Chairman Steve Munisteri is a big believer in transparency with respect to the Republican Party of Texas (“RPT”), especially in the area of the Party’s finances. Please allow me to introduce myself to those of you who I did not meet at the 2010 Republican State Convention. I’m Tom Mechler, the Treasurer of the RPT. Tom Washington CPA, who serves as the Party’s Assistant Treasurer, and I were appointed by the Chairman at the September 2010 State Republican Executive Committee (“SREC”) meeting. According to SREC bylaws, the Treasurer is the custodian of all funds belonging to the Party and is responsible for submitting to the SREC at each quarterly meeting a report of disbursements and receipts. Additionally, the Treasurer is responsible for supervising a system of bookkeeping which matches the Party’s budget line items and is responsible for the filing of all state and federal regulatory reports.

As your Party Treasurer, I am pleased to report the Party’s finances are strong and under the Chairman’s leadership, the Party continues to carry no debt. Many of you may remember the concerns expressed at the last convention about the amount of debt carried by the RPT (federal and state accounts combined for debt greater than $700,000) which was mainly owed to party fundraisers. Under the Chairman’s leadership, the entire debt was retired as of 12/31/10 at which time the RPT had a cash balance of $698,304. As the Chairman acknowledged at the time, the major donors and our statewide elected officials and legislators stepped up to assist the Party during this critical period. All regulatory filings have been timely and the Party is in good standing with the Texas Ethics Commission and the Federal Elections Commission.

I would like to take the opportunity to recognize the key members of the team responsible for managing the Party’s accounting and regulatory reporting functions: Jennifer Stoner, Accounting Director, and her assistant, Yvonne Palmer; Susan McClain who is responsible for completing the regulatory reports for review; Tom Washington and Montie Watkins (both of whom are SREC members and wear many hats for the RPT including extensive involvement in planning for the next State Convention). All of these individuals work tirelessly to ensure the RPT’s financial functions are conducted professionally with the highest degree of integrity.

The following is an excerpt from my June 4, 2011 report to the SREC (as of 4/30/2011):

  • Cash on hand: $697,382.91 (does not include prepaid 2012 State Convention expenses)
  • Debt: $0.00
  • Increase in fund balances for the 4 months ended 4/30/2011: $37,096.05

One of the programs our Chairman founded is the Grassroots Club by which Republicans can make an automatic monthly, reoccurring deduction charged to their credit cards to assist the Party in paying for its sustaining expenses. The growth of this club is crucial to the long-term health and success of our Party. As of August 31st, the Club included the membership of 762 faithful Republicans. If you haven’t had the opportunity to join, Tom Washington and I strongly encourage you to join us as members in this very important and worthy cause. Please follow this link to join today: www.GrassrootsClub.com.

Tom Mechler
Treasurer,
Republican Party of Texas