Mexican American Democratic Group Endorses Shami For Governor

Mexican American Democrats Endorse Farouk Shami

State Chair said Shami “represents to a lot of us what the American Dream is about…”

HOUSTON-Following a meeting on Saturday morning, the Mexican American Democrats (MAD) announced the group’s endorsement of Texas Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Farouk Shami.

Steve Salazar, State Chair for the Mexican American Democrats of Texas, said that Farouk Shami’s “willingness to sit down and listen, to talk to people about issues that affect us as a group-not only the economy and jobs, but also immigration and crime-led us to make this endorsement. He is inclusive of all people from all walks of life and can identify with those of us who were not born in the United States.” Salazar added that the group felt Shami “represents to a lot of us what the American Dream is about: hard work, dedication to the community, and willingness to serve.”

“I am proud to have the endorsement of the Mexican American Democrats,” said Shami. “I fully identify with its mission and vision and hope to work with them often in the near future.”

The vision of the Mexican American Democrats is to seek full representation of Mexican American-Latinos at all levels and in all activities of the political process representation within the Democratic Party.

Debra Medina Campaign Happy With New Poll

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public Policy Polling releases the Medina Factor results

WHARTON, TX, Tuesday, February 9, 2010 – In the latest poll of likely Republican primary voters from February 4th to 7th, the North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling (PPP) report shows Debra Medina is coming on strong.
 
According to the PPP report, although Perry is at 39% to 28% for Kay Bailey Hutchison, Debra Medina is now at a whopping 24%! There are major splits within the race along ideological lines according to the poll results. Perry is at 42% with conservatives, and Medina is now outpolling Hutchison with conservatives by a 25-23 margin.
 
“The big question for Debra Medina is whether there’s enough unhappy voters out there for her to get into a runoff with Rick Perry,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “That would rank up there with the results of the Massachusetts Senate election as an early shocker in the 2010 political season.”
 
The PPP states there’s no doubt Debra is riding the discontent with the political establishment. She actually leads the race, 37-32 over Perry, with the third of primary voters who disapprove of Washington politics.
 
“The results from the Public Policy Polling is great news that validates the momentum we’ve been going through this past month,” says Debra Medina, Republican candidate for Governor of Texas. “My campaign has been run on a shoestring budget, but it’s a case study for what We Texans are capable of accomplishing with less money, less resources. Yes, We Texans are undoubtedly unhappy with how this state has been run for the past decade, which includes having unfunded federal mandates shoved down our throats. The polls demonstrate that dissent loud and clear.”
 
Campaign manager Penny Langford Freeman added, “Texans are smart. They see the fighting between Kay and Rick and know that they no longer have the people as their first priority. Debra speaks to the people with truth, respect and honor and Texans appreciate being able to support a real Texan at last!”
 
Complete results can be found at www.publicpolicypolling.com.

After Debate Bill White Focuses On Future

 During  Monday night’s debate with Houston hair care businessman Farouk Shami,  former Houston Mayor Bill White spent most of  his  talking about his record at city hall and taking swipes at  Governor Rick Perry .

White ignored the few sharp attacks made by his democratic opponent, and instead focused on the future of the democratic party’s fight to win back the Texas Governor’s mansion.

Debate shows Bill White is the right governor for Texas’ future
Thoughtful candidate highlights reality-based solutions

FORT WORTH — In the first Democratic primary debate, Bill White showed Texans that he’s the right governor for Texas’ future. He also made a distinction between himself and his Republican opponents.

“This race isn’t going to be about one party or who said what to whom in Washington,” White said. “We need someone who is able to break the gridlock we have in Austin. Texans want that. Texans are tired of the wedge-issue politics and they’re ready for something different.” 

Throughout the debate, White demonstrated an extensive knowledge of state issues from school vouchers to voter ID, giving straight-shooting answers to complex questions.

When asked about the budget, White cited his experience building businesses and serving Houston as mayor, where he inherited a budget shortfall and turned it into surpluses by scrubbing the budget and finding efficiencies.

White has said, “Texans deserve a governor who’s accountable to the people he serves. As governor, I’ll make sure that taxpayers are getting their money’s worth.”

When asked about immigration, White emphasized the need for the Texas governor to work directly with local law enforcement officials in policy-making.

Throughout the debate, White’s clear priority was Texas’ future, and ensuring that Texans are equipped to enter the workforce with the technology and skills they need to compete for jobs in the global economy. 

White said, “I have a track record for getting things done. We need to prepare the citizens of our state to compete well and be prepared for the jobs of the future. I know how to do that. That will be my highest priority.” 

White also asked Texans to compare this debate to the Republican debate. He asked, “which candidate can you trust?”

The son of San Antonio school teachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston’s mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. During White’s administration, Houston led the nation’s cities in job growth, adding more jobs than 34 states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White also started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster response including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

Farouk Shami Campaign Claims Debate Victory

Farouk Shami Wins Democratic Debate

Shami Offers Business Sense While His Opponent Presents ‘Business as Usual’

FORT WORTH-During tonight’s state-wide televised debate between Farouk Shami and his opponent, former Mayor Bill White, the many differences in the two Democratic candidates were highlighted.

Shami, who built his multi-million dollar business from the ground up, focused on what needs to be fixed in our state. “I relocated my own business from overseas to Houston and created jobs long before I began a bid for governor,” said Shami. “Before my opponent became a career politician, he did nothing to create jobs in this state-nor did he do so in three terms as Mayor of Houston.”

Asked about the rising unemployment rate in Texas, Bill White said he doesn’t believe the Governor has control over the “global economy,” Shami responded to the same question with his plan for revising the state’s budget, including his own pledge to create 100,000 jobs in his first two years as Governor, or resign and pay the state $10 million dollars. “I put my money where my mouth is,” said Shami. “I know how to serve the public, I know how to negotiate, I know how to work with small businesses and how to build them.”

“Unlike my opponent, I know how to balance the budget. How will I increase revenue? Jobs, jobs, jobs. I am proud that I have set an example myself of how to create jobs,” said Shami.

When Shami asked White about his opposition to a moratorium on drilling in the Barnett Shale and if he would rethink his position until there is scientific proof this drilling isn’t going to put people’s lives at risk, White skirted the issue and would not definitively state that he would do so. He also neglected to mention that Houston is the fourth most polluted cities in the United States. White was questioned a second time towards the end of the debate, and once again skirted the issue of the moratorium on drilling in the Barnett Shale.

With regards to border policy, Shami said “we should build bridges between the United States and Mexico,” adding that he would work with officials on both sides of the border to encourage business there and allow access to legal immigration. White said he would work with local law enforcement to make sure there are procedures to have a system to find who are in the country illegally, clearly supporting 287g. Shami pointed out that a Governor must consider the human aspect of immigration and that there should be a method for undocumented workers to apply for legal status.

With regards to healthcare, Shami emphasized the importance of affordable healthcare for families and children. “It’s time for action, not talk,” he said.

Shami continues to show his leadership style as he introduces himself to Texas voters and asks them to end politics as usual in the state and vote for real change. He has positioned himself as the candidate willing to take a stand and take action on the issues important to our state, not one who is all talk and no action. “Every citizen of the state should be treated justly and honestly,” said Shami. “The Governor should be CEO of the state.”

Tonight’s debate was hosted by KERA in partnership with CBS 11 (KTVT-TV) and TXA 21 (KTXA-TV), the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, KUVN Univision 23, the Texas Association of Broadcasters, Texas State Networks and the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.

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Houston Controller Green Identifies Potential Savings

 

 

 

Houston , TX –  A newly released audit by the City Controller’s Office Audit Division has identified potential savings to the City of Houston, conservatively estimated at $3.6 million per year. The savings could be achieved by more efficient timing of citywide vendor invoice payments.

“Given the budget shortfall the City is facing, identification of these savings is timely,” said Controller Ronald Green. “We will partner with Mayor Parker and City Council whenever possible to improve Houston’s financial health, and thanks to the good work of our Audit Division, we have an opportunity to do that.”

The audit, originally begun as a review of disbursements under $75,000 within the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), identified that resolving date-sensitive application issues in the City’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System corresponding to efficient timing of invoice payments, could result in annualized savings citywide.

The audit and proposed resolutions have been conducted with cooperative efforts between the Controller’s Office, PARD, Information Technology Department, and the Administrative and Regulatory Affairs Department.

Ronald Green is in his first year as City Controller, after serving three terms as an At-Large Houston City Council Member.

White and Shami Prepare for Debate

Former Houston Mayor Bill White and Houston Hair Care Executive Farouk Shami have both arrived at a Dallas Fort Worth television station to prepare for tonight’s debate.

We all know that White and Shami have dramatically different personal and political styles. 

That was on display when Shami and his staff  pulled up in a shiny black Cadillac Escalade and White pulled up with his staff in a beaten up old green Toyota 4-Runner. (as a Toyota owner I’m guessing that SUV  was at least 12 years old, if not older)

Of course, both men are wealthy and can afford  to buy the vehicle of their dreams, but I guess White will try to keep up his image as a low-key fiscal conservative during the campaign.

White told 2 On the Beat that he wants to introduce himself to voters who are not as familiar with him and his record as the former mayor of  Houston.

Meanwhile, Shami says he feels good about debating the former Houston mayor. He plans to focus on a message of creating more jobs, reforming education and health care.

The debate begins at 7pm.

Jarvis Johnson Endorsed For Congress

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

DATE:           February 8, 2010

Jarvis Johnson receives endorsements of My Houston Texas Information and South Houston Communities

HOUSTON – Jarvis Johnson, candidate for the 18^th Congressional District of Texas received the endorsements of My Houston Texas Information (www.MyHoustonTexas.Info) and South Houston Communities (i.e. www.SouthMacGregor.biz; www.SouthParkTx.biz; www.SouthUnion.biz; and www.SunnysideTx.biz).

 “Ordinary people and not politicians is who have endorsed me and I’m honored to have received their endorsement,” said Johnson. “The people of the 18th Congressional District of Texas deserve an effective representative who will work to build coalitions that help move the entire community forward,” continued Johnson.

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www.jarvisforcongress.com

Americans Detained in Haiti Will Get Help From Houston Leaders

Ten Americans accused of  illegally try to take a group of Haitian children out of the earthquake ravaged country will get some help from some Houston leaders.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18^th Congressional District in Texas is reaching out to offer assistance to the Americans arrested recently in Haiti.

Jackson Lee reports that Pastor George Foreman of Houston has offered to pay any fines the Americans may face following their arrest with some Haitian children.

The Congresswoman and Pastor Foreman, the former heavyweight boxing champ, have the utmost respect for the Haitian justice system and hope that they will be able to help resolve the situation to everyone’s benefit.

The Baptist church members are from Idaho, but there is at least one Texan in the group.  They were allegedly trying to take the children across the border into the Dominican Republican without proper documents.

The group was taking part in the Haitian Orphan Rescue Mission.

They have been jailed since the end of January.

Senator Hutchison’s Campaign Comments on Perry-Palin Rally

 

“Despite today’s theatrics, there’s no covering-up Rick Perry’s decade long record of cronyism in office that brought us the Trans-Texas Corridor and HPV mandate. When she ran, Sarah Palin took on an incumbent Republican governor and his cronyism. Today, Kay Bailey Hutchison is doing the same and will clean-up Austin, strengthen education and improve transportation.” – Joe Pounder, Texans for Kay spokesman

 Joe Pounder

Dep. Communications Director

Texans For Kay

Governor Perry – Sarah Palin Rally on Super Sunday

Governor Rick Perry knows how to draw a crowd on Superbowl Sunday - invite former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be the star attraction at a political rally.

Palin campaigned  for Governor  Perry one day after she was the featured speaker at the first  National Tea Party  convention.

Rocker Ted Nugent, country music and people calling  themselves  patriots and Tea Party members help set the tone for the political event.

Palin’s message was anti-Washington and pro-Rick Perry. 

Governor Perry urged people to vote for him and his experience and reject the Washington style leadership.  While never  mentioning Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s name, he clearly criticized her support for the bailout and voting for other unpopular programs.

Why was the event held in Cypress?  “We are smack dab in the middle of the most conservative district in the State of Texas and the United States,” said State Senator Dan Patrick of Houston as he fired up the crowd.

Palin, Governor Perry and Senator Patrick also urged the crowd to reach out to undecided republicans and encourage them to vote for Perry in the March primary.