The DNC Rules Committee Called to Order by Gov. Martin O'Malley & State Attorney General Kamala D. Harris

The DNC Standing Committee's have convened!! Governor Marin O'Malley and State Attorney General Kamal D. Harris has called the meeting to order.  He has presented the members of the committee and DNC Parliamentarian for the meeting.

The Rules Committee authority and interpretation of the rules that will govern the Convention.  The committee consists of a base of 161 members, allocated to the states and territories in accordance with the same distribution formula used to allocate delegates to the Convention.  Former State Representative Rick Noriega is here and on the Committee.

The other standing committees of the 2012 Democratic National Convention that are meeting include the Standing Committee on Platform, and Standing Committee on Credentials.

The entire Convention is governed by the rules!

(This is my first DNC Convention where I serve on a Committee.  I will be posting a potpourri of things from the convention from the blog.  I will be updating this post as well..)

Day 1 2012 DNC Convention

TWO THUMBS UP: Democratic Primary Run-off 2012

It's been a very long and tedious 2012 Primary Election because of redistricting, Supreme Court ruling and delayed date for the Primary and then Run-off. I am giving my "two thumbs up" for the election and here it is, brief and to the point. The turn-out is low, and we need to encourage everyone we know to go to the polls, get this Primary 2012 over with and get on to the General where we need to re-elect our President Obama. So here goes:

US SENATE: PAUL SADLER
The clear choice. These are the big newspapers endorsing Paul Sadler.  Sadly, our newspaper is not bold enough to make a sound decision based on facts, background, capacity, Democratic credentials so they stayed out of the public debate and did no endorsement. Unfortunate but her is what the MAJOR newspapers around Texas have said.  My "two thumbs up" for Paul Sadler!

The Houston Chronicle , “Sadler, 57, a father of five who served in the Texas House  from 1991 to 2003, is an East Texas Democrat from the classic mold – a populist with common sense and a keen understanding of budgets, as well as a knack for honest deal-making, looking out for the interests of working Texans and understanding the importance of keeping government spending in line with revenues.”

The Dallas Morning News, “Texas Democrats have a proven legislator in former state Rep. Paul Sadler, who clearly deserves his party’s nomination in the race to replace retiring GOP Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.”

The San Antonio Express-News, “Sadler is up to speed on a broad range of domestic and foreign policy subjects. He is the only Democrat who will be able to go toe to toe in a contest with a well-funded Republican opponent.”

The Austin American Statesman,  “Paul Sadler is the clear choice. His legislative skill and talent can’t be denied.”

The Austin Chronicle, “In the Texas House (1991-2003), Sadler was a champion of education and health care, and a budget maven. He’s also the only Democrat on the ballot with even a remote chance to take on the Republican nominee.”

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Justice 8th Court of Appeals:  Marcos Lizarraga.  The 8th Court of Appeals requires the writing of opinions.  In addition, the Democratic Nominee will face a Republican in November.  The best person for this bench is Judge Marcos Lizarraga.
Unfortunately for him, the far east quadrant of the district demonstrated 4,000 votes for his opponent former Judge Yvonne Rodriguez which has demonstrated an interesting voting trend in what is to us as East of El Paso and is an area that elected Martha Dominguez for SBOE even though she did not campaign. In addition, a lot of people would like a weaker candidate for the General election. 

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41st District Court:  Mike Cervantes.  He is an experienced lawyer, received the El Paso Times Endorsement and pointed out serious conflict of interest issues with his opponent Anna Perez including undue influence on a lobbying contract for her husband and a vendor.  In addition, she herself drafted the lobby agreement between her husband and the vendor which leads to questions about her ethics. Considering the aggressive stance the El Paso Times has taken on corruption, it is interesting to note their lack of endorsement of Perez, who is clearly tied to Escobar (makes you wonder).  Mike has 35 years as an attorney and trial lawyer. Lead council in over 500 Civil and Criminal jury trials. He has handled over 20,000 cases. Has served as Assistant District Attorney in both Harris and El Paso County. Assisting City Prosecutor for the City of El Paso. And has served as a professor at EPCC.  Mike Cervantes the right person for this bench he trailed in the Primary.

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The 388th District Family Court:  Laura Strathmann

Laura has the hands-on experience in the court room in the field of family law. It is a critical requirement for any candidate seeking to serve as a judge of a family court to have this experience.Laura has guided families through the step-bystep process of family crisis, stood by them through the struggles, and helped them identify solutions to get back on solid footing.  In addition Laura has served in a leadership role when she served as president of the Family Law Bar Association for three years.  Laura has actually practiced in the family law court room and has handled cases in areas such as adoption, divorce, custody, military law, alternative families, and elderly law. Laura Sthrathmann the most qualified candidate for the job!

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448th District Court: Re-elect Judge Regina Arditti: Judge Arditti has experience in the Courtroom in more ways than one!  This experience provides her the unique capacity to serve on the bench and empathize with those appearing before.  In addition, she has run a simple but effective campaign utilizing her name ID and now famous court case cautiously and effectively. Judge Arditti should remain on the bench!!

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Criminal Court #1: Theresa Caballero:  She is a force of nature to be reckoned with. She doesn't take no for an answer without asking the right questions. She is known as a fearless fighter for the underdog and she has gotten into trouble for her "take no prisoners" attitude!  No doubt she will light a firecracker every day at the Court House but do not doubt that a person will get a fair trial in her courtroom.  She is most likely to get a reality show for being Judge Theresa, of the "People's Court".   

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County Commissioners Court #3: Chente Quintanilla! Not a public speaker,  some call him a "career" politician, but do not doubt that Chente gets elected and re-elected because he knows personally 1000 people from the "Valley" by first name. He is an old school politico, one of the last few remaining from the "Chacon/Moreno" era.  What you see is what you get. He shifts the power at the County Commissioners Court when he get's elected because he is "old school" and he will remember how the County Judge treated him and opposed him publicly.  This is going to make for some good government when he gets elected to Commissioners Court!

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The 23rd Congressional District: Ciro Rodriguez. He will carry El Paso!  The 23rd Congressional District has now been drawn into Ysleta. Precincts South of the Freeway, East of Zaragoza belong to the new redistricted congressional seat thanks to the aggressive leadership of County Judge Veronica Escobar who campaigned to remove THE VALLEY PRECINCTS so that the 16th Congressional District would be electable to her political ally, Beto O'Rourke the Democratic Nominee.  The district is where the Old Res of the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo is located as well as the New Res housing and community center is located in Socorro. This has made  the "Perfect Storm II" where the old political "Padrinos and Madrinas" of the Valley came forth together to rally around a successful Democratic congressman who previously represented the area.

This race will demonstrate a political precinct trend on the power of the old guard.  State Representative Pete Gallego was not able to garner the support of former County Judge Alicia Chacon nor former State Rep. Paul Moreno in his corner and it is not a reflection of a bad relationship of the three (Gallego, Moreno, and Chacon), it is a direct reflection of the whisper campaign against County Judge Veronica Escobar for stripping the Valley, the first El Paso County seat, from the 16th Congressional District.  Big stakes on the results of this race in El Paso.  Ciro lead the race in the Primary, but Pete Gallego has been able to steal away the precious crown jewel from Ciro in his hometown. Rising star Mayor Julian Castro (D-San Antonio) has endorsed Pete over Ciro making Ciro's old turf a battleground too.  Ciro Rodriguez will carry El Paso!  Pete Gallego will make up his loss in San Antonio and West Texas will be an old Texas shoot out!

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BREAKING: Coalition for Responsive Government Files Letter of Intent for Referendum Against Demolition of City Hall, Use of Certificates of Obligation for non Emergency Items!

I happened to be at the studio preparing for tomorrows show when Manny Hinojosa, a member of the Coalition for Responsive Government gave me a copy of the "Letter of Intent" the filed with the City Clerk, July 10, 2012.

The letter reads: 


City Clerk
City of El Paso


To Whom It May Concern:  


The Coalition for Responsive Government hereby gives notice of its intention to circulate an initiative petition to rescind approval of demotion of city hall, financing of a downtown sports complex and use of certificates of obligation for non-emergency projects in excess of $25 million.


The letter provides notice of intention to pursue an initative petition consistent with Section 3.11 - Initiative: Whenever a number of registered voters equal to at least five percent of the voters who voted in the last general City election sign a petition setting forth the precise content of an ordinance desired by the signers, the Council must place that ordinance on the agenda of a council meeting to be held withing thirty working days of the receipt, by the City Clerk, of the petition bearing the authenticated names and addresses of the petitioners.  Such an item shall be treated by the Council exactly as any other proposed ordinance.  Should an ordinance proposed by such petition not be enacted by the Council, or should it be enacted in an amended form, a second petition, signed by a number of registered voters erqual to at least fiver percent of the voters who voted in the last general City election, may be submitted to the City Clerk and that official shall have twenty working days in which to authenticate the signature and thereafter must place the ordinance on the ballot at the next general election specified in State law, if the proposal received the favorable vote of a majority of those voting in that election it shall thereupon become a City ordinance.


The petition seeks approval of an ordiance that rescinds any and all ordinances relative to demolition of city hall, approval of a downtown sports complex and use of non-voter approved certificates of obligation for non-emergency projects in excess of $25 million.

In the event the city council fails to approved said rescission, the Coalition for Responsive Government shall gather a second petition to take the mater to the voters.

BALLOT LANGUAGE:  Shall the City of El Paso rescind approval of the demotion city hall, taxpayer financing of a downtown sports complex to benefit private capital and use certificates of obligation to finance non-emergency projects?

Very Truly Yours,

Manny Hinojosa
Coalition for Responsive Government

I typed this as it was presented (cell phone camera not uploading) but this is a "wrench" in the public conversation (or lack of it) regarding the construction of a baseball stadium with 100% taxpayer dollars.  Stay tuned....glad I was still here....

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City Council will take up the proposed baseball stadium on Tuesday, June 26 at City Council Chambers. You must sign up to speak by 8:30 am (Colonial Rule)

Baseball in "FOSTERVILLE"!!

The El Paso City Council will meet Tuesday, June 26, beginning at 9 AM, City Council Chambers Downtown.

On the agenda for discussion is the public funding for a $50 million dollar baseball stadium for the privately owned Triple A team being purchased by “Billionaires for Progressives" (BFP) - the Hunts and the Fosters. A new colonial rule by the BFP controlled City Council, is that you must sign in by 8:30 to speak (I don't know how they do that, restrict people from speaking but they will do anything to limit public debate – unheard of in state government public hearings).

The El Paso Times has already taken a position on the issue by posting an editorial in favor which means they have more information than they have shared with their readers. (I am editing a long blog on that in a bit).

I am not going to support a bond that isn't inclusive and where public funds are not fairly distributed.  Historically, South of the Freeway and the Lower Valley always get short changed in projects funded by public bonds.  In addition, bond monies usually get hijacked and redirected to other projects when no one is watching. In addition, City Council recently gave Lincoln Center back to Texas DoT and my understanding is that Lincoln Center is being considered for a health clinic and there are rumored conversations being coordinated by the office of State Senator Jose Rodriguez regarding some sort of Lincoln Community Center being part of the public use.  (I’ll believe it when I see it). Meanwhile, the infrastructure South of the Freeway corrodes everywhere else other than the property around the medical school.

If you are interested in voicing your opinion on this (for or against) you must go to this emergency meeting.  It is an emergency because the “Big Boys” have to seal their purchase of the baseball team with the condition that we the taxpayers build them a “fancy shmancy” stadium with an equally fancy “owners box” that you and I will never see.

Date:  Tuesday July 26

Where:  City Council Chambers, 2^nd Floor

Time:  To speak you must sign up by 8:30 am

Expect to be there a long time.  The strategy utilized by the powerful elites when trying to pass a controversial agenda item that has to do with taxpayers publicly funding a private enterprise, is to “wait-out the opposition”.  So pack a lunch!

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Martha Dominguez, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE OFF BALLOT! Demonstrates Notarized Paperwork!!

Martha Dominguez the Democratic Nominee for SBOE, has provided the "certificate of withdrawal" statement issued by the Secretary of State.  The date of the statement was acknowledged on April 25th and received by the Secretary of State on May 1, 2012. 

This means the SBOE 1 will go into Democratic Rules and Election Statues to determine who will be the nominee.  I believe that this will kick in the power of the SDEC to select the nominee from the two candidates, Sergio Mora of Laredo and Andres Muro of El Paso.  Mora had the 2nd most votes in the race. 

Stay tuned......