Last night I outlined my plan for moving our Democratic Party forward in Harris County.  At a meeting of the County Executive Committee, I outlined my vision and plan for building a strong party, one that will serve the needs of the third largest county in the United States and help us elect Democrats up and down the ballot.

My vision is based on a set of principles that, if followed, will give us a stronger footing and make us ready to take on Republicans this November, and beyond.

Principle 1:   Creating a Strong and Diverse Harris County Democratic Party

We will fully realize our true strength as a party when we bring all the communities of Harris County together.  With this in mind, we will work diligently toward the goal of having all communities represented in party and committee leadership.

Along with party representation, we will focus on recruiting candidates of all communities to run for elected office.  Bringing together the diversity of Harris County will enable our party to make sure the voices and opinions of everyone are heard.

Principle 2:   Organizing Does Not End on Election Day

Organizing is an activity that should be done throughout the year, and not simply days leading up to an election.  Organizing is key to winning elections and should be the primary goal of the HCDP.  Moving forward, we will ensure that we are taking steps to continuously organize like-minded individuals.

Principle 3:   Strong Precinct Chairs Make an Effective Party

Our power as a party comes from the grassroots.  In order to have a strong and effective party we must increase our capacity at the precinct level.  This means we need to reduce the number of vacant precinct chair positions, so we can increase our reach throughout Harris County.

As an organization that is dependent on people’s ability to work hard, it is up to us to identify and cultivate leaders.  The party will take the steps necessary to identify and cultivate a diverse group of leaders, so we can ensure the progress we make today has someone to carry it into the future.

Principle 4:   Financial Health Promotes Organizational Capacity

In order to successfully accomplish the goals of the party, we must be on sound financial footing.  To fully reach our potential we must work to increase our revenue and aim higher than mere financial security.  To achieve this goal: our efforts will be directed toward raising enough resources so we can carry out programs needed to win on Election Day.

We must begin this process by asking if we are leading by example.  Precinct chairs, elected officials and party activists should step-up and become Sustaining Members.  The party will undertake necessary efforts to increase Sustaining Members.  These funds are vital to the day-to-day operation of the party and can be used to greatly increase our capacity and efficiency.

Principle 5:  Message Development, Delivery & Discipline Advance Party Priorities

Message development, delivery and discipline are easier said than done.  Message development takes quantitative and qualitative research; delivery takes a strong communications infrastructure, utilizing new and traditional media; discipline takes training, practice, and patience.

Our party will build a communication infrastructure and invest time and resources into sound message development and utilization.  To let opportunities pass us by because we are not using social media strategically is unacceptable.  Rather, we will work to increase our capacity in social media, and push to garner earned media at every opportunity.  Focusing staff resources on ensuring our agility and effectiveness in utilizing all communications platforms will accomplish this.

When we all work together we can accomplish great things.  This framework for a stronger HCDP is the first step for moving our party forward.  We can only be as successful as the work we all put into building our party.  Today, I ask you to step-up and help us lead the HCDP into the future.

Will you join those who sustain the Party by donating $10 today?

Sign up here to Volunteer for the Party.

Do you know of know of any students or recent graduates that would like to Intern for the Party?

Respectfully,

Lane Lewis

County Chair

Harris County Democratic Party

20 January 2012

SCOTUS Send Maps Back To San Antonio

“The Harris County Democratic Party continues to hold that the State maps ignore the realities of voter demographics,” said County Chair Lane Lewis.

“Every court that has looked at the Republican gerrymandered maps has smelled something fishy.  The Supreme Court today did not dismiss the Court drawn maps that returned fair play to the voters, they simply said that they wanted the San Antonio court to be more clear as to how they arrived at their conclusions. We are confident the San Antonio court will accomplish this.”

“Meanwhile,” said Lewis, “HCDP continues to focus on building a strong grassroots and advocacy organization that works toward making better lives for all folk in Harris County.”

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Representative Jessica Farrar had an opportunity to witness history on January 9th as the Supreme Court of the United States of America heard the oral arguments regarding redistricting in Texas. Join us on Tuesday January 24th at 6:30pm as she will explain her experience.

Jessica Farrar is currently in her 9th term as State Representative of District 148. She was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1994 at the age of 27, and she is the longest serving Hispanic member from Harris County in the Texas House of Representatives.

Rep. Farrar currently serves as the Vice-Chair on the House Committee on Environmental Regulation and is a member of the Border and Intergovernmental Affairs. Past assignments have included the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Land and Resource Management, House Committees on State Affairs, Juvenile Justice and Family Issues, Corrections, County Affairs, Agriculture and Livestock, and Appropriations. In addition, Representative Farrar serves as Leader of the House Democratic Caucus, and is the founder and Vice-Chair of the Women’s Health Caucus. She previously served as Secretary of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) and Vice-Chair of the Legislative Study Group (LSG).

·    Jan. 25 (Wednesday) Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston, 77055. The session will begin promptly at 6:45 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.

·     Jan. 26 (Thursday) El Franco Lee Community Center, 9500 Hall Road, Houston, 77089. The session will begin promptly at 6:45 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.

Training for new or renewing registrars is also available online. Read the material there, acknowledge your responsibility to follow the rules and click on the “I agree” button to access the newest material and application for appointment as a volunteer deputy voter registrar.

If you are unable to attend any of the sessions, and wish to renew your certification,  please fill out a renewal form on the Tax Office website and mail the form to Marty Morrison, Harris County Tax Office 1001 Preston Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77002.  You may contact Marty Morrison at 713-274-8177. (Note her NEW phone number.)

Volunteer Deputy Voter registrar appointments made during 2012 expire at the end of the year. By law, all registrar appointments expire on Dec. 31 of even-numbered years.  If you need more information, please e-mail Marty Morrison at Marty.Morrison@tax.hctx.net or call her at 713-274-8177.

Sylvia Garcia’s impressions of the SCOTUS oral arguments on redistricting.

This site is a good resource on Texas redistricting updates.

Until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the new district boundary maps, the Certificates cannot be prepared or mailed. The approved maps are necessary to assign voters to the correct voting precincts.

Details Here…

Harris County Organized Labor and Democrats

Making Better Lives for All

WHEREAS, Organized Labor has been the driving force behind the progress hard working men and women have made in securing higher wages, quality/affordable benefits, safer working conditions, a higher standard of living and the creation of America’s middle class with  a higher quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Labor and the Harris County Democratic Party  are responsible for the significant contributions to local, state, and federal laws protecting workers and advancing their interests, and

WHEREAS, Labor and the Harris County Democratic Party have  contributed materially to the benefits of our communities, economies, and public health care and retirement systems, and

WHEREAS, Labor in solidarity with the Harris County Democratic Party  are just as relevant and essential today for the restoration of the disappearing middle class  as  when workers were fighting for shorter working hours; or when workers were fighting to keep children out of factories, and

WHEREAS, Organized Labor and the Harris County Democratic Party have proved to be powerful allies in the fight to secure a living wage, access to quality public education, equal rights in the work place and fair representation at the bargaining table for hard working men and women, their children, the elderly and disabled:

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, the Harris County Democratic Party reaffirms its working relationship  with Labor on issues affecting working families and promoting better lives for all; recognizes its importance locally as an economic stimulator; and supports  Labor’s endorsement of labor affiliated citizens to serve on various Boards, Commissions, etc… as a voice for union and working families.

Turner J. Wright

IBEW 716

HFT 2415

Pct. 206

Immigration Resolution:

Harris County Democratic Party on Immigration

WHEREAS, the Harris County Democratic Party recognizes that diversity is at the heart of the American story and understands that, as one of the largest counties in the nation, immigration is a crucial issue faced by local government officials.

WHEREAS, the Harris County Democratic Party understands that the fair and equitable enforcement of Immigration Laws is a responsibility of the Federal Government.  As such, the Harris County Democratic Party supports:

• Co-operation with all Federal enforcement efforts  but does not support the passage of  any law, regulation, ordinance or program, that requires overtaxed local law enforcement officers to inquire into a person’s immigration status;
• Utilizing the limited resources and manpower of  local law enforcement agencies to protect the local community and prevent crimes against person and property, but does not support the diversion of  resources from this primary duty to enforce any law, regulation, ordinance or program intended to duplicate  federal enforcement of  immigration laws;
• Law enforcement which is tough but fair , free of discrimination, intimidation or victimization of members of the community based on their race, ethnicity or appearance;

• The right for all to have fair access to our family courts , a right which requires that there be no irrelevant inquiry as to the immigration status of the person seeking the resolution of  conservatorship issues;
• The continuation of the rich and useful study within our schools of the history and culture of  the ethnic groups which make up our America and oppose any law, regulation, ordinance or program, that would prohibit such classes;
• The right and duty of all qualified voters to exercise their right to vote and we oppose any law, regulation, ordinance or program, that makes it more difficult for these qualified citizen to exercise that right.

THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED that Harris County Democratic Party, supports comprehensive Federal immigration reform. The HCDP also understands that the enactment of such reform and the enforcement of immigration law is the specific and proper duty of the properly equipped and trained Federal officials, not state or local governments. Thus, the Harris County Democratic Party supports the proper administration of immigration law by the proper authorities and specifically rejects any involvement of untrained and overextended  local government entities and law enforcement agencies.

Silvia Mintz

2118 Lubbock Street

Houston, Texas 77007

Precinct 0001

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. In 2011, President Obama passed the initiative for the MLK Day of Service as a call for national service through United We Serve. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. You can learn more at MLKday.gov.

In remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we will be closed and ask all Democrats to serve their community on that day.

Parker calls job creation top priority as second term begins..

The number of inmates who have died while in Harris County detention has plummeted during the last three years, a decline that Sheriff Adrian Garcia described as “deeply satisfying”…

The lawsuit, announced Tuesday by County Attorney Vince Ryan, centers on riverside waste disposal pits near the Interstate 10-San Jacinto River crossing opened in 1965 to contain dioxin, a toxic byproduct of paper production…