< Previous www.TerryLowry.com February 20188Texas and Israel:Strategic and Economic Alliance Guest Editorial byTexas Land Commissioner George P. BushAmerica has no better ally and no truer friend inthe world than Israel. I was reminded of this first-hand when leading a Texasdelegation to Israel. We met with Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu, a strong advocate for freedomand security. Netanyahu stressed the importance ofAmerica’s continuing resolve in fighting terrorism. ThePrime Minister confronts asymmetric threats every day. Israel Needs StrongAmerican LeadershipNetanyahu stressed how Israel, the region and thewhole world needs strong American leadership. Sadly,the Obama administration was the opposite with hisnuclear deal with Iran advancing the day when a statesponsor of terror becomes a nuclear power.Israel deserves the support of our country. Israeldeserves the support of our state. Perhaps the reasonTexans identify with Israel is because we have similarstories. Prime Minister Netanyahu compared the Battleof the Alamo to the Siege of Masada in 73 AD whenJewish rebels were heavily outnumbered by theRomans, and many paid the ultimate price.Texas must remain committed to the State of Israel.Open For BusinessFrom technology to oil and gas, Texas and Israel cando more business by strengthening our economic part-nership. One area is technology. Texas is home to theSilicon Prairie. In many ways, Israel is the SiliconValley of the Middle East. We discussed the Israelistartup culture. Two companies generated from thatspirit that have already changed the way we drive in the21st Century — Mobileye and Waze.From Saltwaterto Oil and GasWe also met with IDE Technologies — the companybehind the world’s largest desalination facility. IDE isexamining a similar program in Texas to help cities,communities and industrial partners meet their waterneeds. IDE has been so successful in its home countrythat Israel has gone from a net importer of water to a netexporter of this valuable resource in just twenty years. And now Israel is exploring offshore reserves of natu-ral gas in partnership with a Houston-based companyNoble Energy, potentially bringing Israel to energyindependence in less than a generation. Texans andIsraelis can work together exploring and developing rel-evant infrastructure to deliver product to the market-place. Do More Businesswith IsraelThe most important thing we can do for Israel is domore business with Israel. I am committed to fosteringa climate of trade, investment, and sharing of best prac-tices. What I saw in Israel was a great spirit of entrepre-neurship and innovation, like that found in Texas. Texasis the perfect partner for Israeli businesses.Common Values – CommonIdeals – Common EnemiesAbove all, I want to do everything I can to bringTexans and Israelis closer together. We share commonvalues, common ideals and, yes, common enemies.Together, we can expand freedom, strengthen freemarkets, and continue to fight back against terrorism.The people of Israel have been tested for quite sometime, however, their challenges have only created astronger Israel. I saw this, first hand, in the eyes of theIsraeli people.They are not afraid to stand for freedom. And we mustnever be afraid to stand with them.George P. Bush is the 27th Texas Land Commissioner.9February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comThe Alamo: My Thoughts www.TerryLowry.com February 201810Guest Editorial ByJerry PattersonThe focus mustbe 1836.When asked, “Why not restorethe Alamo to its 1836 appear-ance?”, George Skarmeas, ChiefPlanner of the General LandOffice, always responded, “Theevents of 1836 were just 1 small chapter in 10,000 yearsof history.” How absurd. The Alamo exists today solelybecause of what happened in 1836. Absent the siege,the iconic symbol of not just Texas liberty but also lib-erty everywhere would not exist.We don’t need andshouldn’t seek advice orapproval from any entityoutside of Texas.Decisions related to the Alamo should be made by thestate agency in charge: the Texas General Land Office.Because much of the original 1836 Alamo footprint ison city property, the City of San Antonio will have a sayas well. The National Park Service, UNESCO, or theWorld Heritage Organization will have no influence inwhat Texans do with their Alamo when I amCommissioner again.Texans want elected officials held accountable - not their surrogates or theirnonprofit organizations.Seemingly, Commissioner Bush delegated his respon-sibilities to surrogates. Gene Powell, a CommissionerBush appointee to the Alamo Endowment Board, andGeorge Skarmeas’ firm were in charge of – or at leastthe face of – all things Alamo. The Bush General Land Office created two mysteriousnonprofits: the Alamo Trust and the Remember theAlamo Foundation. All have refused to comply withopen records requests. Recently the State RepublicanExecutive Committee voted 57 to 1 to demand trans-parency at the Alamo. We deserve our elected officials- not their surrogates - to explain, defend, and beaccountable.The Alamo is not art nor is it a park.The Reimagine plan glass wall is architecturally stun-ning. Problem is I don’t want to be stunned, I want to beinspired. I want to be humbled by how little I have donefor liberty when compared to those who have gonebefore. When the Travis “Victory or Death” letter returned tothe Alamo in 2013 for the first time since 1836, visitorswaited for up to six hours to enter the darkened chapeland view the letter. When they exited, they wereinspired and even tearful. We must create that inspiringenvironment - without glass walls.We need a restoration of the Alamo as close to its orig-inal footprint and appearance as reasonable. Completerestoration is not possible – the federal building is per-manent although possibly could be an outstandingmuseum and visitor center. The hump on the Alamofaçade and the roof will remain. Leaving the Cenotaph in its original 1940 location isfar better than relocating several blocks away and out ofsight of the Alamo. We have one chance to get this right: that chanceoccurs now. Texas must create a place of reverence,remembrance, and respect – nothing should be“Reimagined”. Demand that 1836 be the entry point to telling theentire story of the Alamo. Insist the Cenotaph not bemoved away from the Alamo. Honor those who diedthere.Jerry PattersonMeet a Tall Texan: Jerry Patterson 11February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comBy Sara Tracey, Assistant EditorThe LINK LetterBorn in Houston, Jerry Patterson graduated from Texas A&M, Class of 1969 and was commissioned in the United States MarineCorps. Jerry volunteered for duty in Vietnam and waslater designated as a Naval Flight Officer. He served inMarine fighter squadrons until his retirement from theMarine Corps Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1993.Five consecutive generations of Jerry’s family haveserved our nation in time of war. Authored Concealed CarryElected to the Texas Senate in 1993, Jerry was theauthor of the historic concealed handgun law. Since thattime, Jerry has been the state’s leading voice for gunrights and for our God given and constitutionally enumerated 2nd Amendment right to keep and beararms. Jerry is also known for his love of Texas history.Named Texas of the Year in 2007 by the nonprofitorganization Celebrate Texas for his contributions topreserving Texas history, Jerry has always defended theimportance of real history and the values it can teach.Authored Concealed CarryElected to the Texas Senate in 1993, Jerry was theauthor of the historic concealed handgun law. Since thattime, Jerry has been the state’s leading voice for gunrights and for our God given and constitutionally enumerated 2nd Amendment right to keep and beararms. Jerry is also known for his love of Texas history.Named Texas of the Year in 2007 by the nonprofitorganization Celebrate Texas for his contributions topreserving Texas history, Jerry has always defended theimportance of real history and the values it can teach. Focused, Determined FighterHis dogged determination in fighting for the heritage ofTexas has included defending Confederate monuments,advocating for Buffalo Soldier and Tejano commemo-rations, and standing tall for the men who died at theAlamo. Elected Texas Land Commissioner in 2002, Pattersonquickly modernized and revitalized the Texas GeneralLand Office, the oldest agency in Texas. He diversifiedand increased the Permanent School Fund, earningmore ($8.1 billion) for the fund during his twelve yeartenure than had been earned ($7.9 billion) in the entire129 years since the PSF was created in 1876. Helping VeteransEqually as important, Jerry ushered in the greatestexpansion of benefits for Texas veterans since WorldWar II, including doubling the number of State VeteransHomes and building four new Texas veterans’ cemeteries– without cost to Texas taxpayers. In 2011, the Texas Legislature transferred to the LandOffice authority over the Alamo. Patterson quicklyrevitalized the iconic Texas landmark, while workingclosely with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.Jerry created one of the largest public history eventsever held at the Alamo: the return of William B. Travis’“Victory or Death” letter to the Alamo for thirteen daysin 2013 – the first and only return of the letter to theAlamo since it left by courier on February 24th, 1836. In 2014, Commissioner Patterson met with legendarymusician and Alamo devotee, Phil Collins, and anagreement was reached with the iconic entertainer todonate his entire collection of Alamo artifacts to theShrine of Texas Liberty. Jerry is a member of Bethany Lutheran Church inAustin and has four children, twins Samantha and Colewho attend public school, Emily and Travis. His daughterEmily is an attorney specializing in establishing and monitoring judicial systems in newly emergingdemocracies.Son Pilots Marine OneHis son Travis is agraduate of TexasA&M, where he wascommissioned as aMarine Lieutenant.Travis served fourtours of duty in Iraqand the Middle East.Named MarineAviator of the year in2016, Lt. Col. Travis Patterson now pilots Marine One,the official helicopter of President Donald Trump. www.TerryLowry.com February 201812Property Tax Creep is Now a GallopBy State Senator Paul Bettencourt FACT: The averageproperty tax bill in theHouston area is up 37.4%in just four years.Explanation: From 2013-2017, an average of $1400 moredollars has left the taxpayer’s pocketbook and gone direct-ly into Government coffers. This rate of increase is aston-ishing to me, a former Tax Assessor-Collect that served inHarris County last decade. As property tax appraised values increase dramatically,property tax bills obviously go through the roof. HarrisCounty is now receiving roughly a half billion dollarsmore every year in additional property tax revenues. Thisfigure does not include taxes from the Port, Flood ControlDistrict, or the Hospital District; those rates never change.As a result, appraisal “creep” has turned into a “gallop”It’s the Same Old Problembut on Steroids The question is this: “What can we do about it?” Toomany elected officials in Austin ignore the problembecause they don’t technically raise the tax rate. But it’s thesame old issue: the taxable value of your property – timesthe tax rate – equals your property tax bill which is goingthrough the roof.As the State Senator for District 7, I have helped pioneerseveral solutionsdebated in theStateLegislature.However, membersof the Texas Houserefuse to negotiate and a Property Tax ReformBill never gets passed.Good News on the Horizon In the last session, my bill, SB1, was strongly supportedby Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and 95% of the RepublicanSenate Caucus. SB1 would have applied to City, County,Mud, and Special District tax rates as well as to propertytaxes.The Texas Senate has passed this bill multiple times.However, during the most recent Special Session, theHouse only offered a 6% rollback, which only affectedfour counties in the entire state. This was unacceptable. Lt Governor Dan Patrick has publicly announced that hewill reintroduce SB1 during the next Legislative Session.Governor Abbott has also offered a proposal to place a2.5% per year property tax revenue cap on all taxing juris-dictions across the state of Texas.Research. Vote. Tell Others. Please join Governor Abbott, Lt Governor Patrick,myself, and others in this fight against ever-increasingproperty taxes. First, be informed. Research the issue and determinethe best course of action. Secondly, vote for Conservative Republicans whosupport property tax relief. We cannot win withoutyour support. Spread the word.This is a vital issuewhich affectseveryone.With all the censorshipfrom the MainStream Media and Social Mediaorganizations, it’s important thatpublications like the Link Letterand Terry Lowry’s What’s UpRadio Program continue to be available. Remember:Every Vote CountsPaul Bettencourt13February 2018 www.TerryLowry.com www.TerryLowry.com February 201814Weekdays 2:00 to 3:00 PM on FM 100.7 The Word. Visit www.TerryLowry.comTake Our Survey OnlineTake the LINK Letter survey found on our website at www.TerryLowry.com1 Should Texas implement a State Income Tax? Yes ___ No ___2 To provide more revenue for Public Education, should Texas expand the sales tax to more goods and services? Yes ___ No ___3 Should Texas reduce the reliance on Property Taxes for the funding of Public Education? Yes ___ No ___4 Should men and boys be allowed in female changing areas, showers, and locker rooms? Yes ___ No ___5 Should Texas and/or the Federal Government build a secure wall on our southern border? Yes ___ No ___6 Individuals have entered our country illegally. Should those who do not break any further laws, pay taxes, and contribute to society be permitted to stay in America, but with no path to citizenship? Yes ___ No ___7 Should individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations, such as churches, be forced to participate in activities that violate their religious conscience? Yes ___ No ___8 Should a photo ID be required to vote? Yes ___ No ___15February 2018 www.TerryLowry.com www.TerryLowry.com February 201816Judges Affect Everyone – Even YOU!Guest Editorial byKaty BoatmanCandidate for First Court of AppealsThe elected official most likelyto affect your life in a signif-icant way is a Judge. If yourbest friend is accused of a crime,your child is at risk of being takenaway from you, you are hurt at work, or your business is in a dispute, you want a good, fair, and impartial judgedeciding the issue. Does Experience Matter?Lawyers acquire different skill sets. It's similar withjudges. Different experiences matter for different judges.A candidate who has vast experience in civil law is not thebest candidate for a Criminal Court bench. Likewise, acriminal lawyer may not be the best Family CourtJudge. Each type of law requires distinct skillsand intellect critical to the Justice System; theyare not interchangeable.A Court of Appeals Justice, for example, willnever preside over a jury trial. The Court ofAppeals only gets involved after the Trial Courthas decided the case. After the jury’s verdict,the losing party may decide to appealthe case to a Court of Appeals. So how do you determine whichcandidate is most experienced?Look at the candidate’s experiencelisted on their website. Do theyspecialize in the area of law forthe bench they seek? Have theyclerked for judges in similarcourts?What doJustices Do? After a case has been ruled onin a different court, attorneys willwrite a brief for the Cour t ofAppeals, presenting arguments on behalf of their client.Attorneys rely on prior decisions by other Appeals Courts,arguing why the precedents indicate their client is right. Justices on the Court of Appeals are responsible for reading the briefs. In some cases, Justices will allow theattorneys to argue their case in person, but most Justicesmake a decision based on the briefs and researching thelaw. In this way, Justices are different than Judges.Do Endorsements and Value Matter? Strong and reliable endorsements are crucial to everycampaign, especially to Judges and Justices. Like mostother elected officials, Justices will be listed as eitherRepublican, Democrat, or Independent (rarely any otherlesser party). Some things to consider: What groups or organizationshave endorsed this candidate? Have they been recognizedfor their work in that area, receiving awards or other acco-lades? Do retired Judges and Justices endorsehim/her? Do practicing attorneys like them? You also want to elect Judges who share yourvalues. Has the candidate participated in pro-lifeor pro-choice rallies? Has he or she beeninvolved with charities for the needy or chil-dren? Does the candidate attend churchregularly – and are they involvedwith church activities? What is hisor her stance on the SecondAmendment, the SeventhAmendment, Free Speech, andReligious Freedom?The ideal candidate – the onewe want on the bench – com-bines the relevant experiencewith the values we hold. I, KatyBoatman, humbly ask for yourvote for the First Court ofAppeals. I believe my strong fam-ily values, fused with my exten-sive experience, qualify me forthe job.Katy Boatman17February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comStop Renting Your Homefrom the Government Guest Editorial byMayes MiddletonCandidate for StateRepresentative District 23There is no w ay to getaround it: you don’t ownyour land and home; yourent it from the gover nment.Don’t believe me? Let’s assumeyou have an old lawnmower shedin your backyard, and that shed is on your property taxbill as an improvement. If you don’t pay taxes on thatshed, then the government can come and take yourproperty and land away from you. Every piece of property you own, and everythingattached to it, the government has burdenedwith property taxes. Government is the land-lord, and you are the renter, which certainlydoesn’t respect the God-given private propertyrights our Founders fought and died for. Property Taxes GoingThrough the RoofIt would be one thing if property taxes werelow and bearable. But that is not the case. Thetruth is: Texans are being taxed out of theirhomes. From 2010 to 2015, property tax billsgrew 2.33 times faster than median householdincome, and property tax levies have soared 132% since2000. For example, I had one piece of unimproved land inChambers County increase 22,172% in valuation thisyear. Surprisingly, many in government would arguethat my taxes did not increase with a 22,172% valuationhike because the tax rate did not go up. Only govern-ment could have that logic.This is not just about the individual taxpayer, but allTexans are hurt by property taxes. In 2015, Texans had$52.2 billion in property taxes levied against them.That’s a lot of rent to the government.RINO’s Fought Tax ReliefGovernor Abbott proposed reforms to combat skyrocketing property taxes. There was a bill in both the re gular and special sessions of the 85thTexas Legislature to help limit property taxes to a 4%rate of growth, and require an election if valuations plusthe tax rate get hiked more than 4% in a year. Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, manySenators and a handful of conservatives in the TexasHouse fought for this property tax reform, but govern-ment special interests, taxpayer funded lobbyists, andliberal Republicans killed this pro-taxpayer reformtwice--in both the regular and special sessions. To this day, Texans remain largely unprotected frombeing taxed out of their homes.Abbott Calls For Low CapFortunately, citizens across the state are fighting back.Last year, I fought and stopped a 5.4% property taxincrease in Chambers County. And just recentlyGovernor Abbott called on the Legislature to cap prop-erty tax growth at 2.5%. I’m excited to stand with Governor Abbott to protecttaxpayers. I will fight to stop spiraling, out of controlproperty taxes that are threatening family homes andbusinesses, and battle for iron-clad limits on propertytax growth, while working towards eventually endingproperty taxes. Texans deserve it.Mayes MiddletonNext >