Items of Interest Compiled by Arnold Public Affairs
The Legislature’s ongoing proposals to address the budget shortfall continue to dominate the attention of Texans, but political turnover, additional emergency legislation from the Governor, and relations between new and incumbent politicians, are also drawing significant publicity. Below are some general items of interest pertaining to the latest political developments and important events:
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Perry, Dewhurst Talking Like Federal Candidates
“Could this be the last legislative session for Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst? Both men were just elected to fresh four-year terms, but it’s a logical question if you have it in your head that one or the other is running for — and has a reasonable chance at winning — a federal office. The two have different ways of saying they’re not thinking about it right now, what with the legislative session opening and all, but each is positioning himself for a run.”
(View full article here).
Candidates Line Up for Hutchinson Seat
“Former President George H.W. Bush is wasting no time deciding who he thinks should succeed Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Bush, more than a year before the GOP primary, threw his support Monday behind former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams of Fort Worth…Including Williams, who has been running for the seat for two years now, the 2012 field is already taking shape….”
(View full article here).
Challengers Lining Up to Replace Dallas Mayor
“Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert won’t run for re-election, and already the scramble has begun at City Hall to replace him. Council member Ron Natinsky told News 8 he’s in. Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway and Council member Angela Hunt appear ready to run as well. Other possibilities include businessman Brint Ryan and Park Board President Mike Rawlings…”
(View full article here).
Lawmakers Sobered by Budget Reality as Details on Impact Emerge
“Texas lawmakers got a first look at the state budget in the harsh glare of daylight Wednesday, and some were surprised by what they found. State Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, fumed that Ranger College in his district was one of four community colleges that had been eliminated as part of the $156 billion bare-bones proposal released to legislators late Tuesday. ‘We have shown for the first time a closure of community colleges. To me, that is the height of irresponsibility,’ Keffer said. ‘You have put the four of us already on the defensive…’”
(View full article here).
Texas School Districts Grapple With State’s New ‘Worst Case’ Budget Proposal
“Texas public school officials are struggling to figure out how to respond to a first-draft state budget that includes a shortfall in education funding twice as large as their largest estimates. ‘It is a new worst-case scenario,’ Mesquite ISD Superintendent Linda Henrie said Thursday. The House leaders’ budget plan released in Austin this week tosses sand in the gears of budget planning for most local districts…”
(View full article here).
Perry Declares Voter ID, Balanced Budget Amendment Priorities for Texas Legislature
“Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday opened the door for quick approval of a voter ID bill this year, declaring it an emergency issue that can be taken up by lawmakers right away — though supporters so far have produced little evidence of voter identification fraud in Texas. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst promptly announced later Thursday that the full Senate will consider voter ID legislation at a public hearing Monday. Senators will meet as a committee of the whole, listening to testimony on the bill. The governor also fast-tracked legislation that calls for a balanced-budget amendment in the U.S. Constitution…”
(View full article here).
A Conversation With Jim Pitts
“On Thursday, for our latest TribLive conversation, I interviewed the Waxahachie Republican who chairs the House Appropriations Committee about the budget shortfall, the possibility of new revenue sources, whether Joe Straus will retaliate against members who opposed him and whether Tea Party threats should be taken seriously…”
(View full article here).
Proposed Budget Cut Raises Debate Over Value of State Technology Fund“A proposal to cut 85 percent from the Emerging Technology Fund raises the question of whether the state’s economic engine would even miss the $137 million in public money. It’s an issue that divides even conservatives. Gov. Rick Perry champions the fund as a means to diversify and develop Texas’ high-tech economy…”
(View full article here).
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