Texas
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The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints’ stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the “hair of the dog” trick doesn’t really help with the hangover. The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth. Probation, anger management, laying off the [...] ...
TruthHugger - 12:04 a.m.
Kinky and Hank had an ed board interview at the DMN. As you can guess, fun was had by all...Here are some outtakes from a very flawed synopsis Friedman balked when he arrived and heard Gilbert was attending. He said he had not been told of the joint session. Editorial board staff told him it was written in a letter he had received. Not for nothing, but reading is Teh Cool. Letters, espe...
McBlogger - Mon 11:23 p.m. - 3 clicks 
With one merciless swipe of the pen, the Cactus Cafe was crossed out from the ledgers of the University of Texas and music forever. Or at least that's what UT President William C. Powers, UT Student Government President Liam O'Rourke, and Texas Union Executive Director Andy Smith wished happened. I'm Zach Bidner, I'm a UT senior, and I want to tell you about the Cactus Cafe. The Cact...
Burnt Orange Report - Mon 11:23 p.m.
For months now, the Republicans have been trying to tell Americans that there is nothing wrong with our health care system that some minor reforms (like abolishing pre-existing conditions) wouldn't fix. They have gone out of their way to defend the private insurance companies and protect their massive profits at the expense of consumers. So how do the insurance companies react to this fea...
jobsanger - Mon 10:08 p.m. - 4 clicks
The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints' stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the "hair of the dog" trick doesn't really help with the hangover. The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth . Probation, anger management, laying off the bottle, and maybe more to come for the disgraced la...
Left of College Station - Mon 8:10 p.m. - 2 clicks
And for this Democratic primary voter (and soon-to-be precinct chair), that means 'no' on Bill White. Asked whether there should be a moratorium imposed, Shami said, "Yes ma'am. We need to be 110 percent" certain that a person is guilty. "We can't be just executing people without being sure," Shami said. "We cannot be bragging how many people we execute." "No," said White to the same question ...
Brains and Eggs - Mon 7:41 p.m. - 6 clicks
The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints' stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the "hair of the dog" trick doesn't really help with the hangover. The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth. Probation, anger management, laying off the bottle, and maybe more to come for the disgraced lawman. C...
Texas Kaos - Mon 7:24 p.m. - 2 clicks
As part of my ongoing efforts to kill my blog traffic, here is a quick post on the Democratic debate for Governor of Texas that took place this evening. This is the kind of post you write about a fleeting event, and it stops drawing traffic not long after it is posted. Still—We must take part [...] ...
TexasLiberal - Mon 7:24 p.m. - 3 clicks
I hope you guys are watching this -- you're not going to get to see another one. The two presumptive frontrunners for the Democratic spot in this year's governor race, Farouk Shami and former Houston mayor Bill White, are debating in Fort Worth tonight. The debate is hosted by KERA, the local public access station, and can be caught on TV, radio, and on the Texas Debates website . My opinio...
The Texas Blue - Mon 6:13 p.m. - 5 clicks
Did you ever wonder where people got the idea that toll roads are inherently good things? Did you ever wonder how toll roads have become so numerous around these parts? I have, and so have the Fort Bend County voters in Precinct 1 who came out and voted against a toll road authority candidate and for a Democratic candidate, Richard Morrison, whose call to battle was “No Toll Roads.” At the time...
Half Empty - Mon 5:44 p.m. - 2 clicks
I support Hank Gilbert in the Democratic primary for Commissioner of Agriculture. (Above—A Texas Longhorn. The leading agricultural exports of Texas are live animals and red meat. Here are facts about Texas Longhorns.) Here is the web home for Mr. Gilbert’s campaign. The primary is March 2. Early voting begins February 16. Here are facts about early [...] ...
TexasLiberal - Mon 4:47 p.m. - 2 clicks
The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints’ stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the “hair of the dog” trick doesn’t really help with the hangover. The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth. Probation, anger management, laying off the bottle, and maybe more [...]...
BlueBloggin - Mon 3:10 p.m. - 4 clicks
As we did with the Republican debates, we will be liveblogging the Texas Democratic gubernatorial debate tonight. You can follow along with our liveblog here. Additionally, the Bill White campaign has asked that we join in the conversation with them, so you can also follow along at Bill White's website, at http://www.billwhitefortexas.com/txdebate.html Texas Debates Livec...
Burnt Orange Report - Mon 2:47 p.m. - 5 clicks
Regular readers know that one of the main reasons I started getting meeting notices and posting them some years back was that I wanted to know about and attend meetings and it simply wasn't convenient (nor did I always remember) to go down and look at the bulletin board on the courthouse square. Kind of amazingly to me, I have been video and audio recording meetings for at least 5 years now. (Her...
Somervell County Salon - Mon 1:27 p.m. - 3 clicks
Amid the distractions of TV ad launches, Republican nonsense, and absurd negative attacks, the Bill White campaign has continued steamrolling along with an impressive ground operation. Running a real statewide campaign, White and his staff are blanketing Texas with offices, endorsements, and packed days on the trail. Here are just some of the facts about what the Bill White campaign ...
Burnt Orange Report - Mon 1:27 p.m. - 4 clicks
Tonight San Antonio citizens will have a chance to weigh in on CPS Energy’s proposed rate hike. I have the following request from an activist in San Antonio: Monday night CPS will be taking comments from the public on the proposed rate increase. This is short notice but we need a strong showing. We [...] ...
Texas Vox - Mon 1:10 p.m. - 9 clicks
Here's a short, somewhat snarky review of yesterday's Meeting of the Mindless in Houston town. The best part? That "Homescholers For Perry" sign doesn't look photoshopped at all. ...
McBlogger - Mon 1:09 p.m. - 5 clicks
From the Ft Worth Star-Telegram Local connections The Saints have a large contingent with ties to this area: kicker Garrett Hartley (Southlake Carroll), backup center Nick Leckey (Grapevine High), third quarterback Chase Daniel (Southlake Carroll), punter Thomas Morstead (SMU), tight end David Thomas (Texas) and tight end Dan Campbell (Glen Rose/Texas A&M), who was on injured ...
Somervell County Salon - Mon 12:13 p.m. - 2 clicks
The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints' stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the "hair of the dog" trick doesn't really help with the hangover. The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth . Probation, anger management, laying off the bottle, and maybe more to come for the disgraced lawman...
South Texas Chisme - Mon 12:12 p.m. - 3 clicks
Technically, it's just for the primary, but the Austin American-Statesman endorsement of Bill White in today's paper reads a lot like a general election endorsement to me: White also brings a low-key, thoughtful approach that seems like just what Texas needs now. There's nothing like high-decibel rhetoric to get folks excited around election time. But today's ...
Burnt Orange Report - Mon 10:41 a.m. - 4 clicks
The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints’ stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the “hair of the dog” trick doesn’t really help with the hangover. The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth. Probation, anger management, laying off the bottle, and maybe more [...] ...
Texas Vox - Mon 9:30 a.m. - 6 clicks
Por qué usted debería votar por Paul Harper - Servicio comunitario ¡Soy dedicado al servicio comunitario en nuestra comunidad local! Banco de Comida de Condado de Somervell - Director de Gerente/Ejecutivo Fondo Unido de Condado Somervell - Secretario Partido demócrata de Condado de Somervell - Presidente casi 4 años ...
Somervell County Salon - Mon 9:30 a.m. - 3 clicks
Why you should vote for Paul Harper - Community Service I am dedicated to community service in our local community! Somervell County Food Bank - Manager/Executive Director United Fund of Somervell County - Secretary Somervell County Democratic Party - Chairman almost 4 years (finished in December) Glen Rose Lions Club with the motto of 'We Serve' - Member Somervell...
Somervell County Salon - Mon 9:30 a.m. - 3 clicks
The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints' stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the "hair of the dog" trick doesn't really help with the hangover. The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth . Probation, anger management, laying off the bottle, and maybe more to come for the disgraced lawman...
Brains and Eggs - Mon 9:29 a.m. - 3 clicks
Tonight, live and in person, on your teevee . And lately also in the news and in the blogs. Here's Red White and Blue's video interview with Shami (it goes 26 minutes plus). And the TexTrib has compiled several links and video in " The More You Know ... About Bill White ". Charles Kuffner has audio interviews with both men . The Texas Observer's The Mayor and The Mogul has some good Q&am...
Brains and Eggs - Mon 7:02 a.m. - 4 clicks
Study Details Decline in Local Economy By Maggie Kiely From the Bryan-College Station Eagle It's no secret that last year was rough for the local economy, but some experts say improvement likely will hit as early as mid-summer. The Bryan-College Station economic index decreased during each month of 2009 and dropped from 116.9 in November to 115.2 percent in December, according to Karr Ing...
Left of College Station - Mon 5:30 a.m. - 4 clicks
I went to Austin this weekend to celebrate a friend’s birthday. What I did not expect was to learn of a cool new iPhone App that will make going out a bit more fun. TabbedOut was created to address the problem of leaving an establishment without closing your tab or skipping the long waits just to close your tab. Developed by ATX Innovation, the App is available for free on iTunes an...
David Ortez - Mon 4:43 a.m. - 5 clicks
Your hardworking Texas DNC delegation was snowed under this weekend in the nation's Capitol. Approximately two feet of snow is on the ground and there's more coming on Tuesday. With that in mind, here's a brief summary of what we've been up to. On Friday morning, President Obama gave a rousing speech focused on the Administration's accomplishments and the challenges of 2010. &nb...
Burnt Orange Report - Mon 4:42 a.m. - 3 clicks
Hank Skinner February 24 (Strong Innocence Case) Website for Hank Skinner TDCJ Info on Hank Skinner Michael Sigala March 2 TDCJ Info on Michael Sigala Joshua Maxwell March 11 TDCJ Info on Joshua Maxwell Alix Franklin March 30 TDCJ Info on Alix Franklin ...
Texas Moratorium Network - Mon 12:48 a.m. - 5 clicks
Representatives for hundreds of El Paso police officers, firefighters, and sheriff's deputies say "the community's safety is at risk" if attorney Theresa Caballero is elected county attorney. The Combined El Paso Public Safety Coalition came out strongly against Democratic County Attorney candidate Caballero, and instead endorsed her opponent, interim County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal. The coaliti...
South Texas Chisme - Mon 12:05 a.m. - 2 clicks
According to the Oxford American Desk Dictionary, the definition of hypocrisy is (1) false claim to virtue, insincerity, pretense and (2) deceit, duplicity, playacting, phoniness. Frankly, this definition could have been written expressly to describe Sarah Palin. The things she takes Democrats to task for, she finds perfectly OK when done by a Republican (or herself). Take for instance ...
jobsanger - Sun 10:04 p.m. - 2 clicks
Meet "Steve" from Wills Point, who called into Scott Braddock's radio show on KRLD in Dallas last week, and was very promptly smacked down by the aforementioned Scott Braddock. Attention Texas radio talk show hosts who aren't Scott Braddock: if you weren't so damn lazy, you could email me an MP3 of your latest idiot caller, and get free mention here. ...
Letters From Texas - Sun 9:40 p.m. - 5 clicks
Paul Burka may well be right about Rick Perry and 2012 , but the idea of the Texas Twit running for president in two years if he gets re-elected as governor is enough to make me throw up in my mouth. That said, despite Perry previously denying any ambitions beyond Texas, Burka lays out a compelling scenario. the " talk to her own hand " new low in idiocy from Palin will eventually sour more ppl ...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 9:40 p.m. - 3 clicks
The County Observer and The Frisco DWI Lawyer blogs have teamed up to prepare a 10 question Q & A with the 4 candidates for Collin County District Attorney. The questions have been sent to each of the candidates. We have promised to post their unedited responses (or lack of) and we hope their answers will give voters a better understanding of the approach each one of these gentlemen plan to brin...
The Collin County Observer - Sun 9:05 p.m. - 4 clicks
[Note: This completes the series of articles introducing each of the primary candidates, posting their campaign finance information as well as a video of each when possible] Complete copies of these and other January, 2010 Semi-annual form C/OH campaign finance reports are available on-line here. JERRY HOAGLAND www.jerryhoagland.com Contributions July - Dec. $20,354 Expenditures July - Dec. $...
The Collin County Observer - Sun 8:45 p.m. - 2 clicks
You’ve heard me rail on about why, in Fort Bend County, Democrats who want to file in a primary election are made to wait until the last day of filing. Why something as simple as a name like “Steve” is difficult to spell on a ballot. You may have read elsewhere how mis-spellings are rife in the county party this year. All of this underlines the bold incompetence that defines the cabal that cur...
Half Empty - Sun 7:26 p.m. - 7 clicks
Sarah Palin made an appearance in Texas today at a campaign rally for Rick Perry and the Austin American-Statesman interviewed one person in the crowd who said he supported Palin, but according to the Statesman reporter "would not back Perry because he believes Perry allowed the state to execute an innocent man". The controversy over Todd Willingham's execution and Rick Perry's cover-up of the...
Texas Moratorium Network - Sun 5:29 p.m. - 9 clicks
Complete copies of these and other January, 2010 Semi-annual form C/OH campaign finance reports are available on-line here. KATHY WARD www.kathyward.org Contributions July - Dec. $10,250 Expenditures July - Dec. $3,903 Campaign account balance Dec. 31 - $10,296 Loans - $0 Major contributors (+- $1,000): HNTB Holdings LTD. PAC - $1,000 James D. Dannenbaum - $1,000 LAN-PAC - $1,000 CH2M Hill Tex...
The Collin County Observer - Sun 4:29 p.m. - 6 clicks
After watching the Collin County District Attorney use his Drug Forfeiture Fund for new furniture and then for automatic weapons and ammo, it is refreshing to see a notice that he intends to use $11,115 of the fund to fight crime. The DA has notified the Commissioners Court of his intent to use the funds to pay an invoice for lab work for "additional evidence analysis needed in a Cold Case". Thi...
The Collin County Observer - Sun 4:06 p.m. - 2 clicks
The Collin County Observer has posted the "30 Day" campaign finance report required of all local candidates who face an opposed primary race. This report details contributions and expenditures from January 1, 2010 to January 27. It is the second of three reports due during the primary season. The reports, along with the "January Semi-Annual" report (details from July 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009...
The Collin County Observer - Sun 4:06 p.m. - 3 clicks
In 1993, Texas set the current threshold for felony theft at $1,500 for a state jail felony - below that, theft receives misdemeanor charges that don't involve state prison time. The jump to the next offense category is quite significant - someone must steal more than $20,000 to be charged with a third degree felony. However, adjusting for inflation , $1,500 in 1993 amounts to $2,208 in 2008 d...
Grits for Breakfast - Sun 3:47 p.m.
Interesting blog article from Fossils and other Living Things about the dinosaur footprint in the Glen Rose bandstand as well as discussion about the petrified wood we have here. That article talked about the degeneration of the footprint as embedded in the bandstand and included another link to Portable 3d Laser technology preserving the rare footprint. The scans were post-processed to ge...
Somervell County Salon - Sun 1:47 p.m.
The Dallas Morning News is a bastion of conservative opinion in Dallas and has been all of my life, that's why it is so surprising that they have come down on the side of repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. Long out of touch with the changing political demographic of Dallas the News often rails against anything that even resembles progressive, so this move is huge. I can only imagine that even the...
Dungeon Diary - Sun 12:48 p.m. - 4 clicks
Bill White Uses TV Commercial to Write Revisionist History AUSTIN-Former Houston mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White released his second television ad today-”Meet Bill White,” which will air statewide in both English and Spanish starting Friday evening. One thing the ad doesn’t do is tell the truth about Bill White’s record as Houston’s mayor. ...
BlueBloggin - Sun 12:02 p.m. - 10 clicks
I'm not on Facebook anymore but hub is and sent me the link to see that my favorite newspaper , not to mention the official newspaper of Glen Rose, is getting a new editor, Kathryn Jones. I notice by googling her that she has a fabulous resume (this via elance and this via linkedin ) Regular readers here know that I also loved the Bosque County News, with Evan Smith as editor and note t...
Somervell County Salon - Sun 11:22 a.m. - 2 clicks
I went down to the Bob Bullock Imax theatre in Austin this weekend to see Avatar. I'd been waffling back and forth about seeing it, but decided if I was going to, I didn't want to watch it in any theatre that wasn't fully prepared for the total 3d experience. For me, and anyone else that lives around here, that means travelling to a major city to watch it. I could have chosen to drive to north Da...
Somervell County Salon - Sun 10:20 a.m. - 3 clicks
Here are a few recent tidbits that deserve Grits readers' attention: Dallas constables' ongoing fiasco At the Dallas News , Ed Timms and Kevin Krause have the story of a deputy constable with a checkered past accused of committing several felony crimes, including " unauthorized use of two motor vehicles, tampering with government records and coercing two women into performing sexual acts in...
Grits for Breakfast - Sun 9:24 a.m. - 6 clicks
Lots and lots of news about the Democratic primary contest for commissioner of agriculture. What follows is a selection of excerpts and links to the source, which I recommended following and reading entirely. Democratic agriculture commissioner candidates Kinky Friedman and Hank Gilbert met for their first, and likely only, editorial board meeting together late Friday afternoon at The Dallas Mo...
Brains and Eggs - Sun 9:00 a.m. - 4 clicks
Ron Paul is an incumbent. Even anti-government icon Ron Paul can't escape the conservative "Tea Party" fervor stretching across the county. Paul, the Gulf Coast congressman whose 2008 presidential run excited libertarians nationwide, even though he didn't get much traction overall, is considered by many to be the "father of the Tea Parties." But he has three opponents in the March Republican prim...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 6:23 a.m. - 12 clicks
The chief appraiser argues that, in most cases, homesteads that were rebuilt or repaired after the storm could have property values returned to pre-Ike levels — even though their values this year dropped significantly. But County Tax Assessor-Collector Cheryl Johnson argues state law prohibits the appraisal district from valuing any homestead at more than 10 percent of its 2009 appraised value. ...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 6:04 a.m. - 2 clicks
A Brownsville municipal judge was committed to a mental health center in Harlingen Thursday morning, less than two weeks after he was ordered released from a mandatory stay at another psychiatric facility. Municipal Judge Phil Bellamy will remain confined for the next two weeks at Rio Grande State Center, where he has been held since Friday after friends and family say he displayed erratic behav...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 5:44 a.m. - 6 clicks
County In Need Of Advocates For Abused Children February 4, 2010 Stephanie Lucero -- CBS 11 / TXA 21 COLLIN COUNTY (CBS 11 / TXA 21) - Virginia Barrett says the intimate details of child abuse appalled her when she served on the Collin County Grand Jury. It was the gruesome details behind a number of cases that led Barrett to become a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer. "People ...
The Collin County Observer - Sun 12:13 a.m. - 6 clicks
I have not commented on the race for the Texas Agriculture Commissioner in the Democratic primary. That is because I respect both men (Kinky Friedman and Hank Gilbert), and I was a bit angry with both of them for dropping out of the governor's race -- leaving us facing the awful prospect of the nomination of Blue Dog Bill White (after seeing what the blue dogs did to hurt America in the last...
jobsanger - Sat 10:12 p.m. - 12 clicks
I’ve been to the town of Lake Placid, New York, but it was during the summer and not during winter. We associate Lake Placid with winter. The fact is though that the town is there 365 days a year. I was in Lake Placid for a few hours almost 20 years ago. I’ve been thinking of my brief [...] ...
TexasLiberal - Sat 9:35 p.m. - 11 clicks
The University Democrats (UDems) and the Central Austin Democrats (CAD) got together today for their endorsement meeting. Most of the candidates in contested Democratic races showed up, along with some other Democrats without contested primaries. Together, they form the Austin Progressive Coalition (APC), which endorses candidates when the two groups concur on a particular ...
Burnt Orange Report - Sat 2:48 p.m. - 5 clicks
I am not at all concerned with this fracas that has emerged in the Farouk Shami campaign because as you can see from the thumbnail on the left, I support Bill White for Democratic nominee for Texas Governor. But just as I was rapt with attention as news came out of infighting in the campaign of Hillary Clinton a couple of years ago, I am now amazed at some inconsistencies within the Shami campaig...
Half Empty - Sat 1:21 p.m. - 6 clicks
The Texas Senator, who heads the National Republican Senatorial Chamber, says the GOP in the upper house absolutely will not debate on-camera with President Barack Obama, unlike their House colleagues. "I can see why he and his handlers would want to replicate that,” Cornyn said. "I think we’re more interested in serious public policy issues rather than providing another photo-opportunity for t...
SocraticGadfly - Sat 10:05 a.m. - 16 clicks
Balous Miller, owner and C.E.O of Bill Miller Bar-B-Q Restaurants, and the city of Bulverde agreed to an out-of-court settlement in which Miller will pay the city $25,000 for the removal of trees on 19 acres of land located on the northeast corner of U.S. Hwy. 281 and Texas Hwy. 46. ...
South Texas Chisme - Sat 9:02 a.m. - 5 clicks
In an order filed Friday, a federal judge in Austin questioned U.S. prosecutors for seeking criminal convictions in court against some illegal immigrants, writing that the practice "presents a cost to the American taxpayer ... that is neither meritorious nor reasonable." The order by U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks comes as his docket, like others in Texas, is swollen with defendants charged with...
South Texas Chisme - Sat 9:02 a.m. - 8 clicks
The dispute between Dallas County commissioners and District Attorney Craig Watkins over who should represent them in lawsuits could be decided by the Texas attorney general. When several current and former deputy constables sued the county in December, alleging they were intimidated and harassed by their bosses, the commissioners decided they wanted a private law firm, not Watkins, to defend th...
South Texas Chisme - Sat 9:02 a.m. - 8 clicks
After an investigation by the state attorney general, Patricia Barrera must pay back proceeds from her office lottery. You can't force employees to fund your campaign through raffles. ...
South Texas Chisme - Sat 8:23 a.m. - 2 clicks
Why not? Basically, because the mask has been removed, as this column notes well . There is no god and I am his prophet. ...
SocraticGadfly - Sat 12:57 a.m. - 4 clicks
The Texas Observer reports that Bill White does not support a moratorium on executions , but Farouk Shami does support a moratorium. The Texas Democratic Party platform endorsed a moratorium in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Farouk Shami understands that a moratorium is the best way to ensure that Texas does not execute an innocent person and can enact reforms to protect innocent people from being ex...
Texas Moratorium Network - Fri 4:51 p.m. - 12 clicks
Former Texas Governor Mark White has said he supports a moratorium on executions, but the Texas Observer asked Democratic gubernatorial nominee candidate Bill White (no relation to Mark) and Bill said he does not support a moratorium. We will try to meet with him to explain why Texas needs a moratorium. The Texas Democratic Party endorsed a moratorium in the party platform in 2004, 2006 and 2...
Texas Moratorium Network - Fri 4:47 p.m. - 4 clicks
Medical doctors, since the beginning of their science, have been admonished by their philosophical progenitor, Hippocrates, about the ethics of their medical practice. The Hippocratic Oath, as it is called, was boiled down by French clinician Auguste Chomel to this choice phrase: Primum non nocere. First, do no harm. Ronald Reagan, much later, applied this medical dictum to his political coll...
Half Empty - Fri 4:24 p.m. - 4 clicks
Memorial Remembering Howard Zinn Texas Federal Aid Unlikely to Fill Texas' Expected Budget Gap Politics The New Deal Was a Good Idea, We Should Try It This Time War and Peace Obama's Budget Calls for Billions in New Spending for Drones Economy Economic Stimulus Saved or Created 600,000 Jobs in Fourth Quarter Environment China Green Projects Will Surpass the United S...
Left of College Station - Fri 3:15 p.m. - 11 clicks
Earlier this week, Bill White launched his first TV ad on education. His second TV ad is a narrative-based spot : This week, White also opened field offices in Fort Worth and McAllen. In all, they now have nine offices opened across the state: Harris County Travis County Dallas County Tarrant County Bexar County Hidalgo ...
Burnt Orange Report - Fri 2:32 p.m. - 14 clicks
Reacting to the stunning news from the Farouk Shami campaign that another candidate's mere mention that the candidate is from San Antonio is racist, I was a guest on Scott Braddock's KLRD radio show in Dallas earlier this afternoon. Here's the podcast of the segment. Good luck making any more sense of that situation than I did. ...
Letters From Texas - Fri 2:30 p.m. - 4 clicks
Earlier this week the Environmental Protection Agency held a public hearing on a newly proposed rule to strengthen federal ozone standards. A coalition of environmental and public health advocates called Clean Air Texas rallied in support of the new rule, which would improve air quality across the state and make our communities healthier. Over a [...] ...
Texas Vox - Fri 2:30 p.m. - 8 clicks
It won't be retarded , but it will be crazy ... because you couldn't pile the nuts any higher if you used a steamshovel: Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is coming to Texas on Sunday, February 7, 2010 to headline a rally for Governor Perry's re-election campaign. We invite you to join Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, and your fellow conservatives in Houston for this exciting event. ... Due t...
Brains and Eggs - Fri 1:05 p.m. - 7 clicks
Above is a picture of a bright yellow mineral or cargo of some sort that I took on a very grey day in Galveston, Texas. Even on a dark day, there is some bight thing you can find to lighten matters up. Please leave a comment if you have any notion what the yellow stuff is. [...] ...
TexasLiberal - Fri 12:26 p.m. - 3 clicks
May do a few more selected video clips over the next few days. I found it really interesting that there are so many unleased buildings downtown. I also was very impressed with Pat of the Somervell Historical Association whose presentation was very thorough in their request for 4b money and had a detailed business plan. Land of the Dinosaurs money was approved, the Palace Theatre acquisition was n...
Somervell County Salon - Fri 11:48 a.m. - 5 clicks
I went to the 4B /GRDEC meeting last night to hear about these agenda items . The 4b board was going to talk about possibly purchasing the Palace Theater, funding the Land of the Dinosaurs Dooley venture, Barnard's Mill and building more RV spaces near the Expo. I'm going to post the entire audio and a few other selected video clips in the next few days, but calling this out because it was...
Somervell County Salon - Fri 10:24 a.m. - 5 clicks
First, the posted agenda which has nothing about paying for invoices on it. I have no idea if what Connally Miller was saying has any merit or not, but I was wondering why a vote was being taken about an invoice that wasn't listed on the agenda. At least, I am pretty used to the county commissoners court that dutifully and exhaustively lists all money issues. I don't know how th...
Somervell County Salon - Fri 10:24 a.m. - 7 clicks
The Rick Perry ads, claiming how much he's cut taxes? Conveniently overlooked the expansion of the business franchise to fund lessening local school district property taxes. Overlooked how much state "fees" have grown in the last decade. Slamming Hutchison on earmarks? Overlooks any credit Perry may claim for them. Hutchison's Nolan Ryan ad? Great feel-good ad. But, if she's trailing by very much...
SocraticGadfly - Fri 10:00 a.m. - 3 clicks
Click link to see picture-she is a BEAUTY! P.S.Readers know I got my combo lab/husky male from the Glen Rose Animal Shelter and he is a delight! ...
Somervell County Salon - Fri 8:04 a.m. - 7 clicks
I'm disappointed to learn of plans to spend federal "stimulus" money on Governor Perry's pet border-security pork program instead of on tactics that actually boost the economy. Brandi Grissom at the Texas Tribune reports that the Department of Public Safety has outspent its budget - and was prepared to slash grant funds to Border Sheriffs, which are used to pay for equipment and overtime - but...
Grits for Breakfast - Fri 8:00 a.m. - 6 clicks
During the 1996 Democratic State Convention in Texas, there was a private meeting to try to come to some agreements on something-or-other that seemed important at the time. I walked through the convention hall to the conference room with then-AFL-CIO state director Rosa Walker and her husband Boyce Breedlove. We were to be joined in the conference room by then-Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, Bill W...
Letters From Texas - Fri 7:27 a.m. - 5 clicks
Texas is one of 11 states that allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates and receive state grants. [Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas (IRCOT)] challenged that law in December, arguing that the state overstepped its authority and violated federal law. The case was moved from state district court in Harris County to federal court on Jan. 19. It could decide the fate of Carmen...
South Texas Chisme - Fri 7:27 a.m. - 3 clicks
Still rainin'. Incidentally the caller ID for the Somervell Convenience Station says "Somerville". Hilarious- Wanda Sykes (video) takes on NBC's cafeteria menu in honor of Black History Month. Americans increasingly become less educated compared to the rest of the world. Texas at the bottom of that barrel. Gee.Maybe we need to get rid of the nutcakes on the Texas SBOE that w...
Somervell County Salon - Fri 7:12 a.m. - 7 clicks
The number of students taking Advanced Placement tests hit a record high last year, but the portion who fail the exams - particularly in the South - is rising as well, a USA TODAY analysis finds. "The standards don't teach themselves," says Stanford University's Linda Darling-Hammond, a noted teacher-quality expert who says schools shouldn't treat AP as "another silver bullet" that will raise sta...
Texas Kaos - Fri 5:48 a.m. - 8 clicks
Ana Yañez Correa of the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has an op ed in the Austin Statesman today suggesting that budget cuts in corrections should come from closing inefficient prison units instead of cutting treatment and diversion programs. Here's how the column concludes: Overcrowded prisons force higher-risk offenders out to make room for incoming low-level offenders suffering from ad...
Grits for Breakfast - Fri 5:08 a.m. - 8 clicks
As you (hopefully) know, the Austin American-Statesman is running an excellent series on the candidates for Texas Governor This past week, they have featured Bill White and Farouk Shami in a compelling set of stories that, when read together, provide tremendous insight and allow the reader to develop a strong side-by-side comparison of the two candidates. Here are the links to e...
Burnt Orange Report - Fri 1:10 a.m. - 15 clicks
During elections an enormous amount of money is spent on campaigns, and the dollars spent have been increasing during both Presidential and midterm elections. During the Presidential election in 2000 $3,082,340,937 was spent by presidential candidates, senate and house candidates, political parties and independent interest groups trying to influence federal elections, and that number increased to ...
Texas Kaos - Thu 9:19 p.m. - 5 clicks
During elections an enormous amount of money is spent on campaigns, and the dollars spent have been increasing during both Presidential and midterm elections. During the Presidential election in 2000 $3,082,340,937 was spent by presidential candidates, senate and house candidates, political parties and independent interest groups trying to influence federal elections, and that number increased to ...
Left of College Station - Thu 8:06 p.m. - 13 clicks
You know, I'd been feeling kind of down since Comrade Obama admitted we no longer have what it takes to go to the Moon. But this makes up for all that. USA! USA! USA! ...
McBlogger - Thu 7:03 p.m. - 11 clicks
Last Thursday Austin Energy General Manager Roger Duncan briefed Austin City Council on the utility’s Resource and Climate Protection Plan. This plan is the culmination of 18 months of input from the public, the creation of a generation resource task force of various stakeholders to review various energy plans and make recommendations, and support and [...] ...
Texas Vox - Thu 4:12 p.m. - 12 clicks
I'm not a big fan of White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Too often, I just simply disagree with his style points, or lack thereof. And Texas Republican consultant Dave Carney? To my knowledge we've never been on the same side of anything, and will probably never. Those two both find themselves on the same side of Professional Quitter Sarah Palin's temper this week, however, b...
Letters From Texas - Thu 3:59 p.m. - 8 clicks
Houston’s commercial office janitors must negotiate a new contract for 2010. As part of the effort to gain public support for what will be a tough fight in a difficult economy, the janitors have set up a Facebook page. Here is the link to that page. Above is a picture from the Facebook page showing part of [...] ...
TexasLiberal - Thu 2:45 p.m. - 7 clicks
This morning on NPR, Congressman Joe Barton (R-Arlington/Ennis) made some statements on how the massive influx of corporate money because of the Citizens United decision might not be so bad after all. The entire story is worth a listen, and can be found by going here to NPR’s website. Here’s what he said, and let’s evaluate [...] ...
Texas Vox - Thu 2:30 p.m. - 8 clicks
Above you see the front page of the Houston Chronicle from July 25, 1969. The Apollo 11 astronauts had returned from the moon and had been found to have no “moon germs.” That must have come as very good news. This story says that salmonella germs launched into space came back more potent. This article suggest that sunspots may [...] ...
TexasLiberal - Thu 2:14 p.m. - 3 clicks
The deadline for the examiner to file objections in removal proceeding against Presiding Judge Sharon Keller of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals was extended until February 17 . From the Commission on Judicial Conduct's website , here are links to all documents filed with the commission in the case: In re: Judge Sharon Keller (Judge No. 96) Notice of Formal Proceedings (file stam...
Grits for Breakfast - Thu 11:29 a.m. - 4 clicks
Texas is dead last in persons with high school diplomas. I hope the education-hating Republicans are proud. According to [Douglas] Hall, just 77 percent of Americans are graduating from high school, which is below most developed countries. In 2008, he said, only 27 percent of Americans had achieved their bachelor's or higher degree. ... Texas, in particular, fares badly, according to Hall, who...
South Texas Chisme - Thu 8:05 a.m. - 6 clicks
This week we’re working with Environment Texas and several other activist groups in Austin and Houston to host free activist workshops and training days! The training is being run by The Public Interest Network and will feature sessions on: the best techniques for organizing your neighbors to take action, and the best ways to persuade [...] ...
Texas Vox - Thu 7:47 a.m. - 9 clicks
Looking Through Time New xhibit is a pictoral view of African- American political progress. By: Ann Littmann From the Texas A&M University Battalion In conjunction with the national and campuswide celebration of Black History Month, the Memorial Student Center Visual Arts Committee is presenting a new exhibit: "Walking with Presidents." This exhibit documents the history of African-Am...
Left of College Station - Thu 7:05 a.m. - 9 clicks
Texas state Rep. Terri Hodge yesterday pled guilty " to failing to pay taxes on $74,000 in income, including more than $32,000 in bribes." She'd been accused of other serious charges to which she did not plead guilty, including accepting bribes from a developer and " peddling her influence to get inmates released on parole in exchange for money." Here are the lowlights from the Dallas News : ...
Grits for Breakfast - Thu 7:04 a.m. - 12 clicks
The Nueces County Appraisal District will refund at least part of a $2.8 million building fund, after board members said mounting pressure from taxing entities gave them no other option. ... For at least five years, the district moved unspent money at the end of each budget year to a fund set aside for building repairs. Over time, as the account accrued money, the board decided to build a new o...
South Texas Chisme - Thu 6:04 a.m. - 7 clicks
Sunshine is a wonderful disinfectant. Why doesn't the Brownsville Housing Authority agree? The Brownsville Housing Authority has refused to disclose the names of applicants the board selected to interview for executive director, but the selection apparently nears. The authority’s board meeting agendas show that interviews were scheduled for Jan. 28 and discussions regarding the position continue...
South Texas Chisme - Thu 5:49 a.m. - 8 clicks
Late last week, it was reported that the Houston Dynamo are entertaining moving their proposed new stadium just south of 610 West Loop right across the street from The Galleria. The new plans caused more uproar than the health care debate when folks led by Mayor Cindy Siegel of Bellaire City dissented. Folks that wanted the stadium in downtown Houston were equally as pissed at the idea...
David Ortez - Thu 1:07 a.m. - 5 clicks
Plano's plan for Douglass Community Center draws concerns from neighbors Wednesday, February 3, 2010 By THEODORE KIM / The Dallas Morning News Plano's historically black neighborhood is raising concerns about a city plan to outsource a local community center. Residents' reservations unfolded at an animated public forum Tuesday at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church that drew about 60 people, incl...
The Collin County Observer - Wed 8:56 p.m. - 3 clicks
All eyes are on the Republican primary voters as they sort out who is going to be their choice for Texas Governor Nominee. Including Rasmussen. In its latest Texas polling, Rasmussen has the 3-way race for Republican nominee with Rick Perry firmly in the lead with 44% to Hutchison’s 29% and Debra Medina’s 16%. Leaving 11% undecided. All that tells me is that the Rasmussen poll was not a poll o...
Half Empty - Wed 5:27 p.m. - 4 clicks
Alcohol all the buzz at Frisco council meeting By Jan Bellamy, Staff Writer / Frisco Enterprise Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Tuesday night’s [Frisco] city council meeting offered it all: alcohol, morality play, property rights, and pleas to be heard. It wasn’t a Texas shoot-out, but a gun was mentioned. The hot topic: Did city council want to hold a public hearing on establishing a process for f...
The Collin County Observer - Wed 4:09 p.m. - 7 clicks
In honor of Black History Month, our studio guest this week on Biased Transmission will be Wayne Sadberry, curator of the Brazos Valley African American Museum. Wayne was born and raised in Bryan, and was one of the first African American students at A&M. We will be discussing the African American Museum, our community's own black history, and also the history of the Bryan Air Force Base, whic...
Left of College Station - Wed 4:01 p.m. - 5 clicks
The Dallas-area Congressman is busted for buying gas wells from a lobbyist . Given that he's the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, it doesn't look good: "If you are elected as a public servant to try to do what is right for the public generally and then you use that position to help bring in material wealth, I think it's unethical," said James Thurber, a distinguish...
SocraticGadfly - Wed 2:16 p.m. - 11 clicks
It's always good that the Republican caucus gives even their c-team the chance to go out on the field. It's super big of them and, well, reminds us all that there's someone standing up for stupid in Congress. Today, it was Representative Kevin Brady who was interviewed by Bloomberg and decided to throw President Obama, Democrats and their mutual puppetmasters, the ever evil Unions, for not cre...
McBlogger - Wed 2:16 p.m. - 8 clicks
Just a quick note... Yesterday on KRLD in Dallas, Kinky decided to hold forth on his views of the office he seeks, His Highness, Commissioner of Agriculture which is apparently not accountable to the Legislature or anyone else once elected. And can set up animal shelters (which another agency controls). And can dictate that Luby's must extend their dinner service to 10 pm, even if all their pat...
McBlogger - Wed 11:48 a.m. - 8 clicks
