The Mignon Memo

Two influential state senators announced their retirements this week. Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) and Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan) both announced they will not run for re-election. As chairs of the influential Education and Finance Committees in the Texas Senate, both members leave behind many achievements. These retirements triggered other political moves. Rep. Ken Paxton (R-Plano) and Scott O’Grady, a decorated Air Force fighter pilot, will run for Shapiro’s seat and Rep. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) will run for Ogden’s seat. State Board of Education member Marsha Farney and Jeff Fleece, a former vice chairman of the Travis County Republican Party, will run for Schwertner’s House District 20 seat.

Former state representative Corbin Van Arsdale and Ted Pataki, the son of former New York Gov. George Pataki, are out and Cedar Park City Councilman Tony Dale is in the Republican primary race for the newly drawn House District 149 based in Williamson County.

Rep. Randy Weber (R-Pearland) will run for the Congressional District 14 seat being vacated by presidential candidate Ron Paul. Other candidates include Pearland City Council member Felicia Harris; Michael Truncale of Jefferson County, a Texas State University System regent and a member of the State Republican Executive Committee; and Beaumont attorney Jay Old.

Rolando Pablos, a lawyer from the San Antonio who recently served as chair of the Texas Racing Commission was appointed by Governor Perry to the open seat on the Public Utility Commission. Perry has also reappointed Commissioner Ken Anderson Jr. for another term at the PUC.

Testimony in the redistricting case against the state in federal court in San Antonio wound up last week but the process of redistricting won’t end soon. The U.S. Department of Justice has declined to sign off on two of the four redistricting maps, setting up a fight between the U.S. Department of Justice and the Texas attorney general’s office. Although the DOJ did not take issue with the Texas Senate map or the State Board of Education map, it will oppose pre-clearance of the congressional map and the Texas House map based on their impact on minority voting rights. The federal judges considering the case in San Antonio may end up drawing maps for use in the 2012 elections.

Rep. Charlie Howard (R – Sugar Land) will not seek re-election in House District 26. Howard has said that he will serve out his term. Sugar Land Mayor Pro Tem Jacquie Chaumette has already announced her intent to run for the seat as has Sonal Bhuchar, a member of the Fort Bend ISD board and a physical therapist.

Freshman Rep. Lanham Lyne (R-Wichita Falls) will not seek re-election in House District 69. After seven years of public service as Mayor of Wichita Falls and as a state representative, Lyne said he wants to spend time with his family. Wichita Falls banker James Frank, vice chairman of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, will run for the seat as a Republican.

Another freshman, Rep. Jose Aliseda (R-Beeville), will run for district attorney in the 156th judicial district instead of seeking re-election in House District 35. Seated in Beeville, the 156th Judicial District covers Bee, McMullen and Live Oak counties.

Rep. Rodney Anderson (R-Plano) officially announced that he will run against Sen. Chris Harris (R-Ft. Worth) in the Republican primary for Senate District 9.

Houston attorney Mike Schofield will run for House District 136, currently represented by Rep. Beverly Woolley (R-Houston). Woolley has previously announced that she is not seeking re-election.

Cedar Park City Councilman Tony Dale will run in the Republican primary for the newly created House District 149 centered in Williamson County. Former state representative Corbin Van Arsdale has already announced his intent to run for the seat.

Gov. Rick Perry made several key appointments in recent weeks. Robert Schmidt of Aledo was named chair of the Texas Racing Commission, the state commission that oversees pari-mutuel wagering on horse and greyhound racing. Schmidt is an orthopedic surgeon and a partner at the Texas Hip and Knee Center. Raymond Palacios Jr. of El Paso was appointed to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013. Palacios is president of Bravo Chevrolet Cadillac and Hummer and is a past district director of the Texas Automotive Dealers Association.

Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) will run for Congressional District 23, currently represented by Congressman Francisco “Quico” Canseco (R-San Antonio).

Rep. Larry Taylor (R-League City) will run for Senate District 11. Sen. Mike Jackson (R-LaPorte) has announced that he will run for a newly created congressional seat instead of the SD 11 seat he currently holds. Meanwhile, Dr. Greg Bonnen, a neurosurgeon in Galveston County and brother of Rep. Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton), will run for the House District 24 seat currently held by Rep. Taylor. Trucking company executive Rhett Eubanks will also compete in the Republican primary for House District 24.

House District 106, an open seat in Denton County has attracted two candidates so far. Amber Fulton, a former member of the Lewisville school board who lives in The Colony, will run for the seat. Patrick Fallon, who lives in Collin County but serves as a city councilman and mayor pro tem in Frisco, has also announced his interest in the seat.

Texas Legislative Budget Board Executive Director John O’Brien announced that he will retire in April, 2012. O’Brien has served as Director since November of 2006.

John Barton, formerly deputy director, will head the Texas Department of Transportation on an interim basis while the board looks for a permanent replacement for Amadeo Saenz, who retired August 31, 2011. Saenz had announced his plans earlier in the year but stayed through the legislation session and the end of the fiscal year.

Howard Baldwin has been named the temporary commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Baldwin replaces Commissioner Anne Heiligenstein who is retiring at the end of the month.

Brian Guthrie is the new executive director of the Teacher Retirement System. Guthrie replaces Ronnie Jung who retired.

For those of you interested in the proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that will be on the ballot on November 8th, the Texas Legislative Council has published their guide to the amendments. Follow this link for more information:
http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/pubsconamend/analyses11/analyses11.pdf

Tomorrow, many of the bills passed by the Texas Legislature take effect. Of the more than 1400 bills passed, close to half that number take effect September 1st. Those of general interest include the state budget for the next biennium; a prohibition against sexting by minors; legislation allowing employees to keep firearms in their locked cars on their employer’s property while at work; an increase in speed limits on some roads to 75 miles per hour; and legislation to legalize “noodling”, the art of catching fish with your bare hands by digging in a hole. For the complete list of the bills, follow this link: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Reports/Report.aspx?LegSess=82R&ID=effectivesept1.

Rep. Rick Hardcastle (R-Vernon) announced that he will not seek reelection to his House District 68 seat. Hardcastle has served in the Texas House for 14 years and most recently served as Chair of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee.

Rep. Wayne Christian (R-Nacogdoches) will face Marshall Mayor Chris Paddie in the Republican primary for House District 9. Paddie is also a radio talk show host.

Former state representative Corbin Van Arsdale announced that he will run in the newly configured House District 149 based in Williamson County. Van Arsdale represented House District 130 for three terms before being defeated in the 2008 Republican primary by Rep. Allen Fletcher (R-Tomball).

T.C. Betancourt, a businessman from Edinburg will run for against Rep. Aaron Peña (R-Edinburg) in House District 40. If you recall, Peña switched political parties last year shortly after his election drawing the anger of some constituents.

Michael Pruneda, an employment lawyer in Pharr, will run as a Democrat in House District 40, a newly configured district resulting from redistricting. Rep. Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) who currently represents House District 41 has announced that she will run in the newly created district as well since it represents the majority of her old district.

Fort Worth School Board trustee Carlos Vasquez has announced he will challenge Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) in next year’s Democratic primary in House District 90.

James Wilson will challenge Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Houston) in the Republican primary for House District 150. Wilson, an insurance agent, previously worked at the Texas Capitol as a House staffer and for former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm as a regional director.

Daniel McCool, a Harris County deputy sheriff, will run in the Republican primary for Senate District 11, currently represented by Sen. Mike Jackson (R-LaPorte) who will run for Congressional District 36 instead of his current Texas Senate seat.

Anne Heiligenstein, the commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services, is retiring from the agency after three years as commissioner.

And for you sports fans who have been away from your computer, it’s official: Texas A&M is leaving the Big 12.

Sen. Mike Jackson (R-La Porte) will run for the newly created Congressional District 36. Rep. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) is said to be considering a run for Jackson’s Texas Senate seat.

Physical therapist and Fort Bend ISD school trustee Sonal Bhuchar announced she will enter the Republican primary for House District 26, currently represented by Rep. Charlie Howard (R-Sugar Land). Sugar Land City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Jacqueline Baly Chaumette will enter the race as well.

Patsy Spaw, Secretary of the Texas Senate, has been elected staff vice-chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a trade association for lawmakers across the country. Spaw will serve as staff vice chair for 2011-2012 and succeed to the position of staff chair in 2012.

In case you have been out of the country during the last week, Governor Rick Perry is officially in the 2012 presidential race. That means more eyes on the state of Texas, for better or for worse.

The Republican Governors Association announced that Gov. Rick Perry will no longer serve as head of the organization due to Perry’s decision to officially enter the presidential race. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell will take over the role as chair of the RGA.

Former San Antonio City Councilman Justin Rodriguez has announced that he will run for House District 125. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) who currently represents the district has announced that he will run for Congressional District 25 instead of his current Texas House seat. Another former San Antonio City Councilman, Phillip Cortez, is planning a run against Rep. John Garza (R-San Antonio) in House District 117. Tomás Larralde, the executive director of the Hispanic Contractors Association of San Antonio, is also running for the District 117 seat.

Christi Craddick, daughter of former House Speaker Tom Craddick, announced her intent to run for the Republican nomination for the Texas Railroad Commission in 2012. She will run for the seat now held by Republican Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones who is running for the U.S. Senate and will not seek re-election. Craddick joins a field that includes Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) and Roland Sledge, a Houston oil and gas attorney who is the brother-in-law of former Texas A&M Chancellor Rep. Mike McKinney.

Former state representative Gary Walker will challenge freshman state Rep. Jim Landtroop (R-Plainview) in the newly redrawn House District 88 seat now occupied by Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa).

The first legal challenge to the margins tax was filed with the Texas Supreme Court last week. Because of a provision in state law, the case begins and ends with the Texas Supreme Court, with a directive to resolve the matter in 120 days. The writ of mandamus, filed with the Texas Supreme Court last week on behalf of Allcat Claims Service of Boerne, laid out three claims. The central issue is the question of whether the margins tax is effectively a state income tax. The Court should rule before the end of the year.

Rep. Kelly Hancock (R-Ft. Worth) announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for Texas Senate District 10 in Tarrant County. Hancock has served in the Texas House since 2006. Senate District 10 is currently represented by Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Ft. Worth) but the district was redrawn during the redistricting process, giving an edge to Republican candidates. Rep. Mark Shelton (R-Ft. Worth) and Rep. Vicki Truitt (R-Southlake) may also run for the Senate seat.

Several Democrats, two of them former state representatives, announced their candidacies for the newly drawn state house seat focused on southeast Arlington and part of Grand Prairie. Former state representatives Chris Turner of Burleson and Paula Pierson of Arlington will run for the District 101 Texas House seat. Vickie Barnett, owner of a Mansfield construction company, also announced her intent to run for the seat.

Former Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams announced that he is forgoing a race for the newly created Congressional District 33 seat and instead running as a Republican in the newly configured Congressional District 25, currently represented by Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Austin. He joins other announced candidates, including Chad Wilbanks, businessman and former executive director for the Republican Party of Texas and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio).

Sugar Land Mayor Pro Tem Jacquie Chaumette says she will challenge Rep. Charlie Howard (R-Sugar Land) in next year’s Republican primary for House District 26.

Rep. Beverly Woolley (R-Houston) announced that she will not seek reelection to her House District 136 seat. Woolley was first elected in 1994. She served as Speaker Pro Tempore for the 82nd Legislature and has previously served as the Chair of the powerful House Calendars Committee.

Gov. Rick Perry named Texas Public Utility Commissioner Donna Nelson of Austin as the new chair of the Public Utility Commission on Tuesday. Nelson previously served as Governor Perry’s special assistant and advisor on energy, telecommunications and customer choice. She will serve an indefinite term as chair at the pleasure of the governor. Her term as commissioner expires in 2015. Nelson replaces former PUC Chair Barry Smitherman, whom Perry recently appointed to the Texas Railroad Commission.

Beginning September 1st, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles will roll out a new system that standardizes and simplifies registration fees for nearly every vehicle owner in the state. Currently, Texas has 1,745 fee categories for registration. That number is being reduced to nine weight classifications. Car and truck owners whose vehicles weigh 6,000 pounds or less will pay a base vehicle registration fee of $50.75. This is a slight reduction – about $8 – from the previous registration fee for new vehicle owners, and a small increase – around $10 – for those with older vehicles. Vehicle owners will also pay a $1 automation fee and a $1 fee for TexasSure, the electronic insurance verification program, as well as any local county fees. Fees being eliminated include the annual 30-cent reflectorization fee used to purchase the reflective license plate sheeting that was on every registration renewal, and the $5 charge for license plate transfers. This fee simplification structure was passed by the Texas Legislature two years ago. It represents the first change in Texas’ base vehicle registration fee since 1985.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst formally announced that he will run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by retiring U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Other candidates include Republicans Ted Cruz and Elizabeth Ames Jones and Democrat Tom Leppert. Sen. Dan Patrick is also considering the race.

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Eleanor Kitzman to be the next Texas Insurance Commissioner, replacing Mike Geeslin who announced earlier this year that he was not seeking re-appointment.
Kitzman was most recently the executive director of the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, an appointed position. From 2005 to 2007, she was head of the Palmetto State’s Department of Insurance.

Rep. Jim Jackson (R-Dallas) announced that he will not seek re-election and will retire at the end of his current term. Jackson, a former Dallas County commissioner, has served in the Texas House for eight years. Candidates to succeed Rep. Jackson include Republicans Matt Rinaldi and Bennett Ratliff, son of former Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff.

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson announced that he will run for Lt. Governor in 2014. Other Republicans who have expressed interest in the position include Comptroller Susan Combs and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples.

Governor Perry has set the special election for House District 14 recently vacated by former Rep. Fred Brown (R-Bryan) for November 8, 2011. Candidates must file for a place on the ballot by September 7. Two candidates, Rebecca Boenigk and John Raney, have designated campaign treasurers and have begun fundraising for the race.