Your afternoon reading.
The Midday Brief: Oct. 20, 2010
Posted inState Government
Ads Infinitum: Jeff Weems’ First Campaign Ad
In his first ad of the election cycle, the Democratic Railroad Commissioner candidate emphasizes his competence — and his newspaper endorsements.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Oct. 20, 2010
Perhaps taking a cue from this week’s farce in New York, the Texas governor’s debate on Tuesday had its moments.
Posted in
State Government
2010: White Accuses Perry of “Milking” TRS
Top appointees and employees at the state Teacher Retirement System overrode staff recommendations in order to hire political cronies and business associates for investment work there, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White charged Tuesday. A spokesman for Gov. Rick Perry’s campaign says White is “throwing everything at the wall to see what will stick.”
Posted in
State Government
Where They Stand: HD-52
In House District 52 — southern Williamson County — incumbent Democrat Diana Maldonado faces one of her party’s toughest challengers in Republican Larry Gonzales. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune looks at how the candidates would set priorities for a fast-growing part of state.
Posted in
State Government
Perry Declines, But the Debate Must Go On
Two weeks before Election Day, three Texas gubernatorial candidates debated the issues and made a final plea for support. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, one of them was not Gov. Rick Perry.
Posted in
Higher Education
Friday Night Lights Out?
The drama of the gridiron has found its way into a federal courtroom in a standoff between the Texas Association of Sports Officials and the University Interscholastic League. With the threat of a lockout of referees and their ilk, the result could be the hiring of scabs to replace them — or even the halting of games — just weeks before one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated moments in Texas: the start of high school football playoffs.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Data App: Even More Salaries
This week we added more than 20 new public agencies to The Texas Tribune’s government employee salary database. The application now features payroll data on more than 620,000 employees from 88 school districts, cities, community colleges, universities, state agencies and transit authorities.
Posted inState Government
Travis County Sticks with Electronic Voting
Travis County voters will continue using the e-Slate voting system despite citizen calls for a paper ballot system. Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports.
Posted inState Government
2010: An Hour in the Spotlight
A televised debate offered voters a chance to see and hear from Libertarian Kathie Glass and Green Deb Shafto, gubernatorial candidates who are usually overshadowed by Rick Perry and Bill White.
