03/21/2010

Liz Carpenter, Texas humorist, women's rights crusader and aide to Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson, dies at 89
AUSTIN – Liz Carpenter, a Texas humorist and women's rights crusader who trolled the corridors of power in Washington as a journalist and trusted aide to Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson, never shedding her common touch and flair as a friend-maker, party-thrower and mentor, died Saturday morning in Austin. She was 89.

03/19/2010

Solar panels on public projects stoke payback debate
AUSTIN – When UT Southwestern Medical Center finishes its $2.4 million solar energy project early next year – largely funded with federal economic stimulus dollars – the panels will help provide shaded parking.

5 former justices endorse Lehrmann for Texas Supreme Court
AUSTIN – In a hotly contested judicial race where endorsements are important, Republican Debra Lehrmann won the backing of Tom Phillips and four other former justices Thursday in her bid for a spot on the Texas Supreme Court.

White, Perry camps spar over border security
Democrat Bill White pressed for help with federal border security in a call to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and he said Thursday that Republican Rick Perry, the governor he is challenging, also should have picked up the phone.

03/18/2010

Ex-state senator to run in special election
AUSTIN – Former Sen. David Sibley of Waco, who gave up his seat in 2002, announced Wednesday that he will run in a special election on May 8 in a bid to return to the Senate.

Special election set May 8 to fill Terri Hodge's seat
Dallas lawyer Eric Johnson, the Democratic nominee for the seat in this fall's general election, also plans to run in the special election, meaning he might get an early start to the term he is all but certain to win this fall.

Rep. Chet Edwards digs in on 'no' vote despite call barrage
Rep. Chet Edwards of Waco, a prime target for House Republicans this fall who has dug in as a "no" vote despite a personal plea last week from President Barack Obama, is getting flooded with calls prompted by Organizing for America – the offshoot of the president's 2008 campaign organization.

03/17/2010

Texas gubernatorial candidate White on board of firm investigated by Congress as possible polluter
AUSTIN – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White earned more than $2.6 million serving on the board of a gas well servicing company that now is part of a congressional investigation into possible groundwater contamination.

Texas House members' offices quiet despite health care protests
WASHINGTON – Texas lawmakers were largely left alone by health care protesters Tuesday, even as Tea Partiers rallied on Capitol Hill.

03/16/2010

Edwards opposes health care bill
WASHINGTON – House Democratic leaders hunting for votes to pass health overhaul legislation won't get support from Central Texas Rep. Chet Edwards, despite a personal plea from President Barack Obama.

Dick Armey says Tea Party is here to stay
WASHINGTON – Dick Armey, a key figure in the Tea Party, shrugged off the movement's lack of success in recent Texas primaries, citing inroads elsewhere and predicting that activists will provide discomfort and guidance to politicians for years to come.

03/15/2010

Slater: Karl Rove pins the blame for Bush White House troubles on others
Rove came to Dallas on Monday to promote his new memoir, Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight. In it, he presents the George W. Bush he knew: smart, decisive and insistent that people take personal responsibility for their actions.

03/13/2010

Exclusive: State privatization champion gets contract to help clear up welfare mess
A former state official who played a major role in the state's biggest privatization fiasco is now making money trying to help Texas fix the problems that resulted.

03/14/2010

Hensarling has doubts about how successful deficit-reduction commission will be
The president's bipartisan fiscal commission is taking shape.

03/12/2010

Fox News tries to clarify erroneous reports about Texas social studies curriculum debate
AUSTIN – After getting ripped by the Texas Education Agency, Fox News on Thursday sought to clarify some of its reports on the state's social studies curriculum debate.

State Farm plans 2nd rate hike in 8 months for home policies
AUSTIN – State Farm Insurance told the state Thursday that it intends to raise its homeowners rate 4.5 percent statewide starting May 1, only eight months after the company boosted rates 8.8 percent.

03/11/2010

Wayne Slater: Texas tales in Karl Rove's memoir likely to raise a few questions, eyebrows
The way Karl Rove remembers it, he was such a hot political property in Texas in the 1990s even Democrats wanted to hire him.

State Board of Education continues debate over standards for social studies
AUSTIN – State Board of Education members resumed their volatile debate over social studies standards Wednesday as the panel neared its first vote on what Texas students will be taught in U.S. history, government and other classes over the next decade.

Texas Democratic governor hopeful White duels with Houston critic over bonds
AUSTIN – A legislative hearing suddenly gave way Wednesday to second-guessing of Bill White's fiscal management of Houston, and a swift rebuttal from the Democratic nominee for governor.

Denison man named ombudsman for TYC
AUSTIN – A Denison man with 35 years of law enforcement experience was named ombudsman Wednesday for the Texas Youth Commission, a job vacant for four months after Gov. Rick Perry's previous appointee was indicted.

No word from Hutchison on her plans for rest of her Senate term
WASHINGTON – Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is putting off any decision about resignation, a GOP colleague said Wednesday.

03/09/2010

Health care costs open $1.7 billion hole in Texas budget
AUSTIN – Lawmakers have been thinking ahead to a massive shortfall, topping $10 billion, that's probably coming when they write the next budget in 2011. But state officials told them Monday that they'll have to fix a hole in the current budget, too.

03/08/2010

Sen. John Cornyn says Texas only 'marginally' Republican
Sen. John Cornyn called Texas only “marginally” Republican this morning, less than a week after a primary that drew the most GOP voters in at least 30 years.