News

The Bastrop County Democratic Party office is closing on February 24^th. Operations will continue through meetings and online.

The new Party phone number is 512-609-0336.

The next meeting of the Bastrop County Democratic Party will be March 14^th at 7pm at the Kerr Center.

The Texas Independence Day Rally has been cancelled and will be rescheduled as soon as a date can be confirmed for Senator Watson’s attendance.  Likely dates are the first or second Saturday in April.

The San Antonio court will probably have redistricting maps ready sometime next week.  The court has instructed the Democratic and Republican parties to plan for a primary on May 29^th.  Filing dates are to be reopened as soon as the San Antonio court releases new maps to allow candidates to change their filings and for new candidates to file.

Currently, in Bastrop County, the Democratic filings are:

423^rd District Court

Chris Duggan—unopposed at this time

Tax Assessor

Linda Harmon—unopposed at this time

Commissioner Precinct 1

Victor Gonzalez

Bill Peterson

Commissioner Precinct 3

John Klaus—republican opponent

Commissioners Precinct  4—3 republicans also running

Michael Flowers

Paul Magonye

Keith Joesel

Liston Crim

Constable Precinct 2

Gus Meduna—unopposed at this time

Constable Precinct 3

Matt Henderson

Alex Pena

Constable Precinct 4

Roy Pruneda—unopposed at this time

No Democratic candidate has filed for the County Sheriff position

No Democratic candidate has filed for Constable Precinct 1

No Democratic candidate has filed to run in 21^th District Court.

After the San Antonio court releases the new maps, the Bastrop County elections office will begin mailing new voter registration cards with the new voting precinct numbers on them.  All Commissioner precincts and voting precincts have been redrawn and the the voting precincts have been renumbered, so your precinct number and voting location may have changed.

The meeting date is changed to November 15 due to the Constitutional Amendment Election on the 8th.  If you have not early voted, please vote on the 8th.  Link to https://www.basropdemocrats.org  for voting times and locations.

A map of the new voting precincts and the number changes for them will be available to view at the meeting. Even if Bastrop County’s US Congressional and State House maps may be redrawn on the order of the judge in San Antonio, the voting precincts will stay pretty close to what was approved by the Commissioners Court on Oct 24th.

Because of the redistricting problems, the dates for filing have also been changed.  The new filing dates are now November 28 through December 15 at 6 pm. 

Rob Ryland will be presenting information on how to run for public office at this meeting.  If you are considering running for an office in this election, come hear Rob’s presentation and talk with us about how the BCDP can help you.

The December meeting is December 13 at 7pm at the Kerr Center.  It will be a Christmas Party with cookies and wassail.

2012 Primary Election Information

Places up for 2012 Primary Election and the Current Officer Holders

Sheriff:                                                     Terry Pickering
Tax Assessor-Collector:                            Linda Harmon
Commissioner, Precinct 1:                       William Pina
Commissioner, Precinct 3:                       John Klaus
Commissioner, Precinct 4                        Vivian Dildy; interim
Constable, Precinct 1:                              Dan Hall
Constable, Precinct 2:                              August Meduna Jr.
Constable, Precinct 3:                              Matthew Henderson
Constable, Precinct 4:                              Roy Pruneda
Bastrop County Democratic Party: Chairperson  Barbara Nichols
Bastrop County Democratic Party:  All Precinct Chairs
The December meeting is December 13 at 7pm at the Kerr Center.  It will be a Christmas Party with cookies and wassail.

Bastrop County

2011 Special Constitutional Amendment Election

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Process for Applying for Funds  For People Who Lost Housing Because of the Wildfires

Applications Accepted Between October 3 and November 15, 2011

The Bastrop Christian Ministerial Alliance (BCMA) has announced the distribution process for funds donated for victims of the Bastrop County fires (Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Smithville and surrounding areas in the County). Inspired by the model utilized by The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region (CFNCR) and the survivor fund for 9/11 victims, the Bastrop Christian Ministerial Alliance has set forth guidelines, along with an application process to ensure the funds are distributed fairly to victims who meet the distribution criteria.

Though it is unknown exactly how many people we will serve, or what their emotional or financial needs will be, we believe it is the duty of the BCMA to be good stewards of the funds entrusted to us for the fire victims and to utilize as our foundation the scripture found in Matthew 25:40 that reads “The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

The BCMA will administer a locally based disbursement of funds process that will provide intake and assessment for victims who meet the disbursement criteria and will process the applications for a one-time disbursal to victims of the Bastrop County Fires.

The victims will include persons who have lost their housing and are either underinsured or have no insurance.

Funds will be disbursed to only one individual per verified destroyed address.  There will be no discrimination based upon race, religion, creed, or sexual orientation.

The process for victims to apply for funds will begin October 3, 2011 and end November 15, 2011. In order to be eligible for funds, the following process must be followed.

1.  An application must be completed.

2.  An intake interview and assessment must be performed.

3.  Proof must be shown of a valid driver license or other evidence of identity.

4.  The address of the destroyed residence must be verified through showing rental agreement, FEMA card, utility bills, or some other evidence of occupation of the property by the person applying for the funds.

5.  Other information that may be required to verify information is a copy of insurance (for the underinsured), evidence of salary, disability determination, or other proof of financial resources available to the applicant.

Once all applications are evaluated, the distribution process will then begin on December 1, 2011.  All funds collected through November 30th will be disbursed to approved applicants according to their need as determined by the BCMA in accordance with its procedures.  This distribution process will be completed by December, 31, 2011.

On October 1^st applications will be available in Spanish and in English at any First National Bank locations, area churches, online at bcmatx.org or by calling (512)718-1833 or (512)718-7823 to set an appointment.

The BCMA will continue to receive and process financial contributions for fire victims through November 30, 2011.

When all victims are served and the disbursement of funds is completed, a summary report will be provided to the office of the Bastrop County Judge with supporting documentation.

The Bastrop Christian Ministerial Alliance is dedicating this effort to the courageous survivors whose ongoing individual journeys have inspired us to the scripture in Philippians 4:13 that reads “we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength.”

A message from the Secretary of State:

The Secretary of State and her staff would like to extend their sympathy to all Texans affected by wildfires around the state. As emergency relief efforts continue, we would also like to provide information with regards to the upcoming November 8, 2011 constitutional amendment election.

We realize that evacuation is a difficult experience and that voters may not be certain of their short-term or long-term living arrangements. However, certain basic procedures still apply. Voters who have been displaced have several options for voting in the November 8, 2011 election.

Voter Registration and Residence. Regarding residence, our advice to people displaced by the wildfires is the same as to any other person—the voter is the one who decides what the voter considers to be home. If a voter relocated to another county before or after the wildfires, and has decided to stay in their new county, they may register to vote in their new county. Voters in this situation must submit a new voter registration application in their new county of residence no later than October 11, 2011 in order to vote in the November election. However, if a person has been relocated and is unsure when they can return to their home county, but intends to return, then that person can maintain their voter registration in their home county (or apply to register if not already registered).

Voter Identification. The new photo identification requirements do not apply until 2012, once preclearance has been obtained. You may also receive questions from voters who lost documents in the fire. When voting in person during the November 8, 2011 election, a voter must show either the voter registration certificate or a form of authorized identification (I.D.).

If a voter is able to return to their home, they will likely vote as usual in their county. The counties hardest hit by the wildfires are still evaluating the state of their polling places, and there will likely be changes in voting locations, but it appears that all counties will be able to conduct voting during early voting and election day. It may be a few more weeks before final polling places will be ascertained. In local notices, counties may wish to emphasize early voting by personal appearance, especially if voters have relocated to temporary quarters within the same county, but away from their usual neighborhood.

A voter away from their county of residence may apply for a ballot by mail from their home county. Voters wishing to vote by mail must submit an application for ballot by mail to their county election office; the application must be received no later than Tuesday, November 1, 2011. On the application, the voter must indicate that they will be out of their home county during early voting and on election day. Voters need to provide a mailing address for the ballot which is outside of their home county.

Our office will continue to work with local election officials to ensure that all Texas voters are able to participate in a fair, credible, and efficient election. Voters with specific questions may contact the Elections Division, toll-free at (800) 252-VOTE (8683) or visit our website for updated information.

A message from the Secretary of State

On Monday , September 5,2011 Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald issued a call for volunteers to help the victims of the Bastrop Complex Wildfire that was raging on the eastern side of Bastrop.  The Bastrop Ministerial Alliance was asked to manage the donation lines and help set up shelters.   Donation sites were set up, and shelters were opened.  Volunteers showed up at the Convention Center, and began to pitch in where they were needed. Immediately, help started to arrive.  Fire Fighters, Police, and EMT units from surrounding areas came to the aid of the Bastrop County departments and by Thursday Disaster Relief agencies began to arrive

Because of the enormity of Bastrop Complex fire, it would not be easily or quickly extinguished. A second fire called the Cedar Creek Fire flared up on the west side of Bastrop.   As the evacuees from the fire began to filter into Bastrop, it became apparent that the need would be huge, and the evacuees began to look for shelter, food and clothing. Many left their homes with just the clothes on their backs and their pets.

Companies and individuals from across Texas brought much needed supplies for the victims and fire fighters.  Local restaurants and restaurants from Austin provided meals for fire fighters, emergency personnel and evacuees.  Companies sent linens, personal care items and cleaning supplies.  Ranchers, hay producers and pet food companies sent food for the displaced animals.

Over at Jaunita Jean’s, The Worlds Most Dangerous Beauty Salon, Inc.,  Juanita’s typist Susan DuQuesnay Bankston (Wife of Don Bankston, State Senate District 18 Executive Committee) got to thinking about the horrific Labor Day Weekend wildfire burning in Bastrop County.  Since “not doing nothing” is not the way of Jaunita Jean and her customers, Juanita Jean sent out a call for “A dollar for a Democrat.” Her web site is http://juanitajean.com/

Juanita Jean’s call went out on a Wednesday and by Friday my mail box started filling up.  Every day more and more mail came in.  Friends of Juanita Jean from as far away as Canada, and Democrats from across the US responded with an outpouring of support.  58 people responded with checks and cash totaling $1405 to be given to the BCMA.  All the money collected by the Ministerial Alliance will be distributed to the fire victims to help relieve their hardships.  Some Juanita Jean customers sent money specifically for BCDP members.  At the September meeting of the BCDP one of the precinct chairs who lost her home, as well as the other precinct chairs, voted to donate the monies designated for them to the Alliance.

Many members of the BCDP lost their homes.  I do not have a complete count, but have been able to verify that one precinct chair, two past precinct chairs, one delegate to the TDP Nominations Committee, one Election Judge, and eight other democratic activists have lost their homes. A quick search on VAN indicates that approximately 200 Double D’s live in the burn area.  It is likely that most of them lost their homes. In total, over 1500 homes were lost and thousands of people were displaced in the Bastrop Complex fire.  In the Cedar Creek fire 24 homes were destroyed.

I have always been proud to be a Democrat. And, to paraphrase Michelle Obama … Today I could not be prouder… of DEMS.   I do not have enough words to express my gratitude to the friends of Juanita Jean who responded when the need of their fellow citizens was so great.  A big heartfelt “Thank You” to Susan and Juanita Jean’s friends for your outpouring of support and concern for Bastrop County and the Bastrop County Democrats.

If Texas can survive 10 years of Rick Perry, Bastrop County can survive a couple wild fires.

Together We Can

Barbara Nichols

Chair, BCDP

512-745-3326

Places up for 2012 Primary Election and the Current Officer Holders

January 6, 2012 – First Day to apply for Ballot by Mail
February 6, 2012 – Last day to register to vote for the 2012 Primary (close of business)
21 – First Day of Early Voting for Primary
28 – Last day to apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)
March 2, 2012 – Last day of Early Voting for Primary
March 6 – Primary Election day (7am-7pm)
6 – Precinct Conventions (7pm)
24 – County/Senate District Conventions

We Texans like to brag about being #1, so I want to give you some figures that support that our #1 rankings. Then, just so you don’t get to big headed about being #1, some figures of our bottom of the barrel rankings.

Texas on the Brink

A Report from the Texas Legislative Study Group

The State of Our State

LSG serves as a primary conduit for the flow of information to legislators on the House floor, during the legislative session. Full time, expert staff focused on key policy areas provide detailed analysis of bills which fall into one of five areas of interest: education, environment, budget, health and human services, and worker and consumer issues. Each area of interest has a specific LSG staff member assigned to track and analyze legislation.

How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States

February 2011 ~ Fifth Edition

We’re #1

Percent of Uninsured Children 1st

Percent of Population Uninsured 1st

Percent of Non-Elderly Uninsured 1st

Amount of Carbon Dioxide Emissions 1st

Amount of Volatile Organic Compounds  Released into Air  1st

Amount of Toxic Chemicals Released into Water  1st

Amount of Recognized Cancer-Causing Carcinogens Released into Air   1st

Amount of Hazardous Waste Generated 1st

Number of Executions        1^st

Bottom of the Barrel

Percent of Population 25 and Older with a High School Diploma  50^th

State & Local Expenditures per Pupil in Public Schools   44^th

Percent of Population with Employer-Based Health Insurance  48^th

Per Capita State Spending on Mental Health  50^th

Health Care Expenditures per Capita    44^th

Percent of Non-Elderly Women without Health Insurance     50^th

Workers’ Compensation Coverage     50^th

Homeowner’s Insurance Affordability      46th

Percent of Voting-Age Population that Votes 45th

Women’s Voter Turnout 49th

You don’t like these numbers …

Do something about it.

Get Involved:

• Call, write, or demonstrate at the Texas State Legislature
• Write letters to the editor of your local paper
• Run for office
• Talk to friends and neighbors about the sad state of affairs our state is in because of years of neglect by Governor Perry and the Republican Legislature and the new disasters they are creating during the current legislative session.
• Support your local Democratic Party—come to meetings and events, and donate time and/or financial support.

Monthly Meetings of

Bastrop County Democratic Party

 Kerr Center in  Bastrop

Call  512-745-3326 for Information on future meetings

September 8 — Regular Meeting

October 14 — CEC Meeting

November15 — Regular Meeting

December 13 — Regular Meeting

Meetings are open meetings and attendence and participation by all Democrats is encouraged.

BASTROP DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S LUNCHEON

On September 18^th at 11am, more than 50 Democratic women gathered at Baxter’s on Main Street in Bastrop to celebrate the Democratic  women candidates running for State and County offices.  The guest speaker was Andrea White, wife of  Bill White, Democratic candidate for Governor of Texas.   Candidates Pat Olney, for Texas State Senate, Pati Jacobs for Texas State Legislature, Judy Jennings for the Texas State Board of Education, Cathy Schroeder for reelection as Bastrop County Treasurer, Kathy Smith, for reelection as Bastrop District Clerk, and Rose Pietsch, for reelection as Bastrop County Clerk spoke to the attendees about their plans for improving government functions in Texas.
Special recognition was given to Mrs Dorothy Peterson, community leader and mother of Glen Peterson, BIDS School Board member and Bill Peterson, Bastrop City councilman for her community service.  Also recognized was Becky Bennett, past Bastrop County Democratic Party Chair.

Special tribute was paid to the brave women who struggled in the early 1900’s  for women’s right to vote.  It was not until August 1920 that women were allowed to vote.  Now, 90 years later women candidates run for office in national, state and local races.  Most of us find it hard to believe that women had to fight to be able to participate in the political process.

Linda Laughinghouse

Bastrop County Democratic Party spokesman

830-839-4313

We had an outstanding event!  About 100 enthusiastic Democrats attended at the new Fine Arts Center.  We sold sausage wraps, drinks and desserts.  Jim arrived early and visited with all the guests.  Shortly before the program began, Senator Barrientos arrived and surprised us all.  Pati Jacobs, Kurt Kuhn, Bill Weddle, Rose Pietsch, Cathy Smith, Kathy Schroeder, and Vickie Vogel attended.  Congressman Doggett was represented by Lee Ann Calaway.

The Peterson Brother Band played in the foyer.  They are amazing musicians!  They played smooth jazz and the attendees were thrilled.

Mr. and Ms. Peterson also attended and the pride they showed in their boys was evident.

Mary Bishop, representing the Association of Social Workers in Texas presented letters to Pati, Kurt, and Lloyd.  She was instrumental in securing the Association’s endorsement which came with a check.

The staff of the Fine Arts Center was fantastic.  They made us feel at home and worked tirelessly.  If you haven’t seen the Fine Arts Center, you need to go by and get a tour.  We used the foyer as a gathering place.  It is a full 60 yards long with tables, a concession stand, and even a grand piano (should you feel the urge to play).

Jim Hightower, Gonzalo Barrientos, and the Peterson Brother’s Band all appeared at no cost.  Their dedication and selfless contribution are typical of the amazing Democrats who believe in the Democratic Party and Bastrop County.

The event was intended to be one that would merely break even.  Due to all the hard work, we actually made a small amount.  Talk about win/win!

Linda Laughinghouse

With a fighting spirit and organizational flair, the Bastrop County Democratic Party kicked off their first ever county-wide Coordinated Campaign last Sunday at the historic Kerr Community Center. Over 200 attendees enjoyed free Elgin sausage served up by cookoff champion Henry  ‘Perk’ Hernandez and Blue Bell ice cream dished out by District Judge Chris Duggan & family, live music from local artists and supportive speeches from numerous candidates. The party talked about its battle plan and recruited volunteers  to help get their message to voters.
After a brief opening set from local singer-songwriter Bruce Fraser Dickson, County Judge Ronnie McDonald led off the speeches with his trademark style and invoked the spirit of grassroots involvement. “We don’t just knock on doors to ask for votes”, he said. “We should step out to meet fellow citizens and find out what their concerns are, what they think about the issues we’re dealing with. We build relationships with communities, we empower others so they can connect with their government and be heard. That’s what we should do as neighbors, and not just during campaign season.”
Congressman Lloyd Doggett, as the featured speaker, voiced his support for the party’s new efforts aimed at getting all Democrats to the polls this November, encouraging attendees to get involved.  He also offered a full-throated endorsement of State House District 17 candidate Pati Jacobs, in what many Democrats are calling the most important race on the county’s ballot this year. Jacobs is aiming to unseat freshman State Representative Tim Kleinschmidt of Lee County, who Texas Monthly called “furniture” in last year’s rankings, for his lack of initiative during his first legislative session.
“We need a leader like Pati Jacobs in the legislature – someone who will roll up her sleeves and work for the people of her district”, said the party’s County Chair Barbara Nichols. “We’re proud she’s our candidate for this seat.”
Jacobs also engaged the crowd with a short speech about several issues, including education, a fair shake for farmers and ranchers, and small-business job creation. She closed by encouraging volunteers to “be proud to call yourself a Democrat, because the Democrats have a long history of opening doors and creating opportunity for people.” She also noted the importance of redistricting which will come up in the next session, and why it was critical for Democrats to pick up legislative seats or risk Republicans drawing gerrymandered maps again like they did under Tom Delay in 2003. She believes redistricting re-districting can and should be bipartisan this time.
Other candidates in attendance included Judy Jennings, running for an open seat on the State Board of Education, which has been a boiling pot of controversy in recent months. Jennings vowed to take politics out of the classroom and the curriculum debates, and let educators do their jobs.  Representatives for the campaigns of Bill White (running for Governor), Kurt Kuhn (for 3rd Court of Appeals) and Jeff Weems (for Railroad Commissioner) worked the crowd.   Also taking the podium were County Treasurer Kathy Schroeder, Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Bill Weddle and State Senate candidate Pat Olney of Brenham.  The “Clerk Sisters” – District clerk Cathy Smith and County Clerk Rose Pietsch of Smithville were also there to remind activists of their experience at their jobs as they seek re-election.  Precinct 4 Commissioner Lee Dildy was unable to attend due to a family illness, but was lauded from the podium for his service and support.
“It’s just as important to get our local Democratic officials re-elected as it is to win the State House race” said we’re using  a simple two-step model  – identifying Democratic voters and doing everything we can to get them to polls this fall”, said Robert Ryland – Elgin resident  Coordinated Campaign chairman.  Ryland organized and MC’d the event as well.
“We have a tremendous opportunity this year to bring some balance back to our state government, and Bastrop is a battleground county right now,” he continued. “So we’re bringing multiple campaigns together to communicate, share resources and avoid duplication of efforts. That kind of cooperation will lead to victory for our whole slate this fall, and better representation for the people of Bastrop County. “
Bastrop singer/actress Terry Lynn Moore – fresh from her recent run in the title role of “Always, Patsy Cline” at the Opera House – also entertained with a couple of Cline’s hits and giving a preview of her new bluegrass project. Local picker “Slim Bawb” Pierce rounded out the bill with his signature swamp-country sound.
Along with Elgin attorney Ernie Bogart and Judge Duggan, other sponsors for the event included local store owner Imron Khan, the Pati Jacobs Campaign, and the venerable Dock Jackson – who took care of the Kerr Center and facilitated the event. Attendees left with a sense that their local party is more active and organized than ever. “It’s really come a long way in the last few years”, said one happy supporter. “There’s a real plan of action now, and the party’s been reaching out to local businesses, civic leaders and organizations, and expanding the ‘big tent’ we always knew we had here.”

By Jeff Long

Special to the Advertiser

More than two dozen Bastrop  Democrats attending the Democratic State Convention in Corpus Christi in June had a great experience and found unity among fellow delegates from around the state.  They heard from all the statewide candidates from Bill White, seeking the governorship, to Pati Jacobs, local cattle rancher seeking a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Read the rest of this entry »

Governor Bill White is going to need support in the Texas legislature. Right now, there are 73 Democrats and 77 Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives. That’s right. Democrats are within 4 votes of a majority. One of the best chances to put another Democrat is in our own District 17, where a new Democratic candidate, rancher Pati Jacobs has entered the race.

Pati Jacobs is the real deal. She’s a rancher who raises natural grass fed beef, and wants to protect Texas rural counties from runaway development which threaten quality of life. Unlike her Republican opponent, attorney Tim Kleinschmidt, Pati Jacobs is right at home in a pair of boots, and unlike Kleinschmidt, she knows about key issues like the environment, jobs, and water rights, which affect us here in District 17.

This was a Democratic district for 12 years until the incumbent retired. The 2008 election to choose his successor was one of the closest races in the State. Democrat Donnie Dippel was given good odds to beat Republican Tim Kleinschmidt, but he entered the race late, and Kleinschmidt won in a close race. This time around, entering the race early with no primary opponent gets Jacobs off to a good start. In addition Jacobs will benefit from what was learned in Dippel’s campaign, and she can benefit from the issues that were working for Democrats in the last election. In 2008, most of the Democratic votes came from Bastrop County. As we know, we are a growing area which is trending Democratic, and we have a well-organized and enthusiastic Democratic party.

As a freshman legislator, Kleinschmidt has done little to distinguish himself other than to win Texas Monthly’s “furniture award” for his lack of accomplishments in Austin.

Jacobs cares about issues important to rural voters like funding public schools, vocational training programs to strengthen our rural labor force, and water rights (Kleinschmidt sells his water out of District). She is a strong opponent of school vouchers. She is an environmentalist who is concerned about protecting natural resources and quality of life, and founded an organization that developed a master plan for growth that was adopted by the Bastrop County Commisioner’s Court, and led the way in creating our local farmer’s market.

If you have heard Pati Jacobs speak, you know that she is smart and articulate. She can bring an audience to its feet, speaking with a passion that matches her red hair.

It’s going to take money. For one thing, District 17 borders three major media markets. In addition, it takes a lot of driving in rural areas to reach voters who are spread out all over the place.

So here’s the challenge: let’s get behind Pati in her campaign for the November election by volunteering, and by donating to her campaign. Remember we are only 4 votes away from a Democratic majority in the Texas legislature.

Edie Clark

February 28th 2010 witnessed the Third Annual Texas Independence Day Celebration (TIDC) in Bastrop. More than 200 attended the event at Baxter’s on Main. Texas Gubernatorial candidate, former Houston Mayor Bill White was the keynote speaker. Also in attendance were former Texas Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett.

This annual event is held to highlight the Democratic candidates running for office. Elgin Precinct Chair Rob Ryland emceed the event on behalf of Barbara Nichols who was ill. Texas District 18 Democratic Party Committeewoman Vickie Vogle presented an award to former County Chair, Mitzi VanSant for her tireless work on behalf of the Bastrop Democratic Party. Event organizer and Smithville Precinct Chair, Anne Beck thanked the countless volunteers whose efforts brought the event to fruition.

Bastrop County is one of the most active Democratic counties in Texas. Candidates have come to count on the Democratic organization, headed by County Chair Barbara Nichols for assistance in their campaigns. We have a full-time office at 129B Old Austin Highway in Bastrop that is manned six days a week by volunteers. Our website is maintained by Vickie Lehmieier and includes links to a wide variety of other websites. Please visit www.BastropDemocratics.ORG and check it out for yourself.

Linda Laughinghouse

“Our Texas State Board of Education is short-changing our children. It’s up to us as parents, educators, and voters to provide new leadership and refocus the board on its responsibilities.”
—Dr. Judy Jennings, Democratic nominee for District 10
While much attention has been focused on the Texas governor’s race, in 2010, there is another very important election for the State Board of Education, or SBOE. In the past voter apathy in SBOE elections has allowed extremists to win positions, and dominate this body in recent years, bringing the culture wars into Texas classrooms, with a controversial bible study course that has no course standards, science standards that question the theory of evolution, and most recently social studies standards that remove Thomas Jefferson as an important revolutionary writer, and add Phyllis Schaffley and Newt Gingrich. The board that will be elected in November will be deciding on which textbooks can be used in Texas. This is of national significance because there is such an enormous textbook market here, publishers are reluctant to turn out several versions of a book, so the textbooks approved by the Texas SBOE may be the only choice for other states.
Functions of the SBOE
Important functions of the State Board of Education (SBOE) are establishing statewide curriculum standards for public school courses, including content knowledge and skills students are to master (called TEKS), determining standards of performance on state tests, reviewing and adopting proposed textbooks for purchase by local school districts and ensuring that those textbooks conform to the statewide curriculum standards, overseeing investment of state’s Permanent School Fund (which holds Billions of dollars), and creating charter schools.
The statewide curriculum standards, or TEKS, determine what must be taught, by law, in Texas public schools, and consequently what will be tested in the annual state accountability TAKS test. As a result, the curriculum standards are of great importance to educators, since public schools are under a microscope for performance on the state test, and can be punished if they fail to meet their annual accountability goals.

Once the curriculum standards are set, the State Board reviews textbooks proposed by publishers for conformity to the standards, and adopts those it deems to conform. Local school districts choose from the list of SBOE adopted textbooks in each subject, and purchase them for local schools. Because the Texas textbook market is so large and because publishers don’t want to have to create different versions of the same textbook for different markets, textbooks adopted in Texas determine which textbooks will be available for the rest of the country as well. As a result, the actions of the SBOE have disproportionate influence what is taught not only in Texas, but in the other states as well. The SBOE used to censor content of textbooks, but this authority was stripped by the embarrassed Texas Legislature in 1995, and the SBOE can now only reject a textbook if it does not meet the curriculum standards. The extremists responded by finding “factual errors” and “errors of omission” in textbooks, leading to weary textbook publishers beginning to censor their own textbooks. For example, in 2004, to get SBOE approval for health textbooks, publishers stressed abstinence-only information and left out medically accurate information on prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases despite curriculum standards requiring it.
Election of SBOE Members
In most states, state board of education members are appointed by the governor and/or local officials. Texas is one of only ten states in which State Board of Education members are elected in partisan elections, with candidates chosen by political parties. There are only 15 districts in the whole state. Because the districts are so large, progressive influence is diluted by lumping areas like Austin with more conservative areas like Sugar Land. Since the 1990s religious-right extremists, thanks to large contributions from well-funded PAC’s with donors like San Antonio businessman James Leininger and Wal-Mart’s John Walton, have come to dominate the board, bringing the culture wars into the battle for Texas classrooms. Extremists have focused on seven issues: scientific “weaknesses” in evolutionary theories, phonics-based reading instruction, principles and benefits of free enterprise, original intent of the U.S. Constitution, respect for Judeo-Christian values, and abstinence-only sex education.
Rise of the Extremists on the SBOE
“Over the past two years, the SBOE has lurched from one embarrassing controversy to another. On matters like language arts standards, public school Bible classes and even the adoption of mathematics textbooks, the board had become a dysfunctional mess”.-Kathy Miller, Texas Freedom Network
In the 90s San Antonio businessman James Leininger and Wal-Mart’s Jon Walton donated generously to extremist candidates, and funded ruthless smear campaigns. Campaign flyers accused one Democratic board incumbent of promoting masturbation by five year old children and instruction about oral, anal, and vaginal sex for older students. Another flyer accused “liberal” Democratic incumbent board members of promoting a “radical leftist agenda” that included “homosexuality, lesbian adoption and condom usage.” To make sure voters got the message the flyer included a picture of a black man kissing a white man, both half-nude.” Leininger is a major player who supports school vouchers, and contributes to legislative races using the same smear tactics he developed in the SBOE elections. His support helped elect extremists Teri Leo, Barbara Cargill, Ken Mercer, and Cynthia Dunbar. Dunbar, the incumbent in District 10, which includes Bastrop County, is one of the most extreme members of the SBOE. Among other things, she home-schools her children, and has written a book in which she says the public schools are “subtle tools of perversion”.
2010 SBOE Elections
Extremists currently hold 7 of the 8 seats on the SBOE. The right-wing seems to be adopting a new strategy of selecting more electable candidates who are not lightning rods for controversy as McLeroy and Dunbar have been, but who are equally extreme in their positions on key issues like intelligent design and abstinence only sex education. Rick Perry appointed a new SBOE chair in 2008, Gail Love, a more low-key right-winger to replace the former controversial chair, Don McLeroy, who believes the earth is only 6,000 years old, among other things.
All of Bastrop County is in SBOE District 10, which also includes western Travis County, eastern Fort Bend and Brazoria counties, all of Williamson, Milam, Burleson, Lee, Fayette, Gonzales, DeWitt, Lavaca, Colorado, Austin, Washington, and Waller Counties. The incumbent, Cynthia Dunbar is not running for reelection, and has endorsed Brian Russell as her successor. Russell is as extreme as Dunbar, but is less well-known, since he hasn’t written a book yet. He is in a run-off with educator Marsha Farney, who is reportedly just as conservative. Russell, is both an engineer and an attorney, and seems more interested in promoting his own brand of conservatism than in public education. He lists as his supporters, all the right-wing conservatives currently on the SBOE, David Barton, the founder of Wallbuilders, and one of the so-called experts who testified at the social studies curriculum hearings, the Austin Tea Party Meet-Up Group, Heather Liggett, the Tea Party activist who coordinated the Randall’s protest against Congressman Lloyd Doggett, the Texas Home School PAC, and several antiabortion groups. Russell is a Republican activist who also serves on the State Republican Executive Committee. Like Dunbar, he home-schools his children. Farney, an educator with a PhD in curriculum and instruction, says on her website that she is a “common sense conservative” who “lives her Christian values”, and pledges to strengthen and preserve our state and national heritage” and “our traditional family values in our curriculum.” She is not well-known, but a Google search turns up the fact that she donated to Duncan Hunter’s 2008 presidential campaign, which gives a clue about her politics.
Fortunately, this year we do have a choice, and a chance to elect an excellent Democratic SBOE candidate, Judy Jennings to represent District 10 on the SBOE. Judy holds a Ph.D. in Education, and has worked for both the private sector and for the Texas Education agency. She is an expert on measuring how children are learning, and has the exact skills needed on the SBOE. Her grown children attended public schools, and two them are teachers.

District 10 is one of the most winnable Districts in Texas, including most of Travis County, one of the most Democratic counties in Texas, and Bastrop County, where we have a well-organized Democratic Party. Despite being gerrymandered to favor Republicans, in statewide elections, District 10 has come close to being carried by Democrats, who will be energized by our gubernatorial candidate, Bill White. Let’s get behind Judy in Bastrop County. We can put her over the top! You can learn more about Judy Jennings, volunteer in her campaign, and contribute on her website: www.votejudyjennings.com/

Compiled by Edie Clark