There couldn’t be more difference between the two candidates for an open spot on the Texas Railroad Commission. If you see them one after the other, it’s hard to conclude that Republican David Porter is the better choice. He’s timid, uncomfortable in public, shows no signs of leadership and has apparently been through a quick political charm school curriculum designed to make him risk-averse and to keep him from making a mistake that would put the seat in Democratic hands.
Not Ready for Prime Time
Posted in
Health care
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Thevenot on bogus public school accountability rankings, Garcia-Ditta on what locals think of increased patrols on the border, Stiles and Ramsey on where Kay Bailey Hutchison’s donors have landed, Grissom on the pay gap between state and local police, Cervantes on how tweaks to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder will impact Texas, M. Smith on the sinking prospects for an East Texas wetlands project, Ergenbright on the challenge of educating autistic children, Aguilar on efforts to legalize medicinal marijuana, Ramshaw on former foster children having trouble getting records from the state and Burnson on public health officials battling imported infectious diseases: The best of our best from August 2 to 6, 2010.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Keller’s Appeal Invalid, SCJC Says
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct is taking on Judge Sharon Keller’s appeal of its sanction.
Posted inState Government
2010: Nobody’s Schedule Is Perfect
Pop quiz: Which elected official’s spokesman argued that their workload “may not be evident through a simple review of listings on a calendar”?
Posted in
Public Education
The Brief: Aug. 6, 2010
With a friend like the federal government, who needs enemies?
Posted inState Government
Fundraiser in Chief
President Obama is coming to Austin and Dallas on Monday. He’ll make a stop on the University of Texas campus to deliver a speech before throngs of supporters — and, no doubt, protesters. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, the main focus of his trip is green, not burnt orange.
Posted in
Health care
Digging Up the Past
Young adults who age out of Texas foster care often request their records to reconnect with estranged siblings, to track down biological families or to understand what they endured. But child welfare advocates complain the state routinely denies these requests, saying the records can’t be found or will take months or even years to compile — assuming they respond at all. State officials admit they have a large backlog but insist they’ve beefed up staff and are putting new policies in place to address it.
Posted in
Demographics
Crossing While Contagious
The 1,200-mile border it shares with Mexico makes Texas one the most vulnerable states when it comes to imported infectious diseases. In a majority of cases, Customs and Border Protection officers are unable to detect these public health threats at ports of entry, according to a new Centers for Disease Control study.
Posted inState Government
2010: An Opponent for Birdwell [Updated]
Democratic officials in Senate District 22 got together in a Hillsboro restaurant Thursday evening and nominated John Cullar to run for the state Senate seat now held by Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury.
