Ground Game Magazine Volume 1 No 12 - Featuring Philippe Nassif

KERYL DOUGLAS

FOR JUSTICE

OF THE PEACE Precinct 7, Place 1

Inside:

PHILIPPE NASSIF

WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RUN FOR HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN IN 2016

REMIND YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT EARLY VOTING WILL BEGIN ON FEB. 16, 2016.

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FT BEHIND SERIES...

ON THE BLOCK

...Not Just Yet PHILIPPE NASSIF WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RUN FOR HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN IN THE UPCOMING 2016 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

By Aubrey R. Taylor Publisher of GROUND-GAME MAGAZINE®

Philippe Nassif is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the very near future in the Harris County Democratic Party. After all, He’s young and hungry. He’s also inspiring and committed to building a broader and stronger party. And above all else, he’s not afraid to take on the challenges facing the party. And oh, did I forget to mention that he’s very smart? I guess that’s why he was able to garner the endorsement of Houston’s only daily newspaper back in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 city of Houston General Election. Nope, he didn’t win. Actually, he missed making the runoff by a few thousand votes. But all isn’t lost.

Nassif’s third place showing has caused some folks to take notice. But along with the attention he may have also become a threat to those who want to see things remain the same.

NASSIF RUNS FOR THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE POSITION #5 In the aforementioned race for Houston City Council Philippe Nassif, Council Member Jack Christie, Sharon Moses and J. Brad Batteau

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PHILIPPE AND PEARDEE ROLLING TO THE POLLS - SEE PAGE 07 faced off in what would eventually become a very competitive race for the Houston City Council AtLarge Position #5 seat. Dr. Jack Christie (the incumbent) finished first with 83,863 votes or (46.00%); Sharon Moses finished second with 44.091 votes or (24.24); Philippe Nassif finished third with 34,765 votes or (19.11%); and J. Brad Batteau finished fourth with 19,362 votes or (10.65%) in the General Election. And in case you’re wondering, Council Member Jack Christie went on to defeat Sharon Moses in a Saturday, December 12, 2015 runoff election.

NASSIF ATTEMPTS TO RUN FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN

Deciding to take on the Democratic establishment was a very bold move for Philippe Nassif. After all, he just finished third in a four candidate field running for Houston City Council.

One would think that Nassif would simply take a little time off and enjoy the holidays -- but not him.

He waltzed himself right into the Democratic Party headquarters and filed to run for party chairman against Lane Lewis (the current chairman) on Monday, December 14, 2015.

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WHAT NASSIF SAID AFTER SIGNING UP TO RUN FOR HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN

Friends, I wanted to share a special announcement with all of you: Today I filed to run for Chair of the Harris County Democratic Party.

While I was on the campaign trail running for city council you often heard me talk about being the son of two immigrant parents, building a career in community organizing and Democratic politics, and having a passion for public service.

You also heard me talk about economic empowerment, social justice, and equality being core components of my vision for Houston. That message resonated across the city and earned me dozens of high profile endorsements and almost 40,000 votes in November.

My desire to serve Houstonians has only grown stronger, and I look forward to earning your vote the next few months so we can bring new leadership, more diversity, and strategy into the Democratic Party so we can win in 2016, and in every local, state, and federal election going forward! Stay tuned for updates!

ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015 WE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE Aubrey,

Last week I wrote to all of you announcing that I had filed for a place on the ballot to run for Chair of the Harris County Democratic Party.

I was informed late Friday and again via official letter over the weekend by the chairman of the party Lane Lewis (my opponent) that my petition signatures were invalid and that I had failed to make it onto the ballot for the primary election this March. With my name not on the ballot and the deadline passed, I will not be running for party chair.

Even as I accept the decision, I was very disappointed to receive this news. The signature process is a precise one and requires 48 legible

signatures from current precinct chairs. It also requires that none of these chairs sign more than one petition for a single race, yet some had forgotten they had signed Lane Lewis' petition during the summer.

Here in Harris County, our democracy has been dealt a setback. The process to challenge a sitting party chair is convoluted and flawed, and the number of signatures I received displayed a level of anxiety with our party leadership that needs to be addressed immediately. My challenge of Lane Lewis's chairmanship was never personal, but it was meant to send a strong message that change is needed in order for our party to start growing again and winning big.

That message has been sent.

I look forward to remaining a leader in our party and working with all of you to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, promote diversity, fight for equality, and move our city forward.

Thank you, Happy Holidays to you and your family!

-Philippe Nassif Nassif for Houston PO Box 7221, Houston Texas 77248

ROLLING TO THE POLLS

Philippe Nassif is committed and involved in supporting and growing the Democratic Party base. On (page 5) is a photo of Philippe Nassif rolling to polls with Peardee. She is 94 years of age and has lived in 5th ward her entire life. As a volunteer for Texas Organizing Project to drive voters to the polls. Nassif got to hear Peardee’s life story and her reasons for voting in every election on the drive they shared. “She inspires me.,” says Nassif. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, he was pulling for Rep. Sylvester Turner, Chris Brown, Amanda Edwards, David W. Robinson and other progressives in the Saturday, December 12, 2015 runoff elections.

THERESA

Hearn-Haynes

for STATE

REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 150

A Voice for the Voiceless... ...A Servant for the People!

2016

Republican Primary

Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Early Voting: Feb.16TH - 26TH

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All candidates without respect to “Party Affiliation” are invited to seek the vote and support of our diverse and very “OPEN-MINDED” reader base.

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Important 2016 Election Dates

Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - Mark your calendar for the 2016 Democratic and Republican Primaries.

Friday, January 1, 2016*

First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (NEW LAW: first day of calendar year for ABBM and FPCA) Last Day to Register to Vote

Monday, February 1, 2016

*First day to file does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2016 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016* *First business day after Presidents' Day First Day of Early Voting

Friday, February 19, 2016 (NEW LAW: 11th day before election day; ABBM and FPCA) Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)

Friday, February 26, 2016 Last Day of Early Voting

Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail Tuesday, March 1, 2016 (election day) at 7:00 p.m. (unless overseas deadline applies).

*Aubrey R. Taylor Communications is the publisher of GroundGame Magazine® and Houston Business Connections Newspaper. No information contained herein may be reprinted or published in any form without our expressed written permission.

KEY RACES GROUND-GAME MAGAZINE

®

The key Ground-Game Magazine® featured 2016 Republican Candidates running for President of the United States of America are: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Chris Christie, John R. Kasich, Mike Huckabee, Elizabeth Gray, Rand Paul, Lindsey Graham, and Rick Santorum.

The key Ground-Game Magazine® featured 2016 Democratic candidates running for President of the United States of America are: Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Martin J. O’Malley.

The key Ground-Game Magazine® featured 2016 race for State Representative is the (HD-27) Fort Bend County race between Ron Reynolds, Steve Brown, Angelique Bartholomew, and Chris Henderson.

A key Ground-Game Magazine® featured 2016 Harris County race is the battle for Harris County Republican Party Chairman between Paul Simpson, Tex Christopher and Rick Ramos.

Lane Lewis the current Democratic Party Chairman was initially facing a challenge from Philippe Nassif. However, according to Nassif, the signatures he gathered were deemed invalid. Thus, he will not appear on the 2016 Primary ballot.

NASSIF

LEWIS

REYNOLDS

BROWN

BARTHOLOMEW

HENDERSON

CLINTON

TRUMP

O’MALLEY

SANDERS

CARSON

BUSH

CHRISTIE

KASICH

GRAHAM

HUCKABEE

CRUZ

PAUL

RUBIO

FIORINA

SANTORUM

SIMPSON

CHRISTOPHER

RAMOS

NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016

REP. SENFRONIA THOMPSON'S NEW LANDLORD LIABILITY ACT BECOMES LAW : HB 1510 Gives Texans A Second Chance

Landlords who rent or lease to someone with a criminal record will, on January 1, 2016, have limited liability protection from lawsuits thanks to House Bill 1510 passed by Rep. Senfronia Thompson. Having a stable place to live is one of the most critical factors in preventing recidivism and parole violations and will give ex-offenders a second chance on becoming productive citizens.

HELPING BUSINESSES

For tax reports due on or after January 1, 2016, businesses with a total revenue of $20 million, instead of $10 million, will now be able to use

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fxÇyÜÉÇ|t

Longest Serving Woman in the Legislature

the E-Z computation, helping more businesses reduce compliance costs. The franchise tax rate on businesses using the E-Z computation will also be reduced from 0.575 to 0.331 percent of the business' apportioned total revenue.

In addition, the franchise tax rate of a business' taxable margin is reduced from 1 percent to 0.75 percent and the franchise tax on retailers is reduced from 0.5 percent to 0.375 percent of the taxable margin. Although these tax reliefs do not directly impact individuals, the intent to reduce the franchise tax rate is to attract more outof-state businesses to Texas which, in turn, creates thousands of new jobs.

GUNS: OPEN CARRY

Beginning January 1, 2016,Texans with a concealed handgun license will be able to openly carry their handgun in a shoulder or belt holster, joining forty-four other states that already allow open carry of handguns.

License handgun owners will still be prohibited from carrying their handguns in certain places where concealed carry is prohibited. Individuals and businesses retain their right to prohibit handguns on their property by posting proper notice. The offense is a class A misdemeanor if the handgun license holder fails to leave the property after entering and receiving oral notice that remaining on the property is forbidden. It is also a class A misdemeanor for a license holder to openly carry a handgun on a college or university campus. Handgun license instructors are required to include instructions on how-to-use restraint holsters and other methods of securely carrying an open handgun.

HELPING BUSINESSES

For tax reports due on or after January 1, 2016, businesses with a total revenue of $20 million, instead of $10 million, will now be able to

use the E-Z computation, helping more businesses reduce compliance costs. The franchise tax rate on businesses using the E-Z computation will also be reduced from 0.575 to 0.331 percent of the business' apportioned total revenue.

In addition, the franchise tax rate of a business' taxable margin is reduced from 1 percent to 0.75 percent and the franchise tax on retailers is reduced from 0.5 percent to 0.375 percent of the taxable margin. Although these tax reliefs do not directly impact individuals, the intent to reduce the franchise tax rate is to attract more outof-state businesses to Texas which, in turn, creates thousands of new jobs.

MORE SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES TO CHOOSE FROM

Texans will have more choices to choose from when it comes to picking out their license plates. Several specialty license plates will become effective January 1, 2016. The list includes specialty plates for Texas Juneteenth and to honor recipients of the Commendation Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, Medal, or Ribbon and the 36th Infantry Division. Specialty license plates will also be available for retired United States armed forces, the Texas National Guard, and the Texas State Guard regardless of how long they had served.

Also available will be K9s4COPs license plates to honor police dogs, "In God We Trust" license plates and specialty plates for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement will also be required to develop training for peace officers on interacting with drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

fxÇyÜÉÇ|t Rep. Senfronia Thompson, District 141

ON THE BLOCK

...Because No American Should Be Left Behind WE MUST GET EX-FELONS, OTHER POTENTIAL VOTERS OFF THE SIDELINES AND INTO THE GAME IN 2016

By Aubrey R. Taylor Publisher of GROUND-GAME MAGAZINE®

The current political landscape in America (in general), and Texas (in particular) could be drastically changed if ex-felons were informed and made aware of the fact that their rights are fully restored once they fully complete all required portions of their sentences.

Contrary to popular belief, people who have served time in county jails, state jails, as well as state or federal prisons (in Texas) “DO INDEED” have a right to vote in citywide, gubernatorial, and presidential elections. However, this is not something that’s widely publicized or promoted through other media outlets, but this is why GROUNDGAME MAGAZINE® is being published.

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FORMER REPUBLICAN GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH WHO ALSO ROSE TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SIGNED THIS INTO LAW

Thanks to a bill signed by former President George W. Bush – back in 1997 when he was Governor of Texas, the two-year waiting period after completion of their (felony conviction) to regain their right to vote was lifted for ex-felons.

According to research, an estimated 5.3 million Americans, or one in forty-one adults, have cur-

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ON THE BLOCK rently or permanently lost their voting rights as a result of a felony conviction.

Get this, over 1.4 million African American men, or what would amount to 13% of the black male population, are being affected by this epidemic. African American men are being affected by this epidemic at a rate that’s seven times the national average according to research.

SOMETHING MUST BE DONE

I bet you didn’t know that the outlook for the next generation of black males isn’t looking very good these days. Many black males will have their lives negatively impacted as they are destined to become voiceless members of society if something isn’t done to curb the rate at which they are being disproportionately given felony convictions (for sometimes petty crimes or trumped up charges) in America.

According to statistics, three out of every ten of the next generation of black males can expect to be deemed ineligible to vote due to trouble with the law during some point in their lifetime. In some states in America, where felons can’t vote, more than 40% of black men may permanently lose their right to vote if something is not done.

THIS ISN’T JUST A BLACK EPIDEMIC

Don’t sit back and think of this as a black problem; it’s estimated that over 5.3 million Americans, that’s about one in forty-one adult Americans, have currently or permanently lost their voting rights due to being convicted of a felony.

AMERICA AT A GLANCE

Alabama: In 2003, Governor Riley signed into law a bill that permits most felons to apply for a certificate of eligibility to register to vote after completing their sentence.

Connecticut: In 2001, Governor Rowland signed into law a bill that extends voting rights to felons on probation. At that time, the law was expected to make 36,000 persons eligible to vote.

Delaware: In 2000, the General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to some ex-felons five years after the completion of their sentence.

Iowa: Governor Vilsack issued an executive order in 2005 automatically restoring the voting rights of all ex-felons, a process that will continue on a monthly basis upon the completion of sentence.

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ON THE BLOCK Kansas: In 2002, the legislature added probationers to the category of excluded felons.

Kentucky: In 2001, the legislature passed a bill that requires that the Department of Corrections inform and aid eligible offenders in completing the restoration process to regain their civil rights.

Maryland: In 2002, the legislature repealed its lifetime ban on two-time ex-felons (with the exception of felons with two violent convictions) and imposed a three-year waiting period after completion of sentence before rights can be restored.

Massachusetts: In 2000, the Massachusetts electorate voted in favor of a constitutional amendment, which strips persons incarcerated for a felony offense of their right to vote.

Nebraska: In 2005, the Legislature repealed the lifetime ban on all felons and replaced it with a two-year post-sentence ban.

Nevada: In 2003, the state approved a provision to automatically restore voting rights for firsttime nonviolent felons immediately after completion of sentence.

New Mexico: In 2001, the Legislature adopted a bill repealing the state’s lifetime ban on ex-felon voting. In 2005, a bill was passed that requires the Department of Corrections to provide notification of completion of sentence to the Secretary of State’s office.

Pennsylvania: A Commonwealth Court restored the right to vote to thousands of ex-felons who, as a result, were entitled to vote in the 2000 presidential election.

Rhode Island: In 2006, Rhode Island voters approved a referendum to amend the state constitution and restore voting rights to persons currently serving a sentence of probation or parole.

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ON THE BLOCK Tennessee: In 2006, the Tennessee legislature amended the country’s most complex restoration system by greatly simplifying the procedure. All persons convicted of a felony (except electoral or serious violent offenses) are now eligible to have their right to vote restored upon completion of sentence and may apply for a “certificate of restoration” from the Board of Probation and Parole. All applicants must also satisfy any court-ordered restitution or child support obligations.

Texas: In 1997, the Texas Legislature passed a bill, signed by Governor George W. Bush, eliminating the two-year waiting period after completion of sentence before individuals can regain their right to vote.

Utah: In 1998, Utah voters approved an amendment prohibiting persons incarcerated for a felony conviction from voting.

Virginia: The Virginia legislature passed a law in 2000 enabling certain ex-felons to apply to the circuit court for the restoration of their voting rights five years after the completion of their sentence; those convicted of felony drug offenses must wait seven years after completion. The circuit court’s decisions are subject to the Governor’s approval.

Wyoming: In 2003, Governor Freudenthal signed a bill to allow people convicted of a nonviolent first-time felony to apply for restoration of voting rights five years after completion of sentence.

Sources: Jamie Fellner and Marc Mauer, Losing the Vote: The Impact of Felony Disenfranchisement Laws in the United States, Human Rights; Watch, The Sentencing Project, October 1998; Patricia Allard and Marc Mauer, Regaining the Vote: An Assessment of Activity Relating to Felon

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Disenfranchisement Laws, The Sentencing Project, January 2000, updates by The Sentencing Project, and Jeff Manza and Christopher Uggen; Locked Out: Felony Disenfranchisement and American Democracy, 2006

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

Pursuant to Section 11.002 of the Texas Election Code (the “Code”), once a felon has successfully completed his or her punishment, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or has been pardoned, then that person is immediately eligible to register to vote.

FINAL FELONY CONVICTIONS

Please help those you know who may be in trouble with the law understand that a conviction on appeal is not considered a final felony conviction.

Please inform others that a “Deferred adjudication” is not considered a final felony conviction.

You can refer them to Article 42.12, Section 5, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Also, please let people know that prosecution, indictment or other criminal procedures leading up to, but not yet resulting in the final conviction, are not final felony convictions.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION FROM THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE

The requirements for voting and candidacy are often confused. Under Texas law, the rules are different for voting and candidacy. Section 141.001 of the Texas Election Code generally provides that to be eligible to be a candidate for, or elected or appointed to, a public elective office, a person must have not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities. This means there is no automatic restoration of the right to be a candidate, as there is for voting purposes, after a full discharge. Absent a pardon, the candidate must have obtained a judicial release from his or her disabilities in order to run for any office to which this section applies.

Similarly, the requirements for voting and for serving on a jury are different. Section 62.102 of the Government Code provides that a person who has been finally convicted of a felony is not eligible to serve on a jury, and that right may not be automatically restored as it is for voters.

If you have any questions about these issues, please do not hesitate to contact the Elections Division of the Texas Secretary of State at 1-800-252-2216.

KERYL L. DOUGLAS for JUSTICE OF THE PEACE Precinct 7, Place 1

"A Judge You can TRUST!"

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DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTION - Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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“GET IN THE GAME.”

...Far too many eligible voters are sitting on the sidelines. Let’s play as a team in the 2016 Presidential Election.

33.65%

Only 33.65% of the registered voters in Harris County turned out to vote in the Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Midterm Gubernatorial Election in Harris County.

7.1%

2.70%

Only 7.1% of the registered voters in Harris County chose to vote in the Tuesday, March 4, 2014 Midterm Republican Primary Election in Harris County.

Only 2.70% of the registered voters in Harris County chose to vote in the Tuesday, March 4, 2014 Midterm Democratic Primary Election in Harris County. prov rnout were The above tu

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