Burnt Orange Report Endorsements: YES on AISD Bonds 1-4

by: Burnt Orange Report

Mon Apr 29, 2013 at 10:31 AM CDT

These bonds will address a number of pressing needs faced by AISD, from building new elementary schools to address overcrowding to funding basic repairs to our existing infrastructure. Our children deserve the best educational environment we can provide, and this bond project

Furthermore, AISD will keep 100% of the bond money (rather than return a share to the state via the Robin Hood recapture rule, as it does with property tax revenue) and will enable the district to take advantage of low interest rates. Bonds also allow districts to fund one-time maintenance projects that are currently going undone due to systematic efforts to defund public education at the Legislature.

There are four propositions, each of which addresses critical infrastructure needs.

Prop 1 -- Health, Environment,  Equipment & Technology: provides food service campus improvements, facility maintenance and equipment improvements, transportation district-wide, technology district-wide, classroom and science lab fixtures and equipment, energy conservation district-wide.

Prop 2 -- Safety and Security, Relief from Overcrowded Schools: including New Schools and New Construction: safety and security district-wide, additions to several schools, three new elementary schools, land acquisition, feasibility and design of a new high school, fine arts and gymnasium additions.

Prop 3 -- Academic and Building Infrastructure Renovations to Safeguard Investments in District Campuses: facility systemic repairs, individual campus plans, libraries campus improvements.

Prop 4 - Academic Initiatives, Fine Arts and Athletics: new career and technical eduction programs, fine arts, physical education and athletics, special education, School for Young Men.

Burnt Orange Report unanimously endorses a YES vote on all four propositions.

Early Voting: April 29-May 7 | Election Day: Saturday May 11
Click for maps of voting locations

Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.

Burnt Orange Report Endorses Gina Hinojosa for AISD At-Large Seat

by: Burnt Orange Report

Mon Oct 22, 2012 at 04:00 PM CDT

Hinojosa, a civil rights and employment lawyer, became actively involved in the Save Our Schools movement when her family's neighborhood school was slated for closure. A 20-year resident of Austin and graduate of UT's Plan II Honors program, Hinojosa has a broad background in volunteer community service and a history of working well and listening to others.

We have serious qualms about Hinojosa's opponent, Mary Ellen Pietruszynski, who works as executive director of the Sooch Foundation, an educational foundation that supports charter schools. Her campaign is being bankrolled by her employer, Nav Sooch, and his business partner at Silicon Labs. Given the volume of money they have invested in this race, there are concerns that the tech duo are trying to buy a seat on the AISD.

The two candidates also differ in their perspective on working with embattled AISD superintendent Meria Carstarphen, who has rankled many community members by  insufficiently considering public input -- particularly from East Austin -- in district decision-making. Pietruszynski seems content to simply let Carstarphen do as she pleases with our public schools, and wrote a Statesman Op-Ed to that effect. Pietruszynski also wrote an op-ed supporting the IDEA charter school in East Austin, which took over a neighborhood public school and turned it into a charter against the wishes of the students' parents, who opted out in such numbers as to curtail the program.

Hinojosa is an extremely capable, impressive woman who will listen to parents, and bring a valuable citizen activist voice to the school board. She is the best choice to both hold the AISD superintendent accountable and engage the public in the continued effort to improve our public schools. We unanimously and enthusiastically urge AISD voters to support Gina Hinojosa for the At-Large seat.

Early Voting: Monday October 22 - Friday November 2 --- Election Day: Tuesday, November 6

Click here for a map of Travis County Early Voting Locations. For all other counties, please contact your County Clerk's office.

Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.

Vote FOR Travis County Central Health Proposition 1

by: Burnt Orange Report

Mon Oct 22, 2012 at 03:30 PM CDT

This is one of the most important measures on our Travis County ballot this year, and we strongly encourage voters to learn about the many excellent community benefits Prop 1 will provide, starting with world-class medical care. Austinites who currently must travel out-of-town to seek cutting-edge care will instead be able to receive care here. It will create 15,000 permanent jobs and generate $2 billion in economic activity each year.

Prop 1 will expand access to care, especially for the 200,000 uninsured Travis County residents. 60% of those folks work and don't have or can't afford employer-provided insurance. Prop 1 will save taxpayer money by helping people without insurance avoid the emergency room. Preventative healthcare is more cost-efficient and less expensive than a visit to the ER.

Importantly, Prop 1 does not pay for construction of a physical medical school -- instead, it funds access to healthcare by funding and expanding healthcare programs. The University of Texas has contributed $25 million in perpetuity and $5 million per year for the first eight years to fund maintenance and operation of a medical school. Additionally, the Seton family of hospitals has pledged $250 million towards construction of a teaching hospital. All of that funding for the medical school disappears if Prop 1 does not pass.

Proposition 1 will fill critical gaps in our healthcare delivery system, improve healthcare and access to healthcare for Travis County residents, and result in a healthier community. We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse a vote FOR Central Health Proposition 1!

Early Voting: Monday October 22 - Friday November 2 --- Election Day: Tuesday, November 6

Click here for a map of Travis County Early Voting Locations. For all other counties, please contact your County Clerk's office.

Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.

Burnt Orange Report Endorses Diane Trautman for Harris County Department of Education

by: Burnt Orange Report

Mon Oct 22, 2012 at 03:00 PM CDT

Trautman is clearly the better choice for Harris County schoolchildren and would be a welcome improvement over conservative ideologue Michael Wolfe, the incumbent. Voters would be wise to turn out Wolfe, who has stated that he would abolish the very Department of Education on which he serves! The HCDE board previously tried to remove Wolfe from office because he simply does not respect the governing body or its procedures. Wolfe pledged to adhere to ethical practices and begged for a second chance, but since then has continued to miss meetings.

Wolfe is a severely partisan Republican who has earned endorsements from some of the most extreme conservatives who threaten to derail our public education system. Wolfe has been endorsed by two of the greatest anti-science advocates in Texas, SBOE member Barbara Cargill and Dr. Steve Hotze. Cargill wanted to put the age of the universe up for a vote, while Hotze believes disease is caused by "sin"... perhaps as opposed to viruses or bacteria? With friends like these, it's impossible to imagine that Wolfe will support scientifically accurate, reason-based education for our Harris County students.

The city that is home to NASA should not re-elect Board of Education members who fundamentally do not believe in science!

Trautman has been endorsed by the Houston Federation of Teachers, owing to her experience in many of the area's public schools. She is the former principal of Tomball Junior High School, and assistant principal while at Moorhead Junior High School in Conroe ISD. She also taught education administration at Stephen F. Austin State University. Her hands on experience will be a valuable asset to the board.

Burnt Orange Report urges Harris County voters to reject Michael Wolfe's ideological extremism and vote in a real educator to the Harris County Department of Education. We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse Diane Trautman for HCDE At-Large Place 3.

Early Voting: Monday October 22 - Friday November 2 --- Election Day: Tuesday, November 6

Click here for Harris County Early Voting information.

Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.

Vote FOR San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA Initiative

by: Burnt Orange Report

Mon Oct 22, 2012 at 02:30 PM CDT

As the Legislature slashes and burns public education to the ground, the task of educating the next generation of Texans -- all of them -- increasingly falls to local governments. We applaud Mayor Julian Castro for his commitment to picking up the slack and supporting critical Pre-K programs that prepare our children to excel in school.

The proposal will create access to early childhood education in San Antonio, and help thousands of local children who lack access to full-day Pre-K programs. The measure will also support professional development for teachers across the district, thus raising the quality of education across the city. The Pre-K 4 SA program will close achievement gaps between some of the most disadvantaged children in San Antonio, and result in greater educational attainment across the community.

The measure has broad support from across the community, and represents only a modest sales tax increase. San Antonio's public schools are some of the worst ranked among major urban areas. The Legislature clearly will not fund access to competitive, 21st century public education for all Texans. This is a critical investment in the future of San Antonio and future of Texas, and merits support from San Antonio voters.

We enthusiastically endorse the Pre-K 4 SA program and urge San Antonio voters to vote for it.

Early Voting: Monday October 22 - Friday November 2 --- Election Day: Tuesday, November 6

Click here for the Bexar County Elections Division website.

Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.

Vote FOR Lakeway Proposition 1

by: Burnt Orange Report

Mon Oct 22, 2012 at 02:00 PM CDT

The bonds will provide $4.3 million for sidewalks, streets, curbs, gutters, and drainage improvements. This is a worthwhile investment in the community. We encourage voters to support these bonds and vote FOR Lakeway Prop 1.

Early Voting: Monday October 22 - Friday November 2 --- Election Day: Tuesday, November 6

Click here for a map of Travis County Early Voting Locations. For all other counties, please contact your County Clerk's office.

Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.

Burnt Orange Report endorses Paul Sadler for US Senate

by: Burnt Orange Report

Sun Jul 22, 2012 at 06:00 PM CDT

Sadler's extensive legislative experience in public education and professional work on renewable energy give him a solid grounding on issues that are critical to Texas now and for the foreseeable future. He is the obvious choice in the runoff to be our Democratic nominee for US Senate, and would be the best servant in that deliberative body if elected.

Just when Gene Kelly finally stopped running, Democrats now have to contend with another pseudo-celebrity name on the ballot taking votes away from the better candidate. Grady Yarbrough seemingly snuck in to the runoff on the basis of his almost-famous last name. Ralph Yarborough the man is not. He ran twice as a Republican for statewide office. On the issues, Yarbrough is largely mainstream for a Democrat, save for his staunch support for a border wall, and suggested in a debate that the Berlin Wall was "pretty effective."

Should Ted Cruz win the Republican Senate primary (a likely and vomit-inducing scenario) it is possible for Sadler to peel off moderate support and at least break up some straight-ticket Republican voting -- if he has the resources to campaign. Sadler has struggled to raise sufficient funds; should he prevail we would like to see a more robust effort from the candidate and those party leaders who encouraged him to run in terms of raising money to mount a solid effort.

Sadler may have an opportunity to capitalize on the former solicitor general's extreme, outlandish and non-sensical conservativism and help other Democrats on the ballot. It would be a wasted opportunity if he had no means to campaign.

Burnt Orange Report endorses Paul Sadler in the Democratic runoff for US Senate and encourages all Democratic voters to cast their ballots for the experienced statesman.

Early Voting in the primary run-off is Monday July 23 through Friday July 27. Election Day is Tuesday, July 31.

Burnt Orange Report Endorses Adan Ballesteros in Travis Constable 2 Runoff

by: Burnt Orange Report

Sun Jul 22, 2012 at 05:00 PM CDT

Ballesteros is not without his flaws, but opponent Michael Cargill is so totally, wholly unacceptable that we cannot sit by and let voters accidentally vote for a DINO gun nut here in Travis County.

Make no mistake: Michael Cargill is one of the most unacceptable people to seek nomination on the Democratic ballot in Travis County in a long time. He lobbied on behalf of the NRA in favor of the Guns on Campus bill in the last legislative session. He supports repealing Federal Gun Free School Zones and the Brady Bill, which provides background checks for gun purchases. His entire campaign has at times seemed like a promotional stunt for his concealed handgun licensing business (and no, a solar-powered electric sign outside of your business does not you a Democrat make). Cargill admitted he voted in the 2010 Republican primary for Debra Medina, when many good Democrats in Travis County were running on our primary ballot.

In light of last week's tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado, Cargill's active support for repealing basic gun control laws is all the more troubling. We do not need peace officers who simply want to arm the citizenry and let everyone shoot it out. Cargill's statements on concealed handguns in college classrooms echo the justifications Republicans are now using in light of the Aurora tragedy -- namely, that if everyone had a gun, we could all just "shoot back." That's a bad policy in a crowded movie theater in the dark, and in a college classroom as innocent people try to flee for their lives. How much collateral damage is Michael Cargill willing to risk so that every gun nut can purchase the automatic weapon of their choice?

Cargill likely only qualified for the run-off thanks to significant outside spending by a Ron Paul-aligned SuperPAC, which flooded the district with misspelled, ugly mailers about Ballesteros in the week leading up to the May 29 primary. Michael Cargill has no business holding elected office as a Democrat, especially not in Travis County, where our constables are often shining examples of progressive law enforcement practices.

It is rumored that Cargill is only running at the behest of Republican JP Glenn Bass, owing to partisan rancor between Bass and Ballesteros. The feud seemingly stems from Ballesteros' work during Travis County redistricting to draw districts that will help us elect Democrats to every JP and Constable district in the county -- and unelect Glenn Bass. Ballesteros walks the walk and works to elect Democrats in northwest Travis County. And last we checked, he never lobbied for policies that make your children more likely to get shot.

Democrats cannot in good conscience vote for Cargill, a candidate for a peace officer position that espouses views on gun control that put him to the right of many moderate Republicans, and would actually make us less safe.

Burnt Orange Report endorses Adan Ballesteros in the Travis County Constable Precinct 2 runoff.

Early Voting in the primary run-off is Monday July 23 through Friday July 27. Election Day is Tuesday, July 31.

Burnt Orange Report Endorses Tina Torres in HD-117 Runoff

by: Burnt Orange Report

Sun Jul 22, 2012 at 04:00 PM CDT

Torres has a long history of public service to the people of San Antonio. An attorney, part of her practice includes family law. She has served on the boards of non-profits that advocate for families and children, and volunteers with CASA, a non-profit that trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the court. This experience will make her a forceful advocate for the needs of women and children in her district, especially as Republicans fight to take away programs that help families succeed.

Public service appears to run in the Torres DNA -- her mother was a teacher and the first Hispanic woman elected to the State Board of Education, and her father was a San Antonio city council member. Nevertheless, when Torres entered the race, some political operatives expressed the sentiment that it wasn't "her turn." As we wrote in May, "real leaders don't always wait their turn." Torres was then and is now the best candidate to serve the people of HD-117.

Torres is facing former San Antonio city council member Phillip Cortez in the run-off. Cortez has a checkered past that includes misleading constituents about his military duties, securing an appointment for his girlfriend to the City Council, and now hiring a private eye to essentially stalk Torres in her home.

The winner faces incumbent Republican John Garza in a swing district that may go Democrat this year but will be a challenge for us in 2014. Torres is the vastly superior fundraiser and campaigner, and with the backing of Annie's List and other progressive institutions, will take a harder fight to Garza come November. We need to win this seat, and Torres is the superior candidate to do it.

We unanimously and enthusiastically encourage voters to choose Torres in the HD-117 runoff.

Early Voting in the primary run-off is Monday July 23 through Friday July 27. Election Day is Tuesday, July 31.

Burnt Orange Report Endorses Nicole Collier in HD-95 Runoff

by: Burnt Orange Report

Sun Jul 22, 2012 at 03:00 PM CDT

Collier is an attorney, small business owner, and Democratic activist in Fort Worth. Despite having her first child at age 16, she worked her way through college and law school, and is now managing partner of her own law firm. She is actively involved in her local PTA, and a leader in various legal organizations. Collier has an inspiring life story, and will be a tremendous role model to the young women of Texas, as she herself has overcome many of the challenges that too many people are facing these days.

As we wrote back in May (yes, May; it's now July and we're still voting), "the Democratic Party needs to be nominating and electing people who have long trajectories of public service ahead of them." Collier is such a candidate and will be a great advocate for women and children in the Legislature. And yes, her yard signs are still AWESOME.

Collier received 48.2% of the vote in the primary, and is in a runoff with Jesse Gaines. Gaines has done admirable work in legal services. However, Collier has broader experience and more capable of making an immediate impact in the legislature. We encourage voters in HD-95 to vote for Collier, and unanimously endorse her in the runoff.

Early Voting in the primary run-off is Monday July 23 through Friday July 27. Election Day is Tuesday, July 31.