BOR: - Carol Alvarado

TLR Trying to Buy Democratic Senate Seat With Carol Alvarado

Katherine Haenschen — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:15:18 GMT

The ethics commission financial reports for the SD-6 runoff were released earlier this week, making clear where Carol Alvarado's financial support has come from in the last month of this expensive race to replace Sen. Mario Gallegos.

Carol Alvarado raised almost half of her run-off money from Texans from Lawsuit Reform, Stand for Children PAC, a teacher's union-busting organization, payday lenders, and several Republican PACs and mega-donors.

Her campaign is being heavily funded by organizations and individuals that work every day to block our core Democratic values.

Sylvia Garcia, on the other hand, is primarily funded by trial lawyers and labor organizations, the tradional donors to our Democratic candidates and causes.

Before we get into the details of who's giving to who, here's a quick run-down of the notable donors and links to each candidate's runoff report.

February 22 Runoff Reports for SD-6 Special Election Covering January 17-February 20
Carol Alvarado Runoff Report Raise: $581,969 Spend: $463,496 COH: $99,432 Report available here. Alvarado's Major Donors: $184,000 from TLR PAC $54,317 from Stand for Children PAC (in-kind) $20,000 from Barbara and John Nau $14,000 from payday lenders $10,000 from HillCo PAC $10,000 from Ryan Texas PAC	Sylvia Garcia Runoff Report Raise: $662,686 Spend: $641,435 COH: $119,227 Report available here. Garcia's Major Donors: $356,750 from the Mostyn Firm $117,000 from Texas Organizing Project (in-kind) $8500 from AFSCME's federal PAC $5000 from the Teamsters $5000 from the Plumber's union $2500 each from ILA Local 24 & 28 $2000 from SEIU's federal PAC

Below the jump, find out more about Alvarado's donors and their long history of working against Democratic ideals and -- and usually candidates, too.
Who Are Garcia's Donors?

Reading Sylvia Garcia's report, it's clear that the bulk of her support comes from the trial lawyers and labor groups, the traditional source of funding for Democratic candidates here in Texas. She also has some solid support from engineering firms. Texas Organizing Project also in-kinded an extensive field organizing campaign to boost their endorsed candidate. There isn't much that's too surprising here, and nothing that gives me serious qualms about who wants her to get elected.

Who Are Alvarado's Donors?

Not familiar with all of the players on her list? HillCo PAC has a primarily Republican donor history, is primarily funded by Republican mega-donor Bob Perry, to the tune of $2 million. Ryan Texas PAC supports primarily Republican candidates. Perry appointee John Nau is a major donor to Rick Perry, Greg Abbott, and David Dewhurst, as well as to the Beer Alliance of Texas PAC in efforts to maintain his corporate interests as one of the Big Beer distributors.

Alvarado also seems to have won the support of the vast majority of corporate donors here in Texas. She's receiving substantial money from the oil industry, namely BP Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil Company, Valero. She received $7,500 from Cash America International, $1500 from EZCORP, and another $5000 from Texas Consumer Lenders PAC. She's even taking money from "Big Beer" -- i.e. the wholesale distributors that have worked hard to block deregulation of Texas beer laws to enable craft and microbreweries to flourish and expand their market.

Earlier today, Texans for Public Justice reported that Alvarado's #2 cumulative contributor is Stand for Children PAC, which gave over $54,000 to Alvarado. The organization's founder boasted about spending millions to destroy teachers' collective bargaining rights in the Illinois legislature.

Then, of course, there's TLR.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform, or TLR, is dedicated to "tort reform," which has delivered none of its promised cost savings, and so far only managed to deny individuals the opportunity to seek redress in our civil court system.

TLR wakes up in the morning dedicated to serving the interests of corporations over the individuals who might have cause to pursue legal action against them. They're also dedicated to shutting down the trial lawyers themselves -- traditionally the most significant donors to Democratic candidates and causes in Texas -- preventing from making any money off jury verdicts. The direct result of their efforts is that Democrats have a harder time getting elected.

Whether barriers to justice or destruction of the Democratic party rankles you more, we can agree that TLR doesn't have Texans or Democrats' best interests at heart.

Look at TLR's 2012 General Election endorsements. This is the very group that specifically endorsed the likes of Donna Campbell for State Senate and Debbie Riddle for State Representative. They endorsed Mark Shelton over Wendy Davis. They endorsed Robert Thomas over Donna Howard. Dee Margo over Joe Moody. They didn't endorse in every race, but when they did they overwhelming endorsed Republicans over Democrats in crucial races.

Earlier this week we reported that State Senator Larry Taylor, a Republican Senator, was blockwalking for Carol Alvarado. It appears that we have the answer: Taylor, a TLR stooge, apparently wants Alvarado in the Senate as bad as their shared financial backers do.

For TLR and the special interests listed here, it's all about their bottom line, and they think their interests will be better served with Carol Alvarado in the State Senate.

This is a staunchly Democratic district. Strong districts like this are where we as partisan Democrats can elect those who will be most true to our principles and stand up for what we believe in. The finance reports make clear that Alvarado has taken substantial cash from individuals and organizations that usually devote their efforts to defeating Democrats or fighting our core progressive values. That gives me serious pause about her ability to advance our Democratic goals.

Not all of Alvarado's donors and supporters oppose our Democratic causes. I like and respect many of the Democrats lined up behind Alvarado. But I have serious qualms about the willingness of anti-Democratic causes to line up behind her and marshal such substantial resources -- resources that are usually directed at defeating Democrats.

Some people seem to think that compromise is the best we can do as Democrats. I disagree.

On the backs of which Texans do we make these compromises? Our core values and constituencies are not to be sold to the highest bidder. Especially now, with renewed interest and support for turning Texas blue, we have an obligation to build the strongest, most progressive caucus we can, and grow it every step of the way, so that when we are in the majority, we have leaders ready to fight for our core values and never back down.

This is a strong Democratic district, and it's our duty to fight like hell to elect the best Democrat that we can, one who will stand up for her constituents and against the special interests who care only about profit and not our shared public good. It's clear that the worst special interests have chosen their side.

Let's hope Democratic voters know who's more likely to be on theirs.

Why Is A Republican State Senator Blockwalking for Carol Alvarado?

Katherine Haenschen — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:07:32 GMT

The special election for SD-6 is this Saturday, and as the campaigns for Sylvia Garcia and Carol Alvarado reach the home stretch of this three-month sprint, Alvarado has turned to surprising quarters for help in the field.

Over the weekend, Brains and Eggs posted a link to a Facebook post in which Burt Levine, a Republican political consultant in Houston, noted that Republican State Senator Larry Taylor was blockwalking for Alvarado over the weekend. According to Levine's Facebook post, he blockwalked for Alvarado with Taylor and Wayne Faircloth, a former Republican candidate for HD-23.

Here is a screenshot of the Facebook post, shared from Levine's page:

It's a curious move. Why would Alvarado have support from the likes of Republican State Senator Larry Taylor?

After all, this is a fiercely Democratic district -- the two Republicans in the January 26th special general election failed to garner a combined 10% of the vote -- so I'm not sure if what the voters want here is someone who readily receives support from the other side of the aisle.

Today I called the Alvarado campaign office, and spoke to Marc Campos, a consultant working on her campaign. I asked if it was true that Taylor was blockwalking for Alvarado. He said that a number of Carol's current and former colleagues are volunteering for her, and that members from both sides of the aisle have come down to campaign for her. Campos said of Republicans and Independents, "they're coming out to the polls, so we have to have a discussion with them as we do with most of the voters in the district."

It's an interesting choice. On January 26, Garcia and Alvarado were separated by less than the Republican share of the vote. Is Carol Alvarado is trying to win the run-off in a Democratic district by picking up Republican support, rather than turning out or persuading Democrats?

I find it disconcerting that in the final stretches of a race to replace a stalwart champion of progressive values, one of the two candidates is trying to win by courting Republican support -- and apparently receiving it in such volumes.

The biggest challenge Democrats face in the Senate is holding our own and using the 2/3rds rule to block Republican legislation that is harmful to our state -- and often disproportionately harmful to the residents of low-income urban districts such as SD-6.

And it certainly begs the question why Taylor and other Republicans are working so hard to make sure Alvarado gets elected.

Special Election for SD-6 Set for January 26

Katherine Haenschen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:38:23 GMT

One thing's for sure: the next State Senator from District 6 will be a Democratic Hispanic female. The only question remains whether that Senator will be State Representative Carol Alvarado or former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia.

The sad passing of Senator Mario Gallegos this past fall -- and his subsequent post-humous re-election on November 6th -- triggered a special election that Governor Perry has set for Saturday, January 26th. The filing deadline is set for December 27, and early voting will run January 9-22. The special election will be a "jungle style" race with all candidates -- and their party affiliation -- on the ballot. If no candidate reaches 50%, there will be a run-off.

Gallegos' death wasn't a surprise, nor was the quick entry of Garcia and Alvarado into the race once Gallegos was re-elected. (Had Republican candidate R.W. Bray been elected, it would have been moot because he'd be the new SD-6 Senator. He lost, 71%-29%, to Gallegos. He's now running in the special to fill the seat.) So far, no other heavyweights have entered the race. Former State Representative and US Senate candidate Rick Noriega released a statement that he is not getting in the race, though he did not endorse Garcia or Alvarado.

Beyond the election, the most pressing issue is whether the empty Democratic seat will factor into any rule changes in the Senate when the session begins January 8. (It's worth noting that Rick Perry could have called this special election earlier, however it's likely that the race will go to a run-off given the three candidates announced so far, so it's not entirely clear if the seat could have realistically been filled by mid-January.)

We'll enter the session with 19 Republicans and 11 Democrats in the upper chamber, still enough for the Blue team to block bad bills using the two-thirds rule, which requires consent of 21 Senators to bring something to the floor for a vote. The big question remains whether Republicans will try to change the rules of the Senate to require a simple majority, which will render Democrats irrelevant but might seriously rankle senators in both parties who don't like dispatching with procedural tradition for the sake of expediting extreme partisan legislation. Granted, this session's Senate will be far more ideologically conservative, owing to several Republican retirements and replacements.

In any case, we've got an election set for January 26, and we'll be covering it here on BOR over the next six weeks. Statements from Alvarado and Garcia on the election date are below the jump, as well as Noriega's statement that he is not running.
Statement from Rep. Carol Alvarado:

"I am pleased Governor Perry has called a prompt election on January 26th to succeed Senator Mario Gallegos. In just a few weeks, the Texas Legislature will convene with serious issues facing our state - restoring funding to our public schools, creating good jobs and economic opportunity, making college affordable, and protecting our senior citizens. The people of Senate District 6 need and deserve representation on these and all issues, and a January 26th election will give them a Senator sooner rather than later."

Statement from Hon. Sylvia Garcia:

"Governor Perry's decision to call the special election for Senate District 6 is bittersweet. Our campaign and our supporters are thrilled that the election date has been set. We are knocking on nearly 10,000 doors per week, identifying thousands of supporters, and working hard to earn the votes of working families in this district.
But make no mistake, this session will begin with an empty seat for Senate District 6 at a time when we will see battles over our children's education, expanding Medicaid to bring quality healthcare to our families, and fighting for good jobs in the Houston area. Governor Perry's delay in his decision means our communities will have no voice in Austin for nearly 10 percent of the 2013 session.
That is why it is so important that we elect a Senator with the courage and integrity to fight for schools, fight for our health care, fight for our jobs, and to stand up to Rick Perry. That is why I am running for the Texas Senate, and it is why I believe we will win."

Excerpt of Statement from Hon. Rick Noriega:

The time is not right to take on this race, and the fundraising needed, for the Noriega family. We are dedicated to public service, and tell you this with much regret-this seat is a true opportunity for leadership, one with which great things could be accomplished.
I would encourage you, and all those interested in this race, to demand the very best Texas has to offer. There is too much at stake here, for the region and the state.

Read his full letter at Off the Kuff.

Round-Up of Voter ID Press Statements Part 2

Shelby Alexander — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Here's another round of statements from our elected officials on the federal court's voter ID decision. Read statements from the following after the jump:

Senator Kirk Watson
Representative Carol Alvarado
Representative Charlie Gonzalez
Senator Carlos Uresti
Chairman Steve Maxwell, Tarrant County Democratic Party
Representative Rafael Anchia
Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, Texas Democratic Party

Senator Kirk Watson

"During the upcoming legislative session, we will continue to fight in defense of civil liberties and the right to vote. We will also continue to push for greater transparency and openness in government, avoiding bad policy and legislation which results in expensive litigation and the misuse of state resources.
We love Texas. But Texas can do better. And Texas deserves better from its elected leadership. The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus prioritizes the values of middle class Texans ̶ from voting rights to public education to access to quality health care."

Representative Carol Alvarado

"The federal court's decision reaffirms what many of us have contended all along which is that the Voter ID law disenfranchised women, senior citizens, minorities and low-income voters. Last session the legislature overreached their authority in passing a law in which the sole purpose was to discriminate against certain groups. The Voter ID law was a solution in search of a problem; however, this misguided attempt would only have suppressed the vote of eligible voters. Texans can rejoice in knowing that every voter will continue to have the opportunity to exercise this fundamental right."

Representative Charlie Gonzalez

"The judges noted that one third of Texas counties lack offices where people could secure an acceptable identification card and, 'a 200 to 250 mile round trip-especially for would-be voters having no driver's license-constitutes a "substantial burden" on the right to vote.' Even those who could make it would find 'none of Texas's DPS offices are open on weekends or past 6:00 PM, eliminating for many working people the option of obtaining an EIC on their own time [and] forces poorer citizens to choose between their wages and their franchise unquestionably denies or abridges their right to vote.' They did not note, but everyone should know, that the Texas legislature took no steps to lessen this burden."

Senator Carlos Uresti

"The judges affirmed the very arguments that opponents made back during the session, that a picture ID requirement to gain access to the ballot box is an unfair and improper burden on a vast segment of society. It imposes strict, unforgiving burdens on the poor and racial minorities in Texas. The ruling lays bare the true intent of the Republicans' Voter ID law, which was designed to discourage racial minorities and poor people from participating in the democratic process."

Chairman Steve Maxwell, Tarrant County Democratic Party

Two of the top Republican legislative priorities have now been revealed as exactly what they were meant to be by the repressive and backward-thinking Republican leaders of the legislature: nothing more, or less, than the disenfranchisement of Texas citizens.
Fortunately for Texas, no matter how these laws were dressed up and distorted, the United States Court system saw through the deception and called it exactly what it was-- discrimination and disenfranchisement at its very worst. If this wording sounds familiar, note that this was the same thing being said about this legislation by the courageous Democrats who tried to defeat these bills in the legislature. Texas voters deserve better representation than what they are getting from the legislators who tried to enact these shameful bills."

Representative Rafael Anchia

"I applaud the D.C. District Court and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for defending the rights of Texas voters. The great threat to our Texas democracy is low voter turnout. Texas is dead last in the country in voter participation. Instead of working on that problem, Republicans in the legislature sought to further restrict our precious right to vote. Next session, I stand ready to work on bipartisan electoral reform that doesn't leave thousands of Texas voters behind. Other states have come up with legislation that both increases confidence in elections and protects our sacred voting rights."

Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa

"On the heels of open hostility toward the Hispanic community through attacks on the Dream Act and support for Arizona type immigration laws, two US District Court panels have found that Texas Republican Legislators intentionally discriminated against Hispanics and other minorities in both their legislative redistricting plan and their harsh Voter ID law.
Almost as soon as each of the Court rulings was released, Attorney General Gregg Abbott pledged to continue to waste more Texas taxpayer funds in an effort to have both Court rulings overturned. They're doubling down on discrimination and voter suppression against Hispanics in Texas. It will be interesting to see if the Great Republican Latino Hope, Ted Cruz will support the Federal District Court's ruling and embrace the most fundamental American right - THE RIGHT TO VOTE."

Texas Democrats, Progressive Organizations React to SCOTUS Ruling on Affordable Care Act

Katherine Haenschen — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:00:00 GMT

The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act yesterday in a 5-4 vote. It was a surprise win for Democrats and liberals. Meanwhile, Fox News was stunned as they tried to figure out what to do with all of the confetti they bought to celebrate the bill's defeat. Rimshot!

Once the SCOTUS ruled, Texas Democrats sent out a wide range of statements praising the impact of the ruling on the 24.6% of Texans who are currently uninsured.

State Senator Leticia Van De Putte provided us with some helpful figures about what the ACA is already doing here in Texas:

No wonder Republicans are calling for its repeal -- the Affordable Care Act just helps too darn many working people!

Below the jump, read public statements from the following great Democrats and progressive organizations:

Click "There's More" and see what they had to say about this historic ruling.
All emphasis mine. Boo-yah.

State Rep. Carol Alvarado:
"Today is a great day for health care in Texas. The Supreme Court's ruling on health care reform reflects the continued need to ensure that every one regardless of age, gender, or financial status is provided access to health care.

In a state like Texas, which has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has already made huge differences in helping individuals and families receive life-saving health care services. Hundreds of thousands of young adults have already gained health care coverage and seniors are already seeing savings on their prescription medications. Texans can only continue to benefit from additional provisions of the law that focus on improving access, quality, and preventative care services.

Being the number one uninsured state in the nation is unacceptable. The ACA has provided a guide to help Texas move in the right direction. This is not the time for the state to look for ways to prohibit or delay many of the great benefits this law will provide to millions of Texans. We as legislators need to be proactive and ensure that this constitutional law is adhered to because Texans are counting on us."

State Rep. Rafael Anchia:
"While many will view today's decision through a political prism, and try to predict winners and losers in our electoral polls, said Rep. Anchia, "I see the big winners today as the American people. In a state where one out of every four residents does not have health insurance, the Supreme Court ruling today will provide health security for millions of Texans."
"I hope that Congress and the Texas legislature can now put aside the animosity that has kept them from focusing on what is best for the American people, which is getting the economy back on track and putting people back to work."

Center for Public Policy Priorities:
"Today's Supreme Court decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is great news for Texas families. With more than 6 million Texans uninsured and billions of dollars in federal funding on the table for our state, Texas has the most to gain from today's pivotal decision."

State Rep. Garnet Coleman:
"Today's decision upholding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a victory for the American people and particularly for Texans. We currently have the highest uninsured rate in the country; about a quarter of all Texans lack health insurance. Thanks to President Obama's leadership in finally passing comprehensive health reform, our state's situation is about to improve dramatically. In just a few years, the Affordable Care Act will bring our record high uninsured rate down to single digits, no one will be denied care due to a pre-existing condition, and lifetime limits will be a thing of the past.
The law is already working. In Texas, 357,000 young adults gained insurance coverage as a result of the health care law, 22,1395 people with Medicare received a $250 rebate to help pay for their prescription drugs, and 2,208,969 people with Medicare received free preventive services such as cancer screenings and annual wellness visits.
All Texans, regardless of party, income, or health status, should be thrilled by the Supreme Court's ruling today. After two decades of working to help Texans get access to better healthcare and just recently having served on President Obama's Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform, I cannot tell you how fulfilling this is for me personally. Most importantly, I am pleased that we can all finally put this behind us and move forward together to work for a better Texas. The Affordable Care Act is now unquestionably the law of the land."

State Rep. Joe Deshotel:
"Today our conservative-leaning Supreme Court made the right decision in upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Healthcare Act - reiterating that healthcare is a right for every American and not just a privilege for the well-to-do. Texas will be the nation's greatest beneficiary. Currently we have the highest percentage of uninsured persons and our legislature continues to cut funding for public health services. Because of today's outcome our healthcare system will now embrace preventative measures that will save countless lives and dollars in the future. I applaud this landmark decision and look forward to working with our state leaders to ensure that the right of healthcare access becomes a reality for all Texans."

Congressman Lloyd Doggett:
"This is a significant victory for every family and small business denied insurance or overcharged or mistreated by an insurer. And it is a victory for seniors who gain better Medicare coverage. Now we must continue our struggle to overcome the naysayers and obstructionists to assure each family has access to a family doctor."

State Rep. Dawnna Dukes:
"The Supreme Court has done the right thing in ensuring that all Texans have access to the health care coverage they need and deserve. This is a victory for all Americans. Unfortunately, in Texas, we experience the highest percentage of residents without health insurance coverage at 24.6%. The Affordable Care Act will prevent children from being denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, lower drug costs for seniors and allow students and young adults to stay on their parents' plan."
"Now that the Affordable Care Act has been deemed Constitutional, it's time for Governor Rick Perry to put in motion plans to make certain that Texas is in full compliance with the law. There is no reason to further delay fulfilling all the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including establishing a health insurance exchange and expanding the Medicaid program to give over six million Texans without insurance healthcare coverage at affordable prices."

State Senator Rodney Ellis:
"I am extremely thankful that the U.S. Supreme Court did the right thing and upheld the Affordable Care Act. While not perfect, this law was passed overwhelmingly by both chambers of Congress after months of deliberation and was supported by virtually every major health organization in the nation. It is the greatest step toward universal access to affordable health care since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid, and it will help millions of uninsured Americans receive the care they need and deserve.
"People may disagree on the law, but one fact is indisputable - many people have and will benefit from the Affordable Care Act. While a large number of the provisions will do not take effect until 2014, many of the most popular are already in effect, and Texans are benefitting. Today, millions of women get preventive services like mammograms and pap smears without a co-pay. Health plans must now spend 80 to 85 percent of every premium dollar on health care, insurers can no longer deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions, young adults can be covered under their parents plan until 26 years, and tax credits are available to small businesses to help cover premium costs. More than 120 of Texas' largest employers have received over $445 million in federal support to make early retiree health coverage more affordable. In addition, 2.2 million Texas seniors in Medicare received preventive services or check-ups with no co-pay, and Texans saved $135 million on prescription drugs as a result of closing the Medicare prescription drug 'donut hole.' The greatest gains will come in 2014 when approximately 2 million more uninsured Texans will gain coverage through Medicaid and CHIP.
"Critics of the Affordable Care Act constantly say 'Texas knows how to take care of Texans better than Washington.' Reality says otherwise. Texas leads the nation in percentage uninsured, has one of the highest poverty and food insecurity rates, and has vast shortages of doctors, dentists, and nurses. In fact, Texas ranks at or near the bottom in nearly every important health care statistic you can name, and just chose to cut $10 billion more from our health care budget, including under-funding Medicaid by about $4 billion, plus deeper cuts to already-minimal services.
"Having access to quality, affordable health insurance is a fundamental human right and not a privilege. The Supreme Court has spoken and the Affordable Care Act is now officially the law of the land. It is long past time to remove narrow politics from the health care debate and focus on truly improving health of women, children, and all Americans. We can and must do better."

State Rep. and MALC Chairman Trey Martinez Fischer:
"As of today, Texas Latinos are 3 for 3 in Supreme Court rulings this year. In redistricting, immigration, and now healthcare, the Supreme Court has held Governor Perry's and Attorney General Abbott's war with the federal government at bay.

Early this year, the Supreme Court rejected Attorney General Abbott's efforts to utilize the Texas Legislature's discriminatory redistricting maps, which lacked pre-clearance, as interim redistricting maps for 2012. This week, the Supreme Court affirmed that ill-advised and discriminatory state action on immigration policy is unconstitutional. Finally, today, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act. In each of these cases the Governor and the Attorney General have been on the losing side. Texas' costly ideological war with the federal government is crippling our future.

Beyond the partisan politics, it is clear the Affordable Care Act victory is a Latino victory. Across the country, 5.4 million Latinos who would otherwise be uninsured will gain coverage by 2016. Further, 736,000 Latino young adults, between the ages of 19 and 25 who would have been uninsured, can now have coverage under their parent's employer-sponsored or individually purchased health plan. Meanwhile, in Texas, Governor Perry and the Republican Legislature cut $5 billion dollars from public health and are making us the uninsured capital of the nation.

Today's decision makes everyone's life and health more secure. We are one of the wealthiest states on Earth and no one should face financial ruin due to an illness or accident."

Nancy Keenan, President, NARAL Pro-Choice America:
"The Affordable Care Act marks the greatest advancement for women's health in a generation. This law will bring 30 million Americans into a health-care system that includes affordable family-planning services, better access to contraception, and maternity care. The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the law is a tremendous victory for American women."
"Gov. Romney and his anti-choice allies have fought tooth and nail to make it harder for women to get the health care they need," Keenan said. "Attacking the health-care law in court was only one front in these politicians' War on Women. Gov. Romney wants to allow insurance companies to continue to charge women more money for health-care services than men. He also supports allowing insurers and corporations to deny women birth-control coverage. The Supreme Court's decision is further evidence that these politicians are deeply out of touch with Americans' values and priorities."
"We stand with the millions of American women and families who will finally get access to quality, affordable health care thanks to this law. We need to keep President Obama in office to make sure that all of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act are implemented, not rolled back by anti-choice politicians."

Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:
"This ruling is a victory for millions of people - including LGBT people and our families - who don't have access to adequate, affordable health care. Health care reform is about revamping a severely broken system to help everyone get a fair shake when it comes to keeping themselves and their families healthy and out of harm's way. It is about making sure everyone has access to affordable health care when faced with injury and illness. It is based on the premise that no one get hung out to dry - to literally die in some cases - because they were denied affordable health care in one of the richest countries in the world.
"This ruling is fair and humane, but it also reminds us of the work that remains to be done. People of color and economically impoverished people are disproportionately affected by health inequities. We have also long known that LGBT people - particularly LGBT people of color - suffer from higher rates of health disparities, and we continue to press for reform that addresses the stark realities that many of us face every day. This advocacy includes urging the Department of Health and Human Services to use its authority to make inroads in areas such as data collection and research on LGBT health disparities. We celebrate today, but also pledge to keep pressing forward."

Congressman Silvestre Reyes:
"I am proud to see that the Supreme Court upheld the individual mandate in this historic Act. The long overdue and dramatic changes within the Affordable Care Act are fundamental to the improvement of the health care system. The Supreme Court affirmed our progress and protected that right, securing a future of health and economic security for the middle class and for every American. This historic legislation came at a crucial time for our city with over 230,000 people uninsured in 2009. When the new law is fully implemented, in just a few years, El Pasoans who now lack health insurance will receive coverage - many for the first time.
"Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies cover recommended preventive services, including mammograms, colonoscopies, immunizations, and pre-natal and new baby care, without charging deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance. So far 90,000 El Pasoans have benefited from this change, including 26,000 children and 33,000 women. This legislation has also provided new tax credits to approximately 360 small businesses in El Paso to help maintain or expand health care coverage to their employees. The Affordable Care Act was a major victory for Texas and the El Paso community, and I will continue to work hard to ensure that the health of border residents is a top priority in Congress."

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa:
"Today's decision on The Affordable Health Care Act by the Supreme Court is a vindication of President Barack Obama and a slam in the faces of Republicans who offer no alternative to this country's broken health care system. A choice between bankruptcy or death is no choice at all.
Health care that's affordable to only the rich and the healthy is a dark and shameful blotch on the greatest country on earth. Mitt Romney offers no solution. Texas Governor Rick Perry certainly doesn't, and Texas Senator John Cornyn used the desperately needed health care of Americans to score political points. Cornyn's use of today's Supreme Court's decision to call for his own reelection and the defeat of President Obama is pandering at its worst and exactly why Americans are tired of the Republican lockstep obsessive hatred of President Obama and Democrats.  Rick Perry called the court's decision "a punch to the stomach." Rick Perry should know about stomach punches after subjecting Texans to unneeded cuts to education, women's health, firefighters, and infrastructure support. Add that to his embarrassing Presidential campaign and many Texans felt stomach punched. Perry also used this opportunity to scream bloody murder about states' rights once again. I imagine he'll threaten to secede by tomorrow.  
Texas Democrats believe that health care for Americans with pre-existing conditions, our children until age 25, and affordable health insurance for all is a victory for Texans."

Texas Democratic Party spokeswoman Rebecca Acuña:
"Today's Supreme Court decision is a victory for Texans. The health care law is the only lifeline for many Texans and Americans who had nowhere to turn when they got sick. Women can celebrate that their gender is no longer considered a pre-existing condition. Texans can have the peace of mind that they won't be shoved off their policies when they need it most.

Republicans like Rick Perry railed against the health care law but never offered a plan that would help save lives. Instead Texas Republicans put government between a woman and her doctor and ended preventive care for thousands of Texas women.

It's time for Republicans to drop their frivolous lawsuits and"Today's Supreme Court decision is a victory for Texans. The health care law is the only lifeline for many Texans and Americans who had nowhere to turn when they got sick. Women can celebrate that their gender is no longer considered a pre-existing condition. Texans can have the peace of mind that they won't be shoved off their policies when they need it most.

Republicans like Rick Perry railed against the health care law but never offered a plan that would help save lives. Instead Texas Republicans put government between a woman and her doctor and ended preventive care for thousands of Texas women.

It's time for Republicans to drop their frivolous lawsuits and and move forward to implement the law in a way that will benefit most Texans."

State Senator Carlos Uresti:
"The Supreme Court ruling is great news for working Americans who have struggled to provide health care for their families. By laying the constitutionality question to rest, the high court has cleared the way for this historic law to be fully implemented. It is a great day for the rule of law and the future of health care in America."

State Senator Leticia Van De Putte:
"I'm extremely pleased that the Affordable Care Act, which has already benefited so many Texans, will continue to bring care to people who otherwise would not have health insurance," said Sen. Van de Putte. "Today, 32 million have the promise of healthcare, including 9 million Latinos and 6 million Texans.
"As a pharmacist, I swear an oath that reads, I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of human suffering my primary concerns. I am so proud that President Obama and the federal government will do so as well."
"As a health care professional, I'm glad that the government will finally address the fact that one in every four Texans is uninsured, the highest rate in the nation," Van de Putte said. "Now people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own won't have to fear losing their health insurance. Hardworking Americans will not be forced into bankruptcy due to medical catastrophe. And every American family will have the reality of a family doctor at an affordable cost.
"As a legislator, I'm know that more people will have access to preventative health care, and that taxpayers will be paying for fewer expensive emergency room visits.
"President Obama's health care law is a prescription for our future. Now Texas needs to fill that prescription."

State Rep Marc Veasey:
"Today's decision is a victory for all Americans and I'm excited about the prospect of joining the fight in Congress to continue this work. America is now closer than ever to the day when no one need worry about the catastrophic consequences that can result from getting sick without insurance. However, there is much work to be done and, if elected, I will be proud to join our President in completing that work."

State Rep. Carol Alvarado Urges Komen Foundation To Reconsider Defunding Planned Parenthood

Katherine Haenschen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:13:37 GMT

State Rep. Carol Alvarado sent a letter to the Komen Foundation yesterday, directed at their founder and CEO Nancy Brinker, former Ambassador to Hungary during the George W. Bush administration. Brinker named the organization after her sister Susan, who succombed to the disease in 1980 at age 36.

Here's the text of Alvarado's letter:

Dear Ambassador Brinker:
Sometimes friends disagree. Disappointment is the only word that comes to mind as I learn that the leadership of the Susan B. Komen Foundation has taken the remarkably anti-woman stance against funding lifesaving breast cancer screenings for lowincome and underserved women who seek their well-woman care at Planned Parenthood centers across the nation.
This incredibly shortsided decision, based on what I can only imagine is the propaganda and threats of extremist groups, ends an amazing partnership that over the last five years has resulted in an incredible l70,000 breast exams and 6,400 mammogram referrals.
There is so much good that we can do if we all put our differences aside and work TOGETHER. Although you have now injected yourself into the political theater, I hope that you will reconsider your decision and work to mend this now torn relationship that used to be about preventing and protecting women from breast cancer.
With great disappointment,
Carol Alvarado
Texas State Representative

Rep. Alvarado is a tremendous champion of women's health issues. During the floor debate in the House last session over the sonogram bill, she wielded a trans-vaginal sonogram probe on the floor to show Republicans--especially the male Republicans championing the ultimate intrusion of a woman's privacy--what exactly they were mandating. It is great to see Alvarado reminding the Komen foundation that we all need to work together to fight women's cancers.

Meanwhile, over on Ezra Klein's blog on the Washington Post website, Sarah Kliff has an interesting interview with a volunteer at a Komen chapter in Connecticut. The volunteer expressed her frustration with this policy, especially since her chapter is still funding a grant to PP of Southern New England.

It must suck to be the volunteers in Komen chapters today who have been thrust into this ideological debate over abortion rather than allowed to remain focused on their mission of raising money to fight cancer. It's clear that the higher-ups in the Komen foundation -- especially their new VP, the rabidly anti-choice Karen Handel -- didn't think about the terrible real-world consequences of this decision, especially on their many pro-choice volunteers, supporters, and donors.

Rep. Carol Alvarado Issues Statement on Sonogram Ruling

Katherine Haenschen — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:00:09 GMT

State Representative Carol Alvarado released the following statement just now on the 5th Circuit's decision that lets Texas enforce its crazy anti-woman sonogram law:

State Representative Carol Alvarado Statement on 5th Circuit Court's Decision on Sonogram Bill Enforcement
"The 5th Circuit Court's decision demeans nearly 40 years of progress by joining the Texas Legislature in telling women they are not smart enough to make the big decisions about their lives and their bodies.
The intent of this law, as described by the authors of the legislation themselves, is to reduce the occurrence of a legal medical procedure. To accomplish their politically-motivated goals, this bill forces doctors to serve as the mouthpiece of conservative politicians who want to coerce women into doubting themselves after they have made the most difficult decision of their lives."
State Representative Carol Alvarado is in her second term in the Texas House of Representatives, where she serves on the Public Health Committee.

You may recall Alvarado brandishing a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe on the floor of the Legislature last session. Alvarado explained in graphic detail how the procedure works. Trans-vaginal sonograms are the only way to perform a sonogram on a woman who is less than eight to 10 weeks pregnant. Many women seeking abortions will fall into this category.

As Alvarado said at the time, "This is not the jelly on the belly that most of you think," she said as she held up a vaginal probe. "This is government intrusion at its best."

Republicans sure talk a good game about opposing "governmental intrusion" into our private lives. 'Government should stop at our doorstep! they cry. Unless it's the doorstep of a woman, I suppose. Do Republicans seriously want their wives, sisters, and daughters to undergo this invasive procedure, should they chose to terminate a pregnancy? (Because if you think nice Conservative white ladies don't have abortions, I have some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you.)

But hey, at least Republicans are doing everything they can to provide for the children who are the by-products of their policies of forced birth, right? They're funding schools, hiring teachers, expanding healthcare options? Right? Right?

The answer, quite obviously, is no. It's bitterly ironic that the Republican Party cares so much about preventing abortion, but does so little to provide for wanted children once they're born. While this law may still be struck down in the ongoing trial, in the meantime this decision by the 5th Circuit is terrible news for Texas women and the doctors they trust.

Houston Firefighters Rescind Endorsement of Jolanda Jones

David Mauro — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:09:04 GMT

Last week, Houston City Council Member Jolanda Jones sent a letter signed with 70 names of current and retired firefighters in support of her efforts to investigate the "very serious allegations of sexual and racial harassment and retaliation within the Houston Fire Department."

Looking into these allegations is not an indictment of all of the Houston Fire Department. It is, justifiably so, an effort to identify discrimination based on gender and race and the policies presently in place that allow it to continue – and to work on solutions that will end discrimination and improve conditions for all fire fighters. Now is the time. It’s gone on long enough.

Jones had been endorsed by the Firefighters for her upcoming reelection campaign but on Monday that endorsement was rescinded in a letter from firefighters union president Jeff Cannon.

The consensus of our members is that your failed leadership and repeated mischaracterizations about Houston firefighters cannot go unchallenged. The list of our specific concerns is too long to detail here, but our decision ultimately was caused by your facilitation of misleading City Council testimony, your distribution of a false firefighter 'support' letter, and your serial mischaracterization of our union's representation of our members and our efforts to improve Houston Fire Department workplace and labor conditions.

In other Houston city election news, Mayoral candidate Gene Locke has picked up the support of State Sen. Mario Gallegos, State Rep. Carol Alvarado, Constable Victor Trevino and HISD Trustee Diana Davila. Kuff has more on the endorsement race in Houston.

Carol Alvarado, Sylvia Garcia React to the Biden Choice

David Mauro — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:08:02 GMT

Former Houston City Councilwoman (and future State Representative) Carol Alvarado and Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia told the Houston Chronicle what they thought of Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden as his running mate.

Alvarado:

"Senator Biden is a tough and aggressive campaigner who we need to help us win back the White House. He is highly respected by his Senate colleagues. He is one of the country's most knowledgeable and experienced leaders on foreign affairs. He's experienced the rigors of a presidential campaign, so he knows what to expect over the next 10 weeks. He's a great Democrat. I look forward to campaigning on behalf of the ticket in my community."

Garcia:

Not surprised as Biden brings foreign policy experience to the ticket. Disappointed as it apparently seems that in the race for the White House its a man's world afterall.
At airport on way to Denver.

Alvarado and Garcia are both Clinton delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

3 Democratic Primaries

Matt Glazer — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:55:22 GMT

Some stories just slip through the cracks when there is an interesting U.S. Senate primary going on. Not sure if you noticed, but the primary map is getting interesting around the state.

Clay Robinson wrote a week ago that some “Craddick D’s” are more likely than others to garner primary opponents than others. His list included:

Among the so-called "Craddick Democrats" — Democratic House members viewed as loyal to Craddick, including a number of committee chairmen — those most likely to draw opponents in their party's primary include Kevin Bailey of Houston, Robert Puente of San Antonio, Aaron Peña of Edinburg and Kino Flores of Mission.

Two of those men have either a declared opponent or one looking at the possibilities--Aramando Walle and Roland Gutierrez has started making the moves to challenge Kevin Bailey and Robert Puente respectively.

Armando Walle, an aide to U.S. Rep. Gene Green of Houston, is preparing to challenge Bailey, and San Antonio Councilman Roland Gutierrez is considering a race against Puente.

Another race of interest is Rick Noriega’s seat. Since Noriega cannot run for both a state and federal office his House Seat will be opening up. House District 145 has a few candidates interested.

Elias De La Garza, owner of a busy Gulf Freeway fronted insurance office, is being wooed for the House District 145 race as an alternative to Houston Councilwoman Carol Alvarado and other potential contenders the local Democratic establishment might rally behind as a replacement for Noriega if Noriega gives up the seat.
There's also speculation Roy Morales, a retired Air Force Lt. Col. who ran twice for city council in the last two years, might run for the HD 145 race as a Republican in 2008.

All of these seats are known for being strong Democratic areas. While the newly created TexBlog PAC isn’t going to be involved in influencing the outcomes of these races, we will do our best to continue to cover them. If you have tips, news, or comments please feel free to write a journal or e-mail me at matt@burntorangereport.com.