Monthly Archives: October 2008

(Community Matters) You go girl!

(Community Matters) Kirk Rudy and I are off to Grand Rapids this morning; Amy will join us tomorrow. Haylie Rudy is working for Obama and in charge of GOTV in Grand Rapids. We’ll be knocking on doors all weekend. Governor Granholm kicking off the canvassing Saturday morning. I suspect Kirk will sneak away to watch the UT game that evening. Hmm, maybe a chance for Amy & me to run out to the lake house for a couple of hours.

We’ll drive into Chicago on Tuesday evening.

(Community Matters) The California referendum to overturn same sex marriage is cataclysmic. Polls have gone from against (which is my position, i.e., not overturning gay marriage) at +8 to 10, to -5 last week back to +4, even or slightly below. Who to believe?

The Mormon Church has poured money into this race and so have (on the other side) unions, corporations, celebrities, fair-minded Americans from all over the country. The Right cyber attacked No on Prop 8′s website on Wednesday night, preventing online contributions (Florida’s was attacted yesterday). This has just further infuriated supporters. I’m on a list serve with gay lesbian leaders from around the country. Tim Gill immediately donated another $30k. Tens of others donating similarly, albeit most in slightly lesser amounts (I did too – regrettably at a significantly reduced amount). However, one wonderful lesbian couple who’d saved up money for a formal wedding donated their $50k to No on Prop 8 instead. For now, I think the Nos have the financial advantage but they won’t if another call goes out from the Mormon Church, which it will.

(Community Matters) from Andrew’s site, Karl Rove’s latest map showing “the race tightening” a bit but too late and Obama already with enough states to win (311 electoral votes)

(Community Matters) Attended a KUT donor luncheon yesterday featuring Quorum Report’s Harvey Kronberg. Retired State Senator Ray Farabee introduced Harvey (Ray by the way just published his memoirs).

Interesting presentation, lots of insightful wit and historical perspective. I take exception with a few citations, especially his recent polling information and know he’s confused about Hillary touring the Valley this week for Rick Noriega, that was three or so weeks ago, though he’s right, she is still helping (a la yesterday’s conference call). Harvey is bullish on Dems winning 4 House seats which reconciles with other information I’m receiving. He’s bearish about Senate seats and the Supreme Court. And, he’s a lot less optimistic about Harris County’s turning blue than any other operative I’m talking with. Additionally, cites stats indicating low youth turnout in Harris County early voting. Interesting that I (and friends) can’t find any good stats on this, though observational data says otherwise – I’m not a fan of “observational data” and appreciate the challenge of this information. Friends in the Obama campaign are now looking into this. I’ve asked it of Travis County officials too. Interesting opinions on both sides all over the web.

I hadn’t heard how the Senate has basically stripped Dewhurst of his authority. Evidently final-straw pushed by an over-the-top attack Dewhurst initiated against Whitmire during the Vote ID debate, Republican and Democratic state senators came together to cut him.

Lots of friends in attendance including Mary Margaret Farabee, Lynn Meredith, Chris Mattson, Brigid Shea, Robin Shivers, Alyson Suttle, Sandy Dochen, Ben Bentzin and Lydia Agraz.

(Community Matters) “This is the only job I’ve got, and I’m trying to save it,” Goolsby said. “Obama’s got people coming from the rafters.” Republican Texas House Member Tony Goolsby, Dallas (chairman of House Administrative Committee)

(Community Matters) Steven’s off to NYC this am for a quick gig, back very late tonight. Hope we’re up together at least a couple of hours before I depart to campaign in Michigan tomorrow.

(Community Matters) Production meeting last night to review plans for STILL FOUNTAINS set. Very cool. I have a pic but have been threatened if I post – rats!

The plays launch 11/29 – opening night reserved for family and sponsors. Tickets for the run available here.

(Community Matters) My life is pretty full of conference calls and two of yesterday’s were especially cool. In the am, Hillary Clinton hosted a call to talk about Rick Noriega’s campaign. She was good, and then she dropped the talking points, then she was great! Super political instincts and very enthusiastic about Rick’s race.

Late afternoon, Barack Obama joined our weekly NFC call. Very enthusiastic and emphatic that we all keep doing everything we are doing up to and including Nov 4. Says everything could turn on a dime and we needed to double down, not let up.

Community Matters) Joined Janet Harman and Jennifer Esterline on a KDK Foundation site visit yesterday to talk with staff and adult participants in Con Mi Madre, until recently a Junior League program established in 1992 as the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program.

The program increases Hispanic women’s participation in higher education through middle and high school support for young women and their mothers. Over 1,800 mother-daughter teams have gone through the program with 70% of its 478 graduates graduating into higher education. And, the program has awarded over $100k in college scholarships to 117 young women. Quite touching to hear from 7 mom’s what the program has meant to their daughters, themselves and their families.

I’ve long heard of this program since Cookie Ruiz helped launch it in Austin while she was Jr. League president. She still serves on the all-star board along with Karen Kahan (pres.), Bobby Garcia, Laura Wolf, Sylvia Acevedo, MariBen Ramsey and others. Enjoyed meeting and impressed by Con Mi Madre staff including executive director Sandy Segura Alcala, Sonia Castellanos and Leonor Vargas.

(Community Matters) Two women – friends for 60 years – blogging about Sarah Palin, George Bush and John McCain.

Well imagine my shock and surprise today when I came across this little item. The latest polls show that only 55% of Americans think that Sarah Palin is not qualified to be President. 55%! FIFTY FIVE PERCENT! This about the woman whose best qualification for the job to date is that she can see Russia from her house. So what exactly does Sarah Palin have to do before the other 45% of this country is shocked enough to realize that she is a “whack job”? Please Lord don’t tell me she has to show her hoo-ha in public.

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) If you haven’t already voted, I hope you’ll vote to approve AISD Proposition 1 allowing the district to add just under 4 cents per $100 valuation to further invest in our schools.

The state’s broken system of funding robs AISD of already tight funding and has resulted in AISD falling behind in teacher salaries. As you know, the quality of Austin’s workforce is critical to our future, as is the quality of our public school system to our commercial competitveness.

Please vote for AISD Proposition 1.

Austin students deserve good teachers.

Austin teachers deserve our support.

Austin ISD Proposition 1 – unanimously approved by the AISD Board of Trustees – will allow AISD to attract and retain highly qualified teachers and improve the quality of education in our schools.

Austin ISD is rated the second best urban school district on the Nation’s Education Report Card, due largely to the work of our very dedicated teachers — many who put aside their lunch and sacrifice their breaks to work with our children. They spend their summers creating new curriculum; they often purchase classroom supplies out of their own pocket to enhance classroom learning.
Prop. 1 will help attract and retain good teachers.
Austin ISD Prop. 1 will increase the school district’s maintenance-and-operations tax rate by 3.9 cents per $100 of property value. It would primarily be used to increase teacher and staff salaries by a modest three percent. An exemption is available for homeowners 65 and older.

The teacher pay raise will significantly close the pay gap between Austin ISD and the surrounding suburban school districts such as Round Rock and Leander ISD. This will help us keep the best and the brightest educators right here in our own community. If Prop. 1 does not pass, Austin ISD teachers and educators will not receive a pay raise and we may lose some of our best teachers.

Austin ISD’s tax rate will still the lowest in Central Texas

AISD has not increased its maintenance and operations tax rate in six years. Even if Prop. 1 is approved, AISD will continue to have the lowest tax rate in central Texas. We are now faced with this tax increase due to changes in Texas law in 2006, when school district revenue was locked in at the same per-student dollar amount as the 2005-2006 school year. There was no inflation adjustment and no cost-of-living adjust-ment—just a hard freeze. If Austin ISD needs to spend more money on gas for school buses or air conditioning for classrooms or wants to provide a modest pay raise for our teachers we have to hold a tax rate election. At the end of 2007, 140 districts had already held local elections to meet rising costs. It is now our turn.

Every child deserves a great teacher. Excellent teachers are critical to our children graduating with the skills necessary to succeed in college, their careers, and life. This is a great opportunity for our community to tell teachers that we value their work.
Parents, teachers, business leaders, and labor groups have all endorsed Prop 1 so that our children can have the quality teachers they deserve to thrive and succeed.
Now it is up to you.

Questions and Answers about AISD Prop. 1

Why does Austin ISD need to hold a tax rate election?
In the 2006 special session, the Texas Legislature in HB 1 froze the funding for public education at 2005-2006 levels. The only option for school districts to increase per-pupil revenue — to pay to put gas in school buses, or air conditioning in classes, or a modest pay raise — is for voters to approve raising the school tax rate. The Legislature requires school districts to go to the voters for a referendum to approve their tax rates.

How much will Prop. 1 cost me?

The average AISD homeowner would pay an additional $8.00 per month. Proposition 1 would increase the tax rate by 3.9 cents per $100 property valuation.

What happens if Prop. 1 is approved?

AISD teachers and educators will receive a 3% pay raise. Prop. 1 will allow AISD to attract and retain highly qualified teachers and improve the quality of education in our schools. A teacher pay raise will significantly close the pay gap between Austin ISD and the surrounding suburban school districts such as Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD.

What will happen if Prop. 1 fails?

There will be no pay raise for teachers if this proposition fails. The only way for Austin ISD teachers to receive a pay raise is if the voters approve AISD Proposition 1. It will be difficult for AISD to attract new teachers or retain good teachers.

Will this raise the tax rate of senior citizens?

No, there will be no tax increase for senior citizens (65 and older) who have filed for their exemption with the Travis County tax office.

Property values are going up. Can’t that cover salaries?

No. Most local government entities, such as Austin Community College and the City of Austin, can keep additional property tax revenue they receive from new developments and property appraisal increases. But with the legislative change for school financing in 2006, Austin ISD receives only 3% of its new revenue from growth in the tax rolls — and sends $173 million to the State of Texas.

Who is supporting Prop. 1?

Prop. 1 supporters include the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Central Labor Council, Austin Council of PTAs, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Association of Texas Professional Educators, and League of Women Voters.

How is AISD performing?

Well and getting better. According to the “Nation’s Report Card,” Austin ISD is rated either first or second among urban school districts at the 4th and 8th grade reading and math assessments. The Austin Chamber Education Progress Report for Austin ISD shows significant performance gains in high school completion, college readiness and direct to college enrollment. The FY2009 budget will invest in algebra readiness, high school completion, college readiness and college enrollment improvement efforts.

Is Austin ISD a good financial value?

Yes. Austin ISD is one of only five Texas school districts — out of more than 1,040 in the state — with an AA+ bond rating from the Moody’s bond rating agency. This means that Austin ISD taxpayers pay lower interest rates than almost anyone else. Unlike most other Texas school districts, Austin ISD has carefully built up its savings account (known as a fund balance) to ensure that natural disasters, large home value decreases or other unforeseen circumstances can be weathered.

(Community Matters) This endorsement is huge. My sister has lived in Pensacola for over 25 years, and I’ve traveled there with some frequency during this quarter century. There’s a reason it is called the redneck Riviera.

About three weeks ago, Bridget (my sister who works in accounting in Pensacola’s special events center) called to tell me people had waited in line for 9 hours to see Sarah Palin. She says she’d never seen anything like it. This weekend while we were in Sealy, she described the enthusiasm with which folks greeted Michelle Obama. There were too many people around for me to compare and contrast with Palin, but the message was clear. Michelle was also a rock star in this traditionally very conservative community which includes a huge airforce base.

Now, their daily endorses Barack.

Obama has attracted some of the country’s brightest minds, including investor Warren Buffett, Google CEO Eric Schmidt, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Paul Volcker, who was reappointed as chairman of the Federal Reserve by Ronald Reagan. McCain populated his campaign with Washington lobbyists.

McCain then raised questions about his judgment in his selection of an unqualified running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who, while energizing the “base,” has been a flop with most voters outside of what she recklessly calls the “pro-American” parts of our country.

And so we ask: Where is the McCain who warned that President Bush’s tax cuts, without spending cuts, risked creating the deficits that followed? He now embraces them. Where is the McCain who once spoke with authority and reason on immigration reform?

“We do not torture,” John McCain famously, and courageously, said. But he now supports a presidential veto of an anti-torture law.

(Community Matters) Michael Barnes writes in today’s AAS about eminent UT scholar, Paul Woodruff’s newest book, The Necessity of Theater. Steven will moderate Paul’s discussion at this weekend’s Texas Book Festival (Sunday, November 2, Texas State Capitol: Capitol Extension Room E2.016 – more Book Festival schedule)