Texas professors donate more to Dems than to GOP [1]
By RICHARD S. DUNHAM and PATRICK BRENDEL, Houston Chronicle, 5 May 2008
WASHINGTON – Texas university professors overwhelmingly favor Democratic candidates in their campaign contributions, a Houston Chronicle study of Federal Election Commission records has found.
Riding the rails a lesson in patience for congressman [2]
By Lynn Brezosky, San Antonio Express-News, 3 May 2008
EL PASO –The Amtrak train was late Saturday, held up 3½ hours by freight cars hogging the Union Pacific tracks and a stop in Deming, N.M., for what appeared to be overheated wheel bearings.
Complaint filed regarding county Democratic convention [3]
By Jackie Leatherman, McAllen Monitor, 2 May 2008
McALLEN – A state committee will investigate a complaint alleging the Hidalgo County Democratic Party did not follow state rules during the organization's county convention in March.
Clinton gains support of Texas superdelegate [4]
By R.G. RATCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 3 May 2008
AUSTIN – Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton picked up the support of another Texas superdelegate Friday, but Barack Obama still holds the overall lead in nominating convention delegates from the state.
Superdelegate Gonzalez pledges for Clinton [5]
By Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, 3 May 2008
McALLEN – Both of the Democratic Party superdelegates from Hidalgo County have now pledged to support Hillary Clinton at the Nation Convention in Denver this August.
McAllen superdelegate throws support behind Clinton [6]
By Sean Gaffney, McAllen Monitor, 5 May 2008
McALLEN – A local Democratic Party superdelegate declared his support Friday for presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.
Four Mo(FO) Years [7]
Texas Observer, 2 May 2008
The soon-to-be longest-serving governor in Texas history says he wants to extend his run.
Fight card big in Texas [8]
Amarillo Globe-News, 5 May 2008
AMARILLO – If there is a terrific trio of Texas Republicans vying to represent the GOP in 2010 for the party's gubernatorial nomination, at least voters won't have to worry about delegates and superdelegates.
Systemic Neglect [9]
By Dave Mann, Texas Observer, 2 May 2008
Around Christmas last year, a janitor allegedly entered the room of a resident in an all-women dorm at the Austin State School.
Reports show systemic abuse at Texas' psychiatric hospitals [10]
By EMILY RAMSHAW, Dallas Morning News, 3 May 2008
AUSTIN – Patients with severe mental illness are committed to Texas' state psychiatric hospitals to be protected from themselves.
Reports show abuse at state's mental hospitals [11]
Waco Tribune-Herald, 4 May 2008
AUSTIN – More than 70 employees at Texas' 10 state mental hospitals have been fired and dozens others disciplined since 2005 over allegations of brutal beatings and other physical abuse, according to a newspaper report.
'To ensure humane capital punishment' [12]
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2008
FORT WORTH – Even though the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Kentucky's use of lethal injection, the 7-2 ruling wasn't an endorsement of that method of capital punishment – or of the death penalty itself.
As federal presence at county jail grows, so do numbers of immigrant detainees [13]
By Juan Castillo, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 4 May 2008
AUSTIN – For the past 30 years, federal immigration agents have regularly popped in the Travis County Jail and other correctional institutions, combing records and quizzing inmates to identify deportable immigrants and those with criminal records.
State resumes ultimate penalty [14]
By MAGGIE SOUZA, Longview News-Journal, 3 May 2008
LONGVIEW – A gruesome scene awaited relatives of the Morgan family.
NASA employees big spenders on government credit [15]
By CHASE DAVIS, Houston Chronicle, 3 May 2008
HOUSTON – NASA employees have used government credit cards to ring up iPods, video games and even clothes from the agency's own gift shop, while at other times using the cards in ways that sidestep competitive bidding rules, federal documents and a Chronicle review of agency records show.
Public pushing ethics changes for lawmakers [16]
By Laylan Copelin, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 4 May 2008
AUSTIN – At least 20 Texas lawmakers were fined in recent months for hiding the details of their officeholder spending — paid with political donations — behind vague credit card bills, even though they had been warned about the 1981 credit card law for years.
House to lawmakers: Get 'ghost' workers off the payroll [17]
By Mike Ward, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3 May 2008
AUSTIN – Reacting to disclosure about so-called ghost employees working for the Texas House of Representatives and a preliminary criminal inquiry into the practice, House leaders issued orders Friday to immediately get them off the payroll.
Remarks by Taylor, Tancredo, continue to draw criticism [18]
By Joey Gomez, Rio Grande Guardian, 2 May 2008
BROWNSVILLE – Congressman Tom Tancredo and former Border Patrol agent Zach Taylor are continuing to come under fire for comments made at a Congressional hearing in Brownsville on Monday.
Pérez: There's still time for Valley residents to testify against border wall [19]
By Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, 3 May 2008
BROWNSVILLE – A rancher and farm owner who testified against the border wall at last Monday’s congressional hearing in Brownsville says there is still time for other Rio Grande Valley residents to have their say.
Congressman, Texans clash over border [20]
Waco Tribune-Herald, 4 May 2008
McALLEN – South Texas officials who oppose a border fence are stepping up their criticism of a Colorado congressman who favors the divider.
Texas lawmakers to revisit voter ID plan after high-court ruling [21]
By Brandi Grissom, El Paso Times, 3 May 2008
AUSTIN – Another rancorous fight over voting could be brewing in the Texas Capitol, El Paso legislators said after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that states could require photo identification from voters.
State criticizes Houston air pollution ordinance [22]
Austin American-Statesman, 4 May 2008
HOUSTON – Some Houston businesses that are trying to block the city's efforts to monitor air pollution are getting help from an unlikely ally: the state agency that regulates air quality.
Lawmakers to consider ways to control rising taxes [23]
By Brandi Grissom, El Paso Times, 4 May 2008
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry didn't have much luck at it two years ago, but House lawmakers are hoping their property tax committee this year will produce results that keep homeowners' taxes from rising.
Politicians point of view [24]
By Kathleen Thurber, Midland Reporter-Telegram, 4 May 2008
MIDLAND – As gas prices jumped to around $3.60 per gallon this weekend in Midland, area government officials agreed one of the only nonvolatile solutions to easing gas prices is increasing domestic oil supplies – a step they say would not immediately relieve the pinch at the pump.
Body of evidence [25]
Houston Chronicle, 3 May 2008
HOUSTON – One point forty-nine times. That's the increased likelihood of getting a death sentence in Harris County if you are black, according to a controversial new report by sociology professor Scott Phillips.
Something to consider [26]
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2008
FORT WORTH – Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins is receiving more notice these days for the people he's getting out of prison than for those he's putting behind bars.
Voter ID laws a back door to national ID card [27]
By Victor Landa, San Antonio Express-News, 3 May 2008
SAN ANTONIO – As I see it, the recent Supreme Court ruling that let stand an Indiana voter identification law will have its most enduring effect away from the ballot box.
Face it: Texas doesn’t need voter ID law [28]
Austin American-Statesman, 3 May 2008
AUSTIN – The U.S. Supreme Court last week upheld the constitutionality of voter identification laws, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has said he will try once more to pass such a law when the Legislature meets next year. But Texas doesn’t need to beef up its existing voter ID law.
Voter ID bill back in debate [29]
By Enrique Rangel, Amarillo Globe-News, 5 May 2008
AMARILLO – One of the most dramatic moments in last year's legislative session - and there were a few - was when a Houston senator recovering from a liver transplant brought his hospital bed to the Senate so he wouldn't miss voting against a controversial voter ID bill.
Medicaid cuts only shift costs to states [30]
San Antonio Express-News, 2 May 2008
SAN ANTONIO – With severe budget cuts threatening Medicaid, the House voted to delay the reductions until 2009.
Craddick’s practice stroke is so crass [31]
By Heber Taylor, Galveston County Daily News, 4 May 2008
GALVESTON – Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick has ordered an investigation into the hiring practices of House members.
Pérez: Something awful is happening down on the Rio Grande [32]
By Betty Pérez, Rio Grande Guardian, 3 May 2008
My name is Betty Pérez. I am an active member of the coalition, No Border Wall.
Everyone pays for uninsured Texans [33]
Bryan-College Station Eagle, 5 May 2008
COLLEGE STATION – Now that the party primaries are behind them, Texas legislators should turn their attention to the critical issues that will be on their agenda when they meet in Austin in January.
Nuclear Power Needs More Consideration [34]
Tyler Morning Telegraph, 5 May 2008
TYLER – The nuclear power option looks better and better as no highly promising alternative fuels are in sight and the Democratic Congress stubbornly continues to balk on action to boost domestic oil production and refining.
Thornberry energy plan better than tax holiday [35]
Amarillo Globe-News, 5 May 2008
AMARILLO – Within days of Sen. John McCain's call for a summertime suspension of the federal fuel taxes on gasoline and diesel, one of his Republican congressional colleagues, Rep. Mac Thornberry of Clarendon, came up with a more sensible solution to the energy crisis.
Money can't buy love, happiness or concept of home [36]
By RAD SALLEE, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2008
HOUSTON – Last week's story about the uncertainties endured by people who live in or near the route of the I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor prompted many messages of support.
Texas rep calls for probe of FLDS firm receiving defense contracts [37]
BY TRISH CHOATE, San Angelo Standard-Times, 3 May 2008
WASHINGTON – San Angelo's congressman said he favors a congressional probe into a company with ties to the Schleicher County polygamist sect raided last month, but he's not rushing to judgment about the defense contractor based in Nevada.
'Bishop's Record' lists families of the YFZ Ranch [38]
San Angelo Standard-Times, 2 May 2008
SAN ANGELO – The Bishop's Record, found in a safe on the YFZ Ranch, is a record of families whose fathers lived on the Schleicher County polygamist compound, according to court testimony last month.
Jail takes its toll on polygamist leader's authority [39]
By JACK DOUGLAS Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2008
FORT WORTH – As his polygamist followers in Texas undergo one of the most intensive child abuse investigations in the nation's history, sect prophet Warren Jeffs sits in a small jail cell in Arizona, emaciated and under a suicide watch, as he awaits trial on charges of criminal incest and sexual assault in a desert town that was once the home of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.
Utah officials give Texas caseworkers input on kids from YFZ Ranch [40]
By BILL HANNA and JOHN MORITZ, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2008
FORT WORTH – Texas appears to be in it for the long haul with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
CPS limits caseloads over sect children [41]
By Corrie MacLaggan, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3 May 2008
AUSTIN – As Child Protective Services caseworkers track the progress in foster care of children removed last month from a polygamous sect's ranch in Eldorado, they'll work on just 15 cases at a time.
No-question policy at hearing draws criticism [42]
By Corrie MacLaggan, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3 May 2008
AUSTIN – The testimony by Commissioner Carey Cockerell of the Department of Family and Protective Services before a Senate panel Wednesday was unusual — and not just because the topic was the largest child welfare operation in state history.
Warrant for polygamist man dropped [43]
By TERRI LANGFORD, Houston Chronicle, 2 May 2008
HOUSTON – The Texas Department of Public Safety has rescinded an arrest warrant issued for a polygamist who was accused of physically and sexually abusing his teenage wife — allegations that prompted a search of a West Texas compound in which more than 400 children were taken into state custody.
Sect kids adapting to new life [44]
By John Tompkins, Brazosport Facts, 3 May 2008
LIVERPOOL – As children from a West Texas polygamist compound get used to their new surroundings in Liverpool, officials are working to determine where they will go next.
Warrant dropped against man named in polygamist retreat raid [45]
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2008
ELDORADO – An arrest warrant has been dropped for a man thought to be the husband of a teenage girl whose report of abuse triggered a raid on a polygamous sect's Texas compound, authorities said Friday.
Mistrial declared in Christian boot camp dragging case in Texas [46]
Dallas Morning News, 4 May 2008
CORPUS CHRISTI – A mistrial was declared in the assault case against the director of a Christian boot camp and an employee accused of dragging a 15-year-old girl behind a van after she fell behind during a morning run.
Texas' 'silver alert' system has helped find missing seniors [47]
By DOMINGO RAMIREZ JR., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2008
FORT WORTH – A new statewide alert system to track down missing elderly Texas residents is 30 out of 30 – 27 of them in time to save their lives, according to recently released statistics from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
More tools, moisture help keep Texas wildfires in check [48]
Austin American-Statesman, 5 May 2008
AUSTIN – So far this year, Texas wildfires have scorched about half the acres that burned in 2006, when 12 people and thousands of livestock died.
Barnett Shale gas well deals get more lucrative [49]
By MARICE RICHTER and JEFF MOSIER, Dallas Morning News, 5 May 2008
DALLAS – Residents in Fort Worth's historic Oakhurst neighborhood did their homework two years ago before allowing gas drilling so close to their homes.
Dallas-Fort Worth region ranked 7th in ozone [50]
By SCOTT STREATER, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2008
FORT WORTH – On the first day of ozone season, a new report illustrates why the issue is so important to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Multiple choices for bypassing TAKS [51]
By JENNIFER RADCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 3 May 2008
HOUSTON – Atascocita High School honors student Ashley Coxen wasn't about to let the state's high-stakes exam or severe test anxiety keep her from earning a diploma this June or from cashing in a promised college scholarship.
Hinojosa welcomes TXU's summer disconnections move [52]
Rio Grande Guardian, 4 May 2008
State State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa has welcomed a move by TXU Energy to place a moratorium on electric service disconnections for low-income and senior citizen customers during the summer months.
Eminently questionable [53]
Wichita Fallas Times Record News, 5 May 2008
WICHITA FALLS – What T. Boone Pickens proposes to do in West Texas isn’t extraordinary.
Displaced children need to feel at home [54]
By Yvonne Mintz, Brazosport Facts, 4 May 2008
BRAZOSPORT – Much mud has been slung at state officials for taking more than 400 children into custody after a raid on a polygamist compound in West Texas amid allegations young girls were being forced to marry and have children with much older men.
Texas Supreme Court rules against Mansfield couple in battle with homebuilder [55]
By WAYNE SLATER, Dallas Morning News, 3 May 2008
AUSTIN – The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday in favor of Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, the state’s most prolific campaign contributor, in a case homeowner advocates say reflects the influence of big money over elected judges.
Supreme Court rules in favor of major donor [56]
By Janet Elliott, San Antonio Express-News, 2 May 2008
AUSTIN – A divided Texas Supreme Court threw out an $800,000 arbitration award in a defective home case, handing a victory Friday to the Houston company owned by major political contributor Bob Perry.
Senator opposes Delisi appointment [57]
Austin American-Statesman, 3 May 2008
AUSTIN – State Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, announced on Friday his objection to the appointment this week of Deirdre Delisi as chairwoman of the Texas Transportation Commission because she represents a continuation of the status quo for the troubled agency.
Immigrant' game no joke to this Tech student [58]
By Marlena Hartz, LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 3 May 2008
LUBBOCK – At ritzy receptions in the nation's capital, Tomas Resendiz has been mistaken for a waiter. Other guests have handed him empty glasses and turned to him for more cocktails.
1st lawyer from Tarrant in 50 years to lead Texas bar [59]
By Max B. Baker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2008
FORT WORTH – When animals are compared to attorneys, the creatures that come up most often are aggressive: Bears. Sharks. Snakes.
Medal-winning Texas woman removed from combat zones [60]
By Ann Scott Tyson, Washington Post, 4 May 2008
KHOST, Afghanistan – Pfc. Monica Brown cracked open the door of her Humvee outside a remote village in eastern Afghanistan to the pop of bullets shot by Taliban fighters, but instead of taking cover the 18-year-old medic grabbed her bag and ran through gunfire toward fellow soldiers in a burning vehicle.
Former prisons chief finally free of scandal [61]
By Clay Robison, San Antonio Express-News, 4 May 2008
AUSTIN – Now that a federal judge has given him back his life, Texas' former top prison official soon will decide what to do with it.
President Bush touts planned library at SMU [62]
Dallas Morning News, 3 May 2008
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – President Bush on Friday touted his planned presidential library at SMU as a forum to promote freedom, brushing aside critics who say it will operate as a partisan venue.
Bond between top surgeons grows [63]
By TODD ACKERMAN, Houston Chronicle, 2 May 2008
HOUSTON – They feuded for decades, but legendary heart surgeons Dr. Michael DeBakey and Dr. Denton Cooley suddenly seem thick as thieves.
Houston neurologist voted TMA's president-elect [64]
Houston Chronicle, 3 May 2008
HOUSTON – Houston neurologist Dr. William H. Fleming III was voted president-elect of the Texas Medical Association at the group's annual meeting in San Antonio on Saturday.
Crawford, Texas plays it cool as Jenna Bush wedding approaches [65]
By JAKE BATSELL, Dallas Morning News, 5 May 2008
CRAWFORD – Not long ago, in those heady early days of the Western White House, a presidential daughter's wedding might have set loose a frenzy of anticipation here on the Central Texas prairie.
Perry takes book about Boy Scouting on the road [66]
Houston Chronicle, 2 May 2008
AUSTIN – When he's not busy with his day job, Gov. Rick Perry is zipping around the state and the country for his new gig — book author.
Tech professor to lead national climate project [67]
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 5 May 2008
LUBBOCK – A Texas Tech department of geosciences professor, Katherine Hayhoe, will be the lead author of a national research project to evaluate climate change in the U.S., according to a university news release.
Can Delisi steer Transportation through all the potholes? [68]
Austin American-Statesman, 4 May 2008
AUSTIN – As the new chairwoman of the Texas Transportation Commission, Deirdre Delisi has to convince a corps of skeptics that she is up to the job.
Lena Guerrero, what might have been [69]
Dallas Morning News, 5 May 2008
DALLAS – Most Texans probably didn't notice Lena Guerrero's death at age 50 last month.