Posted on 03/04/2005 6:00:47 AM PST by Arrowhead1952
By W. Gardner Selby
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, March 4, 2005
Cash earmarked for purchase of headquarters instead is spent on campaigns, other expenses
Almost two years after Texas Democratic Party leaders agreed to stow away $250,000 toward owning rather than renting their Austin headquarters, campaigns and other needs have soaked up the money.
In April 2003, the State Democratic Executive Committee voted that $250,000 be "set aside for the future purchase of a permanent home" for the party.
"It was money not to be touched," recalled Molly Beth Malcolm of Texarkana, then the party chairwoman.
Malcolm said Thursday: "If the money is spent, I do have concerns because it was set aside to be used for a permanent home."
The party had welcomed several hundred thousand dollars in a surprise bequest from a Dallas woman. Martha Hughes died at 91 in 1999, splitting most of her $1.9 million estate between state and national parties.
Hilbert Ocañas of San Antonio, the party's finance vice chairman at the time, said members wanted to own a headquarters building, paying into equity rather than continuing to rent ramshackle offices near West Sixth Street.
The 2003 vote, he said, was intended "to put some discipline into party finances."
"I'm disappointed, obviously," Ocañas said, though he said he appreciates any difficulties raising money when no Democrat has been elected to a statewide office since 1994.
Party Chairman Charles Soechting said he made a "command decision" last year to tap the funds for election needs such as legislative campaigns, a bus tour of the Rio Grande Valley, modernized voting records and vital staff pay raises and furniture.
"It's more important to have a viable political party than it is to worry about your address," Soechting said, noting that the party gained ground in the Texas House for the first time since 1972 when it picked up one House seat last year and welcomed local gains in Dallas and Harris counties.
"I could watch a party go down or I could step in and make a difference," Soechting said. "I'll bet that Miss Hughes, God rest her soul, is a lot happier winning elections. She'd rather see that than have (the money) spent on a pretty place to hang out."
It's unclear whether more than 60 activists who comprise the executive committee have any concerns over the spending decisions. The group will gather for a quarterly meeting next month.
Boyd Richie of Graham, who leads a group of executive committee members reviewing party spending with Soechting, said a report will be given to members.
"We're not in a hole," Richie said. "This time in the election cycle is always a lean time for the party."
Reports filed by the party with the Texas Ethics Commission show its contributions on hand falling from $112,000 on June 30 to $6,300 as of Dec. 31.
Soechting predicted a permanent home for the party will "take care of itself" as he steers a fresh wave of fund raising with help from a Houston consultant who last year worked for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.
Brandy Coletta, paid $10,000 a month, will help the party raise $1.5 million, Soechting said. John Edwards, the 2004 vice presidential nominee, and Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, have agreed to visit Texas for the party.
"I don't pay anyone $10,000 a month (that) I don't expect great things from," Soechting said. He said he's personally promised to pay her fee if he doesn't raise the money from other sources.
Paging Travis County DA Ronnie Earle
Paging Travis County DA Ronnie Earle
Paging Travis County DA Ronnie Earle
Total silence from the DUMBOCRAT DA on this issue.....
Typical. The only problem is that they use these same practices when they are in office and spending your tax money.
Idiots are about to write off an entire state for the republican party because they can't manage the budget.
"It was money not to be touched," recalled Molly Beth Malcolm of Texarkana, then the party chairwoman.
Did they put that money in an ALGORE lockbox (tm)?
They can't handle "their" own money, but they can handle ours ? but in thinking about this, they DID have blue print for this, you know. It's called "The Social Security Fund"....
Given the democRATs record in the last election, I guess Miss Hughes is rolling over in her grave.
MY GAWD!!
Overriding the vote of their Executive Committee to pay for a Bus Tour and furniture. That's what they get for electing a trial lawyer head of their party.
BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!The 'RATS sure know how to flush $$$$ down the tubes!
My tribute to George Soros:
Thanks, Georgie! Great job!
I love the sound of $27 MILLION being flushed down the terlit! :^D
Typical rat response when their spending out weighs their assets.
When one gets to serve on a board of a non profit, this behavior is rampant among any liberals on that board.
If we can stop the flow of our tax $'s to the phoney non profits run by libs, most of them will be bankrupt in a very short time.
"Given the democRATs record in the last election, I guess Miss Hughes is rolling over in her grave."
Given the demonRAT's record, Miss Hughes VOTED in the last election!
*snerk* LOL
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
