NEWS
Obama’s War on Texas escalates
I believe I was among the first to notice a specific War on Texas, as I termed it, from the Obama Administration. Just after the Leftist ideologue took office, various Federal regulatory
Tax-Funded Lobbying: Is a Lobby Firm Really a Bureaucrat?
The City of Grapevine, in North Texas, recently hired a lobby firm, Solutions for Local Control, LLC, to assist “in developing political and legislative strategies.” Behind the firm is mainly one individual, former state Rep. Fred Hill (R-Richardson), who scored only 60% on the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Fiscal Responsibility Index during his final term in the Texas House. In what looks to be a blatant assault on public transparency, and perhaps illegally, Grapevine conducted its meetings about the lobby contract behind closed doors.
Transparency Saves Money
Transparency is good policy, on its face. Given how much taxpayers are charged for the cost of government, we should get a chance to view the receipt. Texas has led the nation in state-level expenditure transparency, and Comptroller Susan Combs reports the savings have been substantial: tens of millions since late 2007.
Bill White’s Sloppy Homework
Last week Bill White, the Democratic candidate for governor, issued a press release on the state of public education in Texas. His campaign quoted an Empower Texans critique that “Texas taxpayers are ‘not getting our money’s worth’ in Texas’ education system.” However, Mr. White took it a step further and linked these concerns into an attack on Republican Gov. Rick Perry. If this assignment had been turned in for a grade, it would get sent back with red marks all over it.
Sunset On A Bad Relationship?
Legislative liberals are howling like scorned lovers over the appointment of Republican State Rep. Larry Taylor to the Sunset Commission. The Democratic Caucus is indignant, saying House Speaker Joe Straus isn’t providing the “inclusiveness” and “parity” they say he promised when they delivered him the speakership in 2009. Mr. Straus is finding that those who brought him to the dance are playing music to which it’s difficult to two-step.
Wishful Thinking, or Great Case for Voter ID?
Out here on the border, in Val Verde County, there will be what could be a major “vote harvesting” trial coming up.
Cutting its Nose to Spite its Face? Seriously?
You know, I had a lot of respect for Debra Medina. She really ran an impressive grassroots campaign for Governor, but then she goes and does something ridiculous and I can’t keep my mouth shut.
NW Texas influence in the House & hypocrisy
It would be hilarious if it were not so irritating and costly to West Texas: Once again, even after primary elections have passed, we find the opinion page at the Lubbock Mudslide filled with lament about how the area will suffer by having three freshman state reps.
Communism’s European Facelift has Gone Bad Part 3
In part two of this series we discussed the childishness of socialism. It’s also deadly.
The Soviet Union showed us that strong poison kills quickly. Greece is showing us that diluted poison kills less quickly, but kills nonetheless.
Trailer for Sale or Rent
This week, the Texas AFL-CIO held a press conference to offer Gov. Rick Perry, and the First Lady of Texas, use of a “single-wide” manufactured home they had hauled to their parking lot and placed on cinder blocks in downtown Austin. While reasonable people may disagree on the type of accommodations Governor and Mrs. Perry should occupy while the historic Governor’s Mansion is being rebuilt, this publicity stunt should be an insult to all Texans.
What’s so wrong with Patrick Rose
Despite recent claims to the contrary, HD 45 erstwhile Democratic representative is no friend to Texas taxpayers or Texas business.
Communism’s European Facelift Has Gone Bad Part 2
In part one of this series we discussed European socialism, Marxism’s second try, bribing people out of their freedom. Franklin D. Roosevelt took advantage of a scared American populace in the 1930’s to do just that.