Arlan Foster for State Representative - District 18 - A Candidate For All Voters!

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I am Arlan Foster. I'm running to be your NEW Texas House Representative in District 18. That's right, I'm running to replace the incumbent.
 
The incumbent has done little to fight the Trans-Texas Corridor, a project that is universally opposed in this district and across this state by ALL Texans. If the TTC-69 Corridor is built through this district, it could result in the taking of over 8,040 acres of privately owned land. Over 10,000 people, have come out to the TTC-69 hearings, to stop this project. But where was the incumbent? No where near these hearings to listen to or help his constituents.

I'm a working man who knows about tools. We need some new tools, like statewide initiative and referendum (the right to petition for a vote of the people), to stop this nonsense now and in the future. 

The incumbent is a Republican and I'm a Democrat. But party affiliation has nothing to do with it. Independent voters in this district, who split their votes in the 2006 race for Governor between former Comptroller, Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman, would have won this district, had we united behind one candidate. 

I am the President of the Correctional Employees Union, AFSCME Council 7, an over 4,000 member strong organization of correctional officers who put our lives on the line every day in Texas state prisons. I was instrumental in involving my union with the independent movement in 2006, and I am working to unite Republicans, Democrats and independents who will fight the political corruption that has overwhelmed Texas politics.

We need the dog to be wagging the tail, not the tail (the Texas legislature) wagging the dog -- the people of Texas. This can't be done alone, nor by one party. Join me in the fight to take back the great state of Texas and District 18! 

Arlan Foster, a candidate for all District 18 voters!
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On The Trans-Texas Corridor

Contrary to the Governor's claims, Texans have never voted on the Trans-Texas Corridor.  The TTC-69 could result in the taking of over 8,000 acres of private land.  Let the people vote on it, and we'll vote it down!

On The Widening Highway 146

TxDOT said there was no money for any such project to widen Hwy. 146, until John Otto drew an opponent.  Then, miraculously TxDOT found the money.  So, my campaign has already won something for the district and I haven't even gotten elected yet!

On The Proliferation Of Toll Roads

I do not support the Governor and TxDOT's plans to convert freeways to privatized toll roads.  My opponent voted for toll proliferation.

On Political Reform in Texas

Arlan favors giving Texans the right to statewide initiative and referendum, just as citizens in 24 states have had for nearly a century.  I&R gives the people the right to petition for a vote of the people on legislation.

On Securing Our Borders

He supports protecting our borders against those who would violate our sovereignty, including terrorists and drug cartels.

On Your Gun Rights

As an avid sportsman, Arlan Foster will protect the citizens’ right to own and legally carry firearms.

On Texas Education

“I know that adequately funding our kids’ education is paramount,” Arlan says.  “Texas schools are improving, but we have a long way to go.”

On Texas Prisons

Texas is #1 in state prisoner population (171,790!), #1 in staff turn-over; (the state must recruit and train 600 to 700 new officers a month!) and reports a 22% attrition rate. At the same time, Texas is 47th in pay starting at about $23,000 a year and topping out at a little over $34,000 after 8 years service, putting our lives on the line in increasingly dangerous crowded conditions. This is one of the best kept secrets of the current administration.

A Decorated Millitary Veteran

Arlan joined the U.S. Navy in February 1972 and served four years, including three tours in Viet Nam with the U.S. amphibious forces. He received the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry.
Arlan on the Trans-Texas Corridor:
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
The people I'm seeking to represent -- everyone in District 18, regardless of their party affiliation -- are universally opposed to Gov. Rick Perry's plans to put the massive 4,000 mile, 1,200 foot wide toll road network and utility corridor, otherwise known as the Trans-Texas Corridor through our state.What is it? Plainly stated, a trade corridor that would cut through the heart of Texas simply to allow more goods (primarily Chinese) to be imported in to the US through Mexican ports. If implemented, the project will demand the seizure of 8,000 acres of private owned property, just in District 18!

The Governor and his insider political friends in Austin and Washington, have cynically manipulated our political process to literally run over rural Texas and its people, many of whom are just hearing about this massive project.

I made it a point to attend the federal NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) hearings held throughout February 2008, in District 18 and others in nearby communities. I did not see the incumbent (Rep. John Otto), nor any of his staff attend. Other state reps, senators and even Congressional staff attended. What does that say about John Otto's position on the TTC?

I support the call for a federal investigation on the push for the TTC and I will support and sponsor any real reform legislation in the upcoming 2009 legislative session. I will even sign articles of impeachment on Rick Perry, for I believe the Governor has made himself vulnerable to impeachment proceedings by his unethical and possibly illegal maneuvers around the vast majority of Texans who do not want this project.

Please support the call of Independent Texans for a federal investigation into the push for the Corridor. The information below is also posted on the Independent Texans' web site under "Stop the Corridor/Tolls". I suggest you print out the letter towards the bottom of this page, and send it to your US Representative first. Then send it to US Senators John Cornyn (who is currently up for reelection) and Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is rumored to be running for Governor in 2010. You can do that via email or by regular mail, or both. The letter explains why a Congressional investigation is so needed:
Read more...
 
AFL CIO Endorses Arlan Foster
Wednesday, 27 February 2008

Arlans is racking up endorsements, just having received the AFL-CIO endorsement.

 
Independent Texans Endorse Arlan Foster
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Independent Texans, the only voter association in Texas seeking recognition for the state's approximate 5 million independent (non-affiliated) voters, has endorsed Arlan.  Linda Curtis, Director of Independent Texans said, "Arlan is a champion of Texans' right to statewide initiative and referendum.  Texans desperately need the right to petition for a vote of the people, a political right enjoyed by citizens in 24 other mostly western states for the last century.  If we had it, we could have already voted the Corridor down, and put term limits in place for the legislature and state offices, and won the right to recall state officials."