Senator Cornyn Introduces Earmark Transparency Legislation

Great work, Senator:

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a leading open government advocate and Budget Committee member, introduced legislation Monday in advance of Tax Day to boost taxpayers’ access to federal spending records and earmark information.

The Federal Spending and Taxpayer Accessibility Act of 2008 will shed more light on government spending by creating an online earmark tracking system, providing taxpayer record statements and enhancing agency expenditure transparency.

“One of my top priorities in the Senate has been to increase public access to government information,” Sen. Cornyn said. “This latest effort will provide taxpayers unprecedented information about how their money is spent, and how their taxes are paid. Increasing transparency in government spending is essential for accountability and fiscal responsibility.”

This is good news.  Government is held more accountable with an informed set of voters.

In the Name of “Diversity”

In Lubbock, Texas, YCT-ers revived an old event called the “Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day” which was met with an interesting response from the diversity hungry administration.

The Lubbock Online Reports:

“ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT” read the T-shirt’s front. “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN” read the back.

Students in the Texas Tech chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas wore the T-shirt on campus one day as part of a game, “Catch the Illegal Immigrant.”

Although the game goes against the university’s mission to build a diverse and welcoming atmosphere, the students have a right to play it, Tech President Jon Whitmore wrote in a response letter Wednesday to two students who were deeply offended by the game.

Sounds like the university is willing to go to any costs to create a “diverse” atmosphere, including promoting illegal immigration, which is what the “Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day” event is all about raising awareness to.

Does Texas Tech President Jon Whitmore want to create a welcoming atmosphere to those who break our nations laws? According to his letter, it certainly seems that way.

The Lubbock Online furthers:

Most of the students who participated in the “Deportation Celebration” are white, photos of the event show.

Judging from the fact that I met several of the Tech members this past weekend, one of which even shared my Hispanic surname, it seems like these reporters weren’t willing to do actual investigative journalism to come to a conclusion.

The Left is making this into a race issue. As a Hispanic female I’m offended by that. The Tech chapter and YCT as a whole is against illegal immigration and there isn’t more that needs to be said about that.

Noriega Down As We Approach November…

Senator Cornyn is doing good as we come up on his re-election!  Check out some stats about his opponent, Rick Noriega.

“Noriega, who said he doesn’t know how much is left from the $1 million he raised for the primary, said he would need to raise at least $5 million to compete this fall.” (Elliot, “Noriega relieved to avoid runoff with perennial candidate Kelly,” San Antonio Express News, 3/5/0

Since making that statement, Rick Noriega raised $367,209.39.  In order to reach the fundraising goals he personally established, he will have to raise:

- $4,632,791 between now and election day.

- $661,827 a month…That is significantly more money than he has raised even in his best quarter thus far, approximately $580,000 in 3^rd quarter 2007. (Includes $50,000 loan from Noriega)

Senator John Cornyn

I’ve been added to Senator John Cornyn’s blog roll!  He’s up for re-election this November.

And for those who don’t know…he’s speaking at the Young Conservatives of Texas State Convention next weekend.  You can still register.  It’s free and we’ll cover everything….just get to San Antonio!

Visit www.yct.org for more info and to register.

FREE: Young Conservatives of Texas State Convention

This event is FREE! Please register at www.yct.org today!

Confirmed Speakers include:
US SENATOR JOHN CORNYN
Attorney General Greg Abbott
Railroad Commissioner Chairman Michael Williams
State Senator Jeff Wentworth
State Representative Wayne Christian

Keynote address: Lieutenant Colonel Brian Birdwell. Mr. Birdwell is a survivor of the terrorists’ attacks at the Pentagon on 9-11. He was the closest person to impact that survived and speaks a “pro-American” war on terror message.

Other speakers include:

Hon. Ken Mercer, Texas State Board of Education
Brendan Steinhauser, State and Federal Campaigns, FreedomWorks, YCT-UT Alum, Author of the Conservative Revolution

Joe Solis - South Texas Republicans/Coalition for Texas

For general questions email Laura at
lauraelizabethmorales@gmail.com or visit www.yct.org to register

YES IT’S FREE.

Just get to San Antonio and we’ll take care of the rest.  For media inquiries please email me.

Save Social Security - Secure your Future!

Students for Saving Social Security brings you…

Please email Senator Whitehouse’s staff and let him know to please vote YES on Senator DeMint’s budget amendment #4328 to secure our future in social security!

jordanna_levinson@whitehouse.senate.gov

you could just copy and paste the following:

Dear Ms Levinson,

I was told you are the person handling Social Security for the Senator. I am a young person and am concerned about Social Security. Please urge the Senator to vote YES on Senator Demint’s budget amendment (#432 to STOP THE RAID on the SS trust fund!!!!

This is a HUGE domestic issue facing young people and our futures. We face TRILLIONS of dollars of debt if the Senator votes the wrong way and continues to ignore the pending fiscal crisis of Social Security.

Please urge the Senator to do the right thing and look out for the interests of my generation! We young people are paying attention to his vote and will let our peers know how the Senator voted on this amendment.

Thanks,

Students for Concealed Carry on Campus

I’ll be on at 5:05pm on KTSA to talk about the shooting at Northern Illinois University.

Please tune in if you’re in San Antonio or listen live at www.ktsa.com.

Canseco vs. Larson: The Decision We Face.

I think my friend Joe Solis over with South Texas Republicans couldn’t have said it better about the Canseco-Larson Showdown in Bexar County.

The district is 65% Hispanic.

Does anybody really believe the Southside of San Antonio and South Texas Latino voters are going to vote for Lyle Larson?  It is makes no sense when you think about it. If Lyles wins the primary, it is all over.  He CANNOT defeat Ciro in South Texas.  We will have no chance in November.  Let’s not fool ourselves about this simple fact.

The reality is that Quico Canseco has the ability to appeal to Latinos who are conservative, independent and swing Democrats who share our values.  Thinking ahead, we need a conservative Republican leader who can help us grow this base of voters.  Lyle is not that candidate and we all know it.

I think Joe makes an excellent point when he points out the fire and passion Quico has for the 23rd District:

Who has a track record of campaigning for over one year throughout the massive congressional district?  (I’m talking about hundreds of meetings.)

Who has committed over $500,000 in personal resources so he can serve us?

Who has a campaign team that has already visited over 10,000 homes?

Quico has made his passion for this campaign very evident.  Larson…not so much.

Pictured: Quico Canseco with members of YCT at UTSA in December of 2007, joining them for a “Coffee with Your Congressman” event with guest speaker Congressman Lamar Smith (R)

Endorsements Round One

It is with great pride that I announce the Young Conservatives of Texas have officially endorsed Quico Canseco for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas.

Viva Quico

CPAC 2008

Those of you attending CPAC…I hope you’ll go watch the panel I’m speaking on!

 

Panel Date: Friday, February 8, 2008

Panel Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Panel Location: Regency Ballroom located in the West Lobby on the 1B level at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Panel Title: The Power of Principle: Conservative Victories Across the Nation