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

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

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

March 19, 2013 Repulican Women's Meeting

Hello Everyone,


I hope everyone is doing well. Just wanted to drop a little reminder that this is the third Tuesday of the month and as such it is the Republican Women of Milam County’s monthly meeting is tonight. It will be at 6:30 at the Budget Host Inn & Suites in Cameron.

Eric Opiela is the guest speaker tonight. Eric is the Executive Director and General Counsel for the Republican Party of Texas and he will be addressing the get out the vote efforts throughout the state and how to better it here in Milam County.

I invite you all to come on out for an informative talk, especially if you are an aspiring candidate for 2014. Remember, filing for the 2014 election starts in November at the latest and possibly as early as September depending on this year’s legislative session.

I would also like to take a moment to address an issue that I know is near and dear to our recently elected officials and that is campaign finance and helping y’all out with some of the expenses from last year’s campaign. During the last meeting we discussed this and wanted to make sure each of you know that there is still an opportunity to get some help from the RWMC.

I don’t think the system ran as smoothly as it should have last year and as the Chairman of the Milam GOP I take responsibility for that. I know there are a few of you out there who are still a little irked at me and I apologize. I should have done a better job keeping you all informed. I am thankful that each of you was elected, but I feel that some of you needed a little more help than you got and for that I apologize.

HOWEVER, like I said, after our meeting last month we decided to try and get you some help with last year’s expenses; to do so we need some help from you also. But in order to get some help we will need some information from you all and we need to definitely keep the lines of communication open.

There was a bit of a lack-of-communications issue last year and we are working on that by preparing for next year’s election by designating aid levels for candidates depending on whether they are county-wide or precinct candidates and by providing a candidates packet for Primary winners that will give the candidates instructions and an application to fill out to receive aid from the RWMC.

So there is the event for this evening and what we are looking forward to in the next few months. If you are not able to make it tonight and you would like to know more about running for office, getting some financial help for last year’s campaign, and whatever else you might have a question or concern about, then just give me a call.

I am very excited as I have already had a number of possible candidates already sit down with me to discuss the 2014 race and to begin the decision making process and the organizing required for a run for office. I would also suggest if you are considering a run for office in 2014 or you are a current office holder then you should probably be there.

I hope to see you all soon!

Thanks,
Bill



Bill Whitmire
Chairman
Republican Party of Milam County
254-482-0354