Voter Turnout In Texas Democrat Gubernatorial Race Hasn't Been This Low In Nearly 100 Years

weaselzippers



The Tidy Bowl Man is leading the blue wave.

Via Texas Tribune:


A tiny fraction of Texas registered voters had an outsized impact on the May 22 runoffs. Here’s a look at what you need to know about Tuesday night’s election returns — and what they mean for the November general election:
Democrat Lupe Valdez will take on Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in November.

Lupe Valdez has made history. Some 14 years ago, the liberal, gay Latina set her sights on an unlikely goal: Dallas County sheriff. Now, she’ll take on an even bigger challenge — running against the popular incumbent Republican governor.

Valdez officially accepted her party’s nomination Tuesday night, narrowly defeating Andrew White with around 52 percent of the vote. But she faces an uphill battle against Abbott, who touts a high approval rating and a $41 million war chest in an ultraconservative state.
Democratic voters made some history of their own. And it wasn’t pretty.

As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, just 415,000 Democrats had cast ballots in the gubernatorial runoff. For reference, that’s a decline of almost 60 percent from the 1 million Texans who cast ballots in the March Democratic primary.

That’s the largest primary-to-runoff decline — and the smallest number of ballots cast — in the 14 Democratic gubernatorial primary runoffs held since 1920. That year, 449,000 Democrats voted, according to Texas Election Source’s analysis of Texas State Historical Association data.

Keep reading…

HT: Daily Timewaster


Thank You Dapandico and WZ. 



"The Tidy Bowl Man is leading the blue wave."

With national leadership like Pelosi, how ever could this have happened?

Texas A&M Professor Blames "White Privilege And White Racism" For Law Cracking Down On Sanctuary Cities

Dear Texas, is there anything we can offer you in trade for Governor Abbott as our next Presidential Candidate?

weaselzippers

No.

Ed; Whiteness has nothing to do with it.

Via The Eagle:

The day after his May 7 signing of Senate Bill 4 on Facebook Live, Gov. Greg Abbott told Fox News the bill’s purpose is to crack down on sanctuary cities’ protection of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes, not all undocumented residents living in the Lone Star State.

“If you are here, regardless of what your status, and you have not committed a crime that makes you subject to an ICE detainer, you have no problems whatsoever,” Abbott said.

But Felipe Hinojosa, associate professor and the director of undergraduate studies in the department of history at Texas A&M University, said he was dubious that only undocumented immigrants will be affected by the bill because “that’s not what history has taught us.”

In the 1920s and 1930s, during the economically turbulent years of the Great Depression, between 1 and 2 million people living in the U.S. were deported to Mexico. Of those deported, an estimated 60 percent were American citizens of Mexican descent, swept up and deported without regard for their citizenship status. Many Americans across the country, unemployed and poor, blamed those of Mexican descent — many of whom were Americans themselves — for the country’s economic catastrophe and the lack of jobs and livable wages without regard for their citizenship status.

“White privilege and white racism and systemic and institutional bias rarely takes the time to consider who is here legally and who is not,” said Hinojosa, adding that “citizens and noncitizens alike” are at risk during times of xenophobia and mass deportation resulting from white supremacy and economic insecurity.

Thank You Zip and The Eagle.

Texas Governor (GOP) Greg Abbott Signs Bill Banning Sanctuary Cities

weaselzippers

Golf clap…

(CNN) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday signed a bill that would ban sanctuary cities in his state.

The bill, which Abbott could be seen signing on Facebook Live Sunday evening, establishes criminal and civil penalties for local government entities and law enforcement that don’t comply with immigration laws and detention requests, the governor’s office said.

The new measure would fine government entities up to $25,500 for each day the law is violated.

It would also result in a misdemeanor charge for sheriffs, police chiefs and constables who fail to comply with detention requests and in removal from office for elected and appointed officials, Abbott’s office said.

“As Governor, my top priority is public safety, and this bill furthers that objective by keeping dangerous criminals off our streets,” Abbott said in a press release. “It’s inexcusable to release individuals from jail that have been charged with heinous crimes like sexual assault against minors, domestic violence and robbery.”


Thank You Governor Abbott, CNN, and Zip. 

To those of you SJWs who've been run over by 'Mental Health' remember that former State Attorney General Abbott didn't just go after the ringleaders of TMAP (JNJ).  

He got them.

Travis County Texas Sherriff Sticks With Sanctuary City Route, Governor Greg Abbott Set To Cut Off The Money

weaselzippers

Cutting off state funding for Travis County law enforcement will be just the first shoe to drop. There is also state funding to the City of Austin which will be under review. Further, President Trump has vowed to go after sanctuary cities by cutting federal funds to those cities. There is simply no justification for city and local governments to be spending millions of dollars of the taxpayers’ money on people who are breaking the law simply by being here. 

Via Austin American Statesman:
Soon after newly elected Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez announced she would be scaling back her department’s cooperation with federal immigration agents, Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted that his office will cut funding “for Travis County adopting sanctuary policies.”

This week, the American-Statesman reported that she had notified the county that it would soon no longer be complying with federal agents’ requests in many cases. The county consequently could lose up to $1.8 million in grants because the governor’s office requires compliance in order to receive grants. 

Gov. Greg Abbott said via Twitter in response to the Statesman’s report, “I’m about to up the ante. No more sanctuary cities in Texas.”

The Travis County sheriff’s office has a $169 million budget, according to the county’s budget website. The $1.8 million would represent 1 percent of that budget.

In a major policy shift that is already being met with controversy, Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez on Friday announced that she is scaling back the amount of aid her department provides federal immigration agents in detaining suspects who may be in the country illegally.
Traditionally, the county has honored nearly all requests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold a suspect booked into jail when agents have wanted to investigate their status further.

However, effective Feb. 1, sheriff’s officials will honor so-called immigration holds or “detainers” placed by federal authorities only when a suspect is booked into the Travis County Jail on charges of capital murder, aggravated sexual assault and “continuous smuggling of persons.” 
 
Otherwise, federal agents must have a court order or arrest warrant signed by a judge for the jail to continue housing a person whose immigration status is in question, according to Hernandez’s policy, which she released Friday.
Keep reading…


 Thank You Governor Abbott, Austin Statesman, and Huck Funn.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Pledges To Sign Anti Sanctuary City Bill

weaselzippers



Golf clap…

Via The Daily Signal:

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he expects the Legislature to pass an anti-sanctuary city bill this year, opening a new front in the battle over “local control.”

Weighing in on the intensifying national immigration debate, the Republican governor pledged to sign S.B. 4, which would require municipalities to enforce migrant detainers at local jails and withhold state grants if they don’t comply.

“I will work with the Legislature to compel government bodies and employees to live up to their oath of office,” Abbott declared.

Cities, counties, or universities that violate the law will face a “multitude of consequence, ranging from financial penalties to removal from office,” the former state attorney general said.

Abbott, who has clashed with Sheriff Lupe Valdez over sanctuary policies in Dallas County, took aim at newly elected Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez, who vowed to remove Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from the Austin jail.

“It’s erroneous to have an attitude that laws are like some big buffet where you can choose one item and ignore other items,” Abbott said, referring to sanctuary cities and campuses.

Federal law states: “A federal, state, or local government entity or official may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the Immigration and Naturalization Service [now ICE] information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any citizen.”

Responding to reports of crimes committed by illegal immigrants—some of them after multiple deportation—Hernandez told The Texas Tribune: “I just don’t think you solve the criminal justice process by deporting them. We talk about being progressive. I believe we need to lead the way.”

Keep reading…

Thank You Gov Abbott, Daily Signal and Dapandico.

Texas Governor To BAN Sanctuary Cities

There goes that damn Rule of Law thing again that's given the Democrats so much trouble.

townhall

Jason Hopkins

|

Posted: Nov 28, 2016 9:15 AM

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took to Twitter Sunday night to announce his plan to ban sanctuary cities in the Lone Star State. He also revealed his administration has issued an executive order cutting off funding to such cities.

https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/803072432563167232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The Republican governor was responding to a Twitter user’s question asking him if he could do anything about the city of Austin, Texas pledging to remain a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.

One of the major battles between the GOP and Democrats heading into 2017 will be the issue of illegal immigration. During his first television interview since becoming the president-elect, Trump promised on 60 Minutes to deport any illegal immigrant who was a member of a gang or had a criminal record. Trump estimated the number of people to fit this bill to be around 2 to 3 million. Democratic mayors and governors across the country have in return pledged to ignore federal law and will continue to harbor illegal immigrants. NYC mayor Bill De Blasio and Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel issues statements pledging to keep their cities as sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants.

Similar to Gov. Abbott promising to block money to sanctuary cities in Texas, president-elect Trump has pledged to cut off federal funding to sanctuary cities across the country.


Thank You Townhall, Mr Hopkins and especially Gov Abbott

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Challenges Obama To "Come And Take It" In Face Of Obama Coming Executive Action Gun Control

weaselzippers

Via Daily Mail:

Texas Gov Greg Abbott criticized President Barack Obama’s plan to move ahead with possible executive actions on guns in a tweet in which he told the Commander-in-Chief to ‘come & take’ the state’s guns.

Obama said in his weekly radio address that he is looking for ways to keep guns out of the hands of ‘a dangerous few’ without depending on Congress to pass a law on the fraught subject of gun control.

He plans to meet his attorney general, Loretta Lynch, on Monday to see what executive actions might be possible. Steps to strengthen background checks could come this week.

At a rally in Biloxi, Mississippi, tonight Donald Trump also pledged to undo any action Obama takes on gun control if he wins the next election.

Keep reading…

Thank You Daily Mail, Nick, and an especial Thank You to Governor Abbott.

Citing Fraud Concerns Texas Officials Subpoena Planned Parenthood Records

Gotta love it. Feel Good story of the day? Week? Month?

fiercehealthpayerantifraud

Days after announcing plans to revoke Medicaid funding, state officials home in on illegal billing practices

October 23, 2015 | By Evan Sweeney

After spending the last several months embroiled in national controversy, Planned Parenthood is facing Medicaid fraud allegations that has resulted in an investigation by Texas state officials, according to The Houston Chronicle.

In a letter dated October 19, Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Inspector General, Stuart Bowen, informed Planned Parenthood of the agency's strategy to terminate the provider from the Medicaid program for "serious Medicaid program violations" including fraud. The letter did not cite specific instances, but highlighted a 2013 fraud case that Planned Parenthood settled for $4.3 million.

On Thursday, Texas HHSC officials served subpoenas to more than a dozen Planned Parenthood providers, asking them to hand over thousands of patient and employee records. A letter obtained by The Chronicle indicated the state was "conducting an inspection related to certain claims paid by the Medicaid program."  State officials would not comment on the investigation, but Gov. Greg Abbot indicated that the state had more evidence of Medicaid fraud beyond the allegations raised in the 2013 lawsuit. Planned Parenthood representatives said the scope of the subpoenas was "unprecedented" and referred to the investigation as "political grandstanding."  

Appointed in the wake of a $110 million no-bid contract scandal, Bowen has taken significant measures to reduce the backlog of fraud cases, while touting a new law that restructures the definition of fraud and prevents the commission from misusing it's authority to freeze Medicaid payments.

Other states, like Alabama and Louisiana, have also pushed to block Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, a move that may run afoul of federal law.

For more:
- read the Houston Chronicle article
- here's the letter from the Texas HHSC Office of Inspector General

Related stories:
State efforts to block Planned Parenthood funding may be illegal
New inspector general at Texas agency aims to alter fraud enforcement perceptions
New Texas law aims to improve fraud investigations, weed out clerical errors

Thank You Mr Sweeey and FHPAF.

See what happens when you vote an adult (Greg Abbot) in?

With Gov Abbot at the helm, we're guessing something's going to hit the fan for this teacher, too:

http://www.allenbwest.com/2015/10/7th-grader-explains-what-her-teacher-would-do-if-she-didnt-deny-the-existence-of-god/

Texas Governor Abbot: White House Failing To Secure The Border

breitbart;

by Ildefonso Ortiz 28 Mar 201512

WESLACO, Texas – The White House has been failing America in securing the border forcing Texas to step up to the plate and do what the federal government won’t do. That is the message that Texas governor Greg Abbott relayed during his most recent visit to the border.

“We must continue to protect Texas against the increasing threats from drug cartels, human traffickers,” Abbott said during a press conference attended by Breitbart Texas.

In an effort to secure the border, Abbott is expecting to receive state funding for 500 additional state troopers, cameras, aerostats and other equipment that will eventually allow border authorities better control of the porous border with Mexico.

“This is not just a border issue, this is not a Texas issue,” Gov. Abbott said. “It’s a national issue. The border of Texas is a major crossing point for cartels and cartel related activity but once it crosses it disperses across the entire country. “

As Breitbart Texas’ Bob Price previously reported, Texas DPS deployed additional troopers to the border after a switch in illegal immigration sent hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants and illegal criminal aliens to through the Rio Grande Valley. This quickly overwhelmed U.S. Border Patrol agents and Homeland Security efforts to stop the flow.

“We expect the President of the United States of America to fulfill his responsibility. As much as the state stepped up to secure the border, this is a fundamental responsibility of the federal government,” the Governor stated. “We continue to expect and demand the federal government to step up and perform its fundamental responsibility of securing the border, protecting its sovereignty and keeping the state of Texas safe.”

The Governor said his plan to expand the presence of Texas State Troopers along the border will lead to the scaling back of the Texas National Guard. This will lead to a more efficient force since, as Texas peace officers, the troopers will have arrest powers and other capabilities that the Guardsmen do not.

“We can and we must be more efficient and more effective in the process to secure the border,” Abbott said at the end of the conference.” The challenge is immense but Texas is up to the challenge.”

Follow Ildefonso Ortiz on Twitter and on Facebook.

Thank You Mr Ortiz and Breitbart.


Given Obama's Imperial Executive Amnesty, does this next report turn on any light switches?

weaselzippers;

Special Forces To Swarm Southern States And Operate Undetected For Weeks

Practice…

Via Daily Mail:

Seven Southwestern states will soon be infiltrated by 1,200 military special ops personnel as part of a controversial domestic military training in which some of the elite soldiers will operate undetected among civilians.

Operation Jade Helm begins in July and will last for eight weeks. Soldiers will operate in and around towns in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado where some of them wil drop from planes while carrying weapons loaded with blanks in what military officials have dubbed Realistic Military Training.

But with residents of the entire states of Texas and Utah dubbed ‘hostile’ for the purposes of the exercises, Jade Helm has some concerned the drills are too realistic.

Keep reading…

Thank You Daily Mail and Zip 


It's later than you think America, much later.

17 States Take Obama To Court: You Are Trampling On The Constitution (Executive Amnesty This Time)

CNSNews;

December 3, 2014 - 5:39 PM

By Terence P. Jeffrey

(CNSNews.com) - A coalition of seventeen states joined together today to file suit against the Obama administration, arguing that President Obama swept aside the constitutional limits on his power and violated his constitutional obligation to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed” when he moved to unilateral dismiss enforcement of the immigration laws against 4 million illegal aliens.

“This lawsuit is not about immigration,” said the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. “It is about the rule of law, presidential power, and the structural limits of the U.S. Constitution.”

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is the governor-elect of Texas, explained the states’ argument.

“The President’s unilateral executive action tramples the U.S. Constitution’s Take Care Clause and federal law,” Abbott said in a statement. “The Constitution’s Take Care Clause limits the President’s power and ensures that he will faithfully execute Congress’s laws – not rewrite them under the guise of 'prosecutorial discretion.’”

In the complaint itself, the states pointed out that Obama had admitted, in a speech in Chicago, that he had in fact changed the law.

“On November 20, 2014, the President of the United States announced that he would unilaterally suspend the immigration laws as applied to 4 million of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States,” says the complaint. The President candidly admitted that, in so doing, he unilaterally rewrote the law: ‘What you’re not paying attention to is, I just took an action to change the law.’”

The seventeen states joining in the suit are: Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, North Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Maine.

They are asking for the court to block the president’s action.

Thank You Mr Jeffrey, CNS, and Governor Elect Abbott.

"Governor Greg Abbott"

Just say it out loud.

"Governor Greg Abbott"

Doesn't that feel good?

Poll: Greg Abbot Extends Lead Over Abortion Barbie To 11 Points

weaselzippers;

Poll: Greg Abbot Extends Lead Over Abortion Barbie To 11 Points

It would be immensely satisfying to watch Abbott crush Davis.

[Ed; Greg Abbot is the guy who went after, and beat, JNJ/Risperdal in Court on behalf of the people and State of Texas.]

Via Texas Tribune:

After what are shaping up to be easy primary wins in March for the leading gubernatorial candidates, Republican Greg Abbott starts the general election race for governor with an 11-point lead over Democrat Wendy Davis, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.

Meanwhile, several statewide races on the Republican primary ballot — for lieutenant governor, attorney general and comptroller — appear headed for May runoffs. None of the leaders in those races looks close to the 50 percent support they would need to win next month’s primary outright.

In the governor’s race, Abbott would beat Davis 47 percent to 36 percent in a general election held today, with 17 percent of registered voters saying they have not made up their minds about which candidate to support, according to the poll.

“We’ve been talking since the beginning of this race about whether anything would be different, and we’re not seeing anything that’s different,” said Jim Henson, co-director of the poll and head of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. “There was some talk about how Davis had done better in our last poll, and that was partially an artifact of her rise in the fall, and we’re seeing something of a reassertion of the normal pattern.”

In the October survey, Davis’ announcement and sudden political celebrity cut the Republican’s lead over her to 6 percentage points. Now, the distance between the two has widened a bit.

Thank You Texas Tribune and Zip.

And if our reposting of this item puts even 1 more vote into Greg Abbot's total on election day, we'll feel it was worth the time.

It's not just Texas that needs Abbot. It's the Other 49 States too.