While Texas remains on top as the strongest economy nationwide, the state is feeling the effects of the recession. The Comptroller’s forecast indicates tax revenue will drop significantly in the next biennium, and most Republican state lawmakers are planning budget cuts rather than tax increases, saying there are “no sacred cows.”

Well, the cattle are lowing.

I’ve a perfect example for you of how even a vociferous conservative can find himself supporting a tax increase, get it through the Legislature, and get away with few ever knowing.

With Texas being the biggest winner of this decade’s decennial census and subsequent congressional reapportionment, many liberals are trying to find a silver lining, especially after their November beat down in which the Texas Democratic delegation shrunk from 12 to 9.

If there is anything the DC debate on the ill-named DREAM Act has taught us in Texas, it’s that our public universities are filled with those who are residing in the country illegally and, despite that fact, are politically active.

“Institutions of higher education, like other state agencies, are looking for already lean budget areas they can take a knife to – a second time. They are charged by the state’s leadership with identifying an additional 2.5 percent in cuts in state General Revenue funding from their Fiscal Year 2011 budgets.

There was an interesting story in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal about the large number of Mennonites who have immigrated to the Gaines County and Seminole-area over the past thirty years.

It’s being reported that the University of Texas e-mail system was used to urge all students to “vote straight Democratic” in unsolicited messages. This would appear to be in direct conflict with the tax-funded institution’s policies.