VOLUME 3 APRIL 2011 was stated that it'd be supporting the the agenda due to procedural defects voter ID bill, "to ensure the integrity and so it went back to re-drafting in the of our election process … to ensure committee and was put back on the It’s an exciting time in the that candidates reside in their districts, House Floor Wednesday, March 23rd. to strengthen our voter registration Legislature. With Republicans having It took 11 hours of debate to end all the the majority vote it is a good time to system, [and] to protect military voter access to Texas elections." arguments for both political parties. get some things done which are near After working out any differences and dear to all Republican’s hearts. State Representative, Patricia Harless, between the House and Senate versions There are of course some obstacles in District 126, is the House sponsor of of the bill, the bill then headed over to the form of the Democrats who insist this version of SB 14 which was also the Senate where it is expected to pass. they keep things their way. The Voter co-authored by Representative Then it will go onto ’s desk ID Bill is one piece of legislation Dwayne Bohac, House District 138. for final passage. which Democrats knew would likely Representative Harless officially pass but they were not giving in easily opened up the debate on the House So yes, it is finally time for as they tried to delay and amend the floor saying, “a valid ID was necessary Republicans to have a chance to put proposal during floor proceedings last to do almost anything. Texans already some things to right. I hope this means week. Republicans have stated that the are required to produce an ID to get there are other good things on the bill is needed for election security and medical prescriptions, board an aircraft horizon to help this country get back to eliminate voter fraud. Democrats and obtain various goods and services, to our basic ideals and end the argued that the photo requirement open a bank account or rent a car. The senseless debates over things that would drive down turnout and lack of public confidence in our voting should be easily resolved. therefore disenfranchise many voters system cannot be questioned.” primarily the minority, poor and ~Rita Parrish elderly voters. The first day of debate on Monday, st SB 14, requires voters to present a March 21 found Legislators on both "Precedents are dangerous things; valid state-issued driver’s license or sides planning on a long partisan let the reins of government then be concealed handgun license in order to debate when it was noted there was a braced and held with a steady hand, cast a ballot. A passport or citizenship discrepancy in the wording of the bill and every violation of the papers that have a photo are also for provisional balloting. The wording Constitution be reprehended: If acceptable. The only exceptions are was that voters have “six business defective let it be amended, but not for persons born on or before 1931, as days” to legitimize their vote after suffered to be trampled upon whilst they will not have to show a photo ID. casting a provisional ballot. This was it has an existence. " vastly different from the text of the bill itself, which only says “six days.” This In an announcement from The George Washington Hispanic Republican Conference it then prompted House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, to take it off

CFRW Upcoming Dates - Mark Your Calendars! April 12th CFRW Regular Meeting May 2nd-5th TFRW Road Trip 10:30-1:00pm Carrabba’s Restaurant Wash D.C. “On The Road Again…” April 14th CFRW Board Meeting May 10th Membership Drive Meeting 10:00-12:00pm Hearthstone Country Club 11:00-1:00pm Guest Borah Van Dormolen April 28th Cy-Fair Womens Expo 11:00-2:00pm Sterling Country Club MARCH MEETING Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Featuring Jessica Colon Former Chair of The Young Republicans CFRW Board Members Carrabba’s Italian Grill President: Rita Parrish 7540 N. Highway 6 281-376-1616 , TX 77095 (Copperfield Area) Programs: Dr. Millie Alford 713-466-0731 10:30 a.m. - Coffee/Social

Ways & Means: Suzanne Davis 11:00 a.m. - Speaker/Meeting 713-562-4901 12:00 p.m. - Lunch

Newsletter Editor: Melissa Ronquillo Lunch $15 - Meeting only $3 (cash/check) 832-298-1429 Menu: Penne Weesie (penne alfredo with shrimp, Recording Secretary: Traci Sarradet mushrooms and scallions) Italian salad and 281-374-0118 Sogno di Chocolate (brownie with chocolate mousse Treasurer: Barbara Buxton and whipped cream) 832-559-3855 (Vegetarian meals are available with advanced notice)

Past President & Awards: Mary Moss RSVP by Friday, April 8, 2011 281-550-9415 Online at www.cfrw.net Parliamentarian: Jan Ott E-mail: [email protected] 281-859-6464 Ph: 281-213-8837

Membership: Betty Guthrie 281-370-3956 Caring for America

Hospitality: Doris Jones By: Debby Frieden 281-213-8837 Thanks to everyone who donates to Caring for America. We still need Campaign Activities: Joy Gregory items to ship to our troops. Our care packages need hotel size toiletries, 281-463-8203 individual condiment packets, and snack sized baggies. If you would like Legislation: Joan Hudgens to help with shipping our care packages to the troops you can make a 281-463-1644 donation to Operation Interdependence with a check or go to their website http://www.oidelivers.org/ and click on Our Adopt-a-Box™ Program. Caring For America: Debby Frieden 281-225-6290 For increment donations of $30.00, you can directly sponsor the shipping of one or more of our boxes that Publicity: Stephanie Peters are sent each week. Each box reaches 50 troops on 832-541-9663 the frontlines with C-rats® from home, which is Historian: Linda Dempsey enough to cover a whole platoon with no one left out. 281-516-0213 Each box can contain a short note from you and, if Literacy Program: Mary Atchison you wish, your return details. It is a great idea for gift 281-855-6706 giving and marking special occasions or dates when you are thinking of those deployed overseas. Registration: Betty Phelan Collins 281-370-3535 To take part in this program simply go to OI website above, request Chaplain: Kay Waghorne Adopt-a-Box™ under the "Designated donation" option, and add a short 281-550-1723 note (max 256 characters) in the field for inclusion if you wish.

Web: Kristen Govantes 281-712-1759 Thank you for thinking of our men and women overseas. 2 MEMBERSHIP Mark your calendars for the CFRW MEMBERSHIP DRIVE MEETING Betty Guthrie on May 10, 2011.

Exciting plans are being made for our program featur- CFRW is proud to welcome new members MARGA- ing speaker ‘Borah Van Dormolen, past President of RET ELLIS, SUSAN GREEN and PAT MC- TFRW and current Republican National Committee- CLENEY! We look forward to seeing you at our woman. Entertaining and informative, ‘Borah is a upcoming events and getting to know you. Welcome speaker not to be missed! Invite friends and neighbors back members AMANDA PEPE, MARGO TIM- to join us! Prizes will be awarded to the member who MINS, KELLI RAY, ANGIE DOMINGUES, AND has the most guests attending and to the member who MICHELLE LANCASTER! Thank you for your has the most guests joining CFRW at the meeting. continuing support! Help is needed! I am looking for a few volunteers to Have you forgotten to renew your membership for help prepare for the Membership Drive Meeting. If 2011? Renewal reminders and forms were recently you can help at a fun workshop around the end of April mailed to those 2010 members who have not as yet and/or arrive early to set up on May 10th, please contact renewed their membership for the current year. I me at 281-370-3956 or [email protected]. All help anticipate hearing from them soon. There is also a will be appreciated! Membership Application attached to this newsletter.

Removing the Hold Harmless will negatively impact CFISD. LEGISLATION A Hold Harmless is a term used to prevent a district from losing funds when a new financial system is approved by By: Joan Hudgens the legislature. Districts are guaranteed that they will receive The past four years have seen school districts across Texas no less funding in the new system than they did in old system. struggling with a myriad of fiscal challenges. Their money woes have been exacerbated by legislation enacted to reduce The following situations explain possible losses and how state expenditures across the board. Some of the legislation each would affect CFISD: impacts all districts equally, but districts also have problems and needs which are unique to each. · If the “Hold Harmless” clauses are removed, CFISD would lose $1.32 million in the next In an informative memo, Dr. David Anthony, biennium. This would result in the loss of 1300 Superintendent, Cypress Fairbanks ISD [CFISD] expressed plus employees who earn an average annual his concerns and offered explanations regarding legislation salary of $50,000. and regulations which directly affect CFISD. · If the “Hold Harmless” clauses are not removed, the losses would represent a $232 The public education budget is 4.5 billion less than last million loss in the next biennium. year’s budget. In a House of Representatives · If budget reductions are a straight 1 percent, recommendation crafted by Representative Pitts, the budget CFISD would lose $100 million PER YEAR. met a legislative goal which would not exceed the revenue projections of the Comptroller. However, the current Dr. Anthony concludes, “We have planned for this proposed budget does not provide for student growth or catastrophic year, but the magnitude of the state’s financial compensate for declining property values. This could result condition, the refusal to use any “rainy day” funds, and the in a $10 billion loss for public education. resolve to have no new taxes have added additional problems to the mix…. IT IS FAR TOO EARLY to get worried. We In 2005, the legislature reduced the property tax rate for will not have a finance for education for many more weeks. school districts from $1.50 to $1.00 at the cost of $14 billion There are a number of ideas floating around Austin regarding per biennium. A business or “margin tax” which was the funding of public education, and one or more of them projected to yield billions of dollars in revenue fell far short include rewarding districts that have been efficient; we are of the $14 billion needed to “buy down” the property tax one of the leaders in that category.” rate. The General Revenue fund had to supplement the margin tax for the 2010 - 2012 biennium. 3 Cy-Fair Republican Women 2011 Membership Application

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Mail check and this form to: Please circle Cash or enter Check #: Betty Guthrie 12306 Francel Ln. Date Received: Cypress, TX 77429 For more information regarding membership, please contact Betty Guthrie: 281-370-3956 (Home)

Pol. Adv. Paid for by Cy-Fair Republican Women, PAC – Corporate Contributions are not permitted. Contributions are not deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal Income Tax purposes. 4 Programs This group of young voters is grass roots efforts that will help to important to the growth of the bring a real change in Washington, Millie Alford Republican Party and reaches out D.C. in 2012. to registered Republicans, 18 to 40 years of age. They work to provide Knowledge is power, and the Thanks to Susan Green from them with better political members of CFRW are totally Bloomfield’s Floral Market for her knowledge and understanding of committed to learning all we can great program last month, and the issues of the day. We are about all of the facets of the we’re happy to welcome her as a thrilled to have Jessica share her political machine, locally and new member! expertise with us. nationally. Future speakers will enhance our knowledge and In April, we will welcome Jessica Our future speakers will include our provide the encouragement to carry Colon as our guest. She is the former TFRW President, Toni out our jobs to elect and maintain former chair of the Young Anne Dashielle and our NFRW Republican leadership. Thanks to Republican National Federation. It Committee Woman, Borah Van everyone who offers suggestions, is the oldest political youth Dormolen. We welcome everyone ideas and connections for great organization in the . to join us and become part of our programs.

Ways & Means

By: Suzanne Davis

Please note, the FIRST High Heels & High Tea Committee Meeting will be held directly after our clubs meeting on Tuesday April 12, 2011. Please plan to attend if you have signed up or are just thinking about it. We need your help.

ESD Volunteer to BECOME one of Cy-Fairs Come Join Us! April 28th, 2011 BRAVEST! 11-2pm at Sterling Country Club See this Video at At Houston National http://www.cyfairsbravest.org/video.php 16500 Houston National Blvd. Volunteers comments- Houston, TX 77095 “I joined to serve my community!” “I joined to be part of a Team Effort.” CFRW has a booth this year again “There’s nothing like THIS brotherhood!” at the CYFEN Expo. “I joined because the fire department came to my house to help my mom” (CYFEN) is an Express Network of the American Business Women's RECRUITING OPEN HOUSE DATES & LOCATIONS: Association®, providing April 3 – 6:30 pm - Station 9 - 7922 N Hwy 6; Hwy 6 & Longenbaugh professional development, April 6 – 7:00 pm - Station 10 - 11310 Steeplecrest; West Rd & Jones Rd networking, and educational April 13 – 7:00 pm - Station 6 - 6404 N Eldridge Pkwy; Eldridge & W Little opportunities to professionals in the York Northwest Houston and Cy-Fair “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” area. Suzanne Davis ESD No.9 Commissioner 5 MINUTES 52 regular members, 5 associate March 2. All of us went to the members, and 2 associate men. If Capitol Thursday, March 3 and met General Meeting any of you need a name tag, please with Representatives and Senators. February 8, 2011 see her. May’s regular, meeting, Several of us sat in the Gallery of May 10, will be our annual the House to hear Rep, Patricia Membership Drive. Our guest Harless read a proclamation for the President, Rita Parrish called the speaker will be Borah Van ladies of TFRW. We attended a meeting to order at 11:11 a.m. Dormolen. Betty encouraged luncheon where we heard several Chaplain, Kay Waghorne gave the everyone to bring a guest(s) to this state officials speak; and we invocation and led us in the pledges event. participated in several informative to the U.S. and Texas flags. Campaign Activities, Joy Gregory, seminars. We finished our day at a Membership Chairman, Betty reported that she, Lois Barclay and wonderful reception hosted by Rep. Guthrie welcomed our guests – Ella Mary Moss took 9 voter’s Patricia Harless. Edmiston, with State Rep. Patricia registrations at Lonestar Colleges’ President, Rita Parrish reminded us Harless’ office and Kay Nixon and “Community Partner’s Day” on in 2nd Vice President, Suzanne new members: Pat McCleney, February 23, 2011. They should Davis’ absence that we will be Susan Green, and Margaret Ellis. have another one in April, so please finalizing the venue for our High Susan Green, owner of look for the date. Joy asked if Heels and High Tea this week. Bloomfield’s Floral Market spoke anyone had any suggestions for Committees will meet following the another location to hold a to us about the high number of April 12th regular meeting at registration drive to let her know. government regulations that hinder Carrabba’s. a small business from simply doing Also provided was a flyer with business. information on times and locations for Deputy Voter Registrar training. New Business Officer’s Reports Training is available April 12, Jan Ott spoke about the May 2-5, The minutes from the February 8, 11:05 am, at the Tracy Gee 2011 TFRW trip to Washington, 2011 regular meeting were Community Center, April 30, 10:45 DC. If anyone is interested in approved as printed in the March am, at the Tomball College and going, you need to let her know Newsletter. Community Library, or on line at now to insure your place. http://www.hctax,net/Voter/Deputy Melissa Ronquillo reported on the Treasurer, Barbara Buxton reported /acknowledge.aspx. that as of February 28, 2011 we had Financial Review Committee’s By- a balance of $8,270.10; and the law mandated audit of our books. balance in our Scholarship Fund is Caring for America, Debby Frieden Everything is in outstanding order. $1,402.43 reminded the members that Thank you, Barbara Buxton for the Operation Interdependence needs wonderful job that you are doing. rd 3 Vice President, Melissa hotel size toiletries, individual Respectfully Submitted, Ronquillo stated that the deadline condiment packets, snack sized Traci Sarradet, Secretary, CFRW. for articles for the April Newsletter baggies and funds to cover shipping is Monday, March 21, 2011. She costs. We discussed ways to “pass would like to see articles from the hat” and still be in compliance Caring for America, Publicity, and with TEC rules. We will have to "Don't let anyone tell you that Literacy. Melissa also announced investigate further how to easily America's best days are behind that updates to our Membership make donations individually to OI. her-that the American spirit has Book are about ready and should be been vanquished. We've seen it available on the web site soon. triumph too often in our lives to Old Business Look for and email when the pages stop believing in it now. " Millie Alford gave a report on are available and how to access Legislative Day. It was a fun and them. Ronald Reagan informative outing. Several of our Membership Chair, Betty Guthrie ladies went to the TFRW “Belles reported that as of today we have and Boots” gala Wednesday night, 6 Miller, was debated on the House Comptroller estimates there will be floor and passed on 2nd Reading $8.2 billion available at the close of A Letter Thursday March 3rd, and 3rd the 2010-2011 biennium and $9.4 From Reading Monday March 7th. It is billion by the end of the 2012-2013 now in the Senate for their biennium. Patricia Harless consideration. Last week, Governor Perry, Dear Friends, Budget Cuts and the Rainy Day Comptroller Combs and Speaker Fund - No doubt you have been Straus announced the decision to It's been a busy hearing or reading the news close out the Fiscal Year 2011 couple of coverage regarding the budget budget gap by using a one-time weeks at the situation and whether or not to use draw, not to exceed $3.2 billion State Capitol. part of the Rainy Day Fund to help from the Rainy Day Fund. This, in Committees are meeting daily, close budget gap of $4.3 billion for conjunction with $800 million in hearing bills and taking public the current biennium. With an cuts and $300 million from testimony on issues. I wanted to Appropriations bill that already increased sales tax collections, will update you on issues we are reflects reduced spending by more address the shortfall in the current debating on the House floor. than $31.1 billion, no matter what fiscal year, which ends August 31, we do, the cuts will be significant. 2011. HB 15 - Sonogram Bill - As most There is no doubt that everyone will know, sonograms are used during feel these cuts in some way. Because I don't sit on pregnancy to determine if a baby Appropriations, the only input I and mother are healthy or if there For background information, the have on budget is when it comes to are any problems they may be Rainy Day Fund was approved by the House floor for debate. I will facing. Current law requires a Texas voters in 1988 following the keep you informed when we take woman seeking an abortion have a state's 1986-87 economic crisis; the this matter up in the House. sonogram. HB 15 will require purpose is to help the Legislature doctors, that are performing an deal with revenue shortfalls by If you would like to watch the House abortion, to conduct a sonogram 24 collecting surplus oil and gas tax debate, you can do so by going to hours prior to the procedure taking revenue in good economic times; http://www.house.state.tx.us/video- place, and give specific details to using the fund requires 3/5 approval audio/ and clicking on the Chamber the mother about the baby. of each chamber if it is being used Stream. to close a budget deficit caused by HB 15, by Representative Sid declining revenues. The

Legislative Day for Republican Women We had a great time in Austin for Legislative Day. We hope to see you at next years event!

M. Alford, no name,, R. Parrish, B. Phelan, B. Van Dormolen, and Maura Phelan Pictured above from left to right: Tracie Sarradet, Betty Phelan, Dwayne Bohac, Rita Parrish, and Melissa Ronquillo

Millie Alford and former Dallas Rita Parrish with CFRW donated Mayor Tom Leppart. basket 7

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Cypress, Texas 77429 Texas Cypress,

12406 Francel Lane Francel 12406 CY-FAIR REPBULICAN WOMEN REPBULICAN CY-FAIR

IMPORTANT LINKS: http://www.CFRW.net - Cy-Fair Republican Women http://www.ghcfrwpac.org - Greater Houston Council http://www.tfrw.org - Texas Federation of Republican Women http:// www.thomas.loc.gov/ - Texts of bills are updated several times a day http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ - Updates on what is going on in the Texas Legislature http://www.texaspolicy.com/ - The Texas Public Policy Foundation produces academically sound research on important issues http:.//www.sos.state.tx.us - Texas Secretary of State Web site offers more information on proposed constitutional amendments