|
-
Making an Impact
“The Lone Star Project … hammers Republicans whenever it gets a chance, promoting strong local Democratic candidates and even bringing lawsuits.”
(Roll Call, Stuart Rothenberg,
March 12, 2009)
“Anyone who questions whether [The Lone Star Project] can make life difficult for a Republican legislator should talk to former Sen. Kim Brimer.”
(Austin American Statesman, February 17, 2009)
“[The Lone Star Project] is responsible for the aggressive stance the party has taken toward DeLay and other Lone Star State Republicans since the 2004 election.”
(The Washington Post, March 6, 2006)
"David Dewhurst has said most Texans don't have much sympathy "for someone who that can't fill out a two page [health insurance] application every six months".
The Democrat-supported Lone Star Project in Washington reported this week that Dewhurst failed to file necessary forms at least six times in recent years.
(San Antonio Expres News,, 4/12/2007)
"The Justice staff memo was obtained by the Lone Star Project ...The story broke the same day the U.S. Supreme Court was considering legal challenges to the plan brought by Democrats and minority groups."
(Houston Chronicle, 12/3/2005)
"The Texas chapter of the NAACP, along with the Lone Star Project, have analyzed the amicus brief filed by the Justice Department and have concluded, justifiably, that the Voting Rights section of the Justice Department is now controlled by partisan political appointees."
(Roll Call - Donna Brazile, 2/28/2006)
|
The Incomplete Todd Smith Interview
Smith avoids the tough questions and dodges responsibility for partisan pursuit of unneeded Voter ID bill
Todd Smith may not have the abrasive and combative personality of Tom DeLay, but the effect of his partisan actions are the same – Republican candidates benefit by reducing the voting strength of millions of Texas citizens.
|
In a recent interview published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Republican State Representative Todd Smith (HD92 – Euless) got off the hook by dodging the relevant questions regarding the partisan Voter Photo ID Bill he is pushing through the Texas State House.
Below are simple questions Todd Smith was not asked or does not want to be asked. His answers would reveal him as playing the partisan Tom DeLay-like role that he knows voters find so distasteful.
- Question 1: Are there any examples of the prosecution and conviction of a single person in Texas for voter impersonation?
- Question 2: In the absence of evidence demonstrating any significant voter fraud in Texas, why are you and your colleagues pushing Voter ID legislation before you have passed a budget or addressed more pressing issues such as reducing insurance rates, reducing Texas unemployment or controlling utility rates? Is Voter Photo ID more important?
- Question 3: Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott spent between $1 million and $3 million dollars on an aggressive voter fraud enforcement effort and failed to find widespread or organized voter fraud in Texas and did not prosecute or convict in a single incident of voter impersonation. (Source:Dallas Morning News May 18, 2008) In light of this, how do you justify spending millions more in taxpayer dollars on a Voter Photo ID requirement in Texas?
- Question 4: Like mid-decade redistricting in 2003, Voter ID legislation is a top priority of partisan Republican activists but unwanted by your Democratic colleagues and opposed by highly respected nonpartisan organizations like AARP, the League of Women Voters and every major newspaper in Texas. In light of this, why is it not fair to characterize your actions as similar to the partisan actions of Tom DeLay?
Facts on Phony Republican Voter Fraud Efforts
Who gets hurt by Todd Smith?
Independent studies show that those least likely to have a photo ID are senior citizens, college students, low income voters and women.
Senior Citizens – In 2006, a study by the nonpartisan Brennan Center found that 18% of seniors 65 and over do not have a driver's license or a photo ID.
(Source: Brennan Center for Justice, New York School of Law. November 2006) |
 |
College Students – A Wisconsin study found that 97% of all students did not have their current address on their photo ID.
(Source: Employment and Training Institute, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee: June 2005. May 10, 2006)
|
Women – Women are more than twice as likely as men not to have a drivers’ license.
(Source: Federal Highway Administration. “Licensed drivers, by State, sex, and age group.” July 24, 2006) |
 |
|
Who is against Todd Smith’s Partisan plan?
Nonpartisan public interest organizations, nonpartisan experts and the editorial boards of every major Texas newspaper oppose Todd Smith’s partisan Republican Voter ID agenda. They recognize that voter impersonation at the polls - the only kind of fraud a Voter Photo ID law could possibly address - is virtually non-existent in Texas and does not address any current voting irregularities
- American Association of Retired Persons - Texas (AARP)
- The League of Women Voters of Texas
- Every Major Texas Newspaper (Read the Editorials Here)
|
|
Permalink
|
|
The Lone Star Project is an activity of the Lone Star Fund.
Contributions to this committee are not tax deductible. Federal law requires political committees to use our best efforts to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. The Lone Star Fund accepts federal contributions from individuals, partnerships, and other federal political committee of up to $5,000 per calendar year.
|
