Top Stories
- DFW #1 and Houston #2 nationally in March Job Growth – Scott Thomas, Houston Business Journal
Besides Texas’s biggest metros leading the nation, Austin placed 15th and San Antonio 35th. Meanwhile several California metros lost job growth. Perhaps this is why just yesterday California leaders called for their state to adopt the Texas model.
Yet none of this stopped Houston Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg from trying to spin the story the other way. We don’t really recommend you read it, as she tries to mix timeframes in order to put the worst possible spin on Texas. She completely ignored the fact that both DFW and Houston led the nation in job growth. Amazing effort to bury her head in the sand.
So far, it appears she’s not alone. As of the time of this writing, no major metro newspaper website other than the Houston Business Journal mentions the news. WHY?
- Doggett leaks outdated map preferred by Congressional Republicans – Jason Embry, Statesman
Here’s the map, even if it is outdated. - Texas governor: Disaster could blow hole in budget – Jay Root, AP
- Legislature's rush to regulate – Rep. David Simpson, Austin American-Statesman
It wouldn’t surprise if the “dog gestapo” / “puppy mill” bill comes up again at primary time. - David Dewhurst interview – Texas Tribune
[On running for Senate or Governor] I don’t think I need to be distracted right now. I have given it a lot of thought and talked to my wife about where I might be able to, in her judgment and mine, best serve Texas in the future.
With all due respect to our lieutenant governor, didn’t he just admit to being distracted?
Recommended
- Guest Column: The Case for Higher Ed Accountability – Ronald Trowbridge, Texas Tribune
A previously neglected perspective finally breaks into the Texas Tribune orbit. - UT and A&M presidents defend reactions to 7 solutions – Christy Hoppe, Dallas Morning News
And UT regent chairman Gene Powell hired TPPF’s Rick O’Donnell for a $200,000 advisor’s slot this year. O’Donnell’s job was seen as helping lay the framework for the seven solutions, but after questions arose about creating such a job during a hiring freeze and other criticisms, O’Donnell abruptly left this month.
O’Donnell took a pay cut to go into public service to help reform Texas higher ed.
Status quo advocates sensed that they could use process arguments to slow higher ed reform and claim a scalp. They won. Want to bet on whether tuition rates keep skyrocketing?
- Perry initiates regular updates of wounded Texan soldiers – Erin Cargile, KXAN
- The Race for the Hispanic Vote – Melissa del Bosque, Texas Observer
Plenty of spin in here. - Republican governors bring change, as promised – Gov. Rick Perry, Politico
- Guest Column: The Case for Ron Paul – Debra Medina, Texas Tribune
Smart traffic ploy. - Auditor: Perry's tech fund needs more transparency – AP
- Where's the budget outrage, some lawmakers wonder – Gary Scharrer, Chron Texas Politics
Not enough Texans understand the magnitude of billions of dollars worth of budget cuts, said Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
“I don’t think the business community gets it,” he said. “I don’t think the media fully comprehends the magnitude of this problem. I think the average Texan faces a disconnect.
Oh, there’s a disconnect…. between the big spenders and voters.
- No budget joy in Mudville – R.G. Ratcliffe, BurkaBlog
[L]et’s set aside the myth that the Texas House cannot pass a tax bill. It already has: HB 2403 won House approval this week 122-23 to force Amazon to pay state sales taxes. Based on my purchases last year, that bill would have cost me an extra $111 in sales taxes. There is a fairness issue about giving online retailers an tax advantage over local businesses, but don’t pretend this was not a tax increase. And proposals to eliminate the August sales tax holiday means the poorest among us will pay more in taxes for clothes and supplies to send their children to school. If the Legislature can raise those taxes, they also can raise taxes to help balance the budget.
Speaking of that disconnect.
- A Real Solution to Limit Government Growth – MattSDowling.com
- Calendar Threatens Anti-Bullying Bills in the House – Nolan Hicks, Chron Texas Politics
Good. Lower priority items are just that. - Rise of suburbs thwarts ascent of inner-city clout – Bill King, Houston Chronicle
- No Market Abuse During Texas Blackouts, Report Finds – Kate Galbraith, Texas Tribune
- How should electric rates be set now? – Loren Steffy, Houston Chronicle
- Who's winning the Texas money chase? – David Catanese, Politico
Iconoclast readers knew this already. - Ted Cruz highlights RNHA meeting – David Jennings, Big Jolly Politics
“Cruz is going to be tough to beat in this primary.”