Houston Blogs: Houston Political Blog

The Great Country of Texas!

“We’re fed up in Texas, fed up in America!” 

That’s how Governor Rick Perry began his day on Wednesday, during all the Austin area Tea Parties.  Gov. Perry certainly rallied the Republican base on Wednesday, so much so that when someone in the crowd yelled “Secede!”  The governor didn’t seem to mind.

Just minutes later on Wednesday, when questioned by a reporter, Perry replied:  “We got a great Union, there’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it.  But, if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who knows what may come out of that.”

Those words reverberated around Austin, and in less than 24 hours, it sent shockwaves across the Country.  Locally, Democratic legislators pounced.

“That kind of language at this time, brings up images of an era that isn’t where we want to go,” remarked State Sen. Rodney Ellis.  “The Governor of a Southern state, it just brings up an era we’d like to leave behind us.”

Houston area Representative Carol Alvarado called the idea of succession “crazy,” and says the governor was simply playing politics.

“We always like to say that Texas is God’s country,” she said.  “But, we’re happy to be part of the United States, and this is strictly political pandering.”

Republicans, as you might expect, had a different reaction.  Freshman Representative Allen Fletcher says what Perry meant to say is that he just wanted the rest of the country to be more like Texas.”

“If the people of the United States were more like us, they might be doing a little better,” remarked Fletcher, a fan of Perry.  “We’re setting an example for the rest of the country.”

That brings us back to Perry.  On Thursday, after signing his first bill, Perry was pummeled with secession questions.  Fortunately for Texans, he reaffirmed his love for the country as a whole.

“Texas is part of a great Union and I see no reason for that to change.”

You’ll notice the Governor didn’t exactly back down from his initial statements, however, it’s nice to know we won’t have to get new Texas passports soon just to visit relatives in other states.

It's tea time!

If you have filed your taxes already or have filed an extension, maybe you will find the time to attend one of the hundreds of "Tea Parties" around the country.  The Tea Parties are organized by conservatives who say they're tired of the way the Government is taxing their income.

Governor Rick Perry will be making his tea party rounds, and we're sure he won't be sipping any tea from a ceramic cup.  His first stop will be in Austin, before heading to Arlington and Forth Worth.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Perry will be in Houston, she's the headline speaker at the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce Conference.  I hope they don't serve any tea during the luncheon.  I'm the MC for the event, so I'll let you know what the State's First Lady has to say.

This is not the first Tea Party. A few months ago, a smaller scale event was held around the country.  I remember the Houston event being held at Discovery Green, the downtown park.  There were a few hundred people who showed up for the mid-afternoon event, It was fairly mild, but today's event is destined for much bigger attention. 

In a related note, I'll be heading to Austin to cover the Legislature for a few days. So, stay tuned!

Lawmaker suggests Asians change their names to "easier" ones

Update, this aftenoon, several Asian American advocacy organizations issued a joint press release. It reads in part:

OCA, Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and the Asian American Legal Defense Fund (AALDEF) express disappointment over Texas Representative Betty Brown’s suggestion at a hearing on April 7 that Asian Americans adopt “names that are easier for Americans to deal with.”   ...
 
“Representative Brown’s comments made clear that she lacks an understanding of Asian American cultures and that she in fact undervalues other cultures,” said OCA Executive Director George Wu.
 
"It is unacceptable that Representative Brown believes that the burden should be placed upon individual voters to make it easier on poll workers to ensure that the voters get to exercise their right to vote, rather than expecting that the burden lay with the government to do its job correctly," said Terry Ao, director of Census & Voting Programs at the Asian American Justice Center.  "Participation in the democratic process should unite all Americans; we should be seeking ways to encourage more voters, not inventing excuses to deny citizens their constitutional right to vote."
--

I wonder if State Rep. Betty Brown has ever hung out with State Rep. Hubert Vo, one of the few Asian Americans in the Texas Legislature.  But anyway, Rep. Brown is raising eyebrows after suggesting that Asian American should change their names to make it easier for Americans to deal with.  The Associated Press reports the following:

The Texas Democratic Party is demanding an apology from Republican state Rep. Betty Brown , of Terrell, for suggesting Asian-descent voters should adopt names that are "easier for Americans to deal with."

Brown made the comments Tuesday night as the House Elections Committee discussed voter identification legislation. Brown spokesman Jordan Berry said Brown was not making a racially motivated comment but was trying to resolve an identification problem.

The comments came after a representative of the Organization of Chinese Americans , told the committee that people of Asian descent often have problems voting and with forms of identification because of differences in their legal transliterated name and a common English name used on their driver's license.

It will be interesting to see how this filters out.  Depending on how aggressively OCA's national chapter goes after this issue, it could make national headlines.  Locally, the Voter ID bill has been voted out of Committee.  However, whether this will eventually make it out of Calendars, remains to be seen.  Democrats in the State House has been actively trying to block this.  The comments for Rep. Brown, nomatter what the intentions, will complicate things. 

In reality, this really hits a nerve among Asian Americans, who take pride in their family names, just like everyone else.  Imagine telling a Polish American that his name needs a few extra vowels, just to make it easier to pronounce.

Borris Miles Indicted!

Update: 5:00 pm Responding to commenters as to why I didn't cover the Hubert Vo controversy, and now covering this one.. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I was in China all last week, kind of hard to cover an elected official when I'm on the other side of the world (and my blog's being blocked by the Chinese censors.)  And yes, Borris Miles is a Democrat.. I thought everyone knew that.  Now, back to the issue at hand.  No, Miles has not turned himself in yet.  And despite the fact that he's been shopping for a big name criminal defense attorney in the past few months (serious, serious shopping), he hasn't hired one yet, as far as we know. 

Update: 4:00 pm  We hear arrest warrent has been issued for Miles.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- State Representative Borris Miles has been indicted on two counts of deadly conduct. The indictments stem from two different incidents on the same day back in December. The first incident happened during a Rockets/Mavericks game at Toyota Center. At a facility lounge, Miles allegedly pulled a gun on TSU regent Willard Jackson's wife. The second incident took place at a party thrown by businessman David Harris later that same night. At the party, Miles allegedly pulled a gun on Harris.

Apparently, Miles alledgedly pulled the gun inside the swanky Lexus Lounge at the Toyota Center.  They then moved on to the St. Regis hotel, where the alledged incidents there have been well documented. Stay Tuned!

Borris Miles Indicted!

Update: 5:00 pm Responding to commenters as to why I didn't cover the Hubert Vo controversy, and now covering this one.. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I was in China all last week, kind of hard to cover an elected official when I'm on the other side of the world (and my blog's being blocked by the Chinese censors.)  And yes, Borris Miles is a Democrat.. I thought everyone knew that.  Now, back to the issue at hand.  No, Miles has not turned himself in yet.  And despite the fact that he's been shopping for a big name criminal defense attorney in the past few months (serious, serious shopping), he hasn't hired one yet, as far as we know. 

Update: 4:00 pm  We hear arrest warrent has been issued for Miles.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- State Representative Borris Miles has been indicted on two counts of deadly conduct. The indictments stem from two different incidents on the same day back in December. The first incident happened during a Rockets/Mavericks game at Toyota Center. At a facility lounge, Miles allegedly pulled a gun on TSU regent Willard Jackson's wife. The second incident took place at a party thrown by businessman David Harris later that same night. At the party, Miles allegedly pulled a gun on Harris.

Apparently, Miles alledgedly pulled the gun inside the swanky Lexus Lounge at the Toyota Center.  They then moved on to the St. Regis hotel, where the alledged incidents there have been well documented. Stay Tuned!

Borris Miles Indicted!

Update: 5:00 pm Responding to commenters as to why I didn't cover the Hubert Vo controversy, and now covering this one.. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I was in China all last week, kind of hard to cover an elected official when I'm on the other side of the world (and my blog's being blocked by the Chinese censors.)  And yes, Borris Miles is a Democrat.. I thought everyone knew that.  Now, back to the issue at hand.  No, Miles has not turned himself in yet.  And despite the fact that he's been shopping for a big name criminal defense attorney in the past few months (serious, serious shopping), he hasn't hired one yet, as far as we know. 

Update: 4:00 pm  We hear arrest warrent has been issued for Miles.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- State Representative Borris Miles has been indicted on two counts of deadly conduct. The indictments stem from two different incidents on the same day back in December. The first incident happened during a Rockets/Mavericks game at Toyota Center. At a facility lounge, Miles allegedly pulled a gun on TSU regent Willard Jackson's wife. The second incident took place at a party thrown by businessman David Harris later that same night. At the party, Miles allegedly pulled a gun on Harris.

Apparently, Miles alledgedly pulled the gun inside the swanky Lexus Lounge at the Toyota Center.  They then moved on to the St. Regis hotel, where the alledged incidents there have been well documented. Stay Tuned!

Borris Miles Indicted!

Update: 5:00 pm Responding to commenters as to why I didn't cover the Hubert Vo controversy, and now covering this one.. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I was in China all last week, kind of hard to cover an elected official when I'm on the other side of the world (and my blog's being blocked by the Chinese censors.)  And yes, Borris Miles is a Democrat.. I thought everyone knew that.  Now, back to the issue at hand.  No, Miles has not turned himself in yet.  And despite the fact that he's been shopping for a big name criminal defense attorney in the past few months (serious, serious shopping), he hasn't hired one yet, as far as we know. 

Update: 4:00 pm  We hear arrest warrent has been issued for Miles.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- State Representative Borris Miles has been indicted on two counts of deadly conduct. The indictments stem from two different incidents on the same day back in December. The first incident happened during a Rockets/Mavericks game at Toyota Center. At a facility lounge, Miles allegedly pulled a gun on TSU regent Willard Jackson's wife. The second incident took place at a party thrown by businessman David Harris later that same night. At the party, Miles allegedly pulled a gun on Harris.

Apparently, Miles alledgedly pulled the gun inside the swanky Lexus Lounge at the Toyota Center.  They then moved on to the St. Regis hotel, where the alledged incidents there have been well documented. Stay Tuned!

LULAC thinking about filing lawsuit against TDP

Austin-- Update:  You can see the video of the story on the ABC13 website.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) told me today that it's considering filing a lawsuit against the Texas Democratic Party.   LULAC's national general counsel Louis Vera told me that he believes the caucus process disenfranchises the state's Latino voters.  Although the caucus numbers between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are not final yet, LULAC has been contemplating the lawsuit for a few weeks.

"We had reports all night long and this morning of many, many people who couldn’t stay there anymore," says Vera.  "It was 9:30, 10 o'clock and they haven’t even begun to vote."

Vera is also concerned that because the Primary allocates delegates based on turnout of the previous election, a vote for delegates  in San Antonio or south Texas is actually worth less than a vote out of Houston or Dallas. LULAC isn't officially allowed to endorse anyone, but Vera and a number of high ranking officials within the organization support Clinton.

Vera says a decision will be made about the lawsuit when all the caucus numbers roll in, which could take a few weeks.  "What we are considering is whether or not there are violations of the Voting Rights Act, " he says. "I’m not sure if all the changes in the caucus system has been pre-cleared by the Justice Department."

I called the Texas Democratic Party today, and spokesperson Hector Nieto says he did not hear about the rumblings of a lawsuit until I called him.  "When you put a million people across the state in a caucus, off course you’re going to have problems," says Nieto.  "there will be people waiting, there will be people crammed into small rooms... All I can say is that this system was put into place for participation by all, and judging by the turnout, we  had an equal opportunity for people to participate."

Vera says if they are filing a lawsuit, it will be done before the state Democratic Convention.  He also says this is not about Clinton or Obama. It's about whether or not the voices of Latino voters are heard.

LULAC thinking about filing lawsuit against TDP

Austin-- Update:  You can see the video of the story on the ABC13 website.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) told me today that it's considering filing a lawsuit against the Texas Democratic Party.   LULAC's national general counsel Louis Vera told me that he believes the caucus process disenfranchises the state's Latino voters.  Although the caucus numbers between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are not final yet, LULAC has been contemplating the lawsuit for a few weeks.

"We had reports all night long and this morning of many, many people who couldn’t stay there anymore," says Vera.  "It was 9:30, 10 o'clock and they haven’t even begun to vote."

Vera is also concerned that because the Primary allocates delegates based on turnout of the previous election, a vote for delegates  in San Antonio or south Texas is actually worth less than a vote out of Houston or Dallas. LULAC isn't officially allowed to endorse anyone, but Vera and a number of high ranking officials within the organization support Clinton.

Vera says a decision will be made about the lawsuit when all the caucus numbers roll in, which could take a few weeks.  "What we are considering is whether or not there are violations of the Voting Rights Act, " he says. "I’m not sure if all the changes in the caucus system has been pre-cleared by the Justice Department."

I called the Texas Democratic Party today, and spokesperson Hector Nieto says he did not hear about the rumblings of a lawsuit until I called him.  "When you put a million people across the state in a caucus, off course you’re going to have problems," says Nieto.  "there will be people waiting, there will be people crammed into small rooms... All I can say is that this system was put into place for participation by all, and judging by the turnout, we  had an equal opportunity for people to participate."

Vera says if they are filing a lawsuit, it will be done before the state Democratic Convention.  He also says this is not about Clinton or Obama. It's about whether or not the voices of Latino voters are heard.

LULAC thinking about filing lawsuit against TDP

Austin-- Update:  You can see the video of the story on the ABC13 website.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) told me today that it's considering filing a lawsuit against the Texas Democratic Party.   LULAC's national general counsel Louis Vera told me that he believes the caucus process disenfranchises the state's Latino voters.  Although the caucus numbers between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are not final yet, LULAC has been contemplating the lawsuit for a few weeks.

"We had reports all night long and this morning of many, many people who couldn’t stay there anymore," says Vera.  "It was 9:30, 10 o'clock and they haven’t even begun to vote."

Vera is also concerned that because the Primary allocates delegates based on turnout of the previous election, a vote for delegates  in San Antonio or south Texas is actually worth less than a vote out of Houston or Dallas. LULAC isn't officially allowed to endorse anyone, but Vera and a number of high ranking officials within the organization support Clinton.

Vera says a decision will be made about the lawsuit when all the caucus numbers roll in, which could take a few weeks.  "What we are considering is whether or not there are violations of the Voting Rights Act, " he says. "I’m not sure if all the changes in the caucus system has been pre-cleared by the Justice Department."

I called the Texas Democratic Party today, and spokesperson Hector Nieto says he did not hear about the rumblings of a lawsuit until I called him.  "When you put a million people across the state in a caucus, off course you’re going to have problems," says Nieto.  "there will be people waiting, there will be people crammed into small rooms... All I can say is that this system was put into place for participation by all, and judging by the turnout, we  had an equal opportunity for people to participate."

Vera says if they are filing a lawsuit, it will be done before the state Democratic Convention.  He also says this is not about Clinton or Obama. It's about whether or not the voices of Latino voters are heard.