KVUE Succeeds where KXAN Fails

KVUE news continues to distinguish itself with, by far, the best coverage of the ongoing AISD bond election; here's their report from last night:

In this report, you will notice that KVUE's Kris Betts, unlike KXAN's Erin Cargile, mentions that AISD is already sitting on a substantial pile of cash; while Betts, regrettably, does not use the $229 million figure (p. 105), at least she discusses how facts belie AISD claims of poverty.

Two and a half cheers for KVUE news; Austin voters would benefit if the rest of the media followed their lead.

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Austin Chronicle Mischaracterizes Travis County Taxpayers Union

Those also who seek my life lay snares for me;
Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction,
And plan deception all the day long.

Psalm 38:12 

Perusing this story in the Austin Chronicle, by Richard Whittaker, about the strange timing of certain AISD personnel moves, Cahnman's Musings noticed this paragraph:

But opposition to the school bond cannot be written off solely to posturing by Repub­lican front groups. [Emphasis Mine] Last November's board elections became a community referendum on Carstarphen, and the 2013 bond election is shaping up the same way. If voters have too little faith in her ability to manage their funds, that could endanger dollars for essential investments.

 The antecedent to which the phrase "Republican front groups" refers is the Travis County Taxpayers Union, a local watchdog group (Full disclosure: Cahnman's Musings is loosely working with TCTU on the bond issue).  While Whittaker doesn't explain this designation, our educated guess is that is that Whittaker based his claim on the fact that TCTU president Don Zimmerman is a former member of the Texas State Republican Executive Committee.  Unfortunately, for Richard Whittaker, recent history belies the "Republican Front Group" allegation.

Last fall, the Travis County Taxpayers Union opposed Prop. 1, a hospital bond that Rick Perry supported; does Richard Whittaker honestly believe a "Republican front group" would oppose an initiative supported by Rick Perry?!?

This low-turnout May election deserves honest coverage, without reckless charges being thrown in the press; this sort of media coverage is yet another reason voters should slow this process down and vote AGAINST AISD props 1-4.

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"The Biggest Conservative Victory of the 83rd #TXLEGE; So Far...."

Last night, a source on Congress Ave sent us this clip from the Houston Chronicle; money quote:

There would be a tighter state limit on spending under a bill given preliminary approval Wednesday by the Texas House.

Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, added the spending limit as an amendment to House Bill 7, which, along with HB 6, seeks to tamp down on the practice of collecting fees or taxes for certain purposes and instead leaving them unspent to help balance the budget.

....

King’s amendment would require the board to base the cap on the lower of three things: revenue, growth in personal income or growth in population and inflation.

....

King afterward acknowledged the potential for confusion but said his amendment would put a new cap on the overall budget.

Gov. Rick Perry has called for a new spending cap to be placed in the state constitution that would limit spending to growth in population and inflation. A constitutional amendment would require approval by two-thirds of the Legislature to be placed on a statewide ballot for voter approval. HB7, as amended, would simply put the new cap into state law.

 This is huge.  This type of spending cap is a major component of the Texas Budget Compact.  Perhaps we're seeing movement after all.

Our source explains:

if this survives on [sic] makes it through, it will be transformational....Not only will it freeze the footprint of government as far as the state funded side of the budget, but it will apply downward pressure on the unexpended balances maintained for budget certification, which will force agencies to reduce their taxes and licensure fees.

 In other words, this policy will alter the trajectory of state spending.

Cahnman's Musings would like to thank Rep. Phil King for introducing this amendment.  We would also like to thank reps Drew Darby and John Otto for assisting Rep. King on the floor.  This was the best move the Texas House has made all session and Cahnman's Musings prays it continues.

Update: Williamson County Conservative has more here.

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National Day of Prayer Danny Forshee Classic: Just Ask

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7:7-11 

Today is the National Day of Prayer.  Ten days ago, Pastor Danny delivered this message on how prayer works and what prayer can accomplish:


Highlights:

• You can do many things after you pray, but nothing before.

• The importance of making petition to God.

• If Jesus, who was perfect, poured out his heart in prayer, what does that mean for us?!?

• Pastor Danny prays for at least an hour each day.

• "I have yet to see God do a demonstrative, palpable, powerful work among His people unless His people ask for it."

• God ALWAYS answers prayers.

• God commands us: ask, seek Me.
• "We're not bothering God."
• James 4:2 -- You do not have because you do not ask.

• Ask God to answer your prayer in His way!

•  Some of our prayers aren't answered because we're not walking with the Lord.

• The greater part of prayer is not the answer, but the byproduct of intimacy with Christ.

• The more you talk to God in prayer, the more it changes your life.

• Start tracking answered prayers.

Update: Welcome readers from Fausta's Blog.

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Rabbi Daniel Lapin: Materialism vs. Making Money

Highlights:

• Materialism stimulates envy; making money stimulates service

• Materialism values equality; making money values freedom.

• Materialism leads to equality in poverty; making money leads to dynamic growth.

• If you want to influence people, you will have more credibilty with a couple of dollars in your pocket.

• Love of money, not good; love of service, money will follow.

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Why won't AISD repair broken security cameras?!?

A must watch piece from KVUE Defenders details AISD's failure to replace broken security cameras at dozens of schools across Austin:

Highlights:

• Cameras "often take a month or more to replace."

• This Eric Mendez guy is making very lame excuses.

Bottom Line: If it takes AISD over a month to replace a $200 camera, then their logistics and procurement systems need structural repair.  Pouring another Billion dollars into this broken, top-down, system won't fix a thing.  Let's slow this process down, vote AGAINST AISD Props. 1-4.

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KXAN News Omits Pertinent Bond Issue Information

On Monday, KXAN (the Austin affiliate of NBC news) reporter Erin Cargile delivered the following report on the ongoing Austin Independent School District bond issue election:

Rooftop view of AISD bond repairs

In the report, Cargile spends a full minute out of the 90 second report touring a school that AISD has allowed to fall into disrepair despite $853 million in previous bond approvals in 2004 and 2008; in her report, Cargile neglects to mention that AISD is still sitting on $229 Million (p. 105) in 'authorized but not issued' bonds from those previous elections.

Cahnman's Musings does not know whether Cargile's sin of omission was due to ignorance or malice.  Neither do we care; Jesus forgives Erin Cargile and we do as well.  With early voting ongoing, setting the record straight is paramount.

Cahnman's Musings respectfully requests an on-air apology and correction from Erin Cargile during the first minute of tonight's 10PM KXAN broadcast.  AISD is currently sitting on $229 million in 'authorized but not issued' bonds from previous elections.  This is pertinent information that informed voters deserve.

Readers can contact KXAN here.

Update: Welcome to Watchdog Wire readers.

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