Houston, Gulf Coast drowning while protestors picket Trump

Yes, that's an 'Impeach' sign

Hurricane Harvey just set a domestic rainfall total record as of this afternoon (51.88 inches at Cedar Bayou), as President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump head to Austin Bergstrom International Airport after a visit to Corpus Christi and Austin to support and address statewide emergency response coordination.

For most people, it's a no-brainer: helping fellow Texans survive and recover from historic-level flooding (with much more to come) is a cause that has no bearing on one's political beliefs or personal preferences. We can argue about FEMA trailers, floodplain zoning, and the merits of the Trump Administration later.

And others? Well, take a look at what those who don't get that are saying this afternoon ...

• Anti-Christian radicals were quick to condemn a flooded church building that did not host Sunday services for not opening its doors as a shelter any sooner: http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/august/some-people-hate-joel-osteen-more-than-they-love-truth-hous.html
  
• The fashion police were out in full force to tell us what the First Lady should and shouldn't wear: https://stream.org/twitter-criticizes-melanias-footwear-while-situation-in-houston-worsens.
  
• Anti-Trump protesters decided to make a good-will visit to DPS headquarters in Austin an opportunity to argue about immigration policy:

Guadalupe and Koenig this afternoon, as Trump's motorcade approaches

Thankfully, the great majority of Texans get that it's not about politics: This isn't a chance to promote your pet cause, to denigrate our nation's leaders who are doing their best to help, or to kick flood victims when they're down. It's time to pack sandbags, open our wallets, gather donations of necessary goods, and get to work on what's sure to be a long road to recovery.

Below are some resources we hope you'll be able to use, followed by a message from Gov. Greg Abbott, who called Texas' response so far "nothing short of remarkable." We'll keep this list updated -- if you know of any other compilations of flood relief efforts please leave them in the comments section below and we'll be happy to include them here.

KXAN: Stand Strong Texas
http://kxan.com/category/stand-strong-texas

Austin American-Statesman:
http://www.statesman.com/news/harvey-aid-houston-these-texas-businesses-and-nonprofits-are-helping-out-here-how-you-can-too/CLFBZ3a9wyM2mK3DNbaGNO

Texas Tribune (statewide resources for those assisting and those who need help):
https://www.texastribune.org/2017/08/28/hurricane-harvey-relief-efforts-how-help

Must Read Texas (subscribe for daily round-up of Harvey news and opportunities)
http://mailchi.mp/potomacstrategygrp/mrt-immigration-court-serves-as-trump-model-ice-raid-in-houston-budget-conference-meets-redistricting-hearings-continue-wapo-on-hurd-204245


ALSO ... The Tracker recommends anyone in harm's way download the Zello app for your smartphone ASAP. Search for the channel titled "Texas Search and Rescue" and there you will be able to instantaneously communicate with search-and-rescue workers in your vicinity. More info:
http://money.cnn.com/2017/08/28/technology/volunteers-harvey-rescue-apps/index.html

Below is a message from Team Abbott with some helpful links, especially for those in immediate need ...

... As Texas continues to experience heavy rains in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, I want to share some additional information and resources for those affected by the storm.

I have activated the entire Texas National Guard--about 12,000--in order to respond to Hurricane Harvey disaster recovery. The Texas National Guard is working closely with FEMA and federal troops to respond urgently to the growing needs of Texans who have fallen victim to Hurricane Harvey, and the activation of the entire Guard will assist in the efforts already underway.
 Check the Texas Hurricane Center page on the Office of the Texas Governor website to see the most up to date list of mandatory and voluntary evacuations. However, if you are living in a flooded area, do not attempt to evacuate by driving your car--doing so will put your life and lives of rescue personnel at risk. Visit the FEMA website for safety tips or call 2-1-1 for evacuation information.

If you need assistance, visit the FEMA disaster assistance site or call 800-621-FEMA.

If you need immediate medical attention or emergency evacuation assistance, call 9-1-1. If you cannot get through on the first try, keep calling. You can also call one of five numbers for the Houston Command Center of the United States Coast Guard:
 281-464-4851
281-464-4852
281-464-4853
281-464-4854
282-464-4855

Do not attempt to drive on flooded roadways! Remember, “turn around, don’t drown!” If you need roadside assistance, call 800-525-5555 or 9-1-1 if it is an emergency. Check Drivetexas.org for flooded roads and road conditions before driving anywhere. Call the Texas Department of Transportation at 800-452-9292 for statewide road closures.

If you are in Houston, visit the City of Houston Emergency Information page or call either 3-1-1 or 713-884-3131 for Houston emergency updates.

If you are a hurricane evacuee seeking shelter, visit the Red Cross website to find open shelters or call the Red Cross Hotline at 800-733-2767. I have opened Texas State Parks to free camping for hurricane evacuees. Check here for a list and a map of park availability. AirBnB is also providing free accommodations to Harvey evacuees. You can find a free place to stay or offer up your space to evacuees in San Antonio, Austin, or Dallas.

If you have been affected by Harvey in any way, know that Texas has your back during this difficult time. I ask that Texans continue to keep affected regions in their thoughts and prayers as we continue to endure this severe weather event and its tragic effects on our state.


Sincerely,

Greg Abbott

_________
Photo credits: Protest photos shared by Leland Freeman via Facebook.com. Thanks, Leland!

Tax swap: Robin Hood workaround or revenge for SB 6?

Where the other half lives in Travis County

UPDATE: Tax swap proposal on hold (at least for now). More.

In a move being billed as a way for Austin ISD to get around a high amount of "recaptured" funds under the state "Robin Hood" school funding scheme, the Austin City Council voted 6-4 this month to initiate part 1 of a "tax swap" plan with the school district.

But could the tax swap also be retaliation against the Texas Legislature's recent action to reign-in big city annexation powers? A Republican House member suggests it may be related (see below).

The first step of the tax swap plan, which the City took on Aug. 10, raises the city’s property tax rate to 46.51 cents per $100 in appraised property value. It's a move that had bipartisan opposition, with Council members Ellen Troxclair (R), Jimmy Flannigan (D), Delia Garza (D) and Ora Houston (D, with fiscal conservative sympathies at times) voting no.

Step two: What's known as an interlocal agreement between the city of Austin and the Austin ISD to do the swap would have to be approved by both entities. This seems like a done deal -- Austin ISD will gladly lower its tax rates to keep Robin Hood away and the City would provide some services to the school (which hearkens back to the days before Independent School Districts became the norm in Texas public education -- more on that little irony in a future article).

Here's step three: That tax hike happens to be 2 cents higher than what's known as the "rollback rate" of 44.51 cents. It amounts to an increase of around 14 percent over the current budget year, by the way. That means the taxpayers, if they successfully circulate a petition with enough signatures (38,000, we understand), will defer final approval of the tax rate to the voters in a yet-to-be-scheduled rollback election (rumor has it on the March primary ballot).

Confused yet? Here's what it all boils down to: According to KXAN-TV, it's a move that may save Austinites money, but every other resident in the non-Austin ISD portions of the city (see chart above) will be stuck with the full 14 percent tax hike (though Mayor Steve Adler is promising perks for neighboring hamlets like funds for a youth center for Del Valle).

Austin-based Yeti ices Breitbart ad after one person tweets 'hate'

We can all agree lately that overreaction to allegations of hate on either side of the political spectrum is getting out of hand. Sometimes you just want to pack your Yeti cooler and head out to the lake for a few days to get away from all the bickeri ...

Oh wait ...

GOP priorities hit and miss during special lege session

Click to enlarge

As you can see from the chart above (courtesy of the Texas GOP's Strategic Texas Activist Team) it was hit and miss for Republican priority bills -- but mostly miss. The Governor is placing blame square on the Texas House, while it appears there's enough criticism to go around.

Below is a press release from the Texas GOP, followed by a screenshot by the Greg Abbott campaign.

AUSTIN – With the close of this special session of the Texas Legislature, Republican Party of Texas Chairman James Dickey has outlined the bills passed relating to the Republican Party platform: 

“We are constantly working to advance the official Platform of the Republican Party of Texas, which is rooted in conservative principle. Following the special session, there is still much work to be done, but I’m encouraged that the Legislature acted on these important items that will help keep Texas free and prosperous.”

Petition surfaces to impeach Travis County Democrat Judge

Sulak

An online petition calling for the impeachment of Judge Tim Sulak, 353rd Civil District Court, has surfaced.

Below is the description from Change.org [bracketed edits ours]:

"Judge Tim Sulak has a lengthy history of conducting himself in a dishonest and discriminatory manner. Additionally, he has engaged in a pattern of discrimination against vulnerable parents in a manner that puts domestic violence survivors and their children at risk for abuse. Judge Sulak has repeatedly ignored signs of abuse in cases before him and has demonstrated a willingness to engage in ex parte communication and receive ex parte evidence to justify his actions. [...]

Texas Privacy Act seeks to remedy an 'uncivil right'

Haver

Guest Opinion by Kaeley Triller Haver

Earlier this year, both the NBA and the NFL made headline news with separate but equally hypocritical statements condemning Texas’ recently proposed privacy bills. The Texas Privacy Act (SB3 and HB 46), would ensure that government policies for bathroom and shower use in government buildings and public schools is based on the sex listed on a person’s birth certificate. It also prevents opposite sex participation in scholastic athletic competition, with some accommodation and exceptions.

Now even an NHL franchise, the Dallas Stars, is joining this “nondiscrimination” chorus.

In the midst of a national voyeurism epidemic, the Texas Privacy Act (SB 3 and HB 46) is a common-sense solution to a problem that shouldn’t even exist. But its opponents argue that it unfairly discriminates against transgender individuals. And apparently the NBA and NFL agree, having threatened to relocate their all-star games and big ticket events should the bill be enacted.

This issue is being framed as the new frontier of civil rights, abusing words like “discrimination” and “equality” to shame common sense privacy supporters (even some who were personally participated in the historic Civil Rights Movement) into silence.