Data: Texas' Most Congested Roads	8/31/10
Interactive: Gov. Perry's Regent Donors	8/23/10
Interactive: July 15 Cash Totals	8/19/10
Interactive: Where Did Hutchison's Donors Go?	8/3/10
Interactive Map: Texas General Election Turnout: 2006-2008	7/25/10
Interactive Map: Texas Statewide Elections: 1998-2008	7/25/10
Search: Governor's Race Donations	7/23/10
Interactive: Campaign Cash	7/21/10

Raw Data: Texas' Most Congested…	CSV (104.0 KB)	download
Dallas Court of Appeals Gay Divorce…	PDF (4.6 MB)	download
RPT Packet on Dunnam	PDF (4.4 MB)	download
Tim Cole Advisory Panel on Wrongful…	DOC (31.5 KB)	download
TYC Response to Advocates' DOJ…	PDF (77.4 KB)	download
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May 2010
Perry 51, White 38

April 2010
Perry 48, White 44

March 2010
Perry 49, White 43

February 2010
White 51, Shami 19
Perry 49, Hutchison 27, Medina 19
Perry 39, Hutchison 28, Medina 24
Hutchison 49, White 36
Perry 48, White 39
Medina 41, White 38
Perry 44, Hutchison 29, Medina 16

January 2010
Perry 43, Hutchison 33, Medina 12

November 2009
Perry 46, Hutchison 35, Medina 4

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The best content about Texas politics, public policy, and government from around the Web and around the world.

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Previous Week
February 7 — February 13, 2010
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Democratic candidate for governor Farouk Shami says white people not willing to work in factories

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Democratic candidate for governor Farouk Shami said Friday that white people are not willing to work in factories and as a result, Hispanic labor is essential to the Texas economy.
Democratic candidate for governor: 'Whites don't want to work in factories'

WFAA-TV | 7 months ago | suggested by Reeve Hamilton

Race became an issue in the Democratic primary for governor today. Farouk Shami, the millionaire hair care products maker who's running, said he doesn't find many white people willing to work, so he says he hires Hispanics and blacks instead.
Big Ten offers UT more money but threatens rivalries

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Last month, two days before the Texas Longhorns played in the Bowl Championship Series title game, UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds sat down in a California hotel and talked about contingency plans.
Texas nursing home investigations backlogged

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The state agency responsible for ensuring the safety of Texas nursing home residents has a backlog of 1,550 past-due investigations, agency officials said today.
Parents praise, teachers protest firing plan

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Brian Thevenot

Dozens of parents spoke in favor of the decision, while more than 750 teachers packed the school district's headquarters to protest the policy, considered among the most aggressive efforts in the nation to improve teacher quality.
Kinky throws support behind White

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The latest political pairing: an entertainer known for his quick wit and anti-establishment stance, and a quiet businessman turned prominent Texas politician.
Jones, Griffin, and Lantroop for House Districts 83, 84, 85

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

We recommend Delwin Jones for state representative, District 83, Mark Griffin for state representative, District 84, and Jim Lantroop for state representative, District 85.
Medina at first takes a pass when asked if 9/11 was inside job

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Republican gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina got her first big lesson in damage control Thursday.
Medina was a controversial force in Wharton County politics

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

When the Wharton County judge, a longtime Democrat, wanted to switch to the Republican Party several years ago, the county GOP then under the leadership of Debra Medina had a few questions for him.
Hutchison blasts Perry for meddling

Bryan-College Station Eagle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison chastised Gov. Rick Perry in an interview Wednesday for what she called his "egregious" micromanaging at Texas A&M University and pledged to strive to elevate the school to one of the elite public colleges in the United States, if elected.
UTMB warns 1,200 of identity theft threat

Galveston County Daily News | 7 months ago | suggested by Abby Rapoport

A Georgia company assisting the University of Texas Medical Branch with insurance billing and collections waited more than a month to notify island officials that an employee with access to information about more than a thousand patients had been charged with identity theft.
Mexico says U.S. is slacking in war on drugs

McAllen Monitor | 7 months ago | suggested by Abby Rapoport

But President Felipe Calderón has stepped up the fight against the cartels, sending the military against them. He has also accepted U.S. assistance through the Mérida Initiative, including intelligence, equipment and technology.
Democrat Shami could test his party’s correctness

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Abby Rapoport

If he accomplishes nothing else this campaign season, Houston businessman Farouk Shami at least delivered a political quote for the ages.
Budget cutters eye state hospitals, Medicaid providers

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Patient numbers would be cut at four state psychiatric hospitals, including the one in San Antonio, and health-care providers would see a drop in reimbursement rates for Medicaid patients under budget options presented by state officials.
PUC chairman enters CPS fray

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Texas Public Utility Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman has stepped into the nuclear battle between CPS Energy and its partner to try to mediate a settlement.
9-11 query may haunt Medina

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Anti-Washington activist Debra Medina was on the brink of knocking U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison out of a likely Republican gubernatorial runoff, but she may have spoiled her chances Thursday with her remarks on the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
Three Democrats Vying to Unseat Lt. Gov

KERA Dallas | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle and 2 others spoke a Dallas Democratic Forum event today. All 3 are running to be the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor in November. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more.
Debra Medina’s Texas-size momentum

Politico | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

A pistol-packing nurse and home-schooler with close ties to Ron Paul is emerging as a wild card who is reordering the dynamics of the March 2 Texas Republican primary for governor.
Files go inside 'big money bust' in immigrant smuggling ring

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

ICE agents carried out a series of raids last Tuesday targeting companies that shuttle illegal immigrants from Houston to destinations across the U.S., picking up 20 of 22 defendants charged with conspiracy to transport illegal immigrants.
White works on introducing himself to the rest of Texas

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

It's a spring-like Saturday evening in San Marcos, the winter sun dipping behind rustic two-story buildings on the Hays County Courthouse square. At Café on the Square, across from the courthouse, a congenial crowd awaits the arrival of a former big-city mayor who aspires to be the next governor of Texas.
Rivals try to pin Sept. 11 slip on Debra Medina

Politico | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Tea party candidate Debra Medina was thrashed Thursday by her two powerful Republican rivals in the Texas gubernatorial race after suggesting that the United States government may have played a role in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Austin school district dual language proposal raises concerns for some

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Proposed reforms to the Austin school district's bilingual education program have threatened what some say is a tenuous relationship between new Superintendent Meria Carstarphen and some members of Austin's Hispanic community.
Texas lottery officials examine possible conflict

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Texas lottery officials said Thursday that they found no evidence of improper bid information sharing between a consultant company and the lottery's main vendor, GTECH Corp., but they said say they cannot rule it out.
Medina, hailing from Beeville, learned political skills on the range

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

When Debra Parker was in high school in the late 1970s, her parents limited her to two after-school activities at A.C. Jones High School. Any more than that would have taken her away from the family ranch, where she spent early mornings and late evenings breaking horses, herding cattle and goats, butchering livestock and churning butter.
Sen.'s Washington clout clouds Texas run

USA Today | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Two candidates claim the Tea Party mantle: Perry, who has led Hutchison by double digits in every state poll since the summer, and Debra Medina, a former GOP county chairwoman. A University of Texas poll of about 400 likely GOP voters published today in The Texas Tribune shows Perry leading with 45%, Hutchison at 21% and Medina at 19%.
9/11 comments trip up gov hopeful Debra Medina

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Anti-Washington activist Debra Medina was on the brink of knocking U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison out of a likely Republican gubernatorial runoff, but she may have spoiled her chances Thursday with her remarks on the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The Texas GOP Governor's Race: Three's a Crowd

TIME | 7 months ago | suggested by Elise Hu

Texas politics is becoming curiouser and curiouser.
Debra Medina self-destructs on Glenn Beck radio show

Christian Science Monitor | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

This candidacy will self-destruct in five seconds...
Another famous 'flight to Medina?'

Southern Political Report | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

In 622 A.D., the Islamic prophet Muhammad fled from Mecca to Medina, escaping the wrath of several Arab tribes, an event so significant that it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Could voter flight to another Medina in Texas shake the American political establishment?
Most lawmakers haven't returned donations from disgraced Texas banker Allen Stanford

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Most lawmakers haven't returned donations from disgraced Texas banker R. Allen Stanford despite pleadings from a federal receiver who is trying to get the money back for defrauded investors.
How Christian Were the Founders?

New York Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Over two days, more than a hundred people — Christians, Jews, housewives, naval officers, professors; people outfitted in everything from business suits to military fatigues to turbans to baseball caps — streamed through the halls of the William B. Travis Building in Austin, Tex., waiting for a chance to stand before the semicircle of 15 high-backed chairs whose occupants made up the Texas State Board of Education. Each petitioner had three minutes to say his or her piece.
The Big Bend Sentinel - Border Patrol halts deportation program through Presidio, Ojinaga

The Big Bend Sentinel | 7 months ago | suggested by Brandi Grissom

The Border Patrol program has been suspended in which illegal immigrants detained in Arizona were repatriated to Mexico through Presidio’s port of entry.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates, As Done In State Rep. District 146: Borris Miles Pees On Air

Houston Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Neither of these guys exactly bring the word "statesman" to mind, to be sure. But we never expected the race to include a live, on-air drug test.
37% of Texas voters have no opinion about John Cornyn

Public Policy Polling | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The Texas numbers we put out today showed NRSC chair John Cornyn with a super mediocre 32/30 approval spread, with 37% of voters having no opinion about him. Is all of his traveling around the country making his constituents forget who he is?
Lawmakers Want to Reinstate Barriers on Campaign Spending by Corporations, Others

New York Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

House and Senate Democrats outlined legislation today aimed at rebuilding some of the barriers to political advertising by corporations, unions and other third-party groups that the Supreme Court just struck down.
Texas lawmakers keeping Allen Stanford's donations

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Some office holders, including President Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain, donated Stanford donations to charity when the scandal erupted. But most members and campaign committees have kept the money. Late Tuesday, Janvey updated his list of lawmakers who haven't returned the funds. The Texas keepers include: -- Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas -- Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's KPAC political action committee -- Sen. John Cornyn -- Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D- San Antonio -- Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands -- Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio
Glenn Beck slams Debra Medina for not disavowing 9-11 truthers

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

TV and radio commentator Glenn Beck dismissed the candidacy of Debra Medina when she left open the door to a conspiracy fringe group that believes the U.S. government might have been behind the 9-11 destruction of the World Trade Center.
Medina: I have never believed our government was involved in 9/11 attacks

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Republican gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina just released a statement saying that she has never “believed that our government was involved” with the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Pity For Terri Hodge? Save It for the Voters She Betrayed

Dallas Observer | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Oh, such warm, moist sighs of sadness swept the city last week over the end of state Representative Terri Hodge's political life. What a shame. What a tragedy. What a load of crap.
Do teachers' advanced degrees matter?

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Brian Thevenot

With money tight, a handful of districts are considering ditching the traditional salary bump for teachers with master's degrees in favor of pay based more on student learning.
'Distinguished' schools in Texas soared, helped by state formula

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Brian Thevenot

The number of high-poverty schools recognized for distinguished performance soared both statewide and in Dallas in 2009 – with some statistical help that boosted test scores.
Sessions says recent GOP victories aided fundraising for party

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

After a year of lackluster fundraising, House Republicans are bouncing back, Dallas Rep. Pete Sessions said Wednesday, thanks to several mood-lifting wins for the party.
Plan to suspend new drilling in Barnett Shale becomes campaign topic

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

The energy-rich Barnett Shale is becoming enmeshed in election-year politics as the leading Democratic candidates for governor take opposing directions over a proposed moratorium on new permits for natural gas production amid concerns about benzene emissions.
House District 92 race centers on voter ID bill, party leader's role

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

The Republican primary race between state Rep. Todd Smith of Euless and former Bedford Councilman Jeff Cason has turned into a statewide argument over one issue: Smith's failed effort to pass a voter ID bill last year.
Dancing in the halls of justice becomes an issue in GOP primary race for 322nd District Court

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Lisa Hoppes doesn't dance around it: She doesn't like what's going on in state District Judge Nancy Berger's court.
Perry blasts immigration policy

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Contending the federal government has failed to control the U.S.-Mexico border, Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday he'll begin billing the government the $13.5 million a month that he says it costs the state to incarcerate undocumented people being held on criminal charges.
Texas health care providers could see Medicaid fees reduced

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Doctors, dentists and hospitals would see their Medicaid fees trimmed by at least 1 percent under possible budget reductions offered Wednesday by state Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs.
400 HISD teachers may face firing over test scores

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

More than 400 teachers in the Houston school district have performed so poorly that their students have lost ground, according to HISD, and those educators' jobs could be on the line if they don't improve.
University of North Texas President Gretchen Bataille says she'll resign at the end of the month

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

University of North Texas President Gretchen Bataille abruptly announced Wednesday that she will resign at the end of this month.
Supporters want to expand University of Texas at Dallas' college-prep program

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Each year, the University of Texas at Dallas takes 40 high school graduates who aren't quite ready for college and, over an academically intense summer, makes sure they are. [Click image for a larger version] JOHN F. RHODES/DMN JOHN F. RHODES/DMN Netreia McNulty (left), with state Rep. Helen Giddings, D-DeSoto, was among the first high school graduates to participate in the Academic Bridge Program 10 years ago. She's now working on her master's degree.
Good-Time Charlie Wilson

TIME | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

From Texas comes word that Charlie Wilson's heart--his second--finally gave out. Which wasn't all that surprising, when you considered how much he had lived.
State officials consider closing some prisons

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

More than a decade after expanding Texas' prison system into one of the largest in the world and growing its law-and-order reputation accordingly some state leaders are now openly discussing the possibility of what was once politically unthinkable: closing or mothballing entire prisons.
Perry seeks reimbursement for detained immigrants; new poll shows Perry, White as leaders in primary races

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Gov. Rick Perry said he wants the federal government to reimburse Texas for the cost of holding illegal immigrants in state prisons.
Republicans jostle to challenge Strama

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Two little-known Republicans are vying for the chance to snag a Texas House seat from Democratic incumbent Mark Strama.
Campaign tactics leave maturity on the sidelines

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

It was probably one of the more expensive inside jokes in the history of Texas politics.
Political clout shaky for Panhandle as redistricting looms

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | 7 months ago | suggested by Matt Stiles

Texas is expected to gain at least three congressional districts next year, but the political strength of the Panhandle/South Plains region looks shaky because more than a dozen counties have had massive population losses in the past decade, members of the Texas House Redistricting Committee learned Wednesday.
Shami brings business experience to governor's race

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Now that Farouk Shami has tamed the tangled hair of women around the world with his wildly popular CHI hot-iron hair straightener, he's eager to untangle the twisted politics of Texas. Despite wealth beyond even his own outsized dreams, the hair-products magnate wants to channel his ideas and ambitions elsewhere. He wants to be the next governor of the Lone Star State.
In preliberated Texas, Bailey strove to succeed in law, politics

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The La Marque Times on Oct. 21, 1960, mentioned Kay Bailey not once, but twice: first, on page one, as student director of the student follies (tickets 25 cents for students, 50 cents for adults), and second, in the Teen Tattle! Teen Club column on the Junior Coronation, as the "lovely Queen Kay Bailey."
Former Rep. Charlie Wilson dies; led U.S. support of Afghans against Soviets

Washington Post | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Former U.S. representative Charlie Wilson, a flamboyant 12-term East Texas Democrat who used his control of CIA purse strings to finance and arm an Afghan insurgency that drove out the Soviet occupation in the 1980s, died Feb. 10 at a hospital in Lufkin, Tex. He was 76 and had a history of heart ailments.
City sales tax revenue in Texas mixed in December

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Texas' economy continues to give off mixed economic signals. Municipal sales tax collections fell more than 6 percent in December, despite forecasts that the holiday shopping season might improve from a dismal 2008.
Good-Time Charlie Wilson

TIME | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

From Texas comes word that Charlie Wilson's heart--his second--finally gave out. Which wasn't all that surprising, when you considered how much he had lived. If you measured Charlie Wilson's life in years, it came to only 76. But if you looked at the number of miles the former Texas Congressman put on his odometer, well, that added up to more than most men could manage in three lifetimes.
South Park episode too unpatriotic for Mexico

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

President Felipe Calderon’s South Park spoof will have to wait.
Charlie Wilson, Texas Congressman Linked to Foreign Intrigue, Dies at 76

New York Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Charlie Wilson, a 12-term Texas congressman who was best known for his playboy ways until he masterminded a covert effort to funnel billions of dollars in arms to Afghan rebels fighting the Soviets in the 1980s, died Wednesday in Lufkin, Tex. He was 76.
Kinky Friedman campaigns for agriculture post

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Cigar-chomping humorist Kinky Friedman fired one-liners like a gunslinger Tuesday in a visit to El Paso as part of his campaign for Texas agriculture commissioner.
Charlie Wilson's way

Politico | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Congress lost one of its most colorful characters Wednesday with the death of former Rep. Charlie Wilson, a Texas Democrat who mixed wit and a maverick lifestyle with a deadly serious backroom campaign to secure covert funding for Afghan rebels fighting Soviet occupiers in the 1980s.
Wilson and Murtha, Together in Arms

New York Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The death of former Representative Charlie Wilson of Texas is the loss of the second legendary member of the House Appropriations Committee in a week, coming just days after his one-time colleague, Representative John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, passed away.
White competitive in Texas gov. poll

Politico | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Houston Mayor Bill White trails all three potential GOP candidates for governor of Texas, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey, but he has a competitive shot at claiming the governor's mansion for the Democrats for the first time in 16 years.
Tea Party, Tancredo link limits reach

Brownsville Herald | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

I vote and I know how to say the word in English. And thus, I, along with many other South Texans would likely pass the literacy and civics test that a former Colorado Republican congressman says should be put into place before Americans are allowed to vote. Even if we were to pass this hypothetical test, I’m sure Tom Tancredo would come up with another reason why America would be better of if South Texans were denied the right to vote.
University of North Texas president to resign

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The president of the University of North Texas announced today that she is stepping down at the end of the month.
Texas is urged to help expand solar power

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Texas "has what it takes to be a national leader in solar power," including ample sunshine, but it needs to embrace more ambitious policies and adopt new financial incentives to make it happen, according to a "Lone Star Power" report issued Wednesday by Environment Texas and the Go Solar Texas Coalition.
Charlie Wilson, an appreciation: Profane playboy, serious lawmaker

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Charlie Wilson had a way with words. Back in 1985, when I was a young and impressionable Washington reporter for the Dallas Times Herald, Charlie didn't like an article that my colleague Richard Fly had written. The Lufkin congressman cut out the article, scrawled a two-word response, the first beginning with an "F," the second being "you" and mailed it to the offending reporter.
Charlie Wilson's Texas

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Let me say upfront I didn't know Charlie Wilson. But like many people in Texas and Washington, I knew about the Democratic congressman, who passed away today at age 76. When I was living in D.C. in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, the East Texan was living proof of the color of Texas politicians of days gone by.
In ag race, Hank Gilbert and Kinky Friedman square off for Democratic nomination

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Hank Gilbert and Kinky Friedman are campaigning for the Democratic nomination for agricultural commissioner. But to hear each of them talk politics, you would think they were still running for governor.
Natalicio: UTEP will continue efforts to become top-tier research institution

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

UTEP has work to do, but it will continue striving to become a research power, university President Diana Natalicio said Wednesday.
Perry to feds: Pay up for cost of jailing illegal immigrants

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Gov. Rick Perry wants the federal government to reimburse Texas for the cost of holding illegal immigrants in state prisons.
UH's planned tuition hike draws protest

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

A University of Houston committee today approved raising tuition and fees by 3.95 percent next fall, drawing an immediate rebuke from a legislator critical of rising tuition.
Medicaid fees may be trimmed to help balance Texas budget

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Doctors, dentists and hospitals would have their Medicaid fees trimmed by at least 1 percent under possible budget reductions offered today by state Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs.
Former Texas Rep. Charlie Wilson dies at 76

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Charlie Wilson, the former congressman from Texas whose funding of Afghanistan's resistance to the Soviet Union was chronicled in the movie and book "Charlie Wilson's War," died Wednesday. He was 76.
Legislators eye sales tax exemptions for new money

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Abby Rapoport
Former lawmaker Charlie Wilson of Texas dead at 76

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Abby Rapoport

Charlie Wilson, the former U.S. congressman from Texas whose funding of Afghanistan's resistance to the Soviet Union was chronicled in the movie "Charlie Wilson's War," has died. He was 76.
Democrats: A Portrait in Gutlessness

Texas Observer | 7 months ago | suggested by Abby Rapoport

Dionne, who usually has his finger on the pulse of D.C. liberals, visited with congressional Democrats and found that many of them had reacted to the Massachusetts election by hiding in the corner.
CPS board approves rate increases

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Abby Rapoport

CPS Energy's Board of Trustees approved rate increases and a budget of just under $2 billion Wednesday morning.
Rep. Pete Sessions says NRCC has turned a corner, predicts GOP majority after midterms

Trailblazers Blog: The Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Abby Rapoport

The fresh money may close the gap slightly with the Democrats' House campaign committee, which outraised the NRCC last year by $20 million and, with $16.7 million in the bank, held a 6-1 edge a month ago.
More bad polling news for Hutchison

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Abby Rapoport

But a new survey of Collin County voters shows Hutchison in a dead heat with activist Debra Medina.
Staying Mum and Winning Races

Congressional Quarterly | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

“In Texas, since Karl Rove left, there’s been sort of a deficit in experienced, political folks who are capable of running a re-election campaign for senator in the state of Texas,” U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said, comparing his aide to the legendary GOP strategist.
US Rep Sheila Jackson Lee gets rare challenge

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Sheila Jackson Lee's appearance at Michael Jackson's funeral in Los Angeles last summer helped convince a three-term Houston city councilman to give the ubiquitous congresswoman her first credible re-election challenge since she won her seat 16 years ago.
White calls for more efficient state government

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Fresh off his lone primary debate with hair-care tycoon Farouk Shami, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White cast himself Tuesday as the kind of hard-nosed manager Texas needs to navigate its way through a recession.
Hispanic Democratic group endorses Shami for governor

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

A leading group of Hispanic Democrats endorsed businessman Farouk Shami for governor Tuesday, saying the Palestinian-American immigrant personifies the American dream.
From farm to politics, Perry follows in family's footsteps

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

If he wasn't your governor, chances are that Rick Perry would be spending his days in the left seat of a Boeing 737 cockpit as a Southwest Airlines pilot.
Political Notes: How Chavez-Thompson counts on a win

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

As a longtime labor leader and union organizer, Linda Chavez-Thompson has done her share of counting votes.
Which Rick Perry will appear? The right one, for any occasion

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Why has Rick Perry never lost an election? It could be because there are four of him.
Former McAllen mayor's DWI case filed

McAllen Monitor | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Prosecutors said they filed the driving while intoxicated case of former McAllen mayor Leo Montalvo on Monday, seven months after his arrest.
Perry underscores executive during long tenure as state's CEO

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Gov. Rick Perry has in many ways dispelled the notion that governor of Texas is an inherently weak office.
Slater: Mansfield couple’s fight with powerful homebuilder back in court

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

When Bob and Jane Cull returned to court last week in their decade-long legal battle against homebuilder Bob Perry, it was like starting all over again.
The one that got away

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Jose Salaz left a trail of blood after cutting himself on razor wire while climbing over three prison fences in 1997, fleeing across a field and disappearing into an exclusive class of fugitives: the only escapee from a Texas prison who still remains at large.
DPS cuts training to gain recruits, reduce costs

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

The tan cowboy hat and shiny back boots will be the same, but Texas troopers soon will be on the highways with nine fewer weeks of training than their veteran colleagues.
Hundreds of pieces of mail undelivered in Temple

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

A federal investigation found that nearly 700 pieces of mail sat undelivered in the Temple post office last July, more than half of it first class.
Texas to discard millions of babies' blood samples

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

A critical safety net for babies -- that heel prick of blood taken from every newborn -- is facing an ethics attack.
Fort Worth is told to release names of witnesses in Rainbow Lounge incident

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

The city's legal department cannot withhold the names of people who witnessed the June 28 inspection of the Rainbow Lounge despite its arguments that disclosure would violate the witnesses' privacy, the Texas attorney general's office has ruled.
Mayor Parker considers new route for Metro

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

As Mayor Annise Parker awaits reports from transition committees studying the Metropolitan Transit Authority, fundamental questions loom about how the agency should deliver and pay for services and its role in shaping regional growth and development.
Districts consider ending salary perk for teachers

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Houston-area school districts spend tens of millions of dollars a year on teachers with advanced degrees that studies show don't produce better student achievement.
Ben Barnes could be dabbling in New York politics...Maybe not

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Page Six, the gossip page of the New York Post, reported yesterday that a former Texas politician was at an Italian restaurant with a former congressman for Tennessee who is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat from New York.
DEA: Smugglers throwing marijuana over border fence

Brownsville Herald | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Federal agents arrested a man and a teenage male who had placed a ladder against the border fence and were in the process of throwing several bundles of marijuana over it, court documents show.
Abstinence-only study applauded

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

An abstinence-only study that allowed students to explore the drawbacks of having sex as young as age 12 has attracted praise from some Texas educators.
House Republicans have high hopes but little campaign cash

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The party's House campaign arm, run by U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions of Dallas, has struggled to raise funds, leaving Democrats with a 6-1 advantage. The GOP's cash stockpile hasn't been this low at the start of an election year since 1998. It has barely enough to help a handful of promising challengers buy a TV blitz.
Experts disagree on reasons for area's smog compliance

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Houston met the federal smog limit for the first time last year because of pollution controls and not as a result of favorable weather conditions or a slumping economy, Texas regulators say.
Hightower claims Kinky appeal will bring more voters

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Hightower said Friedman will boost the number of voters up 7 percent in a general election
DHS: The number of illegal immigrants in US fell

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith
Medical Justice, West Texas-Style

New York Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

A nurse is on trial in a West Texas criminal court after she submitted an unsigned complaint to a state medical board expressing concern about the quality of care provided by a doctor in the county hospital where she worked.
We recommend Jackson in House District 66

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Mabrie Jackson, 45, former Plano City Council member, is the best choice of the three, based on her experience in decision-making, involvement in civic affairs and deep roots in the community. Moreover, Jackson appears best positioned to continue the brand of coalition-building McCall practiced to get things done in Austin.
GOP voters face high court picks

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Republican primary voters face two difficult choices for Texas Supreme Court nominations.
Democrat White needs a challenge in primary race for Texas governor

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Students of Texas political history who watched Monday night's debate between gubernatorial candidates Bill White and Farouk Shami can't be faulted for asking something like, "Where's Tom Schieffer when the Democratic Party needs him?"
Harris County to pay up to get high-speed rail on track

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Commissioners Court decided Tuesday to buy a $50,000 ticket to get Harris County aboard a movement to bring high-speed rail to Texas.
Immigration and the Texas Governor's Race

KRLD.com | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Texans for Sensible Immigration Policy Co-founder Norman Adams talks with Scott Braddock.
Cisneros endorses educator for State Board of Education

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Former HUD Secretary and San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros has endorsed educator Rebecca Bell-Metereau in her primary election bid to be the Democratic nominee for the District 5 seat on the State Board of Education.
City Council passes Juárez violence resolution minus paragraph on marijuana legalization

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The City Council today voted 6-2 to condemn the drug-related violence in Juarez but declined to advocate the legalization of marijuana.
PPP: Medina closing on KBH

Politico | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is at risk of finishing third in next month's Republican gubernatorial primary, according to a Public Policy Polling survey that shows tea party favorite Debra Medina rapidly gaining ground on Hutchison and incumbent Gov. Rick Perry.
Survey: Medina becoming a real threat to Hutchison

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

U.S. Sen Kay Bailey Hutchison was the queen of a Public Policy Pollng survey a year ago, leading Gov. Rick Perry by 25 percentage points. But a new survey released by the group this morning shows Hutchison is clearly in danger of not making a runoff with Perry. The possibility exists that anti-Washington activist Debra Medina could make it instead.
Ron Paul Draws Three Tea Party Primary Opponents

Newser | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Ron Paul is facing a whopping three primary challengers this year, all from the so-called Tea Party movement many credit him with starting.
Cost of running for office just got higher

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Things were a lot easier for Harris County Democrats when their judicial candidates didn't actually stand a chance of winning.
Usually unopposed GOP congressmen draw challengers

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Conservative discontent has spurred a challenger to a Republican congressman representing Central Texas who has not had a primary opponent in 16 years.
San Angelo Dems support White

San Angelo Standard-Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

A small group of local Democratic leaders gathered Monday night to watch the two relatively unknown Democratic front runners for governor introduce themselves to voters.
Democrats throw support to Johnson after Hodge's guilty plea

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

An array of prominent Democrats on Monday endorsed lawyer Eric Johnson for state representative in District 100, an area of southern Dallas that for 14 years has been represented by Terri Hodge.
White skips primary talk and guns straight for Perry

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Houston Democrat Bill White launched his campaign against Gov. Rick Perry on Monday night.
White, Shami spar on death penalty, gas tax in Texas Democratic governor debate

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

The two main Democratic candidates for governor clashed on the death penalty, increasing the gasoline tax and halting Barnett Shale energy production Monday night in their only statewide televised debate.
Shami's big promises still lacking in details

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

The leading Democratic contenders for governor were in near lock step on most issues facing Texas, particularly support for abortion rights, disdain for a voter identification law, and the need to grow the economy.
Dems debate jobs and justice

Abilene Reporter News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Democratic hair care businessman Farouk Shami guaranteed Monday that he would create 100,000 jobs available to everyone, offer free electricity and an enact a moratorium on the death penalty if elected governor of Texas.
Toll road agency lawyer resigns after bar suspension

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Tom Nielson, a former Round Rock City Council member and general counsel of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority since 2006, quietly left the toll road agency several weeks ago after the State Bar of Texas suspended his law license.
Border Patrol responds to rocks, bottles with gunfire

McAllen Monitor | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

U.S. Border Patrol agents opened fire on an undisclosed number of people throwing beer bottles at one of the agency’s boats Monday morning.
6 dead after Reynosa shootout

McAllen Monitor | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

At least six people were killed amid a barrage of grenade blasts and gunfire in a residential neighborhood on the city’s southwest fringe early Monday morning, officials said.
Tech payroll glitch affects thousands

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

More than 5,000 Texas Tech employees have received incorrect W-2 tax statements from the university this year.
Local officials fighting request by HUD to divert $100 million in hurricane funds from Deep East Texas to Galveston

Lufkin Daily News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Angelina County Commissioners on Monday adopted a resolution that they hope will level the playing field for disaster recovery and preparedness.
Panel to begin gathering input on state's redistricting

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Redrawing the state's congressional and Texas Legislature districts is still a year away. But as early as this week, a panel that will recommend to the lawmakers how to redraw the maps may get a preview of what can be expected.
Federal agencies failing to ease colonias' water needs, new study says

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

About $1.4 billion in taxpayers' money has been sent to the border for water and sewage projects in the last eight years, but little has been achieved in making low-income neighborhoods more livable, a new federal study says.
Taking action: Juárez violence, marijuana resolution on agenda

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

A resolution sponsored by city Reps. Steve Ortega and Beto O'Rourke would condemn the drug-related violence in Juárez and request that both the U.S. and Mexican governments take stronger action to end it.
JSC chief 'anxious' about facility's future

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

The director of Johnson Space Center said Monday he is “very anxious” about the future of his sprawling facility in the Clear Lake area.
Gov. Rick Perry calls for tighter border security measures

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Gov. Rick Perry tried to shore up his border security credentials Monday as he campaigned for re-election by calling for a Predator drone at the Texas-Mexico border and highlighting a transnational gang initiative.
White, Shami try to win votes in only scheduled debate

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White largely bypassed opponent Farouk Shami in a televised debate Monday night, instead attacking Gov. Rick Perry and seeking to appeal beyond his party to independents and Republicans.
White may lack color, but he sheds some low-key light

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

And there they were, together again for the first time at a televised debate. The rare: A wealthy, Palestinian-born hair care magnate running for governor of Texas. And the even rarer: A Democrat with an actual chance of being elected governor of Texas.
Democratic debate centers on job creation, budget

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Former Houston Mayor Bill White and hair-care magnate Farouk Shami squared off in a debate Monday in Fort Worth that focused on job creation, balancing the state's budget, renewable energy and border issues.
Business coalition pushes solar energy in Texas

Waco Tribune-Herald | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

A business organization is pressing for the state government to expand its solar power goals to make Texas a national leader in solar energy.
Body found near Alton identified as human trafficker

Brownsville Herald | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

heriff’s deputies identified a man found dead Friday night as a convicted human trafficker previously deported to Mexico.
Ken Herman: As I See It: Perry-Palin

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith
Students, fans, UT administrators debate fate of Cactus Cafe

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

When the University of Texas announced late last month that it would close the Cactus Cafe, a storied music venue in the student union, musicians and their fans began a campaign to save it. But what, exactly, would constitute saving the cafe? And what constitutes closing it?
Editorial: White shines in Democratic debate

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Last night's gubernatorial primary debate between former Houston Mayor Bill White and businessman Farouk Shami went a long way to convincing Democratic voters which candidate deserves to lead their party's charge. White's responses to a broad array of questions showed a level of political acumen and experience that Shami fell woefully short of matching.
Study: Latinos will play key role in Texas governor's race

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Latino voters could play a key role in deciding the outcome of several key 2010 political races across the country, including the Texas gubernatorial contest, a new report released today by liberal groups concluded.
Abstinence-only sex education works, study finds, but lessons murky

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Dramatic new evidence that abstinence-only sex education can succeed in public schools ought to be good news for Texas, right? After all, state law requires an emphasis on abstinence, and most school districts stop there.
White, Shami disagree on death penalty moratorium, border security in Democratic debate

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

One of the few things on which the state's two top Democratic candidates for governor agreed Monday, during their first and likely only debate, is that it's time for change in Texas.
Hutchison calls education a priority

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison visited San Antonio's KIPP Aspire Academy Monday along with former first lady Barbara Bush and former Congressman Henry Bonilla to talk about what she calls her No. 1 issue in her campaign for governor: education.
White, Shami try to win votes in only scheduled debate

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White largely bypassed opponent Farouk Shami in a televised debate Monday night, instead attacking Gov. Rick Perry and seeking to appeal beyond his party to independents and Republicans.
Snyder and Hutchison's Super Bowl ads

Politico | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Two Republican candidates lagging in primary contests shelled out to advertise during the Super Bowl Sunday night, in the hope of getting their messages out to an unusually large television audience.
In debate with Shami, White directs attention at Perry

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Former Houston Mayor Bill White largely ignored his main Democratic gubernatorial opponent in a statewide debate Monday to frame himself as the politically experienced candidate who can take on Republican Gov. Rick Perry in the general election.
A debate that makes you go, hmmm

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

At the end of tonight's debate between the major Democratic contenders, Bill White emphasized in part the civility that he said was a contrast to the previous GOP faceoffs that sometimes had candidates talking over each other, loudly.
We recommend Friedman in ag commissioner primary

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Picture cigar-chomping entertainer Kinky Friedman as state agriculture commissioner. It's hard to see him in any statewide office, really, but his talent for folksy one-liners could at least be useful in the important role of promoting Texas farm and ranch products.
Top 2 Dem. gov. hopefuls talk jobs, death penalty

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Democratic hair care businessman Farouk Shami guaranteed Monday that he would create 100,000 jobs available to everyone, offer free electricity and an enact a moratorium on the death penalty if elected governor of Texas.
Border Patrol: Agents bombarded with objects fire shots into Mexico

Brownsville Herald | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

U.S. Border Patrol agents fired gunshots into Mexico upon "being bombarded with objects" during a boat patrol of the Rio Grande, authorities said.
Democratic governor hopefuls debate

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Houston hair care businessman Farouk Shami says he'd support a moratorium on the death penalty if elected governor.
Democrat gubernatorial candidates spar in TV debate

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The two front-running Democratic candidates for governor sparred in their first and only televised debate Monday, providing different solutions for problems -- from education to abortion -- that they say plague Texas.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry says Predator drones should patrol Texas border

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Gov. Rick Perry called for the use of unarmed Predator drones to patrol the Texas-Mexico border on Monday as he tried to shore up his border security credentials in a campaign stop at the Irving Police Association Hall.
Democratic officeholders backing Eric Johnson to replace Terri Hodge

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Several North Texas elected officials plan to announce their support this morning for Dallas lawyer Eric Johnson, who is seeking the Texas House seat held by Rep. Terri Hodge, D-Dallas.
High court race draws crowd

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

There are two Republican primary races for Texas Supreme Court seats: a six-person race for an open seat and another that has two Hispanic women running for the seat one of them just took by appointment.
Texas Nurse to Stand Trial for Reporting Doctor

New York Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

It occurred to Anne Mitchell as she was writing the letter that she might lose her job, which is why she chose not to sign it. But it was beyond her conception that she would be indicted and threatened with 10 years in prison for doing what she knew a nurse must: inform state regulators that a doctor at her rural hospital was practicing bad medicine.
Amid drug war, Mexico less deadly than decade ago

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Decapitated bodies dumped on the streets, drug-war shootings and regular attacks on police have obscured a significant fact: A falling homicide rate means people in Mexico are less likely to die violently now than they were more than a decade ago.
Emergency notification database barely being used

Waco Tribune-Herald | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Less than 1 percent of area residents have added a cell phone number or e-mail address to a local database designed to alert people about emergencies.
GOP mail out may be confused with census

San Angelo Standard-Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Democrats, national media and U.S. Census Bureau officials have been up in arms over a Republican National Committee mail out some say can be easily mistaken for an official U.S. Census Bureau questionnaire.
Hutchison finds senatorial skills mixed blessing in governor race

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Rarely do Texas senators try to trade in their Capitol Hill clout to become governor of the Lone Star State.
Palin backs Perry in Cypress, ‘won’t close door’ on 2012

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican Party's reigning rock star, parachuted into suburban Houston on Super Bowl Sunday, where she tied her trademark anti-Washington message to the re-election of a Texas governor who's locked in an increasingly bitter primary contest with a longtime U.S. senator.
Hair-care magnate wants to be state's 'Mr. Governor'

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Farouk Shami likes to start his day meditating in a pool.
Palin stumps for Perry at Houston rally

Abilene Reporter News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stumped for Gov. Rick Perry at a rally Sunday in suburban Houston, adding some national Republican star power to Perry’s re-election campaign.
Palin brings out crowd for Perry rally near Houston

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

On Super Bowl Sunday, Rick Perry handed the ball to star runner Sarah Palin, who joined the governor's team in bashing big-spending Washington.
Challengers counter Chávez re-election bid

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

State Rep. Norma Chávez wants her re-election campaign to be about her public service, her legislative victories and her 13 years in the state House.
Gubernatorial race: Border crucial for White, Shami during primary

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Former Houston Mayor Bill White speaks Spanish and ran one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Texas.
Shami's allegations of racism cause uproar in Texas governor's race

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Farouk Shami and his campaign have in recent weeks accused his opponent, the media and fellow Democrats of racism, raising not only a slew of denials but questions about whether Shami is overplaying the race card.
Dallas' Caraway endorses Shami for Texas governor

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway is backing Farouk Shami, the deep-pocketed underdog Democrat, for governor.
Analysis: ‘Tea Party' is democracy at work

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

First, the independent Ross Perot contingent. Then, the liberal “netroots” mobilization. Now, the conservative “tea party” coalition.
Palin campaigns for Perry

Politico | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

In at least one place in America, the Super Bowl wasn’t the biggest show in town Sunday, as Sarah Palin swooped into the Houston area to campaign for Texas Gov. Rick Perry against his primary challenger, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
In governor's race, top Democratic contenders get to be in limelight tonight

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

After two debates featuring the three Republican gubernatorial candidates, the two front-runners for the Democratic nomination -- former Houston Mayor Bill White and hair-care millionaire Farouk Shami -- get their turn tonight on statewide television.
Analysis: Facing cuts, NASA must take next giant step

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

. With yet another of the agency's programs threatening to careen out of control and trample a string of meaningless target dates, President Barack Obama stepped in last week and pulled the plug. Gone in toto is the Constellation program, the goal of which was to send America back to the moon and lay the groundwork for more ambitious efforts.
White, Shami bash Perry on education

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

The Democrats say the Republican incumbent has let down the state's public schools, so when White and Shami clash tonight in their first and probably only televised debate of the primary campaign, expect the air to fill with education-speak – phrases such as "pre-K" and "catch-up programs."
Medina tax swap proposal comes at a cost

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Critics say eliminating all property taxes would reduce local control.
Palin fires up thousands for Perry

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin fired up a crowd of thousands in this heavily Republican Houston suburb Sunday, urging them to send a message to Washington by supporting Gov. Rick Perry over U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in next month's GOP primary.
Hutchison said her children were “the game-changer” for her life

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

She wanted to practice law. Instead, she became a television reporter, then one of the people reporters cover.
Duel Over Gun Safety in Texas Capitol

Wall Street Journal | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Lawmakers in firearm-friendly Texas are embroiled in a debate over how to make the state Capitol safer: get rid of guns or encourage even more.
Palin stumps for TX Gov. Perry in suburban Houston

Associated Press | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stumped for Gov. Rick Perry at a rally Sunday in suburban Houston, adding some national Republican star power to Perry's re-election campaign.
Political opponents debate, share some laughs

Seguin Gazette-Enterprise | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Edmund Kuempel may be willing to go to great lengths for his constituents, but he doesn’t want to die in their service — not again.
With Federal Stimulus Money Gone, Many Schools Face Budget Gaps

New York Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Federal stimulus money has helped avoid drastic cuts at public schools in most parts of the nation, at least so far. But with the federal money running out, many of the nation’s schools are approaching what officials are calling a “funding cliff.”
Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls to debate

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Two major Democratic candidates for governor meet in Fort Worth Monday night for what likely will be their only statewide televised debate before the March 2 primary.
Big Crowd at Rick Perry-Sarah Palin rally

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

About 15,000 people formed a line that snaked around the Berry Center in Cypress, just northwest of Houston. They've come an hour early on Super Bowl Sunday to grab tickets and see the vice presidential nominee, and oh yes, Rick Perry.
Palin stumps for TX Gov. Perry in suburban Houston

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stumped for Gov. Rick Perry at a rally Sunday in suburban Houston, adding some national Republican star power to Perry's re-election campaign.
Even GOP conservative Ron Paul draws Tea Party opposition

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Even anti-government icon Ron Paul can't escape the conservative "Tea Party" fervor stretching across the county.
Wentworth eyeing Texas State job, Larson eyeing his

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Sounding a little annoyed, Jeff Wentworth tosses out the names of a half-dozen Republicans who covet the Texas Senate seat he's held since 1993.
Gubernatorial race: Border crucial for White, Shami during primary

El Paso Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Former Houston Mayor Bill White speaks Spanish and ran one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Texas. Hair-care magnate Farouk Shami argues that his life story of immigrating to the United States from Palestine with only $71 in his pocket makes him more qualified to respond to the needs of the Hispanic community as the next leader of Texas.
Event's collapse exposes tea party rifts in S.A.

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Members of San Antonio Tea Party wanted to have a big Tax Day protest last April, but they couldn't decide where to stage it.
Medina supporters sing her praises

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Let’s see Gov. Rick Perry’s campaign manager, Rob Johnson, or U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s campaign manager, Terry Sullivan, try this.
‘Retarded’ remarks still contentious

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Just in time for former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s Super Bowl Sunday appearance with Gov. Rick Perry, there was a bit of a dustup over some remarks by Perry’s chief consultant, Dave Carney.
The closest these ag. commissioner candidates will get to a debate

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

It was a surprisingly civil meeting considering one candidate didn't know another would be there and the other showed up late.
Redistricting needs explaining

Amarillo Globe-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Walter "Four" Price and Victor Leal are raising money in their Republican primary battle for the Texas House seat being vacated by longtime lawmaker David Swinford, R-Dumas.
Medina backer sets off money 'bombs'

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Haltom City Councilman Anthony Reed said he pulled in over $75,000 in campaign contributions Tuesday, but the cash isn't for him.
Director: EPA has eyes on drilling

Denton Record-Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Federal environmental officials are scrutinizing oil and gas operations in Texas and around the country, with new rules for the industry coming in about 18 to 24 months, according to the new EPA Region 6 director.
Social issues drive education race

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Ken Mercer and Tim Tuggey have a lot in common.
Rancher, musician vie for ag commissioner

New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Who will be the next statewide advocate for consumers and producers in Texas?
Days filled with potty talk, heels and candidates who do know beans

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Candidates, as perchance you've noticed, say the darndest things. Today, let's enjoy some of the darnder things we've heard in our endorsement interviews.
Hutchison brings grown-up approach to working on behalf of Texans and gets endorsement in GOP race

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Kay Bailey Hutchison might not be the flashiest or the most beloved politician Texas has ever produced, but it's a mistake to discount or denigrate her accomplishments and record.
Perry's brazen abuse of power

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

When the going was about to get tough for Gov. Rick Perry at the Texas Forensic Science Commission last fall, Perry sacked three commission members, including its chairman. The commission — created by the Legislature in 2005 to set standards for forensic analysis and investigate allegations of negligence or misconduct — was at long last about to consider the case of Todd Willingham.
Tea Party Looks to Move From Fringe to Force

New York Times | 7 months ago | suggested by Ross Ramsey

Yes, there were the handful of Revolutionary War re-enactors with their powdered wigs and tri-corner hats. And the man with the T-shirt proclaiming himself a proud member of the “Tennessee MOB” — a poke at politicians who dismissed Tea Party members as an “angry mob.” And one speaker did insist that Jesus’ birth was better documented than President Obama’s.
Another GOP Senator Supports Gas Tax Increase

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Greenville's Bob Deuell told members of our editorial board this week that he would support a one-time boost of 10 cents a gallon in the motor fuels tax -- the same increase that Republican John Carona of Dallas has called for.
Off track: Where does Texas’ bid for high-speed rail stand now?

Houston Chronicle | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

If you've ever wondered what the price of noisy partisanship among our state leaders is for average Texans, here's an educated guess: billions of dollars lost. And that's just the cost of missing out on federal funding for a single, albeit massive project.
Kinky: Who would watch us debate?

San Antonio Express-News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Earlier this week, KRLD radio in Dallas provided the closest thing to a debate between Democratic agriculture commissioner candidates Hank Gilbert and Kinky Friedman.
Budget shortfall looms large over governor's race

Fort Worth Star-Telegram | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Regardless of the outcome of the 2010 elections, whoever winds up in the governor's office next year will confront a monumental task as lawmakers strive to overcome a projected budget shortfall of at least $10 billion in a struggling economy.
Three Democrats running small campaigns for big state job

Austin American-Statesman | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

As the midday crowd begins to churn at Arkie's Grill, a landmark East Austin diner where the city's power crowd and working Bubbas lunch, Ron Halman, 61, chuckles about the state of Texas politics.
Hutchison Makes Palin an Issue in TX

TIME | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Austin, TX – Rick Perry said former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is his “type of committed conservative,” but is Rick Perry really Palin's type of governor?
Hutchison campaign aims to rally GOP sisterhood

Dallas Morning News | 7 months ago | suggested by Evan Smith

Kay Bailey Hutchison is counting on female voters to recognize her history of cracking glass ceilings as the first Republican woman in the state Legislature, as state treasurer, as a U.S. senator from Texas and, just maybe, as governor.

Perry Up by 9 in New UT/TT Poll | 5/23/10

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