Firearms Tax-free Holiday Comes at High Cost (March 4, 2013)

DALLAS – North Texas Republican lawmaker Jeff Leach’s proposal for a tax-free holiday for firearms ignores reality.

“Who knew the State of Texas’ bank account was bursting at the seams?” asked Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Darlene Ewing. “Republican leadership can’t find the money to pay for our public schools, Medicaid expansion and the Women’s Health Program – all necessities, but here’s a guy who finds money for more guns,” she said.

A number of gun related bills have been filed in this session, including guns on university campuses that do not want them, turning principals, teachers and other educators into first responders called “armed marshals”, and now this anti-tax, pro-weapon day on Texas Independence Day.

“News reports mentioning our neighboring state of Louisiana’s tax-free weapon holiday put the cost to their state at $600,000,” said Marsha McCartney, president of the North Texas chapter of the Brady Campaign. “Texas has nearly quintuple Louisiana’s population – that means five times as many, in case Rep. Leach isn’t aware.” 

Which Texans will ultimately pay for this program – students, seniors, and the sick? Texas can’t afford this irresponsible tax-free holiday.

Dallas County Democratic and Republican Parties Endorse Mayor Mike Rawlings’ Men Against Abuse Rally (February 26, 2013)

DALLAS – Leaders of Dallas County’s Democratic and Republican Parties wholeheartedly endorse next month’s Men Against Abuse Rally to end domestic violence in Dallas.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings is calling for 10,000 men to join him at City Hall Plaza at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, and pledge the following: to never commit an act of violence against women, hold abusive men accountable for their actions, to promote domestic violence awareness, educate young women in their lives to never accept violence in a relationship, and teach young men that violence is never an acceptable way to express anger or displeasure.

Dallas County’s Democratic Party Chair Darlene Ewing and Republican Party Chair Wade Emmert are troubled by the startling statistics of domestic violence in Dallas, with 13,000 incidents last year, including 26 murders, more than double the year before, and four already this year.

“Despite our political differences, we can all agree that crossing party lines and speaking out about this epidemic is the right thing to do,” Mr. Emmert said.

“I represent domestic violence survivors in my private law practice and I’m excited about this effort because I want these crimes to be a rarity,” Ms. Ewing said.

Mr. Emmert and Ms. Ewing are encouraging their precinct chairs and grassroots club members to attend the rally and take Mayor Rawlings’ pledges against domestic violence.

Kim Morris Accepts Position as Executive Director of Dallas County Democratic Party (February 15, 2013)

DALLAS -- The Dallas County Democratic Party welcomes Kim Morris in her new leadership position as Executive Director. Ms. Morris will lead the small professional staff and hundreds of volunteers in providing support for Democratic candidates and voters in Dallas County. 

Ms. Morris will implement the policies and goals set by Chair Darlene Ewing and handle day-to-day activities of the party itself. 

"Kim's management and recruitment experience from her decades of work for the Army and Air Force Exchange, coupled with her leadership in Democratic clubs in her retirement, made her an exciting choice for the party, " said Darlene Ewing, Dallas County Democratic Party Chair. 

Ms. Morris said, "As a precinct chair, longtime volunteer and president of the Irving Texas Democratic Women Club and my strong relationships with party members, leadership and elected officials, I've strived to be an asset since Day One." 

Ms. Morris has a history of service to her community with groups including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, the Irving Food Pantry, local seniors groups, and her church. Her first day on the job with the Dallas County Democratic Party was February 11.

Archive