A Guest Post From Barbara Radnofsky

[In anticipation of the April 11 Democratic Primary Runoff, I've asked U.S. Senate Candidate Barbara Radnofsky to guest blog from time to time here at the Annex. Here's her latest.—VL]

Week of March 20-22: Highlights of this week so far included a spiritied discussion with the Blackdems in Houston, and receiving their endorsement; many talks with vibrant and educated teachers; and planning for the opening of our office and endorsement announcements on Friday at one thirty.

I hope you’ll come! Chris Bell will lead off with his endorsement at one thirty at our new campaign office in Houston at 1770 St. James Place just off of San Felipe and Chimney Rock.

I greatly enjoy discussing issues and wanted to update you on some. We’ve revised the issues chart at Radnofsky.com, and if it’s not on the home page, we keep a .pdf copy in the press kit on the right handside and in the issues archive.

Education:

As a volunteer teacher, I’ve seen the effect of the federal legislation denying Texas (and ten states’) teachers their Social Security spousal benefits. The forced early retirements deprived texas schoolchildren of a generation of experienced teachers. We must reinstitute the provision allowing teachers to work to qualify for SS spousal benefits, the same rights a stay-at-home spouse has.

We must restore the important programs on the chopping block in this proposed budget, including college loans, Pell Grants, Upward Bound and Head Start. Just last week, Sen. Hutchison voted against the key amendment which would have restored these and job training. President Bush, rubber stamped by Sen. Hutchison, turned his back on his Pell Grant campaign promises. This devastates Texas, leading the nation in high school dropouts.

The way to counter the war on children is to recognize the importance of children. You don’t see children lobbying the halls of Congress. Sen. Hutchison voted last December for the budget bill stripping children of child support which could keep officials in Texas from collecting two billion dollars in child support owed to Texas children.

These cynical votes against children must be countered. We need efficiently run, pro-children programs, like peer mediation in the schools. These inexpensive programs reduce violence and keep kids in school. We all benefit.

I recognize I must beat Gene Kelly, and am working as hard as I know how to do it. But, I never lose sight of the fact that beating Kay Bailey Hutchison and removing her extremist voting record is truly the goal. Her recent votes against women, children, education, health care and veterans, and her inability to bring home any meaningful, fair share of our tax dollars is hurting Texas. I can’t stand by and watch her do it.

Thanks, Vince for the opportunity to post. I’d like to cover a number of issues in the future.

Tweet This Post   Ping This Post

Bookmark It