Politics
7th District foes bicker over spending
By ALAN BERNSTEIN, Houston Chronicle, 20 August 2008
HOUSTON – U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, backs a constitutional amendment to force Congress to balance the federal budget, but Democratic challenger Michael Skelly is trying to use the belt-tightening issue against him.
Party Leaders Pin Hopes on Harris
BY RICHARD WHITTAKER, Austin Chronicle, 22 August 2008
AUSTIN – It's no secret Harris County is key to Texas Democratic Party hopes to take back the state House.
Noncontroversy Erupts in HD 47
BY RICHARD WHITTAKER, Austin Chronicle, 22 August 2008
AUSTIN – The campaign of Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin, is scratching its collective head after GOP challenger Donna Keel's family asked them to cancel a campaign ad that never existed about a rumor that no one seems to have heard.
WilCo Dems Tap Austin Expertise
BY RICHARD WHITTAKER, Austin Chronicle, 22 August 2008
AUSTIN – As Williamson County becomes more urban and less rural, Round Rock's House District 52 could be a November bellwether.
Government
Legal OK sought to target illegal migrants
By PEGGY FIKAC and SUSAN CARROLL, Houston Chronicle, 20 August 2008
AUSTIN — Some Texas lawmakers could launch a new effort to crack down on illegal immigrants by punishing businesses that employ them or cities that give them sanctuary, if the ideas get the legal go-ahead from Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Legislators want Texas AG to say how far state can go in punishing illegal hiring
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 August 2008
AUSTIN — Two Republican state lawmakers have asked the Texas attorney general how far the state can go in dealing with illegal immigration, from yanking licenses for businesses to banning cities from enacting "sanctuary" ordinances.
Texas testing program screens for less steroids as debate rages
By A.J. Perez, USA TODAY, 21 August 2008
The nation's largest and most expensive steroids-testing program for high school athletes is screening for less than a third of substances it prohibits.
Schools' later start is saving big bucks
By JENNIFER RADCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 20 August 2008
HOUSTON – Texas public school leaders may still be fuming about the legislative mandate that delayed the start of the school year until the last week of August, but advocates point to lower utility bills as a sign that lawmakers made the right choice.
Marietta school to close; deemed ‘too wealthy’
By: Neil Abeles, Texarkana Gazette, 20 August 2008
MARIETTA – The Marietta Independent School District will close and consolidate this fall.
Legislative task force gets an earful
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 21 August 2008
LUBBOCK – The level of discontent with the state's current taxing system has property owners venting their frustrations to a legislative panel selected by House Speaker Tom Craddick.
No guns in the classroom
Dallas Morning News, 21 August 2008
DALLAS – Don't mess with teachers in the tiny Texas town of Harrold. They may be packing heat.
Teachers packing heat
Houston Chronicle, 21 August 2008
HOUSTON – It definitely enjoys a Texas flair — which is why commentators from the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia have seized on the latest news from tiny Harrold, whose school board is America's first to permit teachers to carry concealed guns.
Widespread ideas in property tax reform must lead to answers
Conroe Courier, 20 August 2008
CONROE – For the second time in three years, a task force of elected Texas lawmakers is grappling with the issue of rising taxes and home appraisals.
News
No FLDS insiders expected by grand jury
By LISA SANDBERG, Houston Chronicle, 20 August 2008
SAN ANGELO — When a West Texas grand jury reconvenes today to consider evidence against members of a polygamist sect, it's not likely to hear from any insiders.
Documents from sect show underage marriages not isolated events
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 August 2008
SAN ANGELO — Church documents disclosed during child-custody investigations in recent months identify at least 10 men, in addition to five who have been indicted, who may have married girls who were 16 or younger.
More underage brides alleged
San Angelo Standard-Times, 20 August 2008
SAN ANGELO – Five men from a polygamist sect raided by Texas authorities in April stand accused of sexually assaulting children, but they're unlikely to be the only ones.
LCRA increases wholesale rates
By Andrea Lorenz, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 21 August 2008
AUSTIN – The Lower Colorado River Authority on Wednesday approved rate increases for wholesale water and wastewater that will affect residential and retail customers in Williamson, Travis and Hays counties.
Perry pushes veterans' tuition reform
By Brandi Grissom, El Paso Times, 21 August 2008
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry wants all veterans to pay lower in-state tuition rates at Texas public universities, he said Wednesday.
Cuba new market for Texas farmers
By Jerry Lackey, San Angelo Standard-Times, 20 August 2008
ABILENE – With commodity prices on the rise and the global economy softening, a goal to open more markets for agricultural products is essential for the future of the Lone Star State's farmers and ranchers, said Todd Staples, Texas' agriculture commissioner.
Kolkhorst visiting area nursing homes
Bryan-College Station Eagle, 20 August 2008
COLLEGE STATION – State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst toured the skilled nursing facility at Brenham Rest Home on Tuesday to discuss Medicaid funding and other issues facing health care.
Texas Supreme Court Draws Widespread Criticism
BY LEE NICHOLS, Austin Chronicle, 22 August 2008
AUSTIN – Opinion seems to be unanimous: The Texas Supreme Court really bollixed up its decision in the Entergy v. Summers case last year.
A renewed call for further study on Austin energy plan
Austin American-Statesman, 20 August 2008
AUSTIN – Renewable energy and conservation measures can do only so much to meet power needs for the foreseeable future, and natural gas prices are highly volatile.
TOPS for Texas
Houston Chronicle, 21 August 2008
HOUSTON – In an age of pervasive uncertainty over future availability and costs of petroleum, a proposed project to build a floating oil tanker port off Freeport promises an economic bonus for Houston.
People
Congressman Paul’s wife to begin rehabilitation
By BRANDON L. LEONARD, Victoria Advocate, 20 August 2008
VICTORIA – Doctors expected to move Carol Paul, wife of Congressman Ron Paul, before the week’s end, marking the beginning of her rehabilitation, a spokesperson said Monday.
Perry: Pitch in to help restore the Texas Governor's Mansion
Austin American-Statesman, 20 August 2008
AUSTIN – For more than 150 years, one of Texas' most beautiful and cherished landmarks served not just as a home to governors and their families, but as a symbol of the proud history of Texas.
