Houston/Harris County, TX Focus

Some Houston/Harris County News:

King Street "Patriots" are breaking the law -- again...right wing extremists just have no respect for the law. If you have trouble with these thugs, please call the Harris County Sheriff's Department: 713-221-6000

Republican Rick Perry's web of stupidity and his $4.5 Million award to his donor

The long ballot in Harris County

Bumpy roads...we need more infrastructure investment in this country. Too bad the Republicans refuse to support this.

How low will we go: China to buy Texas oil rights

Haz-Mat Avenue, Houston


ENDORSED CANDIDATES:

Get out the Vote for Bill White:

Early voting starts on October 18th and lasts through October 29th. We need everyone to help Get Out the Vote for Bill White. Click here to find out how to make a difference.



Houston Mayor Bill White is running for Governor of Texas against incumbent Republican and avowed friend of BP Rick Perry. Despite Republican Perry's ability to raise huge donations from oil executives and the very rich (About 20 percent of Perry's money comes from ony 25 wealthy donors who gave at least $50,000 each), Bill White has raised more money than Perry, making this a competitive race.

Rick Perry is the oil company candidate while Bill White has been endorsed by the League of Conservation voters. Burnt Orange Report has also endorsed Bill White and had an excellent endorsement article back in February that is worth a read.


Hank Gilbert, Democrat for Commissioner of Agriculture

Tejanos endorsement video:



Please volunteer with Hank Gilbert's campaign. Or if you can't do that, please contribute.


Sheila Jackson Lee for Congress:

Sheila Jackson Lee has been endorsed by:

The Houston Chronicle
African American News & Issues
Jewish Herald-Voice
Harris County AFL-CIO Council
Latino Labor Leadership Council
Teamsters Local 968
HOPE, SEIU/ASFCME Local 123
National Nurses United
GLBT Political Caucus
Democracy for Houston
Houston Area Stonewall Democrats
Houston Stonewall Young Democrats
Humane Society Legislative Fund
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Asian-American Democrats of Texas
Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas Action Fund, Inc.
Sierra Club

and many others.

Find out more from Congresswoman Lee's website.


Diane Trautman for Harris County Tax Assessor

Democracy for America has endorsed Diane Trautman for Harris County Tax Assessor. Here is her statement to DFA:

Background:

I have a Bachelors degree in English and a Masters degree in Education from the University of Houston as well as a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University. I have over 30 years combined administrative and leadership experience in banking and education. Not only have I led large organizations, I teach others to do the same as a professor of education at Stephen F. Austin State University. As an active member of several chambers of commerce, community organizations, and Democratic clubs, I stay in touch with the needs of the community. I am proud to be wife to a very understanding husband, mother of three outstanding children, and grandmother of an adorable grandchild who all support me in my desire to bring ethical leadership to the Harris County Tax Office.

Goals:

In 2008, I was proud to be the Democratic nominee for Harris County Tax Assessor, proud to receive over half a million votes, and proud to be endorsed by the Houston Chronicle twice, once for the general election and once for the appointment after my opponent decided to quit 3 weeks after he was elected. The appointed interim tax assessor has had 2 lawsuits filed against him and now has a pending Department of Justice investigation on voter registration irregularities in that office.

As a result I feel that public trust in this office is at an all time low. So at the urging of family, friends, and supporters, I made the decision to run again for HCTA in 2010 to restore public trust and improve customer service in that office. As a professor of education, I teach my graduate students to be ethical leaders and the importance of earning their customers trust. I intend to do the same as Harris County Tax Assessor.

Issues:

1. Due to my 2008 opponent resigning under a shroud of suspicion and lawsuits filed against the current tax assessor,one of the biggest issues constituents face is a lack of trust in the tax office. I will address this by running a more transparent office and modeling ethical and appropriate office holder behavior.

2. Another issue for constituents is lack of customer service, specifically in the area of voter registration. Last year, thousands of voters were dropped from the rolls and thousands of provisional ballots were not counted in a timely manner. I will address this by developing a voter registration system that is fair, inclusive and works for all Harris County citizens and will promote community outreach and voter education throughout the county year round.

3. Adequate staffing and training is a big problem in the Harris County Tax office. The past two tax assessors have cut staff in vitally important parts of the office and have had several department heads who have been accused of conflict of interest by using their position to influence voters. I would do a needs assessment for staffing all parts of the office immediately upon taking office, implement employee training programs for ethical behavior, and get rid of all political appointee department heads who know nothing about running the tax office.

Please volunteer for Trautman's campaign or if you can't do that, please contribute.


EVENTS:

You can find many local Houston and Harris County events at the Harris County Democratic Party Here are some of the events that are listed:

Come Join in the fun at the weekly TGIF Coffee Break at the Harris County Democratic Party (HCDP):

Stop by for coffee and conversation at the HCDP office every Friday from 9:30 to 11 am. Email martha@hcdp.org for more information. Open to all.

Houston Stonewall Young Democrats Monthly Happy Hour

Houston Stonewall Young Democrats Monthly Happy Hours are the last Friday of each month. Location varies but announced on website: www.houstonstonewallyd.com. For more information, contact Brad Pritchett, 713.898.9734.the last Friday of each month. Location varies but announced on website: www.houstonstonewallyd.com. For more information, contact Brad Pritchett, 713.898.9734.

Harris County Democratic Party Brown Bag Lunch
The Brown Bag Lunch is a monthly event of the Harris County Democratic Party, held one the Third Tuesday of every month at our offices, 1445 North Loop West (exit Ella Blvd.) Come meet Fellow Democrats. You bring your lunch, we provide the soft drinks and guest speakers.

Harris County Democratic Party Issues and Answers Evening Program
Please join fellow democrats at their monthly evening Brown Bag Speaker Series, the last Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at the HCDP HQ, 1445 North Loop West, Suite 110, Houston 77008.


DEMOCRATIC CLUBS IN HARRIS COUNTY: Here is a partial list of the local Democratic Clubs in Harris County. Click on the link or phone for more info.

Texas Democratic Veterans-Houston Area
Phone: 281-520-1604

Democracy for Houston
Phone: 832-474-3926

Harris County Young Democrats
Phone: 281-851-1868

Houston Area Stonewall Democrats
Phone: 832-474-3926

Asian American Democrats of Texas
Phone: 713-702-2377

West University Area Democratic Club
Phone: 713-665-0154

Rice Young Democrats
Phone: 503-502-9912

Harris County Tejano Democrats
Phone: 713-695-6006

Greater Heights Democratic Club
Phone: (713)305-5468

Katy Area Democrats
Phone: 956-472-4440

Bay Area New Democrats (BAND)
Phone: 713-992-4295

Bellaire Democrats
Phone: 713-665-4409

Braeswood Democrats
Phone: 713-665-4357

Cy-Fair Area Democratic Club
Phone: 832-633-1030

Kingwood Area Democrats
Phone: 281-796-1017

Oak Forest Area Democrats
Phone: 713-670-4348

Sharpstown Democrats
Phone: 713-270-1318

Spring Branch Democrats
Phone: 713-467-9020

West Houston Democratic Club
Phone: 281-584-9707


BIODIESEL IN HARRIS COUNTY:

Biodiesel is an American produced fuel that is cleaner than traditional diesel. Up to B20 (a 20% blend of biodiesel and traditional diesel) any diesel engine, car or truck, can run on it. Above B20, some older engines may have problems but newer diesel engines should be ok. Here are some gas stations selling biodiesel near Houston:

ORourke Petroleum: 223 McCarty Street, Houston, TX 77029, 713-672-4500. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). CFN CARDLOCK ONLY

hyperfuels.com: 12969 W Hardy Frontage Toll Rd, Houston, TX 77037, 877-447-7207. Offers B100 (good in newer diesel engines, older engines may have problems). Open 9 AM - 5 PM.

Peachleaf Bio: 1611 Peachleaf St, Houston, TX 77039, 281-449-9500. Offers B99 (good in newer diesel engines, older engines may have problems). COOP SIGNUP NEEDED. Call for details. Open M-F 8-5.

Houston Biodiesel: 723 N Drennan Street, Houston, TX 77003, 713-222-0832. Offers B100 (good in newer diesel engines, older engines may have problems). Open 9:30-6 M-F; WEEKENDS CALL

American Greenfuels: 6421 Eppes St, Houston, TX 77087, 713-634-0033. Offers B99 (good in newer diesel engines, older engines may have problems). CALL FOR AVAILABILITY