Tuesday – June 9, 2026: The LP Committee members voted on what each thought should be the top 15 LPs put to the delegates when delegates vote. There were percentages associated with each, however the video did not show the results and the percentages were not announced so those watching knew what they were. Nor could YouTube watchers see the list of those items not included in the top 15.
Secure Texas Elections
Stop Islamification of Texas
Abolish Property Taxes
Ban Taxpayer Funded Lobbying
End Governmental Overreach
Border Enforcement
Medical Freedom
Protect Life
Secure the Electric Grid
Water Natural Resources
Protect Texas Kids
No Democrat Chairs
Eminent Domain
Gambling
2A, Second Amendment
After public comment this afternoon, there will be additional discussion about the details in each of these topics. Concerns mentioned by multiple members that were not included in the top 15: AI, Education Reform, Texas is not for Sale, State Budget and a couple of others.
I hope they consider the wording we put forth regarding “No Dem Chairs”. That was accomplished last session, so it needs to be broader than just chairs. Our verbiage was “No Democrats in Leadership Roles”.
Bastrop County Republicans held their convention in March, 2026. I was honored to have been selected to chair the “Legislative Priorities” committee. This is the first time Senate District (SD) and County Conventions have voted on Legislative Priorities (LPs).
Bastrop County LPs are sent up to the State Convention LP committee. They will review submissions from all SD & County Conventions and create a list for delegates to the State Convention to vote on. Convention starts June 8 with committee meetings. The full convention starts at 9AM on June 11. By Saturday evening, we’ll know which chair & vice chair candidates will lead us to victory in November. And, we’ll know the list of state-wide legislative priorities.
Here are the LPs from Bastrop County. These were unanimously approved after discussion with the entire delegation. The list, by title only, of priorities in order is below. To read the details on each item, please see the full report (PDF) sent to Texas GOP (also below).
Border Enforcement
Prevent the Use of Taxpayer Funds and Public Office to Advance any Religious, Ideological, or Foreign Systems of Law
Tax abatements shift the tax burden from the business getting the abatement to all other taxpayers. How does that happen?
It’s a simple concept. Governments budget income and expenses, just like you do. Local government income is primarily tax revenue. Expenses? I don’t think I need to explain those…. government spending.
Let’s talk about taxes (income). There are property taxes, sales taxes, hotel occupancy taxes, personal property taxes on businesses and some others. But that will do for my example.
Let’s say Local Government A gets revenue as follows:
Residential property taxes: $1,000,000 Commercial property taxes: $2,000,000 Hotel & Occupancy taxes: $ 500,000 Personal Property taxes: $ 750,000 TOTAL INCOME: $4,250,000 BUDGETED EXPENSES: $4,250,000
BUT, local elected officials decide that Business A should get a “tax abatement” and not pay any (or reduced) commercial property taxes or personal property taxes for the next 5 years.
In our example, we’ll say that Business A is estimated to pay $50,000 in commercial property taxes and $25,000 in personal property taxes each year. Also, the county has agreed to handle all administrative tasks (expense), do road repairs (expense), waive inspection fees (expenses incurred but not reimbursed by fees). Let’s estimate that to be $75,000 in expenses and lost income.
So now, with abatements, TOTAL INCOME above becomes $4,175,000 ($4,250,000 minus $75,000). Then there are those incurred expenses not paid by Business A, but paid by the local government. So, BUDGETED EXPENSES is now $4,325,000 ($4,250,000 + $75,000).
A net zero budget is now $150,000 in the hole and someone, some taxpayer, has to make up that deficit.
Every time there is an abatement without a matching reduction in spending, some other taxpayer picks up the tab.
Abatements give businesses tax breaks. There’s no such thing for residential property owners. We residential property taxpayers just pick up that deficit created by the abatements because there’s never a reduction in spending.
In fact, development increases government costs to provide services. Industrial/commercial less than residential, but all development increases costs. And, the “Order” on Tuesday’s agenda specifically states such as follows:
The County recognizes that participation in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program may require ongoing administrative coordination, reporting, record retention, compliance monitoring, and financial review by County staff, including the County Auditor’s Office and other County departments. The Commissioners Court reserves the right to establish administrative procedures, cost recovery mechanisms, or related agreements, as authorized by law, to support the administration of enterprise projects.
I’ve never seen a study in Bastrop County about the per capita cost of services. I’ve never seen a study here proving the income generated by a business exceeds the increased cost of government services. All we ever hear is how much revenue a development will generate. It sounds good, but my experience in local government elected office says it rarely works that way. And, even when it does, shouldn’t someone give taxpayers a true financial analysis?
The Bastrop County Commissioners, all Republicans, have Order 2026-09 on their agenda the day after Memorial Day at 9 a.m. Great timing with schools out and a preceding holiday weekend. Even poorer timing considering it’s election day.
Any patriot working the election will be unable to attend the meeting either in person or online to express their opinion about this issue. To me, someone who has worked elections for years, this is a real slap. (Full disclosure, I’m not working this election due to a prior out-of-state commitment.)
The order seeks to “ordain” the County’s participation in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program. According to the Governor’s website, “The Texas Enterprise Zone Program (EZP) is a state sales and use tax refund program designed to encourage private investment and job creation in economically distressed areas of the state.” (emphasis added)
I stress “economically distressed areas” in the above description. There’s a map on the Governor’s site. Space X is not in an “economically distressed” area. Nor is Bastrop County designated as a “distressed county”. The County admits so in its “Order“.
Every application of the Texas Enterprise Zone Program to a business that is not in an economically distressed area denies those benefits to a business or county that is in such an area. Eligibility is limited according to the Governor’s website.
“…communities with a population of less than 250,000 have 6 designations available. The state may award a maximum of 105 designations statewide per biennium, and may award up to 12 designations per quarterly round.”
Then there’s the fact that this is an all-Republican Commissioner’s Court. We didn’t elect these people to give tax breaks to businesses while residential property taxpayers get slammed. The GOP Platform gives guidance on this.
No Corporate Welfare: We encourage government to divest its ownership of all businesses that should be run in the private sector. We oppose all bailouts of and subsidies to domestic and foreign government entities, states, and for all businesses, public and private. We agree with the Texas Constitution’s requirement for fair and uniform taxation andoppose special treatment or tax breaks for favored industries or companies. We call for repeal or sunset of existing subsidy or special-interest tax exemptions, including the Special Events Trust Fund program, the Texas Enterprise Fund, Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, and lab-grown meat incentives, and now request repeal of Chapter 403.601 of the Texas Tax Code. […] (Plank 78, 2024 Texas GOP Platform, highlighting added)
So, why are they doing this? Star-struck perhaps? Because it’s Elon Musk? Perhaps it’s pressure from higher levels of government. Frankly, that would be my guess.
In conclusion, I don’t care what business owner is getting a tax break. I don’t believe in them. Redirecting the tax burden from one entity to another is socialist thinking.
I’m actually an Elon Musk fan. I don’t blame him for trying to get every break he can for his businesses. But our elected officials were put there by US, by the voters. Elon Musk, Governor Abbott, Donald Trump did not put them at the dais. We did. And they need to remember that, remember who they are supposed to represent, when voting to give another business a tax abatement.
Do you support Congressional term limits? Do you practice what you preach?
John Cornyn is running for US Senate for his fifth six-year term, thirty years. He is 74 years old and will be 80+ at the end of a fifth term. If you truly believe in Congressional term limits, you cannot vote for John Cornyn.
Politics is like an upside down funnel: there are lots of positions at the bottom but as you climb higher, there are fewer and fewer. For those who climb the political “ladder” thinking one position prepares you for another, politicians who don’t step aside block out other qualified individuals. With the amount of money raised by incumbents and the cost to campaign, one has to be a multi-millionaire (or have very wealthy friends) to slide into a higher position. Was our Republic created so only the wealthy can serve in elected office? I think not.
Not voting your belief in Congressional term limits does two things: it forces out some very talented people with new, fresh ideas and it creates an environment where only the wealthy, or those with massive war chests, can serve in office.
Term limits, and voting accordingly if you believe in them, keeps our Congress a citizen congress, one where people with other career experiences come to serve, using their experience to make America great again, and then head back to real life.
Americans Overwhelming Support Term Limits
According to TermLimits.com, in 2025 over 83% of Americans favored term limits for members of Congress. For Republicans or Republican-leaning respondents, that percentage was 85%. Even for Democrats, the percentage was huge: 79%.
In 2025, US Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) introduced a joint resolutionlimiting US Senators to two six-year terms and limiting US House members to six two-year terms: a maximum of 12 years in both offices. The President is term limited. Why not Congress?
Did you know?
More than one-third of Senators in the 118th Congress were 70 or older. The 119th Congress is the third oldest in history. The average Senator is nearly 64 years old, which is 11 years older than the average Senator in 1981. Similarly, the House Members are nearly nine years older on average than they were in 1981. As of this year, Members of the House and Senate have an average of 8.6 and 11.2 years of prior service in their respective chambers. This represents a steady increase from the early 20th century when that number fell below six years for both the House and Senate.
~ McCormick Press Release, April 10, 2025
Early voting for the runoffs starts May 18. Think about this when you go to vote. Should any member of Congress serve 30 years? If you agree with me that’s far too long in one position, then it’s time to retire John Cornyn and elect Ken Paxton.
If you live in Smithville, you will want to read this. I research candidates. I’ve written before about the importance of researching versus just voting by name, by the candidate-written campaign literature, or by the endorsement of another person or organization.
Did you know that Bastrop County Conservatives has endorsed Wini Griffin for Smithville City Council? WHAT? Based on what research? The BCC emails and literature merely lists her name with no explanation.
WHY would an allegedly conservative organization endorse a woman whose LinkedIn has she/her pronouns and whose voting record is nearly non-existent? We’ll never know because they don’t tell you what questions the candidates were asked, who interviewed them, or why they chose who they chose. They just want you to blindly follow them like lemmings.
It doesn’t matter that this is called a “non-partisan” election. Every candidate brings with them their governing philosophy and their core values. What do the two candidates in this race bring to the table? Read on.
the Candidates’ voting records
Mitchell Jameson, a sitting City Councilman, is up for re-election. Jameson has a solid Republican voting record in Bastrop County. Red indicates he voted a Republican ballot in a primary or runoff. Blue is a Democrat ballot. See for yourself. (2026 primary records are not yet available from the GOP.)
Wini Griffin has an awful voting record. In fact, Griffin hasn’t voted since 2018.UPDATE: Griffin was registered to vote in Travis County (Austin) until January 2025. Voting records only show one vote there and that was in 2018. Once registered in Bastrop County, she voted in the GOP 2026 primary.
As of July 2024, she had no voter registration in Bastrop County. Her website claims she’s a 5th generation Smithville resident, I have voter reg lists from 2022-2024 and she’s not listed.
professional life
But voting record alone doesn’t tell the whole story. LinkedIn is a great first place to see what a candidate has done in their professional life that will benefit Smithville constituents.
Mitchell Jameson built an insurance business that now has multiple locations and “a seasoned staff of Insurance and Financial Services professionals”. He has lived in Smithville since 2013.
Wini Griffin lists 15 jobs in the last 11 years. Griffin describes herself as “a generalist, a Renaissance-type professional who thrives on new challenges, fresh environments, and opportunities to pour my best into something until the work is complete.” Study her LinkedIn timeline, not her candidate website. the number of jobs and nature of the work does not bode well for skills needed for a city council position.
And then there’s this
Digital research reveals more about Griffin. Here she is as one of 4 people who are converts to Islam, recorded 4 years ago.
Personally, I’m shocked that an organization claiming to be conservative would endorse this person for city council. I urge all Smithville voters to do your homework, ask questions, make an informed vote! Mine would be for Mitchell Jameson, hands down.
Probably like you, I feel bombarded by “stuff” happening at all levels of government. Perhaps I feel it more because of my involvement or because I’m a talk radio junkie. But, this has really grabbed my attention: The Islamization of Texas.
I speak often about letting people get their foot in the door (or even just their toe) so they can, without us expecting it, push their whole body (or political agenda) in our faces. How many “movements” can you think of that started with “oh, it’s just a little of this” and the next thing you know, they’re everywhere. The threat then seems overwhelming to tackle.
That’s pretty much where we are with Islam in Texas. Have you seen the videos of “sermons” in mosques? A quick search on YouTube will turn up quite a few. There are laws in Texas against sedition, and calling for the overthrow of our government is just that. But, hey, it’s just one sermon or two… not so much to worry about, right? Those people calling for “Death to America”? Well, they’re overseas not next door, so why worry. Really?
Take an hour to listen to John Guandolo. He’ll open your eyes. Then sign up for the LPRW Cinco de Mayo event where you’ll learn more from some experts. It’s time to step up to the plate and stop this in its tracks.
Precinct Conventions were held Saturday March 7. Anyone who voted in the Republican Primary was eligible to attend. Our precinct, 1008, passed 8 resolutions that will now move on to the Bastrop County GOP Convention on March 28.
Resolution #1 – Unanimously Approved TITLE: Remove Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bastrop County Republican Party demands the Governor remove Jane Nelson from her position as Texas Secretary of State.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Governor Abbott appoint a Texas Secretary of State who will support the closure of Republican Primary elections as demanded by the Republican Party of Texas.
Resolution #2 – Approved 4 Ayes, 2 Nays TITLE: No Social Media Under Age 16 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Republican Party of the State of Texas believes the Texas Legislature and Governor should pass legislation and/or take all available steps to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media sites like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox following the lead of Australia.
Resolution #3 – Unanimously Approved TITLE: Opposing Casino Gambling in Texas Due to Documented Ties to the Chinese Government BE IT RESOLVED, that the Republican Party of Texas opposes the legalization, authorization, or expansion of casino gambling in the State of Texas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Party specifically rejects any casino-related legislation or constitutional amendment backed by corporations with documented contractual, regulatory, or strategic ties to the government of the People’s Republic of China; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Party urges all Republican elected officials to defend Texas from foreign-influenced gambling interests and to prioritize the sovereignty, security, and economic integrity of the State of Texas.
Resolution #4 – Unanimously Approved TITLE: State Electoral College BE IT RESOLVED, that the Texas State Legislature shall cause to be enacted a State Constitutional Amendment creating an electoral college consisting of electors selected by the popular votes cast within each individual state senatorial district, who shall then elect all statewide office holders, provided that electors reside within the senatorial district to which they are elected, and that no Texas State Senator, Texas House Representative, or statewide elected official, be elected an elector.
Resolution #5 – Unanimously Approved (Splits Plank into 2 planks) TITLE:Electing Commissioners BE IT RESOLVED, that the people of Texas should elect their own Secretary of State and Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner.
Resolution #6 – Unanimously Approved (Modifies Plank 181) TITLE: Prohibition of acts restricting freedom of others BE IT RESOLVED, Protect the 1st Amendment rights of any citizen to practice their religion and exercise their right to free speech in the public square but without impeding the rights of others including freedom of movement in public places and without the commission of acts of intimidation and disorder likely to produce danger to the peace of the neighborhood.
Resolution #7 – Unanimously Approved TITLE: Legal Disputes Based on American Law Only BE IT RESOLVED, that all legal disputes in Texas must be decided based on American law rooted the fundamental principles of American due process; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that no orders other than those issued by official Texas government courts carry authority in the State of Texas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all legal issues in the State of Texas must only be adjudicated in accordance with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Texas, and the laws duly adopted in these United States and the State of Texas.
Resolution #8 – Unanimously Approved TITLE: Defining Islamism as a Political Entity BE IT RESOLVED, that Islamism is a political ideology and not a religion, subjecting its organizations to all laws and obligations of political parties in Texas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Constitutional and legal protections applicable to religions do not apply to Islamism and its organizations, but rather only to those who practice the religion of Islam; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that those entities determined by the State of Texas to be foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations may not benefit from any freedom of religion provisions of the Constitution of these United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas.
These may not be specifically in the order in which they were adopted. Some included a fair amount of discussion prior to adoption. All but one were adopted unanimously.
Politics is like an upside down funnel: there are lots of positions at the bottom but as you climb higher, there are fewer and fewer. For those who climb the political “ladder” thinking one position prepares you for another, politicians who don’t step aside block out other qualified individuals. With the amount of money raised by incumbents and the cost to campaign, one has to be a multi-millionaire (or have very wealthy friends) to slide into a higher position. Was our Republic created so only the wealthy can serve in elected office? I think not.
In 2025, US Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) 
Did you know that Bastrop County Conservatives has endorsed Wini Griffin for Smithville City Council? WHAT? Based on what research? The BCC emails and literature merely lists her name with no explanation. 
WHY would an allegedly conservative organization endorse a woman whose LinkedIn has she/her pronouns and whose voting record is nearly non-existent? We’ll never know because they don’t tell you what questions the candidates were asked, who interviewed them, or why they chose who they chose. They just want you to blindly 
the Candidates’ voting records
