Texas State News

Vol. 1, No. 5--December 4, 2004

The Texas PPC had a statewide meeting on November 20 in San Antonio, Texas, to determine initiatives to present to our Texas Democratic State Party and to our county committees. This dynamic, diverse group of people from around the state were excited and determined that we are going to reform the Democratic Party in Texas! Here are some of the initiatives developed that day:

The state Democratic Party should make fair elections a #1 priority.

This should be implemented via a State Democratic Election Reform Committee.

Propose legislation to require a paper trail and public verifiable (open-source) software for elections; county chairs and the State Party are urged to pursue this, based on a position adopted at State Convention.

Audit 2004 election for registration/total vote anomalies, misallocation of machines causing long voter waits, DPS failure to process voter registration, voting machine malfunctions causing over-votes and under-votes, removal of voters from voter rolls.

Expand Grassroots Training to include training county chairs and helping them to train others on:

Grassroots organizing/precinct organization
Party rules (those pertaining to SD/county conventions & co. executive committees)

State Party prepare to STAND ALONE as a party, positioning and framing our own POPULIST values in sharp contrast to Republicans (and our National Party if necessary), completely differentiating us; create our own progressive vision to serve the people of Texas and maintain distance from a National Party unwilling to be a party of opposition and dissent.

Push the national Democratic Party to replace its current leadership with Howard Dean or a similar progressive and reformer.

Petition the whole DNC through our Texas members that the National Democratic Party and its presidential candidate should campaign in all 50 states--"Leave No State Behind."

Reallocate major funds from air war to ground war.

#1 priority: training of grassroots precinct organizers.

Recruit and support Democrats to run for ALL positions on the ballot at ALL levels--don't allow Republicans to run unopposed.

The PPC will be lobbying the Texas Democratic Party at their next meeting in January.

Texas PPC Chair:

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