Zimmerman takes to the airwaves

Don Zimmerman, outgoing District 6 Austin City Councilman, filled in for KLBJ-AM's Dale Dudley the day before Thanksgiving.

Reports have it local conservatives burned down the phone lines as he and Mark Ceasar discussed pressing issues such as proposed federal cell phone manufacturer regulations to include a mandatory "airplane mode" for driving purposes.

If you missed it, you can hear it at the following link:

https://soundcloud.com/klbj-news-radio/rational-radio-mark-caesar-and-don-zimmerman-11-23-2016?in=klbj-news-radio/sets/rational-radio-with-dale

Don will return to KLBJ, filling in for Jeff Ward, this Monday and Tuesday (Dec. 5-6) from 3-7 p.m. You can tune in at AM 590, 99.7 FM, or listen online.

Fake Satanist group representative to 'bless' Austin City Council

UPDATE: The "minister" has called out for reason of being out of the country for Thursday's meeting.

Evil as the Austin City Council may be at times, there's something sinister about this screenshot:

At 9:55 a.m. Dec. 1 the Austin City Council will host a representative of The Satanic Temple for an "invocation." (To invoke whom or what, exactly, would be the question to ask.)

Black heritage memorial ceremony to bring Travis GOP full-circle to its roots

Greg Abbott

Gov. Greg Abbott announced this afternoon he will join local Republicans, and deliver remarks at, the unveiling of the African American Heritage Monument on Saturday on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol.

Though speeches at the unveilings of monuments on state capitol campuses are what governors are wont to do, Abbott's speech and the presence of local Republicans represents a solidarity with the rights of Black Americans that goes to the very roots of the Grand Ol' Party.

The monument is set to be unveiled at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. More information.

According to the Republican Party of Texas, the GOP has quite a stake in this celebration:

Zimmerman issues first circuit court challenge to Austin's $350 contribution limit

If the appeal is taken up, Austin City Councilman Don Zimmerman will be leading the first Circuit Court challenge against the City of Austin's candidate contribution limit.

Below is the press release from his attorney, Jerad Najvar:

Dickey: There's much to be proud of this election ... and humbled by

James Dickey is sounding like one proud papa this week. Facing overwhelming odds on Nov. 8, the Travis GOP held the line in 2016. On his personal blog he lays out a few key accomplishments of the party on multiple levels:

• The gracious and thoughtful words of both the President and the President-Elect the day after the election as they discussed the result and next steps in the transition.
• Susan Narvaiz, Gabriel Nila, Ceasar Ruiz, Maura Phelan, Joe Martinez, Pat McCord, and Deke Pierce – who all stepped up to face incredibly long odds and longer hours in an effort to help make Travis county better for all.

Poll watchers receive boost from Paxton

A sign in Hill County says it all -- poll watching only goes so far

"... a watcher is entitled to observe any activity conducted at the location at which the watcher is serving.  A watcher is entitled to sit or stand conveniently near the election officers conducting the observed activity. A watcher is entitled to sit or stand near enough to the member of a counting team who is announcing the votes to verify that the ballots are read correctly or to a member who is tallying the votes to verify that they are tallied correctly." --Texas Election Code 33.056.

Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion on Monday strongly supporting the legal right of poll watchers to observe election and vote-counting activity. But the opinion stopped short of calling for electronic images of all ballots as a means to stamp out voter fraud -- mainly because it's still a matter before the Third Court of Appeals.

Opinion KP-0118

According to the Austin American-Statesman ...

Ruiz: Democratic opponent 'a prime example of non-representation'

Ceasar Ruiz and family... when not calling out Celia Israel!

Ceasar Ruiz doesn't mince words when it comes to the representation of veterans in the Texas Legislature. See below for his most recent press release in his bid for Texas House District 50:

Ruiz: Incumbent has ignored veterans issues for too long
Absence on key Hazlewood votes in 84th lege reason enough for new representation

AUSTIN, Texas -- With Veterans Day fast approaching and proposed changes to the Hazlewood Act already being discussed for the next Legislature, the question must be asked:

Will Celia Israel ignore veterans once again?

Drastic changes proposed by 2015's Senate Bill 1735 put the Hazlewood Act -- which exempts veterans, their spouses, and dependent children from tuition and fees -- on the chopping block.

Every veterans association opposed the changes and called each legislator under the Capitol dome, including Texas House District 50 incumbent Celia Israel.

Unfortunately, Israel was absent for key debates and ALL substantive votes on the bill.

"My opponent ignored veterans last session," Texas House District 50 challenger Ceasar Ruiz said. "She only voted to extend the Hazlewood Act on the ceremonial third reading -- that 'happy-go-lucky' vote that takes place after passage is already a done deal."

"This is a prime example of the non-representation HD 50 has received over the past two years, and it is unacceptable," Ruiz continued. "Voters simply cannot expect my opponent to adequately represent their needs when she is clearly unwilling to stand and fight for our most noble citizens. As a military veteran, I promise to continue fighting for my brothers and sisters in arms but also for all Texans in need."

--30--

Zimmerman: the buffer between liberal central Austin and Battleground Texas

A communique from the Travis County GOP today explains the difference a city council seat can make in the grander political picture. We copy the text verbatim below:

www.Austinites-for-Zimmerman.com

Did you know that Battleground Texas is actively positioning volunteers in Southern Williamson County? Their gambit is to collect data and see if there are enough central Austinites in exodus to justify spending TONS of money at our north door in future elections. Fortunately, Councilman [Don] Zimmerman stands between Austin's liberal-leaning central neighborhoods and Battleground Texas' scoped-out territory. The stronger victory we hand to Don the stronger message we send to the Democrats that we have liberalism contained ... and we're closing in on them! Consider donating or waving a sign for him on election day.

VOTERS: If you live in District 6 (Northwest Austin) and plan on voting straight-party PLEASE check the bottom of your ballot. Don is not listed as a "REP" candidate (Republican) but is in a non-partisan city race. Straight-party will not select him, nor make a choice in Proposition 1 (which we oppose, by the way).