SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON TO RESIGN

This morning Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison told Host Mark Davis on WBAP in Dallas that she will resign in October or November while she challenges Governor Rick Perry in a heated Republican Primary.

Here’s the story from WBAP (LINK)

Rick Perry Announces Special Session for July 1st.

From Gov. Rick Perry’s office:

Gov. Perry Announces Special Session for July 1

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that a special session of the Texas Legislature will begin on Wednesday, July 1, at 10 a.m.

“The 81st Legislative Session was one of the most successful in recent memory, providing a tax cut to 40,000 small businesses and increasing financial aid for college students by more than 40 percent, all without touching our states Rainy Day Fund,” Gov. Perry said. “After speaking with legislators I am calling a special session to extend the operation of five critical agencies and help reduce gridlock by continuing to provide options for financing our state’s highways.”

The special session will consider the following issues:

·         Legislation extending the existence of five state agencies that were subject to sunset review by the 81st Legislature that would otherwise be abolished without legislative action, and to change the review schedule for certain state agencies to balance the Sunset Advisory Commission’s workload. These agencies include the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Racing Commission, Office of Public Insurance Counsel and Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation.
·         Legislation allowing the Texas Department of Transportation to issue general obligation bonds, which have already been approved by voters, for highway improvement projects, and for the creation, administration, financing and use of a Texas Transportation Revolving Fund to provide financial assistance for transportation projects.
·         Legislation extending the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation and a regional mobility authority to use comprehensive development agreements to design, finance, build and maintain transportation infrastructure.

Please visit http://governor.state.tx.us/news/proclamation/12758/ to view the governor’s proclamation announcing the special session.

AUDIO FROM TODAY’S SHOW POSTED

On today’s show we talked a lot about Gov. Mark Sanford, his affair, and of course his emails. If you missed it be sure to check out the podcasts of the show. Also, as a special treat “Barney Frank” was on the show to read one of the Mark Sanford emails. Check out all the audio on the podcast site (LINK) or by downloading the audio from iTunes. Just search for Chad Hasty at the iTunes store (it’s free).

The other big story for the show is the reference we had last night on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. Check out the story below for more info.

DEMOCRATS SET THEIR SIGHTS ON TEXAS

During the past Presidential election I said many times that by 2016 I believe Texas will be THE swing state in the U.S. and it appears as though I’m not the only one. Just look at the major cities in Texas and how they are turning even more blue every election.

DNC Chairman, Tim Kaine, announced today that the Fall DNC meeting will be held in Texas. So is Texas the next Virginia, only a much bigger prize? Here is the story from CNN:

(CNN) — Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine appears to have his eyes set on Texas, announcing Monday the organization’s fall meeting will be held in the Lone Star state.

“Not only is Texas a great, beautiful and diverse state, it represents a tremendous growth opportunity for the Democratic Party,” Kaine wrote in an e-mail to DNC supporters.

Now, some might find that notion odd given Texas’s traditionally conservative bent and its recent history of supporting Republican candidates for elective office,” Kaine continued. “But I don’t find it odd at all — and in fact, I am more convinced than ever that Texas is trending our way and will continue to do so.”

Obama lost to Republican presidential candidate John McCain by 11 percentage points and close to 1 million votes. Still, that margin is less than more than half of what it was when the state’s favored son George W. Bush was on the presidential ballot.

In his letter Monday, Kaine specifically cited Texas’ large Hispanic organization and the grassroots infrastructure put in place by the Obama campaign in 2008 as reasons the traditionally-considered red state may turn blue.

“In so many ways, I believe Texas is poised to move towards our column, just as Virginia has,” Kaine said.

Dear Friend:
It’s time to announce the location of the DNC Fall Meeting, scheduled for September 10th – 12th, 2009. I’m excited to be the first to tell you that this year’s meeting will be in Austin, Texas. In a phrase, we are Lone Star State bound!

Of course, as you know, not only is Texas a great, beautiful and diverse state, it represents a tremendous growth opportunity for the Democratic Party. Now, some might find that notion odd given Texas’s traditionally conservative bent and its recent history of supporting Republican candidates for elective office. But I don’t find it odd at all — and in fact, I am more convinced than ever that Texas is trending our way and will continue to do so.

It wasn’t that long ago — less than 10 years, in fact — that Virginia was considered just as strong a lock for the Republicans as Texas has been. In Virginia, we had Republican Governors, Republican U.S. Senators and a strong Republican majority in our Congressional delegation and state legislature. And we didn’t merit any attention from Presidential candidates during general elections because no Democratic candidate since Lyndon Johnson had won Virginia’s electoral votes.

Today? I’m the second consecutive Democrat to serve as Governor of Virginia, we took back the State Senate and have reached near parity in the House of Delegates. Both of our U.S. Senators are Democrats, and Democrats are the majority of our U.S. House delegation. And of course, in November, Barack Obama became the first Democratic Presidential candidate since 1964 to carry the Old Dominion.

In so many ways, I believe Texas is poised to move towards our column, just as Virginia has. Texas is an increasingly diverse state with a burgeoning and politically active Hispanic population that went strongly for Barack Obama in 2008. And, as a result of investments made by my predecessor, the commitments we’ve made, and the hard work of the Texas Democratic Party — which has done an outstanding job rebuilding the party, attracting good candidates, and expanding our reach — we have a strong and growing Democratic Party infrastructure. Add to that the significant investments we plan to make in Texas through Organizing for America (OFA), and the work OFA will be doing in communities across the state in support of the President’s important and popular agenda, and we have every reason to feel bullish about our chances in Texas. Exciting things are possible because we believe every single state on the map is important.

Of course, it’s also a very exciting time for us to meet because of what Democrats have accomplished electorally in the past year and because of what the President — with our support — has accomplished during his first few, short months in office.

President Obama was elected on a mandate for change. Because of his victory last November and Democrats’ relentless work to make the change he promised during the campaign a reality, women will finally receive equal pay for equal work, four million additional children have access to health care through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and a historic economic recovery package is putting Americans back to work. And of course, by the time we meet the Senate should have confirmed the President’s historic choice, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, for the Supreme Court.

I look forward to seeing you in Austin on September 10th at this historic time for our party and the DNC. Austin is a world-renowned destination — a truly wonderful city — and I know we’ll all have a great time. Information about making a reservation can be found below, and if you have any questions whatsoever please don’t hesitate to contact XXXXXX at XXXXX or XXXXX, or the Secretary’s Office at XXXXX.

Hope to see you there,

Governor Tim Kaine
Chairman

TEXAS REDESIGNS YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE

DPS has unveilled the new look for the Texas Drivers License. Here it is:

So what do you think? Here are some of the facts about the new look from the Austin American Statesman:

Driver’s license makeover

The state began mailing out redesigned driver’s licenses and state ID cards Wednesday.

• New security features: Officials refused to discuss specifics, citing security concerns but said the license is more sophisticated than its predecessor to curb counterfeiting, tampering and fraud.

• New look: The photo is on the left instead of the right. Cards include a profile of the Austin skyline. ‘Texas’ is printed in a flowing script. The Texas flag and the state seal are gone, as are the words ‘Department of Public Safety.’

• Who needs one? The cards will be issued to new drivers and phased in when drivers renew expired licenses. Cost is still $24.

• Last redesign: June 2001

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety

PAM BRINK WANTS YOU TO CALL DELWIN JONES…AND SO DO I

Just got this email from Lubbock Democratic Chair Pam Brink regarding the Voter ID Bill:

People,

Please call the local office of Delwin Jones TODAY, March 18: 763-4468.

Tell him to vote AGAINST the Voter ID Bill. This bill is a concerted effort by Texas Republicans to disenfranchise all Texas citizens who do not have a driver’s license — the poor, the elderly, the disabled, and all other people who don’t or can’t drive.

Jones voted against these efforts in 2007. He needs to know he has local support for voting against it this time.

Please find a minute to call TODAY (763-4468) or at least email (Delwin.jones@house.state.tx.us.) and register your protest against this very bad and politically motivated legislation.

Attorney General Abbott spent a boat-load of tax-payer money looking for voter fraud in Texas. His research uncovered virtually NONE! Voter Fraud is a Chimera! Voter Suppression is the real issue.

Thanks,

Pam

Of course Pam Brink and the rest of the libs are WRONG on this issue. However, I also encourage you to call Delwin Jones and tell him to vote FOR the Voter ID Bill. Showing a photo ID helps to prevent fraud and that is it. Just because no one has been charge for voting fraud doesn’t mean it wont happen. Why not take every step possible to have a fair election and make sure there isn’t fraud?

The argument that this is unfair to blacks and hispanics is crap too. Think about all the things that require you have a photo ID. Driving, getting money out of your bank, writing checks, buying beer, flying, entrance into some clubs, and there are more. I haven’t heard people bitch and moan about using an ID at those times.

So yes, call Delwin Jones or your own State Rep. and tell them to vote FOR the Voter ID Bill. BTW, Rep. Carl Isett will vote for it.

CHAD WILL BE TWITTERING TONIGHT

Be sure to sign up and follow me on Twitter. Not only will I be Twittering tonight during Obama’s speech, but during the morning show and throughout the day as well. How do you find me on Twitter? It’s easy:

www.twitter.com/chadhastyradio

New Poll: Hutchison Leads Perry

From the Quorum Report:

NEW POLL PUTS KBH AHEAD OF PERRY 56-31

Company uses controversial robo-dialing methodology but notes it was the most accurate in 2008 Texas GOP presidential primary

A North Carolina polling company called Public Policy Polling reports that a recent poll of 797 likely Republican primary voters puts Kay Bailey Hutchison decisively ahead of Rick Perry by a margin of 56-31.

PPP uses a controversial method of automated telephone polling that has both supporters and detractors. To pre-empt arguments about methodology, the company forwarded an analysis indicating that they had the most accurate Texas numbers in the 2008 GOP presidential primary.

KBH has 76% favorables to RP’s 60%. But the 27% Perry unfavorables lean to Hutchison by a factor of 85-8.

PPP President Dean Debman said, “Rick Perry is in grave danger of losing in the primary. It’s partly because he’s worn out his welcome with a certain segment of the Republican electorate, but he even bigger reason is that Kay Bailey Hutchison is just a lot more popular than him. It would be hard for anyone to heat her in an election.”

Most observers believe that a contested primary would draw well over a million voters rather than the six to seven hundred thousand that normally vote in a gubernatorial year.