Have you ever wondered how the Texas Legislature works or how a bill becomes a law?

Have you ever thought about letting your State Senator or Representative know how you feel about a particular subject or a piece of legislation but were reluctant to voice your opinion?

If any of these are YOU – YOU should attend the March 21 meeting of Star Republican Women where guest speaker Bill Hussey will discuss all of this and more about the Texas Legislature.

The March 21 meeting will be held at Quail Point Lodge.  A complimentary light lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m. and the program will commence at 1:00 p.m.

A long-time grassroots political activist, Hussey leads an effort each Texas legislative session to promote conservative policies, monitor legislative activities and hold members of the legislature accountable.  He will share his experiences and his outlook for the 85^th Texas Legislature with SRW members and guests at the March meeting.

Hussey, who resides in Llano, serves the Republican Party in a variety of roles such as representing Llano County at county and state GOP conventions, volunteering or managing candidate campaigns, advocating policies to improve public education, and bringing awareness of issues such as border security.

Hussey founded the Llano County Tea Party in 2010 and served twice as its president and remains on its board.  He also has served on Grassroots Advisory Boards for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

In addition, Hussey actively supports a variety of community organizations.  He served twice as the Chairman of the Hill Country 100 Club, a non-profit organization to support First Responders. 

A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Hussey is a Vietnam Veteran and received the Air Force Commendation Metal for meritorious service.  He and his wife Faye have been married 49 years.

You won't want to miss the Second Annual Star Republican Women's Casino Night Thursday evening, April 20 at St. Paul's Catholic Church's Finn Center in Horseshoe Bay from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tickets for this 2017 SRW fundraiser will be on sale for $30 per person at SRW March 21 and April 18 general meetings or by mailing checks to SRW, P.O. Box 8675, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657.  Tickets include an open bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres.

Come enjoy this entertaining event and test your skills at Blackjack, Poker, Texas Hold 'Em, craps, roulette and slot machines.  

Professional dealers will be at each of the tables, encouraging guests onto big winnings!  

Gifts and prizes will be awarded at the end of the event, and attendees will have the opportunity to bid on items in a Silent Auction. Winners of the items will be announced at 9:30 p.m.

“Our Casino Night will be our major fundraising event in 2017, delivering a terrific evening of socializing and entertainment,” said Jo Ellen Henderson, chairman of the event and SRW Ways & Means Committee.

Net proceeds go to the Star Republican Women Political Action Committee to provide funds to Republican candidates seeking local, regional and state office, as well as SRW Caring for America projects to help community-based organizations.

Joining JoEllen on the committee are: Kathy Heeren, Linda Baker, Allison Sacra and Marion Gardner.

Sponsorship of gaming tables are available for $300 each and donated gifts and prizes are welcome.  For more information call Jo Ellen at 806-789-2886.

One More!  That is what we ask you to do in 2017.  Each of you, please bring one more woman to join Star Republican Women.

"This is not a big election year, but it is a very important time to expand our membership in anticipation of what surely will be a fierce competitive 2018 election," said Emily Tobin, Vice President and Chairman of the Membership Committee. "We need a strong force that is committed and well informed," she said.  

Tell your friends about SRW and TFRW -- the fun we have, the good we do, and the power we wield. Together we can make a difference!

Just click on the button below to download a membership form and send to your friends requesting them to join SRW.  Invite them to attend an upcoming meeting.   

For membership questions, please contact Emily Tobin at [email protected].​

Star Republican Women's Literacy Committee will host its first Red Shoe Book Club event this year on Tuesday, March 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Lantana Room at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Hotel.  

Literacy Committee Chairman Carole White announced that The Red Shoe Book Club will review the book "News of the World" by Paulette Jiles.  This enthralling book takes place in Texas back in the 1800's during the time of the Civil War.  The story begins in Wichita Falls and is the story of Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a former veteran of many wars and a printer of the news.  He loses his print shop and then takes to becoming a traveling reader of the news.  He was a man of many talents, and in his old age, he travels from town to town reading the news for ten cents.  Most folks of that time could not read and had no access to world news.  It was exciting for them to hear of faraway places and disasters of profound proportions.  Kidd is talked into taking a white girl who had been kidnapped by Indians back to her people in South Texas.  The journey is fraught with trials and misadventures.

"The Red Shoe Book Club is a way for SRW members and associates to explore and discuss books," said Carole White.  She said future Red Shoe Book Club meetings will be held every other month on the fourth Tuesday at 4 p.m.  

At the meeting March 28, beverages and small plates will be available for purchase while members enjoy discussion of the book.  

"Even if you have not had time to read the book, you are welcome to join the meeting," said Carol.  "After we have completed our discussion of the selected book, we will begin our C.H.A.T. -- Chicks Having an Awesome Time!" she said.

Star Republican Women's Caring for America Committee collected nearly 200 cuddly stuffed animals in January and February to give to The Phoenix Center and Texas Child Protective Services for troubled children both organizations are helping.  

SRW President Gennie Ward (left) and SRW member Sandra Thompson had a hard time parting with the cuddly menagerie at the February meeting!

With President Trump’s recent joint address to the U.S. Congress, our optimism for positive change grows even stronger.  As Vice President Pence noted the day after the speech, President Trump stood tall with broad shoulders and a big heart. Trump’s leadership is stronger than ever.

And I believe that all Republicans – all Americans – can also stand tall with pride and optimism for our country and at the same time have compassion for all people in our great nation.

From the very beginning, President Trump set a tone of unity for all Americans when he said, “. . .while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all of its very ugly forms.”

The beauty of our democracy is that we can freely express our opinions about issues and policies created by our government.  W may disagree, but we must work together to find the best solutions for the good of the people and our country.

When conservative Republicans were confronted with governmental policies that threatened their basic principles, many of them came together to form The Tea Party.  They created a strong voice across America to advocate action to restore our freedoms and honor the principles and values that were the cornerstone of our Constitution.  Even though they and most Republicans disagreed with President Obama’s policies and actions, they had enough respect for the office of the President to act in a peaceful and respectful manner.

Today, many people who disagree with President Trump’s vision, are banding together under the banner of “Indivisibles.”  These groups don’t seem to have an agenda for specific policy changes but rather work to paralyze the Trump Administration and The Congress.  They are willing to do or say anything to create disruption and disorder.   In addition to the flood of communications to disrupt offices, they have set up “town hall meetings” promoting the misconception that our local Representatives will be participating.  As Tom Mechler, chairman of The Republican Party of Texas, said, “Make no mistake; these are nothing more than publicity stunts designed to mislead the public and spread disinformation to stop much needed conservative reforms.”

Some think that the tactics of these organizations will actually work against them and that the American public will reject them for their seditious efforts.  Others believe they may be short-lived because their lack of a solid policy foundation.  And others recognize that funding from deep-pocket sources such as George Soros, may prolong their efforts and continue the disruption.

I am not sure of the future of these “Indivisibles,” but what I do know is that we Republicans should not hesitate to voice our support for President Trump and our other Republican officials.   Every chance we have to thank our elected officials for supporting our conservative values we should take it.  Attend “real” Town Hall Meetings.  Join activities like the March 4 Trump in Austin on March 4.  Have positive dialogue with friends and neighbors about the positive, conservative actions being taken by the Trump Administration.  Make contributions to the Republican Party of Texas to help fight the “Indivisibles” through more communications programs.  Joining the Grassroots Club is a good way to do that.

There is no need to be confrontational.  And there is no value in being passive.  So let’s all stand tall with President Trump, with pride, compassion and a relentless commitment to our conservative principles.

Gennie Ward, SRW President​

We encourage you to join the Grassroots Club, the sustaining membership organization for the Republican Party of Texas. 

For $8.25/month, or $99/year, you can support the RPT's mission to elect Republicans at all levels of Texas government, run a fair primary, and a strong state convention. 

By joining the Grassroots Club you can help promote our Party and its principles as well.  You also will be removed from all RPT fundraising calls and mail.  And you will be included in quarterly TeleTown Halls with exciting guests.

For more information about the Grassroots Club, please click on the button below.

Murr Serving on Four Committees

During 85th Texas Legislature

State Representative Andrew Murr (R-Junction) was recently appointed to four committees by the Speaker of the Texas House in the ongoing 85th Session of the Texas Legislature.  He will serve on the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, the Ways and Means Committee, and the Local and Consent Calendars Committee, as well as serving as Vice Chair of the Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility.  Additionally, Murr was selected by his colleagues to serve on the Steering Committee for the House Research Organization.

As a former county judge, Murr is in the unique position of being the only member of the Judiciary Committee with judicial experience.  The Judiciary Committee will review proposed legislation that affects our Texas court systems and judicial processes.

The Ways and Means Committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of topics, from state revenue sources to the state treasury.  Murr brings a rural perspective to the committee, and he is the only committee member from the Texas Hill Country.

The Committee on Local and Consent Calendars is a procedural committee.  This committee sets the schedule for hearing local bills on the House floor; those bills that, in the opinion of the committee, are in fact local or will be uncontested, and have been recommended as such by the standing committee of original jurisdiction.  Local bills are generally passed by the House at once, by unanimous consent, saving valuable time for debating controversial legislation or bills that impact the entire state. 

The Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility will consider a variety of legislation, including whether Texas should request an Article V Convention of States to draft amendments to the U.S. Constitution concerning certain topics.  Governor Greg Abbott included this topic in his list of emergency items this session.  As the Governor has explained to Texans, there are two ways to amend the U.S. Constitution; one by congress drafting amendments and submitting them to the states for ratification.  The other provides that two-thirds of the states can call for a convention to draft amendments, which are then submitted to the states for ratification.  If three-fourths of all states ratify an amendment, that amendment is approved.

Finally, the House Research Organization (HRO) provides impartial information on legislation and issues before the Texas Legislature.  The HRO Steering Committee, of which Murr is now a member, sets policy for the organization, approves its budget and ensures that its reports are accurate and objective.

Murr remarked, "I look forward to my work on each of these committees.  With only three months left in the Legislative Session and a long list of challenges facing our state, time is of the essence.  I am confident, however, that we will rise to the occasion and deliver real results for the people of Texas.”

For more information about Rep. Murr visit www.AndrewMurr.org or contact his District Office in Kerrville (715 Water St.) at (830) 257-0432 or his Capitol Office in Austin at (512) 463-0536 and let me hear from you. 

Rep. Andrew Murr is a rancher, attorney, small businessman and former Kimble County Judge who has represented District 53 in the Texas House since 2015.  House District 53 includes Bandera, Crockett, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, Medina, Menard, Real, Schleicher and Sutton Counties.  

The power of the Republican Federated Women at the federal, state and local level is the power of our volunteers.  We know many of you volunteered during the 2016 election year and have not reported to SRW the number of hours you spent.  

Texas Federation of Republican Women have given us "amnesty" on our reporting deadline for 2016.  So, we ask that you review your 2016 calendar and let us know your total volunteer hours. If you are an associate member, you should provide your hours as well.

We need your 2016 hours reported by end of March.  Bring your count to our March 21 meeting or email to Campaign Activities Committee Chairman Scarlett Reimer at [email protected].

Why is it important to report your hours?  We want to recognize each member for your volunteer efforts and we want to get credit for our collective efforts -- for SRW, TFRW and NFRW (local, state and national levels.) There is a bit of competition within TFRW and NFRW as to who volunteers the most, and awards are given to those who perform at the top levels.  But perhaps more importantly, we make a statement as to how important women are in the success of the Republican Party.  

At the last NFRW convention, it was reported that members volunteered more than 8 million hours in the 2014-2015 timeframe, and TFRW alone had 4 million of those volunteer hours.  TFRW President Theresa Kosmoski wants to top that for the 2016-2017 period.

So let's get credit for our 2016 hours. Going forward, please report your monthly volunteer hours by turning them in at each SRW General Meeting or by contacting Campaign Activities Committee Chairman Scarlett Reimer at [email protected]. 

A Campaign Activities report form can be obtained at www.starrw.org at the Club Documents tab.

Many types of activities can be included in your volunteer efforts.  Here is a short list:

• Work on or at a special campaign event
• Report your time spent working at club meetings, i.e. getting petitions signed and processing mailings
• Travel to and from events
• Preparation of food for our own SRW events or SRW-sponsored event.
• Collecting items to donate to SRW sponsored charities and organizations

Thanks for volunteering and let's get those hours counted!​