September 15, 2023

Newsletter

(just a few days late!)

Hispanic Heritage Month

Please note: our newsletters contain a lot of links to make viewing the source easier - just click on images or linked text to explore

IN THIS ISSUE:

• We Will Never Forget
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
• TDP Talking Points - School Vouchers, Paxton
• Precinct Chair Application Process
• Legislative Update - Constitutional Amendments 4 - 6 (of 14)
• Poll Worker Recruitment Week
• Make and Take - September 28
• Final Friday - Immigration - September 29
• Pride Festival - Volunteer with us!
• Joe Meets Phyllis!
• Democratic Party Events Around the County
• School Board Reports
• Election Countdown Calendar
• Joe and Kamala's Corner (click on an image to open)
• Tweets (click on an image to open)
• Blue Store - Show Your Commitment to Democracy!
• Democratic Party Calendar of Upcoming Events
• Other Groups and Community Events

This newsletter is published on or about the 1st and the 15th of every month.

Email content for consideration to communications@mcdptx.org

no later than 3 days before publication.

We Will Never Forget

The Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission held a special Patriot Day ceremony on Monday, September 11 at the Veterans Memorial Park at 1776 Freedom Blvd. in Conroe.

The ceremony commemorated the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and honored the sacrifice of those who were lost and the first responders who answered the call.

Ginger Blair, MCDP County Chair, and Laura Jones, candidate for TX08, were both at the event to represent Montgomery County and regional Texas Democrats.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.



The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

Read More

ANTI-VOUCHER COMMS TOOLKIT

(SPECIAL SESSION)

Tools to help Democratic county parties communicate to the grassroots about the negative impacts of voucher schemes. (drafted 9/8/23)

Click Here

Texas Democratic Party Statement on the Acquittal of Indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton

Click Here

Big Pharma has raked in billions while everyday Americans struggle to afford the medication they need. But President Biden and Democrats stood up to those special interests and passed the Inflation Reduction Act.

As a result of that landmark legislation, millions of Americans will see their prescription drug costs reduced — no thanks to a single Republican in Congress.

Click here for more information on Boot Vouchers 2023 Rally

Precinct Chair and County Chair Application Process Begins

September 12 - December 11th

Applications for precinct chairs will be accepted starting September 12^th and must be turned in no later than December 11^th at 5 pm. Every two years precinct chairs must apply for the term that begins after the primary or runoff and lasts until after the next primary. If two or more apply for the same precinct, then they are listed on the primary ballot in that precinct.  If only one person applies in a precinct, then they are elected without being on the ballot. 

The County Chair is elected for the same term and is listed on the ballot in all precincts. 

Remember the applications must be notarized. Most banks have a notary and do not charge for the service.  You must be present with a valid ID and sign the notary's book. 

Click here to download the application, fill it out, get it notarized and turn in to the office.

Hope to see you next year as a Precinct Chair continuing to fight for our Democracy!

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION ELECTION

On November 7, 2023, all registered voters in Texas will vote on 14 constitutional amendments. Since the legislature only meets in odd numbered years, any constitutional amendments they pass must be voted on by citizens in November of that year. I will be providing additional information on each them in the order in which they will appear on the ballot. If you want additional information, go to Ballotpedia.org/Texas.

Proposition 4—"The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorum tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorum taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000; to adjust the amount of limitation on school district ad valorum taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorum tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; and to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.”

For a residence homestead the appraised value is reduced by $100,000 for ISD taxes. Over 65 and disabled receive an additional reduction of $10,000. The ISD may increase tax rate for repayment of debt. A spouse may continue to receive the additional amount if the spouse is at least 55 years old.

Proposition 5--“The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.”

Money is to be moved from the economic stabilization fund annually. Legislature sets criteria by which a university may be eligible to receive funds.

Proposition 6— “The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in the state.”

The Texas water fund is outside the general revenue fund and is administered by the Texas Water Development Board which supplies fund to other funds and accounts administered by them. Any money not spent rolls over to the next year.



Submitted by

Betty McInturff

Chair, Precinct 12

Join us for a another creative

“Make and Take” Event

Volunteers Needed!

Thursday September 28, 2023 @ 11:00 a.m.

Montgomery County Democratic Party Headquarters

Sign up on Mobilize

Lorena Perez McGill to Speak at

Final Friday, September 29, 2023 @ 6:30 pm

As part of our celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Lorena Perez McGill, will be zooming in to speak to us about the complex issue of immigration. As we know, she is tireless in her efforts to represent immigrants and equally unflagging in her efforts to help the larger communities she serves toward a clearer understanding of immigrants’ rights, and the conditions they endure here.

Lorena obtained her Licenciatura en Derecho from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and her LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. She is admitted to practice in New York and in the District of Columbia. She practices exclusively in the area of immigration law.

We hope you will join us for her informative presentation.

Our Final Friday Social and Speaker Program is held the last Friday of the month at Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters, 704 N. Thompson St, Suite 195, Conroe, Texas, 77301. You may also watch it on Zoom.

The link to watch virtually is highlighted in blue below. You may also watch on Facebook Live.

Topic: Final Friday

Time: September 29, 2023 , 6:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85874090628?pwd=RFNJVDRnM3N4aFJ1cFFBQlk1Smlpdz09

Meeting ID: 858 7409 0628

Passcode: 41243

PLEASE COME HELP US!

The Montgomery County Democratic Party will have two booths at this year’s Woodlands Pride Festival on October 21^st at Town Green Park in The Woodlands and we will need volunteers. If you would like to help, please send an email to office@mcdptx.org or give us a call at 936-703-5841.

More details to follow!

Joe Meets Phyllis!

Phyllis Kirkland, Chair of Precinct 64, dropped by the office to use office resources to create her next letter to her constituents and Joe took to the opportunity to meet her in person!

Phyllis has been a precinct chair for many, many years, is a sustaining donor to MCDP, and is very actively engaged with her constituents. She is a model Precinct Chair!! And best of all she has recruited help with her work so she can get even more done!

Keep up the good work, Phyllis!

Blue Magnolia Has a Busy Month!

About 14 of us, including several new faces, met for dinner on September 13th - our monthly evening social. There was great food, lots of laughs and great conversations. Our next monthly morning social is September 28th at 10 am.

On September 23rd we will have a booth at the Magnolia Fall Festival - a Crafters and Artisans Market. 11659 FM 1488, Magnolia 77354 from 11 am to 5 pm. We will be passing out information about resources and services in our area, networking and selling MCDP merch from the Blue Texas Store! We hope to see you there!

And on September 30th will have a booth at the Magnolia Stroll Through the Renaissance which is a launching event for the Renaissance Festival. This is always so much fun - with lots of period costumes, food, drink and music. We will be there from 3 - 7 pm. (search Magnolia Stroll Magnolia Texas in maps and you'll find it).

And on top of all that two of our Precinct Chairs, Ernie Halsell and Susan Shofkom, passed the test to become certified VDRs (Volunteer Deputy Registrars) and can now register voters! Congratulations and thanks, Ernie and Susan!

School Board Reports

Diana Walker, Hank Walker and Charlotte Harris attended the school board meeting on September 11th. It was uneventful from a public comments perspective! There was a report about the results of last year's STAR testing and the raw data showed growth in most areas and impressive numbers compared to neighboring ISDs. The state has still not released the guidelines for the Accountability grading for schools. For more information about this issue click here.

Event Calendar - Through September

Thursday, September 21, 6:30 pm, Senior Advisory Council (SAC) Monthly Meeting

Thursday, September 28,11:00 am, Make and Take Crafts at HQ

Thursday, September 28, 10:00 am, Blue Magnolia Mid-Morning Social

Friday, September 29, 6:30 pm, Final Friday Speaker Series - Lorena Perez McGill (Zoom or In-Person)

Recurring meetings, and related events

TUE, SEP 19 - CONROE ISD BOARD, 6:00pm, 3205 W. Davis Street, Conroe 77304

THU, SEP 21 - WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD, 6:00pm, 2801 Technology Forest Bl. 77381

TUE, SEP 26 - MOCO COMMISSIONERS COURT, 9:30am, 501 N. Thompson 77301

TUE, SEP 27 - WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD, 6:00pm, 2801 Technology Forest Bl. 77381

SAT, OCT 7 - RALLY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, south Capitol steps, Austin

TUE, OCT 10 - LS GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION BOARD, 6:00pm, 655 Conroe Park N

TUE, OCT 10 - VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION

TUE, OCT 17 - CONROE ISD BOARD, 6:00pm, 3205 W. Davis Street, Conroe 77304

Democrats and Progressives of Montgomery County

Morning Breakfast MEETUP

Saturday, October 14, 9:00 am

The Whistle Stop Cafe

11133 Interstate 45 S · Conroe, TX

Hosted by Karen Cavanagh

RSVP

EVENING DINNER MEETUP

Wednesday TBA at 6:00 PM

Cafe Express Woodlands

3091 College Park Dr Ste 290 · The Woodlands, TX

RSVP