Tx Capitol Report | A view from the Texas state capitol

No decision yet

Sen. Eliot Shapleigh said a decision would come after Thanksgiving.

The problem is that he never said exactly when.

On Monday, he told the El Paso Times that an announcement on his future plans would come sometime before Jan. 3. The last day to file for a place on the ballot is Jan. 4.

"Right now we are enjoying life," Shapleigh said. "I visit with dozens of friends across the state and nation on options and when I am resolved how to best serve, I'll be sure and let you know."

Shapleigh announced last month that he would not seek reelection for his senate seat in 2010.

Back then he hinted strongly at the possibility of running for statewide office. He said the work that needed to be done in Texas had to be done at higher levels.

For weeks, speculation over Shapleigh's plans has centered around two statewide seats: governor or lieutenant governor.

Recently, though, he endorsed Houston Mayor Bill White for governor.

When asked if he was considering a possible bid for governor or lieutenant governor, Shapleigh brushed aside the governor's race.

"I believe Bill White will be the next governor," Shapleigh said. "He is a consensus builder. He solves problems. He has strong backing in Houston. He can raise the money and he is trusted."

Shapleigh would not say which statewide office, if any, he plans to seek but did say that raising money is a factor.

"Nearly every decision is a funding issue in public or private life," Shapleigh said.

Margo has joined the race

Businessman Dee Margo has decided to run against State Rep. Joe Moody for the District 78 seat.

The chairman and CEO of JDW Insurance told the El Paso Times two weeks ago that he was not interested in the state senate but was instead considering a rematch against Moody.

Margo beat longtime Republican House member Pat Haggerty last year in the primary for the seat but lost to Moody in the general election.

He said Moody had an edge because of the high number of voters who showed up at the polls for the presidential election between President Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain.

Before Margo can face Moody in the general election, he will have to beat two Republican challengers in the primary this March.

Jay Kleberg, a former recruiter who brought corporations to the El Paso region, and former bank manager L. Rene Diaz have already said they would join the Republican ballot.

Margo said he is ready to face his opponents.

"We did some polling last week. It was very positive," Margo said. "Based on as much "empirical" data as we could come up with, we decided to do it."

This is the third time Margo will seek a state office. He lost to Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, in 2006.

Teaching more about Latinos

State Rep. Norma Chavez told Texas education officials Wednesday that Hispanics deserve a more prominent role in the state’s social studies curriculum.

And, she said, members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus will be watching as the State Board of Education continues to define the curriculum standards that will determine what will be taught in history classes over the next 10 years.

A vote on new curriculum standards is not expected until March.

Revisions to the state's social studies curriculum came under scrutiny several months ago when a pair of expert reviewers suggested that Cesar Chavez, a prominent labor leader, and Thurgood Marshall, the country's first black Supreme Court justice, did not merit the attention they received in history books.

Both figures stayed put but Chavez said many were left out.

Others were mentioned as examples of what may be taught but were not considered part of the required curriculum.

Chavez said this could keep them out of social studies textbooks because publishers will focus only on what is required by the state.

More than 160 historical figures have been recommended for the social studies curriculum from kindergarten through 12th grade but only 16 are Hispanic, Chavez said.

"There became a great concern that this no longer a Cesar Chavez issue," Chavez said. "This is now looking at Latinos in the state of Texas and how the State Board of Education was going to address them historically and they're not."

Chavez said students should be required to learn about people such as Irma Rangel, the first Latina elected to the Texas Legislature and Henry B. Gonzalez, the first Latino from Texas to get elected to Congress. 

She is not the first to complain that the proposed standards do not highlight the accomplishments of Hispanics in Texas.

Other El Pasoans have expressed concerns and State Board of Education members Mary Helen Berlanga and Rene Nunez called for a greater representation of Hispanics in the curriculum.

Chavez said legislators want to be included in the process.

"We are not trying to do political correctness here," she said. "We are not trying to do partisanship here. We are trying to acknowledge a people that are very important.

Candidate starts full-time campaign while others weigh options

Former county attorney Jose Rodriguez is free to dedicate all of his time to pursuing a Texas senate seat.

County Commissioners on Monday named Rodriguez's top assistant, Jo Anne Bernal, as the interim county attorney.

This means Rodriguez is now clear of any obligations as county attorney and can campaign full-time for the seat.

"I have been talking to a lot of people in Austin and El Paso about my candidacy and, now, I can really focus on the fundamentals of establishing a campaign organization, a campaign office, a platform and the recruitment of volunteers," Rodriguez said. 

As Rodriguez gets into gear, two potential candidates are still weighing their options.

Former Tigua tribe Gov. Albert Alvidrez said he is still exploring a possible senate run and he is not ready to make any announcement.

"I haven't reached a decision just yet," Alvidrez said. "The exploratory committee has been working well and I have been getting good advice. It will take a lot of consideration, prayer and reflection."

Alvidrez said a decision is coming but would not give a time frame.

State Rep. Norma Chavez initially said she would make a decision on a bid for the Texas senate by Thanksgiving but now says that announcement could come Dec. 1.

“People tell me the domino effect doesn’t happen until I domino," Chavez said. "Information is power and, obviously, I am not ready to say anything yet."

Hutchison will not resign until after primary

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison does not plan to resign from her seat to run for governor until after the Republican primary against Gov. Rick Perry.

Hutchison said publicly during summertime that she would step down in October or November to challenge Perry for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Then she said she would stay in the senate to fight President Obama's health-care proposal.

Here is an excerpt from the speech she plans to give Saturday to the Texas Federation of Republican Women in Galveston.

"The Democrats are going to pull out every stop to socialize American medicine which will lead to huge tax increases, the loss of countless jobs and the end of patient choice. At the same time, they are gearing up for a huge fight over cap and trade.
Cap and trade will turn us into the cleanest third world economy in this hemisphere. And it will devastate the Texas economy. We must stop it in its tracks. I plan on being the next Governor of Texas. But first, I must do everything I can to fight government healthcare and cap and trade. And so I will put aside what’s best for my campaign and do what is best for Texas by staying in the Senate while running for the Republican nomination.
I realize this will keep me in the senate past the primary election. But I simply cannot leave the senate before Obama care and cap and trade have been defeated. These issues are too important to leave the fight to a newly appointed freshman senator who will be selected in the midst of a political storm. Let me also be crystal clear about one thing. I will be resigning this senate seat. For all of the good Republicans out there who plan on running for my Senate seat next year, make no mistake, this is going to happen."

Jose Rodriguez stops in Austin to promote senate campaign

Former County Attorney Jose Rodriguez said Wednesday in Austin that El Paso needs a senator who is willing to mend bridges and heal open wounds.

Rodriguez, 61, who resigned his position Sunday to seek Eliot Shapleigh's senate seat, said he is up to the challenge.

El Paso legislators made headlines several times this year for disputes during the legislative session.

Bills that would exempt El Paso County and its school districts from paying stormwater fees were temporarily stalled during the session as most of the delegation quibbled over who would take credit for their passage.

State Reps. Norma Chavez and Marisa Marquez were also at odds over a bill filed by Marquez that would create El Paso County's first ethics commission with teeth.

The measure created animosity between the two. Chavez later sent Marquez a string of text messages telling her to steer clear of her graduation party. 

Rodriguez said he has heard concerns about disputes within the delegation from Capitol legislators and voters in El Paso.

He said, if elected, he would take a strong lead in uniting the delegation by listening to each member's concerns and trying to resolve any disputes over new legislation before the next session in 2011.

"We have got to do something about a delegation that fights constantly and that worse than that kills each other's bills," he said. "Bills that have been developed in the community as a community's legislative agenda. That is not healthy. It's not acceptable and we should not tolerate that as a community."

Rodriguez has had his own run-ins with Chavez over the ethics commission legislation.

He was one of several county officials that supported the legislation and rushed to Austin when he heard she had concerns. Back then he told the El Paso Times that Chavez yelled at him and behaved unprofessionally during a meeting in her office.

Rodriguez said if he is elected and Chavez stays in the House he is willing to sit down with her and mend any rifts in their relationship.

"We have a responsibility to do that if we are going to be in positions of representing the community," he said.

Other goals and tidbits

Rodriguez, who is the only one among his seven siblings to graduate from college, said another key priority is education.

The Hispanic community, he said, continues to have the highest drop out rate, a large number of people without college degrees and sometimes lacks the job skills to compete in the current labor market.

"I represent what an education can do for students and I feel very strongly that without an educated workforce we are not going to be able to succeed in moving El Paso forward and, indeed, the rest of the state and country."

Rodriguez said he also wants to address the number of El Pasoans without health insurance, bring more industry to the city and support the needs of a growing military community.

He said democrats and republicans support his campaign.

Republicans include State Sen. John Carona, D-Dallas, and businessman Bob Hoy. He also said that other prominent Republican businessman have expressed their support and plan to host a fundraiser for him.

Moody rematch?

Businessman Dee Margo told the El Paso Times today that he does not have his eyes set on a Senate seat run.

But the chairman and CEO of JDW Insurance is pondering  a bid for State Rep. Joe Moody's position in the Texas House.

"I am considering it," Margo said about the possibility of running for the House seat. "I haven't made up my mind yet."

Margo said he will decide in two weeks whether he will challenge Moody again for the West El Paso seat.

Last year, Margo beat longtime Republican House member Pat Haggerty in the primary for the District 78 seat but lost to democratic newcomer Joe Moody.

Margo said he believes Moody had an edge because of the high voter turnout for the presidential election between President Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain.

But, he said, this year could be different.

"The Obama win was an anomaly, " Margo said. "The top of the ticket drew voters that, as it showed last Tuesday, aren't coming back out."

Margo boosts the number of Republicans interested in the position to three. The other two people interested in the House seat are Jay Kleberg, a former recruiter who brought corporations to the El Paso region, and businessman L. Rene Diaz.

Kleberg said the El Paso delegation needs more Republican representation to create a better balance of elected officials.

"I am running for the position and El Paso," he said. "I am not running against any one in particular. We need a strong voice in Austin."

Moody said he is ready to take on his challengers.

"If and when any of these individuals file for office I will be happy to engage them in the campaign," Moody said. "I look forward to a spirited race to represent District 78."

Moody said he is proud of the work he accomplished during the last session.

Moody was named freshman of the year by the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and the Texas District and County Attorneys Association

But Margo said the district is lacking representation and leadership.

"I still think El Paso is the stepchild and our delegation, especially District 78, has failed to accomplish a whole lot," he said.

Jose Rodriguez is running for Texas senate

        County attorney Jose Rodriguez announced today that he is running for Texas senate.
        Rodriguez is the first candidate to officially declare his intention to seek Sen. Eliot Shapleigh's seat.
       Shapleigh said last month that he would not seek reelection in 2010.

    Rodriguez is moving quickly in his campaign for the Senate. He already has a fundraiser scheduled this week in Austin.
        Below is a copy of the speech he gave Sunday.

Almost 20 years ago, as a younger lawyer with no political experience, I got this idea that I could run county wide and serve as County Attorney. Some might say that I was presumptuous.

Had I tried to do it alone, I would have most definitely been presumptuous.  But I learned early on the power of bringing talented people together … committed, compassionate people … people who truly care about their community.

Together, we redefined the office of the County Attorney.  Amazingly, what seemed unusual to some when we started many of these initiatives is now seen as a model in counties throughout the state.  But our end goal was never about the office … it was about living out the sense of community that makes El Paso such a special place to live and raise a family.

Our driving mission was simple:  we didn’t just want to be a cog in the wheel of government, we wanted to be a part of the solution to problems that confront us. 

 Working with people who share that drive — in the office and throughout our community — has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

So I’d like to start today off by taking a moment to say “thank you.”

[Recognize wife, family, colleagues, staff and friends]

 Recently, thanks to the efforts of Congressman Reyes and so many people here in this room, President Obama signed legislation to re-name our courthouse in honor of Judge Albert Armendariz.  He, like a lot of us, came from humble roots and went on to achieve great things.  But what set him apart was that he didn’t live out the stereotype of taking people down as he moved up.  To the contrary, as he moved up, he took on the added weight and responsibility of  helping the entire community rise up with him.

Alicia Chacon provided a similar inspiration for me. As a mentor and friend, she engrained in me a sense of honor in public service, in lending a helping hand, and in working to change the community for a better future.

         And I’ve also been privileged to call another great El Pasoan a friend, a colleague, and leader … that’s our own Senator Eliot Shapleigh.  Bright, articulate, passionate, and a fierce fighter for El Paso, he has been called the conscience of the Senate, just as Paul Moreno came to be known as the conscience of the House.

         Armendariz … Chacón … Shapleigh … and the list goes on. This is what El Paso is all about.  We may not have much, but in our best moments we stick together and look out for each other, especially for the less fortunate.

         In the County Attorney’s Office, I’m proud of our efforts to transform the community and the lives of families by not only expanding existing services and functions but also adding new ones such as Teen Court, Environmental Court, Community Prosecutor, and Mental Health Task Force.

        And we’ve also used the visibility of the office to bring attention to critical issues not traditionally tackled by a prosecutor’s office, such under-funding in state transportation, mental health and other programs, health disparities up and down the Border, and harmful immigration and border security policies.

Perhaps the most lasting impact we’ve made is less glamorous but more fundamental. Together, we are instituting a first-of-its-kind County Ethics Commission with some real teeth so we can address corruption and betrayal of the public trust.  We can never forget that change isn’t possible unless you honor the people’s trust and confidence in government.

And despite all our efforts, I think we all know there’s a lot more to do.  In today’s economy, a lot of our neighbors are living month to month.  Healthcare and unemployment remain a serious challenge.  Time is working against us because at the same time that El Paso and the Border continue to get the short end of the stick on state investments, the global economy has undergone a massive transformation, and only those communities with an educated workforce will reap the rewards.

Last session, Governor Perry signed a state budget that bailed Texas out with more than $10 billion of President Obama’s Recovery Act to balance the budget. But we all know that money won’t be there next time.  So our schools, our universities, our health care programs, and our roads are all in a precarious position.

These are critical times.

As we all know, Eliot Shapleigh has decided to step down as our State Senator.  He will leave a vacuum that must be filled.  Unless we continue to fight for El Paso, we’ll be forgotten.

I am no longer a young lawyer.  And surrounded by so many friends here today, I’m not a presumptuous one either.   

I respect and admire Eliot; he has done great work for El Paso and the entire border region.

But, I realize that I am not him and he is not Jose Rodriguez.

 So, I don’t look at what I’m about to tell you as a “political opportunity.”  I look at it as an obligation and a challenge that I undertake with the greatest humility. It’s time to once again say it’s not enough to be part of the process, we want to be part of the solution. 

That’s why today I am announcing that I am a candidate to represent El Paso as your next State Senator. 

Can I assume from your response that you’re not going to let me do this on my own?

While we face some tough challenges, we’re also presented with some incredible opportunities.  It’s time the rest of the state learns that the future of El Paso is the future of Texas.

If we invest more in early childhood education, we’ll tackle our high school dropout problem before it even becomes a problem. 

If we provide incentives for teachers — especially to recruit more math and science teachers in the classrooms — we can begin the hard work of repositioning Texas to compete in the global economy.

And if we look at a college education as the investment that it is and our universities as the economic drivers they are, we’ll remove the economic barriers that prevent too many students from continuing their education and we’ll support our institutions of higher education both in teaching and research.

We need to see that the needs of our cities and counties are understood, respected and responded to by the legislature. If I am elected your state senator, I will work closely with each of them to advance their interests.

We will work tirelessly to help our existing businesses thrive and bring new jobs to El Paso., and our support for Fort Bliss and the needs of our military will be second to none. 

It is critical, and I will do everything possible to unite with our  house delegation behind El Paso’s priorities. 

I could go on about smart investments that can save us money and create new opportunities — but, I want to take a moment to recognize that my decision today closes a very meaningful chapter in my life.

         In running to represent El Paso in the State Senate, I am, in effect, stepping down as your County Attorney.  

         This was never a one-man-job.  It was team effort.  And I’ve been honored to work side-by-side with some of the most dedicated public servants in El Paso.  [Recognize members of team]

         I could not be more proud of not only what we’ve accomplished, but how we’ve done it.   And I am confident that the office will continue doing great work for the community.

I think we were successful over the years because we didn’t let the job define us, but rather our passions.   I repeat, we’re not just part of the process, we’re part of the solution.  And that passion we’ll carry forward in this campaign to ensure El Paso’s voice continues to be heard loud and clear.

Over the course of the next weeks and months, we’ll be speaking out on the issues and laying out our agenda to ensure El Paso’s voice is heard.  We’ll be getting out in the neighborhoods and asking you to join us … knocking on doors, letting neighbors know what’s at stake, and bringing people together like never before.

Bringing people together is going to be a real important part of our campaign.  In parts of the state, and in Austin, we’re known all too well for our family feuds.  I believe part of my obligation in this campaign is to do what I’ve done as County Attorney, and to remind my self each and every day that we really our one family.

And you all are an important part of my family.  Thank you for being here. Let’s enjoy the food and refreshments.  

Let’s enjoy each other’s company because tomorrow we get to work.        

And, I promise you this---No one will out work me during this campaign as your state Senator.

 

 

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Decision time nears

 

County attorney Jose Rodriguez said he could make a decision on his possible run for the state senate this weekend.
"I am coming very close to it," he said. "I've been covering a lot of ground and talking to a lot of people. I will be making a decision a lot faster than I anticipated."

Rodriguez last month said he was forming an exploratory committee to determine whether he had the backing to begin a campaign for State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh's seat.

Shapleigh announced last month that he would not seek reelection in 2010.
Rodriguez said the past few weeks have brought a lot of positive feedback from people willing to support him should he decide to run. He would not officially announce anything but it sounds like he may soon be throwing his hat in the ring.

"It is looking very encouraging," he said about the support he has garnered.

State Rep. Norma Chavez, who has also expressed interest in the senate seat, said she does not plan to make a decision until Thanksgiving.

Chavez seemed less enthusiastic about a possible run for the senate seat. She said that is because the initial excitement wore off and now she is dealing with the reality of gathering feedback and building support.

She said several of her supporters have expressed concerns over the loss of seniority in the Texas House if she runs for the senate seat.

During a meeting earlier this week, state Rep. Joe Pickett said he did not believe Chavez would seek the senate seat.

He said Chavez has a lot of support in her district and seems to be leaning toward another run for her House seat.

But Chavez said she has yet to make a decision.

“It’s an open seat and there is likely going to be more than two horses, so, I wouldn’t count me out yet,” she said.

Chavez has about $100,000 in commitments to run for either seat but she recognizes that she would have to raise $350,000 to $500,000 to be a contender in the senate race.

“If and when I make that decision it will be based on the fact that I am going to win,” she said. “Regardless of my decision I will be in the Texas legislature. I will be a senior member of the House or I will be in the Senate.”