This is an email I got from Independent Texas.

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I decided today to write you about a campaign in Austin, even though I know the vast majority of you cannot vote in this election because you don't live in Austin. But, I just got mad as hell today about it. And you can help.

There are some big wheels in Austin who are trying to defeat a city councilwoman -- Jennifer Kim. I believe it's because she stood up to the toll road lobby and they want her out.

Jennifer has also been working along with us to stop the City of Austin from giving $65 million in tax subsidies for a luxury mall called The Domain. She leads with our fight here in her TV ad -- watch it!:

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I think it's terribly important that we stand up when politicians do the RIGHT thing, not just when they're wrong.

Here's what you can do. Think about voters you know in Austin. Please call them or send them a note and ask them to vote for Jennifer Kim for Austin City Council.

It would also be terrific if you would be willing to take some numbers of independent voters here that you can call.

Tomorrow is last day of early voting. Election day is Saturday, when polls are open 7 to 7.

Send me an email to [email protected] or call me to help.

I promise you that if we put Jennifer over the top, we will do what we've done in Austin, all over Texas.

I promise!

Linda Curtis
Independent Texans
http://IndyTexans.org
PO Box 14294
Austin, TX 78761
512-535-0989 office
512-657-2089 cell

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Actually the polls close today for early voting and reopen on Saturday for election day.

I am only forwarding this message because I respect Linda's group. She has been working hard to stop the largest land grap in USA history and trying to get Rick Perry out of office. [Rick Perry is a scumbag for a lot of the things he has done in office]

Wow, Jennifer Kim is a hero. So heroic, I think she can just glide through airport security.

Those toll roads around here are terrible, diverting traffic from a gridlocked 35 and all. They actually allow people to get out of traffic and get places quicker. **** those toll roadies.

Those stupid toll roads save me almost 30 minutes round trip to play Wilco, what were they thinking! Also if you live in Austin and have followed the council race you should know that Jennifer Kim uses very questionable campaign tactics, much like this one forwarded by Pizza God.

They're probably thinking that they should be free.

Nevermind that the other option to build roads involves raising taxes.

Those stupid toll roads save me almost 30 minutes round trip to play Wilco, what were they thinking! Also if you live in Austin and have followed the council race you should know that Jennifer Kim uses very questionable campaign tactics, much like this one forwarded by Pizza God.



TIME = MONEY

Hey, you know if Austin PD spent less time chasing illegals, that would be less money spent by the city government and more money available for road projects.

Like I said, I am only repeating something I got from a very active political activist.

As far as the toll road in Austin, a lot of that was a FREE ROAD until it became a toll road. Your taxes already paid for a lot of that and now you are paying for the right to use something your tax dollars went too. We had the same thing happen in North Dallas with George Bush Turnpike and State Hwy 121.

How about the TTC-35

Do you favor that. Master plan only has 5 exits in the whole state. That is the toll road I fear the most.

Funny thing is, the Texas State budget had a 16 BILLION DOLLAR surplus last year, yet we have to sell off our FREEWAYS to toll roads?????

On that same note, if you took 9 billion of that 16 billion surplus, you could cut our School Property Tax. Not just cut it, but eliminate it.

But no, Texas voters can't be that smart, they voted to give State Tax dollars to a private charity. That was wrong in so many ways. I have made several contribution to that charity as most of us here have, but it is not right to collect taxes to force us to give.

BTW TxDot had a $8.3 billion budget last year, Just of 3 billion of that comes from the Federal Government.

Jennifer Kim is also in favor of requiring every homeowner who wishes to sell their home to update all existing appliances for "green" purposes.This bill hasnt passed yet but she is trying to pass it and if so it will be a burden for every homeowner come time to sell their house; however it will be advantageous for the buyer because they are getting all new appliances.The Austin Board of Realtors are currently opposing this bill as it will not be benificial to anyone because the homeowner can always remove all existing appliances and sell the home as-is without appliances. The only problem that I have seen with the toll roads is the bottle neck that it has caused at hwy 71S and the tollway.

toll roads are the shizzle. since most people who can afford toll tags also have insurance very different from 35 :p

after reading about both candidates, I would prefer to vote for none of the above, but between the two, Jennifer would get my vote.

Last night I spent a little over and hour working the phone center for the Ron Branson for Mayor campaign.

www.runwithron.net (http://www.runwithron.net)

then today this article came out

Mayor of Carrollton's tall tales (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/050708dnmetmiller.38fa010.html)

Be careful what you wish for in terms of toll roads.

1) There has been a large move to privatize the toll roads in Texas. Right now, your tolls go into supporting the infrastructure and paying off the toll road. If they're privatized you get to buy the road forever and I'd be very careful to read the fine writing, you might have to pay for the repairs also.

2) One of the biggest sources for private toll road funding in today's market is foreign capital. Not only will you pay for the road forever, you'll pay the Saudis or the Chinese for your toll road forever.

3) The reason we're at this juncture is because, well, we have the largest personal and government dept of any people/nation ever.

Wait Wait, cut our taxes again, please! Texas can't afford it's roads because we don't want to pay for them and we keep writing these sweetheart deals for Big Business to move here and... not pay taxes. Of course no one should be surprised that we have one of the poorest education systems in the country either. As me Da' used to say, you get what you pay for...

The problems you mention are a poltical issue on how to manage tolls and such. I agree that privatization is basically a giveaway to corporate donors. That doesn't mean that toll roads are bad. Two distinct issues.

Bryan, I read that. I bet she can throw 500 feet with an aviar also. :D

I assume this means your candidate will win.

Be careful what you wish for in terms of toll roads.

1) There has been a large move to privatize the toll roads in Texas. Right now, your tolls go into supporting the infrastructure and paying off the toll road. If they're privatized you get to buy the road forever and I'd be very careful to read the fine writing, you might have to pay for the repairs also.

2) One of the biggest sources for private toll road funding in today's market is foreign capital. Not only will you pay for the road forever, you'll pay the Saudis or the Chinese for your toll road forever.

3) The reason we're at this juncture is because, well, we have the largest personal and government dept of any people/nation ever.

Wait Wait, cut our taxes again, please! Texas can't afford it's roads because we don't want to pay for them and we keep writing these sweetheart deals for Big Business to move here and... not pay taxes. Of course no one should be surprised that we have one of the poorest education systems in the country either. As me Da' used to say, you get what you pay for...




So we are supposed to just pay the tolls until it is payed off? Man I would have figure beltway 8 was payed for years ago but they just keep bumping the tolls up.

Bryan, I read that. I bet she can throw 500 feet with an aviar also. :D

I assume this means your candidate will win.



Classic :D

Ron Branson is the underdog of this race. At first I might have agreed with Becky Miller than it is personal reasons Mr. Branson was running against Ms. Miller. But when we sat down with him, he tried to not talk about her, if he started to, he would stop.

But then when he would talk about her, it was mostly to tell us the differences between them, he would say what he supported vs what she supported. I knew nothing about anything listed in this article until today. [well actually last night when I found out about the article]

When doing my research on the two candidates, I did not like how Ms. Miller talked about the subjects, I felt she was pandering and double talking [taking both sides of an issue] When I talked to Mr. Branson, he took the time to tell us what his views were and what he could do as mayor to get the ball rolling.

I also liked the fact that he was taking ZERO campaign contributions. He is 100 percent financing his own campaign. [he admitted last night he has spent about 10K for a 350 buck a month job. :D He has no political aspirations [running for higher office] in the future, he is now retired and just wants to see Carrollton grow.

BTW, both Kenny Marchant [current Congressman for District 24] and Ron Marchant [Current County Commissioner] got there start on the Carrollton City Council. [Kenny was Mayor]

Right now, Kenny's son Mathew Marchant is on the city council, I was told he has worked the phone banks for Ron Branson, yet Ms. Miller has him listed as endorsing her [there are more people who have endorsed Branson, but are listed on Mayor Millers web site.]

The following is from Sal Costello (http://salcostello.blogspot.com/) , founder of the Austin Toll Party...


Jennifer Kim for Place 3. Jennifer Kim did the right thing, and was in the minority when she voted against Sen. Watson�s plan to shift Austin existing freeways to tollways, just months ago.

Jennifer is far from perfect, she ushered in the red light camera scam. But the fact is Randi Shade is worse, much worse. Shade was moved into this race by tollers, who want to replace Jennifer Kim for her vote against the double tax tolls. Shade is backed by toll scum like Mike Weaver (Created the CTRMA and gave himself a NO BID Contract to do it) and Lowell Lebermann (Vice Chair of the CTRMA). So, even though I�m not crazy about all of Jennifer Kim�s positions, and she�s been rude to me personally, and others I know, Randi Shade makes her look very appealing in contrast.

This one is of State Representative, Mike Krusee that supports toll roads. He lives in Round Rock and is a Republican.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUa4E75ChhI

How do you embed these Youtube videos, Pizza?

Watch the video above first, then read this...

Krusee Keeps Moving

By Elise Hu, KVUE Political Reporter



Look who I spotted in the parking lot of my ex-gym, Castle Hill Fitness?

It's SO-113, otherwise known as State Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Round Rock. Krusee, as you may recall, was charged with DWI last week and spent a night in the pokey. (He did not take a breathalyzer test, which is what most DWI attorneys -- and liberatarians - advise.)

http://www.beloblog.com/KVUE_Blogs/politicaljunkie/kruseecar.jpg

While awaiting a court date, he's still driving -- and apparently stayin' in shape. (Castle Hill trainers give you an excellent workout.) I called Krusee after spotting his car, because a source who first spotted him wondered whether he should still be driving:

Him: Hey, it's Krusee.
Me: Hey, how are ya! Um... I mean.. uh... [awkwardly stammering].
Him: No, no, I'm doing good.
Me: So, can you still drive?
Him: Jason [his attorney] said to refer everything to him, I could answer ya, but Jason said to tell people to call him.

Read the rest of the article here (http://www.beloblog.com/KVUE_Blogs/politicaljunkie/2008/05/krusee-keeps-moving.html).

He wasn't even on the toll road! :o:D

The problems you mention are a poltical issue on how to manage tolls and such. I agree that privatization is basically a giveaway to corporate donors. That doesn't mean that toll roads are bad. Two distinct issues.

Bryan, I read that. I bet she can throw 500 feet with an aviar also. :D

I assume this means your candidate will win.



WAIT! Everyone look, James and I agree on something! Woo Hoo!

Yes, toll roads are a good thing, they pass the buck to those who use them, good capitalism, while getting the "benefit" of public funding to make them happen. But the way they're being managed in the scenarios I presented, as James pointed out, is very bad IMO.

Be careful what you wish for in terms of toll roads.

1) There has been a large move to privatize the toll roads in Texas. Right now, your tolls go into supporting the infrastructure and paying off the toll road. If they're privatized you get to buy the road forever and I'd be very careful to read the fine writing, you might have to pay for the repairs also.

2) One of the biggest sources for private toll road funding in today's market is foreign capital. Not only will you pay for the road forever, you'll pay the Saudis or the Chinese for your toll road forever.

3) The reason we're at this juncture is because, well, we have the largest personal and government dept of any people/nation ever.

Wait Wait, cut our taxes again, please! Texas can't afford it's roads because we don't want to pay for them and we keep writing these sweetheart deals for Big Business to move here and... not pay taxes. Of course no one should be surprised that we have one of the poorest education systems in the country either. As me Da' used to say, you get what you pay for...




So we are supposed to just pay the tolls until it is payed off? Man I would have figure beltway 8 was payed for years ago but they just keep bumping the tolls up.



That's the theory but what they've done here in Texas is to hide a tax. They tell us, look, we're lowering your taxes, then they charge a fee instead. Pay me now pay me later. If I recall there was a discussion of ending the tolls on 8 several years ago and it was agreed that the funds generated were "necessary."

So far the only toll road I know of that has been paid off and became a freeway again is the DFW turnpike (now I30) between Dallas and Ft. Worth.

The North Dallas Tollroad was "suppose" to be paid off several years ago, but they extended it out past Frisco now.

I use to be in favor of Toll Roads until they started changing Freeways to Tollroads.

LBJ in Dallas is about to get toll lanes instead of HOV lanes.

At least 121 tollway is run by a North Texas company NTTA as oppose to Cintra (a Spain company)

Oh it got better today


Dallas Morning News
Editorial: Carrollton mayor not a straight shooter
12:00 AM CDT on Thursday, May 8, 2008
It's impossible to imagine a scenario where Carrollton Mayor Becky Miller can overcome an enormous credibility problem and regain the ability to properly lead her city.
Ms. Miller has been caught in a web of deflections and shifting stories about her background. So fantastic are some of her tales � like being backup singer to rock stars, even though they never heard of her or her supposed stage name of "Pinky" � that she has become a laughingstock.
Her vague explanations aside, constituents have reason to take offense at her claim that she had a brother in the military who died in the Vietnam War. She has admitted to trying to trick her opponent in Saturday's mayoral election by giving him the name of a dead soldier who was not her brother. There is no excuse for enlisting a fallen soldier in a political ploy. Veterans and families who lost loved ones in Vietnam won't easily forgive such a misstep.
All of this will pose a quandary to those Carrollton voters who are tempted to set aside their doubts and focus instead on Ms. Miller's years of service as mayor and City Council member. They have an alternative in Saturday's election, former council member Ron Branson.
This newspaper has not made an editorial recommendation in the race, nor can we now, because editorial board members did not conduct interviews with the two candidates. (Questions about the mayor's past came up in a separate inquiry by Dallas Morning News reporter Stephanie Sandoval.)
But the pattern of shifting explanations from Ms. Miller set off warning bells that shouldn't be ignored by Carrollton leaders.
Name recognition being what it is, there is a good chance that Ms. Miller will be re-elected in Saturday's vote. If so, city leaders should press for her to resign and allow council members to schedule a new election to fill the vacancy.
Carrollton deserves a straight shooter, one who recognizes that full and quick disclosure is the more honorable route than a cover-up.



I have been busy today and have not had a chance to look them up, but both channel 5 and 4 did pieces last night on the news.

The channel 5 piece was only saying what the article said

But the Fox 4 piece mostly showed her trying to explain them away again, changing the stories again. She even started to cry when saying she was not going to give the name of the solder killed in Vietnam.

http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=243002&amp;shu=1

http://cbs11tv.com/local/Carrollton.Becky.Miller.2.717830.html

Even made the AP
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hytx3ZO6PI_THjvzZrfDDFVpcalAD90GVF801

Mudraker (http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/for_the_past_several_months.php)