Politics
'Palin power' remains strong in Texas, GOP leaders say
By W. Gardner Selby, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, slated to star at sold-out private fundraisers Friday in Dallas and San Antonio, has ignited Texas Republicans who might not have pitched in for Sen. John McCain without her on the GOP ticket.
As senator nears gov race, will Perry blink?
By Peggy Fikac, San Antonio Express-News, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN — There's a buzz every time Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison inches toward her expected 2010 governor's race, but some say the real question is whether Gov. Rick Perry will seek re-election as he insists he will.
District 32 candidates at odds on big issues
By Dan Kelley, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 2 October 2008
CORPUS CHRISTI – State Rep. Juan Garcia and Republican challenger Todd Hunter faced off in a Portland candidates forum Wednesday, sparring over lobbyists, windstorm insurance and lawsuit abuse.
Hunter's term bill fodder for Garcia
By Dan Kelley, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 2 October 2008
CORPUS CHRISTI – State Rep. Juan Garcia's campaign is highlighting a 1995 resolution authored by opponent Todd Hunter when he was a legislator that sought to impose eight-year term limits on members of the Legislature.
Northern Travis candidates split on property taxes
By Kate Alexander, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN – As state Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, seeks a third term representing northern Travis County in the Texas House of Representatives, two challengers are vying to topple him.
Paul tells why he won't vote for McCain-Palin
New Jersey Star-Ledger, 2 October 2008
In today's Republican Party, it's easy to win forgiveness for being wrong. It's being right that gets you into trouble.
Libertarians could help Democratic Texas House candidates
By Dave McNeely, Abilene Reporter-News, 1 October 2008
SAN ANGELO – The Libertarian getting national attention is the party's presidential candidate, Bob Barr, a former Republican congressman from Georgia.
We recommend Parker, Driver for Texas House
Dallas Morning News, 1 October 2008
DALLAS – These are two of 11 recommendations in Dallas-area races for the Texas House that appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Government
Bailout not Texas governor's idea of government
By ROBERT T. GARRETT, Dallas Morning News, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry, who scolded Washington as "inept" this week, exhorted Congress to rise above party Wednesday and quickly solve the nation's financial crisis. Then, he announced his opposition to the proposed bailout.
Local bankers urge lawmakers to support bailout
By Sean Gaffney, McAllen Monitor, 1 October 2008
McALLEN – Local bank leaders warned South Texas lawmakers this week that failing to pass a bailout package to stabilize the nation's shaky financial system could jeopardize the state's strong economy.
East Texas lawmaker reflects on Wall St. Bailout
By MATTHEW STOFF, Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, 1 October 2008
NACOGDOCHES – For Louie Gohmert, the Republican congressman representing the Nacogdoches area of East Texas, the present turmoil in Washington D.C. is mostly hype.
Hensarling: More important to do (bailout) right than do it fast
By Raymond Billy, Jacksonville Daily Progress, 2 October 2008
JACKSONVILLE – The plan pushed by President Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to resuscitate the nation’s ailing financial system faces a formidable challenge in Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, whose congressional district includes Cherokee County.
Cortés: Wall Street largely deciding policy agenda of Republicans and Democrats
By Steve Taylor and A.J. Anderson, Rio Grande Guardian, 1 October 2008
McALLEN – The vast majority of American citizens cannot expect too much financial help from the either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party because both pay more attention to the needs of Wall Street.
Lawmaker believes in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants violates federal law
By PATRICK McGEE, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 October 2008
FORT WORTH – A former Arlington City Council member turned anti-illegal immigrant crusader in the Texas House is trying to scrap Texas’ college tuition benefits for illegal immigrants.
Undocumented immigrants' tuition waiver is questioned
By Brandi Grissom, El Paso Times, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN – A North Texas legislator wants the state's top attorney to rule on the constitutionality of a law that allows undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates.
Lawmaker: school aid for illegal immigrants wrong
Waco Tribune-Herald, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN — A Texas state representative has asked the state attorney general for an opinion on whether providing college tuition benefits to illegal immigrants violates federal law.
Board officials like Bible curriculum
By Gary Scharrer, San Antonio Express-News, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN — Several State Board of Education members are encouraging public school districts to use a particular Bible curriculum that some experts predict would land them in court.
Lawmakers blast TYC for false alarm
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN — After learning that an alarming report made just last week appears to be based on faulty information, several state lawmakers said Wednesday that they are still frustrated by the Texas youth prison system and questioned whether it will ever regain the public trust.
Texas DWI bills gain support after tragedies
By JESSICA MEYERS, Dallas Morning News, 1 October 2008
DALLAS – Those pushing for heftier drunken-driving regulations are hoping that a slew of recent headlines and growing community outrage will trigger the momentum they need to pass two bills that stalled in the Texas Legislature.
Border security: State funding needed from Lege
El Paso Times, 2 October 2008
EL PASO – Texas legislators should give Gov. Rick Perry what he's asking for – $110 million to bolster border security operations and another $24 million to battle transnational gangs.
Bush is correct: Congress must act
Denton Record-Chronicle, 1 October 2008
DENTON – The U.S. Senate undertook Tuesday to redeem the reputation of Congress, working to craft an acceptable financial rescue plan a day after the House of Representatives abrogated its responsibility in a frenzy of partisan panic.
Why the bailout matters to you
Dallas Morning News, 1 October 2008
DALLAS – The proposed $700 billion bailout of the U.S. financial system is in trouble.
Freeman: The mortgage meltdown mess solution
By Samuel Freeman, Rio Grande Guardian, 1 October 2008
EDINBURG – Although proposals coming out of Washington provide some help to homeowners staring down foreclosure, primary interest appears to be saving financial institutions and the rich capitalists who own them.
Perryman: How high is the water
By Ray Perryman, Rio Grande Guardian, 1 October 2008
WACO – Although the late Johnny Cash was no economist or even an economic prognosticator, he certainly knew how to get your attention and get his point across.
Shapleigh: Bundles of greed on Wall Street
By Eliot Shapleigh, Rio Grande Guardian, 1 October 2008
EL PASO – What happened on Wall Street? Why is it that every working man and woman in America is now asked to shoulder $2,300 in more taxes?
Time To Abandon Ethanol Mandates
Tyler Morning Telegraph, 2 October 2008
TYLER – Washington's failure to achieve a sensible energy policy continues.
News
President approves disaster relief funding
By Leigh Jones, Galveston County Daily News, 1 October 2008
GALVESTON — President Bush on Wednesday approved an appropriations bill that includes $23 billion for disaster relief.
Money sent home by Mexicans in US drops 12 percent
Waco Tribune-Herald, 2 October 2008
MEXICO CITY — Mexicans living in the U.S. sent home 12 percent less money in August, the largest drop on record since the Bank of Mexico began tracking remittances 12 years ago, the central bank reported on Wednesday.
Houston and L.A. only 2 cities with `severe' smog
Waco Tribune-Herald, 2 October 2008
HOUSTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday granted Gov. Rick Perry's request to classify the Houston area's smog problem as "severe," giving the region an extra nine years to meet federal health standards.
Teachers are fingerprinted for checks into backgrounds
By Zahira Torres, El Paso Times, 2 October 2008
EL PASO – Thousands of teachers and school employees throughout the county on Tuesday began being fingerprinted so national criminal background checks can be done.
Oil company promises money to UT if it wins suit
Waco Tribune-Herald, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN — A lawsuit Moncrief Oil International has filed over its interests in one of Russia's largest natural gas fields could benefit the University of Texas.
Rights group investigates T. Don Hutto immigrant detention center
By Juan Castillo, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN – A delegation of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights was in Austin on Wednesday on a fact-finding mission on the treatment of immigrant families and asylum seekers at the T. Don Hutto detention center in Taylor and other Texas facilities.
People
Sides in DeLay case bicker over change in money-laundering law
By Laylan Copelin, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN – Did the state's money-laundering statute apply to Tom DeLay in 2002, when the former U.S. House majority leader is accused of using checks to illegally funnel corporate money to Republican candidates?
Several judges couldn't judge Tom DeLay
By Laylan Copelin, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2 October 2008
AUSTIN – When it comes to the Tom DeLay case, accusations of partisanship are almost an occupational hazard for judges.
Tamez to be awarded by Texas Civil Rights Project
By Kevin Sieff, Brownsville Herald, 1 October 2008
BROWNSVILLE – In her crusade against the border fence, Eloisa Tamez has galvanized residents along the Rio Grande, filing seminal lawsuits against the federal government that have changed the very nature of the barrier's construction.
TPJ Campaign Complaint Leads Back to WilCo
BY PATRICIA J. RULAND, Austin Chronicle, 3 October 2008
AUSTIN – On Sept. 17, public interest nonprofit Texans for Public Justice announced it had filed criminal and civil complaints against Texas 3rd Court of Appeals Chief Justice Kenneth Law, alleging illegal and unethical fundraising practices and calling for $235,000 in penalties.
Innocence Project Seeks Justice
BY JORDAN SMITH, Austin Chronicle, 3 October 2008
AUSTIN – If Lubbock court officials had paid any attention to a letter they received in 1995, Timothy Brian Cole might still be alive.
Q&A: Former Texas death row chaplain opposes execution
Dallas Morning News, 1 October 2008
DALLAS – For 15 years, the Rev. Carroll Pickett was a witness to state-sanctioned death.
Remember When: The first President Bush visits Rockford
Rockford Register, 1 October 2008
ROCKFORD, Ill.— George H.W. Bush visited Rockford several times between 1978 and 1988 in roles ranging from a former Central Intelligence Agency director to vice president and presidential candidate.
