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LIV Logo Howdy LIV! We are having our weekly Monday night online meeting at 8 pm tonight, February 23. RSVP to join us tonight HERE . This is an open meeting. Come prepared to talk about how you can help LIV get better organized. We have a yeoman's task -- to reach out to the 8+ million Texans who call themselves independent! We will share plenty of ideas with you tonight. Also, you can sign up for next week's meeting is on March 2, Texas Independence Day . We will focus on how to petition for independent candidates to get on the ballot. Petitioing starts on March 4, the day after the primary election. (Go to our Events Tab to see both meetings.) The following comments have been sent to the Bastrop County Commissioners Court about a resolution they will consider on the renaming of a road for Charlie Kirk. Please read carefully as we seek peace, understanding and depoliticized governance from all elected officials. Public Comments – Bastrop County Commissioner’s Court, 2/23/26 Linda Curtis for the League of Independent Voters • LIVTX.org • 512.657.2089 Bastrop County Commissioner’s Court, 2/23/26   Greetings Judge Klaus and Commissioners. I am Linda Curtis, one of the founders of the nonpartisan membership association, the League of Independent Voters (LIV).   A LIV member was upset when she heard about the Resolution proposed by Commissioner Glass to ask our State Representative and Senator to move a bill to rename a portion of FM 969 after Charlie Kirk.    I am, like Charlie Kirk, a “free speech absolutist,” not a free speech fair weather friend like we see on both sides of the political aisle too frequently and coming from high places. I am also completely committed to peace, for de-escalation of war (in all its forms) and, I believe Mr. Kirk was moving in this direction which may have precipitated his assassination. So, I am very sympathetic to his following. No one deserves the tragedy that befell Mr. Kirk and his family.   I also think that the proponent of the resolution, Justin Bezner, the new chair of the Bastrop GOP is a very good and very decent man who practices what he preaches, along with his wife, Jen.I do, however, oppose this resolution for the following reason. This court is all Republican, as are our State Rep and State Senator. The Texas GOP has been moving to lockdown one-party rule and it’s already boomeranging. That’s how we wound up with a House Speaker whose main purpose has been to obliterate local control by cities, counties and schools.    Open government is under severe attack just as the freedom of speech that Charlie Kirk was dedicated to. Did I agree with him on his positions? No, but I respected his right to say them, to try to organize around them but not to bring the weight of government behind him to tip the scales for his views or anyone else’s I might agree with. How then should the Court address these sticky wicket issues? Try to get all sides to work out a compromise. If they cannot, then don’t do it — you have far bigger fish to fry than a road name change.   To my friends of all persuasions here in Bastrop County. How do you think we wound up with a subsidized data center with a Peaker power plant to fuel it, that threatens non-attainment in Travis County without a word peeped to the TCEQ from this Court or the all-Democratic Travis County Commissioners Court? Will it raise our rates? Who knows, because our local governments are either afraid to tell us or are denied real information like the rest of us who pay the bills. My message to the Court is simply this. The moment you take office is when your party hat comes off.    It is also time for those on the court to consider stepping down from positions that conflict with a seat on this court. I’m happy to discuss this anytime.    Thank you for your service.

Hawk Dunlap Republican for Railroad Commission to replace Jim Wright, 5-way primary LIV is out to end one-party rule in Texas. Democrats haven't held statewide office since 1992. Most large municipalities are dominated by the Democratic Party. And independents and minor party candidates are largely locked out of the system altogether. This anti-competitive arrangement is not good for small "d" democracy. The Republican and Democratic primaries are underway, as we write with Primary Election Day on Tuesday, March 3rd. On Wednesday, March 4, independent candidates can start petitioning for ballot access. We'll talk more about the independents starting at our next Monday night meeting. Sign up to join us on our Events page . Why LIV recommends these Republican and Democratic Candidates in the Texas Primary. Early voting thru February 27 • Election Day, March 3 HAWK DUNLAP for Railroad Commission (Republican) (pictured above) Wow! Hawk Dunlap is a dream-come-true candidate for Texas voters. He is a genuine working class hero. His years of tough and dangerous work in the oil patch in Texas and across the world, makes him uniquely qualified to advocate for regulatory controls on the oil and gas industry to protect workers and our environment. Hawk speaks with passion and precision about the shameful result of regulatory capture that has left the Permian Basin rife with orphan and zombie wells that threaten land, water resources and safety. In a 5-way race that includes incumbent, Jim Wright , a runoff is highly likely. If Hawk is in it, Katy bar the door for a "blue-collar revolution" led by Hawk Dunlap! Check out the support Hawk has including major newspaper endorsements! Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) running for reelection, TX House District 8 Rep. CODY HARRIS for State Representative (HD 8) Republican Rep. Harris is leading the Texas House Natural Resources Committee on a very difficult quest: a serious overhaul of the state's water policy, including the bugaboo of " Rule of Capture . " After years of work to protect our most precious resource, t's very important to us at LIV that we keep institutional knowledge in place for the 2027 legislative session. Harris also represents an affected district that's been in the news, facing a big attempted "water grab" that even water-rich East Texas can't afford. JAMES TALARICO for U.S. Senate (Democrat) TX Rep. James Talarico , Democrat for U.S. Senate, to replace John Cornyn, running in a 3-way primary James Talarico , as a Texas State Representative, caught our eye years ago when he introduced a bill for redistricting reform. Talarico is liberal meets conservative in this race for U.S. Senate. He is building a big tent. He was also a big hit on the Joe Rogan Show as someone who can appeal to cross-over voters as he speaks to local issues, data centers, the failing school system and for common people. He was a school teacher in a poor district. He is a Presbyterian Seminarian. He will listen to anybody and appeals to our better angels in service of freedom of thought and freedom of religion. Talarico is a great option for Texas Democrats to challenge the Texas GOP's worst instincts as they attempt scare Christians. In fact the 2026 GOP's primary ballot's 10th non-binding proposition simply states, "Texas should prohibit Sharia Law" with no more information provided. KXAN News' report on the "Sharia shuffle" is so helpful HERE . Though we respect Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett , we want to make sure the potential is real for an upset in this Senate seat contest in November. The Democratic nominee will face either current AG Ken Paxton or incumbent Senator John Cornyn running on the Republican ticket. We believe Talarico is the strongest candidate to pull that off because of his independent appeal. MARCOS VELEZ for Lt. Governor (Democrat) Marcos Velez , Democrat for Lt. Gov. to replace Dan Patrick, 3-way primary We like Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) who is also in this race. However, we see Velez, a rank-and-file labor leader, as more representative of newly emerging, more progressive, Texas Democratic Party. Can you imagine what it would mean to have someone steeped in labor issues as our Lt. Governor? Dream for a moment. It could happen, especially if Mike Collier runs as an independent in this race. There is no runoff in November so Collier or Velez could take the seat with as little as 34%. MARY ELIZABETH KLENZ for State Representative (Democrat) Dr. Mary Elizabeth Klenz , Democrat for TX House District 17, to replace Stan Gerdes, running in a 3-way primary. Dr. Mary Klenz , a Giddings (Lee County) resident and recently retired OB/GYN, is running hard in three-way race for the Democratic nomination for Texas House District 17 -- Bastrop, Burleson, Caldwell, Lee and Milam counties. She is running on the issues relevant to the district, especially water and affordable rural healthcare. We believe she has the heart and intellect to compete with Republican State Rep. Stan Gerdes or his opponent, Tom Glass, providing serious Democratic competition in November. Please give us your feedback for this article about independents voting in the primaries in the comments section below, and keep an eye out for additional endorsements. Join us on Monday night on Zoom (go to our Events page) and feel free to contact us at contact@livtx.org . LIV is the only membership association for independent, nonaligned voters in the country. Join us!

LIV Logo Also, ICYMI: • ICE Melts Our Wallets • Data Centers : Bettencourt's bad bets for Lt. Dan • Interim Water Legislative Hearing Report!   Greetings LIV Members and Friends! Tonight, Monday, February 16, at 8 pm, LIV will hold a strategy meeting for members and donors only  to discuss primary races that we think deserve independent voters' attention. These are the hot contests. Should Independents Vote in the Primaries?   HERE'S THE EVENT POST TO RSVP FOR TONIGHT . SIGN UP TO JOIN US IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OR DONOR ,or go ahead and pony up if you haven't within the last 12 months. Here 's our Join/Donate Page . Candidates!  If you are looking for LIV's support in the primary,please send us a note today to contact@livtx.org . Show us on your website why independent voters should vote for you. PS We do not spend money on candidates or parties --LIV is not a PAC or a party. LIV is a 501c4 membership association. LIV Members and Supporters: Do you plan to vote in either major party (Republican or Democratic) primary? Early voting starts tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17.We'd love to hear your thoughts tonight.LIV supports your right to choose either primary ballot, to engage in our minor party conventions (Libertarian & Green, April 11) or none-of-the-above. Though the Texas GOP wants to close its primary,they cannot do so for this election.Independents are on the rise -- now at 45% (Jan. 2026 Gallup Poll), especially among younger people who want to "shop the ballot."   ICYMI: OUR MOST RECENT LIV News!   Ice Melts Our Wallets! HERE Data Centers : Is State Sen. Bettencourt practicing law (badly) without a license? Or is he just placing bad bets for Lt. Dan? Interim Water Hearing Report : Dr. Mace Boils It Down! HERE   LIV is in flux with upgrades in all our work. Do you have skills to offer like: Administrative, Social Media, Writing, Organization Building, or more?Most of all, we need your help getting local independent groups in your community together for the short and long haul to advocate for POLICY not POLITICS for all governing bodies -- local, state and national.   We love hearing from you. You can reply to this message or use our CONTACT FORM HERE . Should independents vote in the primary? If they want to, but of course! Texans have always enjoyed an open primary. Thank y'all!  LIV Team PS Warning:  If you vote in the primary, you may be prohibited from signing a petition for an independent to get on the ballot this year, though you can help gather signatures.

LIV Membership Button If you're a member or donor to LIV, you can email us for a private view of last Monday night's meeting HERE . This Monday @8 pm, we are holding a members/donors only meeting to discuss, " Should Independents Vote in the Primaries, if so which one and for whom? " Join LIV and join us! ICE Melts Our Wallets Thanks to Two-Party Meltdown The fight between the Ds and Rs on immigration related to DHS/ICE funding decision has, for the moment, led to a partial shutdown. The only good news is that America is figuring out how we got into a booby trap with the butt ugly " One Big Beautiful Bill " (OBBB). The administration's step-and-fetchers in the GOP locked and loaded a new paramilitary style Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agency (ICE). At our LIV forum last Monday night, no one said we don't need immigration reform. But no one wanted militarized streets with a fiscally bloated ($75 billion), unaccountable, ill-trained, masked police force with too much money in its pocket. Now, during the shutdown the only agencies that have to worry are FEMA,TSA and the Coast Guard. ICE is sitting pretty with funding for four years. Yes, American taxpayers have been had! To be fair, it wasn't just the Trump Administration that got us into this mess. The booby trap was set over the last 40 years with mounting federal debt that -- we believe -- couldn't be handled in a two-party system. When Perot left the building, many experiments with independent politics and parties also failed. LIV is designed to learn from our best teacher -- failure -- as do scientists, engineers and smart businesses. Wake up and smell the coffee, folks! It's right here -- released by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budge t in " What Would a Fiscal Crisis Look Like ?" America is on its way to being broke. This administration's actions are pressing pedal to the metal, pissing off our allies, much less countries fearing U.S. militarism will target them if they haven't already. For us, there's no way out without opening up our political system to competitive elections, and the competition of ideas that accompanies them. Elections across the country are -- thankfully -- more competitive at least in the primaries because independents are aware that they can settle the score in contested races. We are also hopeful about independent candidates seeking ballot access in Texas with petitions starting on March 4. That's the day after the primary election. Remember, Texas holds an open primary . Primary voting in the major parties starts on Tuesday, February 17. Election day is Tuesday, March 3 Note: Our nonpartisan municipal elections are in May or November. Voters can go to the polls starting next Tuesday and pick a Republican or Democratic ballot. Please note if you vote in the primary, you may not be able to sign a petition for an independent candidate. But, anyone can gather signatures. HERE  is where you can find your sample ballot. Who's running in the primaries is on the Secretary of State's portal HERE . CAUTION : The SOS still does not clearly include minor party candidates (Libertarians and Greens) or the independents in the same useful portal, but they're not on the ballot until the November general election. An independent (no party) candidate running for any statewide office, however, has an enormous petition hurdle. Mike Collier, who filed to run as an independent against Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, will have to gather over 81,000 signatures in 114 days from voters who did not vote in the primary. Petitioning for independents starts on March 4, the day after the primary UNLESS there's a runoff, in which case independents must wait until the runoff to petition, giving them just 30 days to collect signatures. Our minor parties in Texas -- the Libertarian Party  and Green Party  -- will have candidates on the November ballot after they nominate candidates at their conventions on April 11. Recommended Read s: Bill King Blog: " Trump Has Blown His Immigration Advantage " Politico on Federal Judges (even Trump appointees) rebuke administration's immigration policies HERE

Water Attorney Deborah Trejo and Marcus Gary, Board Secretary/Treasurer, Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, hydrologist and professor T he Texas House Natural Resources Committee held a nearly 7-hour interim session hearing on Tuesday, February 10, focused on Texas groundwater . It's not news, but deserves tp be said, Texas is facing a water crisis that's been brewing for years. Here's how Robert Mace Boiled It Down Some striking statements include those of one of the top water scientists in the nation, Texas's very own, highly respected Dr. Robert Mace , formerly of the Texas Water Development Board, now at Texas State University's Meadows Center. Mace said this about the Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) that groundwater districts are required to calculate every five years to estimate how much water the community will need 50 years in the future. Mace testified that "95% of current DFCs are not sustainable”. Surprisingly, Mace also boiled it down on the depletion of one of the largest aquifers in the world, the mighty Ogallala Aquifer  underlying eight of the Plains states, including our West Texas. The depletion is not due to the supposedly minimal recharge of the aquifer. The aquifer has a healthy recharge rate. It's because the states that share the aquifer are withdrawing water with no holds barred.   The last hour of the hearing with Deborah Trejo , a well-respected attorney for 10 groundwater districts including the ill-fated (thanks to the Legislature) Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District , was superb. Trejo points out that local groundwater districts, as the Legislature’s “preferred managers” of groundwater, have gaping wounds that threaten their very existence. Will the Legislature finally gets its act together to protect the most precious resource in Texas and Planet Earth?   Perennial aquifer advocate and LIV co-founder, Lee countian Michele Gangnes observed after Tuesday’s hearing that, after hoping for the best on assuring groundwater sustainability in every session since the late 1990’s, she has realistic hopes that the 2027 session will be a “watershed moment” for our precious aquifers. “For years, groundwater transfers to growth areas have been promoted for the “greater good”, despite assuring urban winners and rural losers, and without regard for sustainability of the resource. The Committee seemed receptive to building on advances in hydrological science and data collection that vindicate common sense --- our groundwater cannot be depleted at whatever pace unfettered growth demands without dire consequences for future generations. After all, our grandkids are the epitome of the definition of ‘sustainability’. Seasoned and new committee members seemed to get it at Tuesday’s hearing,” Gangnes said. Interim sessions are traditionally where expectations and hope arise. When the Legislature gets together the next year, the realities of power and money washes over common sense and common need. Independent political options can change that reality if we listen to a higher power. That would be the force of nature and some would say, the almighty. Scroll to 5:40:58 HERE . Note that it's true that Robert Mace boiled it down, he provided a very full testimony just before Trejo's. It's also worth your time, as always. THIS  KXAN article is a good summary of the hearing.

Hot off the press -- the Texas Tribune -- released yesterday, February 10th. Houston area Republican State Senator Paul Bettencourt, the heir apparent to Dan Patrick when Patrick moved up to Lt. Governor, is not up for reelection. His boss, Dan, is.   Check out Bettencourt's letter to Attorney General Ken Paxton   HERE .   It was shared with the Hood County Commissioners Court just before they were about to vote on a 6-month moratorium (a pause) on a data center (the first of six facing Hood County), until they received answers to their questions. One of the commissioners characterized the letter as a “threat letter,” presumably meant to stop them in their tracks from taking a specific official action that could then be tested for legal enforceability. The commissioners voted 3-2 to tentatively approve the project, pending answers to their remaining questions.   We would have to agree that it is characteristic of Bettencourt of seeking to expand - or mischaracterize - existing law in his zeal to end local control in Texas for schools, cities and counties. We are not serious about "Bettencourt practicing law". He's not an attorney.   We are not aware, and apparently neither was Bettencourt, of any Texas Attorney General Opinion concerning county moratoria on data centers, but he did not mind conflating a 2023 AG opinion on a solar project with different facts . Instead, he primarily relied upon the 2025 passage of SB 2559, that he said addressed the regulation of municipalities ( that is, not counties) attempting to “impose similar moratoria."  Ok, maybe we're serious that Bettencourt is practicing law, just badly. "Apparently, threatening the Hood County court with the Attorney General’s big stick is easier than letting Hood County -- and the rest of Texas -- roll the dice on the unique state-wide issues that data centers raise, including water supply impacts and energy consumption to name two," quipped LIV Board Member, Debbie Russell. Is Dan Patrick Aware of Bettencourt's Bullying? Contact LIV NOW if you are trying to get answers about data centers! Is this any indication that Bettencourt might be operating on behalf of his political boss, Dan Patrick, who may believe he is invulnerable in this election? The Democrats haven't held a statewide office since Ann Richards defeat in 1992. But, if Mike Collier is on the ballot in November as an independent, and the Dems pick a primary candidate with juice -- mark our words at LIV, the race for Lt.Gov ernor will be ON! That's because it's a three-way race in November with no runoff. Any one of them could win with as little as 34%. Be sure to read our lead article in today's LIV News, "Should Independents Vote in the Open Texas Primary?" ______________________ Let's be clear what LIV is and is not.  LIV is not  a party. We do not run or manage electoral campaigns. We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501c4 organization. Sometimes LIV endorses or rate candidates, regardless of party affiliation. There are at least. over 400 data centers underway or planned for Texas with unknown risks to water. See Texas Tribune HERE . See this Ft. Worth Star article for a data center with Council Members asking important questions HERE . And this just in today from Texas Trib: Texans are demanding their local governments push pause on data centers. Can they ?

Can you hear LIV, Texas independents? In light of very recent events involving the DHS/ICE funding vote deadline on Friday the 13th by Congress, we are opening up the LIV forum online tonight at 8. Members and nonmembers are invited! Sign up HERE to join us . More below. This Friday, Congress faces a deadline to vote on funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, including ICE) to avoid a partial shutdown. ICE actions in Minneapolis have shocked middle America after millions viewed viral videos with masked police caught brutalizing American citizens. For now, most Congressional Republicans will not yield to the overwhelming support by the American people to even unmask ICE agents . The Democrats -- other than the progressives (to his credit, led by Bernie Sanders) -- stick to their 10 " demands " of reforms rather than to simply cut billions of public dollars from DHS or redirect the funds to prevent 700,000 people from losing healthcare coverage. The latter was a Sander's amendment that failed by only two votes in the U.S. Senate with two Republicans supporting it. All of this is happening as the $38T federal debt threatens the American economy. Tonight we may also have a report from our budget nerd friends who are trying not to set their hair on fire about what appears to be dysfunction at the CBO, the Congressional Budget Office. Join us tonight at 8. Feel free to invite others. ALSO, don't miss another Friday the 13th deadline . If you live in a city that holds May elections, this Friday is the deadline for candidates to file to run in May. In the City of Bastrop, no one has filed yet to run for Mayor other than the current Mayor, Ishmael Harris . No one has filed for Place 3, currently held by Kevin Plunkett . Remember, Place 3, does get to vote on council agenda items. But the Mayor does not have a vote unless there's a tie. LIV will invite you soon to a meeting about the independent candidates lining up around the state. This will be a members only meeting. If you want to grow the independent movement, please join the only membership association in the country (to our knowledge) for nonaligned, independent voters. Become a member of LIV HERE . Dues range from $10 to $1000 per year. Hope to see ya tonight! LIV Team

Greetings LIV Members and Friends!   The League of Independent Voters (LIV) is, to our knowledge, the only membership association for independent voters in the country, despite that we are a 45%  plurality of American voters.   This special alert is focused on immigration because of the timely deadline for Congressional funding decisions for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE on February 13.   We believe independent voters can play a strategic role in settling the strife in our country about immigration.   The division between the two parties calls for our full, well-informed and vigorous participation to make things right for everyone in our country, including those seeking entry.   Please read our original article, " Immigration Deform ," share it, and contact your members of Congress right away in the U.S. House and Senate. Details are in the article.   If you are voting in one of the major party primaries, we hope you will consider this issue as you cast your vote. Primary Election Day in Texas is Tuesday, March 3 with early voting starting on February 17. More details HERE   provided by the Texas Tribune. What we've been up to at LIV   We took a two month break to reflect on reorganizing LIV to reach millions of Texas independents.   We have been looking for the right people to come on board with honest financial, technical and intellectual chops. We’re excited to report that this is beginning to happen, though it's a work in progress. We want you on board, including to help fill out our 38 board positions.   If you're interested, please join us on Monday night at 8 pm (sign in on our Event page HERE ). If you can't make it, use this CONTACT FORM   to reach us.   Please become a member of LIV HERE . Join us most any Monday night at 8 pm. If there's a meeting, it will be posted on our Events page HERE .   Folks from other states interested in working with us, please contact us HERE   We would love to hear what your Congressional members are telling you. Bring your stories to us on Monday night.   Hang tight, y'all and share this message.   The LIV Team PS An important court decision is expected on or before February 9 involving the $5.6B Austin Convention Center petition's decertification by the Austin City Clerk. Please read THIS  article in the Austin Free Press and cross your fingers for all Texan's right to petition for a public vote.

YouGov plc is an international Internet-based market research and data analytics firm headquartered in the UK with operations in Europe , North America , the Middle East , and Asia–Pacific . Great news! The Trump Administration has botched our immigration policy with politics so egregiously, they may have managed to convince 46%* of Americans to support abolishing ICE. And you thought that was just the leftists, right? This is what we mean by "immigration deform." (The February Quinnipiac pol l has 51% support for cutting funding for ICE.) A decision about DHS and ICE funding by Congress is due -- appropriately -- on Friday, February 13. Therefore, we at LIV, the country's only voter association for independent (no party) voters, urge you to take immediate action by contacting your members of Congress. You can also vote in the midterm election. Here in Texas, the major party primaries are set for March 4. The Democrats have put forth their demands for reforms supported by a strong majority of the American people, such as unmasking immigration agents, requiring them to display an ID and use body cameras. Yet, there was immediate pushback from Republicans . (See Scripps article HERE .) Don't let the Dems off either, folks. Here 's what both parties aren't telling us. Remember, Ross Perot warned us in 1992 about not dealing with the $4T debt. The debt crisis is here. America has a $38T debt and all the world is talking about it, while most Democrats and Republicans hide their heads in the sand. In the so-called Big Beautiful Bill (aka the Big Budget Buster), the Congress and the President whacked us taxpayers with a $75 billion price tag for ICE, the lion's share of the DHS budget over four years. But guess what happens if there's a lapse in appropriations for DHS? Other DHS components like FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard would be forced to shut down or work without pay, but not ICE! See Venice AI with references on the staggering DHS budget HERE . What We Can Do. Now do it! In THIS FOX News piece, you see a very narrow vote (by just 217 to 214) in the Republican-dominated U.S. House to move forward with funding the government, but putting DHS funding on hold until Feb. 13. Contact your member of the U.S. House of Representatives and your U.S. Senators today before the February 13th deadline for Congressional action on DHS funding: Tell them you're an independent voter. Tell them to cut the politics and the budget busting driving immigration de form. As for abolishing, defunding or reforming ICE -- you decide -- though you might read these proposals by a variety of organizations we asked of Venice AI , -- see list HERE . Venice AI protects your privacy and is the only AI portal we use at LIV, and we tell you when we use it. FIND YOUR TEXAS OFFICIALS HERE We found THIS  NPR overview on the DHS funding illuminating. Have we convinced you there's no way out but independent? Please JOIN or DONATE to the only voter association in the country we know of for independent, nonaligned voters -- that's us, the LIV! Sign up to join us on Zoom next Monday night at 8 pm -- for members only HERE . We are starting up our regular Monday night meetings. Read the remainder of this LIV News, comment share and contact us to get involved.

Golf Course Design By Phil Cook   The Bastrop City Council and senior staff are studying the feasibility of building a 9-hole, par-3 golf course on a 15-acre plat of dedicated park land that it owns.   The plat is adjacent to Chestnut Street and the BISD Performing Arts Center to its west, Cedar Street to its north, Farm Street to its south, and several residences with frontage on Hwy. 95 to it’s east. Gills Branch borders the park land to the east.   Building, operating and maintaining a golf course in Bastrop or anywhere else is not something that should be taken lightly. A golf course is not like other park land: it requires staffing and maintenance every single day   All of the following considerations must be addressed and resolved before such a project is taken on.   Is a 9-hole, par-3 golf course the best use of this property?   About 12% of the U.S. population plays golf: 88% would get no use of the golf course.   This park could be used in many other ways: picnic and playground areas, soccer and other playing fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, walking paths, exercise areas, pavilions for family reunions, a dog park, etc.               Is a 9-hole, par-3 golf economically feasible?   Golf courses are expensive to build and maintain, much more so than parkland used in traditional ways. A 9-hole, par-3 course will not generate a lot of money.               Is an adequate, dependable, and quality water source available?   The most likely source of irrigation water is treated effluent from Bastrop’s sewage treatment system. How much of this water is required for the planned (OVER) golf course must be carefully calculated: Infrastructure for piping the water from the sewage treatment facility to the golf course must be built, and a method of storing the water must be built, often in one or more holding ponds on the course.               Are there enough golfers in the Bastrop area to support a golf course?   This is an important question: Without enough golfers to support the course, it will quickly become a drain on city finances and an economic liability. About 12% of the U. S. plays golf, and a large portion of the 12% play only occasionally               What additional infrastructure is required?   An irrigation system to distribute the water to where it is needed to water the greens and surrounding grass, and the tee boxes is essential   A club house, internet, phone, and computer systems are needed. Rest rooms, entry ways, and parking must be ADA accessible. Electricity, water, and wastewater hookups are required.   Mowers and maintenance equipment must be purchased and maintained. A storage and maintenance barn must be built for this purpose.               What staff positions are needed to operate and maintain the golf course?   Golf courses operate daylight to dark, 7 days a week. Weekends and holidays are often the busiest times. Trained, dependable staff, willing to work weekends and holidays, must be present during all operating hours. ___________________________________________________________________   I am an avid golfer. I started golfing when I was 12, and am still “at it” at age 78. I play tournaments with a 9 handicap. I have been a Board member and President of the Austin Golf Association on several occasions, and have served on the City of Austin’s Golf Advisory Board. I was one of the owners of the Bear Country Golf driving range on Hwy. 71. I have lived in Cedar Creek for more than 50 years.   --Phil Cook, philcookz@yahoo.com

Bob Gammage, someone to learn from. “Truth is, most Texas Democrats are independents.” Reform Democrat icon, Bob Gammage , after losing the Democratic primary for Governor to Chris Bell, 2006*. This article is dedicated to Gammage and reformers wherever they are today. Summary : What’s going on for Texas independent voters? Is it a Texas fusion movement or a risky fizzle? It’s probably not yet  a full-blown independent breakout as seen in Ross Perot’s 1992 race when he stood a real chance of winning the presidency. But it’s at least a start. And who really knows? In these turbulent times, anything could happen in the rotting swamp of Texas political affairs.   This UT/Texas Voter Project Poll   makes plain that voters are in shopping mode, and it’s not just for economic stability. It’s the “c” word – corruption – in second place under economic concerns.   What Texans invariably say about corruption is also known as “pay-to-play” fixes the outcome of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of Ken Paxton when the Lt. Governor received a $3 million “loan”. A deeper corruption, however, has struck a chord yet to be discussed that is key to independents.   The state agencies meant to protect our vast water, land, and energy resources are outmatched by the donors who are buying whatever isn’t nailed down. That's our water, our land and our grid.   State legislative leaders of both parties are to blame, but the buck stops at the office of the Governor and Lt. Governor. Yes,  Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick sold out big Texas public education to the pro-voucher billionaires. But the problem is far worse than anyone is yet talking about because it’s about what Texans hold the most dear besides our kids – that’s our land, our water and our clear blue skies FOR our kids. That’s TEXAS. On November 13th, Mike Collier , who ran against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick  in 2018 and 2022 as a Democrat, declared his intention to run this time as an independent.   Businessman Andrew White , who ran for Governor in the 2022 Democratic Primary, is running again in the primary as an “independent Democrat.”   We would love to see accountant and auditor Collier get his hands on the state budget. Collier was also a Republican in years past. Is he a party hopper or a party shopper? Time will tell, but we love what he told WFAA  when he announced: “The partisan warfare is just off the charts. It's very natural for me as a CPA, as a businessman, to hold myself out as an independent.”     Check out Andrew White’s website . Can he convince Texas independents he is independent enough and run in the Democratic primary? We’re excited to see him try.   Ballot Access Makes or Breaks Independent Candidates: But it's not just about numbers or money.   Collier will need to gather 81,000+ signatures in 114 days from voters who did not vote in the March 3 rd  Texas primary. It’s very hard to get that many signatures under these parameters, but it's doable if you’re well-funded.   We’d love to see Andrew White run as an independent for Governor. But we know the impossibility of doing so . That’s because the 2026 Democratic primary for Governor already looks crowded and could easily force a runoff. Texas election code requires independents to wait until the runoff is over to start petitioning.  That would give White approximately 30 days to gather 81K signatures.   Independents’ years of legal and legislative challenges to these monopolistic requirements have repeatedly failed due to the obstruction of both parties. What’s hardest about ballot access for independents.   Ballot access for independents (remember, we have no party affiliation) is not just about buying your way onto the ballot . Money is a big factor, but it’s really about HOW you use it. The petition drive for independents is to be understood as our very own individual primary. It’s our opportunity to reach millions of people, whether they sign our petitions on paper (called a “wet signature) or not.   The major party candidates are running in the March primary funded by the State of Texas. That’s where the very big show happens, right? What are the independents doing? Hopefully not waiting and, hopefully, creating interest and infrastruture, kinda like their own political party of one.   Independents can steal a page from the 2006 independent gubernatorial campaigns of Carole Strayhorn  and  Kinky Friedman.   I was there advising Strayhorn on her ballot access and working in 32 East Texas counties . I was also trying to get the two candidates to run for Governor and Lt. Governor, rather than to face each other for Governor.   We obviously failed to get the two independents out of the same race . The election results were Rick Perry 39% (Republican), Chris Bell 29.8% (Democrat), Carole Strayhorn 18.1% (Independent) and, surprisingly, Kinky Friedman (Independent) 12.4%. That’s right, there is no runoff after the general election.   Can we add? The combined totals for Carole and Kinky was 30.5%. To this very day, I believe had Carole been the only independent in the race, she could have whupped Rick Perry and Chris Bell. But her petition drive (her primary) failed to address her “Kinky problem.”   Alas, have the Democrats found us?   What will answer this question is the extent to which the movers and shakers in the Democratic Party stop their incessant “spoiler” attacks already underway against Mike Collier . This bad behavior is getting old. I should know. I'm about to turn 75.   With respect, please get this, Texas Democrats . It’s certainly possible that Mike Collier’s independent run for Lt. Governor will attract voters from across the spectrum. Right now, independents are leaving the GOP in droves. Many will not vote for a Democrat. If Mike does well and the presumed Democratic nominee, Vikki Goodwin  (D-Austin) runs a strong campaign, either one of them can take the seat with as little as 34%. And Dan Patrick can eat the dirt he so deserves.   White’s run in the Democratic primary is geared towards getting independents to vote in the open primary on the Democratic side. Is it a good bet? He will have to address corruption and pay-to-play donor influence – inside and outside his party -- that set us up for the siege on Texas water and land resources.   Will the Republicans seek out independents ? Their focus on the culture wars and hypocritical bald-faced manipulation of their own base is in high gear, as usual. Abbott, in his announcement speach complained about the “billionaires” giving Dems money.   Oh puleeze! Abbott’s got $90 million in his campaign coffers to ward off any real challenge. I don’t think Jeff Yass, you know the TikTok billionaire dude voucher king, is going to receive a $6 million refund from King Greg. Non-rocket scientists know who will decide the 2026 mid-term elections.   We can’t wait to see the next Gallup poll on party affiliation  expected in January. In 2024, it had us at 43%. Just remember, we independents change our minds all the time. We’re shoppers, and for good reason.   Conclusion: It's the political economy and we don't have to be stupid.   Bob Gammage, Carole Strayhorn, Kinky Friedman, and Ross Perot are all gone. It’s up to us to know and to use the history.   Let’s pick it up from there. LIV is holding “how to run as an independent” sessions, starting soon.   Let us know of your interest. Every one of you who read LIV News : become a dues-paying member of the only voter association in the country for independent nonaligned voters. That’s LIV! Dues start at $10. Our Platinum membership of $1000.   Notes:   *In 2006, I ran into Gammage on the campaign trail when working on the Carole Strayhorn independent gubernatorial campaign. We met at his home in Horseshoe Bay after he lost the Democratic primary for Governor to Chris Bell. It was a privilege.

In this Edition of LIV News: Bastrop Forum Wednesday! Y'all Come! We have three wonderful and well-prepared speakers to hone in on the city of Bastrop's governance problems that led to a game of hide and seek of their public notice to issue public debt -- in part -- for a golf course without public support. It's also to start Bastrop Independents, a nonpartisan group to do ongoing work for open government. Don't Be Jackasses, be independents . Is an independent fusion movement getting underway in Texas? Sure feels like it with Mike Collier and Andrew White tossing their independent hats in the air to run against Dan Patrick and Greg Abbott. McKee, Rhodes, Wier and SAWDF Steal the Show: Could Texas Run Out of Water? Wall Street Is Betting Big On It : This mini-documentary is a must-see and is getting lots of views already. URGENT SAWDF Water Policy Request for GMA 12: Brazos, Fayette, Lost Pines, MidEast TX, Post Oak Savannah, Falls, Limestone, Navarro & Wilco counties : Get your letters out by Thursday, folks! For us at LIV, being an independent means being willing to take civic action when necessary. This Wednesday night, LIV is hosting an experiment in establishing a new kind of civic organization called Bastrop Independents, a nonpartisan group geared towards getting local government back on track. Please join us if you live in the county or nearby and take what you learn back home to do the same. We have some very special speakers and plans. RSVP here . Is this an independent electoral revolt or what?  Honestly, we do not know yet, but it looks like Independent Fusion to us. It's exciting to see the possibility of some major independent candidacies in this election. That's  Mike Collier  running for Lt. Governor as an independent and Andrew White  running in the Democratic primary as an independent. We also expect to see similarly qualified and credible candidates running as independents (no party affiliation) in down-ballot races for State Representative and County offices. LIV can help independents make a serious go of it by ensuring ballot access that also builds infrastructure normally provided by a political party.   Get in touch if you need help or want to know more. And, no matter what your party, this edition of LIV News gives you a glimpse of what issues can unexpectedly rise to the top of election issues, unfiltered by the party machines and the professional consultancy that is choking the life out of electoral politics. The filing period for candidates of all persuasions to run closes on December 8th.   Have fun, y'all. And Happy soon-to-be Thanksgiving.