Politics
Cornyn hints he's unlikely to back Kagan's nomination
By Tom Benning, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11 May 2010
Texas Sen. John Cornyn sharply criticized Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan on Monday, hinting strongly that her lack of judicial experience, privileged background and role in Harvard University's efforts to bar military recruiters make it unlikely he will support her confirmation.
Sen. John Cornyn not ready to endorse court nominee
By Zahira Torres, EL PASO TIMES, 10 May 2010
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said Monday that he would be hard pressed to support Solicitor General Elena Kagan for a seat on the Supreme Court.
One of Dallas County sheriff's top campaign donors accused in Ponzi scheme
By Kevin Krause, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10 May 2010
One of the top campaign donors to Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez is a career scam artist recently sued by federal regulators who accused him of running a Ponzi scheme.
Government
Spill hearing to bring out blame issues
By Jennifer A. Dlouhy, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10 May 2010
As congressional hearings on the Deepwater Horizon disaster kick off today, lawmakers are likely to get a tangle of finger-pointing from the corporate leaders whose companies are being sued for negligence in connection with the disaster.
Lobbyists spent less money in '09
By R.G. Ratcliffe, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11 May 2010
The amount spent on lobbyists has grown in every Texas legislative session for a decade — until the national recession stemmed the spending for the 2009 Legislature, according to a report released Monday by Texans for Public Justice.
SBOE swamped by comments on social studies standards
By Kate Alexander, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 10 May 2010
The State Board of Education had received more than 20,000 public comments as of last week on the proposed revision of social studies curriculum standards.
EPA still working on Barnett Shale air pollution problem, agency says
By Mike Lee, FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10 May 2010
The Environmental Protection Agency is continuing to devote resources to dealing with concerns over air pollution problems related to natural gas drilling in the Barnett Shale, although progress is slow, the agency's regional chief said Monday night.
Panel backs smaller electricity rate hike
By Gustavo Reveles Acosta, EL PASO TIMES, 11 May 2010
Your electric bill would go up under a proposed compromise announced Monday, but not as much as utility executives originally proposed.
News
Lagging sales tax revenue stirs Texas budget concerns
By Robert T. Garrett, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11 May 2010
State revenues remain "well short" of predictions, although sales tax receipts showed a modest gain last month, the House's chief budget writer said Monday.
Unmanned planes could begin flying over Texas in a matter of months
By Tim Eaton, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 10 May 2010
After years of political pressure from Texas politicians, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar said Monday that he expects the federal government to deliver unmanned aircraft to watch over the border with Mexico by this fall.
Texas officials bracing for a 'tar ball event' as oil spill drifts west
By Dave Montgomery, FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10 May 2010
With a broken well spewing thousands of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico -- and with no immediate relief in sight, state officials say it now seems almost inevitable that residue will begin reaching Texas waters, probably in the form of tar balls or a frothy substance resembling chocolate mousse.
New try to stop gusher involves golf balls
By Brett Clanton and Monica Hatcher, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10 May 2010
BP, which spends billions of dollars on state-of-the-art technology to tap the world’s energy supply, is resorting to golf balls, knots of rope and other junk in its effort to plug an underwater gusher.
Doctors Without Borders
By Emily Ramshaw and Matt Stiles, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, 11 May 2010
That’s right, they’re not from Texas. Newly licensed doctors enlisting to treat the state’s Medicaid and Medicare patients are more likely to have been trained at international medical schools, according to a review of state medical licensing data.
City sales-tax revenue continues to lag
By Gilbert Garcia, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 11 May 2010
The good news for City Council members this week is that, unlike last year, they won't be called upon to meet a midyear budget crisis by putting off desperately needed street repairs. The bad news is that trouble could be looming in September, when the council approves its fiscal year 2011 budget.
UT cutting jobs to trim budget, pay for raises
By Ralph K.M. Haurwitz, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 10 May 2010
The University of Texas has laid off 122 employees in the current fiscal year and will shed scores of additional positions by the end of the next one as part of a plan to trim spending while also paying for merit raises, officials announced Monday.
UT forges ahead with budget cuts, layoffs
By Jeannie Kever, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10 May 2010
The president of the University of Texas at Austin warned employees Monday that looming budget cuts are about to hit home.
The Graduation Cap
By Reeve Hamilton, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, 11 May 2010
For years, Texas universities have focused on getting more students, particularly low-income students, onto to their campuses. The hard part, it turns out, is getting them to leave — with degrees.
Health care law may help families with autism costs
By Sarah Mueller, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10 May 2010
The health insurance overhaul passed this spring came as a relief to parents of autistic children, many of whom spend thousands of dollars out of pocket for treatments that no one else will cover.
Dallas ISD may cut some special ed teachers
By Diane Rado, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10 May 2010
There is some concern that the Dallas ISD may cut some special education teaching positions as school leaders grapple with next year's budget.
Home-school is so popular some getting suspicious
By Jennifer Radcliffe, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10 May 2010
More than 22,620 Texas secondary students who stopped showing up for class in 2008 were excluded from the state's dropout statistics because administrators said they were being home-schooled, according to Texas Education Agency figures.
The Green Mile
By Ben Philpott, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, 11 May 2010
Former U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham was in Austin yesterday as part of a travelling conference on how far we have to go to address the county’s renewable energy challenges. Abraham spoke with Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune about his message to public and private sector players.
Army game's stay in S.A. uncertain
By Sig Christenson, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 10 May 2010
The All-American Bowl, which has grown into the Army's signature recruiting event as well as a celebration of San Antonio's deep military ties, has a cloudy future here.
In Fort Worth, National Guard pilot program helps vets find work
By Chris Vaughn, FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10 May 2010
Unemployment, or its lesser cousin, underemployment, is such a thorny issue nationally that the National Guard headquarters has initiated a program to help soldiers improve their chances of landing a job through résumé improvements, interview techniques and career placement. The pilot program — the only one in operation nationwide — is in a small armory off McCart Avenue in south Fort Worth.