Perry: I Don't Advocate Secession

Gov. Rick Perry, in an op-ed in the Austin American-Statesman, claims he never advocated or supported the idea or possibility of secession at last month’s tea part anti-tax rallies. Read Perry's op-ed at the Austin American-Statesman.

Last month Gov. Perry so incited an anti-tax "tea party" with his anti-Washington and states' rights rhetoric that the audience began to shout, "Secede!" "We've got a great union," Perry said,

"There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it - But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. "

This was less than a week after Perry appeared with sponsors and supporters of a Texas House resolution affirming the state's claim of sovereignty. Later, in response to reporters' questions, Perry said,

"At some point Texans might get so fed up they would want to secede from the union. There's a lot of different scenarios. ...if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that..."

Perry added that when Texas entered the union in 1845 it was with the understanding it could pull out. Perry got that wrong, however; Texas negotiated the power to divide into five additional states at some point, but Texas did not reserve the right to secede.

President Obama’s Notre Dame Commencement Speech

As Catholics and pro-life activists protested President Obama’s Notre Dame commencement speech, the President reminded people that a woman's right to choice, or not, is a serious issue and opposing opinions may never agree, but the debate should focus on facts and the difficult decisions faced by women:

“So let’s work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions by reducing unintended pregnancies, and making adoption more available, and providing care and support for women who do carry their child to term.”

YouTube.com/watch: Part 1, Part 2 , Part 3 and Part 4

AP transcript of Obama’s Notre Dame speech

New Chairperson Of The Denton County Democratic Party

Phyllis Wolper last week was elected to serve as the new Chairperson of the Denton County Democratic Party.

Ms Wolper, a Denton real estate agent who replaces Neil Durrance after he resigned to prepare for his 2010 run for Congress, has been active with the Denton County Party for the last 3 years.

Ms Wolper also founded and served as President of the Democratic Business Referral Club, and was the Chairperson of the Business Outreach committee of the Denton County Democratic Party.

Phyllis ran a tough, but unsuccessful race for one of the Denton County Commissioner precincts in 2008.

A Discussion With Collin County Commissioners' Court Judge, Keith Self

On Monday, May 18, from 6:45 to 9 P.M. the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC) will host guest speaker Collin County Commissioners' Court Judge, Keith Self.

Judge Self will discuss the workings of the Collin County Commissioners' Court and answer questions from the audience.

The Texas Constitution vests broad judicial and administrative powers in the position of County Commissioners' Court Judge, who presides over a five-member Commissioner's Court. Four Commissioners, each elected to a commissioners precinct representing approximately a quarter of the county's population, serve with the Presiding County Judge on the Commissioners Court. Judge Keith Self is the Presiding Commissioners' Court Judge for Collin County.

The Commissioners' Court approves the annual budget and all county expenditures, sets the county property tax rates, approves the tax roll and determines public works policy such as building programs and conducting elections. The court appoints most non-elected department heads and standing committees and represents the county in state and regional matters. Members of the court also serve as Trustees of the Collin County Health Care Foundation, Collin County Housing Finance Corporation, and the Collin County Substance Abuse Foundation.

Advanced questions for Judge Self may be submitted by e-mail to TDWCC Programs Chairperson, Prissy Wisnewski at 'programs@tdwcc.org.' Questions will be compiled prior to the meeting so that Judge Self can cover as many topics and questions as possible.

All are welcome to attend on Monday, May 18, from from 6:45 to 9 P.M. at Collin College, 9700 Wade Blvd. Frisco, in the Founders Hall building, Rm F249 for an interesting evening of conversation with Judge Keith Self.

The four county commissioners vote with the presiding county judge to:

• Set the yearly property tax rate;
• Approve the budget and employment level for the county;
• Set commissioners and justice of the peace precinct boundaries;
• Call, conducts and certifies elections, including bond elections;
• Set employment and benefit policy;
• Establish long-range thoroughfare, open space, land use, financial and law enforcement/jail needs plans;
• Acquire property for rights-of-way or other uses determined to be in the public's best interest;
• Review and approve subdivision platting and waste water treatment for rural areas;
• Provide rural ambulance services and subsidizes rural fire protection;
• Oversee the construction, maintenance and improvement of county roads and bridges;
• Appoint non-elected department heads and standing committees;
• Supervise and controls the county courthouse, county buildings and facilities;
• Adopt a county budget;
• Determine county tax rates;
• Assure that county roads are maintained;
• Fill vacancies in elective and appointive positions; and
• Exorcise exclusive authority to authorize contracts in the name of the county.