"Government's first duty
is to protect the people,
not run their lives."- Ronald Reagan.
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3/17 Friends Coffee: Political Landscape, with Ginni Thomas
3/17 Opportunity for All, Favoritism to None, with Joseph Wade Miller
4/21 Radical Islam and Shariah Law with Frank Gaffney, President of Center for Security Policy
5/19 TBA
All PCRW meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month, unless indicated, at the Museum of Biblical Art, 7500 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75225
Meet and greet begins at 6:30 pm followed by the formal meeting and program at 7 to 8:15 pm.
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The New Neighbor
committee is looking for
volunteers to help deliver information packets to new homeowners. The
responsibility includes
quarterly delivery to 8-12
specified homes in the Park Cities area. It is a
wonderful way to meet a
new neighbor and spread
awareness of PCRW;
however, if they are not at
home you can always leave the packets on their front door. The deliveries can be made at your convenience within a week of receiving. That's all there is to it, welcome new neighbors and give them the PCRW info packet, it's fun & easy. If you can help
please contact:
Leanne McKinley,
[email protected]
214-681-3132
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Participate in PCRW's efforts to research, educate, and raise awareness about any of these issues, please volunteer with the Legislative Watch Committee.
Contact:
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3/10 PCPH Leaders
3/16 Dallas GOP ExecCom
4/03 NCPA (author Glenn Greenwald)
4/07 DCCRW
4/16 TFRW Legislative Day in Austin
If interested in attending
events with other PCRW members, contact
Jennifer Rogers
214-522-2787
[email protected] |
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Austin, TX
Thursday, April 16, 2015
8:00am - 5:00pm
Join fellow DCCRW Women on the bus to Austin
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| Cathie Adams | | Sandy Ammons | | Emily Anderson | | Kaye Angiel | | Martha Archibald | | Claudia Armstrong | | Irmgard Arthur | | Faye Ballard | | Carolyn Bender | | Diane Benjamin | | Shelli Beucler | | Katherine Blair | | Brantley Booe, Jr | | Donna Booe | | Claire Boston | | Jane Brasch | | Anne Brock | | Brenda Brown | | Lorraine Brown | | Annis Buell | | Meriam Calabria | | Gail Capps | | David Carruth | | Cindi Castilla | | Ruth Chambers | | Beverly Clark | | Cindy Clendenen | | Janis Coffee | | Camille Cohen | | Joan Corbett | | Kathy Crow | | Jane Cumiskey | | Peggy Dicken | | Honorable Maurine Dickey | | Jill Dobbs | | Cynthia Farnham | | Anne B. Fitzgerald | | Aubrey Flaherty | | Marjorie Winn Ford | | Fred Fraley | | Jean Jones Fraley | | Marcia Cluxton French | | Caroline Fung | | Vicki Garza | | Gaylynn Gee | | Debbie Georgatos | | Tricia George | | Jennie Gilchrist | | Louie Gorman | | Cynthia Grubb | | Elaine Harman | | Honorable Will Hartnett | | Wanda Henry | | Libe K. Hodak-Lindsey | | Charlotte Hodges | | Peggy Holt | | Jan Gentry Howard | | Patty Howe | | Jolie Humphrey | | Patti Ivey | | Doris Jacobs | | Kaleta Johnson | | Ramona Jones | | Honorable Nancy Judy | | Connie Karcher | | Honorable Margaret Keliher | | Patty Kendrick | | Kristina Kiik | | Urve Kiik | | Angie King | Merrie Ann King
Sally Laroca | | Chenza Lazof | | Jeanne Lewis | | Jodi Lisle | | Carolyn Loy | | Ivette Lozano | | Terry M. Lynch | | Honorable Gail Madden | | Judy Martin | | Carole S. McBride | | Kay McCrary | | Kristie McCrary | | Leanne McKinley | | Nancy McRae | | William McRae | | Michelle Mew | | Keana Meyer | | Honorable Morgan Meyer | | Cathy Miller | | Mary Miller | | Honorable Tincy Miller | | Judy Milner | | Sarah Parks | | Marilyn Platt | | Judy Pollock | | Maggie Powell | | Virginia Prodan | | Ann Quest | | Twila Richardson | | Elizabeth Rivera | | Jennifer Rogers | | Lisa Luby Ryan | | Richard Saunders | | Honorable Karen Gren Scholer | | Harriett Scott | | Ali Sharp | | Emily Somerville | | Merrie Spaeth | | Kyla Stach | | Linda Staley | | Susan Stanzel | | Mary Stone | | Sharon Strother | | Kerry Sugg | | Lane Sullivan | | Catherine Taylor | | Kris Terry | | Teresa Thrash | | Lisa Troutt | | Norma Vardeman | | Candy Ward | | Pat Watson | | Lisa Hart Willis | | Susie Wilson | | Karen Wilson Smith | | Tish Witten | | Jill Youngblood | | Allison Zibulewsky |
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Lane Sullivan, Programs
Virginia Prodan, Campaigns & Community Engagement
Candy Ward, Membership
Gail Capps, Secretary
Charlotte Hodges, Treasurer
Jennifer Rogers, Historian & Social Network
Gaylynn Gee, Parliamentarian
Ali Sharp, Newsletter
Karen Gren Scholer, Bylaws
Claire Boston, Friends of PCRW
Committee Chairs
Sandy Ammons, Directory
Leslie Baker, Website
Katie Blair, Welcoming
Ruth Chambers, Arrangements
Cindy Clendenen, PAC
Cynthia Farnham, Welcoming
Debbie Georgatos,
YR Outreach
Jennie Gilchrist, Outreach
Connie Karcher, National Legislation
Angie King, Holiday Luncheon
Kristie McCrary, Outreach
Leanne McKinley, New Neighbors Welcoming
Emily Somerville, Publicity
Kris Terry, State Legislation
Tiffany Wyde, Internal Review
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Greetings!
Thank you for being a member of Park Cities Republican Women in 2015. As of February 28th, we had 252 members and our numbers continue to grow.
I hope you survived this bout of ice and snow. It was a white knuckle adventure for my husband and me as we braved the icy roads and sleet driving Hwy 75 to Allen to visit our son in his first home. It's a good thing we live in Texas where the temperature will soon swing back to 70 degree days!
Chuck DeVore was a hit with the forty five plus people attending in spite of the bad weather at our February meeting with his discussion on the Economic Impacts of Freedom on Poverty and Prosperity. He also had a few suggestions of what Texas could do to help itself become an even freer state. Read the recap of the meeting below.
Our March 17th meeting is sure to be just as educational, addressing "Opportunity for All, Favoritism to None". See more information about this below.
On the legislative end, our new Republican controlled U.S. congress is experiencing the difficulties of governing. The fight against the President's illegal executive orders showed some promise but in the end they folded giving away the chance to use the power of the purse to forbid use of government funds to further actions that disadvantage U.S. Citizens. On the positive side, the House Republicans pulled legislation from the floor for the Re-authorization of No Child Left Behind (HR5), listening to the feedback of constituents. See more information here. Although we may be disheartened we will continue to engage our representatives in Congress about the desire for limited government in accordance with the Constitution.
Our boards and committees continue to work hard to provide you the topics that are relevant to today from our speakers and from the legislative front.
If you have a comment or suggestion, please feel free to write me at [email protected]. We want to make the club responsive to your needs and desires.
I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!
Sincerely,
Terry Lynch
[email protected]
214-924-8683
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Opportunity for All, Favoritism to None!
A Legislative Scorecard: Are Texas Representatives Voting for Their Constituents or Supporting Corporate Cronyism in Washington?
For too long big-government special interests have dominated Washington. It's important that we hold our members of Congress accountable and keep apprised of how they are voting to ensure Washington is working for America's best interest.
 Join us March 17 to hear Joseph Wade Miller, South Central Regional Coordinator with Heritage Action for America, a widely respected nonprofit government relations organization whose grassroots activists are dedicated to advancing conservative policies in Washington.
Heritage Action produces a Legislative Scorecard tracking the voting records of Congress. Wade will provide some surprising insights about our elected officials and who is voting for or against certain policies.
Wade also will discuss these issues and conservative solutions:
- Export- Import Bank - what is it, how it supports corporate cronyism, and reasons to end it
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill - status
- Executive Overreach - Stopping Obama's lawlessness (IRS, DOJ, etc.)
- How to Get Your Voice Heard - easy, quick ways to engage Congress through Social Media
Find out more about the Heritage Action for America at www.heritageaction.com. Discover ways to connect with other conservatives in your district, view a dashboard containing specifics about our members of Congress, upcoming legislative fights and tools to take action.
Submitted by: Lane Sullivan
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Coffee and Discussion of the
Political Landscape with Ginni Thomas:
Conservative Activist and Columnist for the Daily Caller
Tuesday, March 17th
9:30am - 10:45am
Friends of PCRW: Watch for your email! Not a Friend of PCRW yet? There is still time to sign up! or Call Terry Lynch 214-924-8683
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| February Meeting in a Nutshell |
 On February 17 h, 2015, the Honorable Chuck DeVore, V.P. of Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) spoke about "The Economic Impact of Economic Freedom on Poverty and Prosperity." The key question in the debate is whether free markets reduce or increase poverty. The research model, using U.S. Census Bureau data from 2009-2012, selected the two largest states, the three largest  demographic groups in each state, and the two largest metro areas to study the level of poverty. In Texas the two metros were Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington and Houston/Baytown/Sugar Land. The California metros studied were Los Angeles/Long Beach/Santa Ana and San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont.
The level of poverty for the white non-Hispanic group was ranked at 10.1% and 8.5% in Texas and 16.8% and 13.5% in California. The African-American group ranked 15.7% and 18.9% in Texas; in California they ranked
34.7% and 35.1%. The Mexican-American group ranked 24.5%% and 25.1% in Texas; in California they ranked 40.3% and 37.3%.
The statistics reveal that the economically freer Texas has lower levels of poverty than does the highly regulated California. DeVore noted that it has been proven in both North America and throughout the world that economic freedom creates prosperity, boasts economic growth, and enhances job growth.
 In response to the question, "What steps can our TX Legislature take to make TX even more economically free and prosperous than we are today?" Chuck stated that there are two main ways
- Implement School Choice for ALL students so that all parents can take control over their children's future instead of the state. A bill has been proposed in the TX Senate (SB-276) that the Texas Public Policy Foundation believe will provide this School Choice. You can read more on this subject at the TPPF website.
- Lower taxes, both for business and personal -
Business Margins Tax has proved to be more of a burden than a help to the State and a disincentive to business growth. It should be repealed or put on a fast track for elimination by lowering the rate.
Personal property taxes -. The state should eliminate its property tax burden by replacing revenue with a reformed sales tax. The greatest incentive for property tax reform has to do with liberty. A start would be to have local voter approval of local property tax revenues in excess of the lower of 5% or population plus inflation.
Submitted by: Carole Haynes and Terry Lynch
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Member Spotlight - Cathie Adams
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A respected voice and media "go to" source for the conservative viewpoint, Cathie Adams is frequently quoted on a variety of issues.
Cathie serves as the President of Texas Eagle Forum, the International Issues Chairman for Eagle Forum and is on the board of the national Eagle Forum (www.eagleforum.org). Elected Republican National Committeewoman for Texas in 2008, Cathie stepped down after being elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas from 2009-2010.
 In 2010, Campaigns and Elections magazine named her one of the top 50 Republican influencers in Texas.Capitol Inside's Texas Lobby Power Rankings (www.capitolinside.com) placed Cathie first on their list of lobbyists for causes from 2005 through 2009. "The Democratic insurgence hasn't pushed Texas Eagle Forum President Cathie Adams out of the number one spot on the list of people who lobby for causes. Adams, a veteran activist who was elected to the Republican National Committee last summer, commands the immediate attention of GOP lawmakers whenever her organization decides to turn up the grassroots pressure on conservative issues dear to its heart." Cathie served as a member of the Human Services Commission for the City of Dallas, and has testified before the State Board of Education as well as several Legislative committees in Austin, Texas.
A full-time volunteer, Cathie and her husband of 45 years, Dr. Homer Adams have five grandchildren.
Cathie has been a member of PCRW since 2009. We are proud of our member and friend - Cathie Adams!
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State
Property Tax Reduction
Tuesday, February 24, the State Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mount), Chair of the Finance Committee, outlined the details of tax relief bill, SB1. SB1, authored by 23 senators, including five Democratic senators, would raise the homestead exemption permanently to 25% of the median home value in the state as determined by the Legislative Budget Board. This measure will require a constitutional amendment approved by voters. Nelson filed a constitutional amendment, SJR1.
Local government officials are lobbying to prevent passage of tax appraisal reform legislation. Senator Nichols' SB156 lowers the existing 10% cap on how much a residential homestead's appraisal value can increase for taxing purposes to 5%. It does not, however, cap the amount of taxes a homeowner may be required to pay. The taxing districts, such as counties, cities, hospital districts, etc. still set their own tax rates.
Business Tax Reduction
The Texas Senate also addressed its plans to reduce business franchise taxes through Senate Bills 7 and 8, which would be an additional $2.1 billion in tax relief. Both bills are likely to pass. The House leadership declined to comment on the proposal for the moment.
Transportation
The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville), voted in favor of both SB5 and SJR5, which will allocate the first $2.5 billion in annual car sales tax revenue to the state's general fund, and the next $2.5 billion to the state highway fund. All collections over $5 billion would be split between the two. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he expected to bring Nichols' measures to the Senate floor next week.
Retired Teachers Health Care
Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. John Otto (R-Dayton), pledged to fund the health insurance program for retired teachers, which is projecting a $768 million shortfall by 2017. Texas has kept its contributions at $75 per month since 2002.
Submitted by: Kris Terry
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National
Homeland Security Funding - On Friday night, Congress averted a partial shuttering of Homeland Security shutdown with a one-week extension of funding for the agency. President Obama signed it shortly before the midnight deadline. The deal came together after a whirlwind day of negotiations after the House Republican leadership's 20-day funding bill was rejected. The Senate passed the one-week bill by a voice vote, followed by a House vote of 357 to 60. (The original House vote was rejected by 52 Republicans and all but 12 Democrats.) Click here to read
Homosexual Marriage Push - The culture disconnect generated by homosexual rights activists has become more pronounced with recent court decisions regarding states' same-sex marriage bans: the recent U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to uphold state bans on same-sex marriage in Kentucky, Ohio (upheld by 62% of voters), Tennessee and Michigan and pending action by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding a ruling by the Federal District Court in Louisiana that upheld the state's ban on homosexual marriages. (Only 19 states voted to approve same-sex unions. An additional 17 states banned homosexual marriage, but were overruled by Court decisions. Alabama is resisting overreaching court decisions.)
According to recent research polls, homosexuals and bisexuals comprise 3.4% of the U.S. adult population, and "married" same-sex couples represent 0.1% of the U.S. adult population.
In April, the U.S. Supreme Count is scheduled to hear arguments from the Sixth Circuit cases requesting special rights demanded by the plaintiffs: Obergfell v. Hodges, Tanco v. Haslam, DeBoer v. Snyder, and Bourke v. Beshear. According to the Washington Post article, the consolidated cases are limited to 2 questions: 1) Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex? 2) Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state?
What is a stake? Why does it matter in Texas? What can 96.6% of U.S. adults, who do not prefer the homosexual or bisexual lifestyle, do to defend their liberties, including their religious liberties? The stakes are very high from social, financial and state's rights perspectives.
Texans provide leadership to the entire U.S. It's important for us to understand, discuss and communicate the unsettling impact this matter is already having where same-sex marriages are endorsed in communities, schools, churches, etc.
- NPR reported in 2004 that one lesbian 8th grade-teacher in Massachusetts graphically taught sexual techniques used by lesbians.
- In 2005, the parents of a kindergarten student questioned a schoolbook featuring same-sex couples. Although the state allowed the father to request opt out for his son, the principle refused to comply, had the father arrested for trespassing and did not drop the charges for 6 months. Then he was banned from voting, teacher-parent conferences and school committee meetings.
- Catholic Charities' adoption program was closed in Boston because they refused to place children for adoption with same-sex couples.
A Lutheran school in California was sued for expelling two girls who were in a lesbian relationship.
In NYC, a Jewish university was forced to allow same-sex "domestic partners" to live in married-student housing.
In New Jersey, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association lost its tax-exempt status when they refused to rent facilities for a lesbian "civil union" ceremony in 2007, and decided to close their facility to weddings.
In business, eHarmony, which "matches compatible Christian singles," was pressured via lawsuit to provide services for same-sex dating. They replaced references to "men and women" with "singles" and added a "compatible partners" link for "Lasting Relationships for Gay and Lesbian Singles."
To read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_demographics_of_the_United_States
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=IS04C02
http://www.eagleforum.org/court_watch/alerts.shtml
http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/14a0275p-06.pdf
Submitted by: National Legislative Chair
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PCRW is committed to using today's technology to keep in touch with current members and to reach out to prospective members. Please contact Ali Sharp Newsletter Editor, with any suggestions on how we can improve our communications. |
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