40/40: We Must Say Yes to Our Future

by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas

Fri Feb 24, 2006 at 00:55 PM CST

I am running for State Representative to affirm a cause, and I am asking the families of District 106 to join me. 

Texans must renew our commitment to public schools; and in doing so, renew our commitment to lasting economic prosperity for our state and for our children.

We must commit to saying no to special interests that are working to undermine public education.

I am asking the voters of Grand Prairie and Irving to say yes to our future and yes to our kids. 

Public education is the cause that brought me into this campaign and the need for a strong, independent voice is what will keep me fighting for Texas schoolchildren and educators on the House floor. 

I am a product of our public schools.  I was raised in Southwest Dallas County and I graduated from Duncanville High School .  I hold an undergraduate and graduate degree in education.  And I have committed most of my life to keeping the doors to colleges and universities open – I won't stop in Austin.

I want for Texas schoolchildren to have the best and brightest in our classrooms.  I am a product of the best and brightest and I'm proud of the public schools that I attended.  The people who support Tom DeLay, Tom Craddick and my opponent are committed to destroying our public schools.  I am committed to working for those who work for our most precious resource – our children.

We need new leadership in Austin – leaders who understand the challenges our state is facing and leaders who are willing to work hard to solve problems.  I believe I am that kind of leader.  We need our leaders to pledge that education will be the first priority of our economic policy.  I am committed to that value.

On February 28th, I am asking the families of Grand Prairie and south Irving to say yes to our public schools and yes to our economic future.  Now, I am asking passionate Democrats around Texas to join our fight.  We need you to join us by block-walking, making phone calls, or with a financial investment

In just 2 years as Speaker, Tom Craddick has cast more tie-breaking votes than Pete Laney did in 10 years.  One vote can make a difference on the floor of the Texas House.  With your help, we can win this election and bring one more vote to the House to improve our schools, lower property taxes, and restore honesty and integrity to Austin.

40/40: Get to Know House District 106

by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas

Fri Feb 24, 2006 at 02:32 AM CST

What is HD 106 like, you ask? I'll tell you the best I can, but if some folks who have actually lived/worked in Dallas could help me paint a better picture of this district (and HD 107) in the comments section, I'd appreciate it.

HD 106 - Katy Hubener vs. Kirk "Empty-Nester" England.

Here's a map of the district. HD 106 is an exclusively urban district, contained in the western part of Dallas county. Grand Prairie is the prominent town, of which Kirk England's father has been mayor for 13 years.

The district hits the state average in most areas (according to the Secretary of State's website) except one: value of homes. More than 62% of families live in homes valued between $50,000 and $100,000 (about 40% of families fit that category statewide). As a largely working-class family district, a great deal of the issues Hubener has experience in works perfectly for this district. Remember, she has a degree in education and works as a realtor (both sides of the school finance equation - schools and property taxes). The district is almost evenly split between Whites (about 65,000) and Blacks+Hispanics (62,000).

Texas Round-Up

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 01:30 AM CST

• Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee has mailed some Austinites a survey.  Find out about the weirdness of it.


• If you were ever curious, here is a list of the 05/06 Chapter 41 "Rich" districts.  Might come in useful this session as our representatives muddle their way through yet another attempt at school finance.


• Speaking of representatives, please help out or donate to Katy Hubener up in Dallas as there are only 3 more days of Early Voting in her race.


• PinkDome has the skinny on why one of the Democratic candidates for TX-01 does NOT deserve your vote.  Patrick Franklin, a candidate for HD-7 gets attacked by Roger Owen (of TX-01) on his sexuality.  I understand not all Democrats are on the same page in terms of glbt issues, but to openly attack a fellow Democrat simply because of it, in a race that you aren't running in? Forget it. I will not support that.


• Judge Charlie Baird picks up the last 4 Travis County endorsements, giving him a near clean sweep in his primary challenge against Buddy Meyer for the 299th District Court. They include: Austin Women's Political Caucus, Black Women's Political Caucus, Capitol City Young Democrats, and North by Northwest Democrats.


• A request for all you Travis Country Democrats out there...be an election judge and get paid for it. Details and precincts vacant on the flip. It's a class day for me so I can't help out. Instead, I'm going to be serving on the Early Vote Ballot Board on March 4th.

Rep. Elect Donna Howard Moves Forward

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Wed Feb 15, 2006 at 01:35 PM CST

Howard said her top priorities include working to reverse the ratio of state-to-local public school funding.  The state currently pays only 36 percent of the costs of public schools, the lowest share since before World War II.

"Reverse that ratio, and we will achieve significant property tax relief and eliminate the need for caps," Howard said.

In addition, Howard said she will continue to work with the Texas Tax Reform Commission to suggest ways in which the state can draw down as much as $1.5 billion in available federal revenue that is currently going unclaimed.

"Before we ask taxpayers to dig any deeper into their own pockets, let's make sure we're bringing home every dollar we deserve from Washington, D.C.," Howard said.

According to U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas forfeits an estimated $600 million a year in federal matching funs by not enrolling all eligible children of working parents in the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Howard said untold millions also go unclaimed for school-based Medicaid services and a wide range of health-related programs for which federal funds are available.

This is one of those areas where I've never understood the Texas Lege.  They cut state funding for programs where we get federal matching funds.  Now we're at 86-64 Republican to Democratic tilt in the Texas House.

But our work is not done. Katy Hubener in HD-106 (vacated by Rep. Ray Allen (R-Lobbyist)) is in Early Voting up in Dallas right now.  Let's make that 85-65 going into the session.