A proposal by the Obama administration that would grant Mexican truckers greater access to Texas roadways would be a boon for business in the state, supporters say, since three of the top five ports for trade between the U.S. and Mexico are Laredo, El Paso and Houston. But unions contend the plan would cost American jobs. “This cheap-labor program comes at too high a risk and at too large a cost to middle-class American workers who work long, hard hours to help maintain a safe commerce system in our nation,” says a spokesman for the Texas AFL-CIO.
In for the Long Haul?
Posted inState Government
2012: Poll Shows Obama, Perry Tied in Texas
Say it ain’t O: A hypothetical 2012 matchup between Barack Obama and Rick Perry finds the two men tied in Texas — even though the president was soundly defeated here when he ran in 2008, at the height of his popularity, and even though the governor was handily reelected to a third full term in November.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The Trib staff on the sweeping cuts in the proposed House budget, Grissom on what’s lost and not found at the Department of Public Safety, Galbraith on the wind power conundrum, Hamilton on higher ed’s pessimistic budget outlook, Stiles and Swicegood debut an incredibly useful bill tracker app, Ramsey interviews Rick Perry on the cusp of his second decade as governor, Aguilar on a Mexican journalist’s quest for asylum in the U.S., Ramshaw on life expectancy along the border, M. Smith on the obstacles school districts face in laying off teachers and yours truly talks gambling and the Rainy Day Fund with state Rep. Jim Pitts: The best of our best from January 17 to 21, 2011.
Posted in
Demographics
TribBlog: Ruling on Asylum Case Delayed
The asylum hearing for Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez ended Friday afternoon in El Paso without a ruling from a U.S. immigration judge. Gutiérrez has been seeking asylum since June 2008, when he fled the small Chihuahua town of Ascensión after receiving death threats for his reporting on alleged corruption in the Mexican military. The hearing is scheduled to resume Feb. 4.
Posted in
State Government
The Weekly Recap: Jan. 17 – Jan. 21
Take a look back at the top political news from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribBlog: TDCJ On the Hunt for Execution Drug
Texas officials have enough execution drugs to carry out the death sentences of two inmates scheduled for lethal injection in February. But they will have to find another sodium thiopental supplier or a different drug to use after March.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Science Commission Members Frustrated With Willingham Investigation
Members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission expressed concerns today about the progress — or lack thereof — in the case of convicted arsonist Cameron Todd Willingham before ending a yet another meeting without a decision about the evidence that was used to send the Corsicana man to the death chamber in 2004.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Interactive: Where Texans Go To Drink
A sizable chunk of the state’s general revenue — $635 million — in 2010 came from the mixed beverage tax. Texans drank 1.1 gallons of distilled spirits (liquor) each in 2010, which at 1.5 ounces a shot equals 94 mixed drinks a year. Check out our interactive map to see where Texans are going out for drinks.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: Jan. 21, 2011
Your afternoon reading: a State Board of Education member’s eligibility in question, a House member de-“TeaApproved,” and Joe Barton for Senate?
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: What If a Lieutenant Governor Resigns?
Hey, Texplainer: Who becomes lieutenant governor if David Dewhurst resigns? Well, it’s a little complicated. But the bottom line is, you don’t get to decide.
