Arnold Public Affairs
Weekly News Report
September 9, 2011
Below are some general items of interest pertaining to the latest political developments and important events:
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Many legislators successful without a college degree
“Four years ago, state Rep. Warren Chisum chaired the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee, the most influential panel in Austin..….”
(View full article here).
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Perry on being a Democrat decades ago
“His past isn’t unique in a state once as heavily dominated by Democrats as it now is by Republicans. Here, his one-time support for Gore is viewed through that prism. But throw Gore’s name into the mix nationally, and the reaction is ramped up….….”
(View full article here).
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Controversial Pollution Rule Still On Track for Texas
“To the delight of conservatives in Texas and nationwide, the White House announced on Friday that ground-level ozone levels would be reviewed in 2013 rather than tightened immediately. But the controversial “cross-state pollution” rule, which aims at tightening emissions from power plants in Texas and 26 other states, remains scheduled for implementation in January. The cross-state rule targets nitrogen oxides, an ozone precursor, as well as sulfur dioxide, which is not an ozone precursor but can also cause lung damage….….”
(View full article here).
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Prison industry programs a victim of economic recession
“When the local soap factory closed last month after more than 45 years in business, 95 workers were without a job and a thriving business with as much as $4 million in sales left town. But unlike other businesses here, this factory was located inside a state prison, one of six prison factories in Texas that have closed in recent months because of the struggling economy………”
(View full article here).
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Time to adapt to teach the ‘digital native’ generation
“Digital native: a person who has grown up in the digital world using technology as a way to communicate, record, educate and understand society..…..”
(View full article here).
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Texas Senate race heats up; David Dewhurst takes flak from key lawmaker
“The presidential race isn’t the only political contest that is capturing the attention of Texans. The U.S. Senate race is getting some attention, too. The Bryan-College Station Eagle spotlighted a speech by state Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, mentioning the effect of political ambition on the legislative session:..……”
(View full article here).
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Unemployed face tough competition: underemployed
“America’s 14 million unemployed aren’t competing just with each other. They must also contend with 8.8 million other people not counted as unemployed — part-timers who want full-time work……..”
(View full article here)
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Sen. Dan Patrick speaks in favor of a sales tax increase, but maintains conservative values
“Texas Sen. Dan Patrick, District 7–Cy-Fair, spoke in support of reallocating tax dollars to increase public education funds during a Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce meeting Sept. 1….…”
(View full article here).
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International Paper to Buy Temple-Inland
“International Paper increased the all-cash bid to $32 a share, the Memphis, Tennessee-based company said today in a statement. Temple-Inland, which is based Austin, Texas, had previously rejected a June 6 offer of $30.60 a share as too low. Temple Inland rose as much as 26 percent in New York….…”
(View full article here).
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Bonnen is first to announce for Taylor’s seat
“Friendswood’s Dr. Greg Bonnen is the first announced candidate for the State House seat being vacated by Rep. Larry Taylor, who is running for State Senate....”
(View full article here)
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Child support expert Baldwin tapped as protective services’ interim chief
“State social services czar Tom Suehs has named veteran state government executive Howard Baldwin as temporary chief of the Department of Family and Protective Services, which protects vulnerable children and elderly Texans...…”
(View full article here)
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State lawmaker questioned on stand if colleague is a racist
“State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, was the first person to testify in the state’s redistricting case, which began today in San Antonio.
During cross examination, Martinez Fischer was asked by a state lawyer if thought state Rep. Burt Solomons, a lead redistricting lawmaker, was racist..…”
(View full article here).
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Federal agencies on alert for 10th anniversary of 9/11
“Fort Bliss will increase security on post while other federal agencies will remain on heightened alert as the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania approaches.
(View full article here)
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Encounter between US hunters, Mexican police under investigation
“An emergency call about armed men along the Rio Grande sparked the cross- border encounter between Mexican federal police and U.S. hunters in the Lower Valley last week, a Mexico federal police spokesman said Wednesday..….”
(View full article here)
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Will TPW budget cuts affect you?
“For the coming year the department will have $332.3 million to manage the state’s fisheries, wildlife and massive park system, while providing outdoor opportunities and protection for our natural resources against poachers and would be abusers. This budget amount represents a nearly $91 million shortfall compared with the 2011 budget and a $136 million deficit compared with the 2010 budget…….”
(View full article here)
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Dan Patrick Won’t Run for U.S. Senate
“State Rep. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, officially announced today that he will not run for the seat currently occupied by outgoing U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, but that he is mulling a run for lieutenant governor……”
(View full article here).
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Aggies move to SEC encounters roadblocks
“Texas A&M’s quest for a berth in the Southeastern Conference was complicated Wednesday by a legal roadblock thrown by Baylor. And it remained unclear when or if the Aggies may join the powerful league……”
(View full article here).
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Opinion: Dewhurst to sign federal disaster request
“Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst just announced that he will sign a disaster declaration request later today seeking expedited federal assistance for victims of wildfires in Bastrop County, Travis County and around Texas……”
(View full article here).
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Highlights and lowlights of the Republican presidential debate
“Are you fed up yet? After one debate, Rick Perry may well be fed up with presidential debates. The only thing that was attacked more than the Texas governor was his policy manifesto, “Fed Up!” No wonder he said he felt like a piñata at the Grand Old Party….…”
(View full article here).
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In Texas, 18 percent are facing hunger
“According to a new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas ranks second in the nation in the percentage of people struggling with “food insecurity,” a term that refers to households where members have difficulty meeting their food needs..…”
(View full article here).
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Tea Partiers reject global warming, poll finds, reflecting a GOP field full of skeptics
“Thirty-four percent of self-identified Tea Partiers said they believe global warming is real, but 53 percent of those surveyed do not believe global warming is happening, according to the study. Fifty-three percent of Republicans, 71 percent of independents and 78 percent of Democrats said they believe global warming is real……”
(View full article here).
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School safety: Security will get a look
“Public education took a pounding in the most recent session of the Texas Legislature. In a desperate quest for budget reductions, the public schools system was forced to cut programs, lay off employees and make other reductions into the millions of dollars……”
(View full article here).
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Railroad Commissioner: Texas can regulate Eagle Ford development on its own
“The economic frenzy Eagle Ford Shale drilling has ushered into South Texas will continue as long as the federal government gives the state breathing room to regulate development, a state official said……”
(View full article here).
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Panel Oks minorities redistricting intervention
“A three-judge panel dismissed objections by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Thursday and allowed minority groups to intervene in a federal court challenge to congressional and legislative redistricting maps……”
(View full article here).
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Texas healthcare system withering under Gov. Perry
“The governor and presidential hopeful has said the state can manage on its own, without President Obama’s overhaul. But more than a quarter of Texans lack insurance, the highest rate in the nation……”
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