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The Greatest State
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christ Bride Web-Site Launched
Source: America Bless God News, Thursday, January 29, 2009
A captivating new web-site has been launched to help build the church in Rockdale: www.christbride.net. The new site is simple, clean, and beautifully reflects the beauty of Christ. The site tells the gospel of Jesus, discusses common problems with the church, and is aimed at helping folks find a church home. It lists all the churches in Rockdale.
PowerRally Comes to Rockdale - January 31st
Source: America Bless God Campaign, January 23, 2009
Meadowbrook Baptist Church, the Rockdale Ministerial Alliance and Great Hills Baptist Church have partnered to bring the PowerRally to Rockdale.
GOVERNMENT POLICY
Michael Steele: The Republican Party Does the Right Thing
Source: Fox News, James P. Pinkerton, January 30th, 2009
In electing Michael Steele as the new Chairman of the Republican National Committee, the Grand Old Party has demonstrated a capacity for renewal and revival. After today, no fair-minded observer can believe the stereotype of the Republicans as the party of old white men. In selecting Steele, Republicans have chosen a man who will go toe to toe with the Democrats on all issues, personal and political. That stereotype has always been bogus, as Sarah Palin demonstrated as recently as last summer.
U.S. GDP: Less Ugly Than Feared
Source: Forbes.com, Carl Gutierrez, 01.30.09
The economy shrank by 3.8%, less than the 5.4% experts had anticipated, but swollen inventories may make the figure deceptive.
The U.S. gross domestic product took a nasty tumble in the fourth quarter of 2008, diminishing by 3.8%, but it was better than the 5.4% annualized contraction Wall Street had been predicting for the last three months of 2008.
Not Quite a Stimulus: Speaker Pelosi's Payoffs and Pork Bill
Source: FRC Blog, Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently found that the cost of the Pelosi-Reid stimulus package now exceeds $1.1 trillion. CBO also estimated that only 7 percent of infrastructure money would make its way into the economy by the end of the year and only 38 percent would be spent by the end of the 2010 fiscal year. Senator Jeff Session's (R-Ala.) office estimates the actual number going to tangible road and bridge construction is just a little more than 3 percent.
Majority Says Supreme Court Should Look to Written Constitution for Rulings Just 35% Think Obama Agrees
Source: Rasmussen Reports, Monday, January 26, 2009
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. voters (64%) say U.S. Supreme Court decisions should be based on what is written in the Constitution, but only 35% think President Obama agrees with them.
State of the Greatest State
Source: Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009
"As we wrestle with such issues in the 126 days left ‘til Sine Die, I know that our values, patience and resolve will be tested, but I’m confident in our prospects for success, because I am confident in the people who elected us. As we serve them, let’s not forget the principles that have brought our state this far. I am convinced that the fiscal discipline we exercised together over the past few sessions has left us in much better shape than other states. Let’s build on our shared record of success and press on to do even more to protect our citizens’ families, jobs and rights."
Michael Steele is running for RNC Chairman; election is this week
Source: The Examiner, Dilip Paliath, January 26
The Republican National Committee will elect its leader this week. This position usually does not mean much when there is a Republican president. Now that there is not, the RNC Chairman becomes the primary spokesman for the loyal opposition, in conjunction with the minority leaders in Congress. Maryland’s former Lt. Governor Michael Steele has been campaigning hard to win the position, along with several others from around the country, including the current Chairman, Mike Duncan.
Legislative Agenda for Hutto, Texas
Source: City of Hutto, December 18, 2008
At their meeting on December 18, the Hutto City Council unanimously approved the resolution outlining the community’s legislative agenda for the Texas 81st Legislative Session. The Council prioritized the following seven issues that they believe are of utmost importance to Hutto and should be addressed at during this upcoming legislative session. Property Tax Appraisal Caps - The City Council authorizes City representatives to oppose any legislation that would place appraisal caps on property beyond the ten percent (10%) currently mandated by law; any legislation that would place revenue caps on the City; changes to the local sales tax statues that jeopardizes the City’s sales tax allocation; and, any legislation that would limit the City Council’s existing authority to adopt a tax rate and/or approval of the annual budget for the City. Use of State Right-of-Way - Support legislation that requires electric providers use State ROW for transmission line projects when the ROW is available. Transportation Funding - Support a resolution adopted by the Texas Municipal League (TML) delegation seeking to inform the legislature that Texas cities are in dire need of additional transportation infrastructure funding to construct projects, maintain current roadways and plan for future growth.
Strengthen Law Enforcement - Support legislation that toughens laws and increases law enforcement’s ability to impose laws related to risk abduction, violence against women act compliance, strangulation as a felony, mandatory probation fees, lease termination, LEP in the courts, support for the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, and other items of concern. Texas DoT & Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century Funding - Support legislation providing funding related to the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), ensuring priority funding when funds become available. Texas Recreation and Parks Funding - Support legislation that provides increased funding for the Texas Recreation and Parks Account and the State Parks System. Railroad Relocation Funding - The City requests increased funding of the Railroad Relocation Fund approved by Texas voters in 2005.
EDUCATION POLICY
Good News: California Court Sides with Christian School
Source: CitizenLink, January 28, 2009 Video Link
The California Court of Appeal ruled Tuesday that a Christian high school has the right to make decisions based on its religious beliefs. The parents of two students had sued California Lutheran High School because it suspended two teenage girls when they violated the school’s code of conduct by having an inappropriate relationship. The court agreed with a lower court that religious schools are not subject to California laws that provide special protections based on sexual orientation.
ECONOMIC POLICY
Texas Association of REALTORS® Applauds Governor Perry's Call for Appraisal Reform
Source: PRNewswire, Jan. 27
AUSTIN, Texas, -- The Texas Association of REALTORS® today applauded Governor Rick Perry's State of the State address, which highlighted the need for a strong, long-term commitment to economic growth in Texas. "Governor Perry is clearly dedicated to protecting the rights of Texas' private property owners," said Brooke Hunt, Chairman of the Texas Association of REALTORS®. "From eminent domain to basic transportation needs to lower property taxes, Governor Perry's State of the State demonstrated his commitment to issues that are important to homeowners."
Lawmakers, appraiser differ on fixes to system
Source: Longview News-Journal staff | Tuesday, January 27, 2009
State lawmakers are eyeing several proposals to either tweak or overhaul the state’s property tax and appraisal system. Whether it needs a fix is in the eye of the beholder.
Gregg County Chief Appraiser Tom Hays doesn’t think so, saying that some form of property appraisal must exist. A local homeowners’ representative wants changes, and one lawmaker agrees a fix is necessary.
The European Social Welfare State Bill
Source: National Review On-Line, Jim Manzi, Tue. Jan. 27, 2009
Let’s start with some basics about the stimulus bill (H.R. 1: the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009). According to my quick read (so all numbers here are subject to revision) of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis, the total estimated cost of the proposal is $816 billion over ten years. This is composed of $604 billion of extra spending, plus $212 billion of less money collected in taxes than had been planned. That’s a whole lot of money, even for the U.S. economy.
Hollow victory: Republicans deliver slap in the face to Barack Obama
Source: UK Telegraph, Toby Harnden, Jan 29, 2009
President Barack Obama got the $825 (or $1.2 trillion over a decade) stimulus package through the House of Representatives but the 244 to 188 vote is a hollow victory indeed. Without a single Republican voting for the bill, his high-profile visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday came to exactly naught - at least on the House side.
Democrats Launch Petition Against Rush Limbaugh
Source: CNSNews.com, Melanie Hunter-Omar, Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an online petition for readers to express their outrage at conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh for saying last week that he wanted President Barack Obama to fail. The petition includes a 19-second sound byte of Limbaugh, saying, “If I wanted Obama to succeed, I’d be happy the Republicans have laid down. I don’t want this to work. So I’m thinking of replying to this guy, say ‘okay, I’ll send you a response, but I don’t need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails.’”
Tax Refunds Now on Hold in California
Source: ABC News, Teddy Davis, January 27, 2009
ABC News has learned that tax refunds are now on hold in California for the first time in state history, according to the state controller's office.
RELIGION POLICY
The Most Underrated Part of the Inauguration
Source: Human Events, by Chuck Norris, 01/27/2009
I know inaugural news and commentary are already passé. But I could not find one report this past week that caught what I believe was the most subtle, strategic and possibly subversive moment of the inauguration ceremony. Did you catch it?
Ban on free speech (a.k.a. talkin' Jesus) gone
College under fire for allowing expression rights only 2 hours per week
Source: WorldNetDaily, January 27, 2009
Yuba College student Ryan Dozier was cited for speaking without permission.
A college's ban on free speech – except for two selected hours per week – has been eliminated in a settlement with the Alliance Defense Fund, which took up the cause on behalf of a student threatened with arrest and expulsion for sharing the story of Jesus.
SOCIAL POLICY
Obama pick: Taxpayers must fund abortions
Nominee takes position that 'contradicts' Constitution
Source: WorldNet Daily, January 27, 2009
President Obama's nominee for deputy secretary of state contends American taxpayers are required to pay for abortions, a position that contradicts the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution. James B. Steinberg's written testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was highlighted by Sen. Jim DeMint, a pro-life Republican serving South Carolina.
Media malpractice at the March for Life
Source: WorldNetDaily commentary, Jack Cashill, January 29, 2009
On Thursday morning, Jan. 22, I met with our six-camera crew at the Hyatt Hotel in Washington and went over the day's objectives. We had come to town to shoot a documentary called "Thine Eyes" (See ThineEyes.org), the first-ever high-end production centering on the annual March For Life. We were commissioned to create this video to set the media record straight. Although I had not attended the March before, I knew enough about the way the media worked to suspect that a little straightening was in order. >> Video Link
FORIEGN POLICY
Obama: U.S. not your enemy
Obama presented a humble and conciliatory face of America to the Islamic world.
Source: Politico, By BEN SMITH, 1/26/09
President Barack Obama presented a humble and conciliatory face of America to the Islamic world Monday in the first formal interview since he assumed office, stressing his own Muslim ties and hopes for a Palestinian state, and avoiding a belligerent tone — even when asked if America could "live with" an Iranian nuclear weapon.
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