Of Note
- Hog Helicopter Hunting Data Charts – Becca Aronson, Texas Tribune
When we see this on XGames in a few years, let’s remember: our state really is better than your state. We hunt hogs by helicopter. - Texas House Bans Offensive Security Pat-Downs – AP
- Texas House votes to expand energy efficiency programs; critic says energy savings claims ‘wildly exaggerated’ – Mark Lisheron, Texas Watchdog
- Texas Warned on Cuts to Historically Black Schools – Reeve Hamilton, Texas Tribune
The Obama Administration’s War on Texas continues. - Senate passes Amazon-related sales tax bill – Barry Harrell, Postcards
- Guest Column: Why "Loser Pays" is a Loser – Tom Melsheimer and Craig Smith, Texas Tribune
- Guest Column: Why "Loser Pays" is a Winner – Leo Linbeck Jr., Texas Tribune
- U.S. House Fundraising Map: 2011 – Matt Stiles and Ryan Murphy, Texas Tribune
- A Tale of Two Texas University System Chancellors – Reeve Hamilton, Texas Tribune
- Conservative Group’s Influence on Texas Higher-Education Policy Takes Center Stage Again – Jack Stripling, Chronicle of Higher Education
- UT opens Silicon Valley biz office – Sandra Zaragoza, Austin Business Journal
The Week in the Lege (and the media)
- Texas Partisanship Week – R.G. Ratcliffe, BurkaBlog
He’s actually referring to the operation of a conservative legislature in a conservative state (and not the behavior of some dinosaur media members who recall fondly when Republican promises not to raise taxes were cast aside so the Club in Austin could all get along). - Aggie shuffle: Phil Gramm could be the next chancellor – Paul Burka, BurkaBlog
It can be entertaining when Burka talks to one unnamed source on some topic…. - McKinney’s exit – Paul Burka, BurkaBlog
… and then talks to another unnamed source on the same topic. - Perry's budget call ruffles senators – Mike Ward, Postcards
- Fiscal hawks take their TV spots to Tyler, where 'Easy E' isn't fazed – Robert Garrett, Trail Blazers Blog
In a related development, the Austin American-Statesman’s Mike Ward reports here that the anti-tax group Empower Texans is using Gov. Rick Perry’s pre-recorded voice in “robo calls” urging voters to call their lawmakers and recommend they adopt the House’s cuts-filled budget.
Problem: Mike Ward never used the term “robo calls” in the post above. That’s Robert Garrett’s mischaracterization (and misquote).
- CORRECTION: Perry robo call didn't praise House budget, transcript shows – Robert Garrett, Trail Blazers Blog
I should’ve checked with him or the governor’s office before picking up the other guy’s post. My bad.
Yes, it is bad. Texas journos do this sort of thing all the time. Is it so hard to pick up the phone or shoot off an email to someone you’re writing about? That used to be what professional journos did.
For what it’s worth, the false “robo call” quote attributed to Mike Ward still remains uncorrected. Horrible.
- Payback time: Thompson takes on Simpson – Tim Eaton, Postcards
Alternative headline: When alleged adult public servants behave like spoiled children. See below. - Ugly Exchange of Words Caps Off Tense Week at Lege – Julian Aguilar, Texas Tribune
See above. - Ooh, payback time on Local and Consent – two N. Texas lawmakers back at it – Karen Brooks, Trail Blazers Blog
See above. - Wendy Davis says redistricting plan an insult to her constituents – Aman Betheja, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
One more time: Public Servants who treat their seats with a sense of entitlement are what is insulting.