Political Happenings

Matt Schaefer, Republican candidate for District 6 state representative, will be available to the public from 6:30 to 8 a.m. at Sweet Sue's Restaurant, 3350 W. Southwest Loop 323 in Tyler as part of his scheduled "Mondays with Matt," meet and greet events.

The Tyler League of Women Voters will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. Monday to explain state voter identification laws inside the Genecov Room of the Tyler Chamber of Commerce. The laws were passed during the 82nd Legislative session.

Information about new regulations and plans to organize and solve problems that might deter voters from casting ballots will be discussed.

The approved voter ID law is being challenged in federal courts. It would require prospective voters to show a valid driver's license, naturalization certificates or a U.S. passport before voting.

Hideaway Grassroots America will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Lodge.

Candidates from various area and statewide races are expected to attend the meeting. U.S. Senate candidate Glenn Addison, State Board of Education candidates Thomas Ratliff (incumbent) and Randy Stevenson and Smith County Republican Party Chairman Ashton Oravetz are expected to attend.

Information regarding Vacation Liberty School also will be announced. The course will begin with a "kick-off" meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Lodge.

Grassroots America -- We the People will meet at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Lakeview Church of the Nazarene, 10818 Spur 248 in Tyler.

Representatives from Americans for Fair Taxation, FairTax.org, will present its "fair tax" plan. The group was formed in 1995 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization solely dedicated to replacing the current tax system. It began as a research organization with the initial goal of finding out what Americans wanted in a tax system, what they felt was the best way to collect revenue, and how taxation could be achieved in a way that most benefited the economy and the taxpayers.

The organization's board of directors is made up of business leaders who, for more than a decade, have committed their time, energy, and financial support to make FairTax happen, according to the release.

Box lunches will be available or attendees may bring their own.

Grassroots America -- We the People will sponsor a Tyler ISD Long-Range Plan presentation from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Lakeview Church of the Nazarene.

TISD Superintendent Randy Reid will make the presentation. Questions from the audience will be submitted on cards and presented through a moderator to maximize available time. The public is welcome.

On Feb. 10, the group will host a State Board of Education candidate forum. Incumbent Thomas Ratliff and challenger Randy Stevenson are expected to attend.

On Feb. 17, the group will host a forum featuring candidates for Smith County Sheriff. Bobby Garmon, Chris Green, Donn Rust and Larry Smith are expected to attend.

Matt Schaefer, who is running for the Texas House District 6 seat currently held by state Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, will be speaking at the noon Feb. 7 meeting of Tyler Area AMBUCS at Ryan's Steakhouse on Broadway Ave.

Tyler Area AMBUCS promotes independence and mobility for persons with disabilities. Guests are welcome.

The Tyler Junior College Criminal Justice Student Association will host a Smith County sheriff candidate debate at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 inside the Apache Room of the Rogers Student Center.

Criminal justice students will prepare questions and assist in the debate moderated by criminal justice professor and department chairman Jason Waller.

Candidates Bobby Garmon, Chris Green, Donn Rust and Larry Smith have been invited to attend.

The public is invited. Parking will be provided on Lot S-4, located at the corner of Lake Street and Baxter Avenue. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

Political Happenings are compiled by staff writer Adam Russell, who can be reached at 903-596-6303 or by email at arussell@tylerpaper.com.

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