Politics
Judgment Day
by Ross Ramsey, Matt Stiles and Ben Philpott, The Texas Tribune, 2 March 2010
Spending in the Texas governor's race is approaching $55 million (or more). The last poison letters in judicial, legislative and other down-ballot races should have landed in mailboxes by now. It's all over but the phone callers and door-knockers asking Texans to get out to vote, and then the voters themselves.
Congratulations!
by Abby Rapoport and Matt Stiles, The Texas Tribune, 2 March 2010
Even though most of the focus for the last couple of months has been on the outcome of contested primaries, nearly half of the next Legislature has already been chosen.
It's primary day in Texas
By Jason Embry and Corrie MacLaggan, Austin American-Statesman, 1 March 2010
Republican and Democratic voters across Texas will pick their nominees for federal, state and local offices today, ending a primary election season that's seen everything from a historic intraparty fight for governor to a candidate who promises to quit halfway through his term if the economy falters.
Texas governor hopefuls make final pitches before primary
Staff, The Dallas Morning News, 2 March 2010
The major candidates for governor made their last push for votes across the state Monday, laying out their cases to lead Texas and preparing for voters to decide their fate in today's primaries.
Can Republican gubernatorial candidates mend the rift by November?
By TODD J. GILLMAN, The Dallas Morning News, 1 March 2010
The Republican primary for governor has been caustic and personal. A six-week runoff campaign, if it comes to that, could get even worse.
Friedman, Gilbert assail proposed Texas cuts in food aid
By JESSICA MEYERS, The Dallas Morning News, 1 March 2010
In their last dash for votes Monday, the Democrats running for Texas agriculture commissioner blasted proposed food aid cuts, saying they would hurt the people who need them most – the disabled and the elderly.
State mum on turnout forecast; Dallas County expecting 20 percent
By ROBERT T. GARRETT, The Dallas Morning News, 2 March 2010
AUSTIN – The state's top election official, rather than be flat wrong, simply isn't estimating how big turnout will be in today's primary election.
Voters to decide November candidates today
By Zahira Torres, El Paso Times, 2 March 2010
AUSTIN -- After 16 years in the world's most prestigious club -- the U.S. Senate -- Kay Bailey Hutchison faces the prospect of her political career ending today in a Republican primary election.
Candidates make last sweep before Texas primary
KELLEY SHANNON, Associated Press, 2 March 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- With the clock ticking in a rough Republican primary, Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison swept through the urban areas of Texas on Monday seeking votes in their gubernatorial showdown.
Governor's race increases expectations
By Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 2 March 2010
More than 50,000 Bexar County voters are expected to cast ballots today in a primary that could determine the November contenders in the Texas gubernatorial race.
Even mundane details count on Election Day
Veronica Flores-Paniagua, San Antonio Express-News, 2 March 2010
It was a quiet Monday morning at the Bexar County Elections Department. By 10 a.m., phone records showed that only 70 or so calls had been logged.
GOP battle for governor tops primary election races
By DAVE MONTGOMERY and ANNA M. TINSLEY, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 March 2010
AUSTIN -- One of the most intensely fought primaries in modern Texas political history arrives today, with incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry battling U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and newcomer Debra Medina in the spotlight race.
Many have already cast ballots
By Brenda Bernet, Amarillo Globe-News, 2 March 2010
Voters head to the polls today to decide a variety of primary races both locally and statewide, but thousands already cast their ballots during the early-voting period.
Roll to the Polls: Today is primary election day
By Elliott Blackburn, LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 2 March 2010
Lubbock County may not expect a huge turnout for Election Day voting, but organizers still had to deal with a crowd.
McLennan County voters focus on several races in today's primaries
By Michael W. Shapiro, Waco Tribune-Herald, 2 March 2010
A taste of anti-incumbency is in the air, but the fallout from such sentiments is hard to put a finger on.
Conaway: Republicans WILL reclaim power in House
by Bob Campbell, Midland Reporter-Telegram, 1 March 2010
Congressman Mike Conaway of Midland predicted Monday that Republicans will regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the Nov. 2 general election because Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made too many fellow Democrats "walk the plank" on legislation they knew would be damaging to their careers.
The Straight Story
by Reeve Hamilton
Save for the inevitable run-off here and there, voters will be greeted in November by a ballot that will largely take shape tonight. But they'll have an option available to them in the fall that they don't, or didn't, have today: They’ll be able to vote the straight ticket — that is, they'll be able to vote for their preferred political party's entire slate of candidates with one punch of a button.
Government
Rick Perry vs. the DPS
by Brandi Grissom, The Texas Tribune, 2 March 2010,
Gov. Rick Perry and his chosen leader of the state Department of Public Safety fundamentally disagree about how to secure the Capitol in the wake of a January shooting that rattled those who work under the dome and prompted renewed calls for stricter safety measures.
Justices show concern over Skilling case
By MARY FLOOD, Houston Chronicle, 1 March 2010
WASHINGTON — U.S. Supreme Court justices Monday voiced deep concern about the way Enron executive Jeff Skilling's Houston jury was chosen and about a law used to convict him.
Census: Query on race may confuse
By Adriana Gómez Licón, El Paso Times, 2 March 2010
EL PASO -- Many Hispanics do not know they are white. But, in the U.S. Census Bureau's eyes, they probably are.
Perry grants state's first posthumous pardon
By Peggy Fikac, San Antonio Express-News, 1 March 2010
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry on Monday pardoned Timothy Cole, who died in 1999 while in prison for a rape he didn't commit.
Perry signs pardon to fulfill Fort Worth family's quest for justice
By DAVE MONTGOMERY, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 March 2010
AUSTIN -- Gov. Rick Perry granted a posthumous pardon Monday to wrongfully convicted inmate Tim Cole of Fort Worth, completing his family's relentless 25-year campaign to clear Cole's name.
News
Inmate slipped out of prison to buy cigarettes, officials say
By Mike Ward, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 1 March 2010
Coming on the heels of the latest round of official claims that Texas prisons have been made more secure was this news Monday: A convicted burglar who was supposed to be confined to a lockup near Houston went shopping last week for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco at an all-night discount center.
Supreme Court denies death row inmate's appeal
By Michelle Mondo, San Antonio Express-News, 2 March 2010
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from Bexar County inmate Joshua Maxwell, clearing the way for his execution next week barring any last-minute appeals.
Texas AG sues Valley home developer over undisclosed back taxes, liens
Jeremy Roebuck, The Monitor, 1 March 2010
DONNA — With a lousy credit history and a modest income, Eric Shidler thought he’d found the deal of a lifetime in Casa Linda Homes.
People
Last daughter of Mexican revolutionary Zapata dies
The Associated Press, 2 March 2010
MEXICO CITY -- The last surviving child of Mexican revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata has died at 94.