[Tcdp_newsletter] Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter for Friday, May 11- Friday, May 18, 2007
Travis County Democratic Party Weekly Newsletter
tcdp_newsletter at lists.traviscountydemocrats.org
Thu May 10 13:51:08 CDT 2007
Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter
Friday, May 11- Friday, May 18, 2007
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IN THIS ISSUE
- Save the Date! June 2, 2007 - Texas Democratic Party Austin Town Hall
and Fundraiser
- Texans for Obama Event Meeting Tonight
- Elections on May 12, 2007
- Deutschen Pfest Parade in Pflugerville—NETCo Dems want your help!
- Constable Bruce Elfant’s 15th Annual Ice Cream Social
- Make Sure Democracy Works Correctly in Your Neighborhood
- Radio Show- Issues for your Tissues
- Legislative Session Winding Down
- TCDP Finance Council and Sustaining Members
- Become a TCDP Sustaining Member
- You Have the Power!
- Calendar of Upcoming Events
- In the News
- Contact Info for TCDP Administrative Office
- Newsletter: How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe Your E-Mail
- To Subscribers Who Use AOL
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SAVE THE DATE! JUNE 2, 2007!!!
TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY AUSTIN TOWN HALL
TIME: Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 10:00am-12:00pm
PLACE: Texas AFL-CIO, 1106 Lavaca
CONTACT: Sondra Haltom at 478-9800
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie invites you to a town hall in
Austin! The event is free and it provides an opportunity for all Democrats
to share their ideas about how to continue building the Texas Democratic
Party.
After the town hall from 12:00pm to 1:00pm, the state party will provide
training on the Texas Democratic Party's online voter file system ("The
Van"). This will be in the same room as the town hall.
TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY FUNDRAISER
TIME: Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 1:30pm-3:00pm
PLACE: Threadgills, 301 W. Riverside Dr.
CONTACT: Katelyn Patterson at katelyn at txdemocrats.com
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie invites you to a fundraiser for
the state party. Individual tickets are $25.
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TEXANS FOR OBAMA EVENT MEETING TONIGHT
Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 6:00pm --> TONIGHT!
Home of Wendy Pierre, 6115 Smith Oak Trail
CONTACT: Ian Davis at iandavis06 at gmail.com
All volunteers who want to help with the Texans for Obama May 23 Broken
Spoke Meetup are invited to join them for a volunteer planning meeting.
Learn more at www.texansforobama.com <http://www.texansforobama.com/> .
***********************************************************************
ELECTIONS ON MAY 12, 2007
The next election will be this Saturday, May 12, 2007. The election will
consist of a statewide constitutional amendment as well as numerous city
council and school board elections.
Here is the link to the text of the State Constitutional Amendment to be
voted on:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/SJ00013F.htm
Summary: The constitutional amendment authorizes the Legislature to provide
for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes
that may be imposed for public-school purposes on the residence homesteads
of the elderly or disabled to reflect any reduction in the rate of those
taxes for the 2006 and 2007 tax years.
This amendment attempts to correct an oversight made by the lawmakers when
they voted for a reduction in school property taxes in 2005. When the
lawmakers voted for a one-third reduction school property taxes beginning in
2006 and to be completed this year, the homestead exemption for senior
citizens and people with disabilities were overlooked.
The state constitution caps school property taxes for homeowners 65 years
and older and those who are disabled. However, these two populations did not
get the same reduction when the property tax cut for schools was voted on
two years ago. So an amendment is on the May ballot to correct this
oversight.
Municipal elections in Travis County:
Bee Cave
Briarcliff
Creedmore
The Hills
Jonestown
Lago Vista
Lakeway
Manor
Mustang Ridge
Pflugerville
Rollingwood
San Leanna
Sunset Valley
Volente
Westlake Hills
School Board elections in Travis County:
Austin ISD- Special election to fill District 2 vacancy--> Only those
voters in
District 2 are able to vote in this election!
Del Valle ISD
Eanes ISD
Lago Vista ISD
Lake Travis ISD
Manor ISD
Pflugerville ISD
Library District elections in Travis County:
Lake Travis
Wells Branch Community
Westbank
To see which offices are up for election and who are the candidates for
these offices, please click the following link:
http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/03/17/17travisfil
ings.html
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DEUTSCHEN PFEST PARADE IN PFLUGERVILLE—NETCo DEMS WANT YOUR HELP!
Deutschen Pfest is a festival in Pflugerville that celebrates Pflugerville’s
German heritage. The festival runs during the following days and times:
Your help is needed for a parade entry with NETCo. You are invited to march
with them and TCDP in the Deutschen Pfest Parade at 11:00am on Saturday, May
19. We want to show our friends and neighbors in Pflugerville how strong
Democrats are in Travis County.
THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF DEMOCRATS IN PFLUGERVILLE!
COME BE A PART OF THE PARADE!
If you can participate in the parade, please RSVP ASAP to Dave Taylor at
mrdave9735 at aol.com.
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CONSTABLE BRUCE ELFANT’S 15TH ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Sunday, May 20, 2007
3:00pm-5:00pm
AFL-CIO Auditorium, 1102 Lavaca
You are invited to Constable Bruce Elfant's 15th Annual Ice Cream Social
benefiting Sammy's House (www.sammyshouse.org <http://www.sammyshouse.org/>
) and Bruce's re-election campaign.
Sammy's House provides educational and high quality child care for children
with special medical and developmental needs.
* Individuals and campaigns are encouraged to compete in the Homemade Ice
Cream Contest where all ballots are counted the old fashioned way - by hand.
Sponsorships:
$ 500 - Double Chocolate Chunk
$ 250 - Cookies 'n Cream
$ 100 - Butter pecan
$ 50 - Very Strawberry
$ 25 - Vanilla Bean
$ 15 - General Admission
$ 5 - Students
Contributions for the 15th Annual Ice Cream Social can be mailed to P. O.
Box 49051, Austin, TX 78765.
CONTACT: Bruce Elfant at 467-2504 or bjelfant at aol.com
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MAKE SURE DEMOCRACY WORKS CORRECTLY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Elections are the backbone of democracy, and making sure that polling
locations run correctly and smoothly is often a difficult job to undertake.
You have the opportunity to run your polling location by becoming a
presiding judge!
Currently, the TCDP is looking for Democratic term-appointed presiding
judges. The term has recently been changed by Travis County Elections and
will be a one year rather than two year term running from August 1, 2007 –
July 31, 2008.
Please review the following requirements for a term appointment:
1. You must live in the precinct in which you work and you will be
asked to work EVERY election that is determined for your precinct. This
includes the party primary, elections for city council, independent school
district boards, Austin Community College board, bond and state
constitutional elections, etc. In short, you will represent the Travis
County Democratic Party at party primaries, but you are expected to work, if
possible, each and every election.
2. Even though some of these elections are partisan, such as the party
primary, it is imperative that you work cordially with your Republican
counterpart.
3. As a presiding judge, it will be one of your duties to be able to
physically set up the voting machines. They are bulky and may be somewhat
heavy for some folks to handle. However, your alternate judge and clerk(s)
can and should help you to set these up.
4. The integrity of the election process is of the utmost importance,
so you must be reliable and dependable in making sure you have everything
for your polling location; that everything is ready to go and is operational
by 7:00am when the polls open; and when your polling location closes, that
you return all materials to your designated receiving station in a timely
manner before you go home or attend any Party function or event (e.g.
precinct conventions).
5. Travis County Elections requires attendance for training, regardless
if you have been trained in the past.
6. Pay for the primary is set by the Texas Secretary of State.
Currently the hourly rate for the 2008 Primary is $7.00/hour. All other
election pay is $10/hour for presiding/alternate judges.
We are in need of Election Judges in the following precincts:
106 107 110 111 112 113 123 132 135 136 137 139 140 141 145
150 151 152 153 154 156 161 163 164
200 201 202 203 204 205 206 208 209 210 211 215 216 217 218
219 220 223 225 226 227 228 229 231 232 235 236 237 239 240
241 242 243 246 247 251 253 254 256 260 262 263 267 268 274
275 277 279
301 302 303 304 306 307 309 312 315 316 317 318 319 320 321
323 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 342
343 345 346 347 349 350 351 355 356 359 360 365 366 367 370
371 373 375 376 377 378 379
402 403 404 405 407 411 412 413 414 420 422 423 426 427 429
430 431 442 443 444 445 447 449 450 451 452 455 458 460 461
462 463 465 466
To find out what precinct that you live in:
1. Go to www.traviscountydemocrats.org
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> .
2. On the menu on the right side of the home page, click on “Precinct
Info.”
3. Click on the second choice, “what precinct you live in.”
4. In the “precinct search” box, you can put in your zip code, street
name, or anything else that is suggested under that.
5. Click “Go.” Find your street and street number.
Please contact Garry Brown, TCDP’s Assistant Director, at 477-7500 or
garry at traviscountydemocrats.org to inquire about being appointed as an
election judge for one year.
THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE RESPONDED SO FAR!!!
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RADIO SHOW- ISSUES FOR YOUR TISSUES
Interested in reproductive rights and health? Issues for Your Tissues airs
Wednesdays from 2:00-2:30pm on Austin’s community radio station, KOOP
91.7FM, or stream it live at www.koop.org <http://www.koop.org/> . Host
Katie Vitale welcomes comments and suggestions at issues4tissues at gmail.com
or visit the blog to join the discourse or catch a podcast,
http://issues4tissues.livejournal.com/
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LEGISLATIVE SESSION WINDING DOWN
It is now crunch time down at the Capitol. You can listen to the
proceedings in the State Senate and House. Please click the following link:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/>
When you get to this page, click on “House” or “Senate” under Legislative
Activity on the top, right-hand side of the page. You can also learn about
all filed bills, committee meetings, and all things related to the
Legislature.
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TCDP FINANCE COUNCIL AND SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Member Updates for the week of May 3 – May 10
Finance Council Members:
Luanne Cullen
Vicki Goff
Honorable Susan Steeg
Paul Sullivan
Todd Wong
New Sustaining Members:
Lori Mitchell Barnett
Jerry Drake
Linda Taylor
Sustaining Member Renewals:
Dorothy Casey
Dennis Speight
For a full list of member names, please visit the home page of our website
at <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> www.traviscountydemocrats.org
and choose from the blue menu on the left hand side of the page.
If you feel your name should be here yet do not see it, give us a ring!
477-7500
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BECOME A TCDP SUSTAINING MEMBER!
Our Coordinated Campaigns have helped to accomplish the following:
2004 – Travis County took back three elected seats from the Republicans.
State Representative District 50, a district judgeship, and County Constable
Precinct 3 all went from Republican held seats to Democratic.
2006 - The Travis County legislative delegation became completely Democratic
for the first time since 1992, and we took back the office of Justice of the
Peace Precinct 3 from the Republicans.
There are now only three Republicans elected to Travis County offices!
The TCDP has stepped up to make Travis County even more Democratic!
If you believe our work is valuable and you want us to continue, we ask you
to stand with us and support TCDP by becoming a Member. We have two levels
of membership:
Sustaining: minimum of $10.00 per month or $120.00 annually.
Finance Council: minimum of $84.00 per month or $1000.00 annually. Members
at this level receive prominent listing in our publications and web site as
well as at Travis County Democratic Party functions along with free
admission to TCDP sponsored events.
The Travis County Democratic Party is dependent on your generosity for
everything we do year-round!
As Linda Pemberton, Precinct Chair of 223 says, “If I don’t keep increasing
my monthly contribution by $5-$10 every couple of months, I will never be
able to make it up to Finance Council level. NOTE: Linda increased her
giving from $10 to $25 per month on 6/6/06 and increased again to $30/month
on 1/31/07 and increased again to $35/month on 3/28/07
To join the Travis County Democratic Party go online to:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>
and click on "Donate" in the red box at the bottom left of the page. Or
contact us at info at traviscountydemocrats.org or 512-477-7500.
Mailed donations for the Party should be made out to "Travis County
Democratic Party" and sent to:
TCDP
P.O. Box 684263
Austin, TX 78768-4263
***********************************************************************
YOU HAVE THE POWER!!
As Howard Dean said, you, YES YOU, have the power. You have the power to
have an impact at the state capitol and on national politics! Take a look
at this information:
- In 2006, Travis County provided for one-third of the Democratic
increase in the State House of Representatives this session by electing a
100% Democratic legislative delegation for the first time since 1992.
- It’s no secret that Travis County is depended upon by statewide
candidates to put them in a position to win because Travis County is so
heavily Democratic.
- One-term Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn continues to be
unpopular. He consistently polls way under 50% in Texas. He has been
called the “least popular U.S. Senator” in the group of Republican Senators
who are up for re-election in 2008.
- Two parts of Travis County are still represented by Republican
Congressmen.
Get involved now and you can help make the following happen:
- Keep all of our Democratic state reps in office while other parts
of the state elect more Democrats
- Put our candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives in a position to win to continue changing the politics in
Washington DC!
- There are only three Republican county office holders left! Two
of them are up for re-election in 2008.
The strongest impact you can make is by becoming a Precinct Chair! We only
have 47 vacancies left out of 210 precinct chair positions! Make your voice
heard in how your county party is run! All Democratic Precinct Chairs in
Travis County automatically become members of the County Executive
Committee, which is the governing body for Travis County Democratic Party.
In addition, you’ll receive all the support you need to turn out the
Democrats to vote in your neighborhood. There is so much to do to get ready
for 2008. Come be a part of it!
Interested? Want to learn more? Contact Garry Brown at TCDP at
garry at traviscountydemocrats.org.
Below is a list of precincts where we have vacancies. The precinct numbers
are divided by legislative district.
If your State House Representative is Dawnna Dukes, District 46
Precincts: 113 122 129 132 139 141 150 164
If your State House Representative is Valinda Bolton, District 47
Precincts: 301 304 316 351 356 359 412 451
If your State House Representative is Donna Howard, District 48
Precincts: 253 279 370 371 373 376 378
If your State House Representative is Elliott Naishtat, District 49
Precincts: 137 149 444 454
If your State House Representative is Mark Strama, District 50
Precincts: 107 203 205 211 215 216 254 328 333 334 336
If your State House Representative is Eddie Rodriguez, District 51
Precincts: 123 401 402 404 405 407 427 441 452
To find out what precinct that you live in:
1. Go to www.traviscountydemocrats.org
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> .
2. On the menu on the right side of the home page, click on “Precinct
Info.”
3. Click on the second choice, “what precinct you live in.”
4. In the “precinct search” box, you can put in your zip code, street
name, or anything else that is suggested under that.
5. Click “Go.” Find your street and street number.
AFTER FINDING OUT WHAT PRECINCT YOU LIVE IN, CHECK THE LIST ABOVE TO SEE IF
A PRECINCT CHAIR IS NEEDED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
The TCDP Calendar changes almost daily as we receive new information, so we
encourage you to check the calendar often. Go to:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php
************************************
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Election Day!!! Please see the entry about the elections earlier in this
newsletter.
Yeller Dawg/Saturday Sages Meeting
TIME: Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 11:00am-1:00pm
PLACE: Tres Amigos Restaurant, 1801 S. Capitol of Texas Hwy (AKA 360)
CONTACT: Bill McAfee at bmcafee at austin.rr.com
Please join the Yeller Dawg/Saturday Sages for their weekly meeting.
************************************
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Lake Travis Democrats Meeting
TIME: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 6:30pm
PLACE: Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek
CONTACT: Ed Benjamin at president at laketravisdemocrats.org
Please join Lake Travis Democrats for their monthly meeting.
Latinos for Texas Meeting
TIME: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 7:00pm
PLACE: Kerbey Lane Café, 2606 Guadalupe
CONTACT: Sabas Avila at sabas at latinosfortexas.com
Please join Latinos for Texas at their monthly meeting.
************************************
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
David Escamilla Fundraiser
TIME: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 5:00pm-7:00pm
PLACE: Thistle Cafe, 300 W. 6th Street
CONTACT: Alfred Stanley at 474-4738
You are invited to a fundraiser for County Attorney David Escamilla. There
will be hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.
Suggested donation: $50
Sponsorships are available at these levels: $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500,
$250
Central Austin Democrats Meeting
TIME: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 6:15pm
PLACE: New World Deli, 4101 Guadalupe St # 100
CONTACT: Glen Coleman at 327-1066 or glenofaustin at yahoo.com
Please join Central Austin Democrats for their monthly meeting.
Keep Austin Blue Meeting
TIME: Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 6:30pm socialize, 7:15pm meeting
PLACE: Mother Egan’s Irish Pub, 715 W. 6th St.
CONTACT: Sharron Hargis at sharron at keepaustinblue.org
Please join Keep Austin Blue for their monthly meeting.
Southwest Austin Democrats Meeting
TIME: Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 6:30pm Social, 6:45pm Program
PLACE: Hampton Public Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd.
CONTACT: Albert Gonzales at 280-4900 or email4agg at yahoo.com
You are invited to attend this month’s Southwest Austin Democrats meeting.
************************************
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Black Austin Democrats Meeting
TIME: Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 6:00pm
PLACE: Judge Richard Scott’s office, 1811 Springdale Rd. #110
CONTACT: Richard Franklin at richardf3rd at yahoo.com
You are invited to join the Black Austin Democrats for their monthly
meeting.
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IN THE NEWS
For up to date political news and commentary, please go to our web site at
www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> and
click on "Current News"
************************************************************************
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TCDP ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Travis County Democratic Party Administrative Office
1311-B East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702
Web: www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>
E-mail: info at traviscountydemocrats.org
Chris Elliott - Chair
chair at traviscountydemocrats.org
Elizabeth Yevich - Executive Director
elizabeth at traviscountydemocrats.org
Garry Brown - Assistant Director
garry at traviscountydemocrats.org
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Ph (512) 477-7500 Fax (512) 477-7769
MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 684263
Austin, TX 78768-4263
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******************************
This e-mail service is paid for by the Travis County Democratic Party,
P.O. Box 684263, Austin, TX 78768-4263
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