here!" The truth is it isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last time a politico gets pinched for being greedy.

To The Victor Go The Spoils

2007-01-24T18:31:00.000-06:00

After pillaging the House for votes to remain the State's most notorious public official, Speaker of the House Tom Craddick now has the assiduous challenge of naming his supporters/detractors to House Committees. It is rumored that House Committee assignments could be released tomorrow, Thursday, January 24, but if not the anticipation to see which Representative gets what committee is nerve-racking to political junkies. Obviously, those who stuck it out with Speaker Craddick will be handsomely rewarded for their loyalty.

There is a rumor abound that a couple of Hidalgo County legislators are serious contenders for committee chairmen. If that plays out, then this might be the first time in Hidalgo County history that two of its lawmakers are serving as chairmen of House Committees. More than likely, Rep. Kino Flores could maintain his chairmanship of the House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures. His fellow delegate, Rep. Aaron Pena, is rumored to be the next chair of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.

But the spoils would also go to Cameron and Starr Counties as one each of its legislative delegates supported Craddick. Starr County Rep. Ryan Guillen could stay on the House Appropriations Committee. It is rumored that he may get bumped-up as Vice Chair, and Rep. Eddie Lucio III could be the other Valley House member to serve on that powerful committee.

As it has been said by some of you, the committee assignments our delegation receives could benefit the Valley tremendously with increase funding for vital programs, to having another seat at that proverbial table. Either way, the 80th Legislative Session promises to provide another interesting chapter in Valley Politics.

The Revolution IS Being Televised

2007-01-08T18:24:00.000-06:00

On Sunday night, about 69 House members gathered at the private Austin Club to attend what appeared to be a pep rally for Speaker Tom Craddick. If you want to know who attended, here's a link to a video on You Tube. For those of you not familiar with The Austin Club, the videographer captures a majority of attendees walking in through the front door, including Rep. Flores. He/She also captures a glimpse of Speaker Craddick entering the Austin Club through a side entrance from the alley - the same entrance used by Reps Pena and Guillen.

Watch The Revolution!

Click on the link below to open up the House of Representatives website to watch today's interesting opening day ceremonies. As of this morning, rublings under the Dome are saying one or two of Craddick's chairmen may jump ship.

House Chamber Live Streaming Video

At 3:50PM, the only official action so far is the reading of resolutions regarding the election of the speaker by secret ballot. It's going to be a long one...