The Austin press corps consists of bureau reporters who follow day-to-day Texas politics. Many are on Spring Break vacation; others don't write about border stories, and some are actively ignoring key facts about the single biggest story since the election.
Here are the five key facts the Austin press corps is actively ignoring about Rick Perry's secret border plan:
Fact 1: Local Police Officials Say that Perry's Claims About Spillover Violence Are "Ridiculous"
We live on the border and have responsibility for our communities and our citizens. However, at this point we are learning about your plans from the media, along with everyone else. This makes it impossible for us to coordinate with your office to create the most effective strategy to keep our border communities safe.
Fact 3: Both Rick Perry and John Cornyn are Contradicting Themselves About the Border Violence
From the same McAllen Monitor story, we learn detail about how both Rick Perry and John Cornyn have contradicted themselves about the spillover violence. First, Cornyn:
Cornyn’s own statements Wednesday straddled both sides of that line.
“The spillover violence in Texas is real and escalating,” Cornyn and Hutchison wrote in their letter to the president. “Our border patrol agents and local law enforcement are more regularly engaged with gunmen associated with drug cartels.”
He contradicted himself, however, in a conference call with reporters later in the day in which he said, “As far as the Texas border is concerned, we have not had spillover violence, per se.”
Then, local Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño poitns out the hypocrisy from Rick Perry:
Describing the border region as plagued by drug violence has needlessly scared residents of the area while contributing to misperceptions in the rest of the country about the realities in the region, Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño said.
“How can you claim that the crime rate in this whole area has dropped, while at the same time saying that crime is out of control?” he said. “Explain that to me.”
Fact 4: Rick Perry is Actively Lying About Border Crime Rates
We rate Perry's sweeping statement based on an unreasonable manipulation of crime statistics -- the second instance of his administration touting questionable border crime numbers -- as Pants on Fire.
Fact 5: Rick Perry Has Not Told Anyone in Washington About His Plan, So They Can't Respond to His Request for Help
From a press release from Bill White, as reported by our own Todd Hill earlier in the day, we learn the following:
Today Bill White, former Houston Mayor and candidate for governor, pressed U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for more resources and airborne surveillance of the Texas border.
"Secretary Napolitano told me this request would receive serious consideration. She also told me she would give a similar response to the Texas Governor if he talked to her about it, which he has not," said White.
Despite the mountain of facts, the Austin press corps is completely missing the story. Two examples from early in the day (as of 5:35pm):
This is in addition to a handful of other stories I discussed earlier in the day. What is particularly upsetting about the story in the Houston Chronicle is that it gives Mark Miner a full paragraph quote while ignoring all the facts I've outlined above. For journalists in Austin that are part of the Capitol press corps -- at least today -- they are relying on completely irrelevant quotes from campaign operatives and ignoring the basic facts of what has been raised.
We'll stay on top of the actual facts and news as best we can in the coming days. Please send any tips, newsclips, or other stories to press@burntorangereport.com, or leave a comment below.
Key Point: Rick Perry's secret border plan doesn't involve local officials, and he's clamoring about a problem that the McAllen Police Chief says does not even exist!
The Texas Border Coalition -- a group of mayors, city, and county officials from along Texas' border -- are upset that Rick Perry has failed to consult him on his secret border plan. And understandably so -- between his lies about reducing crime rate on the broder and attempt to scream about Washington instead of work with those in charge -- Perry is playing politics with an extremely dangerous and violent situation facing Texas citizens.
But while some argue that Mexican drug violence has spilled over to Texas and is directly affecting border residents, others maintain that significant spillover has yet to occur.
“The impression that we have is that violence is overtaking Mexico to the extent that we have an almost lawless situation there,” McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said. “But to suggest that that threat currently exists for U.S. communities is ridiculous.”
Yesterday, the Texas Border Coalition issued a release asking Perry to clue them into his plan. The members of the Texas Border Coalition include the following local elected officials -- people you would think may know something about what is actually going on in their communities:
Along with my elected colleagues on the border, I have watched with interest the announcement that you are activating the first phase of your Spillover Violence Contingency Plan.
We live on the border and have responsibility for our communities and our citizens. However, at this point we are learning about your plans from the media, along with everyone else. This makes it impossible for us to coordinate with your office to create the most effective strategy to keep our border communities safe.
We would ask that you do us the courtesy of consulting with our coalition of elected mayors and county judges along the border, so that the state’s activities can be coordinated and we can have the best possible response to ensure that no violence spills over onto Texas soil.
We appreciate your concern for the border region and the safety of our citizens. Please keep in mind that as Texans who live, work and raise our families in close proximity to the Texas-Mexico border, no one has a bigger stake in border security than we do.
Thank you for your consideration. You can reach me or my city manager, Frances Rodriguez, at Del Rio City Hall at (830) 774-8558.
Sincerely,
Efrain Valdez Mayor of Del Rio and Chairman, Texas Border Coalition
Earlier this week I wrote about how Rick Perry is begging for help from Washington D.C., after spending more than a year tearing down our nation's capitol and threatening secession, and questioned whether the Republican governor understood the consequences of his political rhetoric.
One thing is for certain and that is Bill White understands the difference between campaign rhetoric from career politicians and the need to simply step up and lead:
Today Bill White, former Houston Mayor and candidate for governor, pressed U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for more resources and airborne surveillance of the Texas border.
"Secretary Napolitano told me this request would receive serious consideration. She also told me she would give a similar response to the Texas Governor if he talked to her about it, which he has not," said White.
How refreshing! Pick up the phone and make a call versus releasing super "secret plans" and cagey responses to serious problems. Secret plans mean no plan at all. Dangerous rhetoric such as Perry's also means heightened tensions and injection of politics into a critical situation that doesn't need it.
Rick Perry doesn't understand the politics of inclusiveness, leadership, bringing people together, and critical consultation with local authorities to address serious problems. Perry can't even figure out if he wants to keep running for governor or make a run for Washington D.C.---a city we thought that he detested. Pick up the phone, Rick, and lead. Is that too much to ask from a career politician?
We rate Perry's sweeping statement based on an unreasonable manipulation of crime statistics -- the second instance of his administration touting questionable border crime numbers -- as Pants on Fire.
As most of you are aware, there is very serious violence along the border. But Perry isn't acting seriously on the issue -- taking the opportunity to grandstand against Washington and make obviously false lies about the border crime rates to make his "tough man" image look good, the truth be damned.
Unfortunately, not a single story from any of the news coverage takes on Perry for his lie:
It will be up to Democrats to keep pressure on Perry and not let get away with blatant "pants on fire" lies just so he can act tough on crime. It is clear that -- except for the Austin American-Statesman's excellent PolitiFact coverage -- the traditional reporters are going to ignroe it.
The state's largest provider of homeowner's insurance has announced another rate hike. Because of legislation passed in 2003, the state is powerless to act on behalf of homeowners. Lawmakers should pass "prior approval" legislation to regulate insurance companies and provide relief to Texas homeowners, who pay some of the highest premiums in the country.
The Legislative Study Group (LSG) has released a study showing how a 2003 law has created a system that directly harms Texas homeowners.
State Farm has announced that they will raise homeowner insurance rates by 4.5 percent in May. This comes on the heels of an 8.8 percent increase in October. Texas homeowners already pay the second highest insurance premiums in the country; such a steep rate increase hurts Texas homeowners financially as they navigate through the worst recession in a generation.
These rate hikes require no prior approval of any kind. It might be important to mention, the Texas Insurance Commissioner is also appointed, not elected. This means the only person who can reprimand the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Commissioner, Mike Geeslin, is Rick Perry. Geeslin, has served as the Commissioner since 2005.
Before Geeslin took the job, insurance companies had to petition for rate increases.
As a result of a dramatic increase in mold claims prior to 2003, homeowner insurance rates were pushed to record heights. In response, legislators in the 78th Legislature passed SB 14, which, among other things, moved Texas to a "file and use" system.
Previously, rates were established by the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance, and companies had to petition the department for approval to raise their rates above the established level. However, a loophole allowed most companies to shift their policies outside of the regulations, meaning consumers still saw high premiums.
The "file and use" system passed in 2003 did little to alleviate the problem. Under the new system, insurance companies were simply required to inform the department of a rate change before they implemented it. The department had no mechanism to regulate insurance companies as they implemented premium rates.
Currently, TDI has no real authority to stop rate hikes because of the 2003 law. It has not gone through the process of review, commonly referred to as sunset review, since 1993. According to the LSG report, this means all TDI can do is write a strongly worded, disapproving letter. The only solutions are to put TDI under sunset review, make the Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner an elected position or force the Governor to intervene and protect homeowners. None are likely or possible until 2011.
To read the full report, read it online at TexasLSG.org. LSG is chaired by Rep. Garnet Coleman and it's Vice Chairs are Rep. Lon Burnam and Rep. Valinda Bolton.
Buried away in the tail end of this Austin American-Statesman's Politifact entry was a curious comment that I'm surprised hasn't gotten wider notice. Then again, since it is another example of Sen. Hutchison being the coward she is and not every putting any real heart into her campaign.
Referring to her concession in the early evening of the March 2nd GOP primary...
"To drag it out past 10 o'clock at night was sort of an unfair thing to do to Perry," Francis said. "It was clear what the situation was. Kay wanted to exit in a classy, dignified way. That's what she decided. There wasn't any strategy about it."
Besides, even if she'd squeaked into a runoff, Francis said, Hutchison had already decided to concede if she trailed Perry by 20 percentage points or so -- and she did.
Unless I missed it, I was under the impression along with most of the rest of the Texas press corps that Kay Bailey was in it to win it (among other things like resigning her seat in the Senate regardless if she won the primary or not).
Let this be a lesson about how the "invulnerable popular Republican female elected officials" can fall from grace.
Former "invincible" Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison chickened out of a primary for Governor, then lost a primary for Governor by 20 points, would have chickened out of a runoff, and is now dithering around on which promise she'll break next about how long she's going to stick around being bored in the U.S. Senate.
Who's next? Current popular Republican Comptroller Susan Combs who Democrats didn't even field a candidate against this cycle? Let us not be lulled into the invincibility of incumbent Republicans any longer.
-Recycled Carole Strayhorn photo credit to the Austin Chronicle.
Perry's claim that his border security efforts have led to a 60 percent drop in crime doesn't hold water. The calculation he touts doesn't consider crimes committed in cities and towns where most border residents live. It also compared two calendar quarters rather than weighing years' worth of data.
Crime may have temporarily subsided in some rural areas of the border region.
However, it's not clear how much of any decline can be traced to the state's investment in security.
We rate Perry's sweeping statement based on an unreasonable manipulation of crime statistics -- the second instance of his administration touting questionable border crime numbers -- as Pants on Fire.
Rick Perry's lies will continue coming throughout the campaign -- great work by the Statesman on holding his feet to the fire on this outrageous claim. We look forward to their continued new work throughout the coming months, as they redefine fact-check journalism in Texas.
Eric Cantor, the Republic Whip in the U.S. House of Representative's is promoting a video of Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar.
Cuellar went on the GOP's propaganda cable channel Fox News, and rattled off his support for tort reform, the Stupak amendment, and a need for efficiencies in heath care. Needless to say, he went through the GOP talking points very nicely.
Tort reform happened in Texas nearly a decade ago and premiums and health care costs have still risen over 100% since the Republican's forced through the constitutional amendment that reduced tort litigation or damages for those harmed. This shows why we need massive health care reform. The only way we can get the efficiencies Cuellar wants is, wait for it, to actually pass reforms. The current system has few efficiencies and that's why we need reform.
There is still time to tell Henry Cuellar to vote for health care reform. Call his Washington D.C. office at 202-225-1640 or toll-free at 877-780-0028.
And feel free to tell him you are calling because of his ridiculous appearance on Fox News.
Since 2003, one political party’s had a monopoly on Texas government.
Don’t you think it’s time to bust it?
Today, I’m launching the Monopoly Buster Ballot – with the idea that state government could use a little ... let’s say, competition.
But the outcome depends on you.
Starting now, you can go to http://www.kirkwatson.com/monopolybuster, and vote for one of 28 strong public servants running for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives. Each of these incumbents faces a challenge from a certain political party that thinks its monopoly needs to last another two years – at least.
The candidate who gets the most online votes will receive a $10,000 contribution from my campaign, with $1,500 going to the runner-up. But this ballot isn’t about money.
It’s all about you, your friends, family, Facebook crew, Twitter followers, and everyone you know. After all, it takes people – a lot of them – to bust a monopoly.
The Rules
Here’s how it works:
1. Go vote. Right now. Seriously. Stop whatever you’re doing, go to www.kirkwatson.com/monopolybuster, check out the candidates, and vote for one using your name and email address. It won’t take long – you can only vote once, after all.
2. Tell everyone you know. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART. Use the Facebook or Twitter links on the “Thank You” page. Blast out an email. Talk about it at the water cooler or over dinner. However you spread the word, spread it, and get all of your friends, family members, co-workers, acquaintances and what not to vote.
3. Come back for Round 2. The first round of voting goes through March 26. The five candidates with the most votes will move on to Round 2, which will go until April 3. Again, the finalist with the most votes will receive a $10,000 contribution from my campaign, and the runner-up will get $1,500.
4. Win in November. No matter how the results turn out, through Monopoly Buster, you’ll be connected with the candidate you vote for. Better yet, so will your friends and everyone else who votes for your candidate through this Ballot. This will help the candidates stay organized and build support as they drive toward November.
This people power is the biggest benefit of the Monopoly Buster Ballot. A ton of political groups are set up to raise money (and a lot of them will spend that money this year to maintain the monopoly in state government). But while money is nice in a campaign, it’s people – like you – who really win elections. My goal is to bring more folks into the process to support these campaigns and build Texas' future.
The deteriorating situation along the Texas-Mexico border has caused Rick Perry to emerge from his primary cocoon of extreme, Tea Party anti-government rhetoric to beg for help. The problem is that Perry doesn't understand the consequences of his political rhetoric.
It may have been politically popular to spend a year tearing down the Federal government and framing his primary opponent as representative of everything that is wrong with Washington D.C., but now the very people he needs to help him lobby in Washington for border assistance, both Republican and Democrat, are likely to be the very one's who gently remind him that his political rhetoric didn't help his cause. For an entire year Rick Perry ignored the cartel action along the border and instead concentrated on moving so far to the Right in his primary campaign that he makes Rush Limbaugh blush.
Career politicians like Rick Perry have never learned that political rhetoric has far-reaching consequences. He just simply fires off at the mouth when he believes it makes him look like the swaggering cowboy that a cheerleader could never be:
Rick Perry hates the Federal government until he needs their transportation dollars to meld pieces of his defunct Trans-Texas Corridor project together.
Rick Perry hates the Federal government until his primary campaign is over and he just now discovers that he has a cartel problem along the border between Mexico and Texas.
The essence of leadership is putting aside self-interests to simply step forward, exercise political will, and do what is right for Texas and not for the campaign at hand. Perry's anti-government, extremist political rhetoric has burned more bridges to Washington D.C. than Texas can afford. As Rick Perry calls Washington for help, here is hoping his two Republican senators and majority Republican congressional delegation, which didn't support his primary campaign, are there to answer what he now begs for.
Buried away in the tail end of this 
Let this be a lesson about how the "invulnerable popular Republican female elected officials" can fall from grace.
