Politics & Policy
February 1, 2008
Will to Power
After the Texas Youth Commission imploded last year, one of the state’s fiercest advocates for criminal justice reform was tapped to help rebuild. Inside his yet-to-be-completed slog.
Politics & Policy
Reporting and commentary on the Legislature, campaigns, and elected officials
Latest
5551-5600 of 7150 Articles
Politics & Policy
January 31, 2008
To Huckabee or Not To Huckabee
A friend in the Capitol community e-mailed me this morning to ask what he called the “Question du Jour”:Huckabee trails Romney by only an average of 1 – 2 points. Why is the media treating the Republican primary as a 2 man race?Here’s what I answered:It’s because he hasn’t won
Politics & Policy
January 29, 2008
State of the President
I was a pundit on Al Hurra last night. This is the Voice of America’s Arab outlet. I could hear myself being translated into Arabic as I talked. That was weird. Other than that, it was a normal broadcast: before the speech, questions about what to expect; afterwards, questions about
Politics & Policy
January 28, 2008
So Much for That Rumor
You know the one: that Governor Perry will name his former chief of staff Deirdre Delisi as chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, so that she could hold the place for Mike Krusee, after his term as a legislator expires in January 2009. Here’s the press release:Gov. Perry Names Andrade
Politics & Policy
January 28, 2008
Spencer Tillman
Yes, it’s the former Oklahoma and Houston Oilers running back and CBS studio analyst. Remember the name. You’ll learn why tomorrow.[Seven hours later] Uh, actually, you won’t. Kyle Janek has scheduled a press conference for tomorrow (Tuesday) at which he had planned to announce his plans to resign from his
Politics & Policy
January 28, 2008
Supreme Embarrassment
The Texas Supreme Court has become a public spectacle. It’s bad enough that a majority of the Court performs as a wholly owned subsidiary of Texans for Lawsuit Reform. Now it’s apparent that a third of the judges — Nathan Hecht, Paul Green, and David Medina — have no compunction
Politics & Policy
January 28, 2008
The Rove Commencement Speech Controversy: The Students’ View
Earlier this month, Evan Smith posted an item on his blog, State of Mine, noting that Wayne Slater had blogged about a controversy at the Choate prep school in Wallingford, Connecticut, resulting from an invitation to Karl Rove to be the commencement speaker in June. Here are more details from
Politics & Policy
January 27, 2008
Craddick’s Opposition to Texas Tech Medical School Funding Is an Issue in the Haggerty-Margo Race
One of the hottest primary races is the battle in El Paso between Pat Haggerty and Dee Margo, who was recruited to run against Haggerty by Tom Craddick. Craddick’s previous opposition to funding the Texas Tech medical school in El Paso has become an issue in the race. Eliot Shapleigh,
Politics & Policy
January 24, 2008
Down in the Valley
If you haven’t been to the Rio Grande Valley recently, you won’t believe how much it has changed. Until I went there early this week, I hadn’t been there for eight years. The last time I drove U.S. 83 from Harlingen to McAllen, orchards and row crops bordered the highway.
Politics & Policy
January 24, 2008
The Florida Open
I’ve been watching the Australian Open on ESPN, and it bears some resemblance to the Florida primary. We’re down to the semifinals now. In the upper bracket, it’s McCain vs. Romney to see who gets to play in the finals. Rudy is the Andy Roddick (sorry, Andy) of this bunch
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2008
Giuliani: Alive or Dead?
Alive, I’d say. Clearly the campaign thus far has been a disaster for Giuliani, but if he can win Florida, his swoon will be quickly forgotten. Here’s why: The rules for the Florida primary have been changed by the state Republican Party in response to the Republican National Committee’s decision
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2008
Poll Dancing
This is Eileen’s name for Texas Monthly’s new political blog about the national elections. Why anyone should care more about who is president of the United States than who is speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is beyond me, but in case some readers do, here is the link:
Politics & Policy
January 19, 2008
McCain Edges Huckabee in Votes; Wins Big in Delegates
This was an important victory for McCain. He had lost in Michigan, a state in which he was running ahead until the final days, and he needed a victory here for momentum into Florida. His victory is all the more important because this is a Southern state, rich in evangelical
Politics & Policy
January 18, 2008
Will the Immigration Crunch Hurt the Rodeo?
I came across this article in the Brownsville Herald blog. The author quotes an amusement industry consultant as predicting that immigration enforcement may have an adverse impact on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.Circus Chimera, whose shows have been mainstays in South Texas for any number of years, has canceled
Politics & Policy
January 18, 2008
Young Conservatives Bash Madden Challenger
Jon Cole, the former Rick Perry aide who is running against Jerry Madden in the Republican primary, has been called out by the Young Conservatives of Texas for his tactics in the race. Here is the official release:The Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) are calling upon House District 67 Republican
Politics & Policy
January 18, 2008
The Texas Presidential Primary: Rules of the Game
The Republican presidential primary is actually 33 separate elections — one for each of the state’s 32 congressional districts, and one statewide. One hundred and forty delegates are at stake.Each congressional district elects three delegates, for a total of 96.—If one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in
Politics & Policy
January 18, 2008
The Real Race
Forget the polls for a moment. Here are the actual standings of the Republican presidential race in actual delegates:Romney 53Huckabee 23McCain 21Thompson 1Hunter 1Giuliani 0More delegates are at stake in Florida (113) than have been won up to now.And for the Democrats:Clinton 190Obama 103Edwards 51Kucinich 1
Politics & Policy
January 16, 2008
New Updates on House Races
Due to a multitude of reader requests, we have created a permalink (on the right-hand side) to the post, “89 House Races to be Contested in 2008.” This will be continually updated. Here are the latest updated races:PenaEscobarAndersonGerenMcReynoldsStramaCohenBetty BrownPhil KingNoriega (open seat)
Politics & Policy
January 15, 2008
Ding Dong
The wicked witch is dead. Now, I wouldn’t describe Nancy Fisher that way — I barely know her — but a lot of members with twisted arms would. The rumor is that she and Terry Keel got crosswise. Anyway, here is the text of the official release:Nancy Fisher, chief-of-staff to
Politics & Policy
January 15, 2008
Chinatown II
Now I really don’t understand South Texas politics.Kino Flores’ father has apparently had a change of heart concerning his support of Eddie Saenz against Aaron Pena. Check out this story from last Friday by Steve Taylor in the Rio Grande Guardian, an Internet newspaper:EDINBURG, January 11, 2008 – Sullivan City
Politics & Policy
January 15, 2008
Chinatown
I’ll never understand South Texas politics.This release from the Eddie Saenz campaign — he’s challenging Craddick D Aaron Pena in the Democratic primary — appeared in the Quorum Report:La Joya Mayor Billy Leo, a South Texas icon, longtime community leader, and Democratic activist, endorsed Eddie this week, and so did
Politics & Policy
January 14, 2008
Three House Races Updated
I have posted updates to three House seats: the Juan Garcia, Juan Escobar, and Jerry Madden races. Scroll down to the post, “89 House Seats Will Be Contested in 2008.”
Politics & Policy
January 14, 2008
How Obama Helps McCain in Michigan
The latest poll (Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby, MOE 3.3%) shows McCain leading Romney by 27% to 24% on the day before the Michigan primary. Huckabee is third with 15%. This is a rolling three-day survey, with the most recent day replacing the most distant one. As was the case in New Hampshire, independents
Politics & Policy
January 12, 2008
“United We Fall” (from today’s New York Times)
Today I had an op-ed piece published in the New York Times. An editor contacted me on the day of the New Hampshire primary to ask if I would write about comparing George W. Bush’s self-description as “a uniter, not a divider,” with Barack
Politics & Policy
January 12, 2008
DCCC Targets 40 GOP House Seats — None in Texas
A friend e-mailed me the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s target list of Republican seats. I have omitted district numbers. The percentage shown is the incumbent’s share of the vote in 2006. Anyone who is a real junkie about this should get the Almanac of American Politics, a brilliantly written compilation
Politics & Policy
January 10, 2008
89 House Seats Will Be Contested in 2008
The speaker’s race and the narrowing Republican majority gave both parties an incentive to field candidates in races that they might normally pass up. Almost three-fifths of the House seats will be up for grabs in 2008. I have made comments throughout and tried to give some perspective on the
Politics & Policy
January 7, 2008
McCain, Obama Lead as New Hampshire Vote Nears
I watched the New Hampshire Republican Forum on Fox last night. Chris Wallace was an excellent moderator, asking tough questions, quoting candidates’ previous statements back to them, and instigating debate between the candidates. One such debate that was really interesting was over whether executive or senatorial experience was more important,
Politics & Policy
January 3, 2008
Notes from the Filing Deadline
Both parties have lists of candidates on their Web site. Neither list is accurate. At least the Republican list is in the order that the offices appear on the ballot: president, U.S. senator and representative, Railroad Commission, the statewide courts, the State Board of Education, then state Senate and House.
Politics & Policy
January 2, 2008
Road Warrior
Paul’s June 2007 column on Ric Williamson and the Trans-Texas Corridor, which he referenced on Sunday, is now accessible to all readers. You can find it here.
Politics & Policy
January 2, 2008
Krusee to Succeed Williamson?
I’m just guessing here, but Mike Krusee seems like the logical choice to succeed Ric Williamson as chair of the Texas Transportation Commission. Krusee was the original sponsor of the mammoth transportation bill in 2003, and he is a true believer in the need for toll roads and in the
Politics & Policy
January 1, 2008
Duke of Earle
Today is the filing deadline for the March 4 primary races. One thing to keep an eye on: Will Republicans field a candidate for Travis County DA? This is a crucial position, because the DA’s office includes the Public Integrity Unit, which is charged with being the ethics enforcer for
Politics & Policy
January 1, 2008
The Capitol Press Corpse
Is it really time to pronounce the body?
Politics & Policy
January 1, 2008
Writing for a Newsweekly
Karen Tumulty on writing for Time.
Politics & Policy
January 1, 2008
Writing for a Newsweekly
Karen Tumulty on writing for Time.
Politics & Policy
December 31, 2007
Don’t Blame Ric Williamson
A correspondent writes:What is this nonsense that when someone dies and he has done you dirt, you suddenly are expected to pretend to be sad not to have to deal with him? It’s pure hypocrisy, and particularly annoying that it’s held up as some sort of virtue. Certainly we feel
Politics & Policy
December 30, 2007
Report: Ric Williamson Suffers Fatal Heart Attack
I am sad to report that a close friend of Ric Williamson called to say that the chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission and the person who envisioned, created, and defended the Trans-Texas Corridor, died overnight of a major heart attack. The friend has been in touch with the family.This
Politics & Policy
December 30, 2007
Top Ten Texas Political Events of 2007
This is the sort of things one does at the end of the year. Readers are invited to submit their own lists, or partial lists, in the comments. I’m sure they will need no encouragement to criticize mine. Happy New Year to all.1. Speaker Tom Craddick rules that House members
Politics & Policy
December 27, 2007
Texas May Gain 4 Congressional Seats
So says the New York Times in an article on how the housing slump has affected normally fast-growing states. California may hold at 53 seats, probably the first time since the Gold Rush that the state hasn’t gained in representation. Florida’s growth has slowed–only 35,000 arrivals om 2007, one-fifth
Politics & Policy
December 22, 2007
The Speaker’s Race: The Revenge of Carter Casteel
I have been a holdout against the prevailing belief that Tom Craddick does not have the votes to be reelected as speaker and can’t get them. The outcome of the special election in District 97 has caused me to change my mind. Craddick has himself become an issue, and that
Politics & Policy
December 22, 2007
Dan Patrick Jumps into District 130 Race
Note to Readers: Please note that I have updated my response to the first of a series of six criticisms, below, that Allen Fletcher made of Corbin Van Arsdale’s voting record.Senator Patrick has thrown his support to Allen Fletcher, who is challenging incumbent Corbin Van Arsdale in the Republican primary
Politics & Policy
December 21, 2007
Republican Party of Texas Calls for Resignation of Texas Monthly Editor Evan Smith
The RPT’s statement relies on an article in today’s Midland Reporter Telegram that Smith recruited Midland City Councilman Bill Dingus to run against Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick. The article was erroneous. The Reporter-Telegram will run a retraction. The retraction and all communications between Smith and the newspaper can be
Politics & Policy
December 21, 2007
Corte of Last Resort
House Republican caucus chair Frank Corte has called out his Democratic counterpart, Jim Dunnam, for the statement Dunnam issued in reaction to attorney general Greg Abbott’s ruling on issues concerning the powers and immunities of the Speaker of the House. Here is Dunnam’s statement of December 14:“No one should be
Politics & Policy
December 20, 2007
Bud, Wiser
This e-mail from the Fort Worth Star Telegram’s Bud Kennedy contains his cogent analysis of the Barrett-Shelton race. It is great fun to pontificate from Austin, but every once in a while it is nice to hear from people who actually know something.Hi Paul,I see many comments about Dan Barrett’s
Politics & Policy
December 19, 2007
Craddick Has a Democratic Challenger
This is breaking news: Check it out on Evan Smith’s blog, State of Mine.
Politics & Policy
December 19, 2007
Amazing Race
The victory by Dan Barrett in the District 97 runoff is astonishing. This is a solid Republican district. Barrett went into the runoff with a 1,558 vote lead over Mark Shelton. The other five Republicans had amassed 7,886 votes between them. If both candidates held onto their votes from the
Politics & Policy
December 19, 2007
Back
A lot has been happening, and I haven’t blogged about any of it: Barrett’s amazing win, Abbott’s opinion, the crazy State Board of Education. The reason is that I have been writing a feature story on a tight pre-Christmas deadline for the February issue. I turned it in last night.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2007
The Speaker’s Race: Dee Margo May Challenge Haggerty
Tom Craddick was in El Paso recently, and apparently he found a challenger for Pat Haggerty. Two sources, one R, one D, say that Dee Margo, who lost a Senate race to Eliot Shapleigh, will take on Haggerty. (Margo told me earlier in the fall that he would not run.)
Politics & Policy
December 12, 2007
The Speaker’s Race: Waiting for Abbott
Suddenly there is a lot of chatter that the AG will issue his opinion on issues related to Speaker Craddick’s claim of absolute power before the end of the year. The chatterers seem to think that Abbott will pour Craddick out on the issue of whether the speaker is an
Politics & Policy
December 12, 2007
Center for Public Policy Priorities Criticizes Property-for-Sales Tax Plan
The CPPP article by Dick Lavine can be found here.Here is an excerpt from the introduction:Recently, some have proposed that Texas replace local school property taxes by increasing the rate of the state sales tax or expanding the sales tax to more goods and services. Such a tax
Politics & Policy
December 11, 2007
Giuliani Embraces Renewable Energy While His Law Firm Lobbies Against It
When Rudy Giuliani appeared on Meet the Press last Sunday, host Tim Russert asked the former New York mayor if he favored a proposal to increase the fuel efficiency of automobiles. Here was their exchange:MR. RUSSERT: Congress–the House has passed an energy bill which would mandate 35 miles per gallon