Politics
Fifteen years later, Hutchison's government-reform goals largely unrealized
By Jason Embry, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 10 August 2008
WASHINGTON — When she first ran for the U.S. Senate in 1993, Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas said senators should serve only two terms. She's now serving her third.
Hutchison drops hint about a run for governor
Houston Chronicle, 8 August 2008
AUSTIN — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison hinted again Friday that she plans to run for Texas governor in 2010.
Texas' 22nd district has both parties working hard for House seat
By DAVE MONTGOMERY, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 August 2008
WASHINGTON — For two decades, the 22nd congressional district in Southeast Texas was the political domain of Tom DeLay, the former House Majority Leader who resigned under a cloud of scandal two years ago.
Texans may have to register as lobbyists to spend money on speaker's race
By Laylan Copelin, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 9 August 2008
AUSTIN – Texans can spend money to influence the election of the next speaker of the Texas House, the state argued in federal court Friday, but they might have to register as lobbyists.
Lawmaker vows to correct errors on campaign, ethics reports
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 August 2008
AUSTIN — Rep. Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton, R-Mauriceville, vowed Friday to correct a series of possible violations and errors on his campaign reports and personal ethics filings — everything from payments to his children to missing details about travel and lodging expenses.
Libertarian energized by request to quit race
By Bj Lewis, Denton Record-Chronicle, 9 August 2008
DENTON – Voters in state House District 64 may find candidate Jason Jordan knocking on their doors sometime before Nov. 4.
District 55: Democrat Murphey up to the challenge
By Justin Cox, Killeen Daily Herald, 10 August 2008
KILLEEN – In late February, House District 55 Democratic nominee Sam Murphey took a seat next to four Republican candidates vying for their party's nomination.
District 55: Republican Sheffield confident he'll win seat
By Justin Cox, Killeen Daily Herald, 10 August 2008
KILLEEN – In January, Ralph Sheffield sat down for a one-on-one interview with a reporter from the Herald, and said confidently that he was going to win the District 55 House seat.
Texas Supreme Court candidate makes local visit
By BRAD KELLAR, Greenville Herald-Banner, 9 August 2008
GREENVILLE — One of the candidates seeking to become the next member of the Texas Supreme Court made a campaign stop in Greenville Thursday.
Big, Bland John
By Dave Mann, Texas Observer, 8 August 2008
Democratic strategists in Texas have been telling anyone who will listen for the past year that they can defeat John Cornyn, the state’s junior U.S. senator, in November.
Wham, Bam, Thank You, Gramm
Texas Observer, 8 August 2008
In our May 30 issue, Patricia Kilday Hart reported on Phil Gramm’s influence on John McCain’s presidential candidacy.
Texan Chet will benefit, even if not VP nominee
By TODD J. GILLMAN, Dallas Morning News, 11 August 2008
WASHINGTON – As a dark horse among Democratic vice presidential contenders, Waco congressman Chet Edwards hasn't gotten the scrutiny reserved for governors and senators listed higher on the likely short list.
Running mate more than a ticket-balancer
By Dave McNeely, Midland Reporter-Telegram, 10 August 2008
The speculation continues about potential running mates for Democrat Barack Obama, 47, and Republican John McCain, who will turn 72 on Aug. 29.
Government
Ban on selling horses for slaughter has support in Congress
By JOHN RILEY, Dallas Morning News, 10 August 2008
WASHINGTON – Animal welfare advocates say they expect Congress to take the next step in curtailing horse slaughter by passing measures that would stop the shipment of animals to be slaughtered.
Mexican trucking program proves locally unpopular
By Sean Gaffney, McAllen Monitor, 10 August 2008
McALLEN – A looming Congressional showdown over a controversial program that allows Mexican trucks free rein on U.S. highways threatens one local company's plans.
As Valley border fence work begins, questions resurface
By Juan Castillo, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 11 August 2008
AUSTIN – Is it possible to build a border wall without the help of the very people it is intended to keep out?
Filmmaker to tell story of proposed border fence
By Laura Tillman, Brownsville Herald, 9 August 2008
BROWNSVILLE – Filmmaker Nat Stone has become addicted to telling the story of the border and the Rio Grande.
Water plans need scrutiny
Amarillo Globe-News, 9 August 2008
AMARILLO – Panhandle water policy officials and state legislators need to have many more discussions such as the one that occurred this week in Amarillo.
Bridges need repair
Waco Tribune-Herald, 11 August 2008
WACO – Texas and the nation must do more to protect the motoring public from deteriorating bridges and highways.
Transportation: State should help with El Paso plans
El Paso Times, 11 August 2008
EL PASO – El Paso is showing an increasing tendency to tackle its problems head-on instead of sitting around hoping for something to happen.
Red-light camera proposal should be studied
Victoria Advocate, 8 August 2008
VICTORIA – Drivers run red lights in Victoria. That’s a fact very few would dispute.
News
Texas, federal leaders push for bus safety improvements
By JOHN MORITZ, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 August 2008
AUSTIN — The tragic bus crash Friday that claimed the lives of at least 17 Texans on a church pilgrimage to Missouri will likely spark a renewed push for legislation to improve the safety of motor coach travel nationwide.
Report: Texas short more than 4,500 primary care providers
By Mary Ann Roser, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 11 August 2008
AUSTIN – By 2015, Texas would need more than 4,500 additional primary care doctors and other medical professionals to serve all of its residents who have limited access to health care, according to a report being released today by the National Association of Community Health Centers.
Texas banks remain healthy, experts say
By BARRY SHLACHTER, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 August 2008
FORT WORTH – With a large California regional bank failing and two other Western ones saved from closure through a forced sale brokered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., it’s understandable that people might worry about the stability of their own bank.
Federal judge dismisses suit against wind farm projects in South Texas
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 August 2008
FORT WORTH – A federal judge dismissed a conservation group’s lawsuit challenging two wind farm projects under construction in Kenedy County, clearing the way for their completion by year’s end.
Lawsuit filed to overturn Oklahoma's out-of-state water sales ban
Dallas Morning News, 8 August 2008
DALLAS – A lawsuit seeking to overturn Oklahoma’s moratorium on out-of-state water sales was filed Friday, one day after Irving and the city of Hugo, Okla., agreed to what is believed to be the first water sales agreement between an Oklahoma water authority and a Texas customer.
'Texas 7' prison escapee set to be first one executed
Dallas Morning News, 10 August 2008
LIVINGSTON — Michael Rodriguez remembers the exhilaration of newfound freedom when he hid in the back of a stolen truck as he and six of his buddy convicts staged one of Texas' most notorious prison breaks.
Many back biodefense facility for San Antonio
Houston Chronicle, 9 August 2008
SAN ANTONIO — Researchers, veterinarians and state and local officials were overwhelmingly in favor of putting a national biodefense lab in San Antonio, but a few residents expressed concerns last week about an accidental release of animal disease.
Anti-Bush event draws only handful of visitors
By Kathleen Thurber, Midland Reporter-Telegram, 9 August 2008
ODESSA – After a subdued stop in Crawford, a patriotic-colored anti-Bush bus rolled through the Permian Basin Friday coming not quite close enough to the president's former Midland home to ruffle any feathers, but finding itself deep enough in the area's Republican stronghold that it only drew a handful of visitors.
Austin named hardest-drinking city in U.S.
By Addie Broyles, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 8 August 2008
AUSTIN – Feeling tipsy?
Let There Be Light
By Forrest Wilder, Texas Observer, 8 August 2008
For a decade, the onset of the stifling summer heat in South Texas meant it was time for Patricia Gonzalez and her three children to drag their mattresses out of their cramped home to sleep outside.
CPS makes right move
Dallas Morning News, 10 August 2008
DALLAS – The months-long court drama pitting Child Protective Services against a polygamist sect has, at times, been dizzying.
Out of place
Houston Chronicle, 9 August 2008
HOUSTON – The Battleship Texas needs expensive repair and a dry berth.
People
Dallas lawyer Fred Baron paid for Edwards' mistress to relocate
By GROMER JEFFERS JR., Dallas Morning News, 9 August 2008
DALLAS – John Edwards, who won praise and sympathy as he campaigned for president with his cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, admitted Friday that he had an affair with a woman who produced videos for his campaign but denied fathering her child.
Osteen denies assaulting Continental attendant on plane in '05
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 August 2008
HOUSTON — The co-pastor of a Houston megachurch testified Friday that she was "dumbfounded" and "shook up" after a Continental Airlines flight attendant accused her of assault because of an incident that started with a spill on a first-class seat.
Central Texas teen finalist for Democrat video contest
Waco Tribune-Herald, 9 August 2008
WASHINGTON — Cathrin Winsor, a recent high school graduate from Cameron, Texas, borrowed a friend’s little brother and spent a day shooting and editing a video on “Why are you a Democrat in 2008?”
New secretary of state will serve Texas well
By Rolando Pablos, El Paso Times, 9 August 2008
EL PASO – By naming Hope Andrade to follow in the footsteps of Stephen F. Austin, Gov. Rick Perry is making history and elevating one of Texas' best and brightest women to be our 107th Texas Secretary of State.
