Friday, July 31, 2020

Georgetown ISD Superintendent Pay 2X the Next Highest Paid Employee

Has any GISD board member been asked why the superintendent is paid almost twice as much as the next highest paid employee? Are the students and their families getting value for the money paid the superintendent?

Did you know that 23 employees of GISD are paid more that $95,000 annually?

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Keep in mind these numbers represent the direct salaries and do not include any perks such as district contributions to health care, life insurance, retirement, cell phones, vehicles, etc.

What Are City Employees Paid?

It appears that our city employees are very well paid. Here is a partial list of employees and their base salaries. These numbers represent the direct salaries and do not include any perks such as city contributions to health care, retirement, cell phones, vehicles, etc.

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The entire list can be found at Open the Books. Input the zip code 78626. When the map appears, select the blue dot centered on Georgetown and on the subsequent page select the orange balloon centered on the city facility in southeast Georgetown.



Thursday, July 30, 2020

Mail in Ballots are Vehicles for Fraud

The Democrat Party is trying to establish mail in voting in Texas using the courts. So far they have not been successful. There is ample evidence that shows fraud exists in mail in ballots.

Paxton has also maintained that a broader absentee ballot program will ripen the opportunity for fraud. Since 2004, the OAG states it has “successfully prosecuted” 457 instances of fraud with 75 currently under investigation.
An official within the OAG confirmed to The Texan, that about two-thirds of the election fraud cases involve absentee ballots.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Democrats Spending Up 69% to take Texas House

Democrats are spending big in Texas to try and turn Texas into another socialist state.
Donations to Democratic candidates for the Texas House and Senate have skyrocketed — up 69 percent over 2018 to be precise. In contrast, donations to Republicans have dropped 44 percent. It’s worth noting that the number of Democratic candidates has remained level while total Democratic fundraising has increased. On the other hand, there are 11 percent fewer Republican candidates this time around, accounting for some — but certainly not all — of the 44 percent decline in donations.

Take A Look For Yourself:

Texas House and Senate – Party of Candidate/LegislatorJanuary 1, 2017– June 30, 2018January 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020Percentage Change
Democratic Donations$15,024,818$25,407,55469%
Democratic Candidates207204-1.45%
Republican Donations$50,653,429$28,591,494-44%
Republican Candidates204181-11.27%

Taxpayer Funded Lobbying

Is Georgetown still funding lobbyists in Austin during this period of austerity? It appears so! Here are the numbers for calandar years 2019 and 2020. The City is spending between $80,000 and $200,000.


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Lobbying Dwarfs Everything.

TWICE as much money has been spent on lobbying as all the contributions to Texas candidates and PACs combined. The money spent on lobbying typically exceeds all contributions to Texas candidates and PACs, but we’ve never before seen this. More than $640 million is committed to lobbyists to influence Austin lawmakers this election cycle. That’s double the $320 million given to all candidates, officeholders, and PACs put together.

Lobbying is rarely discussed, but the numbers don’t lie. Lobbying is by far the biggest source of money in Texas politics. And of the $640 million dedicated to lobbying, more than $110 million comes from taxpayers.

These amounts do not include the dues paid to the Texas Municipal League, which is primarily a lobbing effort for cities.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Update on Covid 19 From the Front Lines in Texas

Texas Senator Bob Hall assembled a group of medical doctors to relate their experience in Texas treating Covid 19.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=305111243951303

This is well worth while as they focus on what has been shown to work.

Georgetown Police Chief on Violence Against Police

Info from Georgetown Chief of Police regarding posts and emails circulating on the net as provided to Councilman Steve Fought and published in his newsletter.

"I have reviewed the correspondence that is circulating. Currently, officers are feeling the stress of national events combined with working in a new normal regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 
Officers felt the reality of the job this last fall when two of our officers were shot in the line of duty. We received overwhelming community support. More recently, a vehicle with two teens shot at the police station while driving NB on DB Wood Rd as one of our Sergeant's happened to be pulling out of the secured parking. No one was injured and we were not able to determine whether they were shooting in the air, at the building, or targeting an officer.  We later discovered that the teens were friends of the suspect that ambushed our officers in the fall, which may explain their motive.  They were promptly arrested. A few weekends ago an officer attempted to stop a fight in Blue Hole Park. She met passive resistance from a few subjects fighting and sustained minor injuries as she tried to separate those fighting.  She was seen at the hospital for precautionary reasons, was promptly released and was back on duty. Most recently, this past week an officer's take home vehicle was vandalized in his driveway. We do believe this single incident (vandalism) was in response to national events/protests and we are actively investigating.  
 
None of these incidents are related other than described.  We are simply in a perfect storm. We had a shooting, which is difficult for any agency as it brings home the importance of training and the dangerous realities of the job we have chosen. Then the COVID-19 pandemic. Then the events resulting from the death of George Floyd. Officers are stressed. I don't know any department that isn't fatigued right now.  
 
However, we do have overwhelming support from the City Manager, the City Council, and the community at large.  Despite ongoing events elsewhere, the City Manager, with Mayor/Council support, is proposing funding for the second Phase of PSOTC in FY2020/21, which includes our firearms training facility. 
 
I would ask you to pass along...if you'd like to show support for the officers and want to show your support - drop off a card, note, cookies, or send me (Chief) an email of support so I can share that with the troops.  These gestures go a long way. All they see in the media/social media is the negative. We do enjoy overwhelming support here in Georgetown and most officers understand that." 

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Sun City Board Reverses on Black Lives Matter Flags

On the front page of the Williamson County Sun last Saturday, it was reported that the Sun City Community Association Board of Directors had approved the flying of the Black Lives Matter flag on 7 days around three designated days during the year.


On Monday, July 13, the Board of Directors reversed themselves.

"We are not enacting the previously-approved but not-yet-enacted policy change regarding Black Lives Matter flags. The result of these changes is that flags that may be flown, in accordance with the policy as long as they are NON-MODIFIED are: U.S. Flag, Texas State Flag, U.S. military branch flags, and college, university, and professional sports flags."

Evidently the Board heard from many residents that were concerned about the policy change that was done in secret with no knowledge of or approval by a majority of residents.

Hopefully the Board has learned its lesson!

Georgetown Appraisal Growth

As one might expect, the appraised value of property in the City of Georgetown continues to grow. Here are the uncertified numbers for the past year that Georgetown will use in their 2021 budget process.

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Over the last 5 years appraisal value has increased at a 8.41% compound annual rate. This is the total appraised value which includes existing as well as newly developed property.

Are there any bets that the city budget will increase at near the same rate? Time will tell as the budget process for 2021 starts in about two weeks.

Monday, July 13, 2020

City Poised to Approve More Low Income Housing

Even though the City already has almost three times the state average of per capita low income housing, developers are asking for another 350 units!

It's on the Council agenda tomorrow night.


Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution of no objection and two times the state average per capita acknowledgement for KCG Development, LLC, to apply for Housing Tax Credits for the construction of 206 units of affordable housing for families to be known as Espero Landing located at Sam Houston Ave. and Bell Gin Rd. -- Susan Watkins, AICP, Housing Coordinator



 Click on this link to the agenda where is more information on both requests.

Friday, July 10, 2020

The National Media Flat Out Lies About President

The national media has escalated their war against the President. In the past they have been content with omitting key information that is favorable to the President or his administration. Now they are flat out lying! Mollie Hemmingway has the details.

The New York Times, ABC News, the Washington Post, and many other outlets made a decision to lie about their political opponent Donald Trump in service of partisan gain. 
This is an escalation by the media in their war against Trump, and one that does not bode well for the republic. You might say that they have always lied about their political opponents, and there is significant truth to that.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Georgetown Pension Performance, Q1, 2020

At the end of the 1st quarter of 2020, the Texas Municipal Retirement System(TMRS) investment fund had declined 8.63%. This is the pension system that the City of Georgetown employees use to save for their retirement.

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It is clear from the table that the fund has not met its assumed annual rate of return of 6.75% over the last 15 years.

Here is another way to look at performance over time by using a 5 year rolling average. This smooths out the annual fluctuations.

The average annual return over the most recent 5 year period is 4.09%. Again that misses the assumed long term rate of return of 6.75% by a BIG margin.


Is the city going to raise both the employees and their contributions to assure the pensions of current and future retirees are fully funded?

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

The Violence is in Georgetown

The violent and riotious anarchists are in Georgetown as shown in the photo.


Are the citizens of Georgetown going to stand down and accept these attacks on our City and police?

Is this the handiwork of Black Lives Matter, the Marxist revolutionaries?

Inquiring minds would like to know!

Teacher Unions are Destroying Public Education

Teacher unions are largely left-wing propaganda machines that fund Democratic politicians and entrenches racial segregation.  DAVID HARSANYI has the details.

"Public” schools have been a catastrophe for the United States. This certainly isn’t an original assertion, but as we watch thousands of authoritarian brats tearing down the legacies of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, it’s more apparent than ever.
State-run schools have undercut two fundamental conditions of a healthy tolerant society. First, they’ve created millions of civic illiterates who are disconnected from long-held communal values and national identity. Second, they’ve exacerbated the very inequalities that trigger the tearing apart of fissures.

Public Schools are Failing America

Only one in three Americans (36 percent) can actually pass a multiple choice test consisting of items taken from the U.S. Citizenship Test, which has a passing score of 60.

  • Seventy-two percent of respondents either incorrectly identified or were unsure of which states were part of the 13 original states;
  • Only 24 percent could correctly identify one thing Benjamin Franklin was famous for, with 37 percent believing he invented the lightbulb;
  • Only 24 percent knew the correct answer as to why the colonists fought the British;
  • Twelve percent incorrectly thought WWII General Dwight Eisenhower led troops in the Civil War; 6 percent thought he was a Vietnam War general; and
  • While most knew the cause of the Cold War, 2 percent said climate change.
Those 65 years and older scored the best, with 74 percent answering at least six in 10 questions correctly. For those under the age of 45, only 19 percent passed with the exam, with 81 percent scoring a 59 percent or lower.

Our American Way of Life is Under Attack

At an event Tuesday in her home state of Minnesota with members of the Minnesota People of Color and Indigenous Caucus, Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar called for the “dismantling” of the U.S. economy and political system.
“As long as our economy and political systems prioritize profit without considering who is profiting, who is being shut out, we will perpetuate this inequality,” Omar said. “We cannot stop at criminal justice system. We must begin the work of dismantling the whole system of oppression wherever we find it.”
Omar continues her divisive rhetoric by explaining President Donald Trump is “terrified” of her because of the freshman congresswoman’s “many identities.” He is terrified by the fact that I sit on the intersectionality of many identities that he really despises — a woman, an immigrant, Muslim, refugee, and Punjabi in one beautiful package.” 

The radical left continue to divide our people by sex, religion, race and any other factors they can make up. The American people must reject these ideas and tactics if our Country is to survive as the most free and tolerant country in the world.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Georgetown Citizen Wins Lawsuit Against City

TPPF_Logo_Refresh_Navy-1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2020
CONTACT: Sarah Silberstein
512-472-2700
ssilberstein@texaspolicy.com

Court’s Order Win for Transparency in Government for Texans

Court Rules in Favor of TPPF Client, Georgetown Resident Terry Putnam

AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation has won its open records lawsuit against the City of Georgetown in response to the city withholding a “payback analysis” document from its client, Terry Putnam.
“TPPF’s client Mr. Putnam has been vindicated by the court’s ruling that the ‘payback analysis’ document is public and should not have been withheld by the City of Georgetown,” said Robert Henneke, general counsel at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “The law presumes the right of the public to government records, and all Mr. Putnam wanted to know was the return on investment from one of the City’s solar panel projects. The court’s order is not only a win for Mr. Putnam, but a win for transparency in government that benefits all Texans.”
The court determined that the payback analysis, which was requested by Mr. Putnam in Nov. 2016, is not exempt from public disclosure and must be disclosed. 
To read the full order, please visit: 
For more information, please contact Sarah Silberstein at ssilberstein@texaspolicy.com or 512-472-2700.    

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Key Excerpts from President Trump's Mt Rushmore Speech

It was a magnificent speech that will, I predict, take an honored place in the library of great American political addresses.

Following are key excerpts that other political leaders are afraid to articulate.

Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values, and indoctrinate our children. Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our Founders, deface our most sacred memorials, and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities. Many of these people have no idea why they are doing this, but some know exactly what they are doing. They think the American people are weak and soft and submissive. But no, the American people are strong and proud, and they will not allow our country, and all of its values, history, and culture, to be taken from them.
One of their political weapons is “Cancel Culture” -- driving people from their jobs, shaming dissenters, and demanding total submission from anyone who disagrees. This is the very definition of totalitarianism, and it is completely alien to our culture and our values, and it has absolutely no place in the United States of America. (Applause.) This attack on our liberty, our magnificent liberty, must be stopped, and it will be stopped very quickly.
In our schools, our newsrooms, even our corporate boardrooms, there is a new far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance. If you do not speak its language, perform its rituals, recite its mantras, and follow its commandments, then you will be censored, banished, blacklisted, persecuted, and punished. It’s not going to happen to us.
Make no mistake: this left-wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American Revolution. In so doing, they would destroy the very civilization that rescued billions from poverty, disease, violence, and hunger, and that lifted humanity to new heights of achievement, discovery, and progress.
The violent mayhem we have seen in the streets of cities that are run by liberal Democrats, in every case, is the predictable result of years of extreme indoctrination and bias in education, journalism, and other cultural institutions.
No movement that seeks to dismantle these treasured American legacies can possibly have a love of America at its heart. Can’t have it. No person who remains quiet at the destruction of this resplendent heritage can possibly lead us to a better future.
The radical ideology attacking our country advances under the banner of social justice. But in truth, it would demolish both justice and society. It would transform justice into an instrument of division and vengeance, and it would turn our free and inclusive society into a place of repression, domination, and exclusion.
They want to silence us, but we will not be silenced.
We believe in equal opportunity, equal justice, and equal treatment for citizens of every race, background, religion, and creed. Every child, of every color -- born and unborn -- is made in the holy image of God.
Read the entire speech, It is worth your time! 

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Preserving American History

The President has established via Executive Order a statuary park to honor American heroes.

Sec. 3. National Garden of American Heroes. (a) It shall be the policy of the United States to establish a statuary park named the National Garden of American Heroes (National Garden).

Read the entire order here.