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This note we received yesterday from Tom, a longtime LIV member from Caldwell County, made me cry with gratitude. In the same envelope was a $1.00 money order. Today we know the results of Biden's last-minute escalation of attacks on Russia, as hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are without power. How do regular "schmoes" like Tom and myself get the power to end this war madness? Ending war starts inside of our hearts and with our families and friends. I hope you can find a way to talk about this -- not fight about it -- over the holidays. Peace out, y'all, for a permanent thanksgiving. Hoping to meet you on the other side.

LAWSUIT CHALLENGES TEXAS BALLOT ACCESS LAWS! Mark Cuban, shark for democracy BIG news for Texas Independents! With some powerful pro-bono legal chops from Shearman & Sterling and the non-profit Center for Competitive Democracy — against the unfair petition rules for independents and minor parties in Texas — independent voters hit the news! The suit was filed within days of Ross Perot’s passing. Perot had the deep pockets to afford a “world-class” campaign in 1992 and 1996. But you shouldn’t have to be a billionaire to run. That is why it is remarkable for another Texas independent billionaire, Mark Cuban, to be a supporter of this challenge to open up Texas ballot access laws. He can afford it, like Ross Perot. Today, we continue the battle for competitive elections. It’s all about the millions of voters in Texas who want more choices, regardless of their voting status. Read the press release here. Lawsuit Press Release 7-11-2019 Read the suit here. Complaint Texas Petitions Check out this August 9, 2019 article in Texas Lawyer about the heavyweights providing pro-bono services for this important litigation: Big Law Pro Bono Counsel Backs Texas Ballot-Access Lawsuit _ Texas Lawyer PS A founder of LIV, Michele Gangnes, Esq., and LIV Advisory Board member, Mark Miller, are independent plaintiffs in this litigation. Much of the news coverage has focused on the Libertarian and Green parties, who are important to this suit. But the impact of this litigation is most dramatic when you think about it more Texans are independent than those who identify with any party. This includes many people who vote in the Texas open primaries in either major party. Texas independents are likely at least about 38% in 2019. (National Gallup Polls have tracked independents since 2004 — see here .) #MarkCuban #lawsuit #RossPerot #GallupPoll #fairballotaccess #TexasLawye

Update 11/25/24: Carmen has withdrawn her request for a recount. Check out this KUT article here . T hank you, Carmen, for running. You and Austin voters have a future -- in or out of the electoral arena. Update 11/22/24 : Carmen filed for a recount. The story is in today's Austin Monitor here . Original Article posted 11/18/24 : Most local Austin media missed the best story of the Austin Election. Some also ran misleading headlines about the outcome of the Austin Mayoral race. It's not over yet, folks! That's because Kirk Watson 's* margin over Carmen Llanes Pulido is only 14 votes. Watson has approximately 50.004%. Pulido received 20.1% Mind you, this was in a 5-way race. It's our understanding that the earliest Pulido can call for a recount is after the canvass on Tuesday (tomorrow), November 19. Pulido has indicated she may ask for one. The canvass announcement begins at 9 am at City Hall and you can watch there or online here . Here's the resolution they will be working with. It's a shame to bury this story of the Austin Election. In this mayoral first round, based on the latest campaign finance reports analyzed by the Austin-based independent media outlet, The Austin Bulldog , on October 29, Watson spent approximately $955,+ to garner 176,000 votes, approximately $5.50 per vote. The independent (nonaligned) poverty and environmental heroine, Pulido, spent approximately $107K, approximately $1.94 per vote. (Note: This does not include spending that does not have to be reported until January 15th and the PAC spending behind these two candidates.) LIV Thoughts on the First Round: City Council elections in Texas are nonpartisan. No one runs on a party line. But Austin moved its city council races to November elections in 2012, putting them on a crowded and highly partisan ballot, this year with the presidential election. Carmen Llanes Pulido was supported by a new PAC, Austin United . AU's attempt at innovation and cross-partisanship with the "Replacements" (see ad) was creative and laudable. But for LIV (and perhaps many nonaligned voters) they might be missing the forest for the trees: the small "d" democracy argument, aka open government. You see, the Mayor and his minions on the Austin City Council handed an opposing coalition the democracy argument when two attorneys -- Bill Bunch and Bill Aleshire -- caught the Mayor in a legal action violating TOMA -- the Texas Open Meetings Act. Watson and his dutiful Council placed a bevy of charter amendments on the ballot without allowing public input as required under TOMA. Several of those amendments would have caused serious harm to citizen's right to petition. The right to petition is widely supported across the political spectrum and Watson has been on record for years trying to neuter them. We wrote about all of the above in the article posted at the end, "Two attorneys named Bill". Those Who Blame 10-1 Are Also On Wrong Track Some Austin politicos have taken to laying blame on Austin's 10-1 for the geographic representation voting system (and don't forget its independent citizens redistricting commission - ICRC -- that is part of 10-1) for "the lack of a more diverse, opinionated body... but also a body much more attuned to the business interests than it should be,” according to key 10-1 leader, Peck Young , Austin Free Press article, " Buyer's Remorse ." LIV's Linda Curtis , a longtime independent who also played a key role in Austin's 10-1 movement said: "I challenge my brilliant friend, Peck Young, to find some political science. Might the problem be seen in what else was put on the same ballot with 10-1 in 2012 -- by the City Council? Moving their municipal elections to November (rendering our nonpartisan city elections to a long and partisan ballot) with the self-serving claim it would be better for minorities (even raising the race card if you didn't support it) and extending Council terms from 3 to 4-year terms have anything to do with it? For cripes sake, the U.S. House has two-year terms!" Disbursing power across an array of stakeholders, not political operatives, is the only real shot citizens have to counter-balance special interests. That is why in this election open government (aka small "d democracy") is the issue, but no one has claimed it by leading with it. For sure, there is a very important runoff in District 7 : Mike Siegel v. Gary Bledsoe: Open government is the issue Early voting is Dec. 2-10, Election Day is December 14 The iconic civil rights leader, Gary Bledsoe , got in late in a six-way race for City Council District 7. Bledsoe garnered over 19% of the vote with Mike Siegel at the top of the heap with 40%. Bledsoe has also stated his clear support for open government. We believe him. Not so fast, LIV! Just before LIV published this article, we received this article from The Austin Bulldog , Mayor Watson’s ethics complaint hearing stalled. " Former Austin Ethics Commissioner and neighborhood activist, Betsy Greenberg , is to be congratulated for a job well done in a split decision 3 to 3, so it's still pending, and despite a broken Ethics Commission process. At least Greenberg, who is not an attorney mind you, forced the very astute lawyer and Mayor Watson and his attorney, Jim Couser who is also no slouch, to show up and to account. In a discussion with LIV, Greenberg agreed that the Ethics Commission needs fixing, or is it unfixing? For example, we agreed that members of the Commission should not be chosen by Council Members. They could easily be chosen randomly by lottery, as is the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission enacted under 10-1. Other fixes deserve citizen attention in municipalities across the state. More soon, but feel free to comment here or on our Facebook page . Thank you! *Note: Austin's fluky term limits law does not work like presidential term limits. Trump will only have a second term of four years. Meanwhile, Kirk Watson could get a 4th mayoral term for another agonizing 4 years because council members are limited to two "consecutive" terms. The law also allows members to get around term limits by petitioning to run again. See here on Ballotpedia. Background Articles : The Austin Bulldog : Watson wins fourth term as mayor * (caution to Kirk is for sure in) The Austin Monitor : Kirk Watson avoids runoff, secures new term as Austin mayor LIV News : Two Attorneys Named Bill Strike Again for Open Government in Texas: Austin's tricky charter amendments taken off the ballot . Check out our article in this LIV News edition, " The little city that could and did ," as LIV experiments with cross-partisan organizing in Bastrop. Open government is our centerpiece. The Austin Bulldog , Mayor Watson’s ethics complaint hearing stalled. "

While the Ds and Rs were at each other's throats in the national and state elections, the small city* of Bastrop with a population of 12,000, was the scene of cross-partisan matchmaking for good government. Citizens from across party lines passed most all of Propositions A through L. The measures were placed on the ballot by the all-volunteer City Charter Revision Commission. LIV and Independent Texans PAC's review of the measures was read by almost 1,200 people online and more than 1,000 people on paper we met at the polls. There are approximately 7,000 registered voters in the City. And we know many individuals who were pulling for the measures, especially Prop K, so congratulations to all! This includes Councilwoman Kerry Fossler who led the effort to get Prop K through the Charter Revision Commission and placed on the ballot. Props K and L were most important to the loose-knit coalition we refer to as "Bastropians for Open Government." Prop K, the open government amendment passed with 73%. Prop L would have allowed the City Manager to live outside the city and was handily defeated at 62%. A pivotal meeting is coming up this Tuesday of the Bastrop City Council to begin the evaluation of the City Manager, Sylvia Carrillo . We have written about her role in a wasteful and viciously false recall petition directed at Mayor Lyle Nelson . The premise of the recall fell apart months ago when the County Attorney's Office released a "nothingburger" on the investigation of allegations of misuse of public funds, a key claim in the recall. But the city -- thanks to Carrillo -- is now spending more money on lawyers to try to save the fatally flawed recall petition. Her handpicked city secretary and longtime friend, Irma Parker , was paid $50,000 for twelve weeks of work, including certifying the petition. Proposition K, the "open government amendment," passed with 73% for a reason. It will make the majority of the city council (3 of 5) end their private meetings where they engaged in their own "vote rigging" or face a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. Nice, eh!? Please remember the names of those who engaged in those private meetings. They are John Kirkland , Kevin Plunkett , Cynthia Meyer , and before he lost his Council seat, Jimmy Crouch . All are, not coincidentally, Nelson recallers. Please consider showing up on Tuesday to put forth your own ideas on how to get the City Manager, Sylvia Carrillo , properly evaluated, in line, or out the door. LIV's ideas are: Fire the City Manager for violating the city charter by purchasing a home in March outside the city before Prop L was even on the ballot. Now that Prop L failed, this might be a signal from the voters to let Carrillo go or be given a serious probationary period and pay cut . If you cannot get the votes to send Carrillo packin', take back that fat-cat $50,000 raise she was given after just one year of service. That was John Kirkland's move -- a 28% increase in pay last year. See 20 cities the size of Bastrop with the average city manager pay at $180,000, not $230,000. Again, in our view, Carrillo would be lucky to keep her job. Get Carrillo to direct Irma Parker to drop the recall petition already! It is still being pursued in court and paid for by the city -- the taxpayers. Please note that Kirkland and the other recallers were enabled by Carrillo to run up a $137,080 bill in legal and investigative fees, not including a tab currently running on legal fees to defend the recall petition. Council should also set a date for the hiring of someone else as Parker's contract with the city expired on October 25th. See memo here . For a longer-term investment in cross-partisan matchmaking, please join LIV . We care about open and honest government and nothing about your party affiliation or ideology. That's up to you. Dues begin at just $10 for the year and share this post. *Note : City government is nonpartisan in Texas. Officeholders do not run on a party line. LIV loves nonpartisan elections.

CAUTION : We at LIV are not trying to get you to vote for a particular candidate in this election. It is your choice, a choice we respect as yours and yours alone. We can only say this about "truth." Anyone who claims they have a lock on truth is likely a grifter. LIV will be looking at election results over the coming days from this vantage point: What does the conduct of both parties -- and the "independent movement" -- mean for the development of voters who are moving independent of the major political parties, including those who will not vote in this election. Meanwhile... One of the world's leading political scientists who swore off "truth" a long time ago, Prof. John Mearsheimer , explained in this extraordinary interview on Sunday with German podcaster, Jasmin Kosubek , why he cannot vote for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump . Prof. Jeff Sachs also recently announced the same, swearing off both major party candidates. Both professors are welcomed across the globe but virtually blotted out by the "blob" in so-called U.S. mainstream media. Mearsheimer reminds us so well that the presidency is all about our standing in the world -- our foreign policy -- and that the genocide happening today in Israel is an unacceptable red line for him and millions of Americans from all walks of life. Stay tuned and we hope you will watch this entire remarkable podcast. Join with us to learn that "truth" is to be discovered, not to be rammed on us. Ballot Access News! This month's Ballot Access News tells us independent voters continue to be third-class voters. Note for Texans, the lawsuit taken in 2019 to open up Texas ballot access has failed at the Firth Circuit Court of Appeals. Thank you -- Center for Competitive Democracy -- for all your efforts as well as BAN. No big surprise, but we'll talk about this soon. See BAN HERE. What's next for the independent movement? Here's our favorite local activist in this election cycle. This is the fastest-talking Texan, 93-year-old Reta Ward . She grew up in the little town of Blue, Texas (Lee County), a rural community besieged by the growth follies of both parties in Texas. Yes, the world's wealthiest man who is gambling ( literally ) on this election, and our water, lives in the same county. Reta has -- to date -- spent more hours at the Bastrop County Courthouse sharing our views on Propositions A through M than any of us. Thank you, Reta, and see you and more folks tomorrow! Here's the blog we put out about Props A through M in the city of Bastrop that's been seen by several thousand of the city's 7,000 voters -- online and on paper at the polls. Think about sharing our blog or the 8-second video below on Prop K for open government, won't you? Good Deals, Bad Deals and No Deals in the city of Bastrop. Thank you. for voting...or not. It's your call entirely! Last, but not least, thanks to this submission by Andy Griffith, a wonderful educator, writer and friend of LIV, you can read: " In Defense of Drones: Why Congress Should Not Ground Innovation in Agriculture ."

Watch this 8-second video and please share as you wish, including from our Facebook page or post on your own social media. A vote FOR Prop K is for closing a loophole in the Bastrop City Charter that seems to allow the majority -- 3 of 5 voting members of the city council -- to meet in private to discuss city business. That's not right! Prop K, if passed, will fix the problem and is agreed upon by Dems, Repubs and independents. Imagine that! Thank you! For more information, please also visit BastropBOG.com .

In recent years, drones have moved from novelty to necessity in American agriculture. Among the leaders in this space, DJI drones have become essential tools, helping farmers and ranchers improve efficiency, reduce costs, and embrace sustainable practices. However, recent calls to ban the import of DJI drones over national security and market competition concerns have raised alarm in the agricultural community. While these concerns are understandable, an outright ban would harm America’s agricultural sector, stifling innovation and progress when they are most needed. The Essential Role of Drones in Agriculture Drones have become vital to modern agriculture, with the agricultural drone market expected to exceed $5 billion by 2025 ( DroneLife, 2020 ). In defense of DJI drones, they have helped farmers optimize crop monitoring, soil analysis, and precision spraying. According to a report from Today's Farmer Magazine , drones offer aerial data that can assess field conditions at a granular level, allowing farmers to pinpoint precise areas that require irrigation, pesticides, or other treatments. These tools allow farmers to increase yields, reduce input costs, and manage their resources more sustainably. For example, drones can target specific areas for treatment, reducing the use of water, fertilizer, and pesticides. This precision not only saves resources but also helps to minimize the environmental impact of farming ( AgWeb, 2023 ). Farmers have been vocal about the value drones bring to their operations. As a result, there is significant concern that recent FAA proposals and potential bans on DJI drones would restrict farmers' access to the very technologies that are transforming the industry ( American Farm Bureau, 2023 ). The consequences could be dire not only for the efficiency of American farms but also for the broader sustainability goals of modern agriculture. Addressing National Security Concerns The primary argument for banning DJI drones revolves around national security. Critics argue that because DJI is a Chinese company, its drones could be used for espionage or data theft. While national security concerns must be taken seriously, there is little concrete evidence that DJI drones pose a unique threat in this regard. Moreover, existing safeguards, such as encrypted data transmission and improved cybersecurity protocols, can mitigate these risks ( Droneller, 2023 ). Banning DJI drones would not eliminate the need for agricultural drones in the U.S.; it would merely make them less accessible and more expensive for farmers. DJI drones are popular because they offer an effective balance of affordability and functionality. Removing them from the market would likely push farmers to purchase more expensive, less effective alternatives, hurting small and mid-sized farms the most. As many farmers have noted, they would struggle to afford higher-priced drones produced by other manufacturers ( American Farm Bureau , 2023 ). This would lead to a direct increase in operational costs and reduce access to cutting-edge technology. The Importance of Competition Supporters of a DJI ban often argue that eliminating DJI from the U.S. market would create room for American drone companies to grow. While supporting domestic innovation is crucial, forcing competition by banning the current market leader is not the best solution. Encouraging U.S. drone manufacturers to compete on innovation and merit, rather than through protectionist policies, would be a better approach. For instance, expanding government funding for research and development and incentivizing startups through grants would spur growth in the domestic drone industry without hampering the current market ( DroneLife, 2020 ). Many American companies are already making significant strides in the drone industry. However, forcing them to fill the void left by DJI would likely result in higher costs and slower adoption of drone technology. According to the Farm Bureau , drones have enabled farmers to improve their sustainability practices and precision farming techniques. A balanced market, including both domestic and international players, will drive innovation and benefit the agriculture industry as a whole. Undermining Sustainability and Precision Agriculture Perhaps most concerning is that a ban on DJI drones would undermine sustainability efforts and hinder the expansion of precision agriculture. Drones enable farmers to manage their land more precisely, reducing the need for chemical inputs and optimizing water use. These technologies are vital to the future of sustainable farming and are critical for addressing environmental challenges. Precision agriculture, made possible by drones, allows farmers to manage crops at a level of detail previously unimaginable. The ability to assess the health of crops, monitor soil conditions, and respond to issues in real time is essential for maximizing productivity and sustainability ( Farm Bureau, 2023 ). Removing DJI drones the most accessible and affordable tools would force farmers back to less efficient, more environmentally harmful practices. Moreover, a study from AgWeb  found that drones are helping farms reduce water waste, improve nutrient management, and lower pesticide application rates. The environmental gains achieved through drone usage are essential to the future of farming, and reducing access to these technologies would take the industry a step backward in its sustainability goals. Conclusion: A Ban Is a Step Backward Instead of banning DJI drones, Congress should work with the industry to address legitimate security concerns while preserving the benefits drones bring to agriculture. The stakes are too high to disrupt the progress farmers have made toward sustainability, efficiency, and precision farming. We must find a way to balance national security with the continued advancement of agriculture. DJI drones are not just technology; they are essential tools that help farmers feed America and the world. Congress should ensure that both innovation and security can coexist, or risk taking a giant step backward for American agriculture. As Representatives from a state that leads the nation in agricultural output, Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, along with Representatives from all the great agriculture districts, including August Pfluger (TX-11) and Pat Fallon (TX-4), have a unique responsibility to protect the interests of their constituents, particularly farmers and ranchers. Find your legislators here . About the Author: Andy Griffith is an economics instructor and a seasoned political consultant. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master’s in education. Residing in The Woodlands, Andy combines his expertise in both education and politics to guide future leaders and advise political candidates on policy.

Independent Texans PAC and the League of Independent Voters recommend the following on Bastrop Ballot Propositions.   City of Bastrop’s Charter Amendments: YES on A thru K, K most important to pass! NO on Prop L, M, and NO ESD#3 tax hike   YES on Props A, B, E, F, G, and H : They amend the Bastrop city charter to conform to state laws passed by the Legislature, to get rid of now legally irrelevant or outdated language, or to clarify what is already in practice (Prop H). Election Info here . You can also print out a shorter version of this post to take with you to the polls here .   Why YES on Props C, D, and K * : All are basic and common-sense open government amendments.   *YES (FOR) on Prop K is especially important:   Proposition K is about transparency.    Right now, a voting block of council members – 3 out of 5 — can meet privately to discuss city business, out of the public eye. That’s all kind of wrong that can be stopped with Prop K.  Please share this with your city of Bastrop friends. Visit Bastropians for Open Government for more details here . Don't BOG transparency down, y'all!   YES (FOR) on Prop I: Bastrop City Council members including the Mayor are paid no salary. They currently receive a monthly stipend -- $75 for City council and $150 for the Mayor. Prop I will NOT APPLY to any current members of the Council or the Mayor. If Prop I passes, stipends will be raised to $300 per month for City Council and $400 per month for the Mayor. Given the amount of time given by Council members and the Mayor to the city, this is the least we can do. YES (FOR) Prop J : This measure would ensure a citizen Charter Review Commission is established every 6 years when the city charter is reviewed. As it is written now, citizen input is not required and the charter review would be based on a written report from the City Manager.   NO (AGAINST) Prop L: The city of Bastrop has always required that their city manager live within the city. It’s in the city charter. The current City Manager wants to live outside the city in the county, but changing the charter to remove it altogether would allow the City Manager to live anywhere at all. In a county known for its emergencies, on its face, this is a bad idea. Moreover, it would be fiscally prudent to have the highest paid city employee (the current City Manager is paid $230,000 per year, in our view $50,000 more than she should be paid) paying the same tax rates to the city as the citizens they serve. (See chart of City Manager salaries in 20 comparable Texas cities here .)   NO (AGAINST) on Prop M We have always defended the right to petition, even when citizen petitions get things wrong. It appears to us that Ground Game, the proponents of this petition, have failed to make their case for passage of this proposition, which claims to be for the “limited enforcement of marijuana offenses.”   The City of Bastrop’s police department already makes low level marijuana offenses a low priority. The City has posted their police department’s response to this measure in this seemingly fair explanation of Prop M at the end of this page here . In the explanation linked above, city police claim that this measure could “potentially increase” enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses. We are trying to fact-check this claim, but this is really the responsibility of the proponents of Prop M.   We asked the proponents to provide their arguments for this amendment and to even counter the Bastrop police claims. We have not received a response and there is no website providing the argument for Prop M. Therefore, we are suggesting a No vote.   Regrettably, NO on ESD#3 Though it is clear that most Bastropians (who live in the city or county) need more ambulance service, this proposition is asking for a lot of money. If this passes a $.10 per $100 valuation of your home value will be added to your property taxes. For example, for a home worth $200,000, the homeowner will see a $200 raise in their property taxes. This tax hike will also likely be reflected in rents.   As we see it, the problem is there’s little information to clarify other potentially more affordable options, which might have included easing this tax hike in for Bastrop’s modest-income residents. There are no exemptions for seniors.   Here is the proponent’s website. They are good people working in EMS, but there just isn’t enough information for us to support this yet:   https://voteforbastropesd3.org We hope if this measure fails, another option comes forward in the near future. We would be happy to play our part to get it passed. Deeper Dive Homework on ESDs : You may also find this discussion about ESDs at the Texas Municipal League helpful. There can be issues with them if they're not done with precision and care: https://www.tml.org/DocumentCenter/View/195/Emergency-Services-Districts---2015-03-PDF

Congratulations to Congressman Collin Allred who gave Senator Ted Cruz , well-known as a great debater, a solid boxing about the ears in Dallas on Tuesday night. Early voting starts on Monday and lasts through Friday, November 1. Allred's strategy was to speak the language of independent voters. It's not that hard, folks. In the discussion about Israel, Allred used this simple word -- "diplomacy." It was met with Cruz's screeches of "anti-semitism." In so doing, Cruz exposed his fanatical support for the dangerous and inhumane (see our next article) escalation of war throughout the Middle East, funded by U.S. taxpayers. In this race, Cruz has received at least $250,000 from the tail that wags the U.S. foreign policy dog in the Middle East. It's called The Israel Lobby (AIPAC) the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. See Open Secrets here . Cruz attacked Allred for taking contributions (at least $123,000) from J Street , a liberal zionist organization dedicated to solving the Israel-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution. Ted knows the two-state solution ain't no "radical Left" proposal, but that was the blather coming from his lips. Here's the nitty gritty for us independents. Texas is not considered to be a swing state in this presidential election, by key Democratic strategist's own admission. However, polls are showing a possible dead heat between Cruz and Allred. Was Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s decision to remove his name from the Texas ballot really more about helping Ted Cruz than Donald Trump ? We think so. This frees Texas independents to split our tickets and to swing this Senate race and to be more free to vote for third party or independent options. We suggest you watch the WFAA-TV debate for yourself. Click on the video posted above. We also love independent journalists like Lee Fang who reminds us of, " Ted Cruz's Little Known History as a Big Tech Lawyer, Astroturf Bailout Lobbyist ." Read our post on OTHER OPTIONS to consider down the ballot and in nonpartisan elections. The first live-streamed genocide in history has been seen now by well over 1 million people. Glenn Greenwald interviewed the director, longtime mainstream British journalist, Richard Sanders . Please beware of graphic content, but don't turn your eyes and heart to what is happening, brought to us by both parties. It's all on our dime and with a great deal of effort to shut down the discussion by Governor Abbott and both party establishments. OTHER ELECTORAL OPTIONS DOWN BALLOT Knowing your choices are limited in our current electoral environment, please do your best. You do have minor party options like the Libertarian Party and Green Party candidates, especially in states like Texas that are unlikely to be swing states in the presidential race. There are also a few independents on the ballot in Texas, see here . We congratulate them for achieving ballot access and for giving voters an independent, nonpartisan option. LIV has been involved locally in Bastrop County and in the City of Bastrop. Consider our FOR and AGAINST local measures here: Bastrop Ballot Propositions: Good deals A thru K, Bad deals L & M, No deal ESD#3 If you agree or disagree, that's your right. We're happy to address your concerns or to simply allow you to provide a comment at the bottom of the article. We are also leading a conversation on NextDoor. After this election, we will continue building alliances with some Democrats and Republicans who are working to clean up and open up their parties. And we will be asking for your help in runoffs and in the upcoming 2025 legislative session. We hope to see a far more competitive field of candidates in 2026, but to do that, we need your continued participation and membership. Let's have a fair, secure and peaceful election and don't forget that you can split your ticket in November and vote for the person, not necessarily the party. That's all for now folks, but feel free to comment here or on our facebook page! NEWS CLIPS, PODCASTS & MORE Extraordinary! KXAN-TV held a debate among the five candidates for Austin Mayor. There are five candidates in this race, added together all are outspent by Mayor Kirk Waston. See the debate for yourself here . Austin Mayor and former State Senator Kirk Watson is running for a fourth term for Austin Mayor. Will Austin voters finally dump the serial incumbent and leader of the Central Texas Growth Machine? Thanks to Andrew Wheat of the Austin Free Press for this great article: “ Dirt Sorry”: Austin Mayor Kirk Watson proposes city land deal tied to a PAC backing his reelection . We really enjoyed this podcast on water at Policy in the Pasture Podcast with Andy Wier, Executive Director of the Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund, a nonprofit organization doing the heavy lifting in water policy and landowner defense. Must Read : Environmental writer, extraordinaire, Brendon Gibbons , now at Oil & Gas Watch writes about what's going on with the effort in Lee County to move a mega-power plant from the beautiful rural community of Blue to a nearby more appropriate location: In deep-red Texas, neighbors fight gas power plant next door – one of scores proposed across U.S.

Update : On Saturday, September 21, attorneys for Bastrop Mayor Lyle Nelson -- Bill Aleshire and David Bragg -- filed suit for a writ of mandamus in the Third District Court of Appeals. Nelson finally filed suit to ask the court to direct the Interim City Secretary, Irma Parker , to rule the recall Nelson petition as insufficient , contrary to her decision to render it sufficient on September 17. Untie the recall noose, Bastrop! See suit here . For the last year, an effort to recall Bastrop Mayor Lyle Nelson was conducted by sitting city council members, led by John Kirkland that included recently defeated Jimmy Crouch. Kirkland was joined by City Council Members Kevin Plunkett and Cynthia Meyer . They used a petition that tricked signers with artful language to imply that Nelson and his "girlfriend" ( Susan Smith, the former CEO of Visit Bastrop ) were involved in "misuse of public funds." (It's a long story we have followed in articles posted at the bottom of this post.) Any five-year-old could see that a recall petition circulated by City Council members is a conflict of interest. It might be legal, but it is about as unethical as it gets . To our knowledge as supporters of the right to petition, we've never seen Council Members using recall petitions. Recall petitions are directed to the City Council to call for a recall election. How do you petition yourself? By the way, the petition didn't even use the words "recall," or an "election." Over the last year, Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo repeatedly referenced an "investigation" to justify her refusal to release information that might have cleared Nelson from accusations of wrongdoing. No thanks to Carrillo, the recallers finally hit a brick wall. On September 12 the Bastrop District Attorney's Office released a letter announcing the Grand Jury's investigation resulted in a decision to NO BILL Susan Smith , due to lack of evidence. (See LIV's " Recaller's House of Cards in Collapse .") Guess what. There was no investigation of Lyle Nelson! A reasonable person might think that once the DA's investigation came up with a nothingburger, the recall petition would be dropped by petitioners. Nope. At the September 17 City Council meeting, City Secretary, Irma Parker , the Interim City Secretary who was hired a few weeks earlier by her longtime friend, Sylvia Carrillo, ruled the petition "sufficient." We have serious doubts about how petitioners have "fixed" the problem as reported by Parker, but that is now left up to a court of law to determine unless Parker stands down. At the September 17 City Council meeting, not a word was said by anyone on the dais about the DA's ruling. Parker's boss, Sylvia Carillo, was not present. Recaller Council Member Cynthia Meyer defended Parker who, when asked by the Mayor if she had consulted with the City Attorney, said, "I report to the City Manager, sir.' What's really going on here? This one is also real simple. Carrillo can count to three. This paragraph was updated 9/25/24 : The recallers have the votes to terminate Carrillo, but don't count on it. Carrillo's contract here automatically renews. Our understanding is that she will renew at her current pay of $230,000. (And, she may also keep her $42,000 stipend for serving as interim director of the Bastrop Economic Development Corp.) We believe Carrillo is overpaid for a city the size of Bastrop by approximately $50,000. That is the amount of the pay raise John Kirkland moved for in 2023 after Carrillo's first year as City Manager. Meanwhile, former City Secretary (well known as scrupulously honest), Ann Franklin asked for a $5000 raise after 10 years of service. Franklin's reasonable raise was denied by Carrillo. Franklin had enough and left just before Bastrop was blessed by Parker's presence. (See this chart of City Manager salaries in 20 Texas cities with comparable populations.) Despite the automatic renewal of Carrillo's contract, this ongoing recall charade -- and resulting costs of $137,080, so far, to Bastrop taxpayers not including the costs of unnecessary litigation to defend a deficient petition -- could call Carrillo and Irma Parker's employment futures into question. More soon on this point. If you are sick of this recall, know that we are too. We also don't like unethical bullies. Pray for justice at the Third District Court and be part of the solution by taking the following action: Take Action! If you are a city resident of Bastrop, reach the Bastrop City Council here and ask them to put recall to rest. Copy Sylvia Carrillo here too. If you live in the county or city , please reach out to us at LIV to let us know if you will attend a meeting to discuss plans for cleaning up City Hall. Let us know if prefer to attend via Zoom or in person. Send an email to contact@livtx.org or call 512.213.4511. Thank you! _______________- These articles are in chronological order from latest to earliest. https://www.livtx.org/post/city-manager-sylvia-carrillo https://www.livtx.org/post/breaking-news-bastrop-recaller-s-house-of-cards-in-collapse-no-bill-no-charges-no-case https://www.livtx.org/post/bastrop-politician-s-recall-update https://www.indytexans.org/post/mob-rule-or-citizen-s-right-to-petition-come-to-bastrop-city-hall-tues-aug-13-signup-for-lyle-s https://www.indytexans.org/post/recalling-the-recallers-of-bastrop-mayor-lyle-nelson https://www.indytexans.org/post/bastrop_recall-mob-rule-or-keystone-cops-crouch-spills-beans-on-nextdoor

Wouldn't the country benefit if we could figure out why 50% of the electorate has no power and what we can do about it? LIV co-founder, Linda Curtis , stepped back from LIV to work for the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr . campaign as Texas Coordinator from June to October 2023. In her recent article published in Independent Political Report (IPR), she shares how we independents wait for the 'great white hope' to run as an independent to save us from ourselves. Perot's quote is as prophetic today as it ever was. Please read and share your thoughts in the comments section at IPR.

The great debate on war and U.S. Foreign Policy is going viral. The debate is between "offensive realism" espoused by the inimitable Prof. John Mearsheimer and economist and foreign policy genius, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs at the All-In Summit in 2024. Most Americans want to avert war in a post-nuke world, so why are we seemingly locked into endless conflicts? Let these guys do a little mass educating. Action Please! LIV has joined with 46 organizations to urge Congress to pass S.B. 4282, S.J. Res. 98, and H.J. Res. 167 . These simple bills and resolutions prevent the USDA from mandating electronic identification for cattle and bison, preserving the vital component of choice for producers. Please contact your member of Congress and U.S. Senators Cruz (up for reelection this year) and Cornyn: Letter to Congress is here . Find your members here . Why 50% of the Electorate Has No Power: It’s War and Economy, Stupid; RFK is Off the Texas Ballot LIV co-founder, Linda Curtis , stepped back from LIV to work for the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr . campaign as Texas Coordinator from June to October 2023. In her recent article published in Independent Political Report, she shares how we independents wait for the 'great white hope' to run as an independent to save us from ourselves. Perot's quote is as prophetic today as it ever was. Please read and share your thoughts in the comments section. BREAKING NEWS! Bastrop Recaller's House of Cards in Collapse! NO BILL, No Charges, No Case & City Manager Recall Enabler Sylvia Castillo The Bastrop County District Attorney's office issued a statement that the Grand Jury on September 10, "NO BILLED" (chose not to indict due to lack of evidence) Susan Smith , the former CEO of Visit Bastrop, a nonprofit organization that receives city of Bastrop HOT (hotel occupancy taxes) funds. The allegation of "misuse public funds" directed at Smith is now null and void as is any claim that Mayor Lyle Nelson was even investigated. However, City Management -- City Manager Sylvia Carrillo and her longtime friend Irma Parker , who was recently handpicked by Carrillo to serve as Bastrop's Interim City Secretary -- have joined together to keep the recall alive. Why? Because this recall was always an inside job conducted by the City Council Majority, who literally carried the petitions. They are Carrillo's bosses! Special thanks to Councilwoman Cheryl Lee who caught a major mistake by Carrillo involving $371,000. This is an ongoing story as Lee is trying to get information as required under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Read these. Don't Weap, Organize! Update #1: BREAKING: Bastrop Recaller's House of Cards is Collapsing. Update #2: Bastrop Recall Enablers, Carrillo & Parker , Cheryl Lee's inquiry Must Reads! Lexington Leader : Citizens Ask Commissioners’ Court to Oppose Gas Plant . Slight, but important clarification of this article: Residents of Lee County want the new gas plant moved to a more appropriate location that is nearby (within 15 miles) and to preserve the rural community of Blue. We have updated our original LIV article posted last week , " The Tale Wagging the Texas Energy Fund Dog: Weenie dogs are far more inventive ." Do you have a Bitcoin or AI data center planned in your community? Beware, read this article, and give us a holler at 512.213.4511. We may do a forum if there's enough interest. Calendar of Events & Notices Last Day to register to vote in November : Mon, Oct. 7. Check your voter registration: click here ! Texas Early Voting , Mon., Oct. 21 thru Fri. Nov 1 Election Day , Tuesay, Nov. 5 Last day to apply for a ballot by mail : Oct. 25 Wed. , Oct. 23, 7 to 9 pm : Free & Equal Presidential Debate with Minor Party Candidates Some Recommended News Sites: Independent Political Report Ballot Access News edited by Richard Winger System Update , Glenn Greenwald on the security state