The average unemployment rate for all four counties in District 12 is currently 9.7 percent. This number is higher than both the State of Texas average of 8.2 percent and the national average of 9.5 percent, as of the latest local numbers released in July 2010.

Over 30 percent of the population of District 12 currently lives in poverty, which is much higher than the statewide average of 15.8 percent. The median household income for families in District 12 is 13,000 dollars lower than the rest of the state. And the most shocking statistic says that almost 30 percent of the population lives in poverty in District 12.

“It is unfortunate that on Labor Day, a national day of remembrance, celebrating the industriousness and ingenuity of the American worker, at every level of government elected officials have pursued policies to punish American workers. The 13- year Democrat incumbent Jim McReynolds leads the pack with votes for a series of taxes and regulations that have undermined our ability to restore prosperity in our communities,” said Conservative Republican James White, candidate for Texas House District 12.

Jim McReynolds voted against several pro-growth economic policies. In HB 3928, Amendment 44, 80R McReynolds voted not to raise the floor on the margins tax to $1 million which was a major blow to small business. Small businesses help our economy stabilize and grow. Without small businesses East Texas economy would suffer. McReynolds also voted for a Payroll tax and legalized video lottery terminals for Texas in HB1 Amendment 3, 78.4.

McReynolds voted against requiring the new revenue from the margins tax to go to property tax relief for Texans. (HB 2, 79.3) James White wants to lower your property taxes and let you keep more of your money in your pocket.

James White wants to protect your family and your community. James White’s goal is to restore and revitalize prosperity to our East Texas Communities. He wants to hold the line against federal regulation to keep big government out of the lives of East Texans as much as possible. McReynolds has done nothing to attract new business and new Jobs to East Texas. He has done nothing to protect the welfare of East Texans and their families.

“Nonfarm payroll employment changed little (-54,000) in August, and the unemployment rate was about unchanged at 9.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Government employment fell, as 114,000 temporary workers hired for the decennial census completed their work. Private-sector payroll employment continued to trend up modestly (+67,000).” (U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statics)

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Chairman Steele said, “The Republican National Committee understands the importance of the Texas House District 12 race not only for conservative Republican control of the State legislature but for the national implications involved in redistricting.”

“I am proud and honored to receive a phone call directly from our National Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, says James White. ”I believe the Republican Chairman is a role model for Republicanism and it is an honor to be on the Republican ticket as a result of his work to broaden and expand our Party.I reiterated with Chairman Steele that my campaign is promoting pro-economic growth in East Texas through restoring economic prosperity to East Texans by keeping taxes low, abolishing the state property tax, and holding the line on federal government regulatory over reach. I, James White, will pursue an immigration policy that protects our communities and the integrity of our voting ballots.”
James White will vote to protect East Texans and their communities.
About Michael Steele
Michael S. Steele was elected Chairman of the Republican National Committee in 2009. As Chairman Mr. Steele is setting a new direction for the Republican Party – actively engaging Americans in their local communities and empowering state and local Republican organizations to do the same.
A self-described “Lincoln Republican,” Mr. Steele earned a place in history in 2003 when he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, becoming the first African-American elected to statewide office in the state.
An expert on political strategy and election reform, he most recently served as Chairman of GOPAC, and also held posts on the National Federal Election Reform Commission and the NAACP Blue Ribbon Commission on Election Reform.

Mr. Steele’s experiences as a successful elected conservative African-American Republican and his engaging speaking style have launched him into national prominence. His first major exposure was during an appearance at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Since then, President George W. Bush selected Steele to be part of the U.S. delegation to the investiture of Pope Benedict XVI, and a member of the Presidential Delegation to the Leon H. Sullivan Summit VIII in Tanzania.

Mr. Steele’s ability as a communicator and political analyst have been showcased through his roles as a contributor on the Fox News Channel and regular host of the Salem Radio Network’s nationally syndicated Morning in America Show. Additionally, Mr. Steele is an entertaining and eloquent guest on cable political talk shows such as HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher and Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report.

A corporate finance attorney, Mr. Steele founded his own company, The Steele Group, a business and legal consulting firm. His writings on law, business and politics have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, Politico.com, Townhall.com, and The Journal of International Security Affairs, among others.
Born in 1958 at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Mr. Steele was raised in Washington, DC. He spent three years as a seminarian in the Order of St. Augustine in preparation for the priesthood, but, ultimately, chose a career in law instead. He earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1991.

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Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took aim at Texas’ rules for air pollution again saying some aspects of those rules violate the Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Among other things, this law authorizes EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants. (EPA.org)

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has defended its program that uses estimates to set emission limits, which issues permits on the EPA’S behalf saying it meets federal requirements.

“This is just another example of government overreaching into the lives of the people.” James White states. “The federal government, through the use of its arm the EPA, is further regulating the livelihoods of plant workers around the United States and more specifically in Texas. There are ­­­27 refineries plants in Texas alone. Each time the Federal Government enacts some ridiculous legislation, all of these workers and their families, and everyday citizens are affected. “

James White will fight to nullify excessive EPA intrusion into Texas to preserve East Texas and the families that call East Texas home.

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“We are pleased to endorse James White’s candidacy for state representative in House District 12,” said TAB President and BACPAC spokesman Bill Hammond. “We believe that he will be a great representative for the business community that will work to improve the Texas business climate and to help make our state’s economy the strongest in the world.”

The Texas Association of Business, along with Conservative Republican James White, will fight for lower taxes, a fair regulatory environment that protects the public without discouraging business growth and a pro-business attitude in our courts that will encourage expansion of our free enterprise system.

In accepting the endorsement James White said, “If our East Texas businesses are thriving, then our East Texas citizens are thriving. You can’t have one without the other. That’s why this partnership with BACPAC is so important, because I want to help East Texas climb up the economic ladder.”

James White looks forward to creating a positive business climate in East Texas that the current incumbent Jim McReynolds (D) has failed to do in his 13 years in office. District 12 continues to suffer with some of the highest unemployment rates in the state. McReynolds voted* to create a new margins tax that taxes new businesses for the first time. He also voted** against raising the floor on the margins tax to $1 million – that would have been a major blow to small business if he got his way.

*HB3, 79.3 **HB 3928, Amendment 44, 80R

Volunteers NEEDED Daily

The James White Campaign office is located in the Republican Headquarters at 517 Timberland Dr in Lufkin. Hours are 10am- 6pm M- F and on Saturday from 9am to noon. Help staff the office. Call us at 936-637-2400 or email joyce@jameswhiteforeasttexas.com to volunteer

Make Campaign Telephone Calls
Our telephone contact system is up and running. If you would like to make campaign calls from your home, office or at the Headquarters, call Lee Miller at 936-637-2400 or email info@jameswhiteforeasttexas.com. All you need is a computer, some free time and a phone.

Block Walk with James THIS and EVERY WEEKEND
We block walk in the district every Saturday. Please help walk the entire district. Call 936-637-2400 or visit the Get Involved Page to sign up.

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Just a few hours out of your day spent volunteering for the James White Campaign could tremendously help out our cause.

By volunteering just 2 hours out of your day you could significantly impact your future and more importantly the future of your children.

Big Government spending has put our nation 13.3 trillion dollars in debt. This means that each citizen, including EVERY CHILD, in America now owes $44,000 a piece to pay off our national debt. And this number is increasing by the day.

This Big Government/Big Spending philosophy WILL NOT WORK for us as Americans and it especially won’t work for us as TEXANS.

Each Family in America is has been feeling the effects of the liberal agenda politics that has been forced on Americans for the past 2 years.

It is time, NOW, for us as conservatives to stand up and restore prosperity to our great nation, to revitalize our communities back to the way they used to be, and to protect our children and their future.

This impacts YOU. Concerned citizens and parents can actively participate in this historic movement/cause by donating your time in getting James White elected.

There are several ways you can get involved. You can sign up to make phone calls from your house, you can volunteer at our Republican headquarters located on timberland drive next to Bodacious BBQ, or you could block walk your neighborhood to gain supporters in our district.

Sign up here or call the Republican campaign headquarters at 936-634-1979, or call the James White campaign line at 936-637-2400.

Remember it’s people like you who will help us win this race in November!

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Dear Lord, this is what I pray that you will help me to remember: Remind me that Jennifer’s mom and dad just divorced, so that I may have extra patience and understanding with her. Remind me that Chris needs a snack when he gets to school, he rarely gets to school in time for breakfast, and can’t pay attention when his tummy is always growling. Remind me that Cassie has a brand new baby at home, to make sure I give her plenty of extra attention. And Lord, remind me to not frown when Joey tells me he didn’t get his homework done, again… Let me remember that he doesn’t have a desk, a room, or even a home of his own, that he does the best he can with what he has.  Father, give me special peace and understanding when dealing with those students who come to me lost, lonely, and abused–let me stand in the gap for parents who are unable and/or unwilling to tend to their children in a Godly manner that makes gentlemen and ladies out of them.  Let me be an influence and a light unto their feet, a lamp unto their path.

Dear Lord, there are so many more needs to share with you! Children who need shoes on their feet, jackets on their backs, school supplies, toothbrushes… *sigh* And these are just their physical needs! Lord, you hear their prayers of sorrow in the darkness of the night, please give them strength and courage to be the best that they can possibly be. Father, I speak destiny and hope into their young lives!. Please, let me be a positive influence and a light unto their little lives and let my classroom be a warm, safe haven against the storm.

Oh, Heavenly Father! I almost forgot the “school” stuff: Lord, I pray you will help me to teach every child how to read, write, and count this school year!

AMEN
–from Donna R. Burran

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Click here to donate to the James White Campaign.

If video above does not play click here.

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Click here to donate to the James White Campaign.

If video above does not play click here.

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“Our nation is founded on the principle of individual liberty. The individual’s hard earned money first belongs to the individual. This is why I am in full support of the sales tax holiday that will help many East Texas families make affordable purchases for the upcoming school year.”

“Critics of continuing the sales tax holiday cite the state revenue shortfall and the need to fund government sources. But where is the skepticism on rising appraisal values on homeowners? Where is the concern over government employees receiving levels of pay that far exceeds comparable private sector work while many Texans have faced pay cuts or even job losses? Where is the outrage when Texans see their tax monies wasted on boondoggles unaccounted for, or even given to others that refuse to even look for employment?”

“Even in the United States and Texas, we are still asking the question: Does government exist for the will of the people or do the people merely exist for the government. I believe government exists for people. Enjoy your sales tax holiday.”

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Commissioner Greg Parker

Coming to East Texas September 10-12, 2010

Commissioner Gregory Parker was elected to the Comal County Commissioners Court on November 2, 2004 and again in November 2008. Where he became the first African American and the youngest person to win election as a county commissioner in Comal County.

Since taking office Commissioner Parker has been a driving force and tireless supporter in the fight to reduce child abuse and domestic violence not only in his county but others as well. He created the annual Guardian Angel Award which honors volunteers, non-profit agency partners as well as law enforcement and child protective services workers that assist in preventing child abuse and neglect and or work to strengthen families.

He has fought to protect our tax dollars by exposing financial mismanagement in local agencies, he has worked with his colleagues to keep Comal county’s tax rate one of the lowest in the state, offer new educational benefits for county employees; to preserve land for future generations and protect private property rights. Commissioner Parker has spoken out frequently on a variety of national issues to include; eminent domain, education, a fair and untainted census, transportation, and cap-n-trade, just to name a few. He is the author of the book “Global Warming…Really?” that was chosen “book of the week” by the Conservative Monitor.

In 2008 Commissioner Parker was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the State Commission on Emergency Communications where he travels across the state, speaking and leading the states initiative for Next Generation 9-1-1.

Commissioner Parker holds a Bachelors of Business Administration, a Masters of Public Administration and is completing his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration.

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