Politics
Internal Shami email gets an external viewing
PoliTex, 16 February 2010
An unsigned internal email that was meant for Shami campaign staffers has been inadvertently sent out to people outside of the campaign, including several reporters at the Star-Telegram.
Texas tries to stop same-sex divorce
By R.G. Ratcliffe, San Antonio Express-News, 16 February 2010
Attorney General Greg Abbott is trying to halt a San Antonio woman's divorce from her same-sex spouse on grounds their Massachusetts marriage is not recognized in Texas.
Early voting GOP turnout high
By Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 16 February 2010
A competitive Republican gubernatorial race and mild winter weather helped drive brisk local turnout Tuesday on the first day of primary election early voting.
Clements throws support to Perry despite sponsoring a Hutchison fundraiser
By Christy Hoppe, The Dallas Morning News, 17 February 2010
Former Gov. Bill Clements is backing Gov. Rick Perry in the Republican primary, even though he sponsored a fundraiser for Kay Bailey Hutchison last year.
Pastor running for governor calls GOP a "globalist meat grinder"
POlitTex, 16 February 2010
Never mind the months of campaign stops and commercials and attacks. A preacher from Allen is betting that many voters still haven't found the right candidate for governor.
The Gay Divorcees
By Ben Philpot, Texas Tribune, 17 February 2010
A same-sex couple, married in Massachusetts but now living in Travis County, has been granted a divorce by a state district judge. It's the second time in five months that a same-sex divorce has been granted in Texas ó and also the second time that Attorney General Greg Abbott has moved to block such an action.
More on early voting
Elliott Blackburn, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 17 February 2010
Voting turnout continued to climb, but didnít threaten any records as the evening commute began.
Early voters do their thing
Houston Chronicle, 17 February 2010
Nearly four times as many voters cast ballots today as did on the first day of early voting for the last gubernatorial primary election in 2006. The Harris County Clerk's office reports 4,964 votes cast at 37 early polling stations and 8,832 more that came in the mail, for a total of 13,796.
Endorsement duel in Texas
Politico, 16 February 2010
Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison are trotting out rival endorsements as their gubernatorial primary race reaches its final stages.
Mixed messages from Shami campaign
By Corrie MacLaggan, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 17 February 2010
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Farouk Shami and his own campaign staff released conflicting information Tuesday about who is allowed to speak on behalf of the campaign, signaling further turmoil inside a campaign that has already had its troubles.
Government
Dewhurst pet anti-steroid initiative could get ax
By Kate Alexander, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 16 February 2010
The $135 million budget cut proposal from the Texas Education Agency includes one item that will probably not please Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.
Texas AG fighting divorce of same-sex couple
Associated Press, 17 February 2010
Texas' ban on gay marriage means same-sex couples also are prohibited from getting a divorce in the state, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Tuesday. A district judge in Austin last week granted a divorce to Sabina
Police Chief Kunkle defends the way Dallas reports crimes
By STEVE THOMPSON, The Dallas Morning News, 16 February 2010
Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle defended his department's reporting of crime statistics Tuesday during a City Council public safety committee meeting undercut by confusion over the issue.
Agency budget cuts small in face of Texas' gaping shortfall
By ROBERT T. GARRETT, The Dallas Morning News, 17 February 2010
State agencies offered up potential budget cuts of 5 percent Tuesday, fulfilling a request from state leaders as Texas grapples with a shortfall that could reach $15 billion or more.
Prison cuts: 3,000 jobs, meds, programs to get axe
By Mike Ward, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 16 February 2010
Nearly 3,100 jobs of prison guards, parole officers and other officials would be eliminated, privately run prisons would be closed, highly touted treatment and rehabilitation programs would be cut and medical care would be significantly reduced under a proposed 5-percent budget reduction plan unveiled today.
DPS cuts: Drop 41 new border vehicles, OT
By Mike Ward, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 16 February 2010
Local law enforcement agencies engaged in border security operations would see their overtime budget cut by almost half, and 41 fewer patrol vehicles would be purchased in coming months under a budget-reduction plan to save $14.6 million unveiled today.
Texas universities identify possible budget cuts
By Holly Hacker, The Dallas Morning News, 17 February 2010
Texas' public universities and colleges have already taken financial hits from declines in endowments and in private giving. Now, they have been asked to identify cuts that make up 5 percent of the state-funded portion of their budgets
Arlington considers new fees on Barnett Shale drilling
BY SUSAN SCHROCK, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 February 2010
The city is considering tougher requirements for natural gas drillers, including increased road damage fees, new wastewater disposal fees, higher penalties for noise violations and limits on the time they have to drill on a site after obtaining a specific-use permit.
Day Care Danger
By Emily Ramshaw, Texas Tribune, 17 February 2010
The Texas Workforce Commission spent nearly $50 million in the last two years subsidizing day care centers and in-home child care providers with troubled track records caring for the stateís neediest kids ó including sexual and physical abuse, kidnapping, and leaving infants to suffocate and die in their cribs.
The Numbers Game
By Julian Aguilar, 17 February 2010
Thousands of people aren’t getting counted in some of Texas’ largest counties, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report, and it could mean financial and political trouble for the state as the decennial national count heads this way next month.
County indigent health care program to offer dental services
By Regina Dennis, Waco Tribune-Herald, 17 February 2010
Clients in the countyís indigent health care program soon will be able to receive dental services for the first time.Counties are required to pay for medical costs for indigent residents but can choose to offer services such as dental or vision care as an option.
Prison officials seek waiver from some budget cuts
MICHAEL GRACZYK, Associated Press, 17 February 2010
Texas prison administrators have submitted plans to comply with a proposed 5 percent budget cut but warned that unless the agency gets an exemption from some of the cuts, the state will have to lay off thousands of employees and recidivism and the inmate population will increase.
Frisco council votes to support reduced-rent apartments
By VALERIE WIGGLESWORTH, The Dallas Morning News,17 February 2010
More than 100 people turned out Tuesday to voice opposition to two proposed apartment complexes in Frisco.
News
Man gets 10 years probation in Sixth Street manslaughter
By Steven Kreytak, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 16 February 2010
Eric Skeeter, who had been accused of fatally punching a man he encountered on Sixth Street, pleaded guilty to manslaughter today and was sentenced to 10 years probation.
Toyota apologizes, begins fix on other hybrids
YURI KAGEYAMA, AP Business Writer, 17 February 2010
Toyota faces a growing investigation by U.S. federal authorities. Some U.S. lawmakers want Toyoda to appear at a Feb. 24 Congressional committee hearing that is examining the problem of sticky gas pedals behind an earlier global recall.
El Paso border officials capture wanted fugitive
Associated Press, 17 February 2010
Federal agents working at the El Paso port of entry have captured a fugitive featured on the Texas Department of Public Safety's top 10 most wanted list.
Trial starts in drive-by slayings
By Logan G. Carver, LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 17 February 2010
Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of two men accused of gunning down two people during a retaliatory drive-by shooting in May 2008 in Big Spring.
Texas co. appeals $18M RI mercury storage penalty
ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press, 16 February 2010
A Texas energy company convicted of illegally storing hazardous mercury in a rundown Rhode Island building asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to throw out an $18 million penalty, calling the punishment "grossly excessive."
Former city worker admits he led drug cell
By DANE SCHILLER, Houston Chronicle, 16 February 2010
A former Houston Parks Department employee turned narco-trafficker admitted in federal court Tuesday that he led a drug cartel cell that moved millions of dollars worth of cocaine from Monterrey, Mexico, to Houston.
People
Staubach refuses to admit Hail Mary was illegal, praises Hutchison
By Gromer Jeffers Jr., The Dallas Morning News, 17 February 2010
Last night in Fort Worth I asked Roger Staubach to concede that Drew Pearson pushed down Minnesota Vikings cornerback Nate Wright to catch the "Hail Mary" pass that gave the Dallas Cowboys a victory in the 1975 playoffs.
New Baylor president Kenneth Starr eager to move beyond past as Clinton prosecutor
Associated Press, 17 February 2010
Baylor University's new president, Kenneth Starr, said Tuesday that he is excited to promote the world's largest Baptist university and pleased that his time as an independent prosecutor investigating the Clinton White House is long past.
Lubbock's Fortenberry enjoys life while waiting
By Caylor Ballinger,THE LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 17 February 2010
A drive around a go-cart track with family went terribly wrong in 2000 for Jim Fortenberry when a crash crushing his neck vertebrae made him aware of his heart disease: cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.