• Location

• Blanco ISD Building
  1015 Elm St.
  Blanco, TX

• 201/ 202
• Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department
  300 Liveoak
  Johnson City, TX

• 302/ 303/ 304
• Community Park Building
  620 N. Nugent
  Johnson City, TX

• 401/ 402
• Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society Building
  300 Main St.
  Blanco, TX

• Location

• First Presbyterian Church Hall
  119 N Commerce St,
  Lockhart

• Lockhart High School Library
  906 center St,
  Lockhart

• Clear Fork Baptist Church Hall
  423 Clear Fork Road CR194,
  Brownsboro Community

• First Lockhart Baptist Church Hall
  305 W Prairie Lea St,
  Lockhart

• VFW Post 8927
  7007 South US Hwy 183,
  Lockhart

• Lockhart Evening Loin’s Club
  220 Bufkin St,
  Lockhart

• Lockhart ISD Community Education Center
  520 N Pecos St,
  Lockhart

• Episcopal Church of the Annunciation Hall
  301 S Walnut St,
  Luling

• Southside Clubhouse
  1000 South Magnolia St.
  Luling

• First Baptist Church
  218 N Magnolia St,
  Luling

• Tilmon Community Center
  1957 FM Road 3158,
  Tilmon Community

• McMahan Community Center
  FM 713, East of Hwy 183,
  Lockhart

• Delhi Community Center
  6108 St Hwy 304,
  Lockhart

• Luling Civic Center
  300 E Austin St, St Hwy 80 West,
  Luling

• Elm Grove Community Center
  4187 Taylorsville Rd, CR 158,
  Elm Grove Community

• Martindale Baptist Tabernacle Hall
  105 Main St,
  Martindale

• Maxwell Community Center
  180 Fourth St, CR 288,
  Maxwell Community

• Trinity United Church Annex
  13700 Camino Real, St Hwy 21,
  Niederwald Community

• Lytton Springs Baptist Church Hall
  8511 FM 1854,
  Lytton Springs Community

• Tri-City Community Center
  6899 San Marcus St, St Hwy 183,
  Prairie Lea Community

• Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
  108 N Medina St,
  Lockhart

• St Mark’s Methodist Church Hall
  108 N Medina St,
  Lockhart

• St Mary’s Catholic Church Hall
  205 W Pecan St,
  Lockhart

• First Assembly of God Church Hall
  2715 N US Hwy 183,
  Lockhart

• Lytton Springs Masonic Building
  8600 FM 1854,
  Lytton Springs Community

• Dale Community Center
  47 Civic Dr, PR 4061,
  Dale Community

• St Jon’s United Baptist Church
  103 Bufkin St,
  Lockhart

• PRECINCTS  
  
• POLLING PLACE

• 110/113
• Elections Office
  401-C Broadway St.
  San Marcos, TX 78666

• 111/112
• Dunbar Center
  801 Martin Luther King Dr.
  San Marcos, TX 78666

• 114/120
• San Marcos Housing
  Residents Office
  820 Sturgeon
  San Marcos, TX 78666

• 116
• Hernandez Intermediate School
  333 Stagecoach Trail
  San Marcos, TX 78666

• 127
• Tobias Elementary School
  1005 E FM 150
  Kyle, TX 78640

• 221/225
• Performing Arts Center
  979 Kohlers Crossing
  Kyle, TX 78640

• 223/227
• Kyle City Hall
  100 W Center St.
  Kyle, TX 78640

• 224/228
• Buda City Hall
  121 N. Main St
  Buda, TX 78610

• 226/230
• Hays Hills Baptist Church
  1401 N FM 1626
  Buda, TX 78610

• 229/234
• Goforth Water Supply
  8900 Niederwald Strasse
  Niederwald, TX 78640

• 315
• Doris Miller Jr. High
  301 Foxtail Run
  San Marcos, TX 78666

• 330/334
• Lamar Annex
  500 W Hutchison St.
  San Marcos, TX 78666

• 331/332/336
• Horizon Bay
  Auxiliary Room
  1720 Ranch Road 12
  San Marcos, Texas 78666

• 333/335/337
• Wimberley Community Center
  14068 Ranch Rd 12
  Wimberley, TX 78676

• 440
• Henly Baptist Church
  200 Henly Loop
  Henly, TX 78620

• 441/449
• DSISD, Administration Office
  510 West Mercer St
  Dripping Springs, TX 78620

• 442/448
• Driftwood Community Center
  15100 FM 150
  Driftwood, TX 78619

• 443/444
• Sunset Canyon Baptist Church
  4400 E Hwy 290
  Dripping Springs, TX 78620

• 446/447
• Travis Elementary School
  1437 Post Road
  San Marcos, TX 78666

The Rose 2010 Campaign announced today that State Rep. Patrick M. Rose (D-Dripping Springs) has received the endorsement of the Texas League of Conservation Voters and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.

“I am working with our communities to find consensus on how best to protect our limited, local groundwater resources while leading efforts to set statewide standards to capture and re-use rainwater,” said Rep. Rose.  “The League and the Sierra Club are invaluable partners at the Legislature and I look forward to our continued efforts on other conservation priorities that are necessary to ensure that local water resources are sustainable for residential, business and future economic growth purposes in the Texas Hill Country.”

The announcement coincides with the formation of the Conservationists for Rose steering committee.  This group of Central Texas community leaders includes many of our state’s leading conservationists, and they have partnered with Rep. Rose on his Conservation Agenda for the Texas Hill Country.

 Central Texas leaders gathered in San Marcos to honor Rep. Rose and to support the Rose Conservation Agenda.
Pictured from Left to Right:  Dianne Wassenich, Co-Chair, Conservationists for Rose, Rep. Patrick Rose, Rep. Lon Burnam, and Patrick Cox, Co-Chair, Conservationists for Rose

"Patrick listens and understands the water issues in his district, and beyond those boundaries as well,” Dianne Wassenich, Co-Chair, Conservationists for Rose.  “I especially appreciate his efforts to involve a lot of stakeholders in critical water discussions." 


"In a society where political popularity is gained by maintaining the status quo, many elected officials avoid proposing bold new measures that will protect our disappearing natural resources,” Patrick Cox, Ph.D, Co-Chair, Conservationists for Rose.  “Patrick Rose provides an honest, straightforward approach that provides opportunities to shape a sustainable future and viable communities in Central Texas.”   

The Conservationists for Rose steering committee was joined by Rep. Lon Burnam, (D-Fort Worth) in San Marcos last week at a reception honoring Rep. Rose.  Rep. Burnam, a senior Democratic member of the Texas House, is known as a leader in protecting the environment and is a recipient of the Sierra Club’s “New Leadership for the Environment” award.

“I am proud to support your State Representative, Patrick Rose, for re-election,” said Rep. Burnam.  “I have known and worked with many of the Conservationists for Rose committee members and I am grateful that you are working hard to make sure that Patrick Rose returns to the Texas Legislature.  The environmental community and I need his leadership in Austin.”

The Conservationists for Rose committee members include:  Hon. Bob Armstrong and Linda Aaker; J. David Bamberger; Shirley Beck; David Braun; George Bristol; Steve and Kathy Carriker; Patrick and Brenda Cox, Co-Chair; Colleen Gardner; Steve and Debbie Harvey; Jim and Jerry Kimmel; Ken Kramer; Jim Marston; Charles Porter; Mike and Pam Reese; Mary Sanger; Pete Schenkkan; Mary Stone; Scott Storm; Hon. John Thomaides; Tom and Dianne Wassenich, Co-Chair; John Watson; Tom Weber; Betty Wright and Elizabeth Stillman.

To learn more about Rep. Patrick Rose’s Conservation Agenda please visit: www.patrickrose.com/issues/conservation

State Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, continues to be a forceful advocate for District 45, with a leadership style that focuses on building consensus at the Legislature. As a result, Rose has an impressive list of accomplishments that has helped improve the quality of life for district residents and all Texans. He is the best choice for the March 2 Democratic primary.

The District 45 seat represents a swing district split between Democrats and Republicans.

Throughout his tenure, Rose has been a moderating voice at the Legislature, a quality that helped spur his fast rise in a chamber controlled by Republicans. Rose, 31, is chairman of the House Human Services Committee. During the 2009 legislative session, he passed a bill that increased oversight and security at state institutions and community homes that serve Texans with disabilities.

Rose authored a bill last session guaranteeing that extra money be sent to midsize school districts, including Wimberley and Dripping Springs. He worked with Republican state Sen. Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio to secure $1 million in state funds for the River Systems Institute to monitor the San Marcos Springs, an outlet of the Edwards Aquifer.

Since going to the Legislature in 2003, Rose helped secure more than $26 million for special programs at Texas State University and nearly $80 million for construction of facilities. He also helped passed legislation to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program. On economic development, Rose wants the Texas Enterprise Fund to offer incentives to small businesses that relocate to the state.

Rose faces a primary challenge from Andrew Backus, 49, a real estate investor from Driftwood. Backus is a one-issue candidate who is running to call attention to the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, a volunteer board on which he serves. He wants legislation to expand its authority and financing. Beyond that, his grasp of the issues is shaky.

In elections for county judge of Hays County, Democrat Jeff Barton, 50, has the temperament, proven record of accomplishments and vision to lead. He is the best choice in that primary. He is challenging incumbent Elizabeth "Liz" Sumter, 50, of Wimberley.

On the Republican side, Bert Cobb, 64, a San Marcos physician, offers the knowledge and skills to do the job. He

faces Peggy Jones, 46, a businesswoman, in the GOP primary for county judge.

Barton, who has been a county commissioner since 2007 and also served as commissioner from 1992-1998, has shown a superior knowledge of the challenges regarding groundwater, conservation, transportation and law enforcement in Hays, one of Texas’ fastest-growing counties. Those are important attributes as the county weathers growing pains in its shift from mostly rural to suburban.

Under Barton’s leadership, the county nearly passed an initiative in 2008 to improve public safety for families living on smaller lots in unincorporated subdivisions. It was spurred by a 2007 shooting incident in which 7-year-old Daniel Galicia was killed while jumping on a trampoline in his family’s yard east of Kyle by a stray bullet fired by a neighbor shooting targets in his yard, which was less than half a mile from Daniel’s home.

The ordinance would have banned the shooting of firearms on lots smaller than two acres in unincorporated areas and would have passed except that Sumter cast the vote that defeated it.

Her job was to make policy to protect all residents. Instead she made a raw political calculation. And Sumter’s tenure has been divisive. In one case, she brought embarrassment to the court by passing along to the country district attorney invalid allegations of corruption regarding road projects in fellow commissioners’ precincts. The allegations were swiftly dismissed, but the damage has lingered.

Cobb also is knowledgeable about challenges, including transportation, groundwater and the budget. He wants to reduce regulations for construction companies that he says are choking the creation of jobs and economic development.

There is a clear contrast between candidates seeking the District 45 House seat and the Hays County Commissioners Court’s top leadership post. We urge voters to choose Rose, Barton and Cobb.

 "In a society where political popularity is gained by maintaining the status quo,many elected officials avoid proposing bold new measures that will protect our disappearing natural resources. Patrick Rose provides an honest, straightforward approach that provides opportunities to shape a sustainable future and viable communities in Central Texas. If we are to achieve this worthy goal, we need leaders like Patrick Rose who provide a constructive process that brings individuals and organizations together to find solutions that will conserve our threatened land and water resources." 
Patrick Cox, Ph.D, Co-Chair

 

The Texas Hill Country: Patrick Rose’s Conservation Priorities

Rep. Patrick Rose is a leader in the most critical issues facing the Texas Hill Country.  In 2003, he actively supported Proposition 2, a successful $30 million bond package for the purchase of open space and parks in Hays County. In 2005, Rep. Rose actively supported the purchase of the 55-acre Jacob’s Well Natural Area.

County Authority for Hill Country Counties

Texas Hill Country communities and their local governments lack the tools they need to be able to plan and manage growth in order to sustainfuture economic vitality, protect property values and preserve the Hill Country for generations.

Rep. Patrick Rose has been a leader on this important issue for the last two Legislative Sessions in the face of strong opposition.  After the 2009 Legislative Session, Rep. Rose achieved an important breakthrough; he requested and secured an interim charge by the House Committee on County Affairs to study this issue during the interim.  The committee will hold hearings to:  Study the current practices and tools available to counties to manage growth and development. Consider incompatible land uses and county rulemaking authority, including rulemaking authority bracketed to counties of a certain population.

Pictured from Left to Right:  Rep. Patrick M. Rose, Denise Trauth, President of Texas State University, Dr. Thomas Hardy, Research Professor of Biology and Chief Science Officer of the River Systems Institute and Andrew Sansom, Executive Director of the River Systems Institute announce a one million dollar appropriation for expert scientists to study and develop techniques to protect our groundwater.

 
The committee’s work over the coming months is critical as it will be the foundation for recommendations reported to the Legislature in December 2010, just in time for the next session.  Rep. Rose, in partnership with the Hill Country Alliance and local elected officials, has already submitted important background information for this charge and organized testimony by Hill Country conservation leaders and local governments.

Rep. Rose is also working with Hill Country legislators to build consensus in the region for county authority legislation that is focused on meeting our communities’ needs.  This process will work in tandem with the Committee’s efforts and will build the legislative coalition needed to pass legislation in the spring of 2011.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rep. Patrick Rose is leading a broad coalition of rainwater harvesting professionals to push for legislation that provides various building standards, incentives, and conservation initiatives by which rainwater harvesting technology could be encouraged, promoted, and implemented in both public and private facilities in Texas.

This omnibus rainwater harvesting legislation is the most aggressive legislative initiative to help rainwater harvesting thrive in Texas.  The bill statutorily authorizes banks to issue loans for developments that use rainwater as the sole source of water supply, an important assurance for lenders as the market for rainwater harvesting systems grows. 

It requires that new state buildings with at least 10,000 square feet install rainwater-harvesting technology, provided that they are located in an area with an average annual rainfall of at least 20 inches. 

It also authorizes the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to adopt rules that will finally permit the use of a rainwater harvesting system cross-connected to a public water supply system.

Central Texas leaders gathered in San Marcos to honor Rep. Rose and to support the Rose Conservation Agenda.
Pictured from Left to Right:  Dianne Wassenich, Co-Chair, Conservationists for Rose, Rep. Patrick Rose, Rep. Lon Burnam, and Patrick Cox, Co-Chair, Conservationists for Rose

 Municipalities and counties that have adopted impervious cover or density restrictions would be required to consider the use of harvested rainwater in determining whether to grant a development a credit against, or an exemption from, the restrictions. It also encourages public school districts to consider the use of harvested rainwater, while prohibiting municipalities and counties from denying building permits solely because the proposed facility would incorporate rainwater-harvesting technology.

In addition, Rep. Rose’s proposed legislation requires enhanced and more frequent training by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for permitting staff at the municipal and county level.  Lastly, the bill greatly restricts homeowners’ associations’ ability to regulate the size, type, or location of a rainwater harvesting system on an individual homeowner’s property.

Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District:  A stakeholder process to build consensus on local groundwater policy

Rep. Patrick Rose has initiated a stakeholder process led by one of Texas’ leading conservationists, Andrew Sansom, to help the Western Hays County community reach a consensus on how to best plan for the future of its finite groundwater resources.  Any effort to give the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District the tools it needs to fulfill its mission must have at its root broad community support in order to be successful.

Working with the District’s leadership, this collaboration has already resulted in one exciting and historic breakthrough.  For the first time since its creation, the District’s leadership has pledged to open a dialogue with Chambers of Commerce, Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and other civic and business groups across the District in order to raise awareness and build consensus on this important issue.  Andrew Sansom will facilitate a discussion among these stakeholders to reach a consensus position that will shape any legislation required to support the District’s and the community’s long-term groundwater needs prior to the 2011 session of the Texas Legislature.

Of note, during the 2009 session, Rep. Rose filed legislation that would have authorized a groundwater conservation and management fee that would have generated $100,000 per year for the district.   Rep. Rose secured a hearing in the Natural Resources Committee, but the district ultimately decided not to support this effort and therefore the legislation did not proceed. 

 
"Patrick listens, and understands the water issues in his district, and beyond those boundaries as well.  I especially appreciate his efforts to involve a lot of stakeholders in critical water issue discusssions.  It is the right thing to do, and it will help educate more people on the serious problems facing this region in our immediate future. Counties need the ability to help solve water and other environmental challenges. I think  Patrick understands that very well, and will continue to act on that knowledge."
Dianne Wassenich, Co-Chair

Protecting the San Marcos Springs

At the headwaters of the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers lies a great treasure for Central Texas — the San Marcos Springs.  The San Marcos Springs are the second largest outflow from the Edwards Aquifer and are the primary source for the San Marcos River and ultimately the Guadalupe River, upon which many communities downstream rely for surface water.

In 2007, Senate Bill 3 — legislation that raised the pumping cap for the Edwards Aquifer from 450,000 acre-feet to 572,000 acre-feet — was passed, putting spring flow in the San Marcos and Comal Springs at risk.  Seeking to protect the Springs, Rep. Rose offered amendments to this legislation that would have made numerous, important changes including: raising the trigger point for pumping reductions during times of drought; requiring a surface water plan to reduce San Antonio’s dependence on the Edwards Aquifer; and preventing the recirculation of water in the San Marcos and Comal Springs to satisfy spring flow requirements. 

Despite his best efforts, these amendments were not accepted and SB 3 passed by a vote of 133 to 8.  Rep. Rose believes that protecting spring flow is of the utmost importance, and is committed to continuing to work to protect the Springs.

During the most recent session, facing difficult budgetary constraints, Rep. Rose secured $1 million appropriation for a special water-monitoring project at the River Systems Institute (RSI) at Texas State.   Internationally renowned scientists will develop an observing system for Spring Lake and the San Marcos River Basin, that will collect, compile and maintain data regarding the hydrological and ecological characteristics of the rivers system to support research and policy decisions.

“Representative Rose received our endorsement due to his tireless efforts to advocate for a strong manufacturing climate in Texas that provide jobs at above average wages for workers in Central Texas as well as statewide.  Additionally, Mr. Rose is a proven, experienced, and honest leader in the House that provides steady representation for his constituents and a champion of business,” said Mark Bordas, Chairman of MPACT.

“As a founder of the Texas Manufacturers Caucus, a group of legislators coordinating legislation that helps our state support Texas manufacturers, I am grateful for TAM’s work in Austin,” said Representative Rose.  “With our continued partnership, we can succeed in creating a business climate that helps us keep jobs in Texas rather than shipping them overseas.”

For a complete list of the Texas Association of Manufacturers’ policy principles, please visit www.manufacturetexas.org.

MPACT is the Political Action Committee for the Texas Association of Manufacturers that represents over 450 businesses ranging in size from small enterprises to some of the largest companies in the state with thousands of employees.  TAM members comprise every sector of the manufacturing industry across Texas.

+++

“Supporting state policies that sustain Texas’ favorable business climate, especially during these difficult economic times, is a priority for my office,” said Rep. Patrick Rose.  “With the legislative session less than a year away, I am working with our chambers of commerce, economic development directors and local business leaders on issues like workforce development, workers compensation insurance, energy costs and the budget.”

Over thirty business leaders joined this in-depth conversation about jobs and the Central Texas economy.  Rep. Strama expressed an appreciation for the business leaders’ commitment to job creation and their productive relationship with Rep. Rose.

“Last session, Rep. Rose presented a bill before my committee requiring the Texas Enterprise Fund to consider small businesses for state grants,” said Chairman Mark Strama, House Committee on Technology, Economic Development & Workforce.  “That bill is now state law, and I encourage you to continue to work with him to help Central Texas businesses make it through this challenging period.”

“It is refreshing to work with leaders like Rep. Rose and Chairman Strama that listen to their local business leaders and that are engaged in finding solutions to problems,” said Brian McCoy. “Rep. Rose’s leadership has made it possible for every business leader in this area to have a seat at the table on key issues that impacts Texas businesses.”

January 28, 2010 – AUSTIN – The Texas Association of REALTORS® today announced its decision to endorse Patrick M. Rose for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 45. Making the statement last week, Chairman Bill Jones applauded Rose’s unyielding commitment to Texas homeowners.

“The next legislative session will be filled with difficult decisions,” said Jones. “That’s why we need lawmakers like Representative Rose who understand the critical role homeowners play in keeping our state prosperous, which is why we’ve pledged our full support.”

Currently, Texas ranks 45^th out of 50 states in homeownership. Electing lawmakers who understand homeowners’ concerns and act accordingly to bolster homeownership in Texas is the association’s top priority this election season. A Texas Realtor for more than eight years, Rose is involved in the political process at all levels, promoting policies and supporting initiatives in the best interests of property rights and homeownership throughout the state.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the Texas Association of Realtors,” Rose said. “As small business owners, Texas Realtors make the dream of homeownership more affordable for all Texans and I will strive to help support this important goal.”

As the largest trade association in the state, the Texas Association of Realtors expects to be a considerable grassroots force for Rose.

Texas Realtors have championed a number of legislative issues enhancing the lives of Texans, such as pursuing reforms to the property appraisal system in 2009, preventing a tax of $600 or more on the personal vehicles of independent Texans in 2007 and advocating for billions in property tax reductions in 2005.  To learn more about Texas Realtors’ legislative advocacy on behalf of its members and homeowners, visit TexasRealEstate.com.

About the Texas Association of Realtors

The Texas Association of REALTORS® is the largest trade association in the state and represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We advocate on behalf of Texas Realtors and private property owners. Visit TexasRealEstate.com to learn more.