2020 Debate/Townhall Questions

I’ve had several questions about debates/townhalls so let me answer them.

The RPMC and the RWMC have been working the last few weeks to put on a debate for candidates in the County Attorney and the Precinct 3 County Commissioners race. We are sponsoring and hosting these debates at the request of multiple individuals who have come forth and requested them. Nothing was announced before yesterday until we were close to having things sorted. As of now, we plan to host these events the second week of February at the Kay theater in Rockdale.

Yes, we are aware of other debates/townhalls by other individuals and/or groups (both announced and unannounced). It’s important for candidates to have those opportunities. We have been approached by some of the organizers of those events and talking with them to help; however, as I have expressed to those organizers, I cannot dictate to those organizers, candidates, or anyone else how to do business – only advise.

As has always been the policy of the RPMC and RWMC, we have advised candidates to avoid events not hosted or sanctioned by the state or local party. We do this in order to help candidates avoid situations and events that might otherwise be detrimental to them, their constituents, or their campaigns; however, everyone must do as they see fit. Hopefully we can work with these organizers and organizations to add more opportunities for the candidates.

This is not to say that any of the proposed or announced events will be or are detrimental, only that if they are not sponsored nor sanctioned by the RPT or the RPMC, then it is not advised that the candidates attend. With that said, each candidate is in control of their own campaign and it’s up to them to run it as they choose. We are happy to advise candidates, but we will not make demands of them and we will only get involved and make public statements when the need arises. 

I appreciate all the effort and time that goes into the organization of these events and I hope that we can work to have as many successful events as possible.

More information will be coming soon for the RPMC and RWMC debate/townhall and any other hosted and/or sanctioned event.

Thanks,

Bill

Want Economic Development – Buy Local

With the news that Bitmain is “Scaling Back Operations,” many in Milam County are asking what’s next? Everyone is looking for the Homerun that will put Milam County back in the positive as far as tax base goes and help lower the tax rate that threatens to still go higher in the near future.

As reality starts to set in, it’s important to realize that a tax base and county-wide gravy train like ALCOA only comes along once in a long while. To continue on with the baseball analogy, and truth be told, any good baseball coach will tell you that homeruns rarely win you the game. It’s when a team puts together the base hits and solid overall offense that the game is won.

ALCOA was a homerun and every since they folded up shop, Milam County has been looking for the next grand slam. It’s time to get serious about economic development in Milam County and that starts, like all things political, at the local level. So, in short, the local level is where we have to start if we truly want to build a stronger Milam County.

I’ve looked around and there really isn’t anything you need, or want, that can’t be found right here in Milam County. From groceries, to clothing, to household supplies, to building materials, to auto dealers, to furniture, to any list of items you could need; It’s all right here in Milam County. I hear the arguments all the time; from it’s too expensive to there’s not enough selection, you make the argument and I guarantee you I’ve already heard it. So what’s the truth?

It’s your money, do what you want with it, but when businesses fold in Milam County we all lose. You might spend a bit more to shop at home and you might not be able to get that exact designer brand you had your heart set on, but when you shop local you are supporting you neighbors, friends, and your own pocket book over the long run. And when you leave the county to do you shopping, the county loses out on the tax money generated by the sales, and in turn so do the Milam County Tax-payers.

When you buy in Temple, Bell county enjoys the windfall of your purchase, Milam County gets nothing. If you buy in Bryan, Brazos County wins; buy in Austin, Travis County gains; buy in Waco and McLennan County adds to their coffers. See the trend?

When you shop out of county for items and stores fold in Milam County, the tax base shrinks. When Milam County citizens leave the county to find work, the county loses a tax-payer and the tax base shrinks. When the tax base shrinks, the tax rate has to go up to pay for county services.

I hear all the time, ”if there was an HEB here in Milam County I’d shop there, but I have to go to Temple/Taylor/Bryan/Waco to use HEB?”

GUESS WHAT…. If we all “sacrificed” some and shopped locally for a while, HEB would notice and build in Milam County. BUT… HEB doesn’t build in Milam County because they know you’ll make the 25-45 minute trip to the nearest HEB. They don’t need to come to Milam County because Milam County will come to them.

We have three car dealerships in Milam County and several used car lots, yet how many people take the trip down the road and buy a car and give their tax money to other counties. That’s a lot of money every year that leaves Milam County.

Home improvements are an always an ongoing occurrence, yet every hardware store and lumber yard in Milam County struggles while you drive to the next county over to shop at the big chain store. I’m not sure, but I think most of the local stores employ local Milam County folks and help sponsor a great deal of the charitable works throughout the county. You don’t see too many of the big chain stores helping around Milam County.

Patronizing local businesses are the base hits that win a game. Sure it would be nice to hit the homerun, but the base hits and the full team press of a shopping local are what makes for a strong tax base, a lower tax rate, greater overall economic development, and a more prosperous Milam County. We might not be able to draw the Home Run, but each of us can make the base hits it takes to keep Milam County Strong.

Batter Up,
Bill

Another Limp List of Primary Ballot Propositions!

Over the next few weeks, I’d like to work my way through the ballot propositions passed by our State Republican Executive Committee (SREC). I find a few that are pretty good, a few that are the same old rhetorically proposed platform issues that we continually feel we need to reassert ourselves on and then some of the issues that are driving a wedge in us as a party.

I have a few weeks to go over these, so I won’t overwhelm anyone with my take on them all at one time. But I thought it would be good to put them out there. I would like for those of us who will vote on them to have some idea of what it is that the SREC thinks are the important issues for Texas Republicans to weigh in on.

I’ll keep from ripping the SREC on the issues they left off.

1. Texas should replace the property tax system with an appropriate consumption tax equivalent.

2. No government entity should ever construct or fund construction of toll roads without voter
approval.

3. Republicans in the Texas House should select their Speaker nominee by secret ballot in a binding caucus without Democrat influence.

4. Texas should require employers to screen new hires through the free E-Verify system to protect
jobs for legal workers.

5. Texas families should be empowered to choose from public, private, charter, or homeschool options for their children’s education, using tax credits or exemptions without government constraints or intrusion.

6. Texas should protect the privacy and safety of women and children in spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers in all Texas Schools and government buildings.

7. I Believe abortion should be abolished in Texas.

8. Vote fraud should be a felony in Texas to help ensure fair elections.

9. Texas demands that congress completely repeal Obamacare.

10. To slow the growth of property taxes, yearly revenue increases should be capped at 4%, with increases in excess of 4% requiring voter approval.

11. Tax dollars should not be used to fund the building of stadiums for professional or semi-professional sports teams.

So there they are. All 11 propositions in all their glory.

Read them, love them, hate them, debate them… WHATEVER…

I will be diving into these in the coming weeks, but with all that’s listed, I can’t help but wonder, where are the propositions for a balanced federal budget, addressing the current issues with the CPS system, the tax-payer funded boondoggle that is wind-generated power…. Geez!!

Those are just three off the top of my head, but I did say I’d keep from ripping the SREC – FOR NOW!!

Anyway, take a look at them and we can get into more details in the days to come.

Good Night!!
Bill

Republican Women of Milam County Meeting!!

Come join us for the Republican Women of Milam County’s first meeting for the Fall as we prepare for the 2018 Election Season.

We’ll meet on Tuesday, August 19^th at 6:30 in the conference room of the Budget Host Inn & Suites in Cameron.

There’s a lot going on this year and some changes in store for the upcoming year so come on and out and get involved.

See You There!!

Bill

Election Filing Starts TODAY!!

If you are thinking of running for office this year in the GOP Primary or serving as a member for the county Executive Committee then here are some important dates for the upcoming March 2018 Primary Election.

September 12, 2017 – First day to file for office for the positions of Precinct Chair.

November 11, 2017 – First day to file for a place on the 2018 Primary Ballot.

December 11, 2017 at 6:00 pm – Last day to file for a place on the 2018 Primary Ballot.

January 1, 2018 – First day to apply for a ballot by mail.

February 5, 2018 – Last day to register to vote in the 2018 Primary Election.

February 20-March 2, 2018 – Early Voting for the 2018 Primary Election.

February 23, 2018 – Last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received, not postmarked).

March 6, 2018 – Primary Election Day.

Along with the state and federal elections, this years slate of local Milam County Offices up for elections are as follows:

County Judge

Commissioner, Pct. 2

Commissioner, Pct. 4

County Clerk

District Clerk

County Treasurer

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4

If you have any questions or concerns just contact me at williamwhitmire@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Bill

BREAKING RECORDS!! 2016 Early Voting – Week 2 – Day 3

Here are the early voting totals to date and it’s official…. WE BROKE OUR OWN EARLY VOTING RECORD….

Here are the totals following yesterday’s voting.

For November 2, 2016

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 161 (105)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 147 (132)

Buckholts Community Center – 18 (28)

Thorndale VFW – 62 (36)

Ballot by Mail – 12 (13)

Limited – 3 (0)

Military – 0 (0)

Total – 403 (314)

Up-To-Date Totals

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 1948 (1722)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 1579 (1218)

Buckholts Community Center – 208 (170)

Thorndale VFW – 631 (359)

Ballot by Mail – 491 (295)

Limited – 19 (3)

Military – 19 (16)

Total – 4895 (3783)

The 2016 to-date total of 4895 has already broke the 2012 total number of 4752 early voters and we still have two days of early voting left. To add to those already high totals, we also have maintained pace at 30% ahead of 2012 numbers, and as of yesterday, over 33% of all the eligible voters in Milam County have already voted.

Someone made the point to me that some of those voters might be voting for the other side and there is truth in that; however, with the rather lethargic voting turnouts we’ve had the last few years, I am excited to see us moving in the right direction.

Keep up the awesome work!!

Two more days of Early Voting left, so get out there a vote. 

As a note, the polls will close early on Friday to allow everyone the opportunity to attend services for Porter Young. Our condolences go out to his family and many friends.

Thanks,

Bill

2016 Early Voting – Week 2 Day 2

After the Tuesday’s Early Voting polls closed, we are closer to going over the 2012 mark but still a bit shy; however, what a huge leap in voter turnout we are having overall this year. I got a call today from on the folks at the state party and they have taken notice of the vote here in Milam County. They are very impressed at our voter turnout considering there are no contested races on the local slate.

I told them, “that’s because Milam County Voters pay attention to what’s going.”

Here are the totals following yesterday’s voting.

For November 1, 2016

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 133 (147)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 153 (115)

Buckholts Community Center – 23 (20)

Thorndale VFW – 53 (36)

Ballot by Mail – 2 (8)

Limited – 0 (0)

Military – 0 (0)

Total – 364 (326)

Up-To-Date Totals

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 1787 (1617)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 1432 (1086)

Buckholts Community Center – 190 (142)

Thorndale VFW – 569 (513)

Ballot by Mail – 479 (282)

Limited – 16 (3)

Military – 19 (16)

Total – 4492 (3469)

Pretty good stuff folks. Well over a thousand more have voted in this year’s election than at the same time in 2012. Hopefully that holds steady.

I have received some more calls about faulty voting machines and such. Let me say once again that we have not had any erroneous votes, nor have we had any machines changing votes. I would offer that we all should check our ballots before we press the “Cast Ballot” button. As always, if you are not sure about something please ask one of the election officials to help you out, they are there to help you.

We have had some reports of voters coming to the polls with less that helpful attitudes and I would just ask each of us to take the time and give the election workers a chance. They are all hard-working folks who are out here to help us vote, not take any abuse.

Early Voting continues through Friday, November 4^th, followed by Election Day this coming Tuesday, November 8^th.

Thanks Again,
Bill

A Sign of This Election!

Sign found recently in Rural Milam County.

For a while it was a chore to get some Trump/Pence signs but we finally did. As a matter of fact, in past years we have only ordered about 200 yard signs for the presidential race and usually had some left over. This year we have had to order them twice and are still running low.

Part of the reason is the demand, but part of it is the blatant vandalism by those who do not agree with the Trump candidacy.

Now as many have been keen to go after the Dems for this sort of shenaniganry, I will not do as my local county Dem counter-part habitually does and resort to some namby-pamby name-calling rant about how the other party is the most terrible thing incarnate of the world.

NOPE!!

I’ll just tell you this is the worst year on record for GOP signs to be vandalized in all sort of manner. I’ve seen people paint on the signs as shown above. But this year they have resorted to drawing some items that would be more appropriate for a sign belonging to a Democrat like Anthony Wiener.

Heck, some of these hooligans had the time to steal a Trump sign, cut it into the shape of Anthony Wiener’s favorite body part, and then put it back where they got it.

Honestly, if it wasn’t so vulgar, the cutting on the signs might be worth leaving since the cutting draws added attention to the signs – But we are better than that.

But we are better than that……AND, even if someone wanted to vandalize a Dem sign…...GOOD LUCK FINDING ONE!!!

Anyway, it’s been a tough year on signage…. Unless you’re a sign maker.

Signing Off,

Bill

2016 Early Voting – Week 2, Day 1

A good start to the second week of Early Voting and as usual, the second week tends to slow down a bit. But regardless of the slowdown, we are still moving ahead and should break our records for Early Voting sometime today or tomorrow.

For October 31, 2016

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 176 (146)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 152 (128)

Buckholts Community Center – 18 (15)

Thorndale VFW – 65 (35)

Ballot by Mail – 21 (20)

Limited – 1 (2)

Military – 1 (2)

Total – 434 (348)

Up-To- Date Totals

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 1654 (1470)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 1279 (971)

Buckholts Community Center – 167 (122)

Thorndale VFW – 516 (287)

Ballot by Mail – 477 (274)

Limited – 16 (3)

Military – 19 (16)

Total – 4128 (3143)

Currently, nearly 29% of Milam County Voters have already voted in this year’s election. AND we are still above the 2012 totals by over 30% and on pace to easily break the 5,000-voter mark during Early Voting.

When I go to state function and meetings, one of the primary qualifications for a county in how the state and federal folks look at us is how many of us vote. The higher the voting percentage in a county the more interest those in office take in us.

In an election like this year’s election, this is where we make our mark. Are we always looked at as a small county, or as a county where an overwhelming majority of our population get out and vote to make a difference? This is the most important election in the history of our country and it’s up to us all to get out and vote to make that difference.

Early Voting is open until Friday, November 4^th. Election Day will be Tuesday, November 8^th throughout Milam County. I will list the polling places in the next few days, but remember, you can vote in any of the Milam County Locations…so go out and Vote!!!

Thanks,

Bill

2016 Early Voting – 1st Week Totals

As we enter the second week of Early Voting for this year’s General Election, here are the numbers. I am excited about these numbers as it truly shows how serious we are taking this election here in Milam County even without any locally contested races.

First Week Totals

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 1478 (1324)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 1127 (843)

Buckholts Community Center – 149 (107)

Thorndale VFW – 451 (252)

Ballot by Mail – 456 (254)

Limited - 15 (10)

Military – 18 (14)

Total – 3694 (2795)

As of right now, our voting numbers at staying around the 30% mark higher than in 2012.

After only the 1^st week of this year’s Early Voting, nearly 80% of those that voted early in 2012 have already voted.

Keep up the great work.

Early Voting continues in Milam County through Friday, November 4^th.

Thanks Again,

Bill

2016 Milam County Ballot

Someone emailed me to ask where they could find a sample ballot for the General Election.

I know it was printed in the newspapers and I believe it is online on the www.milamcounty.net site; however, I figured I would put it on this blog as well.

This is the ballot for Precinct 1 voters. The state and federal ballot is the same; however, each precinct has some precinct specific races and none of the local races are contested. If you’d like to see the list of Republicans running for local, state, and federal offices you can go to www.milamgop.org and check there.

Here are the two sheets that comprise the ballots. If you can't read on them you should be able to click on them to enlarge them.

If you have any questions or concerns you can always email us at milamgop@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Bill

2016 Early Voting - Day Three

As we enter Day 4 of Early Voting for this year’s General Election, here are the numbers. Once again they are impressive here in Milam County as they are throughout the state and country.

For October 26, 2016

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 257 (180)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 191 (154)

Buckholts Community Center – 37 (16)

Thorndale VFW – 68 (49)

Ballot by Mail – 41 (10)

Military – 0 (0)

Total – 594 (409)

Two Day Totals

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 763 (663)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 706 (512)

Buckholts Community Center – 89 (53)

Thorndale VFW – 243 (156)

Ballot by Mail – 410 (232)

Limited - 2 (0)

Military – 14 (12)

Total – 2227 (1628)

Those number are exceptional and show just how motivated Milam Country is this year to get out and vote in this HUGE Election.

As of right now, our voting numbers at nearly 37% higher than in 2012.

After only 3 days of this years Early Voting, 47 % of those that voted early in 2012 have already voted.

Keep up the great work and remember, if you can't make it during the week then there will be Early Voting this Saturday, October 29th, from 7 am to 7 pm at the County Clerk's Office in Cameron.

Thanks Again,

Bill

Early Voting - Day Two

Well the second day of early voting has concluded and the number of voters is really setting some new high water marks for the entire country and things are no different right here in Milam County.

Here are some of the stats here in Milam County after two days of Early Voting.

For October 25, 2016

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 245 (223)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 243 (177)

Buckholts Community Center – 36 (21)

Thorndale VFW – 91 (41)

Ballot by Mail – 4 (17)

Military – 0 (2)

Total – 621 (481)

Two Day Totals

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 506 (483)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 515 (358)

Buckholts Community Center – 52 (37)

Thorndale VFW – 175 (107)

Ballot by Mail – 369 (222)

Military – 14 (12)

Total – 1633 (1219)

As you can see we are on a tremendous pace to break some Early Voting Records here in Milam County, even without any contested races in the local elections. Currently, Early voting is alread7 33% more than in 2012, that's pretty impressive!!

On the issue of malfunctioning machines, refer to my blog from yesterday where I addressed this issue. In summary, the issue comes when a voter uses the straight-ticket selection. 

If you vote straight-ticket, the machine will need you to select "Cast Ballot" more than once in order to count your vote. In the past it only took selecting "Cast Ballot" once to do so; however, now it will require you to view the summary before actually casting your vote to make sure you actually want to use the straight-ticket selection.

As a rule of thumb, make sure you see the completion screen with the flag on it before you vacate the polling booth. If you don't see that Flag Screen then ask for help, the Election Staff will be more than happy to assist you.

So let's all get out and vote. vote Early or on Elections day but please do go out and vote.

Thanks,
Bill

Early Voting – Day One

As we all know, this year’s Presidential Election is anything but normal.

After looking at opening day totals, I would like to thank everyone for all their support. The first day or early voting saw large numbers of voting throughout the state and Milam County is no different.

Below I have posted the voting totals for yesterday below and the 2012 totals of Milam County Voters.

For October 24, 2016

Location – Voters (2012 Voters)

County Clerk’s Office – 261 (260)

Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center – 272 (181)

Buckholts Community Center – 16 (16)

Thorndale VFW – 84 (66)

Ballot by Mail – 365 (205)

Military – 14 (10)

Total – 1012 (738)

The total of 1012 voters casting ballots yesterday represents nearly 7 % of the eligible voters in Milam County. Not bad for the first day of voting

The number of voters voting yesterday was a 137% increase from the 2012 election and we have already received 15 more ballots by mail than the total received in 2012.

With these numbers showing up all over the state and country, it would appear 2016 may break all records for voter participation.

Early voting runs through November 4^th and the County Clerk’s office will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Saturday, October 29th for voting as well. You can vote at any of the locations.

There are still a limited number of Trump signs available, email me for directions on how to get one.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at milmgop@yahoo.com or at 254-482-0354.

Thanks,

Bill

Voting Machine Issues

Good Afternoon,

As we move through early voting I am already receiving phone calls of voting machines that are not registering votes correctly.

Currently we are not having any machine issues. The issues that folks have called about concern straight-ticket voting so let me explain how that works. Since you are straight-ticket voting and not selecting each candidate individually, the voting machine will make you look over the summary page before it allows you to cast your ballot. If you try and cast the ballot too quickly then it will make you verify your selection and possibly select the “Cast Ballot” button again.

Apparently, this is a verification step to allow each voter to verify that they are indeed voting for whomever they want and not skipping a down-ballot race they might have wished to vote in.

I would recommend that everyone take their time and use care when voting to make sure your ballot counts as cast.

If you have any concerns or thinks something is out of the ordinary, please contact one of the following; myself at the number below, the Milam County Clerk’s Office at 254-697-7049, or you can call the Ballot Integrity Hotline at 512-766-4597.

Thanks,

Bill

Bill Whitmire

Chairman,

Republican Party of Milam County

254-482-0354

Saturday Meeting in Rockdale - August 13, 2016

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know that this Saturday, at the Rockdale branch of Citizens National Bank (104 E. Cameron Ave) there will be a training meeting for GOP Leaders and those interested in helping the party.

The meeting will be led by the SD-5 SREC leaders with folks from the RPT helping to lead the training.

I would invite anyone interested in the workings of the RPT and electioneering in the coming year.

Meeting starts at 10:00 AM.

Thanks,

BIll

Do They Really Need the Water?

Over the years, and recently far-too-often, Milam County and like other rural Central Texas counties have been made fully aware that the ground water we enjoy is greatly coveted by the ever growing Urban areas that surround us. With the I-35 Corridor between Georgetown and San Antonio being one of the fastest growing areas in the entire country, urban water usage is an ever-growing issue that threatens all of the surrounding regions water sources.

Be it the “Oppose the San Antonio Hose” signs around Milam and Burleson Counties to the morning conversations of the coffee drinking farmers and ranchers of the area, the water grab is a major topic of concern to many folks in rural Central Texas. If the water was required to meet the needs of an increase in population that would be one thing; and while that is the claim by those in power, that isn’t the entirety of the reason. NO, there are other, less-necessary issues that cause this requirement for water like water parks, HOA’s and Golf Courses to name a few.

Water parks are the epitome of first-world ridiculousness. They already abound all along the I-35 corridor here in Central Texas with more of them on the way. Not too very long ago it was enough to have the multiple lakes and rivers around Central Texas; however, now we need the added benefit of a water park every few miles to make it easier to get to watery fun!

Home Owners Associations have become the norm over the last 50 Years or so. And with those HOAs come the inevitable requirements for a well-watered and manicured lawn. Regardless of the drought conditions, the lawns in the neighborhoods must be maintained. If water usage and conservation was truly a concern of law-makers and developers along the I-35 corridor, then more communities would be embracing low water use lawn systems like other areas of the Southwest United States. Instead, they still continue to worry more about the appearance of their beautifully marketed green neighborhoods than they do the water they are wasting.

Lastly, there are golf courses. Now before anyone jumps the shark and deems me an anti-golf tree-hugging loon, let me assure you nothing could be farther from truth. I love playing golf. I’m not any good at it, but I love the game. That said, this is a tremendous waste of water in urban areas. At my count there are at least 16 full-sized golf courses in Williamson County alone and there are a couple more on the way. Now don’t get me wrong, I love golf, but in all honesty it is a huge waste of water in an area that apparently can’t sustain its own water use.

To Summarize, if simple population growth was the main reason for this water grab, then most rural residents in Central Texas would be less apprehensive; however, it’s far from that simple. These few examples are just the tip of the iceberg, but they easily demonstrate how the first-world excess the urban areas “require” can create a demand for rural water that is far an above that of mere sustainability. And remember, rural water is a must when you think that most of it is used for the very agricultural necessities those same urban areas require.

Surf’s Up!

Bill

The Milam County Health Department

Yesterday during Commissioner’s Court the members voted on turning over the Milam County Health Department to the Texas State Department of Health Services Region 7 control. This proposal had been tabled for a while to allow the county commissioners to research the issue and touch base with their constituency in order to make an informed choice.

Yesterday, after a short discussion the topic was voted on and it was agreed to keep the status quo and continue to operate as the Health Department has since its inception in the 1940’s.

Prior to and following the vote, many folks have asked me what is the position of the Republican Party of Milam County on this topic. Officially, the local party has not convened to discuss the Health Department and therefore has no stance on this issue. For me to offer an opinion on this topic as the party’s stance would be a disservice to those who work so hard for the Republican Party of Milam County.

I will say that the Republican Party of Milam County is fully supportive of the process the County Commissioners’ Court used to explore this plan, research the issue, and then make the decision they felt was best for the people of Milam County.

On a personal note, as a Republican I believe in a representative form of government where the elected represent and govern based on the beliefs and values of the constituency that elected them. Regardless of the social welfare arguments, big-government/small-government issues, or any other such politically-fueled squabbles, the important issue is that those with the authority to make decisions do so in a manner the best represents and serves those that elected them to public office.

In this case, I personally believe the Commissioners’ Court got both the process right and the decision right; however, if you disagree there is always another election coming up in the future.

See you at the polls!!

Bill

Milam County Resolutions for the State Party Platform

Every two years, county political parties conduct Precinct Conventions and a County Convention in preparation for the State Convention held every two years. During the Precinct Conventions, Resolutions are considered and if passed, are forwarded to the County Convention.

During the March 19th County Convention, the Resolutions Committee considers the resolutions passed from the Precinct Conventions and they are presented to the Convention for passage. Those resolutions that are passed are then sent on to the Texas State Convention for consideration and possible inclusion in the State Platform.

This is why the Precinct and County Conventions are so important if you really want to be a part of the process of how the parties work. Below I have included the resolutions that were passed out of the most recent Republican Milam County Convention.

Thanks,

Bill

1.       Resolution One - Delegates to the RNC National Convention

be it resolved THAT for the Republican Party, no delegates having voting power within the nomination framework shall exist without being selected by or bound to a vote from the primaries or caucuses of the States which they represent; that no unpledged “super Delegates” currently exist or will ever be created to interfere with the states intent of the people.

2.       Resolution Two – Campaign Finance Account Limitations

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Campaign accounts of candidates, whether elected or not, should only be allowed to be opened for a finite period of time rather than the current system which allows candidates to keep their campaign accounts open for an unlimited time period. Accounts may be open and funds may only be raised from a time period of four (4) months prior to the filing period for an election and that all accounts must be closed out in a timely manner following the end of a candidate’s campaign, regardless of the outcome.

3.       Resolution Three – Total Delegates to the State Convention

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Convention of the Republican Party of Texas has become too cumbersome to manage properly with the current number of delegates allowed to the convention; therefore, the number of Delegates should be reduced to a more controllable number of delegates from the state with a system being similarly based on the number of gubernatorial votes from the counties; however, the numbers should then be reduced on a curve where the county with the largest number GOP Gubernatorial votes would receive fifty (50) delegates and the remainder of the counties would have their delegation determined based on a percentage of that same calculation with no county receiving less than three (3) delegates.  This process would, reduce confusion and disruption at the convention, lower the cost of the convention, provide a wider variety of venues for the convention to be held, and increase productivity of the event.

4.       Resolution Four – Congressional Term Limits

BE IT RESOLVED THAT service in the Texas State Legislature and the United States Congress should be controlled and restricted by a set of term limits. The terms of service would be limited to the length of time as laid out below.

Texas State Legislature – Total Service of eight (8) years.

Examples:

            Four (4) terms in the State House;

or Two (2) terms in the State Senate;

or Two (2) terms in the State House and one (1) term in the State Senate.

United States Congress – Total Service of twelve (12) years.

            Examples:

Six (6) terms in the U.S. House;

or Two (2) terms in the U.S. Senate;

            or Three (3) terms in the U.S. House and one (1) term in the U.S. Senate.

5.       Resolution Five – The Reorganization of the Texas House of Representatives

Be it Resolved that we urge the Texas Legislature to enact legislation amending the Texas State Constitution to allow the Texas Senate to continue to be districted based on populations, but require each member of the Texas State House of Representatives to represent two (and only two) geographically-attached counties defined by a like rural or urban population size, thus reducing the size of the House from 150 members to a total of 127 Members while presenting a geographically based house of the legislature.