Burnt Orange Report

Sheryl Cole for Place 6: Fundraising

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Sheryl Cole, running for the City Council seat being vacated by Mayor Pro Tem Danny Thomas (Place 6, the historically African-American seat), has filed her first financial report, showing supporter contributions of over $13,000 gathered during the first 45 days of the race. Two other candidates in the race reported contributions of $3,250 and $140 during the same period, giving Cole the early fundraising advantage.

Her campaign has also released its first list of public supporters (available here). Some notable names include 2005 Place 3 City Council candidates Gregg Knaupe, Mandy Dealey, and Margot Clarke; TARAL Executive Director Sarah Wheat; Political consultants Alfred Stanley and Mark Littlefield; Recent candidates Kelly White, Lulu Flores and Jan Soifer; and community leader Bettie Naylor. Cole’s campaign committee is being chaired by environmentalist Shudde Fath and businesswoman Bobbie Baker, with Rev. Joseph Parker, Jr., serving as the campaign’s treasurer.

Cole will have her formal campaign kick-off event on Wednesday, February 1st, at 5:30 PM at the Victory Grill, 1104 East 11th Street.

ABOUT SHERYL COLE

Attorney and account Sheryl Cole, 41, is a 23-year resident of Austin. She earned her B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Texas in 1986 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1987. Cole subsequently returned to U.T. for law school, earning her J.D. in 1991. Cole’s legal career includes six years as staff counsel at the Texas Municipal League. Married to Austin attorney Kevin Cole for 15 years, Sheryl Cole is the mother of three boys, and currently serves as president of the Lee Elementary School PTA. The Cole family belongs to David Chapel, where Sheryl teaches 2nd grade Sunday School. Cole currently serves on the Board of Leadership Austin and the Austin Area Urban League, and is a former Board member of Communities in Schools. Cole also served as Tri-Chair of the 2004 AISD Citizen Bond Committee, and was appointed by former mayor Kirk Watson to serve on the 1998 City of Austin Citizen Bond Committee. If elected, Sheryl Cole would be the first African-American female to serve on the Austin City Council. The election is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2006.

Faring My Way in Austin

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

I've been playing around with a site this afternoon, documenting my travels from this week. Wayfaring.com is pretty darn cool, especially since I walk and bike everywhere. So I thought I'd make up a few maps of my activites for y'all while I work on the new BOR site so I can start getting at least those logins out to the donors. (Did I forget to mention we'll have polls?)

Anways, here's my ill fated trip around Austin last Tuesday when I went to the Bob Gammage press conference and ended up with a flat tire at Glen Maxey's. Then my two attempts at cashing Andy Brown's ad check, first on foot, then on bike.

Gay Republican Write-In Running Against Doggett

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

From the world of semi-bizarre comes word that Congressman Doggett in TX-25 running from Austin to Mexico, will have more than just a Libertarian challenger, he'll have a 24 year old gay Republican waging a write-in campaign.

Edward Mokrzy, 24, a former Dallas resident, said he had planned to file for a place on the ballot in the primary before the National Republican Congressional Committee cancelled a pledge to provide his $3,125 filing fee. The group pulled its support after he announced he would run as openly gay and on a government reform platform, he said.

"I think what happened was that the Texas Republican Party got scared because they saw me as actually having a chance of winning Austin and of winning the election," Mokrzy said.

Mokrzy said he suspects Republican Party leaders would prefer not to see an openly gay Republican elected to office. Austin is so liberal that a gay candidate with progressive ideas about government reform would stand a good chance of winning, he said.

"That's speculation, but I do truly believe that," Mokrzy said.

Well, Mokrzy can speculate all he wants, but on the ballot or not, he's not going to fracture Doggett's Austin base any time soon. And even the Log Cabin Republicans don't know who he is.

Carla Halbrook, a spokeswoman for Log Cabin Republicans who lives in Dallas, said she is unfamiliar with Mokrzy or any support for him from gay Republicans in Texas.

"I don't know anything about him, and I haven't heard anything about him," Halbrook said.

And for Gay Republicans, you really think they could come up with a site slightly more fabulous than this one.

Will Wynn Running for Re-Election

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Austin Mayor Will Wynn (who's website address is just too clever you'd never expect it) filed the first campaign finance report of his 2006 re-election campaign yesterday. Wynn raised $40,430 from 428 individual donors in the period between November 16th and December 31st.

The total of more than $40,000 is an unprecedented sum this early in the campaign season. Since Austin’s Fair Campaign Ordinance went into effect in 1997, limiting individual contributions to $100 and all but eliminating donations from outside the city, no candidate has raised $40,000 in the first reporting period.

Mayor Wynn will officially announce his re-election campaign with a kick-off event at the Broken Spoke on Friday, February 3rd, from 5 pm to 7 pm. Asleep at the Wheel will perform live to support the campaign.

Danny Thomas, outgoing City Councilmember (and supported of Proposition 2 last fall) is the only other announced candidate I am aware of (other than Jennifer Gale or Leslie whom I'm not doubting might end up filing).

Local Club Meetings

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

It's a new year, and many readers may have resolved to get more involved in local politics as the political winds have shifted in our favor. So to that end, here are 3 club meetings that you may wish to attend.

First off, Capitol City Young Democrats (CCYDs) is starting anew (as it has from time to time) so if you feel you are a "young urban professional", graduated from UT, or maybe attending another Austin University that is without a Democratic Club, CCYDs is perfect for you. There first meeting this semester is this Sunday and membership dues are only $10.

When: Sunday, January 22nd, 7pm
Where: Opal Devines
700 West Sixth Street
Contact: David Z. @ (512) 680-8210

Another local group in an area that has seen quite a bit of recent Democratic activity, North by Northwest Democrats (NXNW) just had their monthly meeting this past Monday at the Village Shopping Center. But if you happen to be up in that part of Travis County, contact Richard Anton at richardanton-at-alumni.utexas.net or 512 343 0112 for more information.

Lastly, University Democrats at UT will be restarting the semester next Wednesday at it's usual time of 8 pm (every Wednesday) in a NEW room, Mezes 1.304. Dues are only $5 for the semester, which gets you voting rights in our elections as well as the ability to partake in the Dining with Democrats program as well as our paid Internship program which is now expanding to 3 offices this semester.

Rider Out of March Primary

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

From the Statesman, Kathy Rider will be pulling out of the March Primary in District 48. (Even if Howard wins, there would still in theory be a primary, though the three candidates have agreed that if one won the special election, the others would not contest them in the primary).

Political consultant and lobbyist Bill Miller, a close ally of some Republican leaders, described the results as an upset because the seat was drawn in 2001 to elect a Republican. He said it could signal that good times are ahead for other Texas Democrats as they try to pick up seats in a Republican-controlled Legislature this year.

"She still has to win, and you have a runoff," Miller said. "But it's a big warning to Republicans to take a look at the issues that are surfacing in this race and how they play with the electorate."

The winner will serve for the rest of 2006, including at least one special legislative session this spring to address the state's school finance system. Baxter resigned in November, citing professional and family reasons, and now lobbies for the cable industry.

Rider said she will drop out of the March Democratic primary to see who will face Bentzin in November for a new term that will start in January 2007.

"I think the Democrats are going to take the seat in the runoff, and we're pleased," Rider said.

I'll be the first to thank Kathy Rider for her previous service to the AISD and for helping to show that Democrats can solidly perform in District 48 (and for being gracious in defeat). No one could have predicted that her campaign more or less kept Donna Howard from winning outright tonight, even though after the fact, that does appear to be the case.

This now puts candidate Andy Brown in a bit of a pickle, because if Donna wins the run-off, his campaign doesn't need to restart, but no real decision can be made until a month from now when that election is over. I'm willing to bet there will be pressure, now that Rider is out, to urge Brown to fully endorse Howard in the run-off. We should hear from that camp in the next couple days. Check back with Burnt Orange Report for any updates. Also thanks to the Texas Whip for their reporting.

District 48 Election Results Thread

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Early Results are in for tonight's special election here in Travis County. I'm at the Donna Howard Victory Party at Waterloo Icehouse, where the candidate has just arrived.

Results (SOS):

(R) Ben Bentzin // 2,088 // 45.76%
(L) Ben Easton // 99 // 2.17%
(D) Donna Howard // 1,825 // 40.00%
(D) Kathy Rider // 551 // 12.08%

Overal Turnout: 4.64% (EV)

The important thing to note, Democrats have 52% of the vote total right now, and you can make your own conclusions about what that would mean if Kathy Rider was not in this race. I expect the numbers to improve from here as the night goes on, though these early numbers are already better than expected. If Howard comes in with more votes than Bentzin, she is well placed to win what seems to be a likely run-off. But anything could happen.

Update:

Travis County Results when they come in will be here, along with precinct by precinct.

The two precincts with over 10% turnout are being won by Howard with 53% and 57% of the vote. Bentzin is only at 36% and 30% in those precincts.

Update:

In the early vote, Bentzin is winning only winning 13 of 39 Precincts with over 50%. Rider's ceiling is 20% in any one given precinct. Looking at the 10 Western Travis County Precints (the 370s) which Bentzin won outright, the turnout is below average, some precincts below 1%, most below 3%.

Update: 14 of 39 Precincts Reporting

New Cumulative:

(R) Bentzin: 40.4%
(L) Easton: 2.13%
(D) Howard: 45.8%
(D) Rider: 11.7%

Election Day Only:

(R) Bentzin: 31.3%
(L) Easton: 2.1%
(D) Howard: 55.7%
(D) Rider: 11.0%

Update:

New Cumulative:

(R) Bentzin: 37.5%
(L) Easton: 2.1%
(D) Howard: 49.15%
(D) Rider: 11.3%

Final Results

(R) Bentzin: 37.8%
(L) Easton: 2.3%
(D) Howard: 49.47%
(D) Rider: 10.45%

Howard was 73 votes off of avoiding a run-off. 59.92% is the combined Democratic Vote. Needless to say, Howard is in a very good position to win a run-off as most people were expecting to Bentzin to have around 48%-49% of the vote tonight, not 38%. Now all Howard has to do is consolidate the Democratic vote columns, making sure not to lose too many voters from the 14% turnout tonight which is sure to drop in the run-off, likely to be set in mid-February.

Precincts won by 50%+ (of 39 total precincts).

Howard: 20
Bentzin: 6
Rider: 0
Easton: 0

Election Day in HD 48

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

It's the first day of school for students at UT, and it's Election Day in House District 48, which includes some Far West student precints. So students heading in and out of classes, and everyone else that lives or knows someone out in the District, be sure to vote today for Donna Howard (or Kathy Rider) in your home precinct. A list of precinct locations can be found here. If you need to check which precinct you are in, you can look that up online here.

Remember, if Ben Bentzin is kept under 50%, it will force a February run-off, and it's my bet that he's going to be within 1-2% of that mark either way. Should Bentzin win today, he becomes the State Rep through November, and gets to cast pro-voucher, Baxter-esque votes during this spring's special session(s).

And just think about where Bentzin's money is coming from...

Texans for Lawsuit Reform: $20,000
Bob [the swift boat guy] Perry: $10,000
HillCo PAC: $10,000
Mike Toomey: $1000

Update: Texan: More than 4,500 early voters have already cast their ballot to find a replacement for Todd Baxter's vacated northwest Austin state representative seat, according to Travis County voting records released Friday. (For comparison, 68,663 votes were cast in the 2004 general between White and Baxter.)

Results will be here tonight. I may try to make it to one of the victory parties to report on results as they come in this evening, sometime after 7pm.

Update 2: Is anyone going to the Donna Howard Victory Party at 7 up at Waterloo Icehouse at 6023 N Capital of Texas Hwy? Want to give me a ride? E-mail or call me.

UT Shutting Down as of 2 PM: Updated

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Texan: The University will be closed due to weather concerns from 2 p.m. Wednesday until 10 a.m. Thursday.

I'm sure the University Wide e-mail will be out shortly. Students may want to contact professors if you had tests or projects due during this time. It's going to be cold and slightly frozen out there, so stay warm, wrap the pipes, and bring your plants indoors (or put bags over them). It's already 34 degrees here in Austin, but real-feel is around 23.

So instead of going to class, you can read this piece by the Bell campaign which knocks down some Perry claims.

UPDATE

Official University E-mail now out.

Due to today’s forecast of inclement weather, the University will officially close beginning at 2 p.m. today and reopen at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Employees who must work to provide essential services and functions will receive state compensatory time.

All university buildings normally locked by night custodial staff will be locked by the day custodial staff immediately after closure.

Classes and exams scheduled for this afternoon will be made up on Monday (Dec.12) using the same class or exam schedule and location. Classes and exams scheduled for tomorrow morning before 10 a.m. will be made up on Tuesday (Dec. 13) using the same class or exam schedule and location. If this “last” class meeting is not necessary, faculty may cancel the class.

Human Resource Services will provide instructions on recording time to Department HR Contacts.

UPDATE:

Due to the university closure and potentially unsafe road conditions ALL UT Shuttle service will be suspended at 7 p.m. today (Wednesday, Dec. 7) and is scheduled to resume tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 8) at 9 a.m.

Please refer to the Capital Metro website (www.capmetro.org) for more information regarding service interruptions and schedule information.

Please note: Classes and examinations in the Division of Continuing Education are cancelled for today (Dec. 7). University Extension students should contact the University Extension office for information about rescheduling evening classes.

If you've been trying to check your UT e-mail, the system is being strained and is not logging some people on. Be patient.

The Craziest HD-48 Scenario

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

There will be a lot going on behind the scenes in the next few days. There is some talk about consolidating the field and having one person run. This is the process that will happen this spring that you all should be aware of, as I understand it.

The January Election is an open free for all election. All Republicans and Democrats run against each other. The top 2 go to run off in February. The winner of all that then is the State Rep for the Spring Special session that will likely be called for March-June because of the school finance ruling that set the June 1 deadline or else schools shut down.

BUT

There is still the regular primary in March which will decide the nominees for the November general election.

SO

Say it is Bentzin (R) Howard (D) Brown (D) & Rider (D)

They duke it out in the open special, winner wins. They all could potentially run again (and have new challengers) in their party primaries in March. So given that, the following is actually a possible scenario.

January Open Special Election: Bentzin & Brown go to run-off
February Run-off: Brown wins, serves as elected Rep for any Spring Special Session
March Primary: Bentzin wins the Republican nomination, Brown goes to run-off with Howard for an April Run-off, forcing him to campaign during the middle of the special session
April Run-off: Howard wins Democratic nomination and campaigns against Bentzin for November election, while Brown serves out the rest of the term as the elected lame-duck rep, while the session is still going on!

I'm not saying this is in the cards, but Rick Perry's election date enables this to be a possibility. And remember, Travis County officials estimate the election will cost as much as $250,000, plus another $125,000 or more if there is a runoff.

Rip Avery has some thoughts as well.

As I have mentioned before, Bentzin not only lacks Baxter's baggage (voting record and TRMPAC connections) but is in a position to finance a campaign before any single Democrat is ripe for candidacy in the general election. Also, as noted, there are at least three players on the Dem side, and in a special election all candidates run at once, with the winner being he/she who obtains the majority of votes. If there is no majority, then there is a runoff between the top two candidates. The three way split may not be as bad as one thinks, since the goal of the Democratic Party should be to make sure that Bentzin stays below 50%. Votewise, even if Howard and Rider took some votes from the left, Brown should be ok if he can suck enough votes from the center to prevent a Bentzin victory in the first round. The problem, of course, will be the expense (consolidating elections analogous to a primary and possibly general in such a short time frame).

While Bentzin lacks Baxter's "baggage," he did take money from Texans for Lawsuit Reform (and Bob "Swift Boat" Perry) in 2002. TFLR is bankrolled by Dr. James Leininger, and it contributed heavily to Baxter as well as Craddick and others in the Texas GOP leadership. Leininger was he mojor influence behind issues like school vouchers, and reportedly pulled GOP reps off the floor to lecture the Legislators on the importance of voting for them and his other pet issues. Oh yeah, Leininger contributed heavily to TRMPAC and Stars Over Texas PAC (TRMPAC's successor and a Baxter contributor). So, Bentzin (despite his reputed $37m "fortune") is still connected to the same policy "puppet masters" as Baxter. If you like Tom DeLay and Tom Craddick (and their buddy, Rick Perry, another beneficiary of Leininger largesse), then you should vote for Bentzin. If you, like me, don't care for the Right Wing's influence in Texas, then you should support Andy Brown.

HD 48 Special Election Date Set

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Election Day: January 17th (Tuesday)
Early Voting: January 2-13
Filing Deadline: December 19th

via QR

Developing...

It's hard to expect Rick Perry to get on the stick with much of anything these days, and certainly not elections, considering the residents of District 143 in Houston had to go for entire special sessions with no representation.

But faced with having to deal with his failure last year to fix school finance, and now having to do it by June 1st lest the Republicans would rather see the schools shut down (probably an absolute dream for a couple of them), we get an early election called, with all candidates running in a free for all.

As a student friend of mine said when I told them this, Perry is a bastard, because the entire election takes place over the holidays, and election day is the first day of classes. That means all those Democratic student voters out in Far West, which are hard enough to turn out anyways, will be next to impossible to get. University Democrats, which has been active in block walking for Andy Brown's campaign, might have enough time to get an endorsement out next week (while still open, would likely go to Brown at this point) and if that couples with Central Austin Democrats could provide for some of those infamous yellow doorhangers to go up out in the district. But as far as volunteers go, the student impact has been minimized.

Such an early election means money and existing on the ground infrastructure means a lot. Brown has been blockwalking since the summer, hitting thousands of houses out there. Donna Howard will have to depend upon the Kelly White network of donors and volunteers. Kathy Rider (if she's still planning on running) will have to rely on name ID because there hasn't been sign of any organized activity I can pin down. Of course, that reveals our other problem, that there will be more Democrats than Republicans running, either 2-1 or 3-1, since Ben Bentzin will be the Republican nominee.

If the Dems all run, they have to keep Bentzin below 50% on the first round and then join together in the run-off to have a chance. It would be better if we could consolidate behind one candidate, and then focus our collective efforts on turnout, instead of worrying about turnout and fighting over voters at the same time. But with from what the candidates on our side have signaled, that doesn't seem likely to happen. But this early election could change that.

Until then, we wait. You can look at the HD-48 map (pdf) in the meantime.

Austin City Charter Propositions

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Save Our Springs Alliance is collecting signatures on petitions for calling an election on two propositions. Pay is 75 cents per valid signature of a City of Austin registered voter. (Voter signs both petitions and you make $1.50). Work any hours, any place. Door to door or tabling.

For information call Glen Maxey 443-2004 (o) 656-6337 (cell) OR Nate Walker (680-8438). Petitions can be picked up and information at: Glen Maxey Consulting, 512 E Riverside Ste 203, Austin TX 78704 Call 443-2004 to make sure someone is at the office. Usually here 1 pm to 6 pm / Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Information email: Glen at RepGMaxey-AT-aol.com

The ballot propositions are listed in the extended entry. One is a Save Our Spring Charter Amendment to close loopholes being used to get around the landmark SOS ordinance when it was first passed. The other is an Open Government Online measure.

Grits has some thoughts on the Online measure, which would force open some APD police records.

UPDATE: The official charter campaign website is here.

Summary of “Save Our Springs” Charter Amendment

General Purpose: Upon approval by the voters of the City of Austin, the Amendment would make it the official policy of the City of Austin to protect the quality and quantity of water flows in the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer and to take actions in support of this policy, as summarized below:

Key Elements:

Recognizes Scientific Consensus -- In 1997 more than 35 Central Texas scientists, environmental engineers, and urban planners wrote and endorsed a policy paper entitled “Protecting the Edwards Aquifer: A Scientific Consensus.” The Charter Amendment would require the City to follow the key recommendations of this scientific consensus.

Directs Development Downstream – Requires the city to direct development to the east and downstream of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer in its development of roads, water and sewer investments, economic development efforts, etc.

Limits Development Subsidies – Prohibits the City from offering tax abatements or other economic development subsidies to companies or their close affiliates that seek to build in the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer, and requires those companies receiving economic development subsidies to refrain from future development in the watershed.

Minimizes Grandfathering -- The City’s overly lax reading of state law has allowed massive amounts of development in the Barton Springs watershed as “grandfathered” from the 1992, Austin voter-approved Save Our Springs ordinance. The charter amendment would require the City to narrowly define “grandfathered development” under state and federal law.

Summary of “Open Government Online” Charter Amendment

General Purpose: The Amendment would open Austin City Government to public scrutiny by requiring most of City business to be carried out online, in real time, and with full right of public access and public input. Current internet technology makes it possible for local governments to carry out most of their business online, including permitting, contracting, project and policy development and management, broadcast of council and board and commission meetings, disclosure of meetings and correspondence with lobbyists, etc. And just like with businesses, doing so reduces costs and increases competition in the market place of ideas, so that better decisions are made. By opening city government to public scrutiny and to the ideas, information and participation of everyone who cares about Austin, we can make a better future for Austin and establish Austin as a leader in open, online and participatory democracy.

Key Elements:

Require Open, Online Government for Efficiency –Using internet technology to manage permitting, contracting, and public information disclosure, the City can save time and money. Rather than spend staff time responding to public information requests, most City information would be automatically disclosed requiring no time at all. Most of this information is in electronic format already – its just not accessible to the public.

Require Open, Online Government for Accountability—It’s long been recognized that shining light on government is the best disinfectant against waste, abuse, and malfeasance. By forcing City Government to be accessible online and in real time, we can assure far greater accountability of both elected officials and city management.

Require Open, Online Government for Participatory Democracy – Austin is best when it invites, considers, and responds to the questions, information and opinions of everyone who cares about our city. The Open Government Online Amendment would allow interested citizens into the city decision making process by requiring that development permitting and project and policy development be done through webpages that automatically post comments of interested citizens within the same process of considering proposals and applications by developers, contract bidders, and other commercial interests. Also, by requiring full public disclosure of how and with whom elected officials and top management spend their time, the Amendment would create a powerful incentive for balancing lobbyist access with citizen access.

Require Open, Online Government for Equal Access and Fairness – Too much of city decision making is cloaked in shadows and springs forth whole, the decision already made well before interested citizens even know there’s an issue. The recent $30 million tax abatement giveaway for Samsung (a company that admitted to felony price-fixing charges and a $300 million fine) is a perfect example. By forcing disclosure of virtually all correspondence with commercial interests – and specifically requiring all corporate welfare packages be negotiated in public – the Open Government Online Amendment will make Austin city government much more fair to the average interested citizen.

Jim Stauber Announces Run Against Rep. Gattis

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Check out Eye on Williamson County's post on Democrat Jim Stauber's bid to unseat Republican Dan Gattis.

I will immediately work to:

+Prohibit local and state government from taking your homes and land for private development by others for their commercial profit.

Dan Gattis refused to support this prohibition.

+Restore 2900 Texas State jobs to Texas residents, which the legislature eliminated by outsourcing to a low paying private company and, possibly, non-Texas residents.

Dan Gattis voted to allow outsourcing Texas State jobs to non-residents.

+Restore funding to the CHIPS Program (Children’s Health Insurance Program) to provide adequate health care to Texas children and return Federal funds to Texas.

Dan Gattis voted for a lesser and lower level of care for our children and to turn back, to the Federal government, millions of our tax dollars.

+Move immediately to make the Toll Road Authority answerable to the public by making the members elected officials instead of appointed officials.

Dan Gattis opposed making the members directly answerable to the voters.

Attention Austinites

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Especially students... are you tired of those "every address" bulk junk mail pieces that you get? There are apparently ways to get off the lists. If interested, take a gander at this post by Kaan.

Baxter's Revolving Door

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Funny guy that former Representative Todd Baxter.

AAS: Todd Baxter, who resigned as state representative from Austin two weeks ago today, has become the state cable industry's top lobbyist, the group said Monday.

Baxter, a Republican, left his state House seat Nov. 1, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

I guess we know who Baxter's real family is- the Texas Cable & Telecommunications Association.

Baxter's official title will be vice president for government affairs and general counsel. He replaces Kathy Grant, who resigned to go into private practice on Oct. 20. She lobbied for the industry this session as cable providers bitterly fought to stop legislation they say gave SBC Communications Inc. and other phone companies an upper hand as they begin selling television services.

And the best part? Kathy Grant retired on the same day as Baxter. Like that wasn't planned...

"I have enjoyed working in the Legislature in a variety of capacities, but I expect this endeavor to be the highlight of my professional career," Baxter said in the statement.

Anyone who thinks being a cable lobbyist makes for an exciting highlight to one's professional career, obviously wasn't having near enough fun as a legislator. Of course, for Baxter, it's not like this will be much of a change in job description, since he was serving the same function during the actual session (and special sessions).

During the regular session, Baxter was a member of the House Regulated Industries Committee, which oversees the telecommunications and electric industries. He played an active role in Senate Bill 5, the bitter legislation that pitted cable and telephone companies against each other.

Baxter voted for the legislation, which passed during a special summer session. He unsuccessfully pushed for a provision that would have let cable providers get out of their local franchise agreements and qualify for a single statewide franchise. SBC Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., have been granted such franchises as they roll out their new television services.

Nice knowing you. I look forward to a Rep. Andy Brown or Rep. Donna Howard next year (since the Kathy Rider campaign can't even bother themselves with a website or a candidate a step above "snooze").

BMW Ad Contract Goes to GSD&M

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Kudos to GSD&M, local Austin advertising firm that was responsible for the "We're Texas" ad campaign (which you can watch here) which just won BMW's $75 million dollar ad contract for North America.

AAS: GSD&M employees were celebrating Monday night at the company's headquarters on West Sixth Street, with a German band playing in the background while BMW and agency executives made the announcement.

"They don't call Austin the live music capital of the world for nothing, if we can get an oompah band on short notice," said Roy Spence, president and co-founder of GSD&M.

Though I'm not certain if getting an oompah band on any notice is something I'd want to be able to do...heh.

Sheryl Cole for Austin City Council: Place 6

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Mayor Pro-Tem Danny Thomas, currently holding the "African-American" seat on the Austin City Council is retiring due to term limits. But fear not, a replacement has already stepped up in the form of Sheryle Cole, who if elected would be the first African-American woman to serve on the Austin City Council. She has just announced her candidacy and her website will launch later this month at www.sherylcole.com.

Local consultants David Butts and Mark Nathan will be heading up her campaign, a signal at least to me, that Cole may be less of "a" candidate for place 6 as "the" candidate, though I'm certain that others will jump into the race. I'd expect to see Austin continue to leave the "black seat black" as it is one of the ways the city keeps from being federally forced to have single member districts to ensure minority representation.

From the press release, full text of which is in the extended entry...

Cole currently serves on the Board of Leadership Austin and the Austin Area Urban League, and is a former Board member of Communities in Schools. Cole also served as Tri-Chair of the 2004 AISD Citizen Bond Committee, and was appointed by former mayor Kirk Watson to serve on the 1998 City of Austin Citizen Bond Committee.

Cole said that if elected she hoped to help the Council and Manager focus on “strategies for spreading economic success to all parts of Austin.” Cole – naming economic development, transportation, public safety, social services, and environmental protection as her top priorities – said she will be a champion for East Austin at City Hall.

Thanks to the campaign for giving BOR the scoop before the local media. You sure know how to butter my bread.

Austin, Texas – Austin attorney and accountant Sheryl Cole today filed papers with the City Clerk appointing a campaign treasurer, and announced her intent to run for the Place 6 seat on the Austin City Council. Place 6 is being vacated next year by Mayor Pro Tem Danny Thomas, who was elected in 2000 and served two three-year terms.

If elected, Cole would be the first ever African-American female to serve on the Austin City Council. The election is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2006.

Cole, 41, is a 23-year resident of Austin. She earned her B.A. in accounting from the University of Texas in 1986 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1987. Cole subsequently returned to U.T. for law school, earning her J.D. in 1991. Cole’s legal career includes six years as staff counsel at the Texas Municipal League.

Married to Austin attorney Kevin Cole for 14 years, Sheryl Cole is the mother of three boys and currently serves as president of the Lee Elementary School PTA. The Cole family belongs to David Chapel, where Sheryl teaches 2nd grade Sunday School. David Chapel pastor Rev. Joseph Parker, Jr. is serving as Cole’s campaign treasurer.

Cole currently serves on the Board of Leadership Austin and the Austin Area Urban League, and is a former Board member of Communities in Schools. Cole also served as Tri-Chair of the 2004 AISD Citizen Bond Committee, and was appointed by former mayor Kirk Watson to serve on the 1998 City of Austin Citizen Bond Committee.

Cole said that if elected she hoped to help the Council and Manager focus on “strategies for spreading economic success to all parts of Austin.” Cole – naming economic development, transportation, public safety, social services, and environmental protection as her top priorities – said she will be a champion for East Austin at City Hall.

“Too often, East Austin is still missing out on the upside of economic growth happening in the larger community,” said Cole. “I believe that City Hall needs to stay focused on taking steps to help East Austin participate in our prosperity.”

Cole said she would also work to deliver honest, accountable public service to every Austinite across the spectrum of issues that come before the City Council. “Whether it’s a single zoning case or a far-reaching policy initiative, my goal will always be to get all the facts I can, and make the best judgment I know how,” she said.

Cole said her official campaign kick-off event would be held in January 2006, and that her campaign website, www.sherylcole.com, would launch later this month.

Travis County Prop 2 Map

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Sent to me by two readers already, here is a downloadable precinct by precinct map of the Travis County vote on Proposition 2 done by city
demographer Ryan Robinson. The Austin Chronicle will have an expanded precinct map in this Thursday's issue which will have results broken down by state house district.

Download file (pdf)

Anyone know if they've seen other urban counties with maps produced like this? If so, send them my way.

Travis Early Vote Final Results

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

The final Travis County Turnout for the 2005 Constitutional Amendment Election. Big bump today, some numbers below.

UT: 776 today // 5,228 total (highest single day & highest overall early vote location in Travis)
Travis: 11,680 // 56,369 total (highest single day)
(UT cast 9.3% of Travis County votes)

Travis Turnout: 10.57%
Est. Turnout: 17.6% (assuming 60/40 early v. election day turnout pattern seen last fall)

Oddly, that turnout prediction is only off .4% points from the one I figured would be way off on the second day of voting. My hopes are of course that there will be closer to a 50/50 pattern which would be more in line with past elections, and would result in Travis casting and even higher overall percentage). We'll soon find out if last November was an anomoly or a new pattern.

To download the early vote spreadsheet in excel format, click here.

Dean Powers Named Finalist for UT President

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Bill Powers, dean of the School of Law, has been named the only finalist for UT president by UT System Chancellor Mark Yudof, the Texan is reporting. The regents will vote on the nominee in the next three weeks.

Powers was named dean of the UT law school in May of 2000, leaving the University of Washington School of Law. He was chair of the task force that explored curricular reform and suggested a new University College that would house all incoming freshman undergraduates before they entered a specific college of study. The regents interviewed possible candidates all day Friday before naming Powers as the sole finalist.

The Presidential Search Advisory Committee, chaired by Teresa Sullivan, System vice-chancellor for academic affairs, submitted candidates to the regents last week. Sullivan is married to law school associate Dean Douglas Laycock.

Powers was the only internal candidate submitted to the regents. Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson and Liberal Arts Dean Richard Larivere were both often mentioned as possible finalists in the search for a new University president, but Larivere had previously denied that he was in the final running for the office. "[Powers] seems to be very good at bringing large groups together and sympathizing points of view," said Regents Chairman James Huffines.

If I remember correctly, I want to say it was due to Dean Powers that the University has included sexual orientation into its nondiscrimination clause, originally at the Law School because it was needed in order to move UT Law higher in National Rankings. I've tried to find reference to this online, does anyone remember this?

Limited Ballot

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

I was just alerted to a fantastic opportunity for those of you who are not yet registered to vote in Travis County:

LIMITED BALLOT

If you were previously registered in a Texas County and have not registered to vote in Travis County, you may be eligible to vote a Limited Ballot. Limited ballots are available only during the Early Voting period, Monday, October 24 – Friday November 4, 2005, at the main Early Voting location at 5501 Airport Boulevard. For the November 8, 2005, Joint Special Elections, a person voting a limited ballot is entitled to vote only on statewide propositions.

To vote a limited ballot, a voter:

§ Has moved to Travis County from another Texas county

§ Was a registered voter in the county of former residence when the voter moved to Travis County

§ Has completed an Application for Limited Ballot and submitted the Application to the Travis County Elections Division.

Constitutional Amendments are statewide elections so you can vote AGAINST Constitutional Amendment #2 at the Travis County Elections Division Office (also the Tax Office on Airport Blvd...on the way to Highland Mall from campus) even if you are not a Travis County voter! They request that you call ahead at 512.854.4996 to let them know you are coming. Remember, you can only take advantage of this opportunity until Early Voting ends on Friday.

Please remember just how important this election is in the fight for equality.

How to Oppose the Klan

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

The worst thing that those of us here in Austin could do is make a big violent mess out of the Ku Klux Klan's arrival at City Hall this Saturday. While some plan a second mooning of the Klan, if you really want to be useful, I'd suggest joining the No Nonsense in November campaign starting at 1pm this Saturday at Auditorium Shores (South 1st and Riverside Drive map) and then walk peacefully out to the middle of the 1st Street Bridge where the march will halt in silent, watchful protest, within auditory and visual contact of City Hall. Join us there between 1-3 PM.

This will be yet another turning point for the campaign, and the Klan's arrival almost guarantees state and national media interest. We gain little in rioting. We gain so much more in non-violent protest, standing strong, sending our message, and proving that the true repository of hate lies with the KKK and the supporters of this Amendment.

The campaign's official remarks are below the fold.

1. Fair-minded Texans are encouraged to gather at Auditorium shores and the southern entrance to the First Street Bridge for brief introductory remarks by rally leaders.

2. All those in attendance will be given posters, signs and other messages designed by our staff with nonviolent language consistent with our campaign message, balloons, etc. There is no need to bring anything with you. (If you bring hand made signs, please remember we are doing this for statewide TV coverage IN OPPOSITION to Amendment #2. Please DO NOT exhibit hate or anger messages toward the Klan. Let the Klan speak for themselves.)

3. When instructed by our leaders, we will walk in unity to the middle of the bridge over the river. This will be a silent walk and protest. We will not yell, call out, or otherwise respond vocally to any of the speaker's antigay comments. In keeping with the Soulforce principles taught by Gandhi & Martin Luther King, Jr., we will instead "absorb the suffering" without responding in any manner that could be perceived as violent or aggressive. Your presence, the truth of your life, and the beautiful photo images, we believe, will challenge the speaker's antigay statements in a way more powerful than any words.

Please note: If you do not feel emotionally ready to be involved in such an action without reacting in anger, we respectfully ask that you decline participating in this peaceful response. Any action that could be perceived as aggressive or violent by the media would actually work in favor of the Ku Klux Klan.

In fact, a representative for the American White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan wrote: ". . . we expect anti-Klan demonstrators to be there who may become violent. We certainly don't want any of our people hurt nor any city officials. We just want to come and encourage people to vote for Christian Family Values and against legalized homosexual marriage in the state of Texas."

Again, this will be a peaceful counter-protest and we will refrain from any actions, words, or signage that could be misperceived as violent or hateful. Glen Maxey and/or his designee will answer questions by the media.

Howard In, White Out

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Bumped. Welcome visitors from the Donna Howard campaign e-mail, this is the post you were probably looking for. -KT

I've been aware of the talk that Kelly White would jump into the HD 48 primary in the hope of being a "consensus candidate" according to local consultant David Butts. This has been causing tensions of course since White is candidate Donna Howard's treasurer, and would immediately change the dynamic of the race for all candidates including Andy Brown (who's website design and e-mail images are still too wide to fit in average sized browsers) and AISD school board president Kathy Rider.

But this weekend I was at a fundraiser for the No Nonsense campaign where I learned that Kelly was giving Donna 'veto power' over any run she might make. And considering I just received an e-mail press release stating that Donna was in the race no matter what from consultant Kelly Fero, a run by White has now effectively been 'vetoed'. White is instead focusing her immediate time raising five figure money for an upcoming project for the No Nonsense campaign.

I'd also like to thank White for winning a No Nonsense campaign shirt at the fundraiser as a Thanksgiving present for my father.

The press release...

Veteran public education advocate Donna Howard today said she will be a candidate in any special election to fill the soon-to-be-vacant Texas House District 48 seat, and called for a series of public debates featuring every declared candidate to make sure voters have a chance to participate in a full discussion of the critical issues facing the district.

"The voters have a right to know who the candidates are and where we stand," Howard said. "At these prices, the stakes are too high to let partisanship, cronyism, and last-minute maneuvering at the Capitol take away that right."

A special election and possible run-off to replace incumbent state representative Todd Baxter, who resigned suddenly earlier this month, could cost taxpayers as much as $1 million, according to local election officials.

Howard, already a candidate in the regular primary election scheduled for March 7, 2006, said her campaign will offer hope to voters who are frustrated by the failure of the current state leadership to address public school finance, children's health care, soaring property tax and homeowners' insurance rates, and other major challenges.

"My campaign will be a home for anyone who believes we should be putting our community and the issues that concern us first and political gamesmanship last," Howard said.

A series of vigorous public debates would help voters counter the efforts of partisan leaders at the Capitol to short circuit the normal democratic process and hand pick their preferred candidate in a special election, Howard said.

Howard, a former Eanes ISD board member and widely recognized leader on school issues, was a co-founder of Advocates for Eanes Schools, a parent organization, and helped start the Texas Education Crisis Coalition, a grassroots group of parents and community leaders. Certified as a Master School Trustee by the Texas Association of School Boards, Howard has previously run for the State Board of Education.

Howard has a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's in health education from the University of Texas. She has worked as a critical care nurse at Brackenridge and Seton hospitals, served as the first hospital-based Patient Education Coordinator in Austin history, and helped get the Seton Good Health School off the ground. She has also been president of the Texas Nurses' Association (District 5) and a Health Education instructor at UT.

Just Listen

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Who do you think said this?

"We believe that as Christians we have an obligation under god to take a stand against homosexuality. Homosexuality is a sin and an abomination to God and goes against our Lord's plans for the human race."

And the following is the above's strategy...

"There are plans to infiltrate churches, to bastardize scripture, to galvanize people against minorities by using religion...

Scary what conservatives will say sometimes. But the above wasn't in relation to right-wing Texas Republicans.

It was the KKK. Coming to a city hall near you November 5th.

Rep. Chisum Violating Election Law?

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Yesterday's post by Phillip brought to light yet another offense that seems to have been committed by Rep. Warren Chisum, making this pattern egregious enough that as of 3 pm this afternoon, I have filed an official complaint and "request to investigate" these actions with a special prosecutor in the Public Integrity Unit of the Travis County District Attorney's office.

You can download my official filing: page 1, page 2, page 3.

So what did he do?

The following files outline what I see as a breach of state limitations on use of public funds and offices for the purpose of the promotion of the passage of Proposition 2. Below is the text of my filed criminal complaint.

"On a letter to Texas Pastors dates Sept 16, 2005, printed on Rep. Warren Chisum's official House of Representatives letterhead and signed by Rep. Warren Chisum (HD-88), Rep. John T Smithee (HD-86), and Rep. David Swinford (HD-87), statements were made encouraging involvement in the Nov. 8th Constitutional Amendment Election. Included in the letter were documents labeled "VOTE FOR PROP 2" and promoting the www.texansformarriage.org website. Staffer for Rep. Chisum Annette Glass is listed as a contact in the letter, listing her official House e-mail and the office number for Rep. Chisum.

Additionally, Rep. Chisum's office on October 25, 2005 distributed a Press Release through the Capitol e-mail system entitled "False Campaign Meant to Destroy Prop 2" in which Annette Glass is again listed as the contact with Re. Chisum's primary office phone number."

The following are .tif image files of the September 16th Letter sent to pastors, forwarded to me by e-mail.

Sept. 16th Mailer (The Letter .tif format)
Included Letter Document (Page 1 | Page 2)

Key things to mention here. The included documents with the letter are clearly promoting the election or defeat of the amendment as they are titled with a bold VOTE FOR PROP 2 title. Included on the Chisum letterhead are key phrases such as, "To save marriage as we know it, and prevent activist judges from ruling in favor of same-sex marriages, the churches of this state must actively work to get out the vote. ... It is clear the churches can stand in the gap and make the difference in this election." The letter closes urging pastors to "contact my office at 800/692-1389 or e-mail annette.glass@house.state.tx.ud" which seems to be an addition clear violation of the use of his public office for the campaigning for this amendment.

The full text response of Rev. William D. Nix, Jr. of Canadian, TX to Rep. Chisum is included in the extended entry. He was by no means pleased, as a faith leader, receiving this letter from Rep. Chisum and Company. It is from him indirectly that I received this information.

I was shocked to receive your letter of September 16 addressed to “Senior Pastor” which I assume was sent to all churches in your district and to those of Messrs. Smithee and Swinford, who also signed the letter. Regardless of one’s views on Proposition 2 or the issues it raises, the letter and its enclosures are offensive to all mainstream Christians and Texans of other religious preference for whom freedom of religion is among our most cherished rights. For elected officials to attempt to influence elections by exerting pressure on churches is an abuse of the public trust and an infringement of the Constitutionally-guaranteed separation of church and state.

The enclosure promoting Proposition 2 is an even more blatant violation of the separation of church and state. The organizations cited as sources include Jerry Falwell’s “Liberty Council,” James Dobson’s “Focus on the Family” and other extreme-right Christian lobby groups. The suggested sermon points include a mixture of half-truths, misrepresentations and demagoguery, all calculated to arouse homophobic anxiety in the public. And their very inclusion in a letter from members of the legislature should be offensive to all theologically-educated clergy.

On the face of it, Proposition 2 is a thinly-veiled attempt to write discrimination toward gay and lesbian Texans into the Constitution. The existing “Protection of Marriage” law is discriminatory enough, denying basic legal protection and spousal benefits to anyone whose sexual orientation or committed relationship differs from the norm. And the promoters of Proposition 2 are aware that it is probably doomed to be found unconstitutional by the courts - thus their rush to write it into the Constitution.

Whet a pity that the last Legislature will be known primarily for failing to fund our children’s education and for attempting to deprive many Texans of their rights! Please don’t compound the error by eroding the wall of separation of church and state.

The Rev. William D. Nix, Jr.
Canadian (Texas)

OverSeen at the OverPass

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Saw this over at Austin MetroBlogging and I was reminded that many people have seen this group before. They have shown up from time to time out on the 12th Street overpass along I-35 holding a big banner that says "Say NO to Gay Marriage".

People have asked me as well as Glen Maxey, director of the statewide No Nonsense in November campaign fighting Prop 2, if we should be worried or do something about it. Nope. Heck, let people think that they can say no by voting no on Amendment 2 (even though they should anyways since it puts Texas Marriage into legal limbo if this passes according to front page Dallas news).

This guy is actually Mark Weaver and I have a little story about him that I was just sent.

"mark weaver who stands out on the 35 bridge holding a for prop 2 sign and is that ultra conservative asshole...calls kvue to say "i am outraged! my phone is ringing off the hook. all my congregation has been calling me to say 'i thought you said we were supposed to vote FOR this, what do we do, i am confused!' and what is WORSE, is that some people who wanted to vote for 2 already voted and voted against because of the call!"

Well, that is what 2 million phone calls will do, from a preacher (who is real contrary to Republican Bloggers, retired minister here in Austin). You'd expect more organization or concern from this Pro-2 side, but they got too comfortable. Even before the revelation that this Amendment has the potential to void all marriage in Texas and any of the media and GOTV that is going on now, the other side was polling 55/45, only a 10 point margin of yes to no. It's losing in Baxter's district as well as Martha Wong's.

This will be a nail biter but one in which we have already won in one sense, we were never expected to do better than the State of Oregon. Plus we could very easily be minus a few more Republican state reps next fall.

KKK to Support Prop 2 in Austin

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

From the world of "oh brother" comes this wonderful gem. Apparently someone thought it was a good idea to bring a white supremacist group, to Austin, for them to rally in support of Proposition 2. I'd seriously like to know who their scheduler is.

One, don't bring the KKK to Austin of all cities in Texas. That's just stupid. Two, having the KKK support Proposition 2 is one of the few, if not only things you could do, that might make people actually want to vote against it simply because of how negative an opinion they have of this group. Three, having your little shindig in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday during the weekend when there isn't any voting going on makes little electoral sense, reducing that as a motive for the event. Four, having it on the weekend just invites all those off work staffers and various other Austinites to show up and make a ruckus, which is quite obviously the real intent.

The city has given permission of the Ku Klux Klan to hold a rally on Saturday, November 5. The group says they want to have a pro-family values rally in front of City Hall that afternoon to get voters to vote against gay marriage.

The city has reserved the Austin City Hall’s south plaza on Lavaca and Cesar Chavez from 1-3 pm on Saturday, November 5.

In an e-mail to the city for permission, a representative for the American White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan wrote: “Our speech will not be inflammatory, but we all know the reputation of the name of the KKK, so we expect anti-Klan demonstrators to be there who may become violent. We certainly don’t want any of our people hurt nor any city officials. We just want to come and encourage people to vote for Christian Family Values and against legalized homosexual marriage in the state of Texas.”

I only wish I could express the degree to which I'm rolling my eyes and sighing right now.

Join Us Overnight at UT

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Our Campus Alliance Against Inequality is throwing an overnight shindig in front of the UGL (Flawn Academic Center) tonight starting at 8 pm and running until tomorrow morning when the polls open to start casting votes in the Constitutional Amendment election.

We invite you to join us on the West Mall, starting at 8 pm, we will have 3 local bands perform, a break for the media at 10 pm, then a Campus Storm to get flyers and posters up all over campus, and then free food and movies as the night wears on. Bring a sleeping bag, pajamas, a blanket, whatever you like, or go home and join us again for 7 AM early voting, where there are more media expected as well and we will be handing out free balloons to those who voted, which we made especially for this event.

I will be liveblogging the events tonight so tune into BOR for what develops as well as my endorsements on the Constitutional Amendments, since now I have to actually think about the rest of these boring lame ass amendments before I vote at 7 am.

Travis County Bond Election

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

While we are all focused on the Constitutional Amendments, there are three Travis County bonds up for a vote on Nov. 8th that deserve your support.

Here is the flyer that visually lays out where the projects are planned for purchase or construction. http://www.traviscountybonds.org also has some information on why you should vote for all three.

BOR endorses a YES vote on Travis County Bond Propositions 1, 2, and 3.

Clarification on City Council Stuff

By Andrew Dobbs

The other day on the post about Danny Thomas' position on Prop 2, I left a comment going against a couple of people who suggested that his support for this Proposition (which I, of course, oppose) should disqualify him for the City Council or Mayor in the future. Here's part of what I said:

Second, I wasn't aware of his desiring to run for Mayor, but I don't understand why this should be a litmus test for Mayor or City Council. They don't have the power to decide these things anyways, so its not like gay rights are doomed with him up there. He's good on environmental, public safety and economic development issues. He is one of the most consistently liberal voices on city council. He is also an evangelical pastor, which means that on a handful of issues he'll probably come down on a different side as everyone else. One bad issue does not a bad councilman make.

In other words, which would you rather have: a George W. Bush/Tom Craddick type with a pro-gay marriage stance or a Paul Wellstone type with an anti-gay marriage stance? Before you answer that question, remember that Wellstone voted FOR the Defense of Marriage Act and was generally more conservative on this issue than others. This is one issue, and it should not be a litmus test. Danny Thomas has been a wonderful city councilman, and this issue notwithstanding its a shame he won't be on our council any more.

Today I got an email from a dear friend of mine who works closely with Mayor Will Wynn and he thought that the "George W. Bush/Tom Craddick type" who supports gay rights referenced in my post might refer to the mayor. I want to make it clear that it DOES NOT. Mayor Wynn is a great leader, and has shown tremendous leadership. There are some things I disagree with him about, but he has my full support.

I was simply referring to a theoretical situation. If you had a hypothetical right wing jerk who just happened to have a decent position on gay rights (like maybe Barry Goldwater) versus a good liberal who happens to have a not-so-great position on the issue (like Danny Thomas or Paul Wellstone), who would you choose? Perhaps if it was for the US Senate or something in that regard you could reasonably make this one issue a litmus test. But what about for the City Council, where issues of development are much more pertinent and gay rights aren't a big issue on the docket? I was simply saying that we should not yank the plug on Danny Thomas because of one bad issue.

On that same note, I support Mayor Wynn and am proud that the mayor of my city stands against a hateful amendment like Prop 2. Don't want to confuse anybody, and sorry if I caused any bad feelings.

Todd Baxter to Resign?

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Say it ain't so. Quorum Report gives us this: Austin politicos of both parties in turmoil over possible resignation

Sources familiar with the discussions tell QR that Rep. Todd Baxter (R-Austin) is expected to resign in the near future to pursue other career opportunities.

If he did I've been told it would go to special session sometime in December, maybe January, with the primary then 3 months after that, with the full election next November. Talk about changing the local dynamics. I'll sure miss one of our local corruption poster boys. The least he could do it hang around to 2006 for us.

Odds and Ends

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

West Campus here in Austin has a lot of development going on right now, with last year's rezoning of the region. The Statesman had an interesting article about it earlier in the month.

The only reason I bring this up is because it's the best tie in I could think of to ask you to fill out a fellow blogger's survey for his stats project. You need only answer if you are actually renting the place you currently live. Answer his one question survey here.

Speaking of money, if you are a local candidate or campaign, you might think about buying a BlogAd. As you may have noticed, for the first time in months, we have a period of no advertisers. I'd take advantage of this lull as there are some more national buys coming later in the month and it's prime time for a buy. I've even noticed an uptick in people clicking on the Google Ads instead because that tower is now up at the top of the page.

Many times I use BlogAds sales to turn right around in my giving to local political action. For instance, I'll be making about $100 of recent income available to campus efforts to defeat Constitutional Amendment 2. We blog because we care, not because we're going to get rich!