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NW Austin Republican Women

September 2013 Volume 3, Issue 1

Political ad paid for by the NWARW PAC, Susan Friedrich, Treasurer.

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson to Speak at September Meeting

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Land Commissioner Patterson to Speak in September Important Messages from the Executive Committee On the Conflict in Syria and U.S. Involvement, Part 1 Ballot Language - November Amendment Election November Election Schedule Images from the Republican Round-Up Message from the President 1 1 2 3 4 5 6

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Texas, will address our club meeting on Monday, September 9. Commissioner Patterson is a Marine Corps veteran (a retired lieutenant colonel), a former State Senator, and a lifelong Texas Aggie. Texas Senate, his most While serving in the significant legislative

on our officer positions for 2014. Membership renewal begins now! Please see the last page of this newsletter for the form, or go to our website http://www.nwarw.org to download. NWARW meets at Dave & Busters, located at 9333 Research Blvd in Austin. Social time begins at 11:15am and the meeting begins at 11:45am. Lunch is ($16) and the club accepts cash or check at the door. RSVP by Thursday, September 5 by emailing Susan Friedrich at skfriedrich@austin.rr.com, or fill out the form on http://www.nwarw.org.

successes included passage of the historic concealed handgun law, legislation enabling the Texas coastal management plan, and creation of the Texas State Veterans Home Program. We will also elect a Nominating Committee to work

Important Messages from the Executive Committee

We had an excellent, busy summer and have a lot of great things planned for this fall and coming spring. As we get ready for the 2014 election cycle (which has really already begun!), plan to be at our meetings and join the club! Our next meeting is Monday, October 7, and well have a Texas Legislative Update from State Rep. Tony Dale. Go ahead and RSVP to reserve your spot email Susan Friedrich at (skfriedrich@austin.rr.com) Other important notes from the executive committee: Membership membership for You 2014 can begin We renewing have a your new now!

membership form that we are asking all members, returning and brand new, to fill out for our records. Also, if you are a new active member joining in September or October, your membership will be good for both the remainder of 2013 and 2014! more info. Campaign Activities Your hours for the next quarter are due to Ellen (danrh@att.net) by September 30. A Please see Exec Cmte on page 4 See VP Membership Cassie Daniel (cassdtx@gmail.com) for

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NWARW September Newsletter

From the National Federation of Republican Women: On the Conflict in Syria and U.S. Involvement, Part 1
From NFRW Political Briefing, Week of September 2, 2013 Editor: Maria Jeffrey
Beginning of the conflict; makeup of Syria: The Syrian civil conflict began in 2011, with Syrian opposition forces fighting the Syrian government headed by Bashar al-Assad. Syria is comprised of 74% Sunni Muslims, 16% other Muslims (Alawite, Druze, Shiite), and 10% Christians with some small Jewish communities mostly in Damascus and Aleppo, according to the Congressional Research Servicereport released in June 2013. Assad is an Alawite, a sect of Shia Islam. Assad regime: Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, ruled Syria from 1970 until his death in 2000, when his son took over. Collectively, there has been 43 years of Assad rule in Syria. Because Bashar alAssad is an Alawite, and therefore a part of a sect of Shia Islam, the Syrian government under his rule has an agreement with Hezbollah, the powerful Shia political movement in Lebanon. Who is the opposition? The opposition forces fighting against the Syrian government may be united in destroying the Assad regime, but there are different opposition groups motivated by different causes. The Congressional Research Service identified 26 opposition groups and the relations between them in the June report linked above. Chief among the opposition groups is the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, which was formed in November 2012 in Qatar. The president is Syrian National Council President George Sabra, who is a Christian. The Syrian National Council is another group that was formed in Turkey in October 2011. It is now largely a part of the National Coalition. The Free Syrian Army is another large opposition group, considered to have a more Islamist focus. The Muslim Brotherhood of Syria is another rebel group, rising again after being crushed by the Assad regime in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Is there a tie with al-Qaeda and the Syrian rebels? Yes. The al-Nusra Front, a part of the Syrian opposition, is affiliated with and funded by al-Qaeda. On December 11, 2012, the State Department identified the alNusra Front as an al-Qaeda affiliated group. There is tension between al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq stemming from an April 2013 announcement by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, that al-Nusra is a direct extension of al-Qaeda in Iraq and that the two groups were merging together. The next month, Abu Mohammad al Golani, the leader of al-Nusra, declared the group's allegiance to Ayman al Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda. Internal disputes notwithstanding, the al- Nusra Front is a branch of alQaeda in Syria and a significant part of the Syrian opposition force. On the August 21 chemical attack: In the early hours of the morning on August 21, an estimated 12 areas in the suburbs of Damascus were targeted by chemical weapons. It is estimated that 1,429 people were killed, including 426 children, according to theunclassified summary of the chemical attack released by the U.S. government on August 30. According to the report, the government cannot confirm that the Syrian government carried out the chemical weapons attack, but instead states, "We assess with high confidence that the Syrian government carried out the chemical weapons attack against opposition elements in the Damascus suburbs on August 21....Our high confidence assessment is the strongest position that the U.S. Intelligence Community can take short of confirmation. We will continue to seek additional information to close gaps in our understanding of what took place." It should be noted that Syria has the largest arsenal of chemical weapons in the world, and the Congressional Research Service estimates it would take over 75,000 troops to neutralize that arsenal. Has it been proven that the Syrian government launched a chemical attack on August 21? No, it has not been proven, and even the Obama administration's summary stops short of saying it can be proven. The report states further, "We assess that the opposition has not used chemical weapons." However, 12 members of the al-Nusra Front werearrested in May 2013 in Turkey with possession of a 2kg cylinder of sarin gas, using it to prepare for an attack. Sarin gas can be used as a chemical weapon, and the victims of the August 21 chemical attack were exposed to sarin, according to the Obama administration's report. UN chemical weapons expert Carla Del Ponte investigated the use of chemical weapons in Syria earlier this year and determined that it was the rebel forces, not the Syrian government, that was utilizing chemical weapons at the time. Carla Del Ponte's investigation contradicts the Obama administration's summary of the August 21 chemical attack, and its assertion quoted above that the rebel forces have not used chemical weapons. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel appeared before a Senate panel yesterday to make the case for limited military intervention in Syria against the Assad regime's alleged use of chemical weapons. According to Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, Congress shall have the power to "declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water." When pressed by Senator Rand Paul on whether President Obama would act in Syria anyway if he did not receive authorization from Congress to do so, Kerry was unclear.

NWARW October Newsletter Texas Constitutional Amendment Election 2013

9 Propositions on November Ballot

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Pros and cons for each of these propositions are listed on our website (http://www.nwarw.org/blog.html). Recommendations will be made by the Travis County Republican Party later this month and we will send those out when they are ready. In the meantime, here are the ballot language and brief synopses for the nine proposed constitutional amendments on the Texas ballot this November: Proposition 1: HJR 62 by Chris Turner Allows the surviving spouse of a member of the United States military that was killed in action a complete property tax exemption on their residential homestead until the surviving spouse remarries. The amount of the property tax exemption can be transferred from the home the serviceman and spouse owned at the time of death to another property. Proposition 2: HJR 79 by Dan Branch The Texas Constitution currently requires a constitutional State Medical Education Board and State Medical Education Fund. The program, created in 1952, did not ultimately serve its intended purpose so the loans from the fund were discontinued in 1988. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board absorbed the State Medical Education Fund as part of its overall duties for scholarships and student loans, making the constitutional board and fund obsolete. HJR 79 eliminates the constitutional requirement to continue the board and fund. Proposition 3: HJR 133 by Linda Harper-Brown The Texas Constitution currently allows for what is known as the Freeport Exemption. This exemption allows for goods and tangible property to be exempt from property taxes if the property is used for manufacturing purposes, the property is transported from out of state, and the property is then transported outside of the state within 175 days. In other words, if the goods are a stored in a pass-through facility, the goods are tax exempt. This constitutional amendment extends the 175 day Freeport exemption to 730 days for aircraft parts before the parts must be transported outside of the state. Proposition 4: HJR 24 by Charles Perry Allows a disabled veteran to receive a homestead exemption equal to the percentage of their disability rating for a home that has been donated to the veteran by a charitable organization at no cost to the veteran. Home builders and charitable organizations have donated homes to disabled veterans. Veterans who are 100% disabled receive a 100% homestead exemption for this donated home, but a service veteran who is not 100% disabled does not currently receive a partial homestead exemption for the donated home. The law is tailored to only allow service-connected disabled veterans the opportunity for a property tax reduction. Proposition 5: SJR 18 by John Carona The Texas laws related to home equity loans are contained entirely with the Texas Constitution. Recent federal legislation has allowed a person to purchase a new residential homestead and obtain a reverse mortgage simultaneously in a single transaction. This constitutional amendment would allow for a reverse mortgage in Texas. Continued on Page 4

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NWARW September Newsletter

Texas Constitutional Amendment Election 2013

Continued from Page 3
Proposition 6: SJR 1 by Williams This constitutional amendment creates the constitutional State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas. Both of these funds will be special funds in the state treasury and funds will not subject to the state spending limit. These funds will be administered by the Texas Water Development Board and will be used for implementing the states water plan. The Texas Water Development Board may use the funds to provide direct loans for water projects and enhance the credit of existing bonds to reduce interest rates. The funds are comprised of money appropriated by the legislature, any future tax revenue that is dedicated to the fund, investment earning, and repaid principle and interest on loans. Proposition 7: HJR 87 by Munoz Allows for a home-rule city to amend its charter to determine its method of filling a vacancy on its governing body through an election to fill a vacancy of a term of under 12 months. Current law requires a city to hold an election within 120 days of the vacancy, regardless of the time of the vacancy. Proposition 8: HJR 147 (SJR 54) by Guerra Repeals the Hidalgo County Hospital District from the Texas Constitution. Proposition 9: SJR 42 by Huffman The Texas Constitution creates the State Commission on Judicial Conduct which is responsible for ensuring Texas judges comply with constitutional standards of conduct. Current law only allows for the commission to issue an order of public censure of a judge after a formal proceeding. The constitutional amendment will expand the types of sanctions the commission may issue after a formal proceeding to include a public admonition, warning, censure, reprimand or a requirement for a judge to receive additional training.

First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail Last Day to Register to Vote First Day of Early Voting

Friday, September 6, 2013 (does not apply to FPCA) Monday, October 7, 2013 Monday, October 21, 2013 (17th day before election day falls on a Saturday, first day moves to next business day) Friday, October 25, 2013

Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) Last Day of Early Voting Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail

Friday, November 1, 2013 November 5, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. (unless overseas deadline applies) November 5, 2013

Election Day

NWARW October Newsletter

Exec Cmte from page 1
form is not required (you may use the one on our website to keep track if you like). Ellen asks that you just turn in the total number of hours you have volunteered in a political capacity. Telephone Committee: Does getting a phone call

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From the President: Now is the best time to bring friends to our club meetings and get them to join! We are still short of our ongoing membership goal of 50 active members. Consider buying a membership for a friend or your daughter or mother or sister. Maybe you know someone who has been looking for a way to meet more like-minded women, or who is just fed up with the current administration and needs an outlet. And help us fill the room for our meetings invite someone new to come in October! From All of Us: Thank you to everyone who is helping to make our club successful this year!

reminder about our club meetings help you, or are email reminders enough to get to our meetings? Phone calls will continue for all members, but you may opt out if you wish. Contact chair Carol Gontko (carol.gontko@yahoo.com)

Images from the Republican Round-Up

We had an excellent time at our first-ever NW Austin Republican Round-Up! Here are some images from the day, courtesy of Rhonda Murphy and Cassie Daniel!

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A Message from the President

NEXT MEETING: Monday Oct 7 http://www.nwarw.org or email Susan at skfriedrich@austin.rr.com Guest Speaker: State Representative Tony Dale Lunch is $16 TBA Social at 11:!5am, Meeting at 11:45am Dave & Busters, 9333 Research (183/MoPac)
And then there was the Texas Legislature, in session for the usual 140 days, and then three special sessions on top of that one in particular that skyrocketed a liberal Democratic state senator to national fame. There is no rest for those who would improve our state, our country. For those who seek to destroy what we have achieved, to undermine what we seek to accomplish, do not stop. Even as I type this, there are Organizing for America volunteers in our neighborhoods, Battleground Texas volunteers on our streets. Republicans, we cannot let down our guard. Yes, we are tired. Yes, it has been and will be a long season of campaigns and rhetoric. But as I type this today, a week later than I intended due to the very things Ive listed here, our country sits on the brink of another war. From my vantage point, it has been a very long election season it feels as though there has been no break since the long primary season we were subjected to last year. And certainly, there has been no opportunity to rest, with the Obama administration falling into scandal every other day and our country still struggling with the ramifications of a weakened economy.

BRING A FRIEND! RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

2013 Officers
President Michele Samuelson Vice President Evelyn Farmer 1st VP Membership Cassie Daniel 2nd VP Programs Jen Stratton Treasurer Susan Friedrich Recording Secretary Rhonda Murphy Corresponding Secretary Elaine Lehmann Chaplain Chris Sale

Participation in the United States labor force is at its lowest percentage in 35 years. We have to keep fighting. What can we do? Sign up your friends as members, and get them to our meetings. Participate in our Constitution Day Project to make sure our schoolchildren are learning about our nations values. Get involved in the Dictionary Project to promote literacy. Become a Deputy Voter Registrar and help make sure your friends and neighbors are voting. Volunteer for a campaign. Donate to the Wounded Warrior Project to help our returning veterans. Find your own project or cause and get someone to join you doing it. It has been an eventful summer now it is time for a fruitful fall.

Committee Chairmen
Awards Ellen Harrison Campaign Activities Ellen Harrison Caring for America Cassie Daniel Hospitality Carolyn Isbell & Elaine Lehmann Legislative Dr. Rosemary Edwards Telephone Carol Gontko Historian Fundraising If you would like to help on a committee, please email Michele michele.samuelson@gmail.com

Michele Samuelson, 2011-2013 NWARW President