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For you young'uns who may not know who Will Rogers was, you need to. His quips come in handy to know that we haven't all of a sudden gotten stupid. Human beings, rich or poor, have never been even close to perfect. That is true of the Bastrop County Commissioners Court, an all-Republican Court. They appear not to have noticed Texas GOP Platform 78, as they plan to subsidize Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), controlled by the richest man on planet Earth. Local Republican activist, Carol Spencer, has attempted to remind us in her blog post, Enterprise Zone Tax Breaks? No!: "No Corporate Welfare: We encourage government to divest its ownership of all businesses that should be run in the private sector. We oppose all bailouts of and subsidies to domestic and foreign government entities, states, and for all businesses, public and private. We agree with the Texas Constitution’s requirement for fair and uniform taxation and oppose special treatment or tax breaks for favored industries or companies. We call for repeal or sunset of existing subsidy or special-interest tax exemptions, including the Special Events Trust Fund program, the Texas Enterprise Fund, Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, and lab-grown meat incentives, and now request repeal of Chapter 403.601 of the Texas Tax Code. […] (Plank 78, 2024 Texas GOP Platform, * [LIV note: The highly controversial Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) is not part of the Texas “Enterprise Zone Program” that is the subject of Tuesday’s hearing --- TEF is a slush fund run by the Governor to make cash grants to companies threatening to leave the state. Elon Musk has played that game before, so we would not be surprised if he tries to double-dip again.] LIV will provide citizen comments to the SpaceX Subsidies proposed by the Bastrop Commissioners Court this coming Tuesday, May 26. The meeting starts at 9 am, with the hearing at 9:30 am. We will meet on Monday @8 pm on Zoom to prepare citizen comments for the hearing. RSVP here to join us. See the items we've parked there for you to review before the meeting. We also hope the Texas Democratic Party improves their anti-corporate welfare plank at their convention this year. Stupidity got us into this mess, but brains and especially heart might get us out. Will Rogers, roping in a prophetic joke!

Please share this video from our Facebook page HERE. You can also read the article LIV Board Member, Debbie Russell, wrote about this pick in Democratic primary runoff: Why is Austin Dems’ Echo Chamber Determined to Stop Susanna Ledesma-Woody? Call, text or visit your friends in any of these Austin zips and neighborhoods. Most voters are in Precinct 4. They can vote for Susanna if they voted in the Democratic Primary in March or did not vote in the primary. Description of Susanna's District, Travis County Commissioners Precinct 4 South Lamar, Bouldin Creek, Travis Heights, Garrison Park, Manchaca, Onion Creek, Creedmoor, Bluff Springs, Dittmar-Slaughter, Dove Springs, Franklin Park, Riverside, Montopolis, Del Valle, Mustang Ridge, Garfield, Webberville, Johnston Terrace, Govalle, East Cesar Chavez, Holly, Rainey Street, Travis Heights, 78704, 78702, 78741, 78745, 78748, 78744, 78747, 78719, 78617, 78742

As we head into Memorial Day to honor all fallen soldiers in all wars, some political leaders need know Texans want no kings of any party. The State of Texas is rich with voters of all stripes who are fed up with corporate trough-feeding via tax incentives and how water and energy is gamed to subsidize the richest people and corporations in the world. LIV is taking on Elon Musk's Space X tax incentives at the Bastrop Commissioners Court public hearing on Tuesday, May 26 at 9 am. AND we support Susanna Ledesma-Woody in the Democratic runoff on Tuesday for Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 4 (SE Travis County). Share this LIV Media Advisory however you can: Bastrop County Calls Meeting on Election Day to Hand Tax Incentives to the World's Richest Man The Democratic Party political "boss" in Central Texas, now (again) is Austin Mayor, Kirk Watson. He is maneuvering to stop Susanna Ledesma-Woody from winning the Democratic runoff on Tuesday for Travis County Commissioner Precinct 4. If you're on Facebook, please like and share our video endorsement of Susanna HERE. Then reach Stephen, Susanna's campaign assistant for how you can help @512.814.5210. AND, reach your friends who you think likely live in the district -- see the list HERE. * Watson is also the former State Senator for Bastrop County, who sat on his hands during the Vista Ridge "San Antone Hose," water grab.

LIV Media Advisory • May 22, 2026 For More Information: Linda Curtis, 512.360.8754 • contact@livtx.org BASTROP, TX – The Bastrop County Commissioners Court filed a cryptic notice for a hearing on Election Day, May 26 at 9 am to grant “possible incentives” (amount unknown) to Space X, a company under the control of the world’s richest man, soon to become its first trillionaire. Elon Musk can only get all his future stock rewards if SpaceX reaches feral hoggish and even farcical goals, including creating a permanent city on Mars with at least one million people. For whatever reason, the Bastrop Commissioners Court thinks it is their job to engage in this venture with our taxpayer dollars. The meeting will be held at the Bastrop County Courthouse, at 804 Pecan Street, on Tuesday, May 26, at 9:00 am, with a public hearing on the matter set for 9:30 am. Employed residents will have to take off from work the day after the Memorial Day weekend. Leaders of the League of Independent Voters of Texas, a 501c4 nonpartisan, nonprofit membership association for Texas nonaligned independent voters, will provide details to the court and media laying out what’s either missing in the Court’s proposed Order HERE or provides room for several Mack Trucks. At the next regular meeting of the Commissioners Court, on June 8, the court will address amending their tax abatement policies. We can’t wait to see how they can make this any worse. # Reach your County Officials: County Judge Gregory Klaus gregory.klaus@co.bastrop.tx.us lyndsey.schroeder@co.bastrop.tx.us Phone: (512) 332-7201 Commissioner Butch Carmack Commissioner Precinct 1Phone: (512) 332-7295 charles.carmack@co.bastrop.tx.us Commissioner Clara Beckett Commissioner Precinct 2 Phone: (512) 581-4002 clara.beckett@co.bastrop.tx.us Commissioner Mark Meuth Commissioner Precinct 3 Phone: (512) 581-4000 mark.meuth@co.bastrop.tx.us Commissioner David Glass Commissioner Precinct 4 Phone: (512) 581-4004 david.glass@co.bastrop.tx.us

This is a time for no subsidies for private enterprises with public money.. Those with an already lousy track record, like Tesla, need weening from our public trough. Pick your runoff candidates wisely! Susanna Ledesma-Woody is our “independent” Democratic pick as the only Travis County official (on the Del Valle School Board) to vote no in 2020 on the Tesla subsidies. Share this Facebook reel now, please. NOTICE for Bastrop County residents! On Tuesday, May 26 -- the last day to vote in the runoffs-- at 9 am, the Bastrop Commissioners Court could vote to trigger the Governor's honeypot -- the Texas Enterprise Fund -- for a taxpayer subsidy of Space X, whose largest investor is Elon Musk. The GOP platform wants to abolish all the "corporate welfare" giveaways in Texas law. See page 14, number 78 HERE. Hop on Zoom tonight at 8 for independent petitions and/or at 8:30 for the "Data Center Dance" that WE, voters across party lines, can put front and center. RSVP HERE* * Try your best to review what's on this event page to prepare for the discussion on data centers.

Click on this picture to read the full story by the Texas Tribune on Hill County's resolve to challenge AI data center abuse and for local control. Action Requests: ==>Help us reach lots more people! Share LIV's Facebook "reel" HERE Susanna Ledesma-Woody in this hot Dem runoff race for Travis County Commissioner Pct. 4. Remember, she's the only Travis County official who voted no on Tesla subsidies! More here on her district. LIV. supports voters and candidates regardless of party. ==>Join us on Monday night on petition strategies and data centers. ==>Join us at the Bastrop Commissioners Court, Tuesday, May 26, 9 am. Relevant to all Texans. On May 12, DFW area Hill County Commissioners passed a one-year pause on constructing data centers. It's a big deal and a real deal for the people of Texas. They cited public health and safety concerns. It was a bold move realizing they might be sued. Remember, we wrote about State Sen. Paul Bettencourt's bullying back in February of the Hood County Commissioners Court on a data center. moratorium but, as Hill County Commissioner Jim Holcomb put it: “Our hope and prayer was that [state leaders] take that vote as not a sign of defiance of the law, but as a plea for help to get some regulations in place to help protect our citizens,." Texas Tribune article, May 13, 2026 See the court's order HERE.* Hill County Commissioner's courageous vote came a few days after the uncourageous leader of the Central Texas growth machine, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson lined up his clueless and dutiful city council members. They passed Item 24 "on consent," which are supposed to be non-controversial items! It was a big handoff to an UNregulated industry (thanks to Save Our Springs for blowing the whistle) to open the door for taxpayer-funded subsidies for AI data centers. We believe that is on the Bastrop Commissioners Court agenda on May 26th. We hope to have more information on Monday night. Meanwhile, in Johnson County, which has been reeling from PFAS contamination about which we reported to you last year, Rep. Helen Kerwin (R-Cleburne) has urged the Governor for a moratorium and a Special Session on AI data centers. Kerwin is a strong ally of the Governor, and her daughter, Brook Rollins, is President Trump's Secretary of Agriculture. On March 12, Rep. Kerwin wrote this letter to the Governor asking for a pause (moratorium). Today, we confirmed with her office that she is also asking for a Special Session. Only the Governor can call one. LIV believes it is vitally important to have a special session immediately as this cannot wait until the 2027 session. As Hill County stands, a cross-partisan, cross-generational backlash on AI data centers arises across the state.and country. Check out this extraordinary Breaking Points discussion today on what Tucker Carlson and Zack Exley (on the Right and Left) have to say about it. AI may be getting smarter, but so are we! See you on Monday night for petition strategies for independent candidates @8 pm sharp. Remember, independents must file petitions no later than June 25. Data centers are on at 8:30. AND we need you anytime NOW to snag that Travis County seat for Susanna and all of us regular people just trying to live here!

We've known Susanna for nearly 20 years, since she first started organizing modest-income people in SE Travis County and then served on the Del Valle School Board -- without pay for 15 years and counting. It was and still is an act of Susanna's love for and commitment to the community. Last week, I got a call from a longtime retired Democratic official, someone I respect and love. He was irritated that LIV is supporting Susanna Ledesma Woody (not to be confused with Susanna Almanza of PODER) in the heated Democratic Party runoff for Travis County Commissioner Precinct 4. Note: There is no contest in November, so who wins the runoff on Tuesday, May 26, will serve in this seat. LIV just released a video supporting Susanna HERE. Please share! Here's why you should beware of the effort to stop Susanna by Austin's echo chamber. In the last two election cycles, Susanna ran against longtime incumbent Margaret Gomez, who is now retiring. In Susanna’s second run, she lost to the 20-year incumbent by only 248 votes, shocking the Democratic Party establishment. LIV Board Member, Debbie Russell, who served with Susanna for eight years on the Del Valle School Board, wrote about our support HERE. Folks, there are many good people supporting either of these candidates. But if you visit the list of people supporting Susanna's opponent, George Morales, you see what the problem is. It’s a pile-on of the Austin political establishment, calling political consultants “community leaders,” big real estate committed to Austin’s growth machine and political organizations that serve to keep “progressives” on a leash. The simple truth is Susanna Ledesma-Woody is deeply rooted in the district. Susanna is our kind of independent Democrat. We love her for being the only Travis County official who voted against Tesla tax subsidies, aka corporate welfare! Join us! Susanna needs help making phone calls, knocking on doors, joining her text bank and, of course, she needs donations. Click on the map to see if you can vote in Precinct 4 or HERE. Susanna's Website is HERE. Also, please like, comment and share the video from LIV's Facebook page HERE, Early voting starts on May 18 Election Day is Tuesday, May 26 Many thanks to LIV Board Members, Debbie Russell and David Jones, for video production and to Susanna for never giving up for Del Valle!

The Hustle, a dance for Boomers needs a big update -- Pay it Forward -- with old and new dance partners. As you might know, the major party primary runoffs start on May 18. We are supporting one local candidate, Susanna Ledesma-Woody for Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 4. Then, we will move quickly to help independents petition to get on the November ballot. If you live near or in the unincorporated area of SE Travis County or parts of Del Valle, reach out to us at contact@livtx.org or our new phone number at 512.360.8754. ‬ Susanna's ties as a longtime volunteer in the Del Valle Community can make "paying it forward" meaningful for our incoming generations. More from LIV HERE. Tonight's LIV Meeting on Petitions & Data Centers: RSVP HERE Review at least the first 4 pages of the GEAA Report before 8 pm: HERE At 8 pm, we will focus on petition efforts for independents. At 8:30 pm Rachel Hanes, Policy Director for the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) will be on the line to review their dynamite 62-page policy review of data centers. Wet your whistle with this paragraph pulled from page 23: In 2023, the Texas State Comptroller estimated that a state sales and use tax exemption program for property used by certain data centers would cost the state $130 million in Fiscal Year 2025. Instead, this program cost the state an estimated $1.016 billion in Fiscal Year 2025, “making it one of the most expensive subsidy programs for any industry in any state” [107] (see Figure 8). Data center subsidies are now predicted by the Texas Comptroller to cost the state at least $9 billion combined between 2025 and 2030 and at least $1.3 to $1.75 billion annually [109]. This projection is likely to be an underestimate as well." And then there's the water and energy data center dance hustle. In Texas, this us unforgivable. Water consumption has been largely confused and hidden from Texans. We'll talk about it tonight. Have you become a member of the all-volunteer LIV this year? You can still vote in the primaries or be active in a minor party. What might you be waiting for to join LIV? Dues start at just $10 for the year. The door is open for all those weary of the same old hustle who prefer to pay it forward.

Rachel Hanes, Policy Director, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is our special guest Monday. Click on this picture for GEAA's terrific Data Center paper. It's scary to see the dysfunction of government from the highest to the lowest levels. The State of Texas and local governments are using tax incentives for unsustainable energy and water demands. Everyone who lives here knows how all kinds of Texas- wrong this is. What can we do? Join our Monday night meeting at 8 pm (RSVP HERE) to help independents -- voters who are dealigning from both parties -- become informed on the problems and solutions on data centers with Rachel Hanes of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance. Check our their policy paper, Data Centers in Texas: A Review and Call for Innovation and Regulation -- Heads Up: it's 62 pages and, as always, well done by GEAA just released HERE. There will only be a handful of independent candidates on the November ballot. They will file their petitions in June, so you will meet them soon! Meanwhile, independents can vote in the Texas primary runoffs of the major parties. Early voting begins on Monday, May 18. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26. (Caution: You can’t switch parties, though, if you voted in the March primary.) SUSANNA LEDESMA-WOODY Someone who doesn't just go along to get along and faces her community -- Susanna is that! Visit her site HERE. click on the. window for LIV's short endorsement video. LIV is not endorsing in the statewide runoffs for Lt. Gov., Attorney General, etc; but, we are supporting independent Dem Susanna Ledesma-Woody in an important Travis County Commissioner race in Precinct 4, southeast Austin and Del Valle. Susanna is a quintessential independent thinker, otherwise known as an insurgent. She was the only Travis. County Official NOT to support incentives to Tesla. We wrote about her independence from the Austin Democratic establishment HERE. She is also an extraordinary person by all accounts. Help LIV help Susanna starting NOW on the phone or at the doors by signing up to volunteer for Susanna HERE. Luvya, and hope to see ya! LIV Team PS The Texas Tribune just published this -- Texas Republicans Have a Data Center Problem.

BIG thanks to new member, Leslie Scouras for researching and writing the "Data Center Dance" for LIV. BIG kudos as well to longtime LIV Board Member, David Jones for his stellar narration. Two weeks ago, we had a great presentation on the "Data Center Dance." However, the audio was not good. Thanks to Leslie and David, we now have a great 16-minute non-hyperbolic presentation of the very real problems facing Texans on how the Legislature opened the barn door to allow an industry to take advantage of our land, our water and our tax dollars. This is great stuff, folks! Watch, share and comment on our Facebook page HERE. This coming Monday night, we will talk about the Data Center Dance and its likely partner, the Texas Data Center Hustle a well-worn dance Texas independents are getting wise to. RSVP for next Monday night's meeting HERE. PS If you haven 't become a member or donated to the all-volunteer LIV, please do HERE.

Ron Paul Several of us from LIV attended the Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity's fundraiser in Lake Jackson, Texas, entitled, "War is on the Menu," It was informative, with a dynamic line up of a speakers including independent journalist, Brian McGlinchey, political science professor, Robert Pape, former Congresswoman, Marjorie Taylor Greene, recently resigned Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, and of course, the inimitable Ron Paul. Ron Paul, now 90 years young, stood and spoke to us forcefully and brilliantly. Interestingly, as always, there was a healthy attendance of young people because Ron Paul reaches out to them in every way possible. Dr. Ron Paul and LIV's Linda Curtis I got a chance to talk with Dr. Paul for a few minutes letting him know when I first fell in love with him. I was there in 1988 when he and Lenora Fulani debated as the only minor party presidential candidates on the ballot in all 50 states. The NY-based black pro-socialist progressive Fulani was treated by Dr. Paul with the utmost respect, and she responded in kind. Then they had a thorough-going debate about Reaganomics! We captured Dr. Paul's extraordinary 45-minute talk at this event. Try to watch as much as you can before our Monday night meeting. Be sure to sign up to get the Zoom instructions: RSVP HERE

While warmongers seemed determined to fight the power of nature, LIV is celebrating Earth Day in San Marcos today, Saturday, April 18, in San Marcos, at the water wonderful Meadows Center. Join us 10 am to 4. Enjoy the free glass bottom boat tours. Details HERE . PS We can use some help at our booth. Look for the cowgirl trailer, pick up some swag and play the Water Grab Games and win a prize. This coming Monday night we meet as usual at 8 pm. We will have a go at Data Centers Part 2. Sign up HERE .