Politics
Noriega: Cornyn out of touch
By W. Gardner Selby, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 7 October 2008
AUSTIN – Democrat Rick Noriega hopes voters upset at Washington will favor him in the U.S. Senate race based on his views, never mind his smaller campaign treasury.
Noriega blasts Cornyn in UT visit GOP
By R.G. RATCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 6 October 2008
AUSTIN — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega on Monday said Republican incumbent John Cornyn is an "obstructionist" on immigration reform who wants to have it "both ways" for political purposes.
State senator Brimer loses bid to disqualify opponent
By JEFF MOSIER , Dallas Morning News, 6 October 2008
DALLAS – A Dallas appeals court ruled against GOP state Sen. Kim Brimer on Monday in his attempt to disqualify his Democratic opponent, Wendy Davis.
Federal appeals court hears Kucinich's Texas ballot case
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 October 2008
NEW ORLEANS — The Texas Democratic Party asked a federal appeals court Monday to uphold its right to impose a loyalty oath on candidates seeking the party’s nomination, a requirement challenged by former Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.
The Political Spirit Week 6: State rep. candidates air views on abortion, stem cell research
By Kelly Young, Jacksonville Daily Progress, 6 October 2008
JACKSONVILLE – Editor’s note: Each Monday the Daily Progress will publish a question-and-answer story featuring District 11 state representative hopefuls Chuck Hopson (Democrat incumbent) and Brian Walker (Republican challenger).
RECOMMENDATION: U.S. House 26
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 October 2008
FORT WORTH – Being elected to Congress in 2002 has changed Michael Burgess, and not in a bad way.
RECOMMENDATION: Texas Senate District 9
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 October 2008
Chris Harris has more seniority than any other Republican in the Texas Senate.
Government
Lax Texas laws allow cozy lobbyist-lawmaker ties
Jay Root, Associated Press, 7 October 2008
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick does business with a lobbyist, but can't say whom. Fellow Rep. Sid Miller finally disclosed his lobbyist dealings, but only after someone complained.
Lax state laws allow cozy lobbyist-lawmaker ties
Waco Tribune-Herald, 7 October 2008
AUSTIN — Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick is in business with a lobbyist but can't say who. Fellow Rep. Sid Miller finally disclosed his lobbyist dealings, but only after someone complained.
Texas Watch wants state changes for homeowners insurance
By ANDREA AHLES, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 October 2008
FORT WORTH – A consumer advocacy group is driving 3,000 miles in an RV to get Texans thinking about homeowners insurance.
Texas officials ready to revamp teachers' merit pay
By TERRENCE STUTZ, Dallas Morning News, 6 October 2008
AUSTIN – State officials are revamping Texas' 2-year-old merit-pay program for teachers after nearly 60 percent of the schools that participated last year – including dozens from the Dallas area – were bounced from the plan for failing to meet performance targets.
Raise Your Hand Texas official: State accountability system needs overhaul
By Ruth Campbell, Midland Reporter-Telegram, 7 October 2008
MIDLAND – Simplifying the state's school accountability system and modifying the four by four curriculum, which requires high school students to take four years of math and science to graduate, are two key topics a statewide organization plans to lobby for when the Legislature meets in 2009.
Texas dramatically expands its specialty license plates
By GORDON DICKSON, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 October 2008
FORT WORTH – Texas drivers are encouraged to BYA PL8.
Twogether in Texas shows couples how to keep knot tied
By JOANNA CATTANACH, Dallas Morning News, 6 October 2008
DALLAS – Fall brides can cross at least one expense off the bridal budget – the state marriage license fee.
Cornyn: Accountability from Wall Street needed to earn back trust from Main Street
By John Cornyn, Rio Grande Guardian, 6 October 2008
WASHINGTON – In recent weeks, as the American people have continued to grapple with a slowing economy and instability on Wall Street, the response to calls for a sweeping economic stabilization plan has understandably been one of anger and frustration.
Noriega: Why I’m against the Wall Street bailout
By Rick Noriega, Rio Grande Guardian, 6 October 2008
HOUSTON – Our nation is facing its worst financial calamity since the Great Depression.
Why I voted for the economic rescue plan
By U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, Huntsville Item, 5 October 2008
HUNTSVILLE – Like many others, I am angry.
For Texas motorists without insurance, the loop is closing
Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 7 October 2008
CORPUS CHRISTI – Next time you're in traffic, stopped at a stop light, look over at the driver in the next vehicle.
News
Texas' death toll from Ike rises to 36
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 October 2008
GALVESTON — A search-and-rescue crew found a third body over the weekend on an island near where Hurricane Ike barreled ashore last month, pushing the Texas death toll from the storm to 36.
President of Dallas’ Federal Reserve Bank frames crisis
By Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News, 6 October 2008
WICHITA FALLS – On a day when markets took wild roller coaster rides, Richard Fisher, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, told a gathering of business and community leaders in Wichita Falls, “the world has turned on a dime.”
Gov. Rick Perry says Texas economy remains strong amid national turmoil
By ROBERT T. GARRETT, Dallas Morning News, 6 October 2008
AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry said today’s stock market plunge shows that a financial industry bailout bill may not help the economy.
Perry upbeat on economic health
By CLAY ROBISON and PEGGY FIKAC, Houston Chronicle, 7 October 2008
AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry said Monday that the economy in Texas is in much better shape than it is nationally but noted that state government can't take anything for granted.
State oil industry running smoothly
By Lee Anderson, Wichita Falls Times Record News, 6 October 2008
WICHITA FALLS – The state’s oil industry continues to shine brightly, monthly data from the Railroad Commission of Texas and the just-released Texas Petro Index show.
People
Condemned Texas inmates lose appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 October 2008
HOUSTON — A dozen condemned Texas inmates, including Chelsea Richardson, convicted in the slaying of a Mansfield couple, lost appeals Monday before the U.S. Supreme Court, moving them closer to execution.
FEMA official arrested; tried to complain
By Sara Foley, Galveston County Daily News, 7 October 2008
GALVESTON — A FEMA coordinator cited during a brawl at the San Luis Hotel’s H20 bar Saturday night told police he witnessed officers using excessive force during the fight and wanted the police chief and city manager to come to the scene.
City: FEMA official’s arrest won’t hurt aid
By Leigh Jones, Galveston County Daily News, 7 October 2008
GALVESTON — A FEMA spokesperson said Monday she could not yet comment about whether the detention of a senior agency official by Galveston police would jeopardize the city’s relationship with the federal government.
Officer has filed more resisting arrest charges
By Sara Foley, Galveston County Daily News, 7 October 2008
GALVESTON — The officer whose confrontation with a bar patron erupted into a riot involving a wedding party and police is one of five officers who files resisting-arrests charges more frequently than most Galveston officers.
Bride says police ruined 'beautiful night'
Galveston County Daily News, 7 October 2008
GALVESTON — It was a sour end to what should have been a perfect day for Nick Lankford and Amanda O’Balle.
