Top Stories
- Governor signs Sonogram Bill at Signing Ceremony; Most Significant Pro-Life Bill In Over Ten Years – Texas Legislative Update
- Congressional Redistricting Dead This Session – Lee Nichols, Austin Chronicle
An abdication of responsibility. - Teaching Loads and Affordability: The University of Texas Data – Richard Vedder, Chronicle of Higher Education
- Faculty Productivity and Costs at The University of Texas at Austin – Center for College Affordability and Productivity (PDF)
Recommended
- The New Normal – Weston Hicks, AgendaWise Reports
There’s a lot of hand wringing about the role of watchdogs in the 82nd Legislature, and the shock of legislators having been forced to come close to keeping campaign promises.
It’s simple. For a long time there’s been an unfilled market for connecting voters with what really happens in Austin.
Voters AND taxpayers. Taxpayers certainly have had more effective advocates in this session, to the chagrin of some “veteran” Austin insiders.
- The Nanny State of Texas – R.G. Ratcliffe, BurkaBlog
In a conservative, pro-life state, one suspects the majority does not share Ratcliffe’s view that a short delay for a sonogram before a baby can be terminated is an example of the draconian reach of the nanny state (one argument for the very existence of the state being the protection of life, after all). Some of the other examples are more compelling. It’s good to see Ratcliffe’s inner libertarian coming out! - Texas Governor Won't Rule Out 2012 Run – Jay Root, Texas Tribune
For at least the last two years, don’t you get the sense that this governor genuinely enjoys making the Texas political media jump (and generally driving them crazy)? - Daniels drops out; GOP field contracts – Paul Burka, BurkaBlog
I think Perry will run for president much as he ran for governor against Bill White: (1) Run against Washington; (2) Avoid the mainstream media while attacking them (4) Stick to appearances on Fox News, conservative talk radio, and a few well chosen Republican gatherings; (5) use the social media to build up a humongous e-mail list of members of conservative organizations; (6) stay below the radar screen for as long as possible; and (7) position himself as the candidate of the grass roots.
The speculation never ends. Wonder what #3 was?
- For Clients of Perry's Advisers, a Troubling Budget – Emily Ramshaw, Texas Tribune
The governor has stuck with his budget principles, yet some unnamed “political observers” still think “it raises serious questions” that some former staffers don’t seem to be getting special favors from the governor (or something). - Fed Threat Shuts Down TSA "Groping" Bill in Texas – Becca Aaronson, Texas Tribune
Too bad. The poor person getting groped can’t very well stand up to the TSA security theater absurdities. Neither, apparently, can David Dewhurst’s Texas Senate. - Senate unanimously passes Loser Pay bill – Christy Hoppe, Trail Blazers Blog
- House OKs 'resign to run' measure for candidates – Kelley Shannon Trail Blazers Blog
- Despite drought, lawmakers refuse to finance future water – Matthew Tresaugue, Houston Chronicle
Unlike the Feds, Austin can’t print money or borrow from the Chinese to purchase items on the the wish list. - Agreement on $3.2 b draw from rainy day fund – Kate Alexander, Postcards