If Austin’s an island of blue in a sea of red, Tom DeLay wants off the island and into that sea.
August 2010
Austin, Arizona
Undocumented immigrants are more likely to be deported from the Travis County jail because of their immigration status than from any other jail in the country, according to federal data obtained by the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law. Mose Buchele of KUT News reports.
TribBlog: Billionaire Former Regent on Donor-Appointees
“The whole idea that the big donors give [Gov. Rick Perry] money and get the appointment in return? My gosh, spare me,โ says billionaire former University of Texas Regent Robert Rowling. โI already had good football tickets โ you know what Iโm saying?”
Should We Abolish the TYC?
Texas Appleseed and a key state lawmaker think that may be the only way to address persistent reports of violence, poor living conditions, and subpar education and mental health care at youth lockups across Texas.
A Turf War Over Mental Health
The intent of the law seemed clear: The stateโs 39 MHMRs would, wherever possible, stop offering direct medical services and start managing networks of private providers. But a bureaucratic scrum has delayed the privatization of care.
TribBlog: Chronicle Nixes Ad Calling Perry “Coward”
In 24 newspapers around the state, a full-page ad ran this week with a picture of Gov. Rick Perry and the word “coward” in large, capital letters. Back to Basics PAC, the anti-Perry group behind the ad, was hoping that number would be 25.
On the Records: Democrats’ “Stealth Influence”
Rice University’s political science chair concludes that the minority party’s legislative influence rivals the days in which it controlled the Texas House chamber and the speakerโs chair.
TribBlog: DeLay and Co. Back in Court
At today’s pretrial hearing, Judge Pat Priest said the former U.S. House majority leader, not his associates, will be tried first.
The Brief: Aug. 24, 2010
It’s back to school for Texas students, and back to controversy for Texas regents.

