Restoring Our Historic Mansion

                                        

                                           Governor Perry, Please Finish
                        Restoring Our Historic Mansion

Governor’s Mansion

before the fire (top) and

after the fire (bottom)

          has been under restoration since the June 8, 2008 fire

                                                                                                                                                                               

By T. L. Wyatt Editor

Last week, Governor Rick Perry made the announcement that we all knew that he would, that he is running for the President of the United States. It was interesting, however, that he would make such an announcement outside of the State of Texas. Most politicians want to have friends and supporters around when they take such a huge step.

It could be that the Governor did not want to open himself up to the Texas media, one on
the toughest groups in the country. He also did not want to answer the questions that linger
over the recent legislative secession. But, my question is a very simple one
"Governor Perry, when will you complete the repairs of the Governor’s Mansion?"

The Mansion was damaged by fire during the early morning hours of June 8, 2008.
The 152-year-old building was unoccupied at the time, because the Governor
and his wife Anita had temporarily moved out a year earlier so that a $10 million
renovation project could take place. At the time of the fire, they were in Europe
on an economic development trip.

Four years later, the building remains in disrepair. At the same time, the tax payers of Texas
are paying an exorbant amount ($10,000 per month plus expenses) to rent the
governor and his family with a resident that comes up to his standards.

One has to wonder, if the Governor cannot supervise the completion of this small project
to a successful conclusion, how can he be expected to deal with the
many problems facing our nation.

The fire is suspected to be the work of an arsonist, but no prospect has been officially charged. However, the investigation continues.

The Texas Governor’s Mansion is the oldest continually used executive residence
west of the Mississippi, according to the group Friends of the Governor’s Mansion,
which works to preserve and show the public the historic building. According to their
web site, the restoration should be complete by late Spring 2012.



                                                                                                         

DEMOCRATS ATTACK STATE REDISTRICTING MAPS

                                                                                                           

Senator West  Offers "Fair Texas Plan"
Special Report by Sandra Crenshaw,  Austin, Texas

    While sitting in the public hearings of the both the house and the senate, I reflected on the battle cry of  the Republicans while they stood  behind their drastic budget cuts to education and health care.  "The voters of Texas asked  to balance the budget with no new taxes "No new taxes" has been described as the key philosophical difference that has colored this year's budget debate.   I kept wondering why do the Black and Hispanic population of Texas have to threaten court action to get the fair representation that They ask for. Are we not Texans,too? 

     The GOP controlled lawmakers adopted a new map that includes four new congressional districts,but not without a fight.  The proposal  brings the total to 36 seats that Texas was awarded due to the massive growth in the Hispanic population.  Democrats went to war  because the map is short of  a South Texas Hispanic districts, Tarrant County is split among five Republican districts, creating an Arlington based congressional district and because the most controversial  proposed central Texas district held by Rep.Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin since 1995, was sliced and diced leaving Travis County split among five districts, none anchored in Travis.

    Oh, but in a world  in which turn around is fair play, did the Democratic lawmakers join the voters from throughout the state "slice and dice" the Republicans to the same degree with commitments to make good on their threats to take the battle to the Washington.

    The plan gives Republicans 72% of the  36 districts when generally only 55%  of  the 25 million Texans vote Republican.  The maps are not line with the state's growing diversity, the League of Women Voters testified. Senator Judith Zaffinrini from Laredo grilled the Texas capitol lawyers to determine if  they had reviewed the map for voting rights act violations, making it obvious that the responses to her legal question would  go on the record to present to the Judge.

    Dallas lawyer and former state representative, Domingo Garcia was on the hill to speak against the map. Garcia said  that North Texas has the largest Hispanic population in the country without an Hispanic congressperson.  "How is it fair that Anglos make up only 45% of our state population but they control 72% of our population", Sen. Eddie Lucio, D_Brownsville asked.  High school students from Austin  questioned  how were they to get congressional internships

when under the proposed map there would be no Austin based congressional offices.

     North Texas hero, Dallas County Senator Royce West offered an alternative "Fair Texas" plan as an amendment. While speaking, Senator West referred to his colleagues as  the "red jerseys and the blue jerseys" referring to Democrats and  Republicans and acknowledged that the Republicans had the ball, but politics like football had rules to ensure that the game is fair.  West complained that "this is the most closed process I have witnessed. No minorities or Democrats were consulted when the plan was being drafted." The West amendment was tabled.   

     Sen. Kel Seilger, R-Amarillo,the Republicans chief map maker politely dismissed the court threats and basically told the angry  Texas citizens "Bring it on."   In defense of his map, Selifer responded  "It's going to the courts anyway. The courts have drawn all or part of every map that we've had since 1971.  I am confident that this proposed map will sustain all of your legal challenges." The Senate approved the map 18-12 with same West vote: along party lines

     Under the Voting Rights Act, the US Department of Justice or a Washington, DC federal court panel must review Texas redistricting plans and verify that minority voting is not diluted by the new boundaries. If the maps are approved by both chambers of the legislature, and then signed by the Governor. Texas must send its proposals to the Department of Justice for preclearance.  Again since any Texas citizen can go before the DOJ and oppose these maps, why can't we just get justice in Austin?

For info please call Kelvin Bass at 512-463-0123