For some House hires, 'full time' isn't [1]

By Mike Ward, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2 May 2008

AUSTIN – Lawyer Elizabeth Fazio is a full-time student in Denver, Colo., who works part time for accounting giant KPMG. She's also listed on the Texas House of Representatives' payroll as a full-time employee.

Top Dems tout Lampson as voice of NASA [2]

By STEWART M. POWELL, Houston Chronicle, 2 May 2008

WASHINGTON – The House Democratic leadership is trying to help Rep. Nick Lampson survive a tough re-election fight by advertising that he would be in line to take over the subcommittee overseeing NASA next year — if he wins in November.

Macias loses appeal to have judge removed [3]

By Chris Cobb, New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, 2 May 2008

NEW BRAUNFELS – State Representative Nathan Macias lost a second legal battle Thursday in his ongoing effort to stop a visiting district judge from presiding over his contest of the March 4 primary election results.

Craddick: State should have a near $15 billion surplus going into next session [4]

By Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, 1 May 2008

PHARR – Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick says the state should have about a $15 billion surplus going into the next legislative session.

Farm bill back in the works, Texans say [5]

BY TRISH CHOATE, San Angelo Standard-Times, 2 May 2008

WASHINGTON – Sooner rather than later is the word on a very tardy farm bill.

West Texas congressman urge Pakistan to control border area with Afghanistan [6]

BY TRISH CHOATE, San Angelo Standard-Times, 1 May 2008

WASHINGTON – The congressman representing San Angelo traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss concerns about a lawless no-man's land serving as a terrorist hideout in Pakistan's tribal areas.

Budget for regional water studies approved [7]

By Elliott Blackburn, LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 2 May 2008

LUBBOCK – Changing demands on water from ethanol, dairies and crops will shape the efforts of regional water planners who will lay out for the state the Southern Panhandle's water supplies, demand and projects.

No to tolls: Free bridge should remain free [8]

El Paso Times, 2 May 2008

EL PASO – It's not a good idea to start tolling the Bridge of the Americas, better known as "the free bridge."

Court gives a green light for state voter ID laws [9]

Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 2 May 2008

CORPUS CHRISTI – With the U.S. Supreme Court now having found Indiana's voter identification law constitutional, Texans and citizens of other states that don't require a photo ID of voters at the voting precinct can expect a renewed push for such laws. Yet the existence of real fraud on Election Day remains unproven.

Sect mothers file petition challenging custody ruling [10]

By John Moritz, and Bill Hanna, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2008

AUSTIN – The children taken from the polygamist compound near San Angelo should be returned to the mothers because officials with Child Protective Services failed to prove the youngsters were in imminent danger when they were removed last month, 38 mothers said in new court documents.

Agency seeks volunteers to meet needs of children [11]

By Jayna Boyle, San Angelo Standard-Times, 2 May 2008

SAN ANGELO – On Monday, a strained children's advocacy group in San Angelo will see its ranks bolstered somewhat, but the massive child custody case involving the YFZ Ranch children continues to strain resources in San Angelo and across the state.

Sect children to begin home school [12]

By David Kassabian, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 2 May 2008

CORPUS CHRISTI – The children taken from a polygamist sect staying at a Corpus Christi emergency shelter will begin home schooling today.

Sect kids' religious needs make for problems [13]

By Nancy Martinez and Abe Levy, San Antonio Express-News, 2 May 2008

SAN ANTONIO – At Yearning for Zion Ranch, fundamentalist Mormon parents created a seamless religious environment for their children — free of government intrusion and modern influences.

Senator demands further information from agency on YFZ Ranch children [14]

San Angelo Standard-Times, 1 May 2008

SAN ANGELO – Texas officials told legislators they're investigating the possible sexual abuse of some young boys taken from a polygamist sect's ranch, as well as broken bones among other children.

Judge orders newborn in polygamist sect's case into state custody [15]

Dallas Morning News, 1 May 2008

SAN ANTONIO – A judge ordered that the baby boy born to a girl taken from a polygamist sect's ranch in West Texas be placed in state custody, according to documents released Thursday.

Deliberations continue in boot camp dragging trial [16]

By Mary Ann Cavazos, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 1 May 2008

CORPUS CHRISTI – After a full day of deliberations, the jury in the trial of two San Antonio-based boot camp officials accused of dragging a teen behind a van in Banquete last summer did not reach a verdict Thursday.

Burden of proof high in Eldorado case [17]

By Ken Rodriguez, San Antonio Express-News, 2 May 2008

SAN ANTONIO – Peter Sakai knows a thing or two about child welfare. As a former Children's Court judge, he tried thousands of abuse and neglect cases.

Births and broken bones [18]

Amarillo Globe-News, 2 May 2008

AMARILLO – Stories on both sides of what is now a national debate regarding the state of Texas taking custody of more than 400 children from a polygamist compound in Eldorado are beginning to take shape.

State Rep. Krusee charged with drunken driving [19]

By Isadora Vail, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2 May 2008

AUSTIN – State Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Williamson County, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated Wednesday night.

Austin-area lawmaker arrested on DWI charge [20]

Waco Tribune-Herald, 1 May 2008

GEORGETOWN – A Texas state lawmaker who helped pave the way for major toll road projects is facing drunken driving charges.

Judge Medina's wife released on bail in arson case [21]

By ROSANNA RUIZ, Houston Chronicle, 2 May 2008

HOUSTON – The wife of Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina, accused of burning down the couple's Spring home and damaging two others, surrendered to authorities Thursday and was released on bail, her attorney said.

Johnson tapes reveal a tough '68 [22]

By JAY ROOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2008

AUSTIN – President Lyndon B. Johnson once observed that 1968 "was one of the most agonizing years any president ever spent in the White House."

New LBJ tapes reveal an embattled president [23]

By ROBERT GARRETT, Dallas Morning News, 2 May 2008

AUSTIN – War and politics were colliding for Lyndon Johnson in March 1968 as he talked tough to a foreign enemy while assuring key backers – people he needed for his re-election campaign – that he yearned for peace, tapes released Thursday show.

Perry's transpo pick mirrors toll road views [24]

By Peggy Fikac and Patrick Driscoll, San Antonio Express-News, 30 May 2008

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry’s pick of his former chief of staff to head the Texas Transportation Commission shows his continued focus on an issue that has sparked battles with top lawmakers.

Fort Worth leader gets seat on panel [25]

By GORDON DICKSON, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2008

FORT WORTH – Bill Meadows' reputation as a political bridge builder is one reason he was selected Wednesday to serve on the Texas Transportation Commission.

Perry's Book Promotes American Values Of Boy Scouts [26]

By ROY MAYNARD, Tyler Morning Telegraph, 2 May 2008

TYLER – The Boy Scouts of America find themselves caught in the middle of a culture war, Texas Gov. Rick Perry told a group of Scouts, their parents and troops leader gathered at the Tyler Rose Garden Thursday night.

Perry errs in choice for top TxDOT job [27]

San Antonio Express-News, 1 May 2008

SAN ANTONIO – Perhaps Gov. Rick Perry is right.