Village Republican Women October 2013 Newsletter SPEAKER If, like me, you are wondering what exactly took place during the recent 83 rd Texas State Legislature Session and its two subsequent Called Sessions, then you may want to join us on October 23 rd to find out. Speaking to us will be State Senator, Joan Huffman and State Representative, Sarah Davis. These two dynamic women will provide an overview of the session and recap the winners and losers of sponsored bills with an emphasis on the roles they played in important votes. Currently in her third term, Sen. Huffman serves as chairwoman of the Texas Senate Republican Caucus and vice-chairwoman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee in addition to her work on the Finance, State Affairs and Health and Human Services Committees. Rep. Davis is in her second legislative term where she serves on the Public Health, Calendars and Appropriations Committees. Very busy ladies, indeed. So, mark your calendars and come hear how women are playing an increasingly important role in shaping our great state for generations to come. We may even get to find out if either of them owns a pair of pink sneakers and what plans they have for wearing them! Carol Prince Programs Wednesday, October 23, 2013 11:00 A.M. Check in 11:30 A.M. Lunch & Meeting 12:15 P.M. Speaker Lakeside Country Club 100 Wilcrest Drive Lunch (optional) $20.00 (cash only) Menu Char-Grilled Beef Medallion and Fried Risotto Croquet Served with a Shiraz demi-glace topped with crispy onions. Served with fresh seasonal vegetables and fried risotto croquet or Seafood Orichetta Pasta Shrimp, crab, and scallops tossed in a lobster sauce and mixed with orichetta pasta topped with seared snapper, garnished with fresh basil, lemon wheel, and parmesan cheese DESSERT New York Style Cheese Cake RSVP for LUNCH ONLY with your menu selection by Friday, October 18 th at 5:00 PM WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADD LUNCHES AFTER THE FRIDAY DEADLINE *No-Shows will be billed* Click Here to RSVP on the website Buffie: vrwpresident@gmail.com 713 446 6426 Complimentary Valet Parking 1
President's Message I hope you all had a great summer and you are ready to jump back into the battle with both feet! VRW started this fall off with a super successful fundraiser, Sept 7 th at Lakeside Country Club. We took in over $65,000! It was a sellout crowd and Attorney General Abbott was a big hit! He was having so much fun he stayed till the end. Thanks to the leadership and hard work of Nancy Scott on finances, reservations and registration, Joanie Bain and Dianna Gittleman on the auction, Rajada Fleming on the invitations and program, and the rest of the committee, LeslieDickey, Pam Powers, Ginger Moore, Kathleen Slaydon, Patti Thompson, Del Dodd, Barbara Peck, Beverly Roberts and Mary Grace, everyone had a wonderful time and VRW has healthy campaign funds to contribute to our Republican candidates next year! The city elections are coming up in just a few weeks. THESE ELECTIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO HOUSTON, TEXAS AND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. Turn-out is historically low. Contrary to what many believe, the Texas elections, and more specifically Houston elections have always been close races. Houston is the target of the Democrat Party. One vote counts big! HOUSTON IS ON THE ROAD TRAVELED BY DETROIT! HOUSTON S TOTAL DEBT IS 13.1 BILLION! And yet we have a Mayor and City Council that just keeps spending our money and building more debt. While laying off hundreds of city employees, Mayor Parker gave the following raises to her staff: Chief of Staff Waynette Chan salary went from $123,000 to $180,000 Finance Director Kelly Davis salary went from $113,000 to $190,000 City Attorney David Feldman salary went from $205, 000 to $244,000 Communications Director salary went from $76,000 to $ $128,000 Mayor Parker has stated a projected 81 million dollar shortfall for the 2014 budget! There are 9 candidates running for mayor so it may very well be a runoff. There are some city council races we have an excellent chance of putting some fiscally conservative candidates in office: City Controller Ron Green is being challenged by Bill Frazer. Frazer has a very impressive financial background and would be a true asset to solving this city s budget crisis. District I incumbent James Rodriguez is being challenged by 4 Democrats and 1 Independent, Leticia Ablaza. At Large 3 Incumbent Melissa Noriega is term limited out and we have two Republicans, Michael Kubosh and Roy Morales. Kubosh has a strong backing of the African American Ministers. WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WORK OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE..ASK KATHALEEN WALL, VRW CAMPAIGN CHAIR. HOW CAN I HELP? GET INVOLVED..SAVE OUR CITY! 2
Legislative report Theresa Kosmoski Voters will be asked to consider nine (9) amendments to the Texas Constitution this November. The ballot language, as usual, is convoluted and ambiguous. The following is the language for all the amendments, and what it means if you vote yes. Proposition 1 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in action." If you vote yes, you are authorizing a tax exemption on all or part of the market value of residences for the spouses of military veterans killed in action. Proposition 2 "The constitutional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund, neither of which is operational." If you vote yes, you are voting to eliminate the requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund. Neither is in operation, with the State Medical Education Board having been defunct for more than 25 years. Proposition 3 "The constitutional amendment to authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts that are exempt from ad valorem taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period may be located in this state for purposes of qualifying for the tax exemption." If you vote yes, you are voting to provide tax relief for aerospace manufacturers they often hold inventory longer than other manufacturers which can sometimes equate to taxation multiple times on the same inventory. Proposition 4 The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization." If you vote yes, then you are voting to eliminate the requirement that a veteran be 100 percent disabled in order to qualify for this property exemption. Proposition 5 The constitutional amendment to authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan." If you vote yes, you are approving the use of a reverse mortgage, for those over 62 years of age, for the purchase of a new home. Current law expressly provides only for the use of a traditional mortgage for the purchase of a home and the passage of this amendment would allow the use of a home equity conversion to purchase a new home. Proposition 6 The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources." If you vote yes, you will be approving the creation of two funds to finance critical water projects in Texas. This amendment will authorize the use of nearly $2 million from the Texas Economic Stabilization Fund (aka the Rainy Day Fund ). Proposition 7 The constitutional amendment authorizing a home-rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedure to fill a vacancy on its governing body for which the unexpired term is 12 months or less." If you vote yes, it will allow home rule municipalities to fill vacancies where there is 12 months or less in a three or four year term as they choose. There will no longer be a requirement to hold special election. Proposition 8 The constitutional amendment repealing Section 7, Article IX, Texas Constitution, which relates to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County." If you vote yes, it will repeal a constitutional provision authorizing a hospital district in Hidalgo county. Proposition 9 The constitutional amendment relating to expanding the types of sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding instituted by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct." If you vote yes you will be authorizing the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to use additional disciplinary action beyond public censure or recommendation for retirement/removal, such as admonition, warning, reprimand, or requirements for additional training or education against judges or justices after a hearing. 3
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September 25 General Meeting's Minutes Pam Goodson Village Republican Women held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday September 25, 2013 at Lakeside Country Club, 100 Wilcrest Drive, Houston TX 77042. The meeting was called to order at 11:30am by President Buffie Ingersoll. Nancy Lucke provided the invocation and Joan Akin led the pledges to the American and Texas flags. A quorum was present. Buffie Ingersoll introduced 18 candidates, followed by the introduction of 5 guests. There were no corrections to the minutes of the May General Meeting minutes. The minutes were accepted as written by Secretary Pam Goodson. Buffie Ingersoll reported on VRW being the recipient of the Diamond Award, presented by NFRW. This is a very prestigious award, calculated on pages and pages of requirements and activities. Congratulations VRW!! Buffie also extended gratitude towards the immense amount of time and effort that VRW volunteers put towards the fundraising Gala. The Gala fundraiser raised (not final) approximately $63,725 with a net of $42, 346. Nancy Scott, Treasurer, directed the membership to the treasurer s report on the tables. To date, VRW has a balance of $65, 654.27. The membership numbers are currently 127 active members and 40 associate members. Please continue to extend an invitation to friends and neighbors. Kathaleen Wall, Campaign, provided information on two upcoming opportunities. On October 5 at Sonthonoschope (6105 Westline Drive) there will be a Get the vote out for Greg Abbott callout party. Secondly, on October 26-27 at Ellington Airport there will be a Wings over Houston Airshow event to promote Judicial Candidates, inform voters on State Constitutional Amendments and Voting Registration. Old Business: Beverly Roberts presented the proposed slate of officers, to be voted on at the October regular meeting. President: Theresa Kosmoski 1st Vice President/Programs: Lauren Taylor 2nd Vice President/Hospitality: Nancy Scott Recording Secretary: Katherine Dawson Corresponding Secretary: Ellie Essalih Treasurer: To be filled Ways and Means: Buffie Ingersoll The TFRW convention will be held the weekend of October 17-20. VRW can have 12 delegates and 8 alternates. Some of the VRW delegates have declined their invitation, opening up opportunities for additional members. Joanie Bain, Lauren Taylor and Kathaleen Wall will now join the other delegates to represent VRW. New Business: Buffie introduced an idea, generated by Buffie and the Board, to organize a youth outreach forum to be held at the end of January. The featured speaker/guest would be Charlie Kirk, who launched a movement called Turning Point USA. The forum would cost approximately $1000 to cover expenses. A motion was made by Lauren Taylor to utilize $1000 in funds to cover the funding for a youth forum. A second was made by Pat Fortune. The motion carried. Announcements: Donation to Wounded Warriors in honor of the speaker, Duncan Klussmann Oct 1: Lt. Governor Debate, Sosa Center 7:00 Oct 3: District A forum, Sosa Center 6:30 Oct 17-20: TFRW Convention, San Antonio Oct 23: Next General Meeting Program: Dr. Duncan Klussmann received his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin, a Masters of Education from Stephen F. Austin State and a Doctorate from Seton Hall University. Duncan has been the Superintendent of schools in SBISD since December of 2004. Prior to being Superintendent, he served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal in SBISD. Dr. Klussmann helped create the SKY Partnership, which joins together SBISD with KIPP Houston and YES Prep Public Schools at two SBISD middle schools where new campus charter programs now operate. Such an innovative partnership between a school district and charter schools is one of a kind in the Houston area. Duncan covered various topics in his presentation including: o District overview o 2007 Bond Project o Sky Partnership o Public Policy in Education o No Child Left Behind o Community effort and impact Carolyn Hodges gave an update on TFRW and complimented VRW on receiving the Diamond Award. She reported that the total number of hours donated to NFRW was 3,800,000. Of that number Texas accounted for 1,200,000 hours. Carolyn encouraged the membership to take advantage of both the NFRW and TFRW websites and sign up to receive the e-blasts. The meeting was adjourned by Buffie Ingersoll at 1:05pm. 6
Volunteer Needed: 1) Greg Abbott for Governor Phone Bank - Houston Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Phonoscope 6105 Westline Dr. Houston, TX 77036 2). COME ENJOY THE AIRSHOW AND GET OUT THE VOTE! Judicial Candidates, Voter Registrars and Volunteers Needed Wings Over Houston Airshow October 26-27, 2013, 8 AM - 5 PM Ellington Airport Contact Betty Avery, HCRP Military Partnership Chairman at bj_avery@ yahoo.com 7
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