Harris County Dems have yet to start caucus tally [1]

By CAROLYN FEIBEL, Houston Chronicle, 11 March 2008

HOUSTON – The outcome of the March 4 Democratic caucuses remains unknown in Harris County.

Clinton picks up 3 more delegates [2]

By Denise Malan, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 12 March 2008

CORPUS CHRISTI – Records from the Democratic Precinct 31 convention March 4 have now been turned in, upping the total local delegate count for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton by three.

Texas, El Paso still counting votes from caucuses [3]

El Paso Times, 12 March 2008

AUSTIN – Texas' Democratic Party has given up trying to tally the results of last week's Texas caucuses as overwhelmed local officials grapple with the roundup of 8,700 precinct conventions in what might have been the nation's largest-ever caucus.

Dems pressure Cornyn over pastor's remarks [4]

By JOHN MORITZ, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 March 2008

AUSTIN – Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn should follow the lead of presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain and denounce the anti-Catholic remarks made by San Antonio televangelist John Hagee, the communications director for the Texas Democratic Party said Tuesday.

Texas Dems ranked most centrist in U.S. House [5]

By KATHRINE SCHMIDT, Houston Chronicle, 11 March 2008

WASHINGTON – Texas has the largest contingent of centrist House Democrats of any state, with two Houston-area lawmakers leading the way, according to 2007 rankings compiled by National Journal.

Rodriguez tests ninth life in west Texas race [6]

By Gebe Martinez, Politico, 11 March 2008

WASHINGTON – In an election season that has recorded the multiple comebacks of Sens. John McCain and Hillary Rodham Clinton, there is another candidate who has had just as many political near-death experiences.

Craddick wants deposition kept away from the public [7]

By Laylan Copelin, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 12 March 2008

AUSTIN – A lawsuit over an Amazon fishing trip, which was canceled in 2006, should be a fish tale and not a political whopper, Speaker Tom Craddick and Austin lobbyist Bill Messer are arguing in a court document.

Interim Harris County DA could be days away [8]

By ALLAN TURNER and PEGGY O'HARE, Houston Chronicle, 12 March 2008

HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry hopes to name an interim Harris County district attorney as early as this week, his office confirmed Tuesday, and the man now running the office says he's not interested in finishing out the term if it's offered.

Texas panel nixes talk of school vouchers for dropouts [9]

By TERRENCE STUTZ, Dallas Morning News, 12 March 2008

AUSTIN – A special state committee on high school dropouts on Tuesday appeared to nix the idea of a private school voucher program for those students, but left open the possibility of the state contracting with private firms to help dropouts complete their education.

Panel vows no private school vouchers for dropouts [10]

By GARY SCHARRER, Houston Chronicle, 11 March 2008

AUSTIN – Texas won't use private school vouchers to educate high school dropouts, a state education council insisted Tuesday while adopting a strategic plan aimed at increasing graduation rates.

State official wants guidance on high-school Bible courses [11]

By Brandi Grissom, El Paso Times, 12 March 2008

AUSTIN – The state's top education official wants to know whether Texas high schools will have to start offering Bible classes during the 2009-10 school year.

Texas enrollment in Children's Health Insurance program surges 7% [12]

By ROBERT T. GARRETT, Dallas Morning News, 11 March 2008

AUSTIN – State health insurance rolls for children of the working poor swelled by about 7 percent this month, though much of the gain was offset by having fewer children on Medicaid, the state announced Tuesday.

More criticism for state land official from conservationists [13]

By R.A. DYER, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 March 2008

AUSTIN – Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson continues to block a proposal that could put the Christmas Mountains into the hands of the National Park Service, conservationists complained this week.

New licenses may run $107 million for state [14]

By Peggy Fikac, San Antonio Express-News, 11 March 2008

AUSTIN – Increased federal security requirements for drivers' licenses would cost $107 million in Texas over the next two-year budget period, according to a preliminary estimate given to the state Public Safety Commission on Tuesday.

Fans of secluded retreat fear Trans-Texas Corridor [15]

By RAD SALLEE, Houston Chronicle, 12 March 2008

HOUSTON – A Piney Woods retreat that has hosted national church conferences on controversial issues, celebrated the consecration of bishops and provided summer memories for thousands of teens now faces another kind of challenge.

River Vega project is no longer an alternative to border fence [16]

By María González-Escareño, Rio Grande Guardian, 10 March 2008

LAREDO – Laredo's proposed River Vega project is no longer an alternative to the border fence, city officials learned during their visit with federal officials in Washington D.C. last week.

Valley grandmother stands up for her rights over border fence [17]

By Carlos Guerra, San Antonio Express-News, 11 March 2008

SAN ANTONIO – It is never nice to pick on grandma. But if you do, don't expect her to take it lightly — even if you are Secretary Michael Chertoff of the Department of Homeland Security.

Mexican trucks merit access for U.S. consumers [18]

Beaumont Enterprise, 12 March 2008

BEAUMONT – The North American Free Trade Agreement has emerged as an issue in the Democratic presidential campaign - and not in a good way.

Southwest Airlines puts 3 employees on leave after safety probe [19]

By TERRY MAXON and DAVE MICHAELS, Dallas Morning News, 12 March 2008

DALLAS – Under fire from regulators and a congressional committee, Southwest Airlines admitted Tuesday to concerns about lapses in regulatory compliance and placed three managerial employees on leave.

Southwest hires outside expert to review maintenance [20]

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 March 2008

DALLAS – Southwest Airlines Co., which is accused of operating planes that had missed key safety inspections, said Tuesday it has placed three employees on leave and hired an outside expert to review its maintenance procedures.

High standards needed to keep Southwest safe [21]

Kerrville Daily Times, 12 March 2008

KERRVILLE – Millions of Texas air travelers have come to trust Southwest Airlines to provide economical and convenient air travel. More importantly, we have come to expect the airline to exercise the utmost care in ensuring passenger safety.

What recession? This is Texas [22]

By Christopher L. Williston, Austin American-Statesman, 11 March 2008

AUSTIN – Perception is reality.

Legendary Texas House doorkeeper dies [23]

By Laylan Copelin, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 12 March 2008

AUSTIN – Joe Wagner, whose bellowing 'Mistah Speakah' in his native New England accent delighted a generation of Texas lawmakers, has died. He was 100.

State official resigns; sexual harassment allegations surface [24]

By Corrie MacLaggan, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 12 March 2008

AUSTIN – The budget director at the Department of State Health Services resigned Tuesday, shortly after the agency learned that he had been fired early last year from another state agencythat had accused him of sexual harassment.

State senator's aide admits deceptive behavior, resigns [25]

Austin American-Statesman, 12 March 2008

AUSTIN – A veteran legislative aide to a Texas state senator has resigned over allegations that he impersonated first a state representative and later a newspaper reporter in politically motivated schemes.

Perry appoints Tarrant resident to state panel [26]

By MARK AGEE, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 March 2008

FORT WORTH – Steven Weinberg said he was surprised when a member of Gov. Rick Perry's staff called to say the governor was offering him a spot on the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.