Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick will speak at the Star Republican Women's general meeting, Tuesday, October 17 at Quail Point Lodge.

Since her tenure on the Commission began November 2012, Craddick has pushed to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the energy industry that has driven the state’s unparalleled economic success in recent years.  She advocates “sensible regulations, careful listening and plain talk.” 

Making it a top priority, Christi has worked to educate the public about the oil and gas industry and its impact in Texas. She has fought against Washington’s one-size-fits-all environmental policies that would kill jobs and stifle energy production growth. Christi has advocated for recycling in the oilfields, helping to drive the percentage of reclaimed water upwards, an essential achievement in a state enduring a multi-year drought.

As part of her efforts to modernize the agency, Christi has championed an Information Technology (IT) overhaul for the Commission, seeking improvements that would upgrade the Geographic Information System, increase public access to the agency’s data, and speed up inspections and permitting times.

A native of Midland, Christi earned both her Bachelor’s Degree as a Plan II graduate and her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas at Austin.  During her career as an attorney, she specialized in oil and gas, water, tax issues, electric deregulation and environmental policy. 

Christi serves her community as a member of organizations including the State Bar of Texas, University of Texas Liberal Arts Alumni Advisory Council, Southern States Energy Board, The National Petroleum Council and Dell Children’s Medical Center Foundation. Christi resides in Austin with her daughter, Catherine, and is an active member of St. Austin’s Catholic Church.

Despite its name, the Texas Railroad Commission does NOT have jurisdiction over railroads. 

When the Railroad Commission of Texas was created in 1891, the agency was charged with oversight of the rail industry. Over the course of history, the Commission’s duties have evolved and all rail functions have been transferred to other agencies.

Legislation has been introduced to change the name of the agency to better reflect its current jurisdiction, but to date such legislation has not passed.

Governed by three statewide-elected commissioners, The Railroad Commission of Texas is the state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations.

The Commission exists under provisions of the Texas Constitution and exercises its statutory responsibilities under state and federal laws for regulation and enforcement of the state’s energy industries. The Commission also has regulatory and enforcement responsibilities under federal law including the Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Pipeline Safety Acts, Resource Conservation Recovery Act, and Clean Water Act.

The Commission does not have jurisdiction over railroads, roads, traffic, noise, odors, oil and gas leases and agreements, pipeline easements or royalty payments. 

Our Republican Club is back from vacation and already working on some great plans for the remainder of 2017 and a victorious 2018!

Our first speaker this fall, Republican Party of Texas Chairman James Dickey generated some fire in our organization  -- to increase Republican Party membership, raise funds and support Republican candidates for the upcoming 2018 elections.

Star Republican Women is off to a great start in growing our membership as the number of new members at our first fall meeting was outstanding. We welcome many more!

We have upcoming speakers outlined to give us updated information on current issues. We are here to provide you with information about upcoming Llano and Burnet Counties’ political events and meetings of importance and keep you up to date with information in our newsletter and on our website.

We have entertaining fundraising events and programs planned to raise funds to help us support candidates who are good conservative leaders and will stand up for our values and principles.

We need to be prepared in many ways to help Keep Texas Red in 2018. 

Our own State Senator Dawn Buckingham, who SRW supported in her successful election, was recently appointed to lead the State Republican Party of Texas 2018 Victory Committee. We will stand ready to help Senator Buckingham and our Party be victorious.

Sen. Buckingham is a good example of the right candidate to support.  She was chosen Co-Most Valuable Freshman of the 2017 Session of The Texas Legislature. She was also chosen as a member of the GOPAC 2017 Class Of Emerging Leaders, a group of national legislators selected for their potential and ability to impact their individual states and Republican Party. It is leaders such as our Senator who inspire us to work hard to keep effective elected officials in office and to elect more like her.

We are a very productive group of hardworking, young and middle aged, like-minded, conservative women and men who are willing to stand up and do our best in preserving and growing our conservative values with our fellow Americans. We hope to inspire more members to join us in this effort.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting and hope you will ask others to join our team and help us do this important job. 

God Bless you All!

Gennie Ward, SRW President​

Star Republican Women will launch a new Caring for America Project to support Patriot Paws, a non-profit organization whose mission is to train and provide service dogs of the highest quality at no cost to disabled American combat veterans with mobility disabilities and PTS in order to help restore their physical and emotional independence.

"We are excited about launching our new project to help Patriot Paws," said SRW Caring for America Committee Chairman Marsha Lovelady.  "To raise funds for this great cause, we are hosting our first Chili Cook-Off, Friday, October 27.  [SEE CHILI COOK-OFF EVENT DETAILS BELOW.]

SRW joins The Texas Federation of Republican Women in supporting Patriot Paws.  At the TFRW Legislative Day in Austin last spring, TFRW President Theresa Kosmoski announced that it had raised $30,000 for the organization.  She challenged TFRW members and chapters to continue support for this organization.

It costs a minimum of $30,000 to acquire a puppy, train him/her, and then train the Veteran.  This training includes instructional materials, supplies, and support for training the disabled veterans.  The program also includes home visits, public access testing, and follow-up support for the life of the dog/Veteran team.

"There are so many men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure our freedom and our liberty.  Professionally trained dogs like these can make a real difference in the lives of our service men and women but the cost is generally out of the reach of disabled vets," said Kosmoski.

For more information about Patriot Paws, including profiles of veterans whose lives have greatly improved by their new companions, go to http://www.patriotpaws.org.

Come join us for a night of fun and fabulous chili!  All for a good cause -- Patriot Paws!

Star Republican Women's Chili Cook-Off is set for Friday, October 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 103 Sitting Bull in Horseshoe Bay, the home of Caring for America Committee Chairman Marsha Lovelady. 

There will be a fierce, but friendly, competition among five teams lead by SRW officers:  Gennie Ward, Denise Rives, Emily Tobin, Caron Drake and Mary Lou Kromer. And YOU will determine who will be victorious!

Attendees will sample each team's chili, then pick their favorite and place a minimum of $10 in their chosen winner's money jar to get a full bowl of chili in return.  Then top your chili with your chosen condiments and later enjoy dessert provided by SRW board members.

Beer, wine and water will be available but you are encouraged to bring your own beverage of choice. 

This is a casual, backyard event so dress accordingly.  Some seating will be available but we encourage you to bring your own lawn chairs or stools.

All Star Republican Women members and associate members are invited to participate and may bring guests as well.  We encourage you to carpool with others to help reduce the number of cars.  A shuttle will be available to take attendees to the event from where they park and then back to their cars afterwards.

Please enjoy this Texas tradition and support our disabled veterans with your generous donations!

We will not be selling tickets, but would ask that you RSVP by clicking on the button below to register you and your guests.  This will help us better prepare to serve you at the event. The link takes you to an EventLink site.  Once on the EventLink site, Click on the REGISTER button and then the CHECK OUT button on the second page to fill in your name and number of guests.   

It's that time again to renew your membership with Star Republican Women and Texas Federation of Republican Women.  

Dues are $25 for members and $15 for associates.  Remember, your spouse can join as an associate member and attend all of our meetings.  

Please download the 2018 Membership Form and bring to our next meeting or mail to the address noted on the form. We ask that you renew by November 1 for the January through December 2018 membership year.

We encourage you to invite your friends and family members to join as well!

Emily Tobin, VP of Membership​

Star Republican Women's Red Shoe Book Club will meet next on Tuesday, November 28.  The featured book will be "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd, the celebrated author of the international bestseller "The Secret Life of Bees." 

A powerful, sweeping novel, inspired by real events, and set in the American Deep South in the nineteenth century, "The Invention of Wings" evokes a world of shocking contrasts, of beauty and ugliness, of righteous people living daily with cruelty they fail to recognize; and celebrates the power of friendship and sisterhood against all the odds.

Local area students recently celebrated U.S. Constitution Day September 17 -- and more than 225 had their own constitutions thanks to Star Republican Women's Literacy Committee.  

Committee Chairman Carole White delivered Constitution brochures to elementary students in Kingsland, Marble Falls and Spicewood.