A new political action committee is attacking Gov. Rick Perry with a television ad playing on a familiar theme: Perry’s high-class living. The ad starts airing tonight in markets across Texas.
Austin
Posted in
State Government
TribBlog: Berman’s Cup of Tea
State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, said he’s counting on Tea Party supporters to call their state representatives and urge them to vote for him for Speaker instead of incumbent Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.
Posted inState Government
TribBlog: Munisteri’s Private Parts
The recently elected chairman of the Republican Party of Texas has updated his formerly personal website bio.
Posted in
Public Education
State Board of Landlords?
Hoping to tackle the long-standing challenge of financing charter school facilities, the State Board of Education is considering taking on a novel and controversial role: landlord. SBOE member David Bradley, R-Beaumont, wants to use $100 million from the $23 billion Permanent School Fund to buy properties and then lease them back to charter schools, which have historically struggled with capital costs. Critics say the elected board can’t possibly fulfill the mandate of the Fund — to invest for maximum return — while at the same time cutting charters a good deal.
Posted in
Higher Education
TribBlog: Excellence for Aid?
A previously rejected proposal that would give TEXAS Grants to college students based on academic merit, rather than on a first-come, first-served basis, saw the light again on Wednesday — but old tensions still linger about who should get a piece of the nearly $615 million financial aid pie first.
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State Government
TribBlog: Watchdogging Perry’s “Creature Comforts”
Texans for Public Justice, a nonprofit watchdog group, filed a complaint today urging the Texas Ethics Commission to require Gov. Rick Perry to provide detailed reports of campaign expenditures on the Governor’s Mansion.
Posted in
Demographics
The Crackdown
Dozens of Texas border counties now check the immigration status of anyone who ends up in jail, removing thousands of criminal suspects from the country. But detainees are also being deported for minor infractions — including some who are never formally charged.
Posted inState Government
TT Interview: Dave Carney 2/8
An interview with Dave Carney, the general political consultant to Gov. Rick Perry.
Posted inState Government
2010: Andrea White Speaks Out
Andrea White, wife of the Democratic nominee for governor, Bill White, has been traveling around the state drumming up support for her husband’s campaign — one living room at a time
Posted in
Energy
TribBlog: Grading the Grid
A consulting firm’s report on the Texas grid operator, ERCOT, includes comments about “dead wood” among the workforce. It recommends staffing cuts and an independent board.