The city of Grapevine has come under fire for hiring lobbyist Fred Hill and now they’re stoking the flame. Last month the city conducted contract negotiations behind closed doors, disregarding the Texas Open Meetings Act. The city is compounding its sins by creating bigger and an ethically corrupt government position.
Daniel Greer
Stripping Power Trip
Texas’ Public Utility Commission is considering a mandate on diversification of energy production, the net effect of which will be increased costs and lower consumption.
Are David Sibley’s Tax Lobby Days Numbered?
After retiring from the state Senate, David Sibley followed the road often taken by former lawmakers and started to lobby. Now Sibley is hoping to take a road not often traveled from the lobby back to the upper chamber. This is a nice juxtaposition to his current situation, collecting tax dollars to lobby.
Congress Sues Over FOIA
Congress is a small independent school district in Arizona tired of receiving and complying with open record requests. So, the district with a lousy track record of timely releasing information, is suing concerned taxpayer Jean Warren.
White-washing the Economy?
Democrat gubernatorial candidate Bill White has lofty plans for Texas… but we have to wait for him to look “under the hood” to know how he will make them reality.
Par For Straus’ Course
As of last week Texans can take pride in a new select committee. Speaker Straus created the House Select Committee on Transportation to highlight the need for increased transparency and accountability in Texas transportation and to analyze current and future transportation funding requirements.
I dare say that Texas does not need a select committee to be reminded of the need for greater transparency and accountability in our transportation.
Commit the Crime Avoid the Time
Attention Dallas area thieves, drug dealers and murderers: now through Sunday you will have ample opportunity to perform your crime of choice. Law enforcement officials in Dallas will be undergoing another revenue enhancement, i.e.
Too Senior to Fail?
Some embattled Republicans are being labeled “too senior to fail” by the Austin Chronicle. In an article written about the power of seniority in the legislature the Chronicle muses over whether the party is best served by incumbents losing in the March primaries to challengers or if voters should ignore voting records and bail out the senior officials.
Taxpayer Watchdog: Just My Two Cents
Texans have become increasingly sensitive to and concerned about government spending. Tracking and reporting frivolous expenditures is a void currently being filled by concerned citizens. Such a watchdog exists in Richardson where a small business owner has taken matters into his own hands writing on Just My Two Cents blog.
JMTC requests information from the city of Richardson and other entities subject to FOIA inquires and then relays his findings. In a recent post he highlights the spending of his city council on meals.
TLOTA Lacks Real Support
Those seeking to impose higher gas taxes and fees have been dealt another blow. The Fort Worth Star Telegram and four other Texas dailies asked voters how the state should pay for more highway construction. TLOTA and raising the the gas tax, measures championed by Sen. John Carona and Rep. Vicki Truitt, received the lowest support.