RandomVariable
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- Jan 7, 2014
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Pretty much just a random event but some interesting stuff related to this primary, which is March 4th.
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/poli...g-on-hard-right-groups-in-texas-primaries.ece
By CHRISTY HOPPE
Austin Bureau
[email protected]
Published: 04 January 2014 11:22 PM
Updated: 05 January 2014 12:02 AM
I'll add some more if I find anything interesting.
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/poli...g-on-hard-right-groups-in-texas-primaries.ece
By CHRISTY HOPPE
Austin Bureau
[email protected]
Published: 04 January 2014 11:22 PM
Updated: 05 January 2014 12:02 AM
...
The Texas Future Business Alliance a mix of 10 major business groups, including the chemical industry, bankers, builders and contractors is sending out mailers and providing other support on behalf of GOP candidates who have supported water infrastructure development, highway construction and education spending.
Many of the incumbents have been pilloried as big government spenders and liberals by fiscal hawk groups.
The movement mirrors the schism happening nationally between hard right and establishment Republicans. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently pledged $50 million to back pro-business Republicans in U.S. Senate primaries and fight tea party insurgents. Republican leaders, such as House Speaker John Boehner, have castigated hard right groups, accusing them of wanting contributions more than solutions.
Its part of the same trend youre seeing nationally. A lot of the business community is tired of people who dont want to govern, said a person involved in the Texas Future Business Alliance, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The group isnt talking about its efforts. Spokesman David Polyansky, who has worked on campaigns for Michele Bachmann and Mike Huckabee, said the business alliance aims to recognize leaders dedicated to keeping Texas as the best state in the nation for business development and job growth.
Insiders wont say how much they are investing, but they describe it as the first major stirrings of business interests in GOP primaries. The first public report on its political spending wont be available until mid-January.
...
Sullivan said he did not see the business interest as a battle against tea party groups. Instead, its about a divide thats been in the Republican Party for a long time, he said.
True fiscal conservatives are battling those who want to maintain the status quo so that the moneyed interests can continue to feed at the trough with very little accountability, Sullivan said.
Others see a fight that developed over willingness to invest in economic development projects. In Texas, that means a disagreement over infrastructure.
During last years legislative sessions, lawmakers refused to tap the $8 billion in the states rainy day fund to help pay for water projects in the drought-plagued state or help relieve crumbling and traffic-clogged highways.
The Republican-dominated Legislature was largely swayed by anti-tax and fiscal hawk groups that opposed increasing the 22-year-old gas tax or fees or diverting some money from the rainy day fund to pay for highways and water projects.
Ultimately, lawmakers punted the decision to voters, who in November overwhelmingly voted to spend $2 billion from the rainy day fund for water projects. Next November, voters will decide whether to divert about $900 million a year to pay for highways. Transportation advocates still complain that billions more are needed.
...
Lawmakers who worked to pay for water, education and highways found themselves tarred by Sullivan and other fiscal hawks, said Bill Hammond, president of the Texas Association of Business.
...
The majority of members of the Legislature are today solid conservatives. And the idea that their favoring investments in water and roads somehow makes them not conservative is ridiculous on its face, he said.
Empower Texans and some tea party groups opposed the water funding proposal, but voters statewide backed it almost 3-1, Hammond noted.
...
The business community is concerned that the Legislature, pushed by tea party groups, is swinging too far against government and is unwilling to make even sensible, modest investments.
As for corporate contracts, Hammond said, the state has to pay someone to build highways.
If you cannot advocate for more roads when theyre desperately needed without being accused of being in the pocket of road builders, then theres no room for honest debate, Hammond said.
Sullivan countered that fiscal hawks do not oppose investments. Thats ridiculous, he said. But they want the money spent carefully, and they are not convinced that is happening.
Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, is one of about two dozen Republicans the business alliance is backing so far.
He said its support is vital to balance groups that set themselves up as judge, jury an executioner of all things conservative, Keffer said.
They just want to purify the party over and over again where they have only their people doing what they say all the time. That to me is just power, and its just dangerous for our future, Keffer said.
...
Im very glad the business group is standing up, Keffer said. Its about time.
I'll add some more if I find anything interesting.