Politics
Lawmakers tout Obama's coattails
By R.G. RATCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 2 April 2008
AUSTIN – Barack Obama would have the coattails to carry down-ballot Texas Democrats to victory in November and could be crucial to Democratic efforts to take Harris County away from Republicans, Obama's state congressional supporters say.
Keel denies backing DA hopeful, accuses opponent's ally of libel
By Steven Kreytak, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – Republican Terry Keel said he wanted nothing to do with the Democratic primary runoff for Travis County district attorney until a local political Internet site anonymously reported that he was campaigning for candidate Mindy Montford, a contention he swears is false.
Texas House District 112 race is taxing the wallets of Republican candidates
By IAN McCANN, Dallas Morning News, 3 April 2008
DALLAS – The back-and-forth between Angie Chen Button and Randy Dunning in their Republican primary runoff has been loud and, according to finance reports released Tuesday, expensive.
Election notes
ODESSA AMERICAN, 2 April 2008
ODESSA – District 81 candidate Tryon Lewis issued a news release late Wednesday disputing a new television ad by his opponent, incumbent Buddy West.
Texas lawmaker pushes for end to 'ghost voting'
By KAREN BROOKS, Dallas Morning News, 2 April 2008
AUSTIN – Dallas Rep. Tony Goolsby is pushing for an end to so-called "ghost voting" by Texas House members, asking for their input on a proposal to install fingerprint technology into their desk voting machines.
Texas lawmaker trying to end "ghost voting"
Waco Tribune Herald, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – A state representative from Dallas is trying to end the practice of "ghost voting," in which Texas House members have others cast their votes when they are absent.
Ron Paul supporters set sights on influencing Texas GOP
By W. GARDNER SELBY, Austin American-Statesman, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – Want a fresh political surprise? How about supporters of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul for president staking a lasting claim in the Republican Party of Texas?
Hutchison might throw hat in ring
Amarillo Globe News, 3 April 2008
AMARILLO – As if anyone who follows such things really had any doubt, the word now is that Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is going to run for Texas governor in 2010.
State Tectonics: How Redistricting Will Shift the Political Landscape
Politics Magazine, By Reid Wilson, 4/1/8
In the heat of the Democratic presidential contest, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton held their final debate at Cleveland State University. But that same night, Democrats in New York took a step closer to a goal that has eluded them for two generations: retaking the Empire State Senate.
Government
Government Issues Waiver for Fencing Along Border
By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD, New York Times, 2 April 2008
NEW YORK – In a sweeping use of its authority, the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that it would bypass environmental reviews to speed construction of fencing along the Mexican border.
Feds waive law for border's environment impact report
Houston Chronicle, 3 April 2008
McALLEN – The federal government does not have to explain how the border fence will affect the environment along the U.S.-Mexico border after Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff waived a law requiring a final report on the fence's impact.
Environmental waivers could doom park's future
By MELISSA McEVER, Brownsville Herald, 3 April 2008
BROWNSVILLE – Environmental advocates said Wednesday that they weren't surprised by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's decision this week to waive several environmental laws to expedite construction of border fencing in four states. Still, they haven't given up on efforts to stop the project.
Border congressmen upset with Chertoff waiver
By María González-Escareño, Rio Grande Guardian, 2 April 2008
LAREDO – Border congressmen say they are deeply disappointed with the Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff’s decision to issue legal waivers for construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Environmental groups dismayed by Chertoff waiver
By Joey Gomez and Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, 2 April 2008
McALLEN – Why did Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff waste millions of dollars on a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the border wall if he was going to sidestep 36 federal laws and regulations, environmental groups have asked.
Fish and Wildlife says levee-wall plan is incompatible with LRGNWR
By Steve Taylor and Joey Gomez, Rio Grande Guardian, 2 April 2008
McALLEN – The 22-mile levee-wall plan being devised by Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and the Department of Homeland Security is incompatible with the Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
Family Court Judge Sheds Light on Unfair Child Support Practices in Texas
By Megan Feldman, Dallas Observer, 4/3/8
The problem began the night his wife didn't come home. He had left his construction job, then fed their kids. He put them to bed, watched TV and tried to sleep. Often his wife worked past midnight at an Arlington restaurant, but it was 4 a.m. and she was still gone. Another few hours passed. Finally, she called. She'd been out with friends. Could he pick her up?
San Antonio River project makes 'Pig Book'
By Gary Martin, San Antonio Express-News, 3 April 2008
WASHINGTON – A taxpayer watchdog group released its annual report on congressional pork-barrel spending Wednesday, listing 11,610 projects totaling $17.2 billion — including the San Antonio River Improvements Project.
State senator blasts 'inequitable' school bonus plan
By GARY SCHARRER, Houston Chronicle, 2 April 2008
AUSTIN – Forcing property-poor school districts, such as Fort Bend and Pasadena, to help finance a state bonus pay program for superior teachers "is illegal and inequitable," a state senator contends in a letter to Education Commissioner Robert Scott.
TxDOT still debating whether to shift funds away from maintenance
By MICHAEL A. LINDENBERGER, Dallas Morning News, 2 April 2008
DALLAS – The debate over whether the state should shift scarce transportation dollars to pay for maintenance or for new roads isn’t over, not even within the Texas Department of Transportation itself.
'Don't Mess with Texas' launches new campaign
Waco Tribune Herald, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – The famous "Don't Mess with Texas" anti-litter campaign is launching a new effort to get Texans to use a litter bag in their cars and trucks.
Medical board says it'll try to improve relations with doctors
Waco Tribune Herald, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – Legislators questioned Texas Medical Board officials Wednesday about why complaints against doctors take so long to resolve and what can be done to reassure physicians who consider the agency vengeful.
Perry says Tech nanophotonics project big for state, Lubbock
By Marlena Hartz, LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 3 April 2008
LUBBOCK – A $9 million public-private investment in nanophotonics research at Texas Tech positions the state to be a leader in cutting-edge technologies and represents an economic formula of the future, Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday.
Deal for Christmas Mountains ahead?
Austin American-Statesman, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – The state land commissioner, who is blocking a proposal to transfer the state-owned Christmas Mountains to the National Park Service because he wants to permit hunting on the land, appears ready to let the transaction proceed, documents show.
Topless Tax Terminated
BY RICHARD WHITTAKER, Austin Chronicle, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – The "titty tax" – a $5 surcharge for everyone attending a sexually oriented business in Texas – has been declared unconstitutional and so will not be collected.
Banned Books at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
By Richard Connelly, Houston Press, 3 April 2008
HOUSTON – As some in the blogging world found out recently, it's not an easy thing to find out which books the Texas prison system has barred from inmates.
Waiving laws to build border wall – illegal seizure or political bluster?
By Carlos Guerra, San Antonio Express-News, 2 April 2008
SAN ANTONIO – Since the leaks surfaced on April 1, border-area officials didn't know what to make of rumors that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff was about to waive all federal and state laws that might impede construction of the border wall.
Bush breaks law: Waivers last resort for border fence
El Paso Times, 3 April 2008
EL PASO – The El Paso Times has supported President Bush in many of his endeavors, some of them quite controversial.
Above the law?
LONGVIEW NEWS-JOURNAL, 3 April 2008
LONGVIEW – Federal officials are running into all kinds of hurdles as they stumble along in their efforts to fence out illegal immigrants from south of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Nicol: Chertoff’s border wall waiver is an assault on the Rule of Law
By Scott Nicol, Rio Grande Guardian, 2 April 2008
The No Border Wall Coalition is deeply disturbed by the announcement that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has decided to “waive in their entirety” 36 federal laws to build walls along the entire United States’ southern border.
Road Repairs
Lufkin Daily News, 3 April 2008
LUFKIN – Texans want the state to upgrade the highway system and maintain roads and bridges, not one or the other.
On the other hand
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 April 2008
FORT WORTH – Just because the United States agreed to take international disputes before the World Court doesn't mean that the nation automatically has to follow its rulings.
News
Man in charge of Southwest investigation finds long-standing problems
By DAVE MICHAELS, Dallas Morning News, 2 April 2008
WASHINGTON – When Clay Foushee started investigating the failure of federal regulators to catch maintenance lapses at Southwest Airlines last year, he didn't even know the names of his sources.
Death threats against FAA inspector investigated
By DAVE MICHAELS, Dallas Morning News, 2 April 2008
WASHINGTON – The FBI is investigating death threats to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who informed Congress about a breakdown in FAA oversight of Southwest Airlines, officials said Tuesday.
FAA investigating 4 airlines for safety violations
By DAVE MICHAELS, Dallas Morning News, 2 April 2008
WASHINGTON – Federal regulators are investigating four U.S. airlines for violations of safety regulations and could take enforcement action against the carriers, officials said Wednesday.
Inspectors cite complex owned by lawmaker Vo/He vows to fix structural, wiring, other problems
By MATT STILES and ROSANNA RUIZ, Houston Chronicle, 4/3/8
City building inspectors on Wednesday issued several safety citations against an East End apartment complex owned by state Rep. Hubert Vo.
Texas ratepayers' price tag for new wind-power lines in billions
By R.A. DYER, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – Texas ratepayers could be on the hook for $3 billion to $6.4 billion to build new transmission lines so wind-power turbines can connect to the state power grid, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday.
State Farm homeowners insurance rate hike approved
By TERRENCE STUTZ, Dallas Morning News, 2 April 2008
AUSTIN – State Farm Insurance has been given approval to raise homeowner rates 2.8 percent statewide, but Dallas County policyholders with auto and home coverage will see premiums decrease an average 2.3 percent.
Airline safety: Better procedures, oversight needed
El Paso Times, 3 April 2008
EL PASO – Cross-wired brakes. Cracks in fuselages. Missed inspections. Fuel leaks caused by a faulty bolt. Questions about fire-suppression systems.
State should've challenged hikes for homeowners
Beaumont Enterprise, 3 April 2008
BEAUMONT – Barely two weeks after the Texas Department of Insurance reported that major insurers in this state were enjoying solid profits, State Farm Insurance Co. is demanding big rate hikes for homeowners coverage. If you think those facts are at odds with each other, you are not alone.
People
TCEQ boss who backed Asarco to retire
By Brandi Grissom, El Paso Times, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – The leader of the state environmental agency, who has supported Asarco's efforts to obtain a controversial air-quality permit, will soon retire, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chairman Buddy Garcia said Wednesday.
State environmental chief resigns
By Asher Price, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3 April 2008
AUSTIN – Saying he wanted to spend more time with his daughter, Glenn Shankle announced Wednesday that he will step down as executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Skilling lawyer asks appeals court to overturn Enron convictions
Waco Tribune Herald, 3 April 2008
NEW ORLEANS – Former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling, convicted for his role in the once mighty energy giant's collapse, took risks when he ran the company but they were always for its benefit, his attorney told an appeals court Wednesday.
Inspectors cite complex owned by lawmaker Vo
By MATT STILES and ROSANNA RUIZ, Houston Chronicle, 2 April 2008
HOUSTON – City building inspectors on Wednesday issued several safety citations against an East End apartment complex owned by state Rep. Hubert Vo.
Controversies cloud Jackson's tenure
San Angelo Standard Times, 3 April 2008
SAN ANGELO – Almost as when Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans, another key Bush appointee has come up short in the midst of a crisis.
Alphonso Jackson's comedown
Dallas Morning News, 3 April 2008
DALLAS – Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson says he's quitting to spend more time with his family. Actually, all the time that Mr. Jackson has been spending with the FBI more plausibly explains his departure.