Politics
Obama campaign says he won Texas
By W. Gardner Selby, Kate Alexander, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 30 March 2008
AUSTIN – Barack Obama's campaign proclaimed the senator from Illinois the winner Saturday night of the most delegates from Texas to the Democratic Party's national convention after an estimated 100,000 high-spirited Democrats gathered at regional conventions to choose nearly 7,300 delegates to the state party's June convention in Austin.
Obama gains more ground in Texas conventions
By R.G. RATCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 30 March 2008
AUSTIN – As the smoke cleared from this weekend's regional Democratic conventions, Barack Obama emerged with a majority of the state's at-large presidential nominating delegates and possibly a majority of all Texas delegates.
Obama is victor in weekend caucuses
By JAY ROOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 March 2008
AUSTIN – Barack Obama dominated Hillary Clinton over the weekend in round two of the state caucus process, leaving the Illinois senator poised to win more pledged national delegates from Texas despite narrowly losing the popular vote in early March.
Obama leads in ongoing tally of Texas county caucus results
Austin American-Statesman, 31 March 2008
AUSTIN – The presidential contest in Texas appeared to tighten with weekend Democratic caucuses as Sen. Barack Obama led Sen. Hillary Clinton in incomplete county and Senate district convention results.
Barack Obama handily wins Dallas County district conventions
By GROMER JEFFERS, Dallas Morning News, 30 March 2008
DALLAS – Barack Obama cruised to victory over Hillary Rodham Clinton in Dallas County's Senate district conventions Saturday, as Texas Democrats continued their arduous and sometimes frustrating process of choosing national convention delegates.
Clinton takes 41, Obama 23 delegates in confusing Lubbock County convention
By Joshua Hull, LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 30 March 2008
LUBBOCK – The Lubbock County Democratic convention Saturday seemed to descend into chaos, with many delegates confused about the very processes they were participating in.
County conventions: Dems pick 10 for Obama, 7 for Clinton
By MICHAEL RODDEN, Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, 29 March 2008
NACOGDOCHES – Both the Republican and Democratic parties held their county conventions Saturday, inching the delegation process closer to state and then national conventions.
Second Texas Democratic caucuses bring more chaos
By R.G. RATCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 29 March 2008
AUSTIN – Traffic jams, long lines, crowds, confusion and chaos marked Texas Democratic regional conventions Saturday as an unprecedented number of political activists turned out to help elect presidential nominating delegates for Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
Huge delays frustrate delegates at district conventions
By ANNA M. TINSLEY, AMAN BATHEJA and SARAH BAHARI, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 March 2008
FORT WORTH – Barack Obama appeared to be pulling ahead of Hillary Clinton in the fight for Texas delegates Saturday after a chaotic day when tens of thousands of Democrats turned out to participate in the next step of the presidental nomination process.
Frustrated Democrats vote for their presidential choices
By ANNA M. TINSLEY, AMAN BATHEJA AND SARAH BAHARI, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 March 2008
FORT WORTH – Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were neck and neck in the continuing fight for Texas delegates Saturday, after a chaotic day in which tens of thousands of Texans turned out to participate in the next step of the presidential delegate process.
Ron Paul supporters win partial victory at GOP conventions
By MIKE LEE, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 March 2008
FORT WORTH – Ron Paul supporters fought with local Republican leaders Saturday over control of local conventions and may have won the right to push their agenda at the state GOP convention.
Delegates selected, resolutions adopted at Republican convention
By Kelsi Peace, Abilene Reporter-News, 30 March 2008
ABILENE – Taylor County Republications held their convention Saturday at Madison Middle School, 3145 Barrow St.
GOP gatherings look beyond delegates to platform issues
By Josh Burton, Amarillo Globe-News, 30 March 2008
AMARILLO – Randall and Potter county Republicans held conventions Saturday.
Parties set for Texas regional conventions today
By W. Gardner Selby, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 29 March 2008
AUSTIN – Activists for Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton voiced concerns Friday about misinformation reaching supporters on the eve of pivotal regional conventions as the Texas Democratic Party warned against heeding reported automated phone calls saying conventions are canceled.
Robotic phone calls lead Democratic delegates astray
By R.G. RATCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 28 March 2008
AUSTIN – The Texas Democratic Party on Friday urged delegates to today's senatorial district and county conventions to ignore e-mails and robotic phone calls telling them that the conventions have either been canceled or had their times changed.
Further complicating Texas' convention process: Delegates can switch sides
By ANNA M. TINSLEY, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 March 2008
FORT WORTH – The power of persuasion could be important Saturday and beyond for Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Hey, Perry! Hutchison isn't scared of you, so bring it on
By AMAN BATHEJA, JOHN MORITZ, MARIA RECIO and ANNA M. TINSLEY, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 March 2008
FORT WORTH – If U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is worried about going head-to-head in a Republican primary against sitting Gov. Rick Perry in two years, she's not showing it.
Central Texans in Congress push for earmarks, sometimes out of public view
By Jason Embry, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 30 March 2008
WASHINGTON – On the last day that members of the U.S. House could request federal funding for projects in their districts next year, they requested so many that the Web site collecting them could not function properly.
Runoff builds for U.S. House seat
By ALAN BERNSTEIN, Houston Chronicle, 29 March 2008
HOUSTON – Since moving to Sugar Land last summer, Pete Olson has restricted his job search to a seat in the U.S. House. Shelley Sekula Gibbs has moved, too — on abortion and a few immigration issues.
Candidates run a lavish race in District 22
By ALAN BERNSTEIN, Houston Chronicle, 28 March 2008
HOUSTON – Republican Shelley Sekula Gibbs' campaign has spent more than $1.2 million in the race for Democratic U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson's seat, apparently the most lavish effort in Texas this year.
Hot runoffs in DeLay's old seat, Dallas district
Austin American-Statesman, 31 March 2008
WASHINGTON – Shelley Sekula Gibbs was elected three times to the Houston City Council and once to a temporary seat in Congress, but she is in a tough Republican contest against newcomer Pete Olson as she seeks to return to the U.S. House.
He said, she said
By Justin Cox, Killeen Daily Herald, 30 March 2008
TEMPLE – Like two sparring children, Texas House District 55 candidates Martha Tyroch and Ralph Sheffield won't talk to each other.
In close match, GOP hopefuls don gloves
By Laylan Copelin, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 31 March 2008
ROUND ROCK – Legislative candidates Dee Hobbs and Bryan Daniel, who survived a four-way primary battle March 4, are trying to coax Republicans back to the polls one more time this spring.
Mailer sparks gun rights feud in House runoff
By Laylan Copelin, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 29 March 2008
AUSTIN – In a mailer to Williamson County voters, legislative candidate Bryan Daniel accuses his opponent, Dee Hobbs, of being hostile to gun rights, a charge that the Texas State Rifle Association now says is inaccurate.
Early voting for April 8 Texas primary runoffs begins today
Dallas Morning News, 30 March 2008
DALLAS – Early voting begins today and continues through Friday for the April 8 Republican and Democratic primary runoffs for statewide, congressional, legislative and county races.
Runoffs less glitzy but just as crucial
Austin American-Statesman, 29 March 2008
AUSTIN – After the razzle-dazzle of the primaries, the runoff races to be decided on April 8 have been anticlimactic.
We recommend
Houston Chronicle, 29 March 2008
HOUSTON – The Houston Chronicle makes the following recommendations in the Republican and Democratic primary runoffs on April 8.
Voters ain’t done till the runoffs are won
Austin American-Statesman, 30 March 2008
AUSTIN – A short early voting period begins today for the April 8 runoff election to decide Republican and Democratic party candidates in the November general election. In Travis County, the runoff will decide the next district attorney, since there is no Republican candidate.
Quixotic Nader’ll find going’s tough in Texas
Austin American-Statesman, 28 March 2008
AUSTIN – There’s a reason they call politics the silly season
Home cookin' for campaign expenditures
By RICK CASEY, Houston Chronicle, 29 March 2008
HOUSTON – You'd think State Rep. Carl Isett of Lubbock would know the state's ethics laws when it comes to paying his wife out of his campaign contribution fund.
Government
Judge strikes down Texas strip club fee
By EMILY RAMSHAW, Dallas Morning News, 29 March 2008
AUSTIN – A state district judge struck down a state fee on patrons of strip clubs Friday, invalidating a measure designed to raise money for sexual assault victims and people without health insurance.
Judge strikes down $5 Texas strip club fee
By JANET ELLIOTT, Houston Chronicle, 28 March 2008
AUSTIN – A Travis County judge ruled Friday that the state's new $5-per-patron strip club fee is an unconstitutional tax, but the state promised to appeal.
Judge strikes down strip club fee
By Corrie MacLaggan, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 29 March 2008
AUSTIN – A state district judge on Friday ruled that Texas may not collect a $5-per-patron strip club fee that went into effect in January to pay for sexual assault prevention programs and health insurance for low-income Texans.
Tax on Texas strip clubs is unconstitutional, judge says
By JAY ROOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 March 2008
AUSTIN – The stripper club fee has been stripped from the law books. At least for now.
TxDOT may shift highway construction dollars away from maintenance
By MICHAEL A. LINDENBERGER, Dallas Morning News, 28 March 2008
DALLAS – TxDOT may change its plans to shift nearly all of its highway construction dollars to maintenance, reversing course on a policy announced last fall to instant criticism among lawmakers.
Officials: 'Trans-Texas Corridor' a taboo, but need real
By GORDON DICKSON, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 March 2008
FORT WORTH – The Trans-Texas Corridor is now so controversial, merely uttering the words in most political circles is taboo.
Texas Board of Education approves elective Bible course for high schools
By TERRENCE STUTZ, Dallas Morning News, 28 March 2008
AUSTIN – Broad guidelines for a Bible course in Texas high schools were approved by the State Board of Education on Friday, but board members delayed action on specific curriculum requirements until the attorney general has ruled whether all school districts must offer the course.
Texas ed board adopts broad Bible class standards
Houston Chronicle, 28 March 2008
AUSTIN – The State Board of Education decided today to allow standard English and social studies guidelines to be applied to elective Bible courses rather than drafting curriculum standards specific to the teaching of the religious doctrine.
Texas attorney general reviews Bible course law
Dallas Morning News, 29 March 2008
DALLAS – Attorney General Greg Abbott has been asked to review the 2007 law calling for a Bible course in high schools.
Scrutiny of Denton State School opens debate about care
By EMILY RAMSHAW, Dallas Morning News, 28 March 2008
AUSTIN – A U.S. Justice Department investigation of the Denton State School – the second federal inquiry in two years into a Texas facility for people with disabilities – is reigniting the fierce debate over how the state cares for its most vulnerable residents.
Cornyn expected to announce $125 million Valley levee repair legislation
By Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, 28 March 2008
EDINBURG – U.S. Sen. John Cornyn will announce legislation today to authorize $125 million for the total rehabilitation of the Rio Grande Valley’s levees, according to one of his top supporters in the region.
DHS must talk with border communities, say authors of consultation amendment
By María González-Escareño, Rio Grande Guardian, 28 March 2008
LAREDO – The authors of an amendment which calls on the Department of Homeland Security to consult with local communities over the border wall plan say they will continue working to make sure that the “spirit of the law is being met.”
Fe, fi, fo, fum, education panel's planned reading list was ho-hum
By Jaime Castillo, San Antonio Express-News, 29 March 2008
SAN ANTONIO – By the hair of its chinny chin chin, the state Board of Education did the right thing last Thursday by scrapping a proposed reading list for Texas public school students.
Don't trash Texas universities' Top 10 Percent Law too quickly
By Carlos Guerra, San Antonio Express-News, 28 March 2008
SAN ANTONIO – The Legislature won't convene for nine months, but, already, the assault on Texas' Top 10 Percent Law is in full swing.
State School hears a knock at the door
Denton Record-Chronicle, 28 March 2008
DENTON – A man we know once told us that the most harrowing experience of his life was the evening when a loud, laugh-filled pillow fight with his 7-year-old daughter was interrupted by a knock on the door by two grim-faced police officers who suspected him of beating his child.
President doesn’t boss state courts
Valley Morning Star, 29 March 2008
EDINBURG – The U.S. Supreme Court was correct to rule, by a 6-3 margin in Medellin v. Texas, that a decision by the World Court does not create an obligation by the state of Texas to countermand its own laws and grant a review to a convicted murderer because of a treaty provision.
A safer Texas?
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 March 2008
FORT WORTH – The electronic news release showed up in reporters' in-baskets marked "Keeping Texas Safe." The first paragraph was supposed to entice journalists into calling an "expert" on conducting criminal background checks.
News
Drug cartels operate training camps near Texas border just inside Mexico
By ALFREDO CORCHADO, Dallas Morning News, 30 March 2008
CAMARGO, Mexico – The ranch near this border community is isolated, desolate and laced by arroyos – an ideal place, experts say, for training drug cartel assassins.
Barnett Shale's bounty beats expectations
By DAVID WETHE, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 March 2008
FORT WORTH – The booming Barnett Shale is revving up faster than even some of the most optimistic projections.
Wind energy project may be coming to three South Texas counties
By María González-Escareño, Rio Grande Guardian, 28 March 2008
LAREDO – Rotating wind energy turbines may soon graze in three counties in South Texas as part of a $2 billion project to bring an alternative source of energy to the region.
Future’s bright for state solar industry
Austin American-Statesman, 28 March 2008
AUSTIN – Solar energy’s long-range future shines brightly, and Texas should not miss opportunities to establish itself as a force in its development, just as it has done with wind energy.
South Texas wind farms are worth exploring
Beaumont Enterprise, 30 March 2008
BEAUMONT – Every pound of coal or natural gas that can be taken out of the equation for producing electricity has to be counted as a plus.
Grounded
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 March 2008
FORT WORTH – It's no coincidence that several U.S. airlines suddenly are grounding airplanes, canceling flights and inconveniencing their customers. It's testimony to the fact that Jim Oberstar has their undivided attention.
People
House Speaker Craddick says he can't recall signature on Amazon tour letter
By CHRISTY HOPPE, Dallas Morning News, 28 March 2008
DALLAS – House Speaker Tom Craddick said in a deposition Thursday that he didn't remember signing a letter that has been deemed threatening and which he is being sued over.
Craddick, lawyer walk out of contentious deposition
By JOHN MORITZ, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 March 2008
AUSTIN – Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick testified Thursday that he never read the letter he signed suggesting that harm might come to the reputation of a North Texas fishing tour company operator unless he and a longtime friend were given their money back after the fishing trip they had arranged in 2006 was canceled because of weather.
Signed, sealed, delivered - unread?
Austin American-Statesman, 29 March 2008
AUSTIN – In a lawsuit over an Amazon fishing trip, Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, testified this week that he never read a letter that he signed threatening harm to the tour company's reputation.
Pastors, scholars at Dallas conference voice support for Jeremiah Wright
By JEFFREY WEISS, Dallas Morning News, 28 March 2008
DALLAS – More than two dozen well-known black preachers and scholars, in Dallas for a long-planned conference, offered unequivocal support Friday for one of their number who was not there.
Rosenthal found in contempt for deleting e-mails
By PEGGY O'HARE, Houston Chronicle, 28 March 2008
HOUSTON – A federal judge on Friday ordered former Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal to pay $18,900 in sanctions after finding him in contempt of court for deleting more than 2,500 e-mails that had been subpoenaed for a federal civil rights lawsuit.
Former DA sanctioned over deleted e-mails
Dallas Morning News, 29 March 2008
HOUSTON – A federal judge has found former Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal in contempt of court for deleting thousands of e-mails that had been subpoenaed for a civil rights lawsuit and ordered him to pay nearly $19,000 in sanctions.
Last defendant in Texas human smuggling case set to plead guilty
Dallas Morning News, 30 March 2008
HOUSTON – The last of 14 people indicted over their alleged roles in the nation's deadliest human smuggling attempt is expected to plead guilty next month, according to court documents.
Top political leaders gather for conference
By Mitzie Stelte, New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, 29 March 2008
NEW BRAUNFELS – New Braunfels played host to an array of leaders and citizens from across the state Friday morning at the 42nd annual Texas Legislative Conference.
English curriculum fight is a personal one for Berlanga
By GARY SCHARRER, Houston Chronicle, 30 March 2008
AUSTIN – It doesn't take much to bring Mary Helen Berlanga, the senior member of the State Board of Education, back to her own school days.
Loyal alumni pay off for Tech in Legislature
By Enrique Rangel, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 30 March 2008
AUSTIN – State Sen. Jeff Wentworth got his law degree from Texas Tech nearly four decades ago. But after all those years, he still has fond memories of his alma mater.
The lesson from TCU, Brite wasn't a very pretty one
By Bob Ray Sanders, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 March 2008
FORT WORHT – When two esteemed Fort Worth institutions of higher learning had the chance to teach us lessons in courage and principle, they instead gave us, by example, instruction in cowardice and timidity.
