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.

Milam County GOP Convention - Be A Part Of The Process!!!!

Milam County GOP

Precinct/County Conventions

Date: Sautrday, March 19, 2016

Place: Yoe High School Preforming Arts Center Cameron, Texas

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Precinct Conventions start at  9:00 a.m. immediately followed by the County Convention.

For more information, contact Bill Whitmire, Milam GOP County Chairman at milamgop@yahoo.com or at 254-482-0354.

Why You Need to Vote in the Primary

As in years past, I have heard many ask why they should vote in this year’s primary election when it comes to the Presidential Election. I always here “My vote doesn’t matter,” or “the race has already been decided by the time Texas holds it’s primary.”

In years past there was a significant bit of truth to this; however, this year’s primary election is going to be much different in the GOP Primary. Your primary vote will count more this year than ever before when it comes to the Presidential election.

There are two reasons for this and I will do my best to explain them in a short and concise manner.

First, the time between the first caucus/primary and the Texas Primary will be about 4 weeks instead of the 10 plus weeks that it was in 2012. That means that in 4 weeks more than half of the GOP primaries will be complete rather than the drawn out three and a half months that is took in 2012. That gives Texas and many other states a much better say in who will be the GOP nominee for President.

Along with this move there was another change that many folks had called for long ago. As part of the process to move the primaries up on the calendar, all the states holding a primary prior to March 15^th will have to distribute their delegates proportionally rather than winner take all as had been the policy before.

That means that rather than the winner of the Texas Primary getting all the delegates at the national convention, the delegates will be distributed proportionally between the candidates based on their percentage of the Primary vote. That means your vote does count in giving your candidate a better chance to get some delegates.

AND, if you’re not certain who you like as a candidate for President, don’t worry!! On this primary ballot there will be a space for “Uncommitted” so you can vote that way and there will be an uncommitted group of delegates at the Convention. Of course the delegation is held to their primary votes only on the first round of balloting, then they can choose who they want.

That brings us to the delegates, their votes, and a brokered convention…...BUT…...I’ll discuss that in a few weeks as we get closer to the Primary.

So for now, pay attention and pick you candidate. Your vote will be counted and your voice can be heard. Come to the Precinct Conventions and the County Convention on March 19th. Be a part of the process.

I look forward to seeing y’all!!

Thanks,

Bill

Convention Delegate Numbers Released

Got word today that we will have 11 delegate positions for the 2016 State GOP Convention this May 12-14 in Dallas. This means that we will have spots for 11 Delegates and 11 Alternates to go to the convention.

This year's convention is during a Presidential election so we will be selecting the delegates for the National Convention to be held in Cleveland, Ohio. This convention will be held July 18-21, 2016 and we will have the opportunity to send folks from here in Milam County is you wish to put you name in for consideration.

But first off it is important to remember that it all starts off with the Local Precinct and County Conventions to be help March 19th. Site of the convention has yet to be determined. That information is in work and should be announced in the next week.

This is the process so get involved!!

Thanks,
Bill

2016 Republican General Primary Ballot Propositions

Below are the Ballot propositions that will appear on the 2016 GOP Primary Ballot on the March 1^st Primary Election. These propositions were proposed by various parties and worked their way through the process to be approved for the ballot by the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC).

Out of the 52 propositions presented, 48 did not make it. It is important to remember that these propositions are not laws, but are propositions the party will use to set policy for future elected officials to use as a guideline while in office.

As always there are some folks who were incredibly upset at some of the propositions that were or were not included; however, the one that definitely generated the most controversy was the following:

 “If the Federal Government continues to disregard the Constitution and the sovereignty of the State of Texas, the State of Texas should reassert its prior status as an independent nation.”

In the end, this proposition only garnered 16 of 62 votes, so in reality it wasn’t very well received by the SREC. What’s your opinion?

Below are the four ballot propositions that will appear on the March 1^st Primary Ballot:

1. Texas should replace the property tax with an alternative other than an income tax, and require voter approval to increase the overall tax burden. YES/NO

2. Texas cities and counties should be required to comply with federal immigration laws or be penalized by loss of state funds. YES/NO

3. Texas should prohibit governmental entities from collecting dues for labor unions through deductions from public employee paychecks. YES/NO

4. Texas and its citizens should strongly assert 10th Amendment Rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution which states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States Respectively, or to the people.” YES/NO

Well, there are the four issues the SREC felt warranted a place on the ballot. If you have any ideas, propositions, or resolutions you would like to add to the process, then please come to your precinct convention and the County Convention and present your ideas.

The convention is where resolutions and propositions are received and forwarded to the state. IT’s also where delegates are elected to go to Dallas for the State Convention in May. This year’s state convention will elect delegates the national convention in July held in Cleveland, Ohio. Current plans are to hold both of the Precinct and County Conventions on March 19^th at a time and place to be determined.

If you haven’t been to the conventions, then you are truly missing out on one of the most important parts of the election and governing process.

One last note, tonight is the ballot drawing for a place on the March 1^st Primary Ballot. If you are interested to see the process work, then come on by. It will be held at 411 E. First Street in Cameron.

Until Next Time!!

Bill

Quick Milam GOP Update!!

Hello Everyone,

Hope everyone is getting for a little national convention action. We’ll keep those in the path of Isaac in our prayers, but we have a convention to complete in Tampa that will select the next President of the United States.

First I wanted to thank all those who helped out Donna Orsag. With your help she was able to get lots of new signs. If you haven’t seen them or know somewhere to put one up let me know.

Remember, we have seven local candidates in contested races this November so we need help getting the word out and putting out signs so if you need one let me know. We have signs for the following.

Judge John Youngblood – District Court Judge

Bill Torrey – County/District Attorney
Donna Orsag – County Treasurer
Kolette Morgan – County Tax Assessor
George Tomek – County Commissioner, Precinct 1
John Fisher – County Commissioner, Precinct 3
Fred Keefer – Constable, Precinct 4

As the convention is becoming more and more prominent on the news I have been getting several phone calls about signs and hours of operation for the Party office. We are ordering signs this week and should be able to pick them up so we can start getting them out ASAP. We are also going to be buying some bumper stickers also. If you would like some let me know and we will make sure you get what you need to show your support.

The Milam GOP Executive Committee will be having a meeting next week to determine the hours of operation for the party headquarters and then I will put them out on Party website, via email, on Facebook and in the newspaper. Remember, if you haven’t checked out the Facebook site then please go to it and like it. We have lots of good info there also.

If you have any questions or concerns please give me a shout and I will be glad to help you out.

Thanks,

Bill

 

Bill Whitmire

Chairman,
Republican Party of Milam County
milamgop@yahoo.com

June 19, 2012 – Republican Women’s Meeting

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to drop everyone a quick note to let them know that this Tuesday, June 19^th; the Republican Women of Milam County will be having their monthly meeting at 6:30 at the Budget Host Inn and Suites in Cameron.

Now that the primary is completed, we are waiting on the runoff so we can get the last remaining races out of the way. Then we can move on to November and do as they said at the state convention and “Take Back Our County.” Both of the candidates for Milam County Sheriff have been invited to Tuesday’s meeting so it would be a good opportunity to come by and discuss the race with them.

Also during the meeting we will have some guest speakers. Our New State Republican Executive Committee Representative Megan Higginbotham will be on hand as will National Republican Party Committeewoman Borah Van Dormolen will also be with us. Both of these women will discuss their offices and the issues that affect us all.

We will also be discussing the August Old-Fashioned Rally in the Park as this year’s special guest will be U.S. Representative Bill Flores. So come on out Tuesday and spend some time with a great group of Milam County Conservatives. I know many times we get these emails and think about them but don’t go to the meetings, but we need everyone’s involvement this year. This is the most important election of our lifetime, now we have to make it the most important election in our life.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Thanks,

Bill

The Convention!

Well, I was able to shoot out updates and Twitter some but I don’t think I got out as much as I wanted to. I did get the first morning’s activities out so let me just play a quick game of catch-up.

The first afternoon and second morning was spent in our Senate District 5 Caucus. During this time we elected our representatives to the permanent Rules Committee, the Platform Committee, as well as several other committees.

Russell Martinez of Walker County and Megan Higginbotham of Williamson County were chosen to act as our Representatives for the next two years. I look forward to working with both of them. Voting was difficult because all the folks running for these offices were good quality people and any of them would have made good representatives for SD-5.

Later that afternoon we had more speeches with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Senator John Cornyn, and Lt Gov. David Dewhurst. Then we began the review and acceptance of the Party Rules and Platform. We finally had to recess from that for the first Congressional District Caucus session. During our first CD-17 Caucus session we choose the Caucus Officers and I was privileged to be chosen as the Vice-Chair of the CD-17 Caucus. After that we had an address by CD-17 Representative Bill Flores.

After the CD-17 Caucus everyone broke for the night’s gatherings. Some went to the Governor’s Gala event which featured the likes of Rick Santorum. I chose not to go and I think I got the best out of it as I ran into Herman Cain in the lobby of our Hotel and was able to have a pretty nice conversation with him. What a super nice man.

We discussed several things including my Great-Uncle who was one of the founders and leaders of the Henry County Georgia GOP where Mr. Cain lives. I think I got the best end of the Gala deal because I didn’t even have to buy a ticket and got to spend some time with a real gentleman of the Republican Party.

Later that night we reassembled for the nights work to finalize the rules and platform finishing up about 11:30 pm. These sessions are some of the fun of the convention as you see all the folks with agendas and all the people who have WAY too much knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order. To many folks it is boring and hard to follow, but in reality it is honestly how the wheels of democracy work.

Saturday we all got up bright and early to head to the second and final CD-17 Caucus to elect our representatives for the Republican National Convention in Tampa. We also had to elect an Elector to the National Convention as well as the National Committeeman and Committeewoman for the Republican National Executive Committee. Then we finally headed to the Arena for our last General Session and the concluding votes on the National Delegates and Electors.

The final speakers were the National Committeeman Dr. Robin Armstrong and Committeewoman Col. Borah Van Dormolen (US Army Ret.) – Two exceptional conservatives. Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst also spoke about their July run-off for the US Senate. But the best speeches of the day were those of Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. These two men are the sort we need in the highest offices.

Following the speeches we still had one last hurdle, and thanks to the Congressional District representing Fort Worth we had to wait until 5:30 pm to begin the final voting; nothing like having the hometown folks holding up the works. But we got it all done and we headed home having completed the tough work that needs to be done to allow our party to function and to organize our mechanism towards victory in November.

I would like to personally thank all those who attended the convention. For the second convention in a row we were able to have a full delegation and were able to vote at full strength. For a small county like Milam County I can’t even begin to tell you how significant that is. So thank you to those delegates and alternates who stood fast and took part.

If you are interested in the 2014 convention then come on out and get involved. The 2014 convention will be in Fort Worth again and we are already making plans to make the 2014 the best experience for the Republican Party of Milam County Delegation.

Got to Get Some Rest,

Bill