Monthly Archives: June 2013

(Community Matters) ok, I have to find some positive ones. Been reading too much news this morning.

(Community Matters) In this NYTimes editorial

Nationally, African-Americans are nearly four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as whites. The disparity is even more pronounced in some states, including Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota, where African-Americans are about eight times as likely to be arrested. And in some counties around the country, blacks are 10, 15 or even 30 times as likely to be arrested.

Interestingly, yesterday and in previous visits, Steven and I have noticed the casualness with which New Yorkers smoke pot on the streets; we’ve noticed this in San Francisco and Venice Beach too.

The domestic War on Drugs has been waged disproportionately on racial minorities – disheartening to see that this continues so fervently. Such great economic and educational strides during the 60s and 70s, until Reagan’s $1.7 billion to fight drugs and mandatory minimum penalty for drug offenses disproportionately applied against minorities.

(Community Matters) Suppose I should have thought about this, especially as the characterization of SCOTUS as the most corporate friendly – rather than the most conservative – has evolved.

Senator Elizabeth Warren on corporate influence on our courts.

(Community Matters) Just when I become optimistic that maybe, just maybe they might get it together . . . the chairman of the Republican National Committee urged religious conservatives Saturday to support the GOP’s plans to expand.

“When it comes to social issues, the party must in fact and deed be inclusive and welcoming,” according to an RNC report commissioned by Priebus after that election and released in March. “If we are not, we will limit our ability to attract young people and others, including many women, who agree with us on some but not all issues.”

. . . just when . . . 

Palin . . . .  also offered a warning to “the good old boys” in the GOP leadership who are calling for conservative activists to tone down aggressive rhetoric. “You do not marginalize, you don’t discredit and dismiss, every day average hard-working Americans — those who are part of that grass-roots tea party movement,” she [Sarah Palin] said.

“Just let them tell us to sit down and shut up,” Palin said later, “which I refuse to do.”

I’m starting to think Roger Ailes might be a double agent.

(Community Matters) a matinee and an evening show – Tony award-winning Best Play, VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE, and Tony award-winning best musical, Kinky Boots, respectively.

Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce star in VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE, Christopher Durang’s newest Broadway production. It was funny, very funny – super performers and a fun story.

I’m not a huge fan of musicals and we enjoyed Kinky Boots. They were having an off night, a few voice issues by the two male leads and, frankly, the choreography surprised me. Each of the stars (both male leads were nominated for best actor in a musical – Billy Porter won – and the female lead for best actress) had spectacular moments – Annaleigh Ashford was consistent tonight and nearly stole the show. Though impossible to steal the show from Porter, his character too sympathetic.

We’re glad to have seen each.

(Community Matters) In the Austin American Statesman

The metro area is now home to 67 cooperatives that generate almost $1.2 billion in annual revenue, according to data compiled by Cooperation Texas. They include everything from credit unions to housing co-ops, and from Wheatsville (the state’s only food co-op) to the sprawling electric cooperatives outside the city.

(Community Matters) We’ll hear their decision during the next two weeks – on either a Monday or Thursday. The Supreme Courts decision on Prop 8 is likely to be limited, upholding the overturn of Prop 8, thus ruling same sex marriage in CA legal but limiting the decision so that it’s a state by state decision. 

In the U.S. vs Windsor case, I expect they’ll overturn DOMA, allowing federal benefits to couples *recognized as married in their states.* This will be super and, hopefully, will render the immigration legislation’s exclusion of LGBT couples mute. For us personally, it’ll be bitter sweet. While we’re married (were legally married in Canada), our marriage is not recognized in Texas. We’ll have to reexamine the costs of Texas residency.

(Community Matters) so much fun hosting dinner last night for our young friends in Mother Falcon. They’re in NY for 3 weeks, playing NY, Boston, DC – staying in a big house in Queens, sharing cooking, cleaning and roadie responsibilities. It’s sort like a traveling commune – all young, bright, highly talented and motivated artists. Steven and Luke Hayes hosted while I arrived a bit late coming directly from the airport. After, beers at a new find, a cool outdorsey place, B Bar & Grill on E 40th with Luke & Chris.

Mother Falcon – American Hipster Presents #10 (Austin – Music)

(Community Matters) Steven gave the keynote at this year’s showcase – a bit about it in Silicon Hills. 

(Community Matters) Nearly 3 years ago, Janet Harman and Jennifer Esterline as the KDK-Harman Foundation (& quickly joined by Jason Sabo of Frontera Strategies) had the idea of organizing private family foundations to advocate for public education funding and policy. This has been realized as the Texas Education Grantmakers Advocacy Consortium. During the prior & last Texas legislation sessions, we’ve represented the largest consortium of private foundations advocating at the Capitol. We have made a difference and do take some credit for the restoration of public education funding and the promotion of favorable legislation.

At this morning’s Follow-Up Friday (just some of my short notes):

• Speakers: Jennifer Esterline, Jason Sabo, Rep. Mark Strama, Dr Uri Treisman (UT Dana Center), Dr. Patricia Lopez (UT, Tx Center for Education Policy), Allen Weeks (Save Texas Schools), Larkin Tackett (IDEA Public Schools), Morgan Smith (Texas Tribune)
• HB-5 morphed into an acceptable bill, though lifting of requirements for testing in 11th and 12th grade could signal end of accountable teaching in those grades at less mission-driven schools
• NPEA study showing Texas educational achievement – African Americans’ 4th highest in country; Hispanics 6th highest; Anglos 8th – overall, Texas 30th. It’s in the demographics
• The disagregation of accountability in performance reporting during the 90s has led to our dissatisfaction w/ performance – gives us important insight
• Tx SAT scores have remained flat despite change in demographics in test takers – suggesting we’re doing better
• HB 742 not funded but important – summer programs that extend the classroom, engage & reward the best teachers and apprentice new teachers
• Children at Risks study of impact of 2011 cuts on 400 ISDs and 65% of all Texas student population (which launched and seed funded thru KDK) had a substantial impact on the dialogue this session – fact & research based
• Education governance is increasingly removed from local communities
• Lack of citizenship training in schools
• Corporatazation of reform makes it all about money
• “how do we ensure children are prepared to live in the worlds they inhabit” .  . . vocational, community, virtual
• Opportunity & threat: redefinition of high school and college readiness
• Military is increasingly a family business – more than 50% of military personnel are from military families. History suggest a military so segregated from civilians is not a good thing.

(Community Matters) from Politico Playbook:

SAUSAGE-MAKING – WSJ A1, “Traders Pay for an Early Peek at Key Data,” by Brody Mullins, Michael Rothfeld, Tom McGinty and Jenny Strasburg : “Economic reports from public universities, trade groups and other nongovernmental organizations can move markets as surely as official data from the U.S. government. But unlike government reports, where pains are taken to make certain no one gets them ahead of time, few rules control release of nongovernmental economic reports. Unknown to many investors, selling early access is routine. … Besides the [University of] Michigan consumer-sentiment survey, reports released early to paying customers include a Chicago-based barometer of business activity and a widely followed manufacturing index from the Institute for Supply Management … Other organizations, including trade associations and private research firms, sell data that move industry-specific stocks and futures markets on everything from agriculture to truck sales. …

Continue reading →

(Community Matters) In WAPO, an underreported but important new administration initiative, publicly funded preschool for 4 year olds. 

In many ways, it’s hard for politicians to argue against the idea of helping small, wide-eyed children who leap with excitement at the alphabet song. But the dividends that come from preschool investment — higher rates of high school graduation and employment, lower rates of incarceration and teen pregnancy — don’t materialize until years down the line, way past the next election. And the idea of funding preschool by nearly doubling the federal tobacco tax — from $1.01 to $1.95 per pack of cigarettes — is anathema to many Republicans.