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March 2021 Newsletter

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March 2021 Newsletter GALVESTON REPUBLICAN WOMEN “INFORMED, INVOLVED & MAKING A DIFFERENCE” Since 1955 Senate District - 11 TFRW Region V **John Tower Award 2014-15 Joyce Bell, Newsletter Editor **Janice Broussard, GRW Woman of Distinction Award 2020 www.galvestonrepublicanwomen.com The Spirit of Texas Saturday, March 20, 2021 Galveston Convention Center * Grand Ballroom 6:00 P.M. Happy Hour Cash Bar 7:00 P.M. Dinner - Beef Brisket and Smoked Sausage, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Cowboy Corn, Slaw, Bread, and Pecan Pie. Tea, Water, and Coffee. (Vegetable Plate with reservation request.) Honoree - Dr. Ben Raimer President ad interim, UTMB. Program – Texas Justice An inside view of law enforcement and citizen safety as told through the stories of the professionals: Sheriff Henry Trochesset, Constable Jimmy Fullen, Helicopter Pilot Kyle Englehardt, Police Chief Tim Cromie, District Attorney Jack Roady. Door Prize - To win this fabulous Door Prize you must have your Silent Auction Ticket stamped at each and every Silent Auction Station. (You will receive your Silent Auction Ticket at Registration when you check in) Silent Auction – Jewelry, Liqueur Basket, Kate Spade Purse, Texas Gun Case, Basket of Trump Momentos, Swarovski Pen, Wine Basket, and much, much, more. Come dressed with the Spirit of Texas– Boots, Jeans, Stetson, and glitter! Registration Forms were mailed to your home. Please RSVP by Friday, March 12th. If you did not receive the Registration Forms, please contact Tina Kirbie: Phone 713-504-0304 or email [email protected] Renew 2021 Membership Due to the ice storm, our February Meeting was cancelled. It is time to catch up on 2021 dues. Be sure to visit the Membership Desk after you check in at Registration and verify your dues are current. Linda Dreith and Jennifer Nelsen will be anxious to assist you. Remember to encourage your friends and neighbors to join us. Political Advertising paid for by Galveston Republican Women PAC. Tina Kirbie, Treasurer, 908 Layfair Place, Friendswood, TX 77546. Contributions are not Federal Tax deductible as charitable contributions. The President’s Message Irene Henry March 2021 Greetings Dear Friends! I hope this finds you recovered from the “WINTER STORM”. Many were without power and water, pipes burst, and needed supplies in demand. But as always, we Texans pull together, do what we have to do and MOVE ON. For me that now means replacing a lot of ruined plants so I’m cleaning out flower beds, “making a list” and marking my calendar for an upcoming plant sale. Speaking of marking calendars, I hope YOU have marked yours (AND MAILED IN YOUR RESERVATION FORM) for GRW’s March meeting. We are so excited! Our event will be held in the GRAND BALLROOM of the Convention Center, Seawall Blvd., Galveston. I must say that ballroom IS “absolutely grand”. Our evening theme is “The Spirit of Texas” so come dressed in western attire. Arrive early, grab some refreshments, browse our Silent Auction tables and chat with fellow Republicans. At 7:00 p.m. we will take our seats to enjoy a delightful meal and hear fascinating “life experience” stories from our law professionals. It’s gonna’ be a “GRAND EVENING”. See you there! March Legislative Report Vice President Janice Broussard Texas 87 Regular Legislative session 2021 As of March 5th, 2021 A Sample of the Legislation introduced Concerning power grid, protection, and performance. H.B. No. 2078 Ron Reynolds (D) S.B.No. 761 Kel Seliger (R) and J. Zaffirini (D) The governing body, or chief executive of the independent organization certified to manage the ERCOT power region must be a resident of this state (Texas) to serve as a member of the governing body or chief executive. HB No. 1607 Drew Darby (R) The electrical power grid reliability task force is created to study various measures to protect and strengthen the electric power transmission and distribution system against all hazards. HB No. 2687 Ron Reynolds (D) Requires a power generation company operating in the ERCOT power region to weatherize facilities and equipment sufficient to withstand the extreme weather events occurring in Texas February 2011, August 2011, and February 2021. SB No. 817 Roland Gutierrez (D) Basically same as HB 2687, but relating to the winterization and emergency preparedness for electric utilities, power generation companies, municipally owned utilities, and cooperatives to winterize. HB No. 2736 Gina Hinojosa (D) SB No. 985 Dawn Buckingham (R) Create a commission to analyze emergency operations of electric utilities, power generation companies and municipally owned facilities to review emergency operations and determine ability of grid to withstand extreme weather events that have 1% to 2% chance of occurring in the upcoming year. HB 2862 Bryan Slaton (R) Border Wall The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will finish former President Trump’s border wall project using state funds. DPS must include as part of the transportation infrastructure, technology, and commercial vehicle inspection infrastructure at ports of entry along this state’s international border. The state constructed wall to be named the ‘President Donald J. Trump Wall.’ Top Legislative Sponsors and number of bills filled as of March 3, 2021. Rep. Ron Reynolds (D) 105 Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D) 116 Rep. James While (D) 90 Sen. Borris Miles (D) 97 Rep. Harold Dalton (D) 79 Sen. Nathan Johnson (D) 80 Rep. Shawn Terry (D) 74 Sen. Bryan Hughes (R) 80 Rep. Richard Raymond (D) 64 Sen. Drew Springer (R) 78 To stay informed of current activity in the Legislative Process, utilize these sites. Monitor where Republican and Democrat priorities are in the Texas Legislature. https://texasscorecard.com/state/legislative*priorities-tracker/ Track active Texas Bills for the 87th Legislature (Introduced, Engrossed, Enrolled, Passes): https://legiscan.com/TX You can also set up a monitor system for specific bills with a: https://legiscan.com Volunteer Hours Your Hours Count!!! Please report your Hours to Janice Broussard [email protected] Quoted from Corrine Miklosh, VP Campaign Activities for the Texas Federation of Republican Women “Why do we count hours?” And Things you can do to Earn Hours no, it’s not for awards. Our vast Now what have you been doing to stay army of volunteers in TFRW clubs active and involved? How are you earning is a valuable resource to our Political Activity hours now? candidates and our Party. There is Did you watch the impeachment no substitute for those that are hearings? Have you gotten involved in one of the local municipal races? Are you willing to give up their time to working on Legislative Calls to Action support good candidates and and attending the weekly Zoom calls with promote our Republican values. Toni Anne Dashiell? Have you been Accurately reporting those following the Texas redistricting volunteer hours can help us to hearings? know the full benefit to our party Remember all of the time you spend and our nation.” researching, writing your talking points, That is why we do what we do— and watching/attending the hearings demonstrate our value in a tangible count as political action. way. President Chester shares WHAT ELSE COUNTS? these numbers with elected officials You can count City Council meetings, and party leaders so they are well County Commissioner meetings, aware of the worth of our School Board meetings, and City or volunteers. County Board meetings. 1.4+ MILLION HOURS Also, if you attend other GOP Club We currently have more than meetings, Pachy-derms, GOP County 1,415,000 hours reported, but I am meetings, SREC meetings, etc., you certain there are just as many not can count the time even if you just reported. Go over your time, and listen in on Zoom.” make sure you reported ALL your hours. About 1/3 of our clubs have not reported hours for the 4th Quarter 2020, and approximately GRW Mission Statement 33 clubs have not turned in any Promote an informed public through 2020 hours at all. political Education and Activity Is your club one of these? Can Increase the effectiveness of women in you be the one to step up and the cause of Good Government. report your hours and inspire your club to report theirs? Check with Work for the election of Republican your club to see if they have candidates to foster loyalty to the submitted. Republican Party and to promote its Be the voice. Let’s see if we can principles. get to that 100% of clubs reporting in the next quarter! Ole’ Man Winter decided to pay Galveston County a visit. Homes all over Texas were left without heat, water, and electricity . Our own Marie Robb and Mayes Middleton could be found out helping families in need. We pray your families have returned to normal. Treasurer’s Report Tina Kirbie, Treasurer Cash Balance Ending February 28, 2021 $33,349.00 Calendar of Events ***Save the Date*** 2nd Wednesday: GRW Board Meeting 3rd Wednesday: GRW Regular Meeting 2nd Tuesday: Mid-County Republican Network 4th Wednesday: Bay Area Republican Women 1st Thursday: Galveston Island Pachyderm Club 1st Thursday: West Pearland Republican Women 1st Friday: Clear Creek Republican Women rd 3 Monday: Texas Gulf Coast Republican Women Elected Officers 2021 Advisory Board Members President Chaplain Irene Henry Betty Henry 817-996-3452 281-844-0598 [email protected] [email protected] Corresponding Secretary 1st Vice President – Programs Linda Buckley 281-468-1337 Chris Kinard [email protected] 409-599-7960 [email protected] Facebook Betty Henry 2nd Vice President – PAC Chairwoman 817-996-3452 [email protected] Campaign /
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