Candidate Reed Williams has widespread community support

District 8 Council candidate Reed Williams has widespread support to include Professional Firefighter's Association. Election Day: Saturday, June 13th.

South Chamber of Commerce current updated calendar

• June 11, 7:30 – 9 a.m. South Chamber Economic Development Opportunities Breakfast at Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant, 1526 S.W. Military Dr.
• June 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. South Chamber Hosts Senator Carlos Uresti Luncheon at Hyatt Regency, 123 Losoya St.
• August 6, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. South Chamber Presents Healthy Business Summit & Exposition at Palo Alto College Gymnasium, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd.
• September 26, 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.Inaugural Mariachi South Chamber Duathlon at Memorial Stadium, 4002 Roosevelt Ave.
• September 28, 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. 17th Annual South Chamber Golf Tournament at The Republic Golf Course, 4226 S.E. Military Dr.
• October 20th, 3rd Annual South Chamber Legends Gala at Pearl Stable, 312 Pearl Pkwy#2

Please visit www.southsachamber.org or call 210-533-1600 for more information.

Lorraine Pulido-Ramirez

on behalf of the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

7902 Challenger Dr. San Antonio, TX 78235

Cell 210-410-6699

www.southsachamber.org

Speaker Joe Straus lines up 116 house members for 2nd term

Joe Straus (photo)
Texas Speaker of the House

Just days after the end of the 81st Texas Legislative Session, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus announced he has support from the vast majority of House Members for his re-election as Speaker for a second term. "As of this morning we have received 98 signed pledge cards from colleagues reaffirming their commitment to re-elect me as their Speaker.

"I am humbled and honored to have received this overwhelming support. This is a clear indication that members of both parties can set aside their differences to work together to find solutions to critical issues facing our state. I look forward to building on this foundation and working with all of the members during the legislative interim."

Below is a list of supporters to date to include 7 Bexar County State Reps.

*Roberto Alonzo *Carol Alvarado *Rafael Anchia *Jimmie Don Aycock
*Dwayne Bohac *Valinda Bolton *Dennis Bonnen *Dan Branch
*Angie Chen Button * Joaquin Castro *Norma Chavez *Ellen Cohen
*Garnet Coleman *Byron Cook *Frank Corte, Jr. *Brandon Creighton
*Drew Darby *John Davis *Joseph "Joe" Deshotel *Dawnna Dukes
*Craig Eiland *Rob Eissler *Gary Elkins *Kirk England *Stephen Frost
*Pete Gallego *Charlie Geren *Veronica Gonzales *Ryan Guillen
*Roland Gutierrez *Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton *Richard "Rick" Hardcastle
*Linda Harper-Brown *Ana Hernandez *Abel Herrero *Scott Hochberg
*Mark Homer *Chuck Hopson *Bryan Hughes *Todd Hunter *Carl Isett
*Jim Jackson *Delwin Jones *James "Jim" Keffer *Carol Kent *Tracy King
*Tim Kleinschmidt *Lois Kolkhorst *Edmund Kuempel *Jodie Laubenberg
*Ken Legler *Eddie Lucio III *Jerry Madden *Marisa Marquez
Armando "Mando" Martinez *Brian McCall *Ruth Jones McClendon
*Jim McReynolds *Jose Menendez *Thomas "Tommy" Merritt *Robert Miklos *Doug Miller *Joseph Moody *Rene Oliveira *Rob Orr *Solomon Ortiz, Jr.
*John Otto *Tan Parker *Diane Patrick *Ken Paxton *Aaron Pena
*Larry Phillips *Joseph "Joe" Pickett *Paula Pierson *Jim Pitts

*Chente Quintanilla *Richard Pena Raymond *Allan Ritter *Eddie Rodriguez
*Patrick Rose *Ralph Sheffield *Mark Shelton *Todd Smith *Burt Solomons
*Mark Strama *Joe Straus *David Swinford *Kristi Thibaut *Senfronia Thompson *Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles *Vicki Truitt *Chris Turner *Allen Vaught *Marc Veasey *Michael "Mike" Villarreal *Randy Weber *Tara Rios Ybarra *John Zerwas

8 more added since original post:

*Joe Driver *David Farabee *Jessica Farrar *Patricia Harless *Donna Howard *Sid Miller *John Smithee* Larry Taylor

American Issues Project: Value-Added Taxes threaten

By: Laura Elizabeth Morales (photo)

How Value-Added Taxes Threaten American Prosperity

It’s summer time and you were hoping to take a much-needed vacation with your family; in fact, your vacation has been planned for over a year now. Your family lives comfortably, but money is tight with a kid in college and another in high school. You work well over 40 hours a week to make ends meet and this vacation is finally a chance to get free from the concrete jungle of your downtown office.

Click for the rest of the story.

http://www.americanissuesproject.org/blogs/columns/archive/2009/06/03/how-value-added-taxes-threaten-american-prosperity.aspx

Laura Elizabeth Morales
lauraelizabethmorales@gmail.com
Twitter: @lauraelizabethm
Senior Vice Chairman
Young Conservatives of Texas

UTSA to celebrate major milestones, 40 years ago today

At the Alamo in 1969, Gov. Preston Smith (right) signs thelegislative bill to create UTSA. He signs the bill on the back of its sponsor, Rep. Frank Lombardino.

UTSA to celebrate major milestonesBy Lorna Stafford
Development Communications Coordinator, Office of the Vice President for University Advancement

This Friday, June 5th, marks an historic event in San Antonio. Forty years ago on this date, the city's first public four-year university was established.

The University of Texas at San Antonio was officially given the green light for creation through a bill signed by Gov. Preston Smith in 1969. The historic signing took place in front of the Alamo, where Smith signed his name to the legislation using the back of its creator, Rep. Frank Lombardino, as a writing board.

Click the link to get the rest of the story.
http://www.utsa.edu/today/2009/06/milestones.cfm

Texas to invst $35 million in New Adult Career Education

Mike Villarreal (photo)
State Rep.

Local Leaders Urge Governor to Support Villarreal’s “Jobs and Education for Texans” and “Green Jobs” Programs

Press Conference
Monday, June 8th @ 9:30 a.m.
City Hall steps

Texas currently faces growing shortages of the skilled workers that help attract and retain business. The Legislature recently adopted legislation by State Representative Mike Villarreal, H.B. 1935, which will create the “Jobs and Education for Texans” program to provide support for innovative and successful programs that help low-income students attend community and technical colleges.

The bill includes a program to provide grants to non-profit organizations -- such as Project Quest in San Antonio -- that are providing training and support to unemployed and underemployed Texans. H.B. 1935 also creates the “Green Jobs Skills Development Fund” in order to enhance job skills and career opportunities that result in high wage jobs in fields such as renewable energy and energy efficient construction.

Rep. Villarreal will be joined by County Judge Nelson Wolff, Mayor Julian Castro, Reverend Walter D’Heedene of COPS & The Metro Alliance. A student who has participated in Project Quest’s job training program will also be present to share his personal story.

"This legislation answers our community's highest concern during this economic slow down: job creation," Villarreal said. "This legislation sends a clear message -- if you want to work hard, we want to invest in you and clear a path for you to get ahead."

"This legislation fits perfectly with our goals to elevate the educational level of our work force and to grow the local job base," Mayor Julián Castro said.

San Antonio Police Officers Assoc. backs Byron Miller

Byron Miller (photo)

District 2 Council candidate

The San Antonio Police Officer's Assocation (SAPOA) endorses District 2 Council candidate Byron Miller in the June 13th run-off.

Law Enforcement backs Ivy Taylor for Distict 2 Council

Law Enforcement Backs Ivy Taylor

The Deputy Constables' Association of Bexar County has endorsed Ivy Taylor. DCABC President Andrew Lopez says, "As law enforcement agents, we feel that Ivy Taylor's continued involvement in our community and her municipal experience make her the best District 2 candidate for City Council.

She will work collaboratively with law enforcement and the community to improve the quality of life for District 2 residents." Taylor and Lopez are available to answer questions.

4458 E. Houston St. San Antonio, TX 78220 Phone: 210.337.4784
Pd. Pol. Adv by Ivy R. Taylor Campaign, P.O. Box 8082 San Antonio, Tx 78208, Lou Miller Treasurer

Food-raising & Network Event with Legacy Neighborhood

A Professional “Food-raising” and Networking Event with the Legacy Neighborhood
Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio North / Stone Oak at Legacy
1803 East Sonterra Blvd. THURSDAY, June 4th from 6:30-9 p.m.

$5 Donation or Non-Perishable Food Items of Equal Value to Benefit The San Antonio Food Bank

Join the NHPO of San Antonio as we raise food for the San Antonio Food Bank, while networking at one of San Antonio’s newest hotels in Stone Oak. Enjoy an evening of professional networking with one of San Antonio’s fastest growing professional organization.

A fine arts collection will be on exhibit for your viewing pleasure, sponsored by Bismark Studios. Appetizers and finger foods provided by: Coco’s Chocolate Lounge and Gourmet Burger Grill.

NHPOSA WEBSITE

PICTURES POSTED FOR ONLINE VIEWING! Special thanks to NHPO member Erika Barrientes for capturing the excitement and memories of NHPO’s events! Pictures are being posted every day!

Screening for "Begging for Billionaires" in New Braunfels, 6-7

Please join Americans for Prosperity as we welcome documentary filmmaker Philip Klein at the screening of his movie Begging for Billionaires.

Begging for Billionaires shows how politicians use eminent domain to take private property and give it to billionaire developers for the sake of profit.The film takes a hard look at the issue of eminent domain abuse, which has displaced hundreds of thousands of property owners in cities across the nation. (See trailer and clips at http://www.beggingforbillionaires.com/).

The movie will be shown Sunday, June 7th as part of the Texandance International Film Festival in New Braunfels (Click here for more information. ) The screening begins at 4:15 p.m. at the BraunTex Theater in downtown New Braunfels.

A panel discussion with Mr. Klein will take place immediately following the event. Email http://us.mc335.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@afptx.org with any questions.

4:15 p.m., June 7th @ Brauntex Theater, downtown New Braunfels “Begging for Billionaires” screening with Director Philip Klein.

Peggy Venable
Americans for Prosperity - Texas