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CLOUT launches “Operation Accountability”
by Matt Bramanti · 06/26/2006 6:27 am

[Editor's Note: This morning, CLOUT launched a project they are calling "Operation Accountability. The full-text of the post on their website is re-produced below.]

The foundation stone of any representative form of government is that those that wield power are accountable to those from whom the authority to exercise power resides– the People.

CLOUT has recently filed a lawsuit to enforce spending limitations on state government that are already written into and are part of the Texas constitution.

Ideally, of course, we’d like all elected officials to agree with us and simply comply.

Realistically speaking, it is likely that some will have a difference of opinion. That’s fine.

What isn’t fine is hiding one’s opinion from voters.

Office-holders are typically bright, hard-working people who surround themselves with intelligent and industrious staff members; collectively, they offer their opinions on a multitude of topics all of the time.

CLOUT is requesting that they express their opinions on the merits of our lawsuit, why they believe what they do, and what they think ought to be done moving forward.

And this is where our army of activist volunteers has a critical role to play.

We need you to contact officials in government that represent YOU, and to insist that they express their opinion.

To demand that they be accountable to their constituents.

Not sure who your your Texas State Senator or State Representative is? Use this tool to find out.

Once you know which officials have an obligation to be accountable to you, get a copy of the lawsuit into their hands. You can print it out and then either fax it, send it postal mail, or stop by their office’s and drop it off personally. Save it to your computer and then attach a copy of it to an email you send them. To make things even easier, we’ve created Executive Summary and "Frequently Asked Questions" documents which you can pass along as well.

Most importantly– email us at clouttexas-at-gmail.com and let us know what their response was.

We will be compiling their reactions, good, bad or indifferent, so that you– the People– can know where they– the Power-Wielders– stand.

That’s why it’s called "Operation Accountability."

——————–

Although CLOUT members from across the State of Texas are welcome to participate, for the moment we are going to begin Operation Accountability with those elected officials that represent citizens in the Greater Houston area.

Print out these documents and get them to your Senator and Representative. Get them to commit — either they support the lawsuit, or they oppose it. Try to get it in writing. When they respond, let us know! Leave a comment and email us at clouttexas-at-gmail-dot-com.

Here’s a list of all the Power-Wielders (and strong candidates to wield power) from the Greater Houston area. Just click on their name to find detailed contact information and our most up-to-date understanding of where they stand.

Not sure who your elected officials are? Use this tool to find out.

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Comments
13 Responses to “CLOUT launches “Operation Accountability””
  1. dowjones25k on June 26th, 2006 at 7:09 am

    i have forwarded mr hagars response.

    i have emailed him again and mentioned to him clout would probably post his response or lack of on their web site.

    i do not believe he will answer me. would you if you are in the perry drewhurst camp?

    bob fulton

    hockley

    ps i also provided this information to my house nominee. he only provided a email possiblity by requesting a sign and a comments section which i provided the lawsuit and questions to him. we will see.

  2. dowjones25k on June 26th, 2006 at 7:17 am

    all levels of government have to many crap issues for the voter to keep up with. most are egregious in nature and requires to much of the voter to protest. however, this suit is a great start - we should be able to do this for every level of government.

    bob fulton

    hockley

  3. definitely blonde on June 26th, 2006 at 7:30 am

    Van Ardsdales refuses to be bothered with responding. I sent him a copy last week with several questions as to his feelings on the suit.

    So far not a word from the puny little bugger

  4. dowjones25k on June 26th, 2006 at 8:14 am

    well my house rep answered my email with a canned response.

    i will keep clout informed of his thoughts.

    bob fulton

    hockley

  5. luv2hammer on June 26th, 2006 at 8:49 am

    #4 dowjones25k

    Hager was endorsed by CLOUT and then stabbed us in the back. Myself and Shannon are ready to act against this pretender to the 22nd District. Let’s let him know that thumbing his nose at us and refusing to answer our emails are not acceptable responses.

    I live in far North Waller county but have a Hocley mailing address. Shannon is over near Bellville. LST has my permission to give you my email addy.

  6. dowjones25k on June 26th, 2006 at 9:35 am

    luv i too live in northern hockley. century oaks estates to be exact. i am off murrell rd in century oaks estates.

    hargars farm is right up the road from me. in fact the land that this small community is on is his families land and they have a small cemmetary in here.

    you can email anytime dowjones25k@yahoo.com

    bob fulton

    hockley

  7. Maltboy! on June 26th, 2006 at 11:41 am

    Here’s my letter to my senator/rep:

    As you are aware, CLOUT has filed a lawsuit against several state elected officials in an attempt to force them to comply with constitutionally mandated spending limits. As important as this matter is to your constituents, I trust you have taken the time to review and understand the lawsuit by this time.

    I have just two simple questions which require only a simple “yes” or “no” answer.

    Are you in favor of a lawsuit to force the legislature to reduce spending as needed to stay within legally established limits?

    Do you think that the intent of the law which mandates that spending increases cannot exceed Texas’ economic growth has been circumvented by you and our other elected officials?

  8. MaryE on June 26th, 2006 at 11:48 am

    I emailed Tommy Williams and Joe Crabb on Friday. Don’t have a response yet. I don’t expect one from Williams but do hope I have one from Crabb.

  9. Smacktle on June 26th, 2006 at 12:04 pm

    I emailed Tommy Williams with this:

    What do you think about the following lawsuit:

    http://www.justadomainname.com/CLOUTPetition.pdf

    Are you for it or against it?

    The website did say that any emails that needed a response, would be replied to by mail not email.

  10. bweldon on June 26th, 2006 at 1:08 pm

    I did send e-mails to both my senator (Janek) and rep (Callegari) I got the following back from Janek

    Janek Response As you can see from the link his response was a classic side step avoidance of the issue. I am drafting a second letter to send demanding further clarification.

  11. dowjones25k on June 26th, 2006 at 2:08 pm

    here is the hagar trail to my inquiries. so far worthless.

    kimberly,

    we at clout want to know how mr. hagar feels about the lawsuit regarding the spending limit as outlined by the state consttution. clout supported mr. hagar in the primaries. how will the new business tax affect texas spending in regards to the constitution and the 12 billion in surplus for this year?

    does he support this lawsuit? if i do not recieve an answer i will post it to clout with these email trails intact.

    i live on property forerly owned by the hargar family. i will not save 2,000 dollars because the appraisals go up 7 to 10% a year. also, the school will go for the increase allowd by hb3 during this time. it will not save me 2,000 dollars for the large burden they have put on business who will increse their prices to me to cover their costs.

    respectfully

    bob fulton.

    District28 Hegar wrote:
    All properties are different and without your personal information we could not give you an exact savings.

    Kimberley Buzard
    District Director
    Representative Glenn Hegar

    ——————————————————————————–

    From: Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 7:07 AM
    To: District28 Hegar
    Subject: RE: Web E-mail Feedback

    i have submitted this answer to clout texas. if your happy with it they will post it on their website i am sure.

    however you really never answered my q’s. does he agree with the lawsuit. will i save $2,000 in property taxes. yes i know how to calculate my savings - but is perry’s take of $2,000 correct in your estimation?

    respectfully bob fulton

    District28 Hegar wrote:
    Thank you for your email. Representative Hegar is not familiar with the
    details of the lawsuit, but he is not aware of any constitutional issue
    with the budget that was passed and certified by the Comptroller.

    You can estimate your own tax savings using the following numbers:

    reduce your current school tax rate by 17 cents for 2006-2007 savings

    reduce your current school tax rate by 50 cents for the 2007-2008 and
    2008-2009

    Keep in mind the school district can raise the rate by a maximum for 4
    cents within the next three years not 4 cents per year

    As for the franchise tax, these reforms were implemented in order for
    businesses to be treated equally. There was a loophole that allowed
    many businesses the benefits of limited liability, but they were exempt
    from the franchise tax that was created for limited liability companies.
    There is also the benefit businesses will see in property tax relief.

    I hope I was able to answer your questions.

    Kimberley Buzard
    District Director
    Representative Glenn Hegar

    —–Original Message—–
    From:Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 9:12 AM
    To: District28 Hegar
    Subject: Web E-mail Feedback

    E-mail Address: Name: Address: City: Hockley
    State: TX
    ZIP Code: 77447
    Phone: (936)

    Subject: clout lawsuit

    Senator

    I would like to know what your position is with regards to the lawsuit
    that has been filed by CLOUT. Details of the suit can be found at this
    site
    http://lonestartimes.com/2006/06/14/clout-v-dewhurst-craddick-strayhorn-
    lbb/#comments. I look forward to hearing back from you with regards to
    this suit.

    ps I know you voted for the business tax and school tax reduction plan.
    Do you believe the governor is correct it will save me $2,000?

    These bills should not have to be tweaked if they were studied when
    voted in. Also, I would like to know why all business were not treated
    equally.

    thank you

    bob

  12. Squawkbox Noise on June 26th, 2006 at 2:14 pm

    dowjones25k
    I removed your personal info from your post #11
    Squawk
    Moderator

  13. dowjones25k on June 26th, 2006 at 2:34 pm

    thanks squawk. these guys are not going to answer in my opinion. they feel above having to answer to the voters.

    thats ok, i as a voter do not have to vote for them either.

    bob fulton

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