The Journal of Texas Conservative Politics10924 Grant Road, #133 •Houston, Texas 77070 •www.terrylowry.comOn the web at www.TerryLowry.comArchives posted since January 1st 2005March 2018, Volume 27, Number 1LINKING TEXAS CONSERVATIVES SINCE 1993WEEKDAYS 2:00-3:00PM ON KKHT 100.7FMTHE WHAT’S UP Radio ProgramHARRIS COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTIONWill One Be President Some Day...Or...Will One Be Governor Some Day www.TerryLowry.com February 201822Weekdays 2:00 to 3:00 PM on FM 100.7 The Word. Visit www.TerryLowry.comTake Our Survey OnlineTake the LINK Lettersurvey found on our website at www.TerryLowry.com1Should Texas implement a State Income Tax? Yes ___ No ___2To provide more revenue for Public Education, should Texas expand the sales tax to more goods and services? Yes ___ No ___3Should Texas reduce the reliance on Property Taxes for the funding of Public Education? Yes ___ No ___4Should men and boys be allowed in female changing areas, showers, and locker rooms? Yes ___ No ___5Should Texas and/or the Federal Government build a secure wall on our southern border? Yes ___ No ___6Individuals 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 ___7Should individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations, such as churches, be forced to participate in activities that violate their religious conscience? Yes ___ No ___8Should a photo ID be required to vote? Yes ___ No ___Insidethis issue10For Our New Readers: What others are saying aboutTerry Lowry, Editor/Publisher and The LINK LetterFounded in January 1993 This year, issues being mailed to Multi-Counties with a Circulation in excess of 750,000.2THE POWER OF THE PRIMARYGuest Editorial by:Senator Ted Cruz3PROPERTY TAX FIGHTGuest Editorial by:Lt. Governor Dan Patrick4TEXAS ECONOMYGuest Editorial by:Glenn Hegar, Comptroller the State of TX5GOSSIPGuest Devotion by:Mark Lanier12TEXAS AND ISRAELGuest Editorial by:George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner 14THE ALAMO: MY THOUGHTSGuest Editorial by:Jerry Pattereson15MEET A TALL TEXANGuest Editorial by:Jerry Pattereson16SANCTUARY CITIES IN TEXAS?Guest Editorial by:Attorney General Ken Paxton17THE TEXAS AG COMMISSIONERGuest Editorial by:Sid Miller, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture18PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM Guest Editorial by:State Representative Gary Elkins19IN THE FLOOD PLAINGuest Editorial by:Sam Harless20INVERSE CONDEMNATIONGuest Editorial by:Mark Lanier, Lanier Law Firm21TALES OF HARVEY Guest Editorial by:Commissioner Jack Cagle22MY SURVEYwww.terrylowry.com24JUDGES AFFECT EVERYONE Guest Devotion by: Katy BoatmanCandidate for First Court of Appeals25THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN “R” AND A “D”Guest Editorial by:Stacey Bond26ABBOTT VS. SARAH DAVISGuest Editorial by:State Representative Briscoe Cain28PROPERTY TAX CREEP Guest Editorial by:State Senator Paul Bettencourt29POLITICAL CONVICTIONS ByThe Late Great Larry Burkett30TIME TO TURN AROUNDGuest Editorial by:Steven F. Hotze, M.D.31CAGW DISAGREESON EARMARKSGuest Editorial by:Tom Schatz56ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS Guest Editorial by:Stan Stanart, Harris County Clerk www.TerryLowry.com February 20181 www.TerryLowry.com February 20182The Power Of The PrimaryGuest Editorial by Senator Ted CruzThe concept of self-govern-ment is a relatively youngidea when compared to thetotality of human history. Far morecommon are monarchies, oli-garchies, or some form of brutaloppression where the strongremain so by oppressing the weak. Our Founding Fathers charted a much different course.America was born of the radical idea that all men andwomen are endowed by their Creator with unalienablerights, neither derived from nor dependent upon govern-ment. In fact, our Constitutional Republic created a formof government where those in office derive their authorityonly by the consent of the governed. Exercising Our Right To VoteThis American experiment is remarkable in both designand application. The most basic cost of preserving libertyfor ourselves, and future generations, begins with exercis-ing our right to vote. Each citizen is empowered to partic-ipate in the process of electing those who will serve. It isa profound privilege that is all too often squandered.Nationally, roughly 55% of the voting-age populationcast a vote in the 2016 presidential election. Here inTexas, according to the Secretary of State, our turnout wasjust over 46% for those of voting-age, which was actuallyup slightly from under 44% in 2012.Experts disagree over the reasons behind our relativelylow voter-participation rates, and proposed solutions forincreasing interest vary widely as well. While participat-ing in a general election is critical, one key step that isoften overlooked is the power of the primary.Importance of the PrimaryOur system is set up to typically offer general electionvoters a binary choice between one candidate each fromthe two major political parties. As a result, the primaryelection becomes vitally important, especially in Texas,and those who participate exercise a great deal of politicalpower. In the 8 Republican primaries held every two yearsbetween 2000 and 2014, voter participation among thevoting-age population in Texas varied from a low of justunder 4% in 2006 and a high of 8% in 2010. By contrast,the Texas Republican Primary in March of 2016 saw a par-ticipation rate of 14.69%! Vote Again in This PrimaryThe 2016 Texas Republican primary saw over 1.4 millionmore participants than cast a vote in March of 2014. Thatis a trend we should all hope continues. Republican candi-dates up and down the ballot are currently working hard toreach voters with their message and vision for the future. Each one is offering to serve, and the choices we makewhen we vote in March will have a direct impact on thelevel of excitement there is in November, and will ultimate-ly determine what type of government we have followingthe next election.Now is the timeNow is the time to participate. Study the candidates.Look at their actual records—not just their words, but theiractions—and support those who reflect your values.Primaries are our best opportunity to select leaders whomost closely represent us, and our participation now helpsto elevate candidates who can energize and excite voters toparticipate in November. Following the conclusion of the ConstitutionalConvention of 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked whatkind of government we’d been given. Franklin replied, “aRepublic, if you can keep it.” Let’s each do our part in 2018to keep the Republic and preserve the amazing system ofself-government our Founders created.Ted Cruz3February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comI Won’t Back Down Guest Editorial by Lt. Governor Dan PatrickIhave been fighting skyrocket-ing property tax rates sincebefore I was in public office.Texans pay some of the highestproperty tax rates in the nation andit is simply not acceptable thatsome are being taxed out of theirhomes. Our high property tax rates threaten our strong economy.Business owners from all over the state tell me they havebeen hit with mind-boggling property tax increases – doubling, tripling even quadrupling increases that are sosubstantial that they must consider re-locating their businesses outside Texas. This is completely unacceptable. We cannot have all the work conservatives have accomplished to make Texas a job-creating engine for the nation overthrown byastronomical property taxes. Taxpayers SpokeLoud and ClearFollowing the 2015 Legislative Session, I created theSenate Select Committee on Property Taxes, chaired bySenator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston. This SelectCommittee traveled the state to hear people’s property taxstories first hand. Hundreds testified before the committeeabout the jaw-dropping increases that many people arefacing. This Select Committee also learned that too often, theirlocal officials simply did not understand the need to reinthese taxes in. Ironically, I heard from more than one localofficial that he had to increase local property taxes by as much as eight percent because “he was from a fastgrowing area.”Lower the GrowthI proposed legislation in both the regular and the specialsession that would have required local government to goto the people for a vote if they raised local property taxesby more than 4 percent. Cowering to local officials whodon’t want anything to hamper their ability to raise taxes,leadership in the Texas House killed the bill both times. Although there was clearly support among the membersof the House for a property tax reform bill, Texas Houseleadership adjourned a day early and went home, ratherthan continue negotiations on the legislation.Property tax reform is a top priority for me and I amhopeful that with new leadership in the Texas House nextsession, we will finally achieve reforms that will returnpower to the people and allow them to vote before theirlocal officials can raise their taxes. Disaster ReappraisalTexas House leadership also blocked the Senate’s disasterreappraisal bill in the last session. Because of HurricaneHarvey, this was particularly unfortunate. I called on localofficials to reappraise the damaged property anyway,which they had the discretion to do. It is simply wrong toforce people who are struggling to recover and rebuild topay the same property taxes on their houses as they paidbefore the storm. Many counties did exactly that, butsome, including Harris County, refused. I will get disaster reappraisal passed in the next session,but in the meantime, I identified a law that can providesome help at least in the short term. Those whose homeswere damaged in disaster impacted counties can pay theirproperty taxes in four installments rather than a lump sum.Taxing authorities must be notified by January 31, though. There’s more information on my website, www.danpatrick.org.I know that many local officials will continue to fight toraise taxes, but I won’t back down.Weekdays 2:00 to 3:00 PM on FM 100.7 The Word. Visit www.TerryLowry.comDan Patrickwww.TerryLowry.com February 20184Texas Economy Envy of the Nation Guest Editorial by Glenn Hegar, Comptroller the State of TexasThanks to conservative fiscalmanagement and Texas’pro-business, pro-growthpolicies, the state of the TexasEconomy is strong. Business own-ers and job creators saw Texas as awelcome oasis during the Obama administration, andwhile the new Trump administration has taken importantsteps to ensure the Federal Government learns from failedObama-era policies, the rest of the country still has a longway to go to create the kind of economic engine Texas hasbuilt in recent years. That’s most obvious in Texas’ state employment figures.Texas employment growth led the nation in November2017, adding a net 54,500 jobs. And for the 12 monthsthat ended in November 2017, Texas added 330,600 jobs,the largest numerical increase among states. The Texasunemployment rate stood at 3.8%, which is well below theU.S. unemployment rate of 4.1%. In fact Texas unemployment was at its lowest level in 4decades!Liberals argue that the job growth in Texas is not as goodas it sounds, but the numbers and facts say otherwise. Inthe third quarter of 2017 Texas saw the nation’s second-largest growth in personal income at 0.9%, above thenational average of 0.7%.Recently, Texas has benefitted from a rebound in theenergy sector. Currently about half of all active rigs running in the US are in Texas, and in the Permian Basinalone, the oil and gas industry invested more than $28 billion into land acquisitions in 2016. But that only tells part of the story. In the early days ofthe recent downturn in energy, I wrote and spoke abouthow the grit and entrepreneurial spirit of Texans wouldallow the Texas energy sector to innovate and lead the wayto recovery. And we see evidence of that in the currentrebound. Our rig count has remained flat but our overallproduction has increased tremendously, meaning Texasenergy players are leaner and more efficient than everbefore.This upturn in the energy sector has also brightened theoutlook for our state’s rainy day fund since much of therevenue for that fund comes from oil and gas severancetaxes. After my most recent transfer, Texas’ rainy day fundstands at a robust $10.98 billion.And we should all be thankful for the conservative economic leadership that has kept the Rainy Day Fundgrowing. Texas still faces significant economic uncertaintyahead. In late August of 2017 out state endured the costliesttropical cyclone on record when Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coast. Many of our fellow Texans arestill feeling the impacts, and our state has a long recoveryahead.The costs of those recovery efforts will pose a significantchallenge to lawmakers as they set their sights on the 2019legislative session. And there are other challenges andlong-term obligations threatening Texas’ balance sheetthat legislators must address.But as anyone who witnessed the aftermath of HurricaneHarvey knows, Texans are resilient! And so is our economy.If we stick to our principles and maintain our conservativeeconomic policies, Texas can remain the economic envyof the nation and provide our children and grandchildrenwith the same opportunities you and I enjoy today.Glenn HegarWeekdays 2:00 to 3:00 PM on FM 100.7 The Word. Visit www.TerryLowry.com5February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comGossip Devotion for October 6From: Psalms for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and GuidanceBy Mark Lanier“My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,for people who are wicked and deceitful haveopened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues. Withwords of hatred they surround me; they attackme without cause. In return for my friendshipthey accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. Theyrepay me evil for good, and hatred for myfriendship.”Psalm 109:1-5 Gossip is mean, hurtful, and destructive. Gossip isa seductive sin. Speaking about others in wayswe shouldn’t can make us feel important…butshould it? It can also feed the small part of us that mightlike to see others in bad light.But should we gossip? Sometimes, it simply entertainsus in the sense that we get enjoyment out of it. None ofthis may be conscience with us, but the seeds behind gossip are dark seeds. There is no wonder that Paul puts gossip in the veryharsh category of sins, setting it out as something thatunsaved people do.“They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness,evil, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit,maliciousness. They are gossips.”Romans 1:29It isn’t only the unsaved, though. Even the Corinthianshad gossip issues over which Paul showed concern. “For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find younot as I wish and that you may find me not as you wish,that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger,hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”2 Corinthians 12:20Paul taught Timothy to stop people from gossiping. “Besides that, they learned to be idlers, going aboutfrom house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossipsand busy-body’s, saying what they should not.”1 Timothy 5:13All believers should guard their tongue. We need to becareful about what we say. Our words need to be meticu-lously honest. We need to be on guard against everimpugning someone’s motives – something we can’t reallyknow. Our words should be words of love, encouragement, andlife-building. We also know the pain of people who gossipand speak out against us. It is a terrible and unfair thing. What does the believer do when speak ill behind theirbacks when they incite discord? Jesus teaches us to findrefuge in God in prayer and in love. Jesus told us to prayfor and love those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Thisshould be our goal in tandem with our prayers for the Lordto reach out and deliver us from the consequences of gossip. Don’t gossip. Pray for others. PRAYER:Lord, we pray for your help in two ways: firsthelp us to control our tongues and ears. May we not begossips and may we not listen to other’s gossip. We alsopray for those around us who are gossiping. We bless you,Father. Amen.”Weekdays 2:00 to 3:00 PM on FM 100.7 The Word. Visit www.TerryLowry.comChance Favors Only the Prepared Mind www.TerryLowry.com February 20186ByTerry Lowry, Editor/PublisherThe LINK LetterIn March 2017, incumbents and others began asking,“What are we going to do in 2018?” The RepublicanPrimary was nearly twelve months away. TheNovember 2018 Gubernatorial Election was nearly twentymonths away. Why start planning and working in earlyMarch 2017? A century ago, Louis Pasteur said, “Chance favors onlythe prepared mind.” Flashes of insight don't just happen –they are the products of preparation. Winning electedoffice just doesn’t happen, unless your name is ScottWalker. Liberal Progressives Impose Their Lifestyle Harris County went deep blue in November 2016. FortBend County went light blue. Liberal ProgressiveDemocrats are working overtime to control the seats ofpower within local, state, and federal governments. Political leaders are chosen in the Primaries. Because ofextensive gerrymandering (the dividing of election dis-tricts to favor one party over another) there are few close,competitive races in November. This enables the few whovote in the Primary to select the leaders who may holdoffice for decades or longer. For over twenty-five years, I have been meeting withcandidates, investing hundreds and hundreds of hourseach cycle. The process entails asking probing questionsto discern their spirit and motivation for seeking an elect-ed position. Some candidates are like ‘chameleons’.The Endorsement ProcessThis process entails searching the Internet, meeting withother Conservative, Pro-Life / Pro-Family leaders whomake endorsements and respecting their opinions. Understanding why some organizations and/or individualsendorse one candidate over another, or make no endorse-ment, can lead to valuable insights that cannot be gainedby simply shaking a candidate’s hand and listening to theirone or two minute stump speech.Long Time Friendships Can MatterFrom time to time, candidates have long standing friend-ships with opinion leaders. Making endorsements solelybased on friendship may cause ideological differences tobe glossed over. But as County Judge Ed Emmett oncestated: “Of all the slates – those who distribute SampleBallots – Terry Lowry is the most fair.”God will hold me personally responsible for each of myendorsements. I would gladly retire, but God has notreleased me from this calling. Choose Leaders Now – In the PrimaryEarly Voting begins Tuesday, February 20, andElection Day is March 6. Nearly half of the votes castwill be by mail (senior citizens and those who are disabled) and/or by those choosing to vote early. Tenpercent of the total vote could be those who haverequested, marked, and returned their mail-in ballot. For information on how to vote by mail log ontowww.HarrisVotes.comPick: Where and When To VoteEarly Voting allows the voter to pick where and whenthey vote. Last cycle, over 383,000 voters visited our web-site at www.TerryLowry.com and clicked on the link forVoter Information. The options available are: SampleBallotfor your County and Where to Vote Early and onElection Day. We have prepared a map showing yourCounty with the Early Voting Locations and times/daysyou can go there to cast your ballot. We have sample ballots attached to this publication thatyou can simple take into the voting booth with you. Studyour endorsements and do your own research. A political writer for the Houston Chronicle once stated:“…forty percent of the Republican Primary Voterscarry the LINK Letter sample ballot with them intothe voting booth…” I am sure that was not a scientificpoll, but I like the numbers. Remember, it is legal to carrythe sample ballot with you. NOTE: it is against the lawto have your smart phone on inside the voting area orbooth.Meet Some CandidatesSenator Ted Cruz is up for re-election. Several unknownsare running against him in the Republican Primary. I willdefend their right to run with my life, but I am voting forTed Cruz. His website is www.TedCruz.org7February 2018 www.TerryLowry.comCandidate Dan Crenshawis seek-ingto become the Congressman toreplace Retiring Ted Poe inCongressional District 2. While discussing his campaign over break-fast at the Broken Egg, he sharedthat he does not have a job, that heand his wife live with his parents,and he wants to become aCongressman. Candidate Kathleen Wallisseeking to replace retiringCongressman Ted Poe inCongressional District 2. Over theyears, candidates and Conservativeorganizations have received millionsof dollars from her and her husband,Holly Frost. Is it just a coincidencethat many have also lined up to endorse her? State Representative KevinRobertsis also seeking to replaceretiring Congressman Ted Poe inCongressional District 2. KevinRoberts’ outstanding voting recordduring the last Texas LegislativeSession earned him an “A Rating”with both the Texas Right to Lifeand the National Rifle Associationand 100% Voting Record from the National Federation ofIndependent Business. In addition, Texas Values hailedKevin Roberts as a Faith and Family Champion. KevinRoberts has proven his unwavering commitment to com-monsense Conservative solutions. Check out his websiteat www.KevinRobertsForCongress.com In the 2016 Republican Primary, a candidate forCriminal Court of Appeals was named Scott Walker. Hehad zero criminal judicial experience. ZERO. But hisname was Scott Walker, like the current Governor ofWisconsin and former Presidential Candidate ScottWalker. Well, the Scott Walker in Texas won. Voters simply picked his name out of the list because it was anexcellent ballot name. Rick Walkeris also seeking toreplace retiring Congressman Poe.Pay attention to this one.His name isRick…Rick Walker…he is NOTScott Walker from Wisconsin…hisname is Rick…he is NOT RangerWalker, either…he is just RickWalker.Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s oppo-nent, Scott Milder, says, “…theLieutenant Governor spent much of the 2017 Legislative sessionsfocused on bathrooms.” In my opin-ion, Joe Straus, big business, and theLGBTQ community are supportingScott Milder because they do notlike the fact Lt. Gov. Dan Patrickstood tall defending Texas women and girls. Most Texansagree: No Men in Women facilities. Period. See Lt.Governor Dan Patrick’s guest editorial on page 9.Glenn Hegaris the Comptroller ofPublic Accounts. Glenn is a sixthgeneration Texan, statesman, busi-nessman, farmer, husband, andfather. He is a strong advocate forjob growth and greater diversifica-tion of the Texas economy. Today,Glenn humbly serves as theComptroller of Public Accounts.God may tap him on the shoulder someday and whisper inhis ear to seek higher office. Glenn is a Conservative starand the sky is the limit for his political career. Read GlennHegar’s guest editorial on page 10. Find Glenn Hagar atwww.GlennHegar.comSid Milleris the Commissioner ofAgriculture. Sid is a worldwideAmbassador for Texas. During hissix terms in the Texas Legislature,Sid was named a TaxpayerChampion and consistently rankedas one of the most Conservative lawmakers based on his votingrecord. Sid Miller is an eighth-generation Texas Farmer, trusted defender of theSecond Amendment, and a proven Pro-Life leader. FindSid Miller at www.MillerForTexas.com Next >