Sunday morning read: TEA layoffs, schools plan to sue state, and Perry rhetoric

According to the official bond statement, (Texas) employers will pay an extra assessment intended to generate more than $300 million annually, starting this year, and peaking at $478 million at the end of the decade.

Send your comments and news tips to roundup.editor@gmail.com or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story

From the Texas Association of School Boards | TEA fires 178 employees, July 15, 2011 – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) laid off 178 employees this week in its continuing effort to reduce its operating budget by $48 million – 36 percent of its budget. The current firings are in addition to 91 employees laid off in February of this year, bringing the total number of positions eliminated through layoffs and attrition to 343 positions. Staffers being laid off will receive 45 days of severance pay, the same amount that was given in February. The total number of employees left at TEA after this round of layoffs will be 717.

San Antonio Express-News | Schools preparing to sue the state over funding, again | By Gary Scharrer, July 16, 2011, AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers who left town recently after cutting public education and doing little to fix school funding disparities have guaranteed another school finance lawsuit, according to educators and lawyers involved in the case. They expect to file a school finance lawsuit later in September.

Ft. Worth Star-Telegram | Texas debt practices contradict Perry's rhetoric | By Mitchell Schnurman, July 16, 2011 – Texas' public debt has more than doubled in the past decade, but people often say it's different from federal debt. Most of the money pays for facilities, roads and other infrastructure, not social programs. Here's one exception: In November and December, the state's public finance authority sold $2 billion in bonds for unemployment benefits, and it's authorized to sell $1.5 billion more if necessary.

Texas Tribune | Texas Communities struggle to fund public safety, By Brandi Grissom, July 14, 2001 – The tiny East Texas town of Alto made national headlines this summer when it furloughed its five-man police department in an effort to save money in this ailing economy.

But Alto is hardly the only Texas community struggling to fund public safety amid falling tax revenues and shrinking state and federal aid. Most cities aren't taking the drastic measures Alto did, but they're finding other ways to scale back costs, said Bennett Sandlin, executive director of the Texas Municipal League.

City officials in Alto, population 1,100, seem to have tired of the attention to their budget crisis, after stories on CBS News and in The Wall Street Journal, and an attempted robbery at the local bank. Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell, who is now responsible for law enforcement in Alto, didn't respond to calls requesting comment. A call to the city offices on Wednesday was answered by a woman who identified herself only as the "city secretary" and adamantly declined to comment about the situation, citing legal advice.

County announces updated schedule of redistricting public meetings

Source: Hudson Research 10/02/10

Note to Apple computer owners/users: You will not be able to view live-streaming of any of these public hearings (nor any commissioners court proceedings) because the county's taxpayer paid live stream software and system is not compatible with Apple's operating system. What a shame. We have raised this issue with the county's tech people, thus far to no avail. Our guess is there are a few thousand Apple users in this county (many in our public schools, publishers, graphics people, etc.) who are not being given equal access to this valuable "public" resource. This, at a time when Apple's share of the market is growing rapidly. Please join us in registering your support to add Apple to the county's live stream cart. You can start by contacting Ms. Chernow or your county commissioner. Thanks.

Contact Laureen Chernow
Hays County Communications Specialist
laureen.chernow@co.hays.tx.us
Office: 512.393.2296

Hays County Courthouse San Marcos Tx – Hays County will hold public hearings on redistricting and invites residents to attend or to watch live on the Internet. Public hearings are scheduled for:

- Monday, July 25, at 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 9 at 1:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 16, at 1:30 p.m.

The above meetings will be held in the third-floor Commissioners Courtroom at the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio Street, San Marcos. To watch the proceedings go to www.co.hays.tx.us/commcourtlive. The videos will also be archived on the website for viewing later.

To see the different versions of the proposed redistricting maps: ftp://ftp.co.hays.tx.us/gis/redistricting/

Additional Meetings (will not be streamed or archived) to show the proposed maps, answer questions and receive public comment:

July 16, 3-5 p.m. Precinct 2 Open House/Redistricting, 111 N. Front Street, Kyle

July 18, 7 p.m. at Hays Hills Baptist Church, Building A, 1401 N. FM 1626, Buda, hosted by Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones

July 19, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Old Kyle City Hall, 101 Burleson Street, Kyle, hosted by Commissioner Precinct 2 Mark Jones and Commissioner Precinct 4 Ray Whisenant

July 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. and July 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., both at the Precinct 4 Office, 195 Roger Hanks Parkway, Dripping Springs, hosted by Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant,

July 20 from 6-7:30 p.m., Precinct 2 Open House/Redistricting, 111 N. Front Street, Kyle

July 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hilliard Fire Station, 3300 Hilliard Road, San Marcos, hosted by
Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant

July 22 from 1-3 p.m., Precinct 2 Open House/Redistricting, 111 N. Front Street, Kyle

For more information, contact Commissioner Jones at 512.262.2091, mark.jones@co.hays.tx.us, Commissioner Whisenant at 512.858.7268, ray.whisenant@co.hays.tx.us, or Commissioner Conley at 512.847.3159, will.conley@co.hays.tx.us.

Please check back as more meetings may be added to this list. Updated 5 p.m. 15July2011.

Speaking of redistricting, the HTGCD is proposing some changes, too

Note: Attached are draft copies of redistricting maps for the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. They were forwarded by the District's administrative assistant Tressie Gumbert.

Just a slight observation -- both maps virtually are the same in appearance. Both disappointingly leave in place three "northern tier" director districts, all covering the high growth Hwy 290/Dripping Springs corridor. They represent a majority vote on the District's 5-member board of directors, and, at times a very different point of view than that coming from the southern two Districts, 4 & 5, over how to best manage and conserve the groundwater resources in western Hays. Good luck in trying to configure a map that will more fairly represent the south and the north. Sounds like a job for General Beauregard.

Send your comments and news tips to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to the groundwater district's general manager at manager2@haysgroundwater.com, 512-858-9253, or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story

Visit the groundwater district's website: www.haysgroundwater.com

From the District: The District's Redistricting Committee assisted with the drawing of Plan 1 (top map), Marty with the Hays County GIS Department drew up Plan 2. Redistricting will be discussed and voted on during next week’s (Thursday July 21) Board meeting. We will have full size copies of these maps along with our current Single Member District map on display at the Board Meeting. The full size maps are currently available in the District office for viewing.

Click on maps to enlarge

PLAN 1

PLAN 2

Video: More on the county's head long rush to purchase LCRA water assets

Note: Sam Brannon forwarded this video, his first attempt he says at documentary style reporting on county affairs. More are to follow. He promises the editing will improve. The video captures some of the action at a recent meeting of the county's water and wastewater authority led by Pct. 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant. We gotta say that the other erstwhile participants around the table look like they haven't a clue why they're there. The interview segments with Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones are interesting and revealing.

In the latest update, we are informed that the county has NOT been informed by LCRA of the West Travis County regional (Hwy 290 segment) water/wastewater system's 'high end' revenue receipts. This is the system the county is interested in purchasing. How, we ask, can the county make an informed bid (in the millions) for a system it has no idea how much revenue it is generating? LCRA's final bid deadline is just weeks away.

Send your comments and news tips to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to Sam at sam_brannon@hotmail.com, to Commissioner Whisenant at ray.whisenant@co.hays.tx.us or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story

County schedules public hearings on redistricting

For more information, contact:
Laureen Chernow
Hays County Communications Specialist
laureen.chernow@co.hays.tx.us
Office: 512.393.2296

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – The Hays County Commissioners Court has scheduled three public hearings to discuss redistricting and invites the public to attend or to watch the hearings live on the Internet.

In preparation for the meetings, an advisory committee appointed by the Court has posted several proposed new precinct maps that the Court will review and use as starting points for discussion about finalizing precinct lines. View the maps at ftp://ftp.co.hays.tx.us/gis/redistricting/. New versions of some of the maps were posted July 12 to reflect finalized Congressional district lines.

The advisory committee includes Hays County Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe (D-Precinct 1), Hays County Commissioner Will Conley (R-Precinct 3), City of Buda Mayor Pro-Tem Sandra Tenorio (D-Place 3) and Bud Wymore, chair of the Hays County Republican Party. The County’s legal advisor for redistricting is Rolando L. Rios & Associates, which has vetted the posted maps as meeting legal guidelines.

Meetings are scheduled for Monday, July 25, at 6 p.m.; Tuesday, August 9 at 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday, August 16, at 1:30 p.m. All meetings will be held in the third-floor Commissioners Courtroom at the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio Street, San Marcos. To watch the proceedings go to www.co.hays.tx.us/commcourtlive.

Redistricting committee member criticizes lack of transparency

"Transparency . . . was sorely missing in this process and I completely disagree with the policy of closing the meetings to the public."

Note: Here's an interesting, and troubling, update from Sandra Tenorio, a member of the county's 4-member redistricting committee. Her emailed report is circulating amongst Hays County Democrats. Tenorio is the local Democratic Party's representative on the committee. She is the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Buda. This is the first full-blown "inside" report to see the light of day, from a process that up to now has been closed to the public. We certainly welcome any input the Republican Party's Chair and rep on the committee, Bud Wymore, may have.

To be fair, Ms. Tenorio told the RoundUp her emailed update was meant for members of the executive committee of the local party, not for the media. She did not give the RoundUp permission to reprint it. We suspect though that information in her update will be surfacing in the press in one form or another. Since there are no big national security risks at stake here, we decided to run with it in the public interest.

Send your comments and news tips to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to Ms. Tenorio at sandrajtenorio@yahoo.com or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story

----------------------------

Dems,

I am sending this email to provide an update of the Redistricting process to date. As most of you know, I was appointed by the Commissioners’ Court as a Democrat to balance representation on the Committee.

Before providing an update, let me provide basic information about the process that has existed to date (I don’t defend the process but want to make sure everyone understands the tone in which this “Committee” operates):

· The “Committee” is a loosely formed group of four people—Commissioner Conley, Commissioner Ingalsbe, Bud Wymore (R-County Chair), and myself—ADA Kennedy, Mr. Rios (redistricting attorney), Joyce Cowan and Steve Floyd (County GIS) also attend most meetings as a resource,

· The Committee has no structure, no agenda, no votes, and no minutes,

· The discussions of the Committee were not had in such a way that a briefing of the process was held, a proposed schedule was adopted, and/or recommendations were made from each member,

· The Committee meetings were not open to the Public and several community members were asked to leave by Commissioner Conley—since he determined that meetings were not subject to open meetings, and

· It can be said that the Committee never reached a consensus on the maps and it was more a matter of Commissioner Conley adjusting possible lines, reviewing population numbers and making more adjustments—with some adjustments resulting from objections and complaints.

During the three meetings that were held after I was appointed (May 4^th, June 30^th, and July 7^th) I tried to emphasize the purpose of Redistricting—that is to protect Voting Rights, protect Communities of Interest, and balance the population among the four Commissioner Precincts. The population of the precincts cannot deviate more than 10% to meet Justice Department standards and the current percentage of minority population in each of the four Precincts cannot be reduced as a result of redistricting.

At the May 4^th meeting, Commissioner Conley presented a map to the Committee and requested that his map be the starting point of discussion. Commissioner Ingalsbe requested that we use the existing Commissioner Precincts as a starting point. Conley’s map recommended that Precinct 4 reach into the South end of Kyle and across IH 35 into some of Kyle’s subdivisions. He also proposed that Precinct 1 absorb the Kyle subdivisions east of IH 35. I did not agree with Precinct 4 reaching into southern and eastern Kyle, across IH 35 and Commissioner Ingalsbe didn’t agree with absorbing so much of eastern Kyle. In addition, the proposed plan significantly reduced the percentage of minorities in Precinct 2 and would not have been acceptable.

At the June 30^th meeting, Commissioner Ingalsbe presented a map that she and Commissioner Whisenant had developed that removed much of Kyle from Precinct 4 and Precinct 1. The map (known as Map K) also made some adjustments between Precinct 3 and Precinct 4. Commissioner Conley had not reviewed the map and did not support the proposal—offering his own map created by a friend at the Attorney General’s office.

At the July 7^th meeting, Commissioner Conley worked on several maps adjusting lines between Precincts. During the exercise, I tried to stress the need to consider Communities of Interest and maintain the same percentage of minority representation in each precinct. Also during this meeting, Assistant District Attorney Mark Kennedy advised Commissioner Conley and the Committee that an “Advisory” Committee was not subject to “Open Meetings” however, if the Committee was to recommend policy with some authority, it would be subject to “Open Meetings”. It was determined by Kennedy that this Committee was advisory and he also recommended the process for public input be announced as soon as possible. In addition, he recommended that several maps be submitted to the Court for consideration.

During the meeting, Kennedy advised the Court staff to place an item on the July 12^th Agenda to discuss the process and set a public hearing. To suggest a schedule or number of hearings, you should attend the July 12^th meeting or contact your commissioner with your recommendations. I believe they will probably schedule two public hearings—however, I am not sure whether they will be scheduled during the day or in the evening.

By the end of the July 7^th meeting, there were three additional maps that were to be developed. The maps were developed in conversation and I can’t say that each map was reviewed and discussed in detail as much as each map included adjustments for population and responses to objections. It will be clear in reviewing the maps that because of the necessary population adjustments—most of the major changes occur between Precincts 2 and 4, with some shifting in Precincts 3 and 4. Commissioner Conley and Commissioner Ingalsbe seemed to agree on the lines between 1 and 3. The major question will be which communities in Precinct 2 will be moved into Precinct 4 and what those two Commissioners are willing to agree to that meets the Voting Rights Act and Justice Department standards.

MAP K (J on the county's website)—is the map that was presented by Commissioner Ingalsbe on June 30^th on behalf of herself and Commissioner Whisenant.

MAP L—is a map created by Commissioner Conley and includes almost ½ of Old Town Kyle in Precinct 4.

MAP L2—is another map that returns most of Kyle to precinct 2 except for Wallace Middle School, City Park and Home Town Kyle subdivision.

MAP L3—returns Hometown Kyle, school and park back to Pct. 2 to moves unincorporated portions of West Buda along FM 1626.

MAP L4—was presented by Commissioner Whisenant after the meeting, it returns Hometown Kyle back to Pct. 4 and the West of Buda back to Pct 2—and moves some of the Pct. 3 population in San Marcos to Pct. 4.

The narrative of the maps is confusing and I apologize for the rambling report however, they maps are available through the County GIS at the following web site: (ftp://ftp.co.hays.tx.us/gis/).

I wish I had a more structured report or minutes to present however, I can promise that I did my best to raise the issues that important to us all—communities of interest, minority representation and especially, a sense of fairness. Transparency—on the other hand—was sorely missing in this process and I completely disagree with the policy of closing the meetings to the public.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer. As you review these maps and consider recommendations switching neighborhoods and/or communities, keep in mind how that switch may affect the percentage of minority population in each precinct and how it compares to today’s percentages. Be prepared to trade one area for another in any testimony and be conscious of the impact trade may have on minority percentages.

I am attaching a chart that includes the deviation among the five maps, the population and minority representation. I hope this has been useful and encourage you to look at the maps in detail and be prepared to call your Commissioner with your comments.

Sandra Tenorio

Wimberley council adopts 2-year and 5-year priorities, approves street improvements

Note: Lots of news from last Thursday's July 7 Wimberley City Council meeting. We have edited the Briefs for length and style.

City Hall Briefs, written and edited by Bob Flocke to inform the citizens of Wimberley about city activities, is neither an official nor an authorized publication of the City of Wimberley. The Briefs is distributed by email to anyone who wishes to receive it. Anyone who wishes to be added to the distribution list should send their email address to Mayor Flocke at rflocke@austin.rr.com, 512.847.5421, PO Box 1315, Wimberley, TX 78676.

July’s community Moon Walk is Monday, July 18

The monthly full moon walk for July will take place at the Wimberley-Hays County Hike & Bike Trail, Monday, July, 18, at 8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome, as are pets on leashes are welcome at the walk. The July full moon is the Full Buck Moon. Participants in the two-mile walk meet at the north end of the parking lot of the former First Baptist Church near the entrance to Blue Hole. July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It also was often called the Full Thunder Moon because thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month’s moon was the Full Hay Moon.

Wimberley's monthly community full moon walk, an initiative of the Mayor’s Fitness Council, started in 2009 as a way to get people into the habit of making small changes in their lives by adding a little light exercise. It has turned into a social event attracting people and their pets to meet other Wimberleyites, have some fun and get a little exercise. This month's walk will be the first time that the Fitness Council has used the new Hike & Bike Trail.

Wimberley area projects on county’s CAMPO list

Two Wimberley area projects are included on a list of 15 road safety and mobility projects submitted to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization by the Hays County Commissioners Court in hopes of receiving a share of more than $74 million in federal funds.

The Wimberley area projects included are the purchase of right-of-way for a future parkway on RR 12 from RR 32 to Wonder World Drive/Old RR 12 and constructing a hike-and-bike trail on the east side of RR 12 from Winters Mill Parkway to Joe Wimberley Boulevard. If adopted, the trail project will join the new Blue Hole Regional Park/Winters Mill Parkway hike-and-bike trail with downtown Wimberley, completing a 6.2-mile circuit.

CAMPO will be passing on the money from the Federal Highway Administration to counties in Central Texas and is expected to decide on the projects by late summer, with funding available at the beginning of fiscal year 2012.

The two Wimberley area projects are among 10 projects involving state highways that will be applied for in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation and five that will improve county roads.

Blue Hole a hit on July 4 weekend

The July 4 weekend saw a record number of visitors to Blue Hole Regional Park with almost 1,900 visitors passing thru the gates over the three-day weekend. The busiest day was Saturday when close to 669 visitors entered the Park. There were two capacity-related closing during the period. The capacity of the swimming area at Blue Hole is 150 persons. When that number is reached, no additional entry is allowed until the number goes below the capacity. Since June 11, 6,682 people have entered the Park. Last year, some 15,000 guests passed thru the gate. The Park has generated more than $38,000 in revenue so far this year.

Regular testing shows that the water quality in Cypress Creek at Blue Hole remains well within acceptable levels for recreational contact.

May sales tax revenue up

The Office of the Comptroller’s July sales tax check to Wimberley, representing May sales, totaled $40,367.51. That is up seven percent over the $37,721.27 for the same period last year. This is the third straight month we have seen an increase in sales tax revenue. The year-to-date receipts for 2011 are $322,967.29, or three percent over the year-to-date figure for July 2010.

Surveyor stakes along RM 2325 lead to rumors

The surveyor stakes that have sprung up recently along RM 2325 within the Wimberley city limits have caused rumors—all false—to circulate regarding their purpose. The prevalent rumor is that the state plans to widen the busy highway to three—and maybe four—lanes. The facts are far less sinister.

At the request of the city, Texas Department of Transportation surveyors marked the right-of-way on the eastbound side of RM 2325 from Carney Lane to the highways junction with Ranch Road 12. Wimberley officials asked for the marking for a visual reference of the right-of-way’s location to show possible locations for a sidewalk along the roadway.

City, Hays County, Wimberley Independent School District and Katherine Anne Porter School officials have long recognized the need for a sidewalk in the area. Parts of RM 2325 see heavy pedestrian traffic including students and Market Day visitors. The absence of a sidewalk forces pedestrians to walk on or near the roadway, creating a safety hazard.

At a recent meeting of interested parties, the city established a stakeholders committee to develop a coalition of property owners, school representatives and business owners on the RM 2325 corridor. This coalition will work with city and county officials and TxDOT to move the project forward. Presently, TxDOT has no plans for a sidewalk on RM 2325.

Local firm submits low bid on street improvement work

A local firm submitted the lowest bid for planned street improvements to Cliffview Dr, Smith Creek Rd., Twilight Trail, Malone Dr., and Rockwood Dr. CAS Construction Co. of Wimberley submitted a bid of $202,157.75 for the five streets on which bids were sought. The next lowest bid was submitted by Smith Contracting Co. of Austin for $285,693.00. The city budgeted $201,894 for the proposed street improvement in fiscal year 2011 in its current operating budget. Rockwood Dr. was removed from the FY11 program to ensure that funds are available in the budget for unexpected contingencies. It will be moved to the street improvements list for FY12.

The bid for improvements to the four remaining streets is for $178,838.03, leaving adequate contingency funding for the work to be done. Construction is expected to be completed by September 30. The council voted unanimously to authorize the city administrator to initiate a contract with CAS Construction for the work.

Work to proceed on Wimberley truck route

In a unanimous vote at its Thursday meeting, the city council authorized the city staff to proceed with the Texas Department of Transportation on the rerouting of heavy truck traffic away from Wimberley’s downtown area. The proposed plan will divert through truck traffic around the downtown area. Ranch Road 12 traffic will be diverted around town using RM 3237 and Winters Mill Parkway. Through traffic using RR 12 and RM 2325 will use the same route along with Jacobs Well Road.

A similar plan was approved last year. Because TxDOT policy provides that all government entities affected by rerouting traffic must agree to such a traffic diversion must agree, that plan was never implemented. While Hays County and Wimberley supported the truck route, the city of Woodcreek objected out of concern that trucks using Winters Mill Parkway might use Woodcreek Dr. as a cut-through to RM 2325. Woodcreek recently enacted an ordinance prohibiting through truck traffic, and Woodcreek officials informed Wimberley that they no longer object to the proposed truck route.

PEC to drop street banner program

The Pedernales Electrical Coop has informed Wimberley officials that the utility will discontinue its long-standing program of hanging street banners promoting non-profit organizations’ events.

The familiar street banners announcing everything from art festivals to rodeos, have been placed free of charge by PEC employees in cities served by the cooperative once the placement of the signs was approved by the Texas Department of Transportation. Wimberley passed a 2005 ordinance limiting street banners to five locations within the city.

The future of the PEC program came into question following a recent incident involving one of the banners which fell at the intersection of RR 12 and RM 2325. PEC has determined that the weight of the banners did not cause the utility pole supporting them to snap, but it was a contributing factor. In addition, the cooperative is faced with rising personnel costs for its crews diverted to banner-hanging duties.

The city council authorized the city staff to develop an alternate means of advertising non-profit organizations’ events.

Council adopts priority list

The city council approved a list of priorities to guide the city over the next five years. The priorities were developed during the council’s off-site workshop on June 25 and approved at Thursday’s regular council meeting. The items listed below are in no particular order as the council considers them all priorities.

Two Year Priorities
– Sewer system on the Wimberley Square
– Improve citizen communication
– Enhance public confidence
– Review and re-codify the Code of Ordinances
– Implement law enforcement program
– Complete development of Blue Hole Regional Park
– Develop a master plan for the Wimberley Square area
– Initiate work on a community development master plan
– Enhance business development
– Implement a historic preservation and awareness program
– Maintain street repair and improvement program
– Initiate underground utility program on Wimberley Square
– Develop and secure alternate water supplies for Wimberley

Five Year Priorities
– Increase senior housing options
– Complete Hays County/Wimberley Regional Hike and Bike Trail
– Develop funding for capital improvements (streets, sidewalks, drainage, parks)
– Complete underground utility program on Wimberley Square
– Maintain citizen involvement
– Develop and secure alternate water supplies for Wimberley

Alcohol sales approved for Taste Buds – In a three-to-one vote, the city council approved a conditional use permit allowing the sale of alcohol for on premise consumption at Taste Buds, a gourmet food and wine shop at 13904 RR 12. Taste Buds sells pre-packaged specialty foods, and the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption was previously approved by the council. The approval of the new CUP will allow customers to consume alcoholic beverages at the shop. Place 4 Councilman Steve Thurber cast the dissenting vote.

City to help cemetery association locate additional space – After hearing a presentation on the lack of room for additional burials at the Wimberley Cemetery, the city council has agreed to assist the Wimberley Cemetery Association in finding property suitable for an additional community cemetery. The council appointed Place 3 Councilman Matt Meeks to work with Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley and the cemetery association in locating an appropriate site for a new cemetery.

Appointments – Gene Woodruff reappointed to Transportation Advisory board by Place 1 Councilman Tom Talcott. Vance Smith appointed to Parks and Recreation Advisory Board by Place 3 Councilman Matt Meeks. Charles Roccaforte appointed to Ethics Commission by Place 5 Councilman John White.

County posts redistricting options

Four new maps appeared Friday on a Hays County web page, each presenting different redistricting options for the county's four commissioner precincts. (Thanks to an alert reader and commenter for finding them.) In all likelihood, five maps will be presented and discussed at the commissioners court's Tuesday July 12 meeting. Redistricting is on the agenda. A lot of work goes into drawing new precinct maps every ten years following the Census to balance population growth and representation of racial and minority groups. For a closer look, click on the maps. For a look at all the proposed maps go to this link: ftp://ftp.co.hays.tx.us/gis/redistricting/

Sunday morning read

Renewable energy tops nuclear power in US

By John Timmer | Published July 9 2011
Read the entire story

Plunging prices and booming investments are beginning to reshape the energy market, according to a couple of reports that were released this week. A report produced on behalf of Bloomberg says that investments in renewable energy have gone up by roughly a third over the last year, to $211 billion. Led by China's renewable push, the world is now on a trajectory that will see its investments in renewable electricity surpass those in fossil fuels within a year or two. As a result of these investments, the US is now producing more renewable energy than nuclear power.

First, renewable investments. Bloomberg's New Energy Finance group has collaborated with the UN Environment Programme and the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management to produce a global overview of funding for renewable power. This includes the obvious—financing for the construction of utility-scale projects and home installations—and some non-obvious funding, like merger and acquisition activity.

Any way you look at things, the numbers make it clear just how significant renewables have become. Excluding hydropower, renewables made up about 35 percent of the power capacity added worldwide last year, and produced over five percent of the total power. Investments directed toward this new capacity (excluding things like mergers) hit $187 billion, and are closing in fast on the spending on fossil fuel power plants, cutting the gap in spending to $31 billion, down from $74 billion. At that pace, we'll be investing more in renewables either this year or next.

Redistricting, FM 1626, LCRA assets on commissioners court's Tuesday agenda

Here are a few items of interest posted on the court's Tuesday July 12 9am meeting agenda:

No. 7 – Accept funds from the City of Woodcreek associated with the Lower Colorado River Authority grant for the Jacob's Well Project in the amount of $53,223.00 and amend the budget accordingly. CONLEY/HERZOG/HAUFF

No. 17 – Discussion and possible action to approve increasing the not-to-exceed fee and compensation cap (our emphasis) on the Loomis Partners Professional Service Agreement for necessary additional services on the RM 2325 project in Precinct 3. CONLEY. The agenda backup explains "it has become necessary to supplement Loomis' work authorization to provide construction phase services. These services were not included in the initial work authorization to permit development of an appropriate scope and fee . . ." The "not-to-exceed" will rise from $788,846.00 to $815,346.00. And that is for "professional services" alone.

No. 18 – Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute the Professional Services Agreement for the FM 1626 North Project with Reynolds, Smith and Hills CS, Incorporated (RS&H). JONES

No. 22 – Discussion and possible action to provide financial assistance to the Coalition of Central Texas Utilities Development Corporation for Phase 2 Due Diligence on the final bid for the LCRA Water and Wastewater Assets. WHISENANT.

The agenda backup includes a Coalition financial report. It lists more than 20 contributing coalition members. The two biggest contributors are the City of Leander (about $95,000) and Hays County. Hays County's contribution is reported at $15,000 in the first phase of due diligence and $48,700 in the second phase. First phase deposits totaled $87,245.00. 2nd phase contributions show a total of about $226,000 with $85,360 collected as of June 20.

Contributing entities include City of Bee Cave, $21,700; City of Lometa, $11,280; City of Westlake Hills, $14,500; Travis County, $12,000; Dripping Springs WSC, $2,500; Glenlake, $2,030; Westminister Glen, $2,500; WTC MUD #3 and WTC MUD #5, $3,100 apiece; WTC MUDs #11, 12, 13 and TC WCID #17, $2,500 total. Withdrawals (payments) for due diligence services were made by Murfee Engineering, $11,491.98; First Southwest, $5,000; Specialized Public Finance, $5,000; and Lloyd Gosselink, $38,713.20.

A more than quarter million dollar investment in due diligence and not a dime yet spent on actual acquisition of LCRA's money-losing water and wastewater assets.

No. 24 – Discussion and possible action related to the redistricting of Hays County Commissioner Precincts, including identifying a process for public input and developing a time line for public hearings. CONLEY/INGALSBE

EXECUTIVE SESSION

– Discuss issues of right of way acquisition on FM 1626
– Regarding Civil Lawsuits in the Western Federal District Court: Action No. 1:11-CV-00145 ("Robert Threadgill vs. David Clay Bain, et. al"); Action No. 1-11-cv-233-SS ("William G., et. al. vs. Wimberley I.S.D., et. al"); and Action No. A-11-CA-343-LY (Mark David Simmons v. Hays County Sheriff's Departmet, et. al.").

Big changes seen coming in county redistricting

Comm. Whisenant is a great guy, don't get me wrong, but will DS want or need the same things that we associate with our wonderful Buda/Kyle area?

This is the current map
of Hays County com-
missioner precincts. The
boundaries are undergoing
changes under a proposed
county redistricting plan.
Click on the map to enlarge.
Source: Hays County

Note: This letter from an alert citizen is circulating to groups and persons around the county. "I've personally emailed the commissioners," the letter's author told the RoundUp in an email. "I've gotten replies from 2 of them trying to assure me that things were being worked out and more transparency would be forthcoming." We have edited the letter for spelling. And we will not be surprised if the commissioners court pushes through its redistricting plan for Hays County without any meaningful consideration of public input.

If you want to know how you might be affected by the county's redistricting, give a shout to your commissioner or County Judge Bert Cobb, bert.cobb@co.hays.tx.us, 512.393.2205.

Send your comments and news tips to roundup.editor@gmail.com or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story

Dear Residents,

If you have not been keeping up with the redistricting process in the county, Meadow Woods and Mt. City have now been drawn into the Pct 4 Commissioner's pct. Everything West of 2770, Scott Street and South of 150, including HTK, will be included. That is in Dripping Springs! Hello!!

Comm. Whisenant is a great guy, don't get me wrong, but will DS want or need the same things that we associate with our wonderful Buda/Kyle area? We all need to contact the commissioner whom we elected to represent us, Comm. Mark Jones, and let him know that we do care and don't want to now be represented by Dripping Springs!

The two commissioners that are on the committee are Comm. Inglesbe from San Marcos, and Comm. Conley from Wimberley. Please contact them as well. This is serious and makes no sense.

This is not a republican or democratic issue, it is a PEOPLE issue.

A lot of the East side in the Kyle area is represented by Comm. 1 (Inglesbe) from San Marcos. She will be given quite a bit more of the East area. At least they connect and she knows this area well.

It makes much more sense for Dripping Springs to run straight through Driftwood and down 967 to take in Ruby Ranch and Bliss Spillar area that are closest to Dripping Springs! The numbers, by law, have to diminish by about 13,000 in this area to make all pcts equal in population. But I think this is really stretching it....

There will be a final map to post on fb, be looking for it later.

This is extremely time sensitive and from what I understand, there will be no public hearings, but a final map (w/us in DS) will be presented to Comm Court as early as next week.

Please, please contact Mark Jones, our commissioner, Will Conley and Debbie Ingalsbe. Their (contact) info is on the website: www.co.hays.tx.us and let them know we elected Mark Jones to represent our best interests, and not the Comm. in DS. Call, email, whatever, just let them know your opinions.

This only happens once every 10 years, so now is our shot!

Thank you!

Conley 'the decider' says no thanks to referendum on controversial groundwater district decision

"We need real reform, this takes time and candid conversation about this issue. Therefore in the mean time, I have chosen to negotiate with the developer."

Send your comments and news tips to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to Mr. McMeans at JRMcMeans@msn.com, to Mr. Conley at will.conley@co.hays.tx.us or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story

Editor's note: The emails below between Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley and CARD (Citizens Alliance for Responsible Development) coordinator Jim McMeans have been circulating for a few days.

In a nutshell, Commissioner Conley (who is known to play outside the rules when it suits his political agenda) has decided he won't buck the system and call for an election challenging a controversial decision by the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. Conley says he would prefer to "negotiate" a solution, privately, as usual. His emailed response to McMeans reads more like a campaign flyer, taking credit for everything short of Creation.

In February, the groundwater district, on a 3-2 vote, granted local developer Wimberley Springs Partners a permit to pump up to 81.5 million gallons of groundwater annually. The decision caused an uproar from Wimberley area residents who feared groundwater would be wasted on a golf course and future unsustainable development at Wimberley Springs, located a few miles west of Wimberley on FM 2325. McMeans and others have since filed a lawsuit against the groundwater district.

Another option available through the commissioners court is to call a referendum of voters inside the groundwater district to affirm or overturn the district's February decision. What better way is there to hear the will of the people? The enabling legislation (line 98-7) that created the HTGCD gives the commissioners court the authority to say yea or nay: "The Hays County Commissioners Court by resolution may require an election to affirm or reverse a decision of the board of directors of the district not later than six months after the date of the decision." Deadline for the commissioners court to address the question is fast approaching.

Unfortunately, Conley's closed position will once again short circuit public input on an important public matter. Once again, Conley is playing the role of 'The Decider.' Thumbing his nose at certain constituencies and their deep concerns is a risk Conley knows he can take. The western part of his precinct – Wimberley, the Woodcreeks and all points west to the Blanco County line – is becoming increasingly irrelevant to his re-election prospects. The western valley will be made even less relevant as Precinct 3, under redistricting, is likely to absorb a bigger chunk of San Marcos to the east, Conley's long time home turf).

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Thanks for your detailed response on this issue raised by CARD and the 657 citizens who signed the petition. I do want you to understand CARD's position on this matter, as follows:

1. The vote to grant the permit to WSP was by a 3 to 2 vote with the two elected officials representing the area of concern (Woodcreek, Woodcreek North, and Wimberley areas) voting NO. The 150 citizens who presented their thoughts at the February 21st meeting were summarily ignored by the three members (Skipton, Key, and Nesbitt) who don't seem to have any concern about conservation of groundwater.
2. The WSP permit was approved before the District has the final Managed Available Groundwater determination from the TWDB and without any reference to a "water budget" for the District.
3. The citizens and CARD recognize that the District has a responsibility to place priorities on the allocation of precious groundwater. The huge amount of groundwater allocated for a second golf course can not be justified in light of the future demands on the Trinity Aquifer for potable use.
4. While some may think that our groundwater supply is unlimited and that surface water can be brought in readily to solve any shortage, the reality is that our groundwater supply is finite and is threatened by the increasing demands of growth in the area. And the other reality is that a long-term surface water supply has not yet been identified and when it is brought into the Wimberley area, the costs will be high.
5. The County, the city of Wimberley, State and Federal Government, and many private donors have made millions of dollars available to fund the Blue Hole Regional Park and the Jacobs Well Natural Area. Groundwater pumping by WSP as authorized by Permit #168 will very likely dry up Jacob's Well except in times of prolific rainfall and cause the closure of the Blue Hole swimming area.
6. The issuance of Permit #168 granted the right to "Municipal use" to WSP. WSP holds no CCN and can not use the water for that purpose. Their only option for "Municipal Use" is to sell the permitted wells to Aqua Texas who holds the CCN. This is an obvious circumvention of the permitting processes, fostered by WSP and by Aqua Texas with the concurrence of the three members of the HTGCD who voted for the permit.
7. The citizens have responsibly petitioned for a chance to vote on this matter, as is authorized by State Law. They should be given that opportunity. The vote could be to affirm or to reverse the decision on Permit #168.
8. If the permit decision were reversed, the HTGCD would have to go back to the drawing board with WSP and would hopefully understand (with counsel from Hays County Commissioners and others) that they made a mistake granting such a permit and would listen to and respect input from affected citizens. Additionally, the lawsuit they are currently facing would be dismissed and huge amounts of legal fees would be avoided.
9. I believe a permit with a responsible allocation of groundwater for WSP would be supported by CARD and area citizens. A second golf course will not be supported when sewage disposal for the future development in Woodcreek North can be done on open space rather than a golf course. However, any allocation of groundwater for municipal use within the CCN's of this area should be sought by the licensed water companies - WWSC or Aqua Texas.

Will, I appreciate your ongoing concern for our area's development and our water resources. I especially appreciate your leadership in so many critical areas. CARD pledges to work with you, Judge Cobb, and all members of the Court to build a sustainable future for our area.

Thanks.

Jim McMeans 847-6578

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To All Concerned,

I want to thank you for your emails and concerns. I share many of your concerns about water in our community. As most of you know my family uses the same water. We enjoy and love the same natural assets we all fight to protect. I have personally led on many issues in regard to water and conservation in our area. Just some of these include: Aqua TX (who is fixing their water lines that lose 50 percent of their water), new parks and conservation land for the Valley, the development of water and waste water plans (which a new committee is about to be formed to see how we move forward with the recommendations), funding the groundwater district, working on new legislation for the Trinity Groundwater District that makes sense for our community and actually manages ground water resources (we had legislation that was really close to a good solution but it wasn’t supported by many other elected officials in the West, so it died this session), promoting rainwater solutions (both by personal example and in policy), writing new rules for development for Hays County, and serving on state water planning boards. I know this issue very well and understand the challenges our community is facing.

What I don’t agree with or understand is CARDS proposal on how to deal with the issue. If I convinced three of my colleagues to call for an election, and if an election was called, and if this permit was voted down, then two things would happen after all this effort and expense. First Wimberley Springs would have two options. They could move forward pumping water without a permit, like Dripping Springs Water Supply and Aqua TX or they could go back to the District and just lower the permit some small amount and start this process all over again. Either way nothing is accomplished that would actually change any real conditions on the ground. I would also like to note that these are elected officials who made a decision. There are conditions on this permit for drought and seasonal use that is better than the alternative for now. In short, the law of the land at this point in time doesn’t support what you would like to see happen in our community. We need real reform, this takes time and candid conversation about this issue.

Therefore in the mean time, I have chosen to negotiate with the developer. I have made my position clear that I don’t support a new golf course. I have made it clear that we need to do something more responsible for our area. We continue to have discussions and I am hopeful a better solution will be found. I will continue to work on new legislation to reform our poorly designed ground water district. I will continue to work on parks and conservation. I will continue to work on short term, mid term, and long term solutions to our water needs. It is the most important issue we face as a county and I will continue to do what I can, within my authority as your Commissioner, in order to ensure long term sustainability for our community and our environment.

Sincerely,

Will Conley

GOP begs for stimulus while condemning it

Editor's note: Lying, double dealin' politicians are nothing new, but the level at which they engage in such bull has reached epidemic proportions. Even here in Hays County, there's plenty of it to go around. Alas, to expect an honest, straight talking politician is to expect too much – remember that when you cast your ballot in the next election. According to epistemologist Jeremy Sherman, in Ambigamy (Psychology Today), "We like to think politicians should know we only want straight talk. When we think like that, we're lying about lying. We're pretending we believe and can live by a simple rule like "honesty is the best policy."

Austin American-Statesman | By Laylan Copelin | One year ago – Gov. Rick Perry has always publicly stiff-armed federal stimulus dollars, even as he accepted billions to balance the state budget and tens of millions that he could award to constituents. He even ignored state law and his own executive order that require all state agencies and institutions of higher education to be "accountable and transparent" by posting their stimulus spending reports on their Web sites.

Daily Kos | Posted by Hunter – On March 8, 2011, Gannett news service reported that the funding for Cates Landing was being targeted by lawmakers looking to slash the federal budget. The same day that report came out, Tennessee GOP Congressman Stephen Fincher spoke directly with Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about the funds. The next day, he wrote a follow-up letter seeking assistance in "obligating" the $13 million grant for the port. [...]

"We just wanted to make sure that we could do everything possible to create jobs, and this was a part we could play and I did everything I could and we were successful," the congressman declared a few days later to reporters, onlookers and fellow lawmakers, at an event praising the incoming funds.

Two days after writing LaHood, Fincher voted for a Republican House budget that cut billions of dollars, including from many other transportation priorities. His office put out a press release scolding "out of control" and "reckless" federal spending. [...]

There's not really a "dilemma" here, of course, because the mantra of each of these GOP politicians is perfectly consistent: gimme some cash and screw everybody else. But it does show at minimum that even Republicans don't believe Republican economics. Even Michele Bachmann, archconservative extraordinaire, is an eager proponent of Keynesian economics in her district.

What does SB 8 mean for classroom teachers?

The Texas Classroom Teachers Association recently distributed this advisory (edited for length) concerning several major changes passed by the Legislature under Senate Bill 8 in teacher hiring, firing and setting of salaries. Read the entire advisory here.

Salary

– Your district can lower your salary below current (2010-11) levels. The current state minimum salary schedule remains in place, so your salary cannot go below the state minimum for your salary step.

– Most likely (although it will probably be subject to litigation) any reductions in salary from your 2010-11 compensation will not happen for the upcoming (2011-12) school year, since the law will not go into effect until this fall, after teachers are working under the terms of an existing contract.

– Your district can choose to implement a furlough program, which is another method of lowering salaries. A furlough program would mean that the district could reduce your required days of service by up to 6 non-instructional days, unpaid; a 6-day furlough would have the effect of lowering annual salary by 3.2%, for a teacher on a 187-day contract.

– Any reduction in salary under the furlough program must be equally distributed over the course of the contract. If your district lowers salaries or implements furloughs, administrators and other professional employees must also be subject to the reductions/furloughs at the same level.

Legal rights/protections

– Your district can now wait until near the end of the spring semester – 10 days prior to the last day of instruction – to notify you whether your contract will be renewed for the upcoming school year. Under current law, the notice deadline is 45 days prior to the last day of instruction, which is generally in mid-April.

– If your district declares a “financial exigency” (for which there is no definition in law), it will be much easier to terminate teacher contracts mid-year. Under current law, there is a higher level of teacher due process because the district is essentially breaking the contract (and a teacher doing the same would be subject to certification sanctions).

– The revised law makes it as easy to terminate mid-year under a financial exigency as it is to nonrenew a contract at the end of the term.

Texas senators to look into water utility rate increases

"Wealthy people who invest their money through these investment firms have decided that these small rural water companies offer a great opportunity to make some money," Frederick said. "They want to squeeze more profits out of the cash flow."

Note: We know of at least one investor-owned water utility in the area that could use a good investigation . . . it is long overdue. If you agree, please let Senator Watson know your feelings. The first public hearing is scheduled July 28 at the state Capitol.

Send your comments and news tips to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to Sen. Watson at kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us, 512.463.0114, or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story

Austin American-Statesman | By Asher Price June 30 2011 – A group of Texas senators, led by state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, will investigate water and sewage rate increases by investor-owned utilities affecting thousands of people across Texas, including those in subdivisions in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties.

The decision to investigate rates comes after Monarch Utilities, a division of California-based SouthWest Water Co., filed an application in late May to raise rates beginning Aug. 1 for water and wastewater customers.

Once the rate increase goes into effect, a typical Monarch customer could pay rates that are more than twice as high as those for the average water utility customer in a Texas city, according to Watson's office.

Travis County threatens lawsuit against LCRA for not divulging info on water utilities

Citizens deserve answers to all these questions before we buy a pig in a poke from the LCRA

Note: A question: Hays County Commissioners Court continues to play hide n' seek with information about its intentions in purchasing the Hwy 290/West Travis County Regional Water System from the LCRA. Shouldn't the court also be the target of a public information lawsuit from taxpaying citizens?

Click on map to enlarge

Send your comments and news tips to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to Ms. Hopson at hopsonbarbara@yahoo.com, to County Judge Bert Cobb at bert.cobb@co.hays.tx.us, 512.393.2205, or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story

By Barbara Hopson
Guest Commentary

The headline in an article in Thursday's June 30 Austin American-Statesman reads: "LCRA broke law in failing to divulge enough on utilities sale, county says."

The main point of the article (link) is that West Lake Hills claims it was denied information by LCRA – information that it needed before bidding on the LCRA wastewater treatment plant which serves that city.

Hays County citizens, too, are concerned and mystified as to the paltry information we have been given by our county commissioners about ongoing negotiations to buy LCRA facilities. We understand that commissioners court might be secretive concerning dollar amounts involved in their bidding process. But we haven't a clue as to:

1. Which LCRA properties Hays County will end up owning

2. Which Hays County taxpayers will be responsible for paying off the enormous revenue bonds used to buy the LCRA properties

3. How much more the current LCRA ratepayers can expect to pay for water when LCRA is no longer subsidizing the huge losses generated by the properties

4. Whether LCRA will grant a block amount of surface water to the Coalition as a whole or will dole out amounts to each entity member of the Coalition

5. What the priority list is as to which entities are served first in times of drought

6. Whether members of the Coalition will own/be responsible for LCRA properties outside their boundaries

7. Whether Hays County citizens in the path of LCRA pipelines will be compelled to tie on to them

8. How much planned and needed additions/renovations to the current properties will cost

There are many other unanswered questions as well. Citizens deserve answers to all these questions before we buy a pig in a poke from the LCRA. County commissioners should hold public informational meetings in their precincts.

Stephen Colbert, Karl Rove and the mockery of campaign finance

Washington Post | By Dana Milbank, Published June 30

The comedian Stephen Colbert flew down to Washington this week to parody the nation’s campaign-finance laws. But there was a flaw in his plan: The campaign-finance system already is a parody.

Standing on a platform outside the Federal Election Commission, Colbert boasted about how he had won the FEC’s blessing to create a “SuperPAC” to raise unlimited funds. “I do have one federal election law joke if you’d like to hear it,” the new head of Colbert SuperPAC offered.

“Knock knock,” Colbert said.

“Who’s there?” responded the crowd of about 200.

“Unlimited union and corporate campaign contributions.”

“Unlimited union and corporate campaign contributions who?”

“That’s the thing,” Colbert said. “I don’t think I should have to tell you.”

Record 235 Texas counties under outdoor burn ban

A record 235 Texas counties have outdoor burn bans as the state continues to suffer from drought. The Texas Forest Service on Wednesday confirmed the record, with just 19 counties not under burn restrictions. Spokeswoman April Saginor told The Associated Press that the previous record number of Texas counties with outdoor burn bans was 221, set in January 2006. According to the TFS, nearly 3.3 million acres have burned during the current wildfire season.

GOP enacts SB 1, $4 billion in school cuts

Update 12:30pm: Dallas Morning News | House ends special session after anti-groping bill dies in big ruckus | By Robert T. Garrett – The Texas House adjourned for good Wednesday, ending the special session after tempestuous arguments over an "anti-groping" bill that died because it couldn't attract support from four-fifths of the House, as required for the bill to survive.

Texas Politics | Houston Chronicle June 29 2011 – The Senate took the proverbial early train out of town when they adjourned Sine Die on Tuesday, killing the ‘sanctuary cities’ ban, further jeopardizing the anti-groping/TSA bill (which the House will try to take up today) and seriously ticking off the House leadership, who wasted little time blaming the other body. Gov. Rick Perry joined in, releasing a statement that blamed the ban’s failure on Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock.

Texas Tribune | The End Game: Special Session Wraps Up Today | By Ross Ramsey and Thanh Tan June 29 2011 – The Texas Legislature on Tuesday passed several crucial bills to balance the state's budget, save money on health care, and reform the claims process for the state's insurer of last resort before hurricane season, but it will take a few more steps for the House to follow the Senate and adjourn sine die — once and for all — by the end of today.

By Gary Scharrer and Peggy Fikac | Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
Read the complete story

AUSTIN June 28 2011 — The special legislative session nearly collapsed into disarray Tuesday when the Senate went home early and the House initially killed a must-pass school finance bill. But after first rejecting legislation imposing a $4 billion cut on public schools, House Republican leaders immediately called a caucus meeting and persuaded 16 colleagues to change their votes, salvaging the final hours of the special session, which ends today.

After voting against the bill, Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, asked for another vote, explaining to his colleagues that misunderstandings over the bill had been cleared up.

"Our understanding of the bill has changed," King explained.

House Democratic leader Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, joked that a few of her GOP colleagues suffered broken kneecaps after a 79-64 vote against the must-pass Senate Bill 1 miraculously turned into an 80-57 vote for it.

Farrar predicted a voter backlash in the wake of school funding cuts - in the range of 6 percent - and a companion bill allowing school districts to furlough teachers and to cut their pay.

"It's going to take time for people to see the ripple effect," Farrar said of the funding cuts that she expects will result in schools closing, teacher layoffs and larger class sizes.

"They will be shocked, and they will have buyer's remorse from the last election," Farrar said, recalling how voters elected 101 Republicans out of 150 House members.

Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, disagreed about a backlash.

"People in my district didn't want to raise taxes. They wanted us to live within our means, and I think we have done that," Pitts said.

But Pitts, House sponsor of SB 1, conceded that voters might not support the legislation resulting in teacher furloughs and pay cuts.

"I heard an outcry from my district and constituents on that. We can't keep slapping our teachers," Pitts said.

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Susie's Experience with the TSA Pat Down from SusieCastillo.net on Vimeo.