Consistent. Principled. Action.

The Animating Contest of Freedom

2010-01-03T19:15:00.004-06:00

Concerned citizens,

Happy New Year! The next 60 days will be an exciting start to a new decade.

Less than 60 days! The Republican primary is less than 60 days from today. I am excited about what Samuel Adams, one of the Founding Fathers, called "the animating contest of freedom."

The rapid plunge of our nation into unthinkable spending and debt and away from liberty has awakened the electorate. Many citizens realize that we must make a stand for liberty and economic sanity in 2010; that we cannot continue down the road of crushing debt and ever-increasing entitlements while yielding our liberty.

I said that I would stand with you, the taxpayer ... and I did. The results are clear; freezing my salary for my 4-year term; our open and transparent county government; the slashing of county government growth rates; tax cuts in county property taxes; and my testimonies in defense of taxpayers before House and Senate committees in Austin over two legislative sessions.

The wisdom and relevance of Ronald Reagan’s words spoken in Dallas in 1984 resonate today, "The people told the liberal leadership in Washington, "Try shrinking the size of government before you shrink the size of our paychecks."" And in that same speech, "Four years ago we raised a banner of bold colors -- no pale pastels." Two great messages that I take to heart.

But there is more to do. The idea of higher taxes to fund every whim of government never dies, and requires constant vigilance. The idea of larger and larger government never dies, and requires constant vigilance. Even our actions over the past year to defend taxpayers have come under liberal criticism. Now is not the time to shirk our responsibilities to you.

I ask that you stand with me for four more years. I ask for your vote on March 2 to re-elect me as your County Judge.

Early voting starts just 43 days from today and Election Day is less than 60 days away. I ask for your help to continue this experiment in open and transparent government.

There are many ways to help out.

If you want to help me reach voters who do not get these emails, read my blog or follow me on Facebook, you can contribute a few dollars to help me reach more people with our transparency and fiscally responsible message. Go to http://www.keithself.com/donate.html to contribute on-line or mail in a check. If everyone contributes a little, together we can reach every voter.

Yard signs are being delivered. Go to http://www.keithself.com/contribute.html to request a yard sign and we will get it to you. If you have a location for a larger road sign, let me know.

There are other ways to introduce me to your friends and family. We are waging a grassroots campaign and I need every supporter to introduce me to other voters, friends and family. Go to the list of opportunities at http://www.keithself.com/contribute.html to tell me how you want to help out.

If you want open and transparent government and fiscal responsibility, please join me in this animating contest of freedom!

Please forward this email to all like-minded voters that you know. And together we will win.

Sincerely,
Keith

Collin County Unemployment Rate Drops

2009-12-21T06:54:00.002-06:00

Concerned citizens,

1. The Collin County unemployment rate substantially decreased in November, dropping a full half percent from 7.7% in October to 7.2%.

Collin County's decrease is significant and welcome after our unemployment rate peaked in July at 7.9%.

The current 7.2% rate is the lowest since last May and the decrease translates into almost 2,000 fewer unemployed citizens than October's figure.

Collin County continues to do better than the state (8% unemployment) and much better than the nation in jobs and job creation. Jobs, not wealth redistribution, provide the best economic security of our citizens, and our low-tax, job-friendly policies contribute to our improving unemployment rate.

State figures taken from the Texas Workforce Commission web site at http://www.tracer2.com/admin/uploadedPublications/1826_pressrelease.pdf.

2. Tracy and I wish each of you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May this season bring you joy with your family as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Sincerely,
Keith

State of the County and The Re-election Campaign

2009-12-14T16:26:00.003-06:00

Concerned citizens,

1. State of the County. The staff put together a great briefing on the current state of the county; a briefing that has generated quite a bit of interest when I presented it in several different venues. Because of that interest, I asked the Public Information office to put the briefing on-line for your review. You can find the briefing at http://www.collincountytx.gov/public_information/features/state_of_county_09.jsp. The figures are as current as possible. For instance, the national unemployment rate has changed slightly since the latest change to these slides, but the new local unemployment rate has not been released, so the last available same-date comparison is included.

2. Our re-election campaign is now underway in earnest. Primary election day is only 78 days away; early voting starts in just 64 days, right around the corner, especially given the Christmas break. This is a sprint. I appreciate every bit of support that you can give us.

Yard signs have arrived and we will start delivering them soon. If you have not ordered your yard sign, please go to http://www.keithself.com/contribute.html and sign up for a yard sign to be delivered to your door. We will not start delivery for another week or two, but they are available now if you want to put one out.

You will also find areas to volunteer to host a coffee or other activities to support our re-election campaign. I appreciate every effort on my behalf.

Our grassroots campaign will focus on identify those voters who appreciate the open and transparent government initiatives and the dramatically slashed growth of government that the Commissioners Court has supported during my first term in office.

Remember, I said that I would stand with the taxpayers……and I did.

Sincerely,
Keith

County Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly in October

2009-11-21T07:14:00.005-06:00

Citizens,

1. Our county unemployment rate inched down in October to 7.7%.

After going up almost 3% over a nine month stretch from September '08 through June '09, our last five months have changed very little at 7.7%, 7.9%, 7.7%, 7.8%, and 7.7%, meaning that the unemployment rate in Collin County has stabilized for the time being at half a percentage point below the state average and a full 2.5% below the current national average.

It is good news that unemployment stopped going up, not good news that it stabilized at a relatively high 7.7%. Jobs are crucial in order to continue to provide a beacon of success in the midst of the national economic downturn.

I know that federal government spending policies garner all the media attention, and the major issues that many of us are engaged in with our congressional delegation are vitally important. However, local fiscal policy and taxes pay a major role in our economic health relative to other states and even regions within Texas. Our low tax and business friendly policies play a part in keeping business doors open and attracting new businesses looking for a shelter in the storm.

2. I kept my word in my first term of office. I said that I would stand with the taxpayers - I did.

- Collin County has a more open and transparent government - webcasting commissioners court sessions and putting the county checkbook on-line for your review.

- The three budgets I participated in slashed the growth of county government from a 10+% per year average to a 1+% per year average.

- The Commissioners Court cut your county property taxes. The Commissioners Court cut your taxes - we are not taking credit for something the legislature did - we actually cut your taxes ourselves. More on this later.

These conservative fiscal policies play a role in the success of this county in maintaining a relatively good employment rate. And they will play a role in building jobs for the future as our population continues to grow as people flee high-tax states and counties.

3. Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner. I am grateful every day for each of the blessings that I enjoy, including the great honor of serving you.

Sincerely,
Keith

Veterans Day and The Samaritan Inn

2009-11-11T05:57:00.002-06:00

Citizens,

1. Today is Veterans Day. Please thank a veteran as you go about your day today. Past or present, our years of service to our nation mean a great deal to all of us and I speak for all veterans in saying that a simple thank you speaks volumes to us. I am very grateful for my own years of service in the Army and the opportunities I had to learn about the wider world and to understand better the freedom that we enjoy in our nation. That is why I am so focused on protecting your freedom to control your own life - I have seen countless examples around the world where that is not possible.

2. I want to thank all of you who contribute to the Samaritan Inn. We recently hosted an extremely successful fundraiser, but the Inn relies heavily on the very generous donations throughout the year from folks around the county just like you. As a board member, I thank you for your generosity. I appreciate the hard work of Executive Director Lynne Sipiora and the way that the Inn not only helps the immediate needs of the homeless, but also works with them to move them from a dependent status to an independent, self-sufficient life. As we enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, I ask that you consider the Samaritan Inn for a year-end contribution.

Sincerely,
Keith

Re-election Campaign and Next Steps on Transportation

2009-11-02T05:49:00.006-06:00

Citizens,

1. I am excited to start our re-election campaign together! Check out the new "Volunteer" section to the left, where you can volunteer on-line for the ways that you want to support my campaign. There is also a "Donate" button there that you can use to contribute through Paypal. I appreciate every effort on my behalf. As I say on the site, I love standing with you, and will continue to stand firm for the foundation principles that made our nation great.

One more thing: I ask that you start distributing my emails to your friends and family so that our campaign grows into the grassroots powerhouse that we need.

2. Our $900 Million in transportation project funding may be in jeopardy if we don't get construction contracts signed by the summer of 2011. There is a real danger that the legislature may take our funds to close the expected state budget gap. Our legislators are aware of this issue and are working with us, but they need our help. The first step is to get as many contracts signed as possible by 2011.

There are more than 50 projects that have these funds allocated to them, but here are a few of the major projects that are massively important to us.

US75: I believe that TXDot can sign construction contracts for 7 separate US75 improvement projects up to the point north of McKinney where SH121 goes east near Melissa before the legislature completes it work in the summer of 2011. The last section north of Bloomdale will be close to that date, and we are working that hard. These improvements are vital to relieve congestion on the major highway through our county, and they represent hundreds of millions of dollars.

US380: TXDot has signed a construction contract from Lake Lavon east to Farmersville, and work should start soon. This road is some of the roughest in the county on a major highway. TXDot and the Regional Transportation Council are working with us to find dollars to improve US380 from Farmersville to the county line.

SH78: TXDot is working to get the necessary right of way for SH78 around the south end of Lake Lavon. Our growth in the southeast corner of the county makes this project a high priority.

I ask for your support, and for your vote in March 2010.

Sincerely,
Keith

Random Thoughts on Today

2009-10-22T06:31:00.003-05:00

1. In the aftermath of the legislative session, I often hear the statement, "Republican elected officials won't raise taxes because they fear being voted out of office." I believe that the mood of our taxpayers is just the opposite - they see increased spending and higher taxes to cover that spending (or inflation as the feds print more dollars), and the last thing that taxpayers want is more state/local taxes in addition to the massive federal deficit and debt.

2. Unemployment in Collin County bumped up slightly in September from 7.7% to 7.8%. We are now a full 2 percentage points lower than the national average unemployment of 9.8%. That is more than a 20% difference, which is significant. Can our relatively low unemployment rate have anything to do with our relatively low taxes? Hint: it does.

3. When I hear a state legislator say that 90% of the state budget goes to just three areas, and transportation is NOT one of the three, it is no wonder that state transportation dollars won't fund the state's growing mobility needs.

4. Remember the Local Option Tax during the last legislative session? Collin County has already stepped up to the plate for a local option tax - known as tolls on NTTA toll roads. Collin County has 42% of all NTTA tolled miles and we already pay a significant local option tax (user fees on toll roads) to fund transportation. Because of the NTTA payment for SH121, we have $900 Million in the bank today for transportation projects (plus bond funds); dollars that represent a portion of future tolls that you will pay on NTTA roads.

5. The November 3 Election Day is rapidly approaching, and early voting has already started. I encourage everyone to vote on the 11 constitutional amendments on the ballot. The two amendments that I feel most strongly about are #11 (eminent domain abuse) and #2 (property taxes reform). I strongly recommend a Yes vote on these amendments.

There is a great deal of analysis available from good sources on other amendments from which to make your decisions, and there are other good amendments to support. There is also some false information being circulated about amendments 2, 3, and 5; information that falsely says they will lead to a state property tax or a tax increase. Don't believe this misinformation.

You may vote at any voting location, both for early voting and on Election Day as we test the vote center concept where you do not have to vote at your precinct location. Let me know how you like the concept.

Sincerely,
Keith

Great Public Hearing

2009-10-08T07:49:00.001-05:00

Concerned citizens,

There is a lot in the news to be concerned about these days.

But I spent last evening with a group of folks who are the salt of the earth, who appreciate their lives, who came to a public hearing to let their voices be heard.

We held the first public hearing on a proposed bridge over Lake Lavon at the Wylie City Hall. I was very impressed with the citizens who attended and who spoke. As I listened, I thought back over my own lifetime, the changes that I saw in our family land in the panhandle, and I understand exactly where these citizens are.

The public hearing last evening was emotional at times, but always respectful and polite - there was even one apology for a mild interruption. I really appreciated the way our citizens handled their public inputs.

I don't know what the decision on the bridge will be - the study is not complete. I voiced my initial concerns in a recent Dallas Morning News article. But I always remember that politics is choosing between competing public policy options that allocate scarce resources. No special interest group will drive my vote on this bridge - the only special interest group that I recognize is the citizens of Collin County. That is not the issue. The real issue is planning now for roads that make little sense in the current situation so that future infrastructure will meet the needs of our population in 2030 and later. And doing that planning in a way that respects current property owners as much as possible.

Tolling the bridge seemed to be an issue - as it should be. Contrary to popular misconceptions, every road cannot (and should not) be tolled - only those financially viable, and there are very few that are viable. It is a certainty that any toll bridge across the lake would not be financially viable for decades. Even if future traffic counts supported a free bridge, the choice to drive a free route around the lake instead of a tolled bridge would deter some traffic across the bridge, further delaying financial viability.

Almost $50 million is currently allocated to improve SH 78 to help move citizens from the east side of the lake to the west and back. That will not be enough over time. Whether a bridge is the right answer or not and whether or not it will be tolled; more transportation infrastructure will be needed on the east side of the lake.

It was a great evening with great folks with great comments.

Sincerely,
Keith

Commissioners Court Passes a Balanced Budget

2009-09-28T16:14:00.000-05:00

Citizens,

In a unanimous vote, your Commissioners Court just approved a balanced budget that gives the average taxpayer another tax decrease for 2010.

The court held the line on spending; approving a balanced budget that will spend only what will be collected with no change to the tax rate. There were some hard decisions made in order to maintain a balanced budget during an economic downturn, and the entire court recognized the fact that an economic downturn is NOT the time to increase taxes.

Your court worked together over the past three years to restrict the operating budget to an average annual increase of only 1.26%, far less than previous increases. That is a result of shared commitment to slow the growth of government.

I thank my fellow court members for their commitment to pass a balanced budget.

Sincerely,
Keith

Thoughts on Taxes

2009-09-20T20:53:00.001-05:00

Citizens, summer is over, school has started, pools are closed, and the political scene is wild.

The fascinating national political environment almost totally crowds out local political news, and there is no doubt that there are profound implications to North Texas as the federal government grows ever larger and more intrusive. The real fascination to me is that many do not see that growth as a threat to our liberty. I am excited about the growing number of Collin County citizens who have just now started to make their voices heard as they engage in political dialogue based on the national political issues.

While the national scene garners the headlines and airtime, local governments are busy with final budget votes in the midst of the economic downturn.

Here's a question for you. If higher taxes are necessary during boom times in order to "keep up with growth", and higher taxes are necessary during economic downturns in order to "make up for the loss of property appraisal values", then when CAN taxes be cut? How would you ever slow the growth of government if higher taxes are required during the good times AND during the down times? Have you ever pondered this question?

The county is addressing this issue in several ways during this budget cycle.

The first is giving another tax DECREASE this year to the average taxpayer. This also slows the growth of county government. More citizens help shoulder the tax burden every year, so the load is distributed across a larger number of taxpayers.

Second is our transparency initiative. Our checkbook is on-line and available for your review, which makes county officials more accountable to you.

Third is a citizens' efficiency committee. This is not a committee of government employees; it is made up of citizens who have expertise in certain areas, volunteering their time to find efficiencies in county government to streamline our processes and recommend ways to save money. Just as you are cutting expenses and saving more, so should the county. And after all, lower taxes not only create a positive business environment, but they also mean more efficient government focused on core functions.

Welcome back from your summer travels and vacations. We have lots to discuss through the next months.

Sincerely,
Keith

Collin County Property Tax Decrease

2009-08-30T18:29:00.001-05:00

Concerned citizens,

Your Collin County Commissioners Court recently approved a proposed budget that includes a tax decrease for 2010. That's right, a tax DECREASE. This is good news for Collin County taxpayers. Over the last two years, the county property tax bill for the average taxpayer in the county has dropped a total of $27.36.

This year, not only does the average tax bill drop again, but the proposed tax rate is even lower than the effective tax rate. The effective rate is the tax rate that would need to be adopted in order to guarantee the same amount of county tax revenue as the year before. This means that the proposed tax rate for 2010 is a tax decrease both for the county as a whole AND for the individual taxpayer. As more citizens make Collin County their home, and we hold the line on spending, the tax burden for each citizen decreases.

The effective tax rate for 2010 is $.24941. The proposed tax rate is $.2425, almost three quarters of a cent below the effective tax rate. The average taxpayer will pay $3.32 less this year than last year, and this follows a decrease of $24.04 last year.

In the midst of the economic turmoil that our citizens are experiencing daily, this is the least that our county government can do to help our citizens through this difficult period.

No services are cut in the proposed budget and, once again, Collin County just received the highest possible credit ratings, AAA and Aaa.

This tax policy will pay future dividends for Collin County. Renowned economist Dr. Art Laffer, one of the key architects of the Reagan Economic Program, recently authored a series for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, "Thinking Economically." In "States Right - To Mess It Up, What Makes a State Competitive," he writes, "...state and local fiscal policies are far and away the most important factors determining changes in the competitiveness and, hence, relative economic growth rates among the states....Overtaxed states per se restrain growth, while states that raise taxes - even if they currently aren't overtaxed - inhibit growth." In Collin County, we believe that he is correct.

I invite you to view the demonstrated successes of our county and our cities that are gaining recognition in numerous national publications, all found at http://www.collincountytx.gov/business/cites.jsp

Three independent boards control approximately 10% of the county budget. If they follow the court's lead to control spending, then the final approved budget will slow the growth of county government in Collin County while maintaining services.

We are committed to providing core government functions as efficiently as possible in order to provide services, sustain our quality of life and encourage our economic growth.

Sincerely,

Keith

Redistricting, Credit Ratings, and Flat Budget

2009-08-18T15:20:00.001-05:00

Citizens,

I have three very positive reports for you:

1) The Commissioners Court recently redistricted the Commissioners precincts in order to balance the precinct populations and give every citizen a full vote for county commissioners. The new map can be viewed at

http://www.collincountytx.gov/public_information/features/documents/CommishEffective01012010.pdf

2) Both major credit rating firms again gave Collin County their highest bond ratings: AAA and Aaa. This is great news and ensures the best possible cost of financing bond sales approved by you.

3) Today the Commissioners Court voted to approve a flat recommended fiscal year 2010 budget with a steady tax rate. This is good news. For the second year in a row, the average taxpayer in Collin County will pay fewer dollars in county taxes than the year before, if the final budget approved in late September reflects this flat budget.

It continues to be an honor to serve you, and I look forward to hearing from you as we move toward final budget approval in late September.

Sincerely,
Keith

Budget Priorities

2009-07-21T15:50:00.002-05:00

Citizens,

Our budget discussions are rapidly approaching, and I want to give you my priorities for this year.

Our most important job is to fund the justice and law enforcement system and the services required by the state for our citizens. The priorities below are the specific issues that I see for this year within our overall budget responsibilities.

Our first priority in a downturn is to continue to ensure the safety of our employees and citizens in all county venues. There are some aging facilities that require work now to preclude future safety issues.

Second, we need to protect our physical assets - our facilities - against deterioration. Maintenance grows relatively more important as we deal with a flat budget year. If we allow our physical assets to deteriorate, it will only require a larger maintenance budget later to refurbish neglected facilities.

Safety and maintenance issues will be identified on a document called the Permanent Improvement Program - which really includes maintenance more than permanent improvements. I will encourage my colleagues on the court to adequately fund our safety and maintenance requirements. Myers Park and Event Center, for example, hosts more than 200 events every year, but needs more safety and maintenance dollars.

Third, we need to pay down our unfunded liabilities. I am very proud of the court for actions that we took on Monday, July 20, to target our two major unfunded liabilities, which currently stand at almost $80 million and growing rapidly. We directed the budget director to plan for $5 million payments from existing fund balance for several years in addition to our normal yearly payments. If approved in the final budget, this additional funding will reduce the long-term liabilities that will fall to our children to pay. Just as you are reducing your debt in this downturn, we will start to do the same with our unfunded liabilities.

Fourth, a flat county budget becomes increasingly obvious as the nation continues to work through the downturn. The national economic picture remains cloudy and our county unemployment continues to rise. The chief appraiser believes that next year's property tax base will most likely decline, requiring even more hard decisions next year. A truly flat budget this year will soften the potentially greater impacts next year.

Fifth, on a positive note even in the midst of the economic conditions, although I will not speak for the full court, I do not see layoffs this coming year. The current overall county unemployment rate of 7.7% translates to approximately 130 county employees, but our tax base this year is strong enough to retain all employees. Following years are more difficult to gauge. Our citizens' efficiency committee will start work soon and when they identify major efficiencies, any personnel reductions, if necessary, may be handled through attrition and retirements.

I invite you to watch our week-long budget workshop through the internet at http://collin.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2 from August 17-21.

Sincerely,
Keith

Transparency Policy: Posting of Donors

2009-07-17T10:38:00.002-05:00

Citizens,

Today I posted on the internet the donors to my re-election campaign. You may view the list on the left.

As I said in the press release, "I'm proud that Collin County was the first county in the entire nation to post our checkbook registry online, providing citizens with the opportunity to see first-hand how their tax dollars are spent. I'm extending that type of transparency to my campaign, allowing Collin County citizens convenient and full disclosure to my campaign funding."

Sincerely,
Keith

Independence Day, July 4, 2009

2009-07-03T06:38:00.003-05:00

Fellow citizens,

Tomorrow we celebrate freedom on the 4th of July, Independence Day.

As we celebrate, enjoy again one of the best descriptions of civil society and government ever written, the most well-known sentences from our Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

These two sentences encapsulate the great truths that make our nation free.

May God bless you and yours,
Keith

Correction to June 10 Message

2009-06-19T16:23:00.000-05:00

Citizens, the June 10 email/post on engineering concerns did not properly articulate the boundaries of the research that I conducted.

The details within the email/post were correct, but they apply only to the 7 major engineering firms that were selected for a second review by the commissioners court on segment 3 of the regional outer loop in Collin County.

The email/post was written from my perspective and with my background knowledge, but did not account for the fact that you were not aware of the research boundaries. The issue at hand is the current consideration of the outer loop segment.

Sincerely,
Keith

300 Attend the First Annual Summer Picnic

2009-06-15T07:18:00.005-05:00

I want to thank the 300 folks who came out on a "warm" afternoon on Saturday to attend our First Annual Summer Picnic. We had a great time enjoying good food, friends, and fellowship in rural Collin County.

John and Diann Jones' Pepper Hill Ranch is a great spot for a picnic - pavilion and trees providing shade next to their beautiful lake - what a great setting! Check out the pictures (one to the left, the remainder at my Facebook page) for a taste of the great afternoon that we had.

I appreciated remarks by the Chairman of the Collin County Republican Party, Fred Moses, and I was honored to have the Republican National Committeewoman representing Texas, Cathie Adams, also address the crowd. Ken Paxton and Jodie Laubenberg added a few words about the recent legislative session.

We discussed the new transparency in Collin County government, our lower county tax rate, the new county homestead exemption, and the restrained growth of county government.

I thank each of you who came out to enjoy the afternoon with us, and I look forward to the second annual summer picnic!

Sincerely,
Keith

Issues with Engineering Contract Process

2009-06-10T16:57:00.002-05:00

Citizens, I am concerned about the current methods of awarding engineering contracts in Collin County.

There seems to be a special relationship between the county and a very few engineering companies. Over the past 5 years, 49% of all contracts for engineering design work has been awarded to only a single firm. That may not be in the best interest of County taxpayers.

I have no issue with any of the engineering firms that do business in our county - they are all very respectable and capable firms. There is no indication of wrong doing, collusion or corruption and no information that would suggest otherwise. This is an issue of acquiring the best value at the least, but reasonable cost without sacrificing quality.

The bottom line is that state law states that pricing CANNOT be considered in the INITIAL selection of engineering firms - a system that encourages a relationship with no check and balance against giving all business to the same firm. It is difficult to negotiate "best value" if price is not included.

Contrary to what you may hear, I don't believe that allowing price to be considered in engineering contracts would lead to failure of projects designed by any of the world-class engineering firms in Collin County.

In court on June 8, we designated the firm that has received 49% of all contracts over the past 5 years as the single firm with which we will negotiate scope and price for a major section of the massive project. In this project, even a small percentage savings would be a huge dollar amount.

The next step in our process is to negotiate only with the selected firm. The only way that we have to get you the best price on this massive project is to continue to negotiate down the priority list of firms in turn until we reach a price that reflects the current weak economy, work available on the market, and recent pricing history in the region.

I am encouraging the two commissioners designated to monitor the negotiations to press hard for the best price possible.

That is the least that we can do for you.

Sincerely,
Keith

Memorial Day, 65th Anniversary of D-Day, and 4th of July

2009-06-03T07:13:00.004-05:00

Citizens, we are in the midst of a series of important national dates; dates that directly speak to our liberties. I face re-election next year, so some ask why I spend so much time on the issue of freedom. Freedom is why I spent 25 years in an Army uniform, and what I want to preserve for all Collin County citizens.

Special Forces Sergeant Stefan Mazak said it well, "There are only two types of warriors in this world. Those that serve tyrants and those that serve free men." To paraphrase for us, there are only two types of citizens, those who serve tyrants, and those who live free.

We recently remembered our fallen heroes on Memorial Day on May 25, remembering those who paid the ultimate price for liberty. Many of us attended ceremonies that reminded us that our freedoms are not free; that maintaining freedom requires the participation of every citizen in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

On Saturday, June 6, we celebrate the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the massive invasion of Europe that signaled the beginning of the march to victory in World War II. I parachuted into the 49th D-Day anniversary and had a wonderful two days with many old vets from the Normandy invasion. After nearly half a century, their memories were as clear as yesterday, their emotions as strong as when they were 49 years younger, and their commitment to defend our freedoms and our way of life still absolutely resolute. It is one of the most meaningful memories of my military career. Every American should visit the military cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach - an inspiring place of rest for more than 10,000 dead and missing from that campaign.

The 4th of July, the touchstone of our freedom with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, is just around the corner. In the last sentence, the signers stated that, "we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." It is that commitment to the principles of freedom and independence that continues to be essential in the defense of freedom today.

However, the signers of the Declaration were NOT of one mind as our young nation matured. In fact, two of the most famous signers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, later became political opponents.

From the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia, referring to Jefferson's victory over John Adams in the election of 1800, quote,

"The revolution of 1800 was as real revolution in the principles of our government as that of 1776 was in its form; not effected by the sword ... but by the rational and peaceful instrument of reform, the suffrage of the people," wrote Jefferson. With the overwhelming support of the citizenry, Jefferson and his followers had overcome the politics of faction and intrigue, turned back the tide of counter-revolution, and restored the country to its true republican course. End quote.

Let's re-commit ourselves to this spirit - keeping the flames of freedom alive and bright at every level of government.

As Collin County continues to go through a period of rapid change, including political changes, we are reminded of the words of Edward Everett in a speech just a month after Adams and Jefferson both died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence - July 4th, 1826,

"Having lived and acted and counseled and dared and risked all, and triumphed and enjoyed together, they have gone to their great reward. Forgetting the little that had divided them and cherishing the communion of service and peril and success that had united, they walked with honorable friendship the declining pathway of age; and now they have sunk down together in peace into the bosom of a redeemed and grateful country."

All who love liberty and independence should cherish the memory of these two Founding Fathers; compatriots in the Revolutionary War, political opponents in the years that followed, and finally, old friends with a common desire - a great future for America. I ask that all who cherish liberty come with me as we continue this experiment in open and transparent county government focused only on core functions in order to preserve your freedom.

Sincerely,
Keith

Legislative Session, Budget Process, and First Annual Summer Picnic

2009-06-01T22:07:00.001-05:00

...Please join us on Saturday, June 13, for my first annual summer picnic. You can download a form at http://www.keithself.com/images/SelfJune2009PicnicRSVP.pdf or just call Kim Watts at 214-236-1053. We kept the cost low in order to get as many of the grassroots army together as possible before we start campaigning in earnest in the fall. Burgers, dogs, bounce house, volleyball, and horseshoes - fun for all ages! And of course, comments by a few folks that you will want to hear.

Citizens,

1. The legislative session is drawing to a close. There is great danger for passage of harmful bills in these last days, but time grows short to do so, so I am cautious and watchful, but optimistic. In the meantime, I continue to work with our legislators for the best interests of Collin County.

2. Attention will soon turn to the county budget process that will unfold over the next four months. I will let you know in June my budget priorities for the fiscal year 2010 budget.

Government should not be the equivalent of an elected officials' "friends and family program." Contracts should be for best interests of all taxpayers, not for the narrow interests of those to whom the contracts and funds are awarded.

This will take your involvement over the next four months. The voices that are most often and loudly heard in the commissioners court are those who benefit from the funding, not those who have to provide the funds - you, the taxpayer. I will need active public support during the budget process to maintain a flat budget - signs are already emerging that some will ask for increases when the tax base is likely to be flat or erode slightly. If those are the only voices heard over the next four months, our government could grow in a recession.

In fact, government hiring is a major portion of what little job growth there is across the country. That should not be in a recession.

Unlike the federal government, the county cannot print unlimited dollars. very dollar that the commissioners court spends must first be taken from your pocket. In this economy, we ought to tap your pocket as lightly as possible.

Stay tuned for my budget priorities in June.

Sincerely,

Keith

SAVE THE DATE FOR KEITH SELF'S FIRST ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC!!

2009-06-01T22:01:00.002-05:00

Join us for a fun-filled event for the whole family to support County Judge Keith Self's re-election campaign!

This event will be held at the beautiful Pepper Hill Ranch owned by John and Diann Jones. Their ranch is located about ten minutes northeast of McKinney in the picturesque rolling hills east of Anna. We'll be serving up burgers, hot dogs, and all the trimmings, plus a bounce house for the kids and other outdoor activities for the entire family.

More details will be forthcoming on sponsorships, but tickets will be available for as little as $25 per person (or $50 for the entire immediate family). Please mark your calendar - this will be an opportunity for you to enjoy a little slice of Collin County rural beauty and meet the other grassroots campaigners who will carry Keith to victory in 2010!

Saturday, June 13, 2009, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Pepper Hill Ranch, 3305 CR 427, Anna, TX 75409

If you would like to volunteer for the event, please contact Kim Watts at 214/236-1053 or kimberlywatts@verizon.net.

Pol. Adv. paid for by Friends of Keith Self

Excitement in Collin County Republican Ranks!

2009-04-15T06:24:00.004-05:00

Citizens,

There is growing excitement in the Republican ranks in Collin County! If you attend a club in Collin County, you must be aware of the tremendous energy building across our county.

As I attend various clubs, I meet new folks at every meeting, and I hear similar stories from other clubs. Tracy and I just met a young lady who recently moved into Collin County, googled Republican clubs, and was attending her first club meeting. She had previously not been involved, but plans to do her research and join the club that most closely mirrors her energy and enthusiasm. And there are other stories just like her's.

I believe that the last presidential election and a growing awareness of the massive amounts of debt that every level of government is piling on our children and grandchildren are responsible for this growing excitement, that in many respects, government is out of control. More and more people are realizing that inaction is not an option - that entrenched politicians listen only to direct and vocal action by an informed and engaged citizenry.

This is exciting stuff! The fiscally conservative and openly patriotic message that you and I have proclaimed for years is taking hold across our county! People are deciding that the Constitution is actually important, and that the words in the Constitution have meaning.

There are clubs that are holding their elected officials accountable for how they vote on issues - our investments in transparency and open government are making a difference. There are those who talk about asking Republican candidates where they stand on Republican issues. This is exciting stuff!

This is the time to get your neighbors to come with you to a political meeting. This is the time to join one of the clubs that is growing, the clubs that are building the grassroots army that it will take to defeat the counterattack by those who believe that citizens should just shut up and pay the taxes demanded of them. And believe you me, the counterattack will be fierce and personal, so strap on your spurs and join the team! There many more like you joining our conservative team.

You may have heard of the tea parties happening across the country. There will be five tea parties across Collin County this evening, April 15. This is a great place to start. Come out between 5 - 7 PM at one of the following locations and see what happens when concerned citizens get involved. The parties will be at Park/Preston (Plano), Parker/Preston (Plano), Gaylord/Preston (Frisco), Lebanon/Preston (Frisco), Eldorado/Craig (McKinney). Come stand on a street corner and wave a sign - should be fun!

I'll see you there!

Sincerely,
Keith

Let's Prepare Now for a Robust and Active Campaign

2009-04-06T19:21:00.003-05:00

Citizens,

The events of the past week prove that my re-election campaign will rely upon traditional grassroots activism to counteract personal attacks and negative campaigning.

I would first like to thank all of you who wrote to Tracy and me, expressing your support for us. We are deeply grateful for your encouragement.

The re-election campaign will depend on you, the grassroots of the Republican Party, to carry us to victory. You are the lifeblood of the movement to keep our taxes low and release our energetic and dynamic citizens to achieve their best. At times I believe that you are the only thing standing between us and over-powering government. As this past week as proven, we need to prepare now for a robust and active campaign.

I will maintain my consistent, principled, action-based focus on the issues.

I ask that you continue your strong support for tax relief, public accountability and transparency, and opposition to big-government solutions that rob you of your freedom and individuality.

In the meantime, we need to gather as many dollars as we can prior to the start of the campaign season. If we face significant special interest funding, we can overcome it by hard work and good policies, but we do need as many contributions as possible in order to counter the negative campaigning that we experienced this week, and will experience over the next year.

On my web site at www.KeithSelf.com, there is a "Donate" tab on the left side. Under that tab, you can contribute through the PayPal button if you prefer on-line contributions, or you will find an address if you prefer to send a check.

If all of us contribute something, we can gather enough to counter the opposition, even if we get outspent. I know these are tough times for you. I know that I am asking a lot of you to contribute at all. It doesn't have to be much, and if you cannot, I understand, and value your support during the campaign in some other tangible way. I value and need your hard work as much as your financial contributions.

Together, we can accomplish this. We can continue the reforms of county government that we have started; reforms to keep spending low, to provide easy on-line access to commissioner's court meetings to every citizen, to allow public review of our checkbook.

Come with me as we continue this great experiment of whether or not open and limited government can be sustained in Collin County. I believe that it can.

Sincerely,
Keith

Gov. Rick Perry Highlights Collin County's Fiscal Transparency Achievement

2009-03-25T01:55:00.001-05:00

Written Testimony Submitted to Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee

2009-03-20T15:29:00.005-05:00

The following is my written testimony on March 18, 2009.

Chairman Carona, members of the committee, thank you for holding this hearing on SB 855.

I am Keith Self, the County Judge for Collin County. Almost 800,000 strong, our county has both DART and large non-DART cities - an important point in my testimony.
I will address two major themes in my testimony - tax increases and a view of transit funding in the DART region.

Tax Increases. Collin County Commissioners Court members have stated our support for transit in Collin County. However, this is not the time to levy a tax increase on our citizens. Over the past 20 years, state spending has grown at nearly twice the combined rate of population growth and inflation. This cannot continue. It has nothing to do with whether or not I want it to continue - it is a fact that this rate of government growth is unsustainable. This is the most dangerous aspect of this bill - tax increases in an era of massive government spending amidst a declining economy.

Raising taxes during a recession is absolutely the worst thing to do. Our citizens are tightening their belts and reducing their spending, and government should do the same. We need to leave as many hard-earned dollars in the private sector as possible in order to get through this recession as quickly as possible. We cannot ignore the massive spending in Washington, spending that will impact our taxpayers either through direct tax increases or through inflation as the printing presses run.

Heretofore, Texas remained competitive because we are business friendly; proof positive that capital (both financial and human) goes and stays where it is welcome. In fact, Collin County's best recruiting tools are the high tax and unfriendly business/family policies of other states and counties. Our low taxes, high population growth, jobs, safe streets, good schools, and almost double the national average of bachelor's degrees are among the results. This new tax increase would make us less competitive to attract and retain financial and human capital. Our entrepreneurial citizens will find ways to react the best they can, but eventually the growing weight of government will crush any entrepreneurial spirit.

You will hear the same arguments for this tax that we hear justifying government action in every crisis, real, perceived or manufactured - arguments all based on the children's nursery rhyme, Chicken Little. "The sky is falling. It will only get worse if we don't do something. Only the government is big enough to fix this. We must do something." All these arguments we heard for the multiple federal stimulus packages in the trillions of dollars. We hear the doomsayers justifying massively huge spending just because we no longer trust free markets and free people. I suggest that in "doing something", we not try to repeal the laws of physics, the laws of economics, or federal law. I will address these later.

Winston Churchill once famously said, "A nation that thinks it can tax its way into prosperity is like a man standing in a pail, trying to lift himself by the handle." His wisdom is even truer during a recession.

Turning to the mechanisms detailed in SB 855, I believe that the bill is unworkable at several levels. I will address only transit, which was the genesis of the bill. If these taxes are not dedicated for transit funding, then they become just another general, fungible tax increase supposedly for transportation, much like the lottery was supposed to fund education.

SB 855 prohibits new transit authorities, meaning that DART, the T, or the Denton County Transit Authority will have to provide new capacity in our region. Realistically, in Collin County that means DART.

DART member cities have been contributing to the system for several decades. Plano (one of our three DART cities) has over 800 Million dollars invested in DART, today contributing 60 Million dollars every year - these new tax increases would be on top of that 60 Million per year. I'm not sure what this bill offers as the incentive for Plano voters because it amounts to double taxation on Plano citizens.

DART has a plan through the year 2030 for expansion of the system into their member cities that do not yet have a DART station, like Addison or Rowlett, but I do not believe that DART has conducted planning to incorporate cities that are not DART members.

SB 855 mandates timings for project construction in non-DART cities, planning that DART has not yet conducted. Therefore, I'm not sure how passing a law that mandates new transit construction in Collin County by DART on a fixed schedule could be practically accomplished. DART is working hard to provide new capacity for their member cities who do not yet have service, but the new local tax increases are restricted to projects in the county in which they are raised and limited to a strict timetable actually codified in legislation for the ballot language.

But let's assume that this bill passes, that the required resolutions are obtained (resolutions that realistically include double taxation of Plano) and that the citizens of Collin County approve this tax increase. DART would have two issues that I see:

1) They would want some reimbursement for the system impacts of capital construction to accommodate the added ridership from non-DART cities. However, the funds raised by these new taxes would remain in the county in which they were raised. Collin County taxes would not be available to address the impacts of Collin County riders on the Dallas County sections of DART. In fact, if this issue is not addressed, more Collin County riders would actually limit available seats for Dallas County riders. In effect, you would add more flow without increasing the size of the pipe or increasing the speed of the flow. You cannot repeal the laws of physics.

2) They would want some form of higher fares for our non-DART citizens in order to compensate for the equity that the member cities built up over the past decades. DART ticket fares are heavily subsidized now. A two-tiered, non-subsidized ticket fare structure would be necessary. Higher taxes for DART cities; higher taxes AND higher fares for non-DART cities. This scenario reminds me that Art Laffer of "Laffer curve" fame loves to say, "You cannot repeal the laws of economics." People behave in certain ways under certain incentives, regardless of government efforts to change human nature.

And at the end of the day, transit estimates are that, compared to the number of cars on US 75 daily, only an infinitesimal number of people will ride transit between Plano and McKinney. (Update comment: Estimated 5440 daily transit riders versus approximately 200,000 cars.)

In addition, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has the final federal authority on the regional transportation system. SB 855 purports to give local control over projects under this law, but the MPO controls projects, priorities, and pace under federal law. We also cannot repeal the federal laws that govern the MPO's role.

So if the SB 855 tax increases cannot repeal the laws of physics, or the laws of economics or federal law, we may need other solutions to our transportation needs. SB 855 can certainly collect taxes, but whether or not it can lead to a coherent transit system is a question.

The bottom line is that you may end up with an unenforceable law requiring impossible results on an untenable timeline.

My central message is the same as my testimony in front of this committee two years ago. I recommend that the legislature reprioritize the taxes that our citizens already send to Austin in order to fund transportation. Make transportation a higher priority because since the beginning of commerce a good transportation network has been essential to growth and strength of economy. Fund transportation adequately from the biennial budget as the important priority that it is.

Stop the diversion of our motor fuels tax - stop all diversions. The diversions are another example of taxes being marketed to the public one way and used a different way - again, the example of the lottery supposedly funding education.

Allow private funding for major infrastructure projects. When did we start trusting government more than private enterprise? Let companies invest, accept the risk, and reap the reward for that risk. The way out of the Chicken Little syndrome is to once again trust free markets and free enterprise. Companies will invest when it becomes economically feasible. Our citizens will have a choice of where they invest their transportation dollars. Freedom and mobility will both be increased.

I close with an encounter between Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher, known as The Iron Lady, Prime Minister of Great Britain who rescued Great Britain from socialism in the 1980's. Gorbachev asked Thatcher how she ensured that the people of her nation got enough food. "She didn't", she tartly told him. (There Is No Alternative by Claire Berlinski) Thatcher understood that free markets and free people ensure that goods and services are delivered. The reason the Soviet Union could not resolve the basic necessities of life is because they had a command economy in which the government decided everything, price, quantity, allocation, everything - and they failed. In our nation, the hundreds of millions of individual decisions every day should decide our economy, not some bureaucrat in Arlington or Austin or Washington.

In the command economy of SB 855, all Collin County citizens would pay these tax increases and non-DART cities would also pay higher non-subsidized ticket prices. And that still leaves unresolved some unintended consequences such as paying for added capacity to accommodate additional Collin riders along the Dallas sections of DART and the issue of Plano double taxation. And THAT still leaves the issue of MPO responsibilities to meld together our regional transportation system, regardless of county votes.

Command economies don't work; they only bring more complexity, uncertainty and misery. We should heed the lessons of history - as recently as the 1980s in Great Britain, or we will start experiencing our own lessons of an overbearing command economy here in America.

I encourage you to keep Texas competitive during this world-wide recession. Do not raise taxes.